by Franca Storm
“Why not? They were murdered.”
“Cops ain’t no friends to guys like me. We don’t mesh well. They complicate our business. You understanding me?”
“I’m not stupid, Mr. Barron. I get that much. But I don’t give a crap. Whoever did this will pay.”
His eyes bore into mine intensely. “Let this go. Your father was a piece of shit. A killer. Whatever happened, you can bet your ass he had it coming anyway.”
“My mom didn’t!” I yelled, my eyes flashing with fire.
He released my chair and stood back up straight. “She married into the life. She knew he was Prez of Black Thorns when she got involved with him. She knew the risks. End of story.”
Rage was seeping through me then. I could barely keep it at bay. I shot out of my seat, my fists clenching. “How dare you?” I stepped into his space. “Was it you?”
“You accusing me of murder?”
“Should I be?”
His hand shot out so fast that I didn’t even see it until it wrapped around my neck. He slammed me against the wall, making me choke from the force of it. “You fucking bitch! You track me down, come here demanding answers, talk ‘bout going to the cops and then accuse me of murder!”
“Let…go,” I struggled to get out against his suffocating grip.
“Stupid little girl. I knew you were coming. Got eyes everywhere. I drew you here when I heard ‘bout you asking questions. I set this up. You won’t be leaving here, princess. End of the road for you. Should’ve stayed outta my business.”
All the training I’d had over the years since my parents’ murder kicked in and I thrust my knee into his groin. He roared in agony and loosened his grip. I used the opportunity to rip his arm off my neck and dodge past him. I lunged for the door, fumbling with the lock, my hands shaking with adrenaline and making it a difficult task.
He grabbed my shoulders then. The next thing I knew, he was hauling me onto his desk.
I don’t know where the hell it came from, but he suddenly had a blade in his hand. He’d drawn it so damn fast. Instinctively, I reached for my glock. But he was faster and he slammed my right hand down onto the desk so hard that something cracked. I ground my teeth to stop myself from crying out.
I struggled against him as he ripped my jacket off my shoulders. He climbed onto the desk and pinned my legs with his knees, my hands with one of his own above my head. I struggled violently, but his full weight was bearing down on me.
He moved the knife towards my shoulder.
“I like to mark before I kill.”
I bucked against him wildly then, but it was no use. He drew the blade across my flesh, tearing so deep, ripping open my shoulder in a torturous, slow pace that just prolonged the agony. I couldn’t help it. I screamed at the top of my lungs. The pain was so severe.
He laughed and pulled back the blade.
“For you, though, princess, let’s make it a little more memorable. I wanna remember this one—Dealer’s daughter.”
I didn’t know what the hell he was getting at.
And then he unbuckled the belt of his jeans and popped the fly.
“No!” I bellowed. “Don’t! Don’t do this!”
“Mmm…yeah, I bet you’re a sweet one,” he snarled as he ripped open my pants and slid his hand inside, feeling me up with his rough fingers.
“Stop! No!” I screamed, trying desperately to twist away.
“Shut up!” he bellowed, raising his blade and slicing my shoulder deep.
I cursed and screamed, bellowing frantically at the top of my lungs.
And then a gunshot rang out. The door flew open and a woman I’d never seen before barged in anxiously. Her eyes were wide with shock as she took in the sight of me pinned beneath him crying, screaming, half-dressed and bloodied on the desk.
She cocked her shotgun and spat at him, “You sick, demented, piece of shit! Get off the girl now!”
He held up his hands and did as she ordered.
“Drop the damn knife!”
I heard it clatter to the floor.
But then he reached for his hip. A gun, I figured.
The woman fired the shotgun and he screamed and collapsed to the floor, clutching his thigh. “What the fuck, Kim! You fucking shot me!”
“Should’ve been your dick! Get the hell out!”
“This is my house!”
“Not anymore! It hasn’t been for a long time, Pete! Now get out! Five seconds or I’ll shoot you again.”
He struggled past her. She moved with his movements, keeping the gun aimed his way the entire time as he limped towards the door. “You’ll regret this,” he seethed.
“Get the hell out!”
And he did.
She waited until she heard the front door slam shut and then she hurried over to me.
The last thing I remembered were some words of comfort from her and her trying to stop the bleeding, before I passed out.
By the time she finishes, she’s crying uncontrollably. “I’ve never told anyone that,” she says between sobs.
I stroke her hair and kiss her shoulders, her neck, her lips, trying desperately to comfort her after hearing the sick shit that Skinner put her through. “I’m sorry…I shouldn’t have pushed you.”
“No…it’s…a weight lifted. I’ve been holding onto that for so long.”
“Fucking hell, Rox. I’m so sorry. He’s a fucking monster. I’ve known it for years, but hearing what he did to you…” I pull myself free from her and start pacing, running my fingers through my hair, tryin’ to get a grip “…fuck me. I’m gonna kill him, Rox. I swear it. And I’m gonna make it fucking hurt. Real fucking bad. I promise you that.”
I turn my back, tryin’ to get my shit together and reel in the rage that hearing her story has sparked. I clench and unclench my fists and scrub my hand across my face roughly. Jesus Christ.
I feel her arms ‘round me all of a sudden. They snake ‘round my waist, holding me tight. She rests her head on my back.
Her touch starts to calm me, shocking me. The only things that can usually calm me down when I’m really worked up is a long ride, alcohol and nicotine.
I take her hands in mine and squeeze gently. “Thank you, beautiful girl.”
Chapter 21
~Ax~
After our talk, Rox drank the coffee I made her, downed a gallon of water, popped some pain pills and then led me up to her bedroom. She passed out right away. Thank fuck. Weren’t sure my self-control woulda held out if she’d come onto me again like she had outside that club. And the idea of fucking her when she was fucking wasted made me sick to my stomach. Got too much respect for her to do that shit. My girl’s fucking special. Deserves better than that.
I laid awake for hours thinking ‘bout my mom and Skinner and all the shit happening with the Mavs, me walking out on Trig at the clubhouse and the shit I knew I’d face cuz of it.
By the time I did finally fall asleep, I couldn’t keep the demons at bay. Talking ‘bout Skinner and what he’d done to Rox was too damn fresh, I guess. And so, the nightmare hit me. The same nightmare that I’d had most nights for the last two years. The memories of that fucked up day:
I glanced ‘round the tattoo shop. It was after hours and empty, but the club had a master key. Everything looked fine. Same old, same old.
I turned to Smiter standing beside me. He was scanning the place just like me. “What the fuck, brother?”
“The intel said the place had been hit. Molotov cocktail attack by the Mavs.”
“Where’d you get it, cuz it sure ain’t right. One of your guys is playing with you.”
“Shit. Sorry, Ax.”
I storm past him, heading for the exit. “Next time, check the intel is good before you call me down.” As Sergeant-at-Arms, it was my job to deal with any security issues or breaches. I had my own guys keeping an eye on shit as well as surveillance, so when Smiter had first reported an attack here, I hadn’t believed him. But he’d insisted we come down
and check it out.
“Wait!”
I stopped and spun back to him. “Why? We’re done here, brother.”
“I…uh…maybe we should stay here. You know, just in case we’re early.”
“Do you hear yourself?”
He hesitated, looking fucking nervous. I stalked over to him. “What the fuck’s going on?”
“I…I had orders.”
“Orders?”
“From Broker.”
God, I hated that fucking VP. Piece of shit. I’d been tryin’ to get him voted out forever, but all the boys were too shit-scared to do it. “What orders?”
“I’m sorry, Ax.”
“Sorry?”
“I…I’m supposed to keep you occupied.”
“What the fuck you talking ‘bout?”
He shook his head. “I…can’t.”
I fisted my hands in his cut and slammed him into the wall. “Talk! Now!”
“There’s something going down with the Mavs and Broker didn’t want you involved, cuz of your personal connection. Skinner being your old man and all.”
“Going down? What?”
“Intercepting a Mavs transport. Drugs. Several miles from here in the middle of butt-fuck nowhere. Broker said the Mavs are planning on bringing it through our territory.”
“That makes no fucking sense,” I said, releasing him and stepping back.
“I dunno, Ax. Just following orders.”
“Where’s the intercept location? Broker say?”
“Yeah. Somewhere ‘round Nightridge Bay.”
I spun around. “What?” Adrenaline spiked through me. “You sure?”
“Yeah, that’s what he said. Why? That mean something to you?”
Fuck. “That’s where my mom lives.”
“What? Why the hell would he be intercepting there?”
“I dunno…maybe cuz it’s a fucking set up!”
“Shit…I swear, I didn’t know.”
“I gotta get there now!”
I rode like a maniac with Smiter at my back. Even ripping through the speed limits, it took us close to an hour to get down there.
I pulled up, almost smacking into the gate in my rush, ripped off my helmet, tossed it on the ground and ran like hell towards the house.
My heart jumped into my throat as I saw the front door was open.
“Shit,” I heard Smiter mutter at my back.
We both pulled our guns and hurried inside, sticking close to the walls and holding our weapons at the ready.
“Mom!” I called out. “Mom, it’s Neil!”
“Here, Ax!”
Weren’t her voice. Was Broker’s. Me and Smiter exchanged a look. What the hell was he doing here? We followed his voice into the kitchen.
I froze. “Oh fuck,” I choked. “Jesus Christ…ugh…shit….” It took everything I had not to gag at the sight in front of me.
My mom was lying on the floor, blood fucking everywhere with Broker knelt down beside her.
I knew right away: she was dead.
Smiter cursed.
My eyes were wide. I could hardly breathe.
Broker looked up at me. “I’m so sorry, Ax. He got to her first. Skinner. He killed the protection you had watching the house.”
I sank to my knees beside my mom. “Get out!” I thundered. “Both of you! Get the hell out!”
They hurried outta the room and shut the door.
As soon as they were gone, I snapped, roaring and cursing wildly. I was in agony. My mom was dead! Dead! And my old man had murdered her. Brutally stabbed her.
I brushed my fingers over the golden cross hanging from her neck. It was stained in her blood. “No! No! No, Mom! Shit! Fucking hell!”
My eyes snap open and I bolt up in bed.
Holy fuck!
It’s been a long time since I’ve had that nightmare. Talking ‘bout her last day with Rox late last night must’ve dredged all that shit up.
It still kills me that I didn’t figure out ‘til later that Broker had been working for Skinner at the time. He’d set it up. They’d both murdered her. Smiter and him had been forced to pull me away that day, cuz I’d refused to leave her. And then, now I know, he went back for her neckless. Motherfucker!
“Neil?” Rox says softly from beside me, her voice heavy with sleep.
I turn to see her rolled onto her side, her eyes squinting at me.
“Sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep, beautiful girl.”
But she don’t. She raises herself up in the bed. I watch her grab her head and mutter, “Shit.”
“Yeah, you overdid it last night.” I grin at her. “Light weight.”
“Shut up.” She slaps my arm and I wince.
“Sorry. Your gunshot wound. Are you all right?” she asks, worriedly.
I laugh. “Yeah, fine. Just sensitive.”
“Do you have painkillers with you?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I’ll take a couple more when I get up.”
She nods. And then her eyes narrow as she looks at me. “What the hell?” she cries. The next thing I know, she’s flipping on the lamp on her bedside table.
Light floods the room. “Ow. Some warning next time,” I grumble, blinking hard to adjust my eyes to the harsh brightness.
She straddles me suddenly, her fingers all over my face. “Oh my God, Neil! What the hell happened? Shit, I didn’t notice any of this last night. Too drunk, I guess. But…shit.”
I grab her wrists, pulling her fingers from my swollen face. “Looks worse than it feels,” I lie.
“Who did this to you? Did Broker come after you again?”
“No. Me and Trig had a difference of opinion.”
“What? He messed up your face like this?” she asks, shocked.
“Yeah.”
“Well, what exactly happened?”
I shake my head. “Club business, babe.”
She blows out a breath. “Urgh. Club business,” she grumbles. She throws the covers off her and climbs outta bed. My dick jerks at the sight of her in nothing but her bra and panties. “Stupid—”
“Don’t start,” I rumble, cutting her off. “You made a fucking deal with us, don’t forget.”
That shuts her the hell up.
“Fine,” she agrees.
She grabs a white robe off the back of the door and shrugs it on. She ties the belt and I see her reach for the door. I bolt outta bed and in the next second, I’m pinning her against it, my hands on her soft perky tits and the robe on the floor. She moans as I pinch both her nipples.
“No more business talk. Ain’t why I came back here. Let’s take a breather for a while, yeah?”
She looks up at me, her eyes full of lust and desire. “Just us?”
“Yeah, beautiful girl. Just us.”
She flashes me a devilish smirk and then pushes me back. I groan at the loss of her sweet tits in my hands. But then she drops to her knees and looks up at me, licking her lips. Oh yeah. I’m good with this.
She tugs my boxers down my legs slowly, her eyes flashing with excitement as she sees my cock is already hard and ready for her. I snatch ‘em outta her hands when they hit the floor and kick ‘em off.
“Mmm,” she moans. Her tongue darts out and flicks the head.
“Shit.”
It swirls ‘round, lapping up the pre-cum trickling out. “You taste good,” she breathes.
“Yeah? Show me how fucking good, babe.”
She smirks up at me. She keeps her dirty gaze on me as she opens her pretty mouth wide and takes my cock. She swallows the whole length. I slap my hand to the wall behind me for support as I feel it hit the back of her throat. “Oh fuck. That mouth of yours is…” She starts to move. “Ah…shit, Rox!”
I tangle my hand in her hair. Her eyes flash excitedly and she drops her hands and clasps ‘em behind her back. Hell, yeah. “Want me to fuck your face, babe? That it? Want me to own that pretty mouth of yours?”
She nods enthusiastically.
�
��Get ready.”
I shift my weight and slide my cock all the way out to the head before plunging back in, balls deep. Like before, she don’t gag. It turns me the fuck on and I lose my shit, pumping into her with no mercy, pulling her hair roughly, using it as a handle. Spikes of pleasure shoot through me. Christ, she’s good. She knows how to grip the hell outta me. Knows how to deep throat so damn well.
I pull out before I come down her throat.
“Hands and knees,” I command. “Gonna fuck you now. Hard.”
She whimpers at my words and drops onto all fours right away and sticks out her sweet ass.
I grip her hips and sink my cock into her tight wet heat. Goddamn, I ain’t never gonna get used to how tight she is. Amazing.
She screams as I pound into her.
“Yes! Harder, Neil! More!” she begs.
I give her what she wants. She’s gonna feel this for the rest of the day.
Reaching ‘round, I squeeze her tits, teasing her already hard nipples. She squeals and bucks against me. Yeah, my girl likes it rough.
I slide my hand between her legs and pinch her clit. Once. Twice. And then she’s screaming and coming, her pussy clenching real hard ‘round my cock.
“Fuck,” I grunt as I pull out quickly and shoot my load all over her back.
I coat my finger in it and tug on her hair with my free hand, forcing her head back. “Open, babe.”
She parts her lips and I slide my finger into her mouth, spreading my cum over her tongue. “Mmm,” she moans as she tastes me. My cock jerks as she sucks on my finger, cleaning off every drop.
“Goddamn, Rox,” I breathe, pulling my finger away and stroking her hair. “You’re something else. Outta this world, babe.”
She giggles and sits back, grinning at me.
“Stay there,” I tell her. “One sec.” I walk into the bathroom and grab a hand towel. I run it under the tap, getting it damp and head back to her. “Sorry, I dirtied you up,” I say as I clean my cum off her back.
She just shrugs and leans her head back. I kiss her lips softly and she melts in my arms. Yeah, I like this soft side of her. I toss the towel on the carpet and wrap my arms ‘round her.