Riggs (The Kings of Retribution MC, Louisiana Chapter Book 1)

by Crystal Daniels

  "You just fucked up talking to the Prez's woman like that, Lexi." I'm thankful Josie has chosen to face me so I can have a clear view of her face to understand what she is saying. Just then, Wick appears. She and Wick exchange words before he turns a murderous glare to Lexi who looks as though she realizes her current situation won't be working out in her favor. Wick says something else to Josie, and she takes off down the hall. She returns moments later with a pissed off Riggs in tow. Riggs starts to sign.

  "Tell me," he directs his question at Josie.

  "I was coming to see if Luna wanted to eat lunch with me and Payton. When I got to your office, Lexi was in Luna's face. She was talking shit about how Luna being here was messing with what you and she have going on and how she was going to be your old lady." Josie stops speaking long enough to look at Lexi with a sneer. When she speaks again, her next words set shit off. "That was after she called your woman a deaf bitch." Josie's last statement has Riggs dropping his hands and advancing on Lexi. The woman is so shocked and scared she takes two steps back plastering her body against the wall as Riggs gets in her face. The whole time he doesn't miss a beat relaying to me what he is saying.

  "If you think you can come to my club and threaten my woman, you are a special kind of stupid. I told you the moment you stepped foot into my clubhouse months ago, I wasn't interested in you or what's between your legs. You never had a chance at riding my dick or wearing my patch. You have ten minutes to pack your shit. Wick will escort your ass out. You are not welcome on Kings property again. You are done." With that, Riggs turns to Wick and says something. Wick nods and grabs Lexi by her arm and ushers her down the hall out of view. But not before she looks back over her shoulder with her venomous eyes aimed straight at me. A look that says she is far from done. Something about that woman doesn't sit right with me.

  Stepping into my line of sight of Lexi and Wick's retreating backs, Riggs brings my attention to him. "You okay, baby?"

  I nod. "Yeah. I'm good."

  "I'm so damn sorry that bitch said that shit to you. I want you to know everything she said was a lie. I never touched her."

  "I know you haven't. Even if you had, it's not my business, but I believe you."

  "Do you believe me when I say, I'll never let anyone get away with hurting you? I had a feeling Lexi was going to be trouble. I should have listened to my gut and kicked her ass out of here yesterday. I actually should have done it weeks ago."

  "I believe you, Riggs. You can't protect me from everything."

  Riggs steps closer to me. "I can and will protect you to the best of my abilities, Mon Tresor." He kisses me. "Let's get out of here. I got someone I want you to meet."

  By the time Riggs and I walk back through the clubhouse, Wick is sitting at the bar and Lexi is nowhere in sight. When I cut my gaze over to the other side of the room, I see Josie sitting on the couch with Payton. Not knowing if she will understand me, I sign anyway. "Thank you." She and Payton both smile and wave in return.

  When Riggs and I step outside the clubhouse and up to his bike, I turn to him. "I like Josie and Payton."

  "They're good girls. You don't have anything to worry about with them. They don't pull the kind of shit Lexi did. If a brother is attached, they respect that and keep their distance."

  "That's good to know. I appreciate what Josie did for me back there. I don't like confrontation. It can sometimes be difficult to defend myself with words when the other person is unable to communicate the way I do. It makes me feel at a disadvantage when I'm faced with a situation like now with Lexi; I want to dissolve disputes with words. I don't like feeling as if I have no way of defending myself." I let out a relieved breath feeling better now that I have purged my feelings. "I'm sorry I dumped all that on you just now." I shake my head suddenly feeling stupid for admitting all that.

  Riggs kisses me. "Don't ever apologize for telling me your feelings. I want to know everything about you, Luna."

  "I want to know everything about you too, Riggs."

  "Looks like we're on the same page then, baby." Riggs takes me in his arms and kisses the hell out of me.

  Stepping away, he lands one last peck before handing me a helmet. "Where are you taking me?" I ask.

  "I'm taking you home to meet my grandad."

  I freeze. "Why are you taking me there?"

  "I'm taking you because my grandad is one of the most important people in my life, and I want him to meet another important person in my life," Riggs says all this as if it's not a big deal.

  "Are you sure? We hardly know each other. Not enough for me to meet the man who raised you anyway."

  "Hell, yes, I'm sure." Riggs straddles his bike. "Now,hop on babe."

  Riggs' grandad is the most important person in his life, and he wants me to meet him. Am I ready for that? We've known each other for a week, and he wants to take me home. When I don't make a move, Riggs slides off his bike and stands toe-to-toe with me. "Tell me what you're thinking?"

  "I'm freaking out."

  Riggs grins. "No, you're not. What's bothering you is the fact you are not freaking out, but you think you should be."

  Damn, he's right. When I peer up at his face, he has a brow lifted knowing he's got me there.

  "Look, babe. When I'm sure of something I want, I go after it; no holds barred. I knew from the second I laid eyes on you, I wanted you, and I knew the moment I pulled you from that closet at the lumber mill, I was going to have you. You. Are. Mine. I also know for a fact you feel the same way. So, stop thinking so hard, and let's go." He kisses me, stealing my breath from my lungs and sealing the deal.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Riggs

  Luna is the first woman to ever ride on the back of my bike. She's also the first woman I have brought home to meet my grandad. So, to see the surprised expression on his face was to be expected. Parking my bike behind my grandad's truck, Luna and I climb off as he stands from the rocking chair on his porch and makes his way down the steps in our direction. "How's it going today, Pop?" I ask. I watch as Pop's steps falter as he is taken back by my using sign language. My grandad is, of course, fluent in ASL because his wife; my grandmother was deaf, but it has been ten years since he has spoken it. Without missing a beat, he signs.

  "I woke up this morning still breathing so I can't complain," he grins darting his eyes back and forth between me and Luna.

  "Pop, I'd like you to meet Luna Novak."

  "It's nice to meet you, pretty lady," Pop offers his hand.

  "It's nice to meet you too, Mr. LeBlanc," Luna returns with a smile.

  "Oh, child, you can call me Abraham or Abe."

  "Okay, Abe."

  "Come on, you two," my grandad ushers us to the porch. "I just made some sweet tea. Come take a load off."

  Taking the chair next to Pop, I pull Luna down onto my lap, and she settles without protest. When my eyes leave her and cut over to my grandad, he's sporting a big ass smile. "About damn time, son. Now, how long are you going to make an old man wait until you give me some great grandbabies?" Luna chokes on her tea the moment the words leave Pop's mouth.

  "You alright, baby?" I tease.

  "He's not serious, is he?" she asks.

  "As a heart attack," I answer waiting for the panic to cross Luna's face, but it never comes. Fuck yeah. My girl likes the idea.

  Luna and I hold each other's stare, silently communicating we both want the same thing. And fuck me if I'm not going to put my baby in her belly sometime in the near future. Kids are another thing I never considered having, but Luna is my game changer. Like I said before when I find something I want, I'm all in. There will be no holding back. Reaching up, I fist the hair on the back of Luna's head and bring her mouth down on mine and lick the seam of her lips demanding entrance. My woman doesn't hesitate to give me what I seek.

  Hearing a throat clear from beside me reminds me that we are not alone. My grandad laughs at Luna's apparent embarrassment as she too forgot we had an audience. "Don't be embar
rassed child. I remember what it was like to be in love. I was in love with my Etta for most of my life. Finding true love is not easy, but once you do, make sure you hold on to it," my grandad states. He gives me a stern look. "Don't screw it up."

  Two hours later Luna and I are on our way back to the clubhouse after receiving a call from Wick, letting me know that our former commander is in town. He didn't hesitate to jump in with both feet when I asked him to look into Savage Outlaw, although I was expecting a phone call and not for him to come all the way out to New Orleans. Not that I'm complaining. I haven't seen my commander in over a year so it will be nice catching up.

  When I pull through the gate of the clubhouse, I notice a rental SUV parked next to Wicks bike, and I pull up alongside it. Cutting the engine, Luna and I hop off my bike and make our way inside. The moment I open the door I hear booming laughter fill the air around us. "Hey, Prez," Wick shouts. "Look what the cat dragged in." Standing from his perch at the bar is a man I have looked up to for more than ten years.

  "Damn, it's good to see you, Commander," I say striding in his direction.

  "You too, LeBlanc. I hope you don't mind me dropping in like this," he shakes my hand and claps me on the back.

  "Hell, no. You know you don't need an invitation. My door is always open."

  "Dawson was telling me—" my former commander's words are cut short when he gets a peek at Luna standing behind me. He suddenly looks as though he's seen a ghost.

  What the fuck is that all about?

  "Commander, this is my girl. Babe, this is my former commander, Neil Bryant," I sign introducing them. The vibes coming off Neil seem to be making Luna uneasy. Wick, who is standing beside Neil, notices the same thing. "You alright, man?" I ask Neil.

  Neil clears his throat and seems to shake off whatever was bothering him. "Yeah, I'm good," he looks at Luna again. "It's just— I don't know." Neil scrubs his hand down his face. Wick decides to step in and break the awkward situation by clapping Neil on his back.

  "How about the four of us sit down for a drink?" Instead of the bar, Wick leads us over to a round table in the corner of the room. Once the four of us take a seat, I motion to Everest.

  "What can I get ya, Prez?"

  I turn to Luna and ask. "What would you like to drink, baby?"

  "I'll take a Coke if you have it."

  "We'll have one Coke and a few beers."

  "You got it, Prez." Less than a minute later, Everest returns with our drinks setting Luna's in front of her. Several minutes pass and the energy surrounding our group has intensified, and the way Neil keeps looking at my woman is about to set me off. Neil is a man I hold a high amount of respect for, but commander or not, I will lose my shit all over his ass if he doesn't remove his eyes off my woman. Not able to hold back any longer, I level Neil with a look. But before I get a chance to open my mouth, Neil beats me to it.

  "I didn't get your girlfriend's name."

  My back goes straight, and I narrow my eyes. "That's because I didn't offer it."

  "I don't mean any disrespect, Abel. It's not like that."

  "Then what the hell is it like?" I demand.

  "How about we calm down here, brother," Wick suggests motioning to Luna who is sitting beside me looking worried.

  "What's wrong?" she asks. "Why does he want to know my name?" It's then I realize she must have read his lips because I wasn't signing.

  "Everything is alright, babe. I'm going to have Everest take you to my office while I talk with Neil." Luna doesn't question me; she nods.

  "Prospect," I bellow, and Everest appears from down the hall. He has taken his duty of watching Luna to heart and is never too far away. "Take Luna to my office."

  "Wait!" Neil says with urgency his face going pale as he reaches out, grabbing hold of my arm the same time Everest moves Luna behind him, shielding her.

  Good man.

  "You said her name is Luna?" Neil asks.

  "What the fuck is going on, Neil?"

  "I heard you call her Luna," he takes a step forward.

  "Yeah, her name is Luna Novak. What of it?"

  Out of the corner of my eyes, Wick advances, knowing I'm on edge. I also realize our outburst has drawn the attention of Kiwi who walked through the door about thirty seconds ago. I don't know what the hell is going on, but in the decade I have known my commander, he has not once looked this shell shocked or exhibited this type of unnerving behavior. No, the man in front of me seems as though he has seen a ghost and is on the verge of passing out. Those two facts are the only thing keeping me from putting my hands on him. I never imagined myself in any position where I'd give thought to harming the man who stands before me, but like I said before, Luna is a game changer. There is nothing in this world I wouldn't do to keep her safe.

  Having enough of my woman looking afraid, I give Everest a nod, and he takes off down the hall toward my office with Luna in tow. I don't miss the way Neil watches her retreat under the protection of my prospect. The moment Luna is out of view, I start demanding answers. "I'm going to start by saying I respect the hell out of you, Commander. You are one of the last men I want to go toe-to-toe with, but all that shit aside, you have about two seconds to explain to me what the hell is going on right now."

  "I — I think," Neil stumbles over his words. "That woman," he points down the hall. "She looks like someone I once knew."

  "She looks like someone you knew. You, come up here scaring the shit out of my woman because she looks familiar. What the hell, Neil?"

  "You don't get it, LeBlanc. I'm trying to explain to you the resemblance is uncanny. She could be her twin. I know it sounds crazy." He runs a hand through his hair.

  "So, tell me; who does Luna look like, Commander?" Wick cuts in.

  Neil shakes his head, and a look of sadness crosses his face. "Her name was Amelia Novak."

  My gut clenches. This Amelia shares the same last name as my woman. Giving Kiwi a brief look, I interrupt the commander for a moment. "Kiwi, Grab your computer. See what you can find out on Amelia Novak."

  "You got it." Turning, he walks off.

  Neil continues. "We grew up in the same town back in Arizona, and attended the same high school." He sighs. "Amelia was a freshman when I was in my senior year. The two of us didn't really hang with the same crowd in school. After graduating, I went off to basic. Sometimes, I would return home when on leave, but never saw her again until five years later. One summer, I ended up having a two-month leave and decided to stay with my parents. Amelia was working at a bar. She was only twenty at the time but being we lived in a small town and people tended to overlook that sort of thing. I remember sitting down at the bar and not being able to take my eyes off her. Amelia had long blonde hair and blue eyes. She was a fucking knockout." Neil pauses and closes his eyes. "She knew who I was and greeted me by name. I stuck around until closing time, then asked her out for coffee. Amelia and I sat in that coffee shop until seven o'clock the following morning." Neil shakes his head. "I've never experienced a connection with a woman as I did with Amelia."

  "So, what happened?" I ask wondering where he's going with his story and what it has to do with Luna.

  "We spent everyday together for the next two months. I was fucking obsessed, man. I took her home to meet my parents. Even met her dad at one point. I didn't like him. He was a piece of shit drunk, and Amelia admitted he tended to knock her around. That's why she was working at the bar. She was saving up to move out of his place and get her own apartment. I begged her to let me put her up in a place before I had to leave, but she refused. She was too proud and shut me down immediately. A week later, I shipped back out. I made her promise to email me. I tried to call her for months after I left, but she would never answer my calls. Every day of my life, I regret not telling Amelia I loved her before I left town. I knew in my gut she was the one for me and I wanted to marry her — I should have." Neil hangs his head. "I don't know what held me back." He looks back up. "Eighteen months later, I finally ca
me home. When I landed in town, the bar she worked at was the first place I stopped. The owner told me she up and quit a couple of weeks after I left. After leaving the bar, I went to her dad's house." Neil stops talking, his face a mask of pain. Wick and I don't push for him to say more. We allow him to compose himself before he finishes his story. "When her father answered the door, I asked him where Amelia was. He told me she was dead," Neil chokes. "He told me the woman I loved was dead, then proceeded to tell me the location she was buried before slamming the door in my face. That piece of shit didn't have one ounce of remorse on his face as he said those words to me. At first, I didn't believe him. That was until I went to the cemetery and saw for my own eyes. I found her marker. That son of a bitch didn't have the decency to get his daughter a headstone. So, I did."

  "What happened to her. How'd she die?" I question.

  Neil shakes his head. "Never asked. All that mattered was my girl was gone, and there was no way I was going back to her old man's place. Not without putting a bullet in his head. Back then, I'll admit I was too scared to want to know what happened to Amelia, but now, I think I need to know. Because the woman who walked out of this room — your woman is my Amelia made over. I swear to God, Riggs."

  "Prez," Kiwi interrupts from his place at the bar where he's typing away on his laptop.

  "What is it, brother?"

  "I have some information you guys will want to hear."

  "Spit it out, Kiwi."

  Kiwi stops typing and faces Neil and me. "Amelia Novak age twenty died twenty-six years ago. Cause of death; complications from childbirth."

  "Holy shit," Wick mutters from beside me. Holy shit is right. Commander's puzzle pieces are starting to come together.