“Whoa,” Mack said, grabbing me by the hips. “You good?”
“I can’t feel my legs,” I muttered, pulling off my helmet.
He laughed. “Give it a minute.”
“We’re staying here tonight?” I asked as I glanced around the property. The club that was hosting us was situated outside the city on a few acres covered in trees. Their clubhouse was an actual house, big, but still a house. I wasn’t even sure how we’d all fit inside, there was no way we could sleep there.
“Prospects have some tents in the pickup,” Mack replied.
“Well, you better set up far away from everyone else,” I said, watching as my parents climbed off my dad’s bike. “Because I’m loud when I’m drunk.”
“Can’t fuckin’ wait,” Mack said, his hands sliding to my ass to squeeze it.
There was a lot of backslapping and laughing as our members greeted the other club, and I loved watching Mack in his element. He knew everyone, and they all seemed to like him. More than once, I noticed men walking away from conversations to come say hello.
“Grease’s kid, right?” a grizzled old man asked me after saying hello to Mack. “Hell, it’s been years since I saw you last. Think you had pigtails then.”
“That was my preferred hairstyle for a long time,” I confirmed, smiling at the way he cackled.
“Well, it’s nice to see you, sweetheart. ’Specially with this guy. Good as they come.”
“I know,” I replied as Mack pulled me against his side.
I glanced over the man’s shoulder, and froze as I saw Copper striding out of the house behind him. Sonofabitch.
“All good, baby,” Mack said quietly in my ear. “He’ll keep his distance.”
I wasn’t so sure, but I nodded, anyway. Copper was walking around saying hi to everyone like he didn’t have a care in the world. Most of them treated him like they’d treat any other member, with handshakes and hugs, but my brothers and parents were far more reserved, and I was pretty sure if my Aunt Farrah could have killed him with her eyes, she would’ve.
“There’s a good spot by the lake,” the older man was telling Mack as I forced myself to pay attention to the conversation. “Left of the house, start walkin’ and you can’t miss it.”
“Thanks, man,” Mack said. “I’m gonna set us up real quick before things get goin’ around here.”
“Holler if you need anythin’ at all,” the old timer replied.
He walked away and Mack tugged me toward the truck.
“Might as well get situated,” he said. “We’re not gonna wanna be building shit in the dark.”
“We?” I joked. “I never said I’d pitch a tent.”
“I’ll pitch it,” Mack said, climbing into the back of the truck. “You just sit there and look pretty.”
“Well,” I huffed. “That was patronizing.”
Mack looked up from what he was doing. “You just said you weren’t gonna help.”
“Maybe I will help now.”
“Good,” he said, throwing a tent bag over his shoulder. “Because this thing is a bitch to build with only one person. Grab our sleeping bags off the tailgate, yeah?”
“Ooh,” I said, picking up the sleeping bags as Mack hopped down. “Are we gonna zip these together to make one big sleeping-bag-for-two?”
“You want to?” he asked as we headed toward our camping spot.
“Hell, yes.”
“Then that’s what we’ll to.”
“We should have brought an air mattress,” I murmured. He just looked at me like I’d lost my mind.
“We’re only gonna be here for two nights.”
“Two long nights,” I replied.
“Two drunk nights,” he shot back.
“Touché,” I said with a laugh. “I’m not gonna feel anything when I pass out.”
“And I’ll let you ride me,” he said with a sigh, like he was doing me a huge favor. “So you’re more comfortable.”
“Such a gentleman,” I joked.
“Only the best for my woman.”
“The best would be an air mattress,” I sang, winking when he scowled at me.
Building the tent and putting our stuff inside didn’t take long, and before I could convince Mack to get naked with me for a little afternoon delight, my brothers came to bug us.
“Hey, how’d you find this spot?” Will asked, his eyebrows nearly touching his hairline. “We got stuck near the driveway. It’s dusty as hell.”
“I know people,” Mack said with a chuckle.
“I know all the same people,” Tommy said. “This is bullshit. I’m moving our tent over here.”
“No, you’re not,” Will, Mack and I all said at the same time.
“The hell?”
“Think it through,” Will muttered. “Three, two, one—”
“Ew, fuck!” Tommy spat, glowering at us.
“My thoughts exactly,” I said, flicking his head as I passed him. “Come on, I need a drink.”
“You’re cute when you’re bossy,” Mack whispered, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “I could be into that.”
“You’d be into anything as long as I was naked,” I retorted.
“Fair point.”
“It’s cool,” I said wrapping my arm around his waist. “I’d be into anything with you, too.”
“Yeah?” he said, his eyes growing wide as his lips twitched.
“We’re not doing any butt stuff while we’re here,” I replied quietly, pointing at him. “There’s nowhere to clean up.”
Mack’s laughter filled the yard. “Noted.”
We grabbed some drinks while the grills heated up, and I found myself in a group of old ladies, listening to my mom tell a story about when my brothers were little. I’d heard it all before, but I loved listening to my mom. From things she’d said over the years, I knew that in the beginning, she hadn’t been too excited about my dad’s affiliation with the Aces—I couldn’t blame her really, since she’d had my brother Will while my dad was locked up—but for as long as I’d known her, she’d fit right in with all the other old ladies.
“How you doin’, kid?” my Aunt Farrah asked, running her hand down my hair. “Having fun yet?”
“This is only my first drink,” I said, lifting my beer in the air. “Ask me again in about an hour.”
“Shit,” she said with a chuckle. “I still can’t believe you’re old enough to drink.”
“Hey,” I replied. “I’ve been drinking for years.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she said. “You make me feel old.”
“You have grandchildren,” I said, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I’m not the one making you feel old.”
Aunt Farrah smiled. “Grandchildren are life’s reward for raising your own assholes.”
“I’m telling Lily you called her an asshole,” I said, jumping away as she swatted at me. “Cam, too!”
“You say that like they’ll be surprised,” she called as I walked away. “They won’t.”
“You runnin’ from Farrah?”
I scoffed. “I’m not afraid of her.”
Mack just looked at me.
“Okay, yeah, that was an outright lie,” I admitted.
“Come on,” he said, leaning down to kiss me as he grabbed my hand. “I want you to meet some people.”
I’d been to plenty of parties at the club, and I’d had fun at almost all of them—but that night outside Seattle was so much better. Mack and I had never really partied together, and I was almost giddy as his cheeks grew ruddy and his smile grew wider with every drink he had. My man was serious most of the time, and it was amazing to see him let loose a bit.
The music was loud and the laughter in the yard was even louder. I glanced around the crowd and got a warm feeling in my belly. I was a part of the group of old ladies now, and it was weird, but also pretty cool. My mom sat on my dad’s lap like she’d never seen a chair before, Aunt Farrah shook her ass to anything coming out of the speakers while
my uncle egged her on, Brenna stood with our President, Dragon, drinking beer and laughing with her hand in his back pocket, Hawk was kicking Tommy’s ass at a game of quarters, and Lily… where was Lily? I searched the crowd curiously, and just as I’d almost given up, she and Leo came out of the woods, both of them swaying slightly with huge grins on their faces.
It was a good night, and everyone knew it. No fights had broken out. There’d been no drama. It was just a bunch of people hanging out and catching up with a little help from a kickass sound system and a shitload of alcohol.
“Hey, Mack?” I leaned down and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. “Let’s go back to the tent.”
“Really?” he asked glancing up at me. The moment our eyes met, I knew I had him.
“I mean, if you want to stay,” I trailed off with a shrug.
He turned away for only a second. “Boys,” he said with a nod. He immediately finished the last of his beer and stood up.
I had to practically run to keep up with Mack as he led us around the side of the house toward our tent.
“I’m gonna trip,” I yelped as I stumbled over a few rocks in the dark.
“Can’t have that,” Mack replied. He turned and threw me over his shoulder like I was nothing, then kept going as I laughed.
“You have the best ass,” I told him, running my hands over it. I tugged his t-shirt up a little so I could push my fingers underneath his jeans.
“Ditto,” he replied, smacking my ass.
By the time we reached the tent and he set me back on the ground, I was giggling and pulling at his clothes.
“Shit,” he said, running his hand through his hair. “New box of condoms is in my saddlebags.”
I groaned.
“I’ll run back and get ’em,” he said, kissing me. “I’ll be right back.”
I thought about telling him we could go without, but I knew that wasn’t a conversation we should have while we were both drinking, so I kept my mouth shut and nodded instead. “Hurry.”
“I’ll run like my ass is on fire,” he said with a huff of laughter. “Stay put. Don’t wanna have to go lookin’ for you in the dark.”
“Where would I go?” I asked, throwing my hands in the air. “We’re in the fucking woods.”
He shot me a grin and then jogged off. As soon as I couldn’t see him anymore I used my phone to light my way as I climbed into the tent. I’d just pulled my boots and jeans off when I heard him come back.
“You really did run—” I said as I stepped back out of the tent. My words cut off instantly. “What are you doing here?”
“You know, I figured you guys were fuckin’,” Copper slurred. “But I was pretty surprised to see ya here.”
“You need to leave,” I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. Standing there in only my shirt and underwear made me feel vulnerable in a way I really didn’t like. “Go, before Mack gets back.”
“You think it’s cool to just fuck your way through the members?” he said as if I hadn’t spoken. “I mean, yeah, club whores do that shit—but I thought you were different.”
“Go, Copper,” I ordered, trying to keep my voice firm as he sneered at me.
“Daddy’s little princess,” he mocked. “Drinks with the boys like it’s nothin’, hangs at the club like she belongs there.”
“Seriously, Copper,” I snapped. “Get the fuck outta here.”
“Your dad know you get on your knees for any dick in sight?” he snapped, taking a step forward. “Maybe he should hear what you’re really like.”
“Try it,” I hissed. My fight or flight response was working overdrive, and I’d never been one to run away. “Say something to my dad. The minute my name came out of your mouth, it would be the last thing you said.”
“So fuckin’ tough,” he said, moving a little closer to me. “When you got your idiot brothers and your dad up your ass all the time, fightin’ your battles.”
“Fuck you, needle dick,” I shot back. “And get the fuck out of here.”
He came at me quickly, but I was ready. Adrenaline was racing through me as I braced for impact, knowing that he was either going to hit me or tackle me, and either one would hurt. But before he got within a foot from me, Mack was there, like a wall between me and Copper.
“You motherfuckin’ idiot,” Mack said darkly. The only sounds after that were the noise a fist makes as it connects with flesh.
It wasn’t even a fight. Mack went at him with a singular purpose, and Copper didn’t even manage a single swing. I let out a shaky breath as Copper hit the ground, completely knocked out.
“Did he touch you?” Mack asked, spinning toward me. His hands cupped the sides of my head as he searched for injuries.
“No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “No, he was just being an ass.”
Mack nodded. “Put some clothes on,” he barked.
I flinched at his tone, but didn’t say anything as I went for my clothes. Once I was fully dressed again, Mack silently pulled me back toward the party.
“Rose?” my mom asked as we reached my parents. “What’s wrong? You’re white as a sheet.”
“Dragon,” Mack said, letting go of my hand. “A word?”
I’d never felt so alone as when Mack strode away from me, my dad and Dragon on his heels. As my mom’s face filled my vision, her worried eyes searching mine, my teeth began to chatter and my whole body started to shake.
I was not going to cry.
Chapter 10
Mack
“He’s wearin’ a patch,” Dragon reminded me as we stomped back into the woods. “Either of you go off half-cocked, I’ll have your heads.”
“I fuckin’ barely made it in time,” I replied through gritted teeth. I couldn’t get my jaw to loosen no matter how hard I tried. “If it woulda taken me a few more minutes—”
“Knew that fucker was stupid,” Grease muttered. “Didn’t know he was suicidal.”
Both men went silent at his words.
“Fuck,” Grease said. “Sorry, Mack. Poor fuckin’ choice of words.”
“Forget it,” I replied, brushing him off. His words were the least of my worries.
“You heard what he was sayin’ to her?” Dragon asked.
“Just the last bit. I started runnin’ when I realized he was there.”
“What did he say?”
I glanced at Grease and shook my head. “Not repeatin’ it.”
“Pissed she got shot of him?” Grease asked.
“Pissed he can’t take his shit out on her anymore,” I replied, increasing my pace. “Pissed she’s with a man that won’t let him.”
When we got to our camping spot, the motherfucker was gone.
“Thought you knocked him out?” Dragon said.
“I did,” I confirmed. “Checked his breathin’ to make sure he wasn’t dead, he was so out.”
“Jesus,” Grease mumbled. “Where the fuck did he go? We didn’t pass him on the way out here.”
“He’s probably runnin’ scared,” I spat, checking the tent. “Rose’s fuckin’ bag is gone.”
“He stole her bag?” Dragon asked in surprise.
“What the fuck is wrong with that dipshit?” Grease said in frustration.
“I don’t know, but we need a fuckin’ sit down,” I replied. “From this point forward, he’s no brother of mine.”
“Hold it,” Dragon said warningly.
“How the fuck can I keep Rose safe if he’s always lurkin’ around?” I said, struggling to keep my voice even. “He came into our camp and started yellin’ at my woman while she was half dressed. I get held up for ten minutes, then what? He coulda done anythin’ he wanted.”
Grease made a sound, and I looked over at him. The veins in his neck were bulging, and he looked ready to lose it.
“We’ll deal with it,” Dragon said. “Once we’re back at the clubhouse. We’re not bringin’ this shit to someone else’s doorstep.”
“Know that,” I said in disgus
t. “Why do you think I pulled you away instead of announcin’ that shit?”
“Appreciate it.”
“You better handle this before I come across him,” Grease said quietly to Dragon. “Or I’ll deal with it myself.”
“Man’s stupid enough to get anywhere near you,” Dragon said with a sigh, “I won’t stop ya.”
Grease wasn’t gonna touch him. As Rose’s man, that fell to me. But I kept my mouth shut as we walked back toward the party. I couldn’t imagine some man going at Kara the way Copper had lunged at Rose.
The party raged on, but as we reached the group, our men watched us closely. They knew something had gone down, they just weren’t sure what. As Dragon moved toward Cam and Grease headed for his sons, I searched for Rose.
“Callie took her in the house,” Hawk said, as she came up beside me. “You might want to go in there.”
“Thanks.”
“Do I wanna know what happened?” she asked as I started to walk away.
“Go take care of your man,” I replied, nodding my head toward where Tommy was rising from his seat. “Calm him down.”
“Oh, shit,” Hawk muttered as she took off at a jog.
Inside the house was as loud as outside. It took me a few minutes to find the women in a quieter room upstairs, and my stomach twisted when I saw Rose sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I told you I’m fine,” she said to her mom, pushing her hands away.
“Sweetheart, you’re still pale as a ghost,” Callie said, crouched in front of her.
“Would you just tell us what the fuck happened already?” Lily snapped. “This is bullshit.”
Rose just shook her head. “It’s none of your business.”
“Say what?” Farrah asked dubiously.
“Copper showed up,” I said quietly, stepping inside the room and closing the door behind me. “Started hasslin’ Rose.”
“I saw him hanging around,” Farrah said. “But he looked like he was keeping his distance.”
“Cornered her at our camping spot,” I replied.
“Oh, fuck no,” Lily snarled.
“It was fine,” Rose said, her eyes on mine. “Nothing happened.”
“It doesn’t sound like nothing,” Callie retorted.
Craving Rose (The Aces' Sons) Page 15