Monster: A Seven Sinners Novel

by A G Henderson

  “Hear hear!” someone yelled.

  “That’s right!” hollered another.

  The melody grew until a voice like a thunderstorm unleashed from a bottle came to life above the rest.

  “Jesus Christ!” Creed roared. “Get on with it already you bunch of fucking—”

  The last part came out muffled. No one was dumb enough to say anything about Caitlin holding her hand over his mouth. But the collective mirth was there, and it was catching.

  Tone rolled his eyes, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Y’all heard the man. I’m gonna have to cut my soapbox moment short before he tries to whoop my ass...again.”

  “Wait,” Josie whispered. “Is he serious?”

  I shook my head. “Knowing Creed? I wouldn't be surprised.”

  Tone waited for the chuckles to die down. “As I was saying, Monster more than proved himself recently. He reinforced what it means to be one of us.”

  He raised his voice, his normally calm demeanor vanishing as he revealed a side of his personality I'd only gotten glimpses of.

  “There's a reason we aren't called the Seven Halos!” he roared, and my heartbeat became a drum, ushering in the war. “Let God himself stand in our way and we'll burn down heaven to see our will done!”

  The answering cheer swelled—a tidal wave ready to crash down on all the world. Within moments, that same surge became a crowd of people pressing in on me from all sides, offering their welcomes and congratulations.

  For the first dozen or so, I was golden.

  I had my woman in my arms; the smile on my face was guaranteed. The men and women introducing themselves to me already felt like extended family, so I was able to dig deep and stir to life the friendliness that helped me interact with people like a normal person. But the wave never stopped coming.

  And while any other day I would’ve taken the time to get to know every single person by name, my fucking leg was killing me.

  The ache that had started from the moment I set down my cane to wrap my arms around Josie was now a steady, pulsing throb going from ankle to hip. By increments, my smile slipped. Keeping it in place was became harder and harder.

  Suck it up, I told myself, shaking another hand. I ignored the trembling happening around my knee. It’s not just you and Jason anymore. Show your appreciation.

  Except I wasn’t going to make it. When a slight gap appeared before being immediately filled by Creed’s younger brother, Rain, and a host of unfamiliar faces, I knew my breaking point was close. That shit was going to be unpleasant for everyone involved.

  Which was when Josie stepped in.

  “Sorry,” she said, waving off the next leather-clad man that stepped towards us. “He’ll be doing more autographs later, but I’m gonna need to steal him away for a minute.”

  Whatever expression she was making had the guy reaching out to fist bump me instead before turning to pass the news. Josie didn’t waste time while everyone got the memo. She stepped away long enough to grab my cane, slot it into my palm, and grab my other hand before leading us towards the clubhouse.

  “This is kidnapping,” I told her, struggling to keep up with the pace she set. “You do this, you’re gonna have to put me on milk cartons all around town.”

  She shook her head, braid swinging from side to side. “You know, I just have to say that you’re really lucky you’re so hot. Because you say the dumbest shit sometimes.”

  “Watch the claws, pussycat. I’m still healing over here. You don’t want to tear another of my stitches, do you?” The tips of her ears burned bright red and I inwardly congratulated myself. “Then again, if you end up tearing them the same way you did last time...then by all means. Be my fucking guest.”

  Ignoring me, she swung through the patio door into the clubhouse. Although, it was weird to keep referring to the massive hunting lodge decked in blacks and golds that way.

  None of the Sinners lived here full-time anymore. This whole place now belonged to Creed and Caitlin. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to find it empty as we strolled through the kitchen and into the living room.

  We were a brave bunch, sure. But none of us were crazy enough to intrude on the President’s space when we hadn’t been invited. At least, no one but Josie.

  I pulled her to a stop in the middle of the room, yanking her body against mine. She landed with a hand on my chest, those beautiful, green eyes staring up at me from beneath long lashes.

  There had been a joke on the tip of my tongue. It died a quick, painless death when her warmth and softness registered, and I forgot everything else.

  Good thing she was up to the challenge.

  “You wouldn’t fit on a milk carton,” Josie said softly, eyes flicking between mine.

  “Did you just—”

  She raised herself up, lips brushing across mine. My hands found her hips, followed by the sound of my cane hitting the floor, forgotten. Josie sighed against my mouth. Her body melted into mine, molding to the shape of my form until I couldn't tell where I ended and she began.

  Would there ever come a time where kissing this woman wouldn't blow my mind?

  How lost I was in every move she made said no. So did how easy it became to ignore the pain in my leg.

  Josie twisted suddenly, catching me off guard. She pushed me backward and I collapsed onto the sofa with a surprised grunt. My mouth opened on a question. Closed when she prowled towards me and straddled my thighs.

  “This is me bribing you,” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Just in case it wasn’t obvious.”

  “What exactly are you trying to get me from me? You know I would give you anything.”

  Her brows slanted together. “That’s part of the problem.”

  “Is it now?”

  Josie didn’t smile. “Don’t get all growly on me. All I’m asking you to do is relax, just for a little while. You realize you had a bullet lodged in this impressive body not long ago, right? You’re supposed to be resting, not attending cookouts.”

  I gripped the base of her neck, holding her in place. “I seem to remember you being the one who was obsessed with us making it here on time.”

  “Because I didn’t want you to miss your big speech!” She swatted at my chest. “And it’s great how you seem to conveniently forget the part where I told you to sit down as much as you could. Your leg isn’t going to get better if you don’t stay the hell off of it.”

  Warmth stirred in my gut, the beginnings of an argument rolling through my mind. Already, blood surged below my belt, bringing the greediest part of me to life. Neither of us had much give, and while our battles were always harmless in nature, they had a tendency to end with both of us getting heated and then getting off.

  But one look at the woman on top of me gnawing at the corner of her lip was an extinguisher, wiping out the flames of distraction when this required my complete attention.

  I brushed my knuckles along her cheek. A completely different kind of warmth filled my chest when she dipped her head, chasing my touch. “You’re really serious about this all of a sudden. What’s on your mind?”

  Josie closed her eyes, taking a deep, shuddering breath.

  I prepared for the storm about to make landfall.

  She wasn’t one for hesitation—a by-product of making a living from punching grown-ass men in their faces. For her to be nervous about anything said a lot, and I sent out a silent prayer that no one walked through the door and interrupted us.

  Those men outside were my family. They’d become more important to me than I thought possible in such a short time. Then there was Josie.

  She didn’t have a ring on her finger...yet.

  That didn’t matter. She was engraved on my bones. Part of my DNA.

  What she meant to me could hardly be put into words.

  No matter what was about to come out of her mouth, I would stay glued to this seat and listen.

  I wanted forever with her.

  What was a conversation in the fac
e of that?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Josie

  I’d stared down drug dealers, murderers, and generally pissed-off assholes with no qualms about hurting me. None of that measured up to the pressure of looking the man I loved in the eye and telling him, “We need to slow down.”

  Monster’s entire body went taut beneath mine, hands flexing on my hips once before going still. A muscle in his jaw jumped. His face paled.

  I wasn’t faring much better. Pretty sure those five words had knocked a decade off my lifespan, just from the stress of thinking about them the entire day.

  “I’m not gonna freak out,” he said softly, clutching the back of his neck. “Well, not right now. Talk to me. Is this about the trailer?”

  Despite the nerves twisting my stomach into knots, I managed a soft laugh. “It’s not totally about the trailer. But that is part of it.”

  Unsurprisingly, Monster hadn’t wanted to hear a word about me returning to my dumpy little trailer on the bad side of town. Also not a surprise was that I ignored him and snuck out to go back.

  At least long enough to grab most of my things.

  Monster cleared his throat, actually looking sheepish. I wasn’t going to tell him how cute it was.

  One, he would take being called cute as an insult. Two, no matter how good he looked—and he always looked good—this was something we needed to take seriously.

  “Shit,” he muttered, scrubbing a hand across his jaw. “I know the bulldozer was a bit much. But in my defense, you weren’t supposed to be there.”

  “You demolished my trailer. Almost with me inside it.”

  “I apologized for—”

  “What about my duffel bag?”

  Monster didn’t blink, but I could feel his surprise. “The one that was patched and falling apart? It could’ve gone at any moment.”

  I pushed off him and stood. “That bag has been with me forever, Monster. It was the only thing I took with me when Mom and I lost the house and hit the road. You’re lucky you didn’t actually throw it away or I would’ve kicked your ass.”

  He shifted his weight forward. “I’m sorry, pussycat. I didn’t know.”

  “Of course not.” I folded my hands over my chest. “You didn’t ask. You know why? Because you’re going too fast. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. But you don’t need to make everything happen at the speed of light. You got shot!” My voice broke. “If that bullets had been a few inches to the side, you could’ve bled out before I got you out of there.”

  Wincing, he stood and crossed towards me, hovering just out of reach. “I made it. We both did.”

  Everything in me demanded that I throw myself into his arms. Sob into his shoulder. Hold him and make him understand the fear that coursed through me from head to toe every time he charged recklessly forward.

  I stayed right where I was, shaking my head. “Not because we were clever or skilled. Face the facts, Monster. We got lucky. You raced in like an idiot and I chased after you with about as much sense.”

  His hands landed on my shoulders, but he was silent.

  “What happens when the luck runs out?” I asked, heart in my throat. “What happens if you keep pushing so hard that you do permanent damage to your leg? You could end up with a limp for the rest of your life. Unless you’re planning on leaving the Sinners behind”—I held up a hand when his mouth opened—“which I’m not asking you to do. Having something like that working against you is like buying a ticket to the grave. I don’t know about you, but I kinda like having you above ground, big man.”

  “I hear you,” he said, tipping my chin up, eyes burning into mine. “I do, Josie. When I went to jail, my whole life paused. And even though I got out, that life didn’t really start again until the day I saw you standing in that ring. There you were, facing off against guys twice your size with nothing but a fearless grin and your fists curled and ready.”

  Monster pulled me against him, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “You were the jump-start my soul needed to care about something else other than the beast lurking inside my veins. At first, I just wanted to keep you because I needed to figure out how to bottle that lightning you sent through my system. But that was a fool’s errand. Everyone knows power like that can’t be trapped or contained, only observed. You’re my lightning, Josie. Every moment spent with you is one where I’m awed, excited, and even a little bit terrified. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  I glanced up at him, eyes glistening with unshed tears. Sniffing over and over again was the only thing keeping them at bay. My eyes were puffy and red, and I’m sure I sounded like I had a head cold.

  That didn’t stop him from grinning down at me like a giant idiot.

  My giant, lovable idiot.

  “Did you just admit to being scared of me?” I asked, heart nearly full to bursting as I wrapped my arms around his chest. “I might need to get that on record.”

  He kissed me, a gentle peck that was gone much too quickly. “Don’t interrupt,” he said against my lips, ocean eyes bright. “I was just starting to hit a good stride there. You have a point. I hear it. I respect it. But...is this a bad time to mention that I might’ve done one extra thing before I agree to slow down for a bit?”

  I swiped the tears from my cheeks and pushed on his shoulders so I could see him. He was holding onto a careful smirk, pretending to be cool. For a moment, I simply stared at him, wracking my brain.

  What else could he have been up to?

  The man had barely been out of my sight over the last seventy-two hours.

  I groaned. “What did you do now?”

  He grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the front door. “It’ll be easier to show you.”

  Monster held the door for me, grinning broadly. I rolled my eyes at him as we strolled outside and headed to the SUV we were using while his leg healed. I couldn’t wait to be back on the bike, but that wasn’t in the cards right now.

  He made his way around to the driver’s side door.

  “Wait,” I called, swinging around the hood. When I stopped in front of him, I held my palm open and kissed the air. “You slowing down starts now, big man. I’m driving. Hope you’re better at directions than you are at conversation.”

  “What was wrong with my conversation?” He dropped the keys into my hand and we climbed in at the same time.

  “Other than the fact that your idea of socializing doesn’t amount to doing more than asking people how they’re doing?”

  “That’s sociable...right?”

  “Not on any planet I know of. So, unless you’re from Pluto—”

  “Don’t you dare,” he growled, pausing to tell me which direction we needed to go. “I don’t care what anybody says. Pluto is still a planet.”

  “Nerd,” I teased, pursing my lips.

  He tapped a beat against his knee, grinning at the side of my face. “A nerd you’re in love with.”

  Because it was obvious this wasn’t going anywhere, I decided not to respond at all. Monster and I could go back and forth like kids in a sandlot trying to decide who got there first and who was going to play with what.

  Besides, I was much more interested in what his latest surprise was.

  And…

  “Why are we heading back to the house?” I asked, realizing the route he’d set us on.

  Monster leaned back in his seat, stretching long arms over his head while he ignored me.

  “You’re not cute,” I said. “I know you heard me.”

  He closed his eyes but lifted a brow. “If I told you, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise.”

  Biting my tongue, I shut up and drove faster.

  The engine roared as I pressed the pedal to the floor. We quickly left behind the town proper and hit the back roads. For maybe the first time in my life, I wasn’t the least bit worried about law enforcement.

  The Sinners were untouchable.

  Had I been able to get confirmation on th
e rumors that they basically owned the police force? No. They kept their secrets locked up tighter than any vault known to man.

  Then again, did I need a flashing neon sign when the truth was glaringly obvious?

  No matter what they did—even both times public property burned down—there had never been so much as a hint of red and blue lights flashing. In fact, I had a hard time remembering when I last saw a cop cruising around at all. A couple of sheriffs used the highway now and then. That was really all I could think of.

  “Speed demon,” Monster said as the gate to his property opened and we went flying up the winding hill.

  I tapped the brakes just hard enough to send him lurching forward out of the comfortable position he was in. He glared. I glared back before blowing him a kiss. He reached out and caught it, making a show of rolling down his window and tossing it outside.

  My heart played show tunes and put on an impromptu performance.

  I love this man.

  But I still had no idea what the hell we were doing here.

  I braced against the steering wheel, leaning forward in my seat as I glanced around.

  Everything looked the same. There weren’t any prop planes in the blue sky trailing banners that declared his undying love. No balloons or doves popped out from secret locations. I didn’t see a city’s worth of roses littering the lawn and leading up to the front steps.

  Monster climbed out while I was searching and headed towards the guest house he’d had people working on over the last few weeks.

  He’d mentioned something about needing some extra space. I figured it was code for him having more toys than he knew what to do with and needing elsewhere to put them. Afterward, I hadn’t thought much about it.

  “Did you decide to do something different?” I called to his back. “I’ll tell you right now. If there’s a bowling alley in there then I might forgive everything else—”

  The door opened before we could reach it. A smartly dressed, older woman with dark hair appeared at the threshold, offering Monster a quick nod before smiling at me. I was frowning before she stepped to the side.