Page 11

Vasha

I love him.

I love him.

I love him .

I wondered if I said it enough, even internally, if it would make me want to kill him just a little less.

He’d only remained at the Mississippi chapter for three days before declaring himself well enough to travel.

I’d watched him wince and shift around during the drive home, but he’d refused to stop along the way.

Even Fangs and Cotton hadn’t been able to talk him into it.

We’d been home for nearly a week, and he’d ripped out his stitches the first day home.

Instead of having someone put more in, he’d used glue from his toolbox to seal the wounds.

Glue!

What kind of man was I married to?

He was crazy.

Absolutely bonkers.

Despite the insanity of his actions, I had to admit he was still tempting.

Far too tempting.

All I had to do was know he was in the same room and I got wet, and then he took full advantage.

I swatted his hand as he tried to slip it under my skirt.

I’d tried to dress nice for the party being thrown in Violeta’s honor, or rather in honor of baby Zoe.

It seemed another club was coming to visit as well, the Dixie Reapers, and I wanted to make a good impression.

So far, Slider was only interested in messing up all my hard work.

His arm curled around my waist as he hauled me back against him.

I could feel the hard ridge of his cock as he ground against my ass.

“Upton, we’re going to be late!”

“No one will notice,” he said, rubbing his beard against my neck.

He knew that made my knees weak!

Damn him!

Before I even thought about protesting again, he’d pulled up my skirt, bent me over the armchair and I heard his zipper slide down.

He nudged my feet apart and that was the only warning I got before he was balls-deep inside me.

I moaned and bit my lip, my eyes sliding shut at how amazing he felt.

“You feel so fucking good.” He groaned as he slammed into me again and again.

Every thrust had me grabbing tighter to the chair so I didn’t topple over.

He slid his hand down my back.

“My beautiful, sexy wife. So perfect.”

I would argue against the perfect part, and the rest for that matter, but I loved that he saw me that way.

There were days I wondered what I’d ever done to deserve someone like him.

He took such good care of me, and while a lot of women might not like his dominant attitude, I thrived on it.

After being bossed around all my life, I should have rebelled, but when Slider gave me an order, especially in the bedroom, it was different.

I obeyed because I wanted to, because I loved him.

“Please, Upton.”

“Please what?” he asked, his voice a near growl.

“Need to come.”

He slipped his hand down my belly and stroked my clit.

I cried out as sparks danced across my vision.

I came, squeezing his cock so hard.

It only seemed to spur him on, and he took me faster and harder.

He was never happy with me only having one orgasm and he refused to come until I’d had several.

The third time nearly stole the breath from my lungs and I felt the warmth of his cum filling me up.

His breathing was ragged as he leaned over me, his chest pressing to my back.

He kissed the top of my head, but didn’t move otherwise.

I could feel his heart pounding, and could feel mine about to beat right out of my chest.

He slid from my body, groaning as he straightened.

Slider helped me up and I felt our mingled release running down my leg.

I gave him a mock glare, which only made him chuckle, as I hurried to the bedroom to clean up.

A glance in the bathroom mirror made me wince.

I was wrinkled beyond redemption, my hair was no longer neat and orderly.

He’d made a mess of more than my pussy.

Since my outfit, and hairdo, couldn’t be salvaged, I stripped off my clothes and started the shower.

Now we were really going to be late.

It bothered me since everyone had been so nice to me.

It felt disrespectful.

Slider might not care, but I was still new here, still trying to fit in.

The last thing I wanted was for people to think I was rude, or that I didn’t care about spending time with them.

I quickly washed, but was careful not to wet my hair.

When I got out, he was leaning against the counter, but the heated look in his eyes had me holding up a hand.

“No, Upton. Don’t even think it.”

“Not my fault my woman makes me hard even right after I’ve come. Maybe we should just stay in.”

I gnashed my teeth together.

“They’re your friends and family. They may not care if you’re late, but I’m new here. I don’t know everyone that well and I need to make a good impression. I… I want them to like me.”

His gaze softened and he came closer.

He wrapped my towel around me, then held me against his body.

“Vasha, they already like you. The fact you’re mine is enough to make you part of the family. You aren’t alone, kroshka . You never have to be alone ever again.”

I nodded and pressed my face to his chest, breathing in his scent.

“Finish whatever you need to do in here. I’ll lay some clothes out for you,” he said, releasing me and taking a step back.

“If I stay in here, I’ll just end up taking you again.”

He winked as he left the room.

I ran a brush through my hair and tried to tame it again.

In the end, I had to pull it up and pin it in place.

I rubbed scented lotion into my skin before heading into the bedroom.

A pretty pink dress lay across the foot of the bed with a pair of silver heels on the floor.

I hadn’t seen the dress or the shoes before and glanced at Slider.

The grin he wore told me that maybe he’d planned to mess me up all along, just so he could give these to me.

“They’re beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

My cheeks warmed.

I wondered if he would always have the ability to make me blush, or if I’d grow used to his compliments over time.

I changed into the new outfit, then slipped my property cut over it.

We’d only been home a day when he’d given it to me.

I was honored to wear it, loving that it said Property of Slider so everyone would know we were together.

He led me out of the house and down to a small SUV he’d purchased the previous day.

Even though it was a few years old and he’d bought it used, it still had that new car smell.

He’d promised to teach me to drive if I wanted to learn, but the thought of being in control of something so powerful scared me.

Maybe one day I’d change my mind, but for now, I’d stick with being a passenger.

At the clubhouse, bikes were double-parked across the front, and more were around the side, as well as a few other vehicles.

My hands clenched and unclenched as my stomach flipped and twisted.

Slider put his hand at the small of my back and propelled me toward the steps.

I looked up at him, but he just smiled down at me, practically shoving me inside the door.

I saw Violeta and Luciana at a table decorated with pink balloons and lavender ribbons.

Another woman was with them, one who looked similar enough I knew they had to be related.

I saw other women wearing property cuts from the other club, but I was too nervous to go speak to anyone.

Slider might think I had nothing to worry about, but I wanted them to like me.

I wanted to be included.

Never having had friends, except Anatoly, I wasn’t sure how to approach them.

Turned out, I didn’t have to.

Luciana came to me, removed my hand from Slider’s, and dragged me over to the table.

“Vasha, you already know Violeta, but you haven’t met our sister, Sophia. She’s married to Saint from the Dixie Reapers.”

As Sophia stood, my eyes went wide as I saw her huge pregnant belly.

Whatever was in the water around here, I hoped they would share.

I wanted that!

I wanted a baby with Slider so much, but I was scared it would never happen.

We’d been together not quite three weeks, and I knew it could take time, but…

I froze.

My lungs felt like they stopped working while my heart rate doubled.

Three weeks.

“What’s the date?” I asked, almost too scared to believe it might be true.

Luciana unlocked her phone and showed me the screen.

Four days late.

I pressed a hand to my belly, but what if I was wrong?

There were plenty of reasons to skip a period.

It didn’t necessarily mean that Slider had succeeded in getting me pregnant already.

I lifted my gaze to take in the curious looks from Luciana, Violeta, and Sophia.

“Do you think you might be pregnant?” Luciana asked.

“Maybe? It’s probably too soon to know for certain. I’m late, but it’s happened before.”

Violeta smiled.

“Were you having hot, crazy sex all the time when you missed before?”

My cheeks burned hotter than ever before.

“No. Slider was my first.”

A wistful looked crossed all three of their faces, then sadness lurked in their eyes for a moment.

Luciana shook it off first.

I wondered what it all meant, but I wasn’t brave enough to ask.

If they ever wanted to share, they’d do it when they were ready.

I wasn’t one to pry.

Slider had mentioned that they would understand what I’d been through, but he hadn’t wanted to give me details.

Had these women been held captive and groomed for rich husbands?

Had they been forced to learn how to please a man they despised?

“Get Isabella,” Sophia said.

Luciana gave a curt nod and strode off.

When returned a moment later with a striking woman at her side.

Her cut said Property of Torch .

I hadn’t met him yet, but since she’d arrived with the other club, I wasn’t certain I’d ever get the chance.

I didn’t know how long they were staying, or they visited all that often.

“Luciana says you might be pregnant,” Isabella said.

“Since my husband has super sperm and keeps getting me pregnant --”

Sophia gasped.

“Again? You’re pregnant again?”

Isabella sighed and nodded.

“I love my kids, but I may ask Torch to get fixed after this one. He actually tried once, but it failed. Maybe I can convince the doctor to give me a hysterectomy. All I know is I can’t handle more than four kids. Anyway, I keep pregnancy tests on hand just in case. I have one left over and it happens to still be in my bag, if you’d like to use it. Still new in the package.”

I looked at the women surrounding me and gave Isabella a hesitant nod.

“But where…”

“There’s a bathroom down the hall,” Luciana said.

“The Prospects scrubbed the hell out of it earlier so it’s clean. For now.”

Isabella looped her arm through mine, then picked up a bag from under the table, one I hadn’t even noticed, and she led me down the hall to the back of the clubhouse.

She pushed open the bathroom door, pulled the box from her purse, and gave it to me.

“I’ll stand guard. Just pee on the stick, then wait three minutes. It’s digital so it will tell you Pregnant or Not Pregnant .”

I took the package from her and went into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door.

I read the instructions, just in case she’d left anything out, then peed on the stick like she’d said.

I put the cap back on it, and set it on the edge of the sink.

As I waited, I paced, glancing at the stick every now and then.

When the display had text on it, I stopped and stared.

My heart was hammering, my palms were damp, and I was more scared than I’d ever been.

I wanted it to say I was pregnant.

So badly.

I knew if I wasn’t, I’d feel like I’d failed.

It was ridiculous, but I couldn’t help it.

Walking closer, I stared, not daring to believe what I saw.

Pregnant .

I gave a soft sob and pressed my hand to my mouth.

With trembling fingers, I picked up the stick and hurried to the bathroom door.

I peered out into the hall at Isabella and nodded.

A wide smile broke across her face.

“Congratulations!”

I looked at it again, but it still said Pregnant .

I hadn’t imagined it.

“Better go tell the daddy,” she said, giving me a nudge.

I felt like I was floating on air as I went back to the main room and scanned the crowd for Slider.

I found him off to the side, talking with Fangs and two men I didn’t know.

Probably from the other club.

I approached, biting my lip to keep from smiling so much.

When I reached his side, I waited for him to notice me.

“Everything all right?” Fangs asked.

“You look about ready to burst.”

Slider focused on me, a frown marring his brow.

“You okay, zolatka ?”

I nodded and held up the stick.

He stared, his eyes going wide, then he let out a loud whoop before scooping me into his arms and spinning around.

“We’re gonna have a baby!” he yelled.

Cheers erupted around us and I clung to him, happier than I’d ever thought possible.

The other women in the room came over and introduced themselves, before leading me away from Slider.

It was overwhelming, but I listened as they chatted about each of their pregnancies, telling me the horror stories along with the good parts.

Was this what it meant to have friends?

I had to admit, I liked it.

A lot.

“Hey, Ridley, remember that time Farrah tried to light Coyote on fire?” Darian asked, smirking.

“Shut up,” Ridley muttered.

“You’re going to scare her. I admit my daughter is a hellion.”

“Just one of them?” Delphine snorted.

“Your kids are a menace.”

Ridley shrugged, but I noticed she didn’t deny it.

“Y’all are going to scare Vasha.” Isabella gave them all a glare.

“Remember what Torch said before we left?”

“Be on my best behavior,” Ridley said with a sigh.

“Yeah, yeah. I got it.”

“Obviously not,” said Isabella.

“How many women are at the Dixie Reapers compound?” I asked.

Here it was just me, Luciana, and Violeta.

But there were easily ten women present that didn’t belong to Hades Abyss.

“There are thirteen old ladies at the Dixie Reapers,” Isabella said.

“And that number grows every day. Pretty soon, there won’t be a single bachelor left. Well, until more Prospects patch in. Some of them are pretty young.”

Thirteen?

I couldn’t even imagine.

It must have been nice to have so many other women to confide in, to call your friend or family.

I wondered if the other Hades Abyss members would eventually settle down.

From what I’d seen during my first trip to the clubhouse, they didn’t appear to be in any hurry.

Couldn’t blame them.

It seemed there were plenty of women just begging for their attention and not demanding a commitment from them.

“You get tired of all the testosterone around here, you get Slider to bring you for a visit,” Isabella said.

“You’re welcome in our town anytime.”

“Saint and Sophia come up as often as they can,” Ridley said.

“So it won’t always just be you, Luciana, and Violeta.”

“I don’t want to seem ungrateful. I barely know the others, but I want to. I’m just not…” I bit my lip.

“I don’t think I’m good at making friends. Never had a chance to have one before. Anatoly was my guard, and while I did consider him a friend, it wasn’t the same.”

I felt an arm go around my waist, and then Slider’s scent teased my nose.

His beard scraped my neck as he pressed a kiss there.

The ladies gave me a knowing look and wandered off.

“You have made me so fucking happy, Vasha. Love you, zolatka .”

“Love you too, and I’m every bit as happy, even if I am a little scared. I didn’t exactly have a role model for how to be a mom.”

He snorted.

“Like I have any fucking clue how to be a dad, but you know what? We’ll figure it out together. And there is plenty of family here to help us along the way. Spider and Rocket are both naturals when it comes to kids. If we start fucking up too bad, they’ll step in and tell us.”

I turned to face him, then went up on tiptoe to kiss him.

It was just a soft brush of my lips against his, but it was enough for now.

I had no doubt that once we were home, he would want to celebrate my news.

Even now, I could feel the hard bulge pressing against me.

“Go visit with your new friends,” he said.

“We’re leaving in an hour, then you’re all mine for the rest of the night.”

I smiled and kissed him again before going off to sit with the other ladies.

When Anatoly had snuck me out of Grigori’s home and out of Russia, I’d hoped that my life here would be happy.

I’d just never dreamed it would be this perfect.

Slider was everything I wanted or needed in a man, and I couldn’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.