HIS BRANDED BRIDE: Steel Devils MC

by Sophia Gray

  “Didn’t realize you were standing there.”

  “I was just bringing my food to the table. I didn’t want to interrupt, so I waited.”

  “Looks that way, anyway.”

  The implication wasn’t missed as I met his gaze. Looking away would only make me look guilty of something, and I had hardly gathered enough information about anything at all to get yanked out of here so quickly.

  “We met in the hallway earlier. I’m Janessa.”

  “I know who you are. No one comes in this club without my say so. Just do what you were hired to do and don’t give me, or you, a reason to regret my letting you in.”

  “Come on, D. She just got here yesterday. Give her a minute or two to settle in before you bust her chops.”

  D smiled slowly and looked over at him before turning back toward me. He gave me a once over, taking in my body as if he was assessing my worth at a cattle auction. To men like D, I was a commodity to be traded or used.

  “Sit down. Eat your food. Welcome to the Black Aces.”

  “Thank you.”

  I sat down across from Jack Knife with my plate as D wordlessly left, exiting into a backroom where I noted he often went. I could only assume it was the private quarters the club kept in the casino for doing the real business that the casino masked. My hope was to make it into that inner sanctum very soon.

  “I’m going to head up to the bay after we eat. I need to handle some club business. I’ll drop you off at your place on the way and then see you back for your shift tonight.”

  I noted that it wasn’t a question, but a statement. It seemed that I was already becoming the property of Jack Knife, and I still wasn’t certain that it was a good idea. Then again, it might be a great one. This was all too new to me to know if I was doing it right. Jack Knife was close to D and that just might get me close to him too. Whether it be directly or just by virtue of knowing what Jack Knife knew once I gained his trust.

  “Sounds good.”

  “There are some important people coming in tonight. People D wants to have a really good time. I’m going to give you some party favors for them, but they can go to the other girls if they want to get laid. I’ve got plans for you.”

  “What sort of plans?”

  “The kind that are putting that huge smile on your face right now. I thought we would skip the room tonight and go back to my place. I have a few things there you’re going to really enjoy.”

  “I’ll just bet you have.”

  I was a little frightened at the prospect of being outside the casino with him, but I told myself it would be fine. There seemed to be a thoughtful side to him, despite his dominant proclivities in the bedroom and his brutish work habits. I really didn’t think I had to worry about him hurting me. We finished our breakfast making small talk and then left together on his hog.

  “This is where you live?”

  He was surveying the tiny little house I had rented for next to nothing. The paint was peeling and most of the fence was on the ground or in disrepair.

  “Yeah. It’s not much, but it will do until I get on my feet.”

  “Rough neighborhood.”

  “It can be. Thanks for the lift. I will see you later this evening.”

  “You sure will.”

  I had rented the house more than a year ago when I first started planning my infiltration of the Black Aces MC. I couldn’t risk it being found out that I lived in a suburb on the nicer side of town. I’d gone through some rather seedy channels to get fake identification and rented the place with cash. Anyone checking into my background would hit some dead ends that I planned to explain with a violent ex. Oldest story in the books to be hiding out from some maniac you used to bang.

  I suspected that D had already checked out my story to a large extent, and I had covered my tracks just as far as possible in hopes that he wouldn’t take it too far. There was only so much I could do without full police backing. I had one DEA officer in my corner who wanted the Black Aces as much as I did. He was my sole contact and hadn’t been very thrilled about what I insisted upon doing either, but he would do what he could to help me as needed.

  The first thing I did was take the longest shower of my life. Though a part of me had enjoyed the sexual encounter with Jack Knife, I still felt like some sort of whore that had taken up work in a local brothel. I supposed it was something I’d have to get used to in order to get through this, but I just didn’t see how I ever could. The worst of it was that I knew I might well have to sleep with more than just him to fit in.

  After my shower, I went into my closet and pulled loose a board beneath a stack of shoe boxes that hid it from sight. I removed the journal there and made some notes about my observances from my first day. There wasn’t a lot to say of any worth just yet, but I didn’t want to forget anything. Perhaps something that didn’t seem important now might be at a later time. I felt exhausted from a lack of sleep and didn’t see getting any tonight either, so I headed to my bed. I woke up to the sound of someone beating on the door.

  “Janessa?”

  His voice sounded angry. I glanced at my clock. I had only been asleep for an hour and Jack Knife was already back. Immediately I was on edge. Something was wrong. My instinct was to run, just get out the back door and keep going. It took all of my will power to walk to the door and open it without showing the panic that I felt.

  “What’s going on? I wasn’t expecting you back until time to go to work.”

  “Get in. Close the door.”

  I did as he said, watching as he pushed the door closed and locked it. Now, I was really scared. This didn’t feel good at all. Had he found me out somehow? Perhaps he or D had done a little more digging than I had expected. I braced myself for the worst.

  “I thought you had business to take care of.”

  “I did take care of it. Now, I need to lay low for a bit. My bike is parked around back in the alley, so it can’t be seen from the street.”

  “Okay. I was sleeping. I didn’t get much of that last night.”

  I looked at him suggestively, playing my cards the way I needed to. He smirked and ran a single finger down the side of my face, letting it trace softly along the tops of my breasts that were exposed above the spaghetti strapped pajama top I was wearing.

  “I didn’t get much sleep either. Some little vixen kept me awake most of the night.”

  “I suppose you could take a nap with me, then.”

  “Best idea I’ve heard all day.”

  He followed me to the bedroom, stripping down to just his boxer briefs as I climbed into bed. Slipping beneath the covers beside me, I expected that he would make a move to have sex again, instead he kissed me on the cheek and pulled me close, letting me lay my head on his shoulder. I fell back asleep almost immediately.

  Chapter Six

  “God, you are incredible.”

  His voice woke me, along with the heated kisses across my stomach. My shirt was pushed upward to reveal the sensitive flesh beneath and exposing the lower halves of my breasts. Once again, his hand was around my throat, holding me in place, reminding me who was in control. I no longer felt tired. Instead I felt hot and hungry. I wanted him to just take me again like he had the night before, but the alarm sounding reminded me that it was time to get up.

  “You naughty boy. I’ve got to get ready for work.”

  “But you smell so delicious.”

  “You’ll just have to wait until later.”

  “I don’t have to wait for anything.”

  His grip tightened just a little around my throat. It unnerved me just a bit, but he sighed and let go.

  “I’ll make it up to you.”

  “Oh, yes. You certainly will.”

  “Let me get dressed, and we’ll go. Okay?”

  “Alright. Care if I watch the TV?”

  “Not at all. Remote is on the coffee table.”

  I began getting ready while he made his way to the living room sofa, still talking to me th
rough the open bedroom door.

  “This place is a lot nicer inside than it is outside. Must have dropped a lot more money on the décor than the rent.”

  “Not really. Just good at finding bargains. Thrift shops, sales, stuff like that.”

  “You didn’t get this flat screen at a thrift shop.”

  “Actually, I got it from an ad. Some rich guy that bought a bigger one and needed this one out of his way. He sold it for cheap to me.”

  “I’ll just bet he did after he got a load of those great tits of yours.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere.”

  I walked into the living room and picked up my purse as he looked up at me and let out a low whistle. I had dressed provocatively just to get the right kind of attention from him and anyone else who I might feel the need to talk up. I had my long hair down and tousled about loosely. My tits were packed into a leather corset with strings that allowed just a peek at them through the center. My short skirt was met just beneath the hem by a pair of thigh-high patent leather boots. I had to admit, I looked pretty hot.

  “Damn. You make me wait and then come out here looking like that? Now I just want to rip it all off, and throw you across the back of the sofa to pile drive that sweet little pussy of yours.”

  “Just hold that thought. We’ll have plenty of time for all that later.”

  “I guess I don’t have a choice. Hope you have on panties. Going to be a little brisk on the back of the bike.”

  “Might not be everyone would appreciate being flashed on the road either.”

  “I wouldn’t mind it at all, but that is a good point. Let’s get out of here and get you to work. Can’t have D getting pissy with you on your second day.”

  “Sure can’t.”

  There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but to do so too soon would only ensure that I was suspect to him. I would have to just wait until he opened up. I had spent a year getting ready for this, no need getting in a hurry now and blowing it. If nothing else, perhaps being with Jack Knife would ensure that I didn’t have to sleep with anyone else for information.

  Chapter Seven

  The casino was already bustling when we arrived and Jack Knife was quickly pulled into the back room to talk to D, who looked me up and down with what seemed like a bit of interest mixed with suspicion. I didn’t miss how his eyes lingered on my cleavage, but he quickly walked away once he had Jack Knife’s attention.

  “I’ll be back in a while. Just do your thing.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.”

  “Just keep that sweet ass of yours out here on the floor. I’ve got plans for it later tonight.”

  “I can hardly wait.”

  Once he was gone, I checked in with the bartender and made a round through the casino with my tray. Across the room, I spotted another Black Ace who I recognized as Arthur, one of the older members of the group. He had done a stretch in Attica for killing a gang member who had scratched his bike but had been released after some evidence mysteriously disappeared before his appeal.

  “Can I get you a drink?”

  “Well, hello, pretty lady. How about you just bring me a bottle of Jack and a shot glass?”

  “I will be right back with that.”

  “Maybe make it two shot glasses.”

  “Even better.”

  I flashed him my wickedest grin and walked away provocatively, letting my ass sway from side to side a little more than usual as I moved. I knew he was watching and I wanted his undivided attention. Retrieving the bottle and glasses from the bar, I noted that he watched me as I made my way across the room again. Almost two thirds of a bottle later, I had him talking effortlessly.

  “D doesn’t know half the shit that goes down in this place. He thinks he had these guys all scared of him and that is true for some, but not all. There are a few rogues in the bunch.”

  “Are you a rogue?”

  “I’m just an observer. I don’t pick sides. I watch, and I keep it to myself. Only way to survive with people like this.”

  “People like this?”

  “Ruthless people. Cut you for looking at their old lady or saying the wrong thing if they think you are a threat.”

  “D is okay with that kind of behavior?”

  “D only knows the half of it. He forbids killing unless it is an absolute necessity, but some folks in this club seem to have a varying opinion of what that means.”

  “I thought he knew everything that went down here, that it was only allowed if he gave the go ahead.”

  “You thought wrong.”

  “Sounds like it.”

  “Enough talk. Let’s go upstairs and fuck.”

  “You really know how to charm a lady.”

  “Don’t I?”

  “I am going to have to say no today. I’ve got to hang around down here until Jack Knife comes back.”

  “Jack Knife, huh? Good luck with that one.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He got up and walked away wordlessly. I knew that what I had gotten from him was most likely as much as I would get without doing him, and I just wasn’t willing to go there with the likes of him. I had told the truth though. I was sort of on reserve to Jack Knife for the night.

  “Where is Jack Knife?”

  The question caught me off guard as I turned to see D standing behind me, looking a bit perturbed. I couldn’t help but notice the way his eyes narrowed at me, as if I had something to do with the fact that he couldn’t locate him.

  “I don’t know. Last I saw him, he left with you for some sort of discussion.”

  “We were done with that hours ago.”

  “Then I don’t know. He told me he would be back when he was done, but I haven’t seen him yet.”

  “Done with what?”

  “I don’t know. I assumed the discussion he was having with you.”

  “Shit.”

  I watched as he turned and left without saying anything else. I had thought that Jack Knife’s extended absence was due to having been sent on some errand by D, an errand I hoped he would tell me about when he got back. It seemed the shepherd had lost one of his sheep. As the night passed and it became time for me to go home, there was still no sign of him. Instead, I saw D walking toward me, looking angry.

  “Come on. I’m taking you home.”

  “Why? Where is Jack Knife?”

  “Don’t worry about him. Get your things.”

  I gathered my purse from behind the bar and followed him out to his bike, anxiously climbing on behind him and wrapping my arms around his waist. I hoped he couldn’t feel my heart beating against his back. That was just how hard it was thudding against my chest. I wasn’t surprised that he needed no directions to know where I lived. It was just confirmation that he had checked me out carefully before hiring me. Of course, it was obviously not careful enough.

  “I’m coming in.”

  I looked at him as he killed the motor and I stepped off the bike. Why was he coming in? Maybe he just wanted to confirm that I wasn’t hiding Jack Knife or wanted to get a better look at the place. Whatever the case, it made me nervous. I wasn’t expecting Jack Knife to be there, though I supposed he could have let himself in. I didn’t know why he would have without telling me though.

  “Okay. Is there something wrong? Should I be afraid for some reason?”

  “Afraid of what?”

  “I don’t know. I just feel like there is something you aren’t telling me.”

  “There is a lot I’m not telling you, but it doesn’t mean you are unsafe.”

  I didn’t reply to the sarcasm, instead focusing on opening the front door. He pushed past me the moment it was open, looking around as I followed in behind him. As I shut the door and dropped my purse on the table just inside it, I found him quickly circling back to push me up against the wall, my wrists pinned to either side of my head.

  “Who are you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  This was it. He k
new. He knew and I was going to be badly hurt or worse.

  “You aren’t Janessa Cabri. Tell me why I hit a dead end when I tried to get a little further into your background.”