Finally, I was able to stop wondering if I was on the floor of that burning building, passed out from smoke inhalation.
“Mind if I take a look at you?” someone asked from my other side.
My head snapped around and they were already holding up hands covered by blue, latex gloves. The attempt at coming off non-threatening was almost laughable. Putting a biker in scrubs didn't somehow remove the glint in their eyes. That steely, unflinching pressure that said they existed in their own world and damn anyone who tried to tell them otherwise.
“She doesn't mind,” Jason answered for me.
Biting my cheek to hold onto my protest, I let them sit me on the edge of the ambulance. Careful, efficient hands went up and down my arms, applying gauze and bandages where needed. When they were satisfied I wasn't seriously injured, they moved away and focused on Monster again.
Jason had disappeared at some point. Just as well.
No more hovering meant I could finally rest my eyes and relax, at least for a minute.
I propped my head on the side of the ambulance. A rough yawn shook me from head to toe. It didn't take long for my lids to flutter and close. And as I started slipping beneath the blanket of exhaustion, I reached out and grabbed hold of Monster’s sleeve, holding onto the man I would continue to do anything for.
***
“Should you really be up and moving around?” a familiar voice whispered. One I would’ve known anywhere.
Mom.
I kept my eyes closed while I slowly became aware of my surroundings. There was something heavy and warm draped over me, and a firm body pressed against my shoulder. If the coiled strength and the smell of smoke weren’t enough of a giveaway, his rumbling response was.
“I've had worse than this,” Monster said, and my heart took flight so suddenly I was surprised no one heard the flutter of wings. “A little blood loss is par for the course.”
“Was that supposed to make me feel better about you being interested in my daughter? Because I haven’t come to terms with her being involved with a gang member, and that didn’t help your case any.”
I would’ve cringed if I wasn’t exhausted.
Leave it to Mom to spend her rare, lucid moments in full Mama Bear mode. I was less than surprised, but there wasn’t a whole lot I could do about it while pretending to be asleep.
Besides, hadn’t I wanted the two of them to be able to meet?
It wasn’t the best circumstance, but I’d learned a long time ago to take what I could get. She could be lucid for days or minutes. On this rare occasion, I was willing to share that time with someone else. There was no way to know when the miracle might come around again.
“Interest,” Monster echoed, rolling the word around on his tongue. “You say that like I’m some blushing teenager asking for her hand in marriage.”
“Are you?” she asked.
My breath stalled out and I was glad neither of them seemed to notice.
“No,” Monster said, and a thorn lodged itself inside my heart. “At least not anytime soon.”
Oh, there went my breathing again, and my heartbeat, both of them off to the races like this was the Grand Prix. Thankfully, I was still leaning sideways so I didn’t lose my balance and fall on my face.
Because that certainly would’ve happened if I was sitting up during that statement.
“Josie is mine,” he said. “Smart-mouth, violent personality, and all.”
What a sweet-talker.
His arm brushed against mine. “But she doesn’t trust me yet, and while I can’t say I blame her, that doesn’t change anything. I’m not going anywhere.”
“What about this gang you’re involved in? Am I supposed to accept that?”
I’d never been so close to throwing a tantrum as I was just then. My man was practically confessing his undying love for me—okay, that was a bit of an exaggeration—and here she was, giving him a hard time over minor details.
Like him being sworn to follow a group of people who tended to kick ass first and ask questions later.
Monster chuckled and I could feel his body shaking with more restrained laughter. “You keep using that word. But with all due respect, ma’am, you don’t know anything about us. Call the Sinners a gang all you want to; I won’t even try to pretend that we’re paragons of virtue. That doesn’t stop them from being my family. Same way the two of y’all not sharing blood doesn’t mean jack shit.”
Mom was quiet for a moment.
Was her heart melting the same way mine was?
“The cursing wasn’t necessary,” she said finally, and I couldn’t stop my grin. The smile in her voice was apparent. “And although I can acknowledge that you have a point, I need you to understand where I’m coming from also.”
She sucked in a deep breath and let it out. I could picture her closing her eyes while she did, muttering silent prayers. Going by Monster’s silence, the iron determination I knew so well was written on her face when she started again.
“If it was up to me,” Mom continued. “I would rent a car and get us as far away from this town as possible. She’s been through enough, and I’m responsible for that. At the same time, I’m the reason we can’t just leave. However long this awareness lasts, I know it isn’t permanent. So, I need you to promise me something, young man.”
“Call me Monster.”
“I’ll do no such thing.” She was rolling her eyes. Guaranteed. “Don’t make me ask to see your ID, because I will.”
“I mean, it’s probably covered in blood. But I can show it to you if you want.”
There was no response. I supplied my mental image with Mom’s favorite don’t fuck with me glare I’d received so many times. Usually when I gave an excuse for not finishing my homework or making it home on time.
In the years since, I’d faced down men and women who would’ve gladly beaten me to a pulp, and that glare remained one of the scariest things ever.
“Taylor,” Monster said after a moment passed. “Taylor Hadley.”
“Better,” she huffed. “Now listen up, Taylor. I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, no matter how poorly she takes it, you’ll convince Josie to just...stop. Even if it’s only for a little while.”
“Stop what?”
I cracked an eye open, peering from beneath my lashes just enough to see Mom chewing on her lip, eyes glistening. The sight of her tears was almost enough to wrench new ones from me. I had to close my eyes again to keep them from welling, and that didn’t make the ache at the back of my throat disappear.
“Everything,” she said softly. “The day my diagnosis first came through, I watched her age twenty years right before my eyes. She was barely on the cusp of adulthood, and she shouldn’t have had anything to be concerned with but normal, teenage worries. Instead, she had to let everything she ever wanted or dreamed about fall to the wayside to take care of me.”
Monster hummed. “She doesn’t blame you. I can tell you that right now.”
“I wouldn’t expect her to, even though she should.” Mom sighed. “As much as I’ve given her a hard time about adapting and overcoming, Josie has always been a hard worker. She decides on what she needs to do and sees it through no matter what. When it fell on her to support us, she tossed aside her own wants in favor of what was needed.”
Monster laced his fingers with mine. I wasn’t able to keep from twitching with the urge to squeeze his hand tight. The gesture was so simple and unbelievably intimate at the same time.
Him putting his affection for me on clear display in front of the only other person in this world that mattered to me meant more than I could put into words.
“She’s strong as hell,” Monster rumbled, breath fanning across my face. He was staring at me. I could feel his attention against my senses. “Trust me on that one. I’ve been on the receiving end of her fists before.”
Mom groaned. “Do I want to know?”
“Probably not. But you don’t have to ask me what I
know you’re leading up to. I’ve got plans for this one, and none of them involve putting her through more than she’s already dealt with.”
The air stirred in front of me. Gentle fingers drifted across my cheek. The kiss Mom laid on my brow was expected, yet no less devastating because of that. She tucked the blanket around me, sealing me into a cocoon of warmth, and the sleep I was feigning disintegrated as the real thing came for me.
She stepped away and I tried to shake it off.
Don’t go, I wanted to tell her. This wasn’t enough time.
Except there would never be enough time. And if she knew I could hear her, she would’ve told me to focus on the tangible moments instead of the ones that had slipped away.
There wasn’t a thunderclap in the sky to tell me this was one of those moments I would hold deep in my heart, but I didn’t need a sign.
I had my two favorite people in the world close by.
We were safe and alive.
Whole and undefeated.
Loved, and ready for whatever else the world tossed our way.
“I’ll hold you to those plans,” Mom said quietly. “Excuse my French, but if you fuck this up, I’ll find a way to remember and make you regret it.”
The sound of Monster’s low chuckle sent me over the edge, and the warmth of his hand in mine followed me all the way down into the soothing darkness.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Monster
One month later.
“I’ve been meanin’ to bring this up for a while,” Texas said, flipping the rows of steaks on the grill. “But what’s up with the glasses?”
I groaned and turned away, letting my gaze roam the rest of the yard as I bought time for a response that wouldn’t be embarrassing as hell.
There were scores of people everywhere I looked. Some of them I’d gotten to know pretty well over the last month or so, and I was meeting others for the first time today. Thankfully, the worst of the meet and greet was over at this point and separate groups had formed while everyone did their own thing.
Because the Sinners followed no rules and obeyed no laws but the ones we set for ourselves, we were having a barbecue in the middle of winter.
One they’d sprung on me at the last minute.
This morning, I’d been certain I was going to have a lazy Sunday with nothing to worry about. At least until my phone started buzzing off the hook. Attendance wasn’t optional, so here I was.
At least it isn’t cold, I thought, taking a sip of the beer in my hands.
Of course, the credit there could go to our resident explosive experts—Kane and Saze. While they’d been banned from launching any of the giant fireworks they showed up with, the bundle of tiki-torches scattered across the backyard of the clubhouse more than made up for their demolition obsessed ways.
Then again, maybe I didn’t have much room to talk.
Burning down two different buildings in a few weeks was a new record, even among the Sinners.
A pair of tongs waved in front of my face.
“You can’t ignore me,” Texas said. “At a cookout, the chef is the king. I can tell you to do jumping jacks and spill your entire life story and that’s exactly what you’ll do.”
I shook my head, taking another sip from my beer to stop from grinning. The former Sergeant at Arms and I hadn’t gotten off on the right foot, but we’d put that to rest soon enough. As long as his woman was happy and he wasn’t otherwise on a mission, Texas didn’t have a care in the world.
“You sure you’re a chef and not a dictator?” I nodded to the black apron he was wearing. Most of the surface was taken up by a graphic of a giant, sparkling crown.
No, I hadn’t made fun of him for the pink accents in the gems or the flowers stitched into the fabric.
A little birdie got the message to me that Lizzy had made it for him, and I liked my face exactly where it was.
Texas grabbed some blend of spices from the rack beside him and sprinkled it across the tops of the steaks. The scent wafting from them was delicious. Even standing right here, looking at the flames burn bright and hot at the bottom of the grill, I wanted to reach in and take one. The second-degree burns would fit in well with the ones I’d already earned.
And they would definitely be worth it.
“Would a dictator tell you that if he doesn’t get an answer, you don’t get a steak?” he asked.
I pretended to keel over, letting my cane take most of my weight. “That’s a low blow, man. You can’t do me like that.”
“I can and I will, Glasses.”
“Don't even start.” I shook my head. “They're fake, alright? The idea was to make me look less threatening.”
“Whose dumb ass idea was that?”
I searched the crowd for a minute before finding the man I was looking for. Jason was flushed a bright red, a beer in one hand and his arm slung over Axle’s shoulder.
Uh oh.
Axle was scowling something fierce. I couldn't tell if that was because Jason had said something wrong, or just Axle’s usual sunny disposition coming into play. My money was on the latter.
He wasn't prone to violent bouts of anger. Instead, he hated everything in existence equally. Which worked for me. I would take that over somebody being fake as fuck any day of the week.
A blur went by us as someone swept through, grabbing a piece of bacon and fleeing while Texas hollered after him.
“The glasses are stupid,” he said, turning back to me. “And they make you look like you should be doin’ bookwork. Get rid of ‘em.”
I was going to ask him if that was an order when an ear-piercing shriek overwhelmed the din of chatter.
Heads turned in unison, awareness burning bright enough to match the sun. For the span of several heartbeats, the most fearsome individuals within hundreds of miles focused on one thing.
Then Josie, Kayla, and Lizzy stopped hopping excitedly around Caitlin, Creed’s woman, realizing the stir they'd caused.
To my complete and utter surprise—not a fucking chance—Josie turned and immediately raised two middle fingers in the air.
“Nothing to see here!” She spun in a circle, making sure to throw a wink my way. “We're just celebrating. You can stop looking all murdery any time now.”
Texas chuckled beside me. “Is she always like this?”
“Always,” I answered as everyone went back to what they were doing. Josie was talking and laughing, but she kept glancing my way, filling my chest with warmth. “There’s not an ounce of give in that woman, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I got the sentiment without you eye-fucking her, brother. Damn, think of the kids.” He was already grinning when I glared at him. “But since you’re in a good mood…”
Texas put two fingers in his mouth and whistled.
Across the yard, Tone hopped onto a picnic table.
I was somewhat distracted from paying much attention to him because a few too many faces glanced my way, anticipation written on their features.
“What the hell is this?” I grumbled.
Humming, Texas went back to flipping steaks and pretending he didn’t know I existed.
Tone clapped his hands together and I turned in time to find him looking straight at me. “For those of you who might just be getting back into town today,” he started. “I’ve got a special announcement to make. Lucky for y’all, our fearless, angry leader is too busy hovering to do this today. We might actually be able to get this done without anyone fighting or storming off to wage war. How’s that sound?”
People cheered and hollered, raising drinks in the air. I was busy waiting on the other shoe to drop. There had to be one. And even though I didn’t need more proof to know I was right, I was certain of that fact when hands wrapped around my waist from behind, a warm, familiar body pressing against my back.
Relax, I told my dick as it twitched eagerly.
My hunger for the woman running her hands up and down my sides should’ve been
somewhat sated. Despite the blood I’d lost and the cane I was stuck with for another few weeks, I’d taken her irresistible, toned body at every opportunity presented to me.
Literally.
Every. Single. One.
On my bike headed back to the house after dinner? Check.
We’d pulled over to the side of the road and I’d hauled her shapely ass into the woods before tugging her jeans down to her knees, bending her over against a tree, and fucking her so hard she had splinters in her palms.
In the doctor’s examination office after he got done looking at my leg? Check.
We’d slammed the door shut. Locked it. She’d proceeded to ride me right there in the middle of the room until knocks sounded on the outside.
For the record, neither of us had been interested in stopping. We didn’t let anyone into the room until we had a chance to open a window and tug our rumpled clothes into place.
Obviously, there was a pattern.
So as I reached behind me and grabbed her arm, pulling her to the front of my body and tucking her there, I shouldn’t have been hard enough to grind my dick against her ass.
But Lord knows I fucking was.
I leaned down, putting my lips next to her ear. “Why do I get the feeling you know something about this?”
Josie didn’t look at me, but I could see her lip curving as she tried and failed to hold in a triumphant smile.
“What could’ve given you that idea?” she asked sweetly, fingers tracing over the back of my hand where it rested on her stomach. “Would I ever do anything behind your back?”
“Pussycat, I swear to—”
“Shhh…” This crazy woman actually put her finger in front of my lips, green eyes dancing when she glanced over her shoulder. “You’re going to miss the whole thing.”
Growling, I pulled her closer to me. The only thing that soothed some of my irritation was the slight shiver that went through her when my dick flexed against her ass again.
“Because Prez can do whatever the fuck he wants,” Tone continued to a series of agreeable nods, “he inducted a new Sinner into the mix several years back without telling any of us a thing. Thankfully, we don’t hold grudges among our own. And we definitely don’t hold grudges against the man who—in one way or another—brought each of us into this fold. This club. This family.”
Monster: A Seven Sinners Novel Page 23