To Awaken a Monster (In the Arms of Monsters Book 1)

by Sam Crescent

  Stopping at his desk, he pushed his chair away and pointed in front of him.

  “You’re ordering me around.”

  “I’m telling you where you need to be.”

  She moved to him and stopped. He grabbed her hips and drew her close. She ended up straddling his waist as he’d moved the arms of his chair to make room for her.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him.

  He sank fingers into her hair, holding her close as he ravished her mouth. She let out a little moan, not wanting him to stop, and he growled against her lips. “Do you have any idea what it is you fucking do to me?”

  “I’ve missed you,” she said. Running her hands up the inside of his jacket, she gasped as he cupped her between the thighs.

  “Is this too much? Do you need me to stop?”

  “No, I don’t want you to stop.”

  Kissing him again, she moaned his name, and he suddenly lifted her up, putting her on the edge of his desk.

  “I didn’t come just for the sex,” she said, giggling as he opened up the button of her jeans.

  “You wear way too many clothes.”

  “Next time do you want me to come in just a coat? Be completely naked for you?” she asked. She didn’t know if she’d ever have the guts to do something like that, but for Preacher, she’d give it a try.

  “Fuck no. There’s no chance in hell I’d ever let anyone catch you naked.” He kissed her hard. “You’re all mine, Robin. Not even Bishop can catch a glimpse of you.”

  Preacher pushed her legs wide, his fingers finding her slick heat.

  “You’re so wet.”

  “I’ve been thinking about you.”

  “Good.” He pushed a finger inside her, then a second. She watched him as his thumb stroked across her clit, igniting a need so great she didn’t know if she was going to be able to hold it together.

  “You can’t scream. You’re going to have to come silently,” he said.

  With his other hand, he covered her mouth.

  “I can’t have any of the guys running in here trying to help.”

  She gasped as he twirled his fingers inside her and started to stroke over a zone within her body that made her ache and scream, desperate for more.

  “Fuck, look how sexy you are. Yeah, baby, you want it, don’t you?”

  “Yes, please don’t stop.”

  “I’ve no intention of doing so. I want to see you come apart for me.”

  His hand covered her mouth the instant she began to come. He muffled the sound of her climax, but it didn’t stop her from enjoying it. The moment it was over, she collapsed against him, and he continued to stroke her, building her for a second, but this time, she didn’t come.

  When she was close to orgasm, he stopped touching her and slid his cock deep inside her.

  He felt perfect.

  He pushed her back, and she stared into his eyes, holding onto him as he began to move.

  “I’m not going to look at this desk the same way again. Do you know that? I’m going to be thinking about how good you look, and how much I want to see you come apart for me.”

  His dirty words only served to enhance her need for him. He rode her hard, the desk not moving.

  “Fuck. I’m not going to last.”

  She felt him come, and as he did, it set off a mini-orgasm within her. Afterward, they were both panting.

  “I didn’t expect that,” she said.

  He kissed her again, his tongue tracing the outline of her lips before sliding in. “What were you expecting?”

  “I don’t know, but not that.”

  “When it comes to you, I can’t control myself.” He kissed her hard.

  “I hate you leaving at night.”

  “I know. It’s not easy for me to kiss and leave.”

  “Then stay. We said we weren’t going to be sneaking around.”

  “I know what we said, but right now, I’m close to completing something and I need all my men to be focused on this, not on what I’m going to tell Bear and my son.” He cupped her face.

  “You still want to tell them, don’t you?”

  “More than anything. That hasn’t changed. What I want will never change. I still want to be with you, but when I tell Bear, your father, I’m keeping his daughter for myself, it’s going to have consequences, and I need them all focusing on O’Klaren.”

  “O’Klaren?” She couldn’t help but tense up.

  “You know how important this is.”

  “Of course I do, but don’t you think it’s a little dangerous? He’s not a good guy.”

  “Neither am I, and he needs to learn the error of his ways. He’s only been in town a short time, and already he’s caused too much trouble.” He kissed her again, and this time, he pulled away.

  He didn’t leave her though. Her cheeks heated as he got some tissues and used them between her thighs, wiping away the evidence of their lovemaking.

  “Don’t you think it’s a little unwise to be going after O’Klaren? He’s a cop.”

  Preacher helped her into her jeans, and rebuttoned her shirt. She hadn’t even realized he’d started to unbutton it in the first place.

  He cupped her face, pressing a kiss to her lips.

  “Do you trust me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then know that I’ve got this handled.”

  “Is this about … the baby?”

  She tucked her hair behind her ear as he put his papers right.

  He took hold of her hand, pulling on it so she had no choice but to sit in his lap. He put one hand on her ass and the other on her leg, holding her.

  “Yes, it’s about the baby.”

  “Why can’t you leave it alone?” she asked. Tears threatened to spill down. “I know it’s who you are, but … I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

  “I’m not going to get in trouble. Do you think if I leave O’Klaren alive, it’s going to send the right message to my enemies? They’re looking for a way to kill me, Robin. I can’t give them a chance to think the club is weak or that I’m weak. What he did, in the eyes of the club, was punishable by death. O’Klaren will die at my hands. If you repeat any of this, you know the consequences.”

  “I know, and I wouldn’t do that.” She thought about the pain, remembered the feel of losing her child.

  She had no interest when it came to helping the man who hadn’t cared he was hurting an innocent child.

  Whatever O’Klaren did, he had to suffer.

  You want him dead. Stop trying to pretend you’re better in any way. You’d like to know the man responsible for taking her away is six feet under.

  “Good.”

  “You know, I don’t really know a whole lot about you.”

  Preacher laughed. “Is this where you want to know every little detail and analyze me?”

  “No, not every single detail.” She was a little humiliated because the truth was, yes, she did.

  “You’re a really bad liar.”

  “So sue me. I want to know more about you. It’s not a crime.” She put her hand on his chest. “I want to know what makes you tick. You know, how you think and feel.”

  “You do realize I’ve kicked women out thinking they can get under my skin.”

  At the mention of other women, it twisted her stomach, but she wouldn’t be pushed around. She could handle this. “I thought I was already under your skin.”

  “I’ve known you a long time, Robin. Tell me what it is you want to know, and I’ll answer.”

  She stared at his chest, then at his lips, before looking into his eyes. “It’s stupid.”

  “I’ve not got all day.”

  “Fine. Fine. I was wondering … well … I’m curious … are you with other women?”

  He stared at her. “You want to know if I’m cheating on you?”

  “Yes.” She climbed off his lap. “But you know what, it doesn’t matter. None of this matters, because I need to get going.”

  She
didn’t get far.

  Preacher wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “You’re not going anywhere. I want you to be able to come to me. All of this is new to me, okay? I’m not eighteen, and I don’t know what it is you want from me.”

  “I don’t know either. The closest I’ve ever had to a boyfriend is Bishop, and you know how that turned out. I…” She stopped talking because her own feelings were threatening to consume her, and she couldn’t stand it. The thought of him being with anyone else, it hurt. No, it more than hurt. It cut her really deep, and she wasn’t used to feeling this way. “I don’t want you to be with anyone else. I can’t stand the thought of other women knowing what you’re like in bed.”

  “You know I wasn’t a virgin before you came along.”

  “I’m not stupid, I know that. Is it wrong to maybe, just have each other?” she asked. “I don’t want to think of you with other women.”

  “Then don’t, because it’s not happening. If that’s what you want to know, say it.”

  “I don’t want you seeing other women?”

  “Then I won’t, just like I don’t want you seeing other men. Until we can discuss shit with Bishop, he’s allowed to kiss your cheek, but you will stop all other contact with him. No touching. No making out. Nothing. You’re mine, and you do know what that means, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good.” He pulled her close, kissing her hard. “What else do you want to know?”

  “I don’t know. What about your parents? Your family.”

  “There’s nothing you need to know from them. They’re not important at all.”

  “But they’re part of you,” she said. “I don’t know anything about you.”

  “None of it matters. It’s all in the past, but I don’t have time to talk about it now. I’ve got stuff I need to do.” He pressed his lips against hers. “Do you think you could give me a little more time?”

  “Sure. Yes. Sure.” Don’t become a nag, Robin. “I better be heading back. Will you be home for dinner?”

  “Yes, I’ll make dinner and don’t worry about anything else. I’ve got everything under control.”

  Chapter Twenty

  One week later

  Everything was in place, and Preacher stared at the door of O’Klaren’s house. The woman O’Klaren had killed had been taken care of, and so had her kids. Preacher always made sure his own got what they needed.

  With regards to O’Klaren, he’d needed the right time, the right motivation. It would have been easy for him to run in, kill O’Klaren without even thinking, but it wouldn’t have been smart.

  Preacher’s patience with everything was at an all-time low.

  First, he had to gather intel on O’Klaren’s whereabouts. Taking out a cop, especially one specifically assigned to bring him down, wasn’t easy. In fact, it was downright fucking hard, and he had to get everything all in the right place. It would have been so much easier if he hadn’t wanted to handle this on his own.

  If he’d hired someone to take the hit, he’d have been able to hide and cover up all the evidence leading back to him.

  With O’Klaren, it was personal. There was no getting away from the fact he wanted to kill the son of a bitch.

  When it came to the club, he could handle whatever was thrown at him. His personal fucking love life though, that had taken a sudden turn. Robin now belonged to him, and having her in his bed, his life, it was a fucking dream come true, and that was saying a lot because he didn’t believe in dreams or any of that bullshit, so it was all new to him. Being with Robin was new. Sneaking around was exhausting.

  He’d never sneaked in his life, but until he got a handle on O’Klaren, he wasn’t about to talk to Bear.

  Not to mention his son who’d come to him earlier to tell him about how weird Robin was becoming.

  She wouldn’t let him kiss her and stopped him sleeping in her bed. She also didn’t drive to school with him anymore. He’d played the part of doting father because it was expected of him, but he didn’t have the time or the energy to pansy to his son.

  Bishop was a problem, and Preacher knew the moment his son knew the truth, it would cause no end of trouble, which was why he had to handle O’Klaren now.

  Climbing out of the car, he made his way up to her door and knocked.

  It was opened by a small, petite woman, wearing a dress, her hair neatly pinned back, with lots of makeup, which didn’t hide the shiner on her face.

  “I’m sorry. You shouldn’t be here,” she said.

  “I take it your husband likes to leave a mark.”

  She went to touch her cheek and shook her head. “It’s dangerous. Please, leave.”

  “How about I come in, we have a talk, and I tell you I’ve got the answers to all of your prayers, you’ve just got to do something for me,” he said.

  “I … you can’t help me. If he finds out you’ve been here, he’ll hurt me.”

  “He does that a lot? Hurt you?”

  “He does whatever he wants.”

  “Then how about you and I work together so he stops hitting you,” he said. “Aren’t you tired of being a punching bag?”

  Tears filled her eyes, and he watched as they fell down her face. “No one can help me.”

  “Because he’s a cop? He’s got friends in high places. I can start making a whole lot of noise and he’ll be here within a second, or we can sit and chat about how we can make this work.”

  She looked doubtful, but clearly his offer was too tempting for her to turn down. She let him walk right past her, and he took in the perfect, beautiful home.

  The heavy scent of lavender filled the air.

  Her hands clenched. “You can’t walk through the house in those boots.”

  “I’m not leaving this spot. I only want to know how desperate you are to get rid of your husband.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “I know about the hostels and the shelters you’ve tried to go to. I know you’ve tried to run from him a couple of times.”

  “I can’t leave him. He’ll find me. He will always find me. The kids belong to him. I’m his. There’s no way out for me. No escape. I’m trapped. I know that now.”

  “What if I tell you I have a way that means you will stay in this house? No one will ever question you. All you need to do is go upstairs, pack a bunch of his stuff, and I’ll take care of the rest.”

  “It can’t be that easy.”

  “You tell anyone who comes by you had a fight and he said he was leaving you for another woman. You remove some of that paint on your face, and the bruises tell the story as to why you didn’t stop him from leaving.”

  She touched her cheek again. “It couldn’t be that easy,” she said. “No way could it be that easy.”

  “I’m not saying it won’t be easy. What I’m saying is this, he’s not coming back, but I need his stuff and an alibi that puts him out of town. Can you do that?” he asked.

  “That’s all I have to do?”

  “I’ll give you some money to tide you over for a job, or you can work for me.”

  “What about my kids? They need a father.”

  “Do they need the kind of father who abuses his son? Who allows people to rape his son?”

  She covered her mouth. “Is that what happened to Thomas? You spoke to him? How is he? What’s happening?”

  Preacher looked at her. “You don’t know about your eldest son?”

  “He told me it wasn’t any of my business. He was taking care of everything and I shouldn’t worry.”

  “Your husband is a real piece of work. I’ll have Thomas brought back to town by the end of the week. You and your family can live in peace. You’ve just got to do as I say. Can you do that?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was firm, determined.

  This was the voice of a fighter, and he could work with that. “Go and get me his things. The most valuable of possessions.”

  She moved away, and he
stood, waiting. Checking the time, he saw it was a little after seven.

  His cell phone rang, showing him Bear’s number.

  “What is it?”

  “He’s taken the bait. Joanne is working him now as I speak. I’m watching things, shooting the shit.”

  “Good, keep him there and tell Joanne there’s an extra bonus for keeping his attention and teasing him.”

  He hung up his cell phone as Mrs. O’Klaren came back downstairs.

  “Here is everything. I’ve also packed his spare gun. My prints are on it, but if you get him to touch it like they do in those cop shows—”

  “I’ve got it. I’ll handle everything.”

  He took the cases from her.

  “How do you know I won’t call him now? Tell him your plans, foil them?”

  He smiled. “You want out of this marriage and have been for several years. The last time you tried to leave was a year ago. You tell me, are you going to call him? Are you going to give up your last chance of being free of him at last? There won’t be a chance like this, and you know he’s not going to change. There is not going to be an epiphany from him. He doesn’t care. He’s a selfish prick who’ll do whatever he wants to get it. You know all of this. It’s your last chance.”

  “I want him gone,” she said. “I want him gone and my son back. Can you give me that?”

  “I’m going to give you that. You won’t see him again.”

  He opened the door and took a step out.

  The night was getting warm again. He preferred the warmer weather, and his thoughts immediately went to Robin. He wondered what kind of weather she liked.

  Not that it really mattered, he tried to tell himself. He wasn’t the kind of guy who got all personal with women.

  Robin’s not like another woman.

  Dumping O’Klaren’s bag in the trunk of his car, he climbed behind the wheel, taking off back to his home.

  He had to make a quick pit stop before he went and finally dealt with the piece of shit who thought he could take from him without any consequences.

  Arriving, he saw the lights already on inside the house. It was dark outside, and the curtains were drawn. Leaving his keys in the ignition, he took off into the house to the scent of something burning.