by Erin Trejo
“The only time I’ll ever put my hands on you is when I’m fuckin’ you—understand?” She starts to nod her head when I slap her ass roughly. Her moans are like heaven to my ears. With my dick in my hand, I ram it inside of her. So, fucking hot and ready.
“So, goddamn wet for me, Ev.” Gripping her hips, I fuck her just like I promised her I would.
Hard and rough.
Chapter 11
I called a meeting with the club to make some decisions. I don’t know how well they are going to take any of this, but it’s worth a try.
“We all know Everleigh is still here.” Roc snickers next to me until I cut my eyes at him. Yeah, that shut his ass up for a minute.
“There’s a situation with that shit, too. She’s the wife of the goddam police Captain.” Ghost lets out a whistle before Devil speaks saying, “Since when do we vote on pussy? You want it Dragon Man; it’s yours.” Everyone turns to look at the idiot as he grins.
“Ain’t about that, smartass. It’s about the club and what’s best for it. We don’t need any more shit comin’ in here from the local PD. We got Wiley’s dumb ass for that. However, she can’t be sent out on the street either.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I don’t want her to go anywhere.
“So, what’s the goddamn vote about? Clearly, I’m fuckin’ confused.” Ghost pipes up yet again.
“The goddamn vote is what we do with her. Hand her off to another club? Put her ass on a bus outta here?” I ask because I don’t know what the hell to do. Shrugging my shoulders, they all look at me as though I’ve lost my mind.
“Am I fuckin’ missin’ somethin’ here?” Devil says as he shoves out of his chair. The guys all laugh, but I don’t get where he’s going with this.
“Again I ask. Since when do we vote on pussy around here? You have an obvious attraction to the girl. Why are we even debatin’ sendin’ her away? I don’t think I’ve seen you smile this much since I’ve known your hateful ass.” The guys all laugh, which doesn’t help the situation at all.
“We vote because unless you’re fuckin’ deaf or dumb, I just told you. She’s the PD Captains wife!” I roar, slamming my hands onto the table in front of me, they all stop.
“I don’t give one shit who she is. He beat her! He hit his own kid! Fuck him! He has no fuckin’ play in this, Dragon. This call is on you!” Ghost screams at me. He is highly pissed. He stands up, his chair slamming to the floor behind him before he storms from the room.
Blowing out a breath, I guess that’s my vote. My head spins with everything I have to deal with right now. This run was easy, which I’m grateful for.
“Here’s the cash. See you in a month.” Nodding, I toss the bag over my shoulder, making my way back to my bike.
Running shit since Cambridge is out has been hectic. A lot of drops but for the most part, they have been worthwhile.
“You wanna talk about that shit?” Ghost asks me. I think we’ve played out that whole conversation about Everleigh now.
“Dragon, come the fuck on! There has to be somethin’ you wanna say here.” Turning on my heel, I glare at Ghost.
“What do you want me to say, Ghost? That I feel somethin’ when I’m around her? Fine! I feel somethin’! That doesn’t change who she is, though.” I grab my helmet and slide it on before Ghost grabs my arm. Pissing me off a little further, I rip the helmet from my head, tossing it with the bag to the ground. Rounding on him, I slam my fist into his face. Ghost stumbles back only slightly before coming back at me with a punch of his own. We both get some good ones when he speaks again.
“You want to throw somethin’ good away because you’re scared! Fuckin’ do it, but don’t you dare try to make us vote on that shit! That’s all on you, Dragon! You scared to lose her too? Huh? Is that it? Don’t be a fuckin’ pussy and take the easy way out of that shit!” Wiping the blood from his lip, he grabs his helmet. Before I can even register anything else, he’s gone.
Is he right, though? Is that what I’m afraid of? Losing her, like I did Maggie and Emily?
***
Riding back to the clubhouse alone has given me a little time to think. I’ve only known her for a few weeks. It doesn’t make sense to start a war with the local PD over a few friendly fucks. I may feel something different when I’m near her, but that doesn’t change the facts. Pulling into the clubhouse, I see Ghost and Devil smoking by the front door. I know I owe him an apology. I cut the engine off as Devil walks toward me.
“You done bein’ a dipshit?” Devil says as he looks me in the eye. At first, I think he’s playing, but I can see now that he’s not.
“I won’t bring the local PD down on this club over a girl, Devil. You guys deserve better than that. I’m not a selfish person. I can’t keep that girl here knowin’ that shit could turn on all of us.” Devil scrubs his hand over his head, glancing around until coming back to me.
“That’s the thing, Dragon. We’ve been talkin’ about that shit. If you think she means somethin’ to you, keep her here. We can handle that Captain bitch.” The way Devil’s eyes light up, I know we can.
“Just one question.” He adds. Nodding, I knew there was something more.
“You think she’s worth it?” I let that settle in me for a second. From what I know about Everleigh, she is worth it. She’s more than worth it.
“I’d say yeah, but I don’t know that she’d agree with me. I don’t know where her head’s at.” Devil nods, pulling a cigarette from his jacket.
“Then we ask her. This isn’t just about us guys, Dragon. We’d be draggin’ the girls and kids into a world of shit, too. If one of us goes down, there are others here. You get what I mean?” He’s right. If I don’t know where her head is at, I won’t go for this.
“I got you. We’ll talk to her, see where she’s at.” Devil grins.
“You deserve to be happy too, Dragon. I’d be fuckin’ honored to take out her man.” As much as I’d like to say I’m not nervous, that’d be a fucking lie.
The guys and girls are all here, crowded around the fucking table. I swear it looks like Everleigh is on trial or some shit.
She looks around at everyone, and I can tell she’s nervous.
“Dragon, go outside for a minute.” My eyes jerk to Devil’s as he smirks at me. Son of a bitch. I don’t know if leaving her to the wolves is a good idea.
I guess we’ll see what she’s made of, though.
With a quick nod, I shove out of my chair and out the door.
Haylee spots me as soon as I close the door.
“Dragon!” She comes running, jumping into my arms. It’s like a tiny piece of heaven.
“What are you doin’ out here?” Walking toward the couch, I drop down with her in my arms.
“I was playin’ but Jordan got tired. Are you my new dad?” She asks me, throwing me off balance. Swallowing hard, I shake my head.
“I don’t think you can replace dad’s like that, sweetheart.” Her smile fades. It rips me up seeing that smile gone.
“You don’t want to be my dad?” Her eyes plead with me for an answer. An answer I don’t know how to give.
“You know what? I got somethin’ for you.” Shifting her, I reach into my pocket and pull out a small locket that I’ve kept there.
Putting it around Haylee’s neck, I almost cry.
“What’s this?” She asks as her fingers come to rest on the tiny heart that hangs there.
“I had a little girl once. She was almost your age when she died. She would wear this all the time to think about me. Would you keep it safe for now?”
Haylee gazes up at me with such a sweet expression on her face, I almost melt.
“I will, I promise.” Wrapping her arms around my neck, I hug her tightly.
What the hell am I doing?
Chapter 12
The door opens, and a teary-eyed Everleigh walks out. When she sees me and Haylee hugging, she cries harder. Seeing her mom like that, Haylee looks up at me when I whisper, “We need to gi
ve mom a hug.” Jumping out of my arms, she runs straight toward her as I shove off the couch. I walk slowly, unsure of what happened in that room. My heart slams into my ribs, threatening to break every one of them.
“Everything ok?” I ask. Everleigh holds Haylee tight before setting her down.
“Nessa is making sundaes. She said you better get in there and help,” Everleigh says, and that was all Haylee needed to hear. She took off running before Everleigh could even finish. I can’t stop the chuckle that escaped me.
“I don’t know what to say to you, Dragon. This isn’t my world. We don’t belong here.” She said no. She said she didn’t want to stay. I can feel it. I’ve mentally played that over in my head. I didn’t like the idea, but I knew it was a possibility. Nodding, I take a deep breath, stepping back slightly.
“I’ll get you a bus ticket or have one of the guys take you wherever it is you want to go. No questions asked.” I turn around. I need space. I need to walk away, but my stomach is trembling.
“I didn’t say I wanted to leave.” Her voice calms me slightly. Turning back to look at her, she smiles.
“I’ve been in a marriage that I’ve hated and feared since I was eighteen years old. I have wanted out of it since the day he first laid a hand on me but to turn around and jump back into something serious; I don’t know if I can do that.” I understand that, but I’m not sure I’m worth waiting for.
I don’t know why, but I feel like this needs to be said, and now. So I go for it.
“I had a daughter. She was almost Haylee’s age. Me and her mom got into a fight, and she left. There was a car accident not long after. Neither of them made it. I’ve never looked for anything else. I never thought I’d want it. Somehow findin’ someone new wasn’t in the cards for me. Then you showed up, broken and lost lyin’ on my lawn, and I thought for just a second that God was givin’ me a second chance.” Everleigh steps closer to me, grabbing my hand in hers.
“Do you always jump to conclusions like this?” I’m confused, much like I always am. She just said she didn’t think she was ready.
“I’m still married, Dragon. He’s hunting me. I know he is. I never said I didn’t feel something when I’m with you—because I do. I’m just scared, Dragon.” Pulling her into me, I take a deep breath.
“We can go as slow as you want. Fuck, I don’t even know what I’m doin’ anymore, Ev. I’ve never felt a connection like I do with you.” Snuggling her face into my shirt, I hear her inhale deeply.
“I like it when you call me, Ev.” She says with a hint of a smile in her voice. Chuckling, I guess that’s a start.
“Is that anytime, or when I’m fuckin’ you in the shower?” Ev pulls back as her face reddens.
“Anytime. Although, the shower is the sexiest.” Pressing my lips to her forehead, I pull her back into my chest.
“I’m glad you decided to stay. We have a lot to talk about, though. You have to know that I will go after that motherfucker if he comes anywhere near you.” Ev pulls back once more, resting her chin on my chest as she beams up at me.
“They already told me that. They also said that there are things that I shouldn’t ask about, and I won’t. They said that you hold a lot of love inside of you.” I could thank them for what they said, but I don’t know what else they actually did say. It almost makes me laugh.
“What else did they tell you?” Narrowing my eyes at her, she laughs.
“That you’re a good person. You have a good heart, and it’s easily broken. That if I wanted to stay—I need to be sure about you.” The one I could hear saying that is Devil.
“Devil?” I ask. Ev nods her head with a smile.
“He’s a lot of talk, darlin’. If at any time, you don’t want to be here, say the words. I understand this life isn’t for everyone and you don’t know shit about me. I don’t want you to feel forced in any way to be here, or with me. You want your space, that’s cool. I won’t lie, and say that I don’t feel things and I don’t want to be near you, but I won’t do shit you don’t want to do either.” Her eyes sparkle with understanding. I just hope she doesn’t ask me to stay away from her.
I don’t know if I can.
Chapter 13
The world keeps spinning and my world is completely on its axis, but I’m enjoying it. Ev and I talk all the time. Haylee is a sweetheart and loved by everyone here. I know that once this calms down, there will be hell to pay. There always is.
“You look so far gone,” Devil says as he sits next to me. I look out over the pool. It’s so peaceful here.
“Just wonderin’ what’s gonna come next.” He knows this life all too well. It’s all we have.
“We kill that son of a bitch.” That’s what is bothering me. That’s the part that’s making me rethink everything I’ve done.
“That’s just it, Devil. He’s her father. What kind of person would I be to take that part away from her?” Shaking my head, I don’t know anymore. I don’t know what’s right and what’s not. She has a father; I don’t know that I can take that part away from her.
“He hit her, Dragon. Look what he did to her mom. He doesn’t deserve either of them.” I know deep down that is the truth. I also know that I may regret it if I do, do it.
“You care about her—I can see that much. You know, Maggie would want you to be happy,” he says. My eyes move to meet his. My stomach flips inside of me.
“I know she would.” Devil’s eyes move to something behind me. When I feel her hands slide around my neck, I know it’s her.
“Hey, I was cold,” Ev says as she leans down, pressing her lips to my neck. The smile on Devil’s face is genuine. It’s not one he has all the time.
“You need me to come keep you warm?” I walk with my arms around Ev’s waist, pulling her back into my chest.
“Can I ask you somethin’?” Running my lips down her neck. Her body shivers at my touch.
“Of course you can.” She’s breathless already, and I love it.
“Why did you wait so long to come into my life?” Ev quickly turns in my arms, looking into my eyes.
“What do you mean?” There’s the fear that she always keeps bottled up inside of her.
I can’t speak, though. I just smile at her.
“Let me rephrase that. Why didn’t you leave that fucker sooner and show up on my lawn?” I say. Everleigh looks at me strangely before gripping my shirt in her hands.
“I was scared. I didn’t want anything to happen to Haylee. I thought that if I just stayed out of his way, everything would calm down. It did for a while but then he went back to his old self.” The way she latches onto me, I know she remembers something.
I have to ask, “You said he tried to kill you. What happened?” Her fingers tighten even more.
“I had just put Haylee to bed. I knew he was in a mood, but I didn’t care at that point. I already had a black eye, and my mouth was bleeding. I went into the bedroom, and he came straight at me. He said I was a disgrace. I wasn’t good enough to be his wife. He plunged the knife into my chest. He missed my heart by an inch. One fucking inch and my life would have been over.” My hands clench at my sides when she continues.
“At one point, I wished I did die, but I knew he would turn to Haylee next. I guess he didn’t want to have to be bothered by her, though. He cleaned it up. He covered his ass, and made it look like it was an accident.” My chest feels like it’s going to explode inside of me.
How could anyone do that to her?
***
My fingers skim up Everleigh’s thigh. I can feel her body shift, wanting me to get closer.
“I’m awake! Mommy, are you awake?” As if Haylee has perfect timing, she wakes up. She starts to jump up when she sees me lying next to her mom.
“Dragon! I didn’t know you were spending the night!” Her eyes widen, but the smile on her face melts me. She’s as beautiful as her mom.
“I didn’t sleep over—I got up early.” Winking at her, she laughs before reaching u
p, touching the necklace I gave her. Ev’s eyes follow her hand before she does the same.
“Where did you get this?” She sits up a little, moving closer to her daughter.
“Dragon gave it to me. Isn’t it pretty?” Haylee leaps off the bed and heads into the bathroom.
“Why did you give that to her?” Her head jerks around, her eyes intently burning their way through me.
“I wanted her to have it. She reminds me a lot of my own daughter.” Ev smiles before leaning in closer.
“She likes you, too.” Everleigh presses a kiss to my lips before I pull away smiling.
“I need to go out on a run. The girls will be around, though. Anything you need, let them know. Trick’s stayin’ back also.” She looks torn. She’s afraid to be left alone.
“Look at me, darlin’. You’re safe here. No one is gonna mess with you. I’m only one phone call away.” Brushing my lips over hers, she pulls back.
“I think we should leave,” Everleigh says as Haylee comes out of the bathroom as if she was cued in with music. “I’m hungry.”
My eyes stay on Everleigh’s. She wants to leave?
Chapter 14
I sent Devil a text to come down and get Haylee. Now I pace the fucking room tugging at my hair.
“You want to leave?” I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that she actually wants to leave.
“I just don’t think we should stay here. This is crazy—I barely know you. I have no clue what the hell you are talking about. I don’t belong here.” She stands there in front of me, tears welling up in her eyes.
“You belong with that motherfucker that hurts you? Is that what your plan is? Runnin’ back to that shit?” I know I’m getting loud, but she is pushing my buttons. I can’t let her walk out of here.
“You told me I could leave anytime I wanted to!” I did, didn’t I? Why did I say that shit?
“So, that’s it. You don’t know enough about me—so you wanna run? Is that what you do? You run when shit tests you?” Her mouth hangs open. She doesn’t know what to say because I caught her. Of all the things I know about her, I know her inside.