The Ties That Bind 1

by D. A. Young

  In Santa Fe, they visited the NM Museum of Art and Georgia O’Keefe museum and he managed to convince Billy to take a hot air balloon tour, and she loved it. Okay, well not at first. She was pessimistic about riding in a giant picnic basket and apprehension had kicked in, feeling how lightweight the balloon fabric was. Ransom wrapped his arms around Billy as they watched it fill and take shape. She balked as he escorted her into the wicker basket, trying not to think about the fact that there was only one obvious emergency exit route. Ransom had kissed her senseless to distract her as they took off and then caged Billy in his arms while they silently floated through the sky. Her fear was replaced with exhilaration and she was thrilled with the surreal adventure.

  “This is wild!” she laughed, pressing a kiss against his whiskered cheek. “Thank you for this! I don’t even know how to repay you.”

  Cupping her face in his palms, Ransom slid his nose against the side of hers and sincerely replied against her lips. “This is all the thanks I need, baby.”

  The adventures had changed Billy’s theory that New Mexico was the barren wasteland she’d originally thought. It more than lived up to its nickname the “Land of Enchantment” and attracted its fair share of writers and artists. New Mexico’s landscape was vastly diverse, from snow-covered ski mountains to hot desert floor. Scenic and historic, the state was a mix of mountains, desert, reservations, and of course, the Rio Grande. It was quirky, unique, and filled with jaw-dropping, pueblo-style revival architecture, art, theater, museums, and delicious cuisine that reflected its culturally diverse backgrounds of Native American, Mexicans, Anglo, and Spanish.

  New Mexicans were proud of their chiles, whether red or Hatch green, which was named after a village in the southern part of the state that held an annual Labor Day Festival in the pepper’s honor. Billy discovered she was partial to green and had developed a fondness, adding it to all her food. She sweated and cried yet fell more in love with each bite she took, much to Ransom’s amusement. The state was also proud of its official state symbol. The Zia red sun was everywhere. On the state flag, flying from buildings, clothing, bumper stickers, and gift shops.

  The red and yellow represented Spain and the Zia Pueblo Indians of New Mexico regarded the sun as a sacred symbol, and the number four was embodied in the sixteen rays, which surrounded it, divided into sections of four that represented the essential ideas in the natural world. The four directions, four seasons, the times of day, and lastly, the four chapters of life. The elements were bound together by a circle and represented life and love, with no beginning and without end.

  Yet, out of all that Billy had experienced, the sunsets were far superior to everything. When the sun began its descent on the horizon, New Mexico appeared as if the desert was on fire and was reflected in the sky, bathing it in a vibrantly, breathtaking swirl of orange, red, purple, pink, and rust. The sunsets stirred and stretched her spirit, giving her a deep appreciation for their naturally breathtaking beauty. For the rest of her life, Billy knew she’d never view sunsets in the same manner ever again.

  “I’m waiting for your answer, Billy.” Ransom’s voice shook her out of her reverie. “Do you really want me to behave?”

  Did she?

  Aside from Ransom respecting her enough to keep his hands to himself and get them separate hotel rooms on the road, Billy was having the time of her life, minus the numerous cold showers she’d taken. She wasn’t loose by any means, but the anticipation of him finally getting into her pants was killing Billy. Every night, Ransom dropped her off at her hotel door and teased her with sweeps of his beard brushing her hypersensitive skin and his cool breath against the shells of her ears. His kisses, sweet and languid or hot and dirty, made her toes curl, thighs clench, and eyes cross, plunging Billy’s heart into a chaotic tempo she’d never recover from. Ransom’s presence shifted her into a live wire, making her universe pulse to a different rhythm, that he alone, controlled.

  Billy knew he was just as affected as she was. She could feel the evidence pressed against her abdomen, hard and heavy. It was also in Ransom’s feral eyes that watched her unravel for him nightly. He took fierce pride in the way Billy’s fists clutched his cut and her leg hooked around his as their mouths fused together. Long, thick fingers tangled in her hair, holding her in place, as Ransom destroyed her from the inside out with single-minded precision.

  “I can handle anything you throw my way,” Billy boldly declared and switched to a safer topic. “Hey, I just met your brother and his homie, Pitch.”

  There was a brief pause before Ransom demanded, “Are they there? With you?”

  “Yeah, they just walked in for a beer. Pitch said you guys had a busy day ahead of you. Do you want to take a rain check on tonight to get some rest?”

  “No, but he’s right; we are going to be slammed. Think I’ll come and get my fill of your pretty face before that happens. See you in a few.”

  He was gone before Billy could reply. The door opened and Lorelai reappeared. She raised an eyebrow when she noticed the cordless phone in Billy’s hand. Hastily, she put it back on the charger and slid off the desk.

  “Sorry. I just needed to make a call. Don’t worry; it was local, but I know I should have asked.”

  “There’s no need to apologize, Billy.” Lorelai moved around her desk and resumed checking receipts. Head bowed, she continued to speak. “You and Rage seem to be getting along good. He told me about your mother. Please accept my condolences. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through.”

  “Thank you, Lorelai. I appreciate that.”

  Suddenly, the older woman slammed the receipts down on the desk. “Listen, I don’t want you to take this personal, but I need to speak my mind on something. What I’m about to say might be hard for you to understand, but please believe it comes from a good place.”

  “Go for it,” Billy encouraged, taking the seat across from her. “I realize that I might have caused you and Marcus some friction by popping up unexpectedly.That wasn’t my intent.”

  Yet, she had.

  Billy hadn’t seen them together in the same room since arriving. Marcus had invited her to stay with them, and Billy declined, choosing to stay at the hotel across the street instead.

  Lorelai patted her afro in place before placing her crossed arms on the desk and meeting Billy’s gaze. “I love that you and Rage are bonding. It’s a beautiful thing to watch your relationship blossom. I’ll admit that I wasn’t crazy about the idea; however, I’ve reconsidered. You’re good for him, Billy.”

  She closed her eyes briefly and pressed her coral glossed lips together in a tight line. When she reopened them, it was with a deep exhale, and her eyes were filled with regret. “You. Don’t. Belong. Here. If you’re the smart girl that I think you are, you will heed my advice and get gone. Chatham is not the place for you. Go back to your cushy life in Santa Barbara. Please.”

  The older woman’s eyes implored Billy to pay attention to what she wasn’t directly saying. Apprehension was an icy fingernail inching down Billy’s spine.

  Marcus stuck his head in. “Billy, Ransom is here for you!”

  She jumped to her feet, eager to be away from her father’s partner and her cryptic words. But Billy couldn’t escape them.

  “Remember what I said, Willamina!” Lorelai shouted after her.

  Ransom entered the bar and found his brother and Pitch at the bar, shooting the shit with Rage. He snagged the bar stool next to his brother. “‘Sup, fellas?”

  “Ransom, you want the usual Coors?” Rage was still acting distant with him, and Ransom knew he was reserving judgment. He reached under the bar and pulled out a cold brew. Popping the cap, he placed it in front of him.

  “Thanks; don’t mind if I do.”

  Ransom took a long swig, casually scanning the bar for his baby. There was no sign of her. Cool. Ransom didn’t understand what was going on with Harley, and until he did, Billy better not have her ass anywhere in the same vicinity as
him or Pitch.

  Harley turned to him with a smile. “You’ve been holding out on me, brother. She’s beautiful.”

  “Stay away from her,” Ransom ordered with a savagery that Harley instinctively eased away from.

  “Relax, Ransom. I was just making conversation. She seems like a nice girl.” Harley wasn’t a dummy. Yeah, Billy was beautiful and he’d probably rub one out to her image later, but she wasn’t worth coming between him and Ransom. If that shit happened, Harley would be back on Slade’s shit list for upsetting his golden boy and possibly, six feet under at his possessive brother’s hands.

  “Now that I know what you’re capable of, you really think I’m gonna relax around you?” Ransom forcefully questioned. “Don’t talk to her or even look her way, Harley. You keep your fucked-up shit to yourself and be on your best behavior around Billy. If I even think you’re disrespecting her, I will end you.”

  “Chill out, Ransom,” Pitch interjected coldly. “We’re not doing shit but having a couple of beers before busting our asses for the rest of the day. Your brother ain’t stupid. He knows no bitch is worth—”

  Ransom reached across Harley and slammed his fist into Pitch’s eye, knocking him off his seat. He shoved Harley out of the way, overturning the barstools as he lunged for his target. Ransom hoisted him up and slammed Pitch back against the bar. He saw the hatred for him blazing from the smaller man’s eyes and taunted him with a smirk.

  “What the fuck is your problem?!” Pitch tried to shake free, but Ransom’s grip was iron-clad. “You walk around acting like you’re better than us! We bleed Immortal blood just like you do!”

  “Don’t disrespect my woman, motherfucker. This is the only warning you’ll get,” Ransom snarled. “The only reason I don’t take this further is because its all hands on deck at the shop. But trust and believe your ass is overdue with me. I don’t know what your end game is, but I’m watching you.”

  “Fuck you, Ransom! Get your ass off of me!” Pitch hissed, pushing back against him to no avail. It was like pushing against a brick wall.

  Ransom jerked him forward and whispered, “You’re not fooling anyone! If you fuck my brother up, I will kill you.”

  “Fuck you, man! Is that any way to talk to your brother?” Pitch tried shoving him again and Ransom chuckled.

  “The both of you cut this shit out!” Harley yelled, muscling his way between the two men and breaking them up. He grabbed a ten-dollar bill from his back pocket and tossed it on the counter before dragging Pitch with him. His eyes moved past his twin to an alarmed Billy who’d just joined them.

  “Ransom! What’s going on?” She grabbed his arm and pulled him further away. Her biker looked positively savage as he stared after the smaller man.

  Just looking at her settled his anger but not quite. “Nothing. I need to get back to work now. I’ll see you later, babe.”

  “You said you had a little time,” she implored him, batting her lashes over puppy dog eyes. “Come with me, Ransom. Let’s go and talk. Please.”

  Unable to resist her charm, he allowed her to lead him from the bar.

  Marcus watched them leave and hated himself for putting Billy in this position. He knew that he shouldn’t have gone against his instincts. Billy would never be safe here. But he’d gotten greedy, spending time with his daughter and getting to know her. He’d seen the look in Harley’s eyes and now preferred the way Ransom looked at her instead. Marcus had never had a problem with the older twin. Until now. He’d looked at Billy like a hunter closing in on its unsuspecting target.

  “You’re a selfish asshole, Rage! What the fuck were you thinking encouraging her to stay?! You had to use the code phrase to get me out here for God’s sake! We’ve never had to do that!” Lorelai pushed past him to right the knocked-over stools. “This is our gig, and you’re about to fuck everything up for us! Everything we worked toward will be gone if you don’t do what you should have in the first place! Get her ass outta here before it’s too late!”

  “Chill the fuck out, Lorelai!” he snapped, viciously swiping the opened beer bottles into the garbage bin. “What did you want me to do? The damage was already done! They’re determined to be together. Now, I can only try to monitor it the best way I can.”

  She grabbed the cordless phone from underneath the bar and thrust it at him. “You have another option, Rage!” Lorelai challenged. “Make the call.”

  They were locked in a brutal battle of wills. Marcus knew Lorelai was right. They’d been together for eight years. No one knew him better except Melody. He knew that Lorelai’s feelings were hurt that he’d never said a word about Billy. It made her wonder if she could ever trust him again. Lorelai always had his back, and he’d betrayed her in the most personal way. He wouldn’t do it again. Marcus snatched the phone from her and stormed to the backroom, dialing as he went.

  The smooth, cultured baritone on the other end instantly caused his hackles to rise when it gloated, “It took you long enough, Glover.”

  “Fuck you, Stanton!” Marcus seethed. His clutch on the phone tightened as he wished it was the bastard’s neck. It galled him to have to say the words but knew they were an evil necessity. “This concerns Billy. I need your help.”

  “It’s not available to you. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m leaving for Italy shortly and need to wrap some things up before my trip,” Neville curtly informed him. “I hope your reunion is everything you hoped it would be. Looks like you’ve won after all.”

  “I never asked for a reunion, but I’m glad Billy is here.” Marcus’ voice was filled with such warmth and admiration that it gave Neville pause. “You’re right. I did win and so did you if you would pull your big head out of your uptight ass long enough to realize it. Billy’s amazing! More than you and I deserve. She talks about you sometimes, you know.”

  Neville remained silent for so long that Marcus thought he’d hung up. Until he tartly replied, “I imagine it’s only to tell you how much she hates me.”

  “No, she’s not like that. Billy actually talks about how smart you are and how kind you are to Porsha. It gives her hope that you can’t be all bad if her grandmother, whom she thinks the world of, loves you.”

  “Billy is not Porsha!” Neville snapped. He knew how to love his wife. She made it easy. Billy was all thorns, and he didn’t know how to find a way in without getting pricked.

  “I never said she was,” Marcus disputed. “Yet, she is your flesh and blood, your legacy, just like those fucking grapes you care so much about! The ones you dedicate your time to nurturing and caring for no matter how temperamental they are. You’ve already missed out on some of the best times of your life with Melody. Don’t waste a moment more. Come get your granddaughter. Take Billy back to Santa Barbara and get to know her.”

  Neville’s mirthless laugh filled Marcus’s ear, singeing his nerves. “At least now, we’re getting down to the real reason for this call. It’s all about you, isn’t it? She’s cramping your lifestyle out there! You don’t need her out there aging you.”

  “You threatened to expose me and I allowed it. If it were up to me, I’d keep Billy away from you forever, old man! You don’t deserve her love! She can’t stay here. I would love for her to, but it’s not possible, and you know exactly why, Neville! So yes, I’m asking for your help in keeping your granddaughter safe. If you don’t have the balls to step up, I won’t be surprised.”

  Marcus hung up before Neville could reply.

  The simmering fury that Ransom emanated behind her scalded Billy’s bare legs as they took the stairs up to her hotel room. It made her feel jittery and something else. It wasn’t fear. Ransom would never hurt her. Despite knowing him for a short amount of time, Billy knew that like she knew tomorrow wasn’t promised. But the undisclosed feeling had the same effect. It left her breathless and her heart thundering as she tried to anticipate what would happen next. The feeling also brought her body to life. Her skin felt hypersensitive, nipples puckered and aching, restricted b
y her clothing. Billy planned to take a cool shower and wash away the slickness between her thighs when he left.

  “Give me the key.” Ransom’s ordered when they reached the end of the hallway.

  “Let’s talk first.”

  “Inside. Give me the key.”

  “I’m more than capable of opening my own damned room, Ransom.” Bristling at his tone, Billy removed the key from her dress pocket and found herself jerked back against Ransom’s front. She was rendered immobile by his arm, a steel band, around her waist.

  His lips teased her ear, and she shivered despite the anger she heard in his words. “You really don’t want to do this with me, fancypants.”

  “Am I supposed to be scared?” she gasped.

  His warm hand slid up to palm her breast, and Billy shuddered when his fingers captured her taut nipple. He pinched it and crying out in response, Billy tilted her head back to him. Her muffled cry was silenced by his assertive lips. His tongue thrust aggressively into her mouth, and she eagerly accepted it. Ransom filled both hands with her breasts, caressing the achy globes as he alternated between pinching and tugging on Billy’s puckered buds, driving Billy insane. Thank goodness, Ransom’s large body blocked her from view. He could smell her arousal, and it made him devour her mouth with relentless ferocity.

  So fucking delicious.

  Billy was out of control and welcomed the recklessness. She ground her bottom back against his rigid erection as she finally got the door open and they tumbled inside the room. Ransom kicked the door shut, and Billy unbuttoned her dress. Ransom undressed, except for his boxers, and she allowed a long whistle of appreciation to escape her lips at the sight of all the tattoos decorating his broad chest, arms, chiseled abs, thighs and legs.