by Ana Night
“Now I really hope there isn’t anyone here,” Gabe said.
“They would definitely know we’re here now,” Emery said and pulled out her gun. Gabe followed her example and led the way inside the building.
They walked into a little hallway with a door on each side and one in the other end. They checked the two doors on either side and found a bathroom and a kitchen. Both were empty. Then they walked to the last door, stopping in front of it. They shared a glance before Emery pulled the door open. Gabe walked through, his gun raised and his eyes searching the room for any movement. There were around two dozen crates of different sizes in the huge room.
Gabe made his way around the crates which were all in the middle, acutely aware of Emery’s presence behind him. He was in no way a pro at this. In fact, Emery probably had more experience with this sort of thing than he did. After they’d cleared the room, Gabe drew in a deep breath before sliding his gun into the holster. He walked to the crates and seeing that three of them had already been opened, he went to them. He didn’t want to be opening anything so Wade would know someone had been there.
Emery stepped up next to him and grabbed what looked like a large picture frame, hauling it out of the crate. Gabe helped her lay it on top of the crate and then they both stared at it.
“Is that what I think it is?” Emery asked, astonishment in her voice.
“It looks like an expensive painting.” Gabe bent down to take a closer look. “Aren’t they supposed to put their signature on it?”
Emery shook her head. “Not when they’re as old as I think this one is.”
Gabe straightened and went to look in one of the other open crates. Whatever was in it was covered in foam, so he pulled the first layer off. It was some sort of mask, made out of ivory if he was to make a guess. He was frowning as he went to look in the last crate. He found a Ming Vase in that one.
Emery was sliding the painting back into the crate when he walked back to her. She glanced up at him.
“I think I know what this is,” Gabe said and when he had Emery’s full attention, he said, “It’s Sean’s stuff. It’s his forgeries.”
Emery’s eyes looked like they might fall right out of their sockets.
“All of this is fake? Seriously? He knows how to forge all these different things?”
Gabe nodded. Joker had said Sean was talented. To think that Sean even wanted to bother with making fake ID’s for the club was kinda crazy. It had to mean something to him.
“I’m gonna call him and let him know where all this is,” Gabe said, pulling out his phone.
“Let’s get out of here first,” Emery said.
Gabe nodded and followed her back the way they’d come. Once they were in the car, Gabe pulled up Sean’s number. He’d bought Sean a burner phone while he’d stayed with him and Joker and he’d, fortunately, coded the number into his phone.
“Wait,” Emery said. She pulled out some sort of device from her pocket. “Scrambler. It’s very powerful and I didn’t want to take any chances that they had cameras.”
Gabe stared at her in awe. “You have a scrambler?”
“Don’t look at me like that. I work in cybersecurity. Of course, I’ve got a damned scrambler.”
Gabe shook his head at her. He shouldn’t have been surprised. She wasn’t some newbie like him.
He pressed the call button and put his phone to his ear. When he’d called Sean, he was going to call his father and tell him what they’d found.
Joker
He pulled his bag higher onto his shoulder. He knocked on the door and leaned a hand against the doorframe. He heard footsteps and then the door was pulled open. The fact that Emery didn’t look the least bit surprised to see him ensured him he was in the right place.
“You’re a damned idiot,” Emery said and crossed her arms.
“I know. Is he here?”
Emery narrowed her eyes at him, running her gaze over his face. Whatever she saw, it made her sigh and step aside to let him in. He walked inside the apartment and turned to face Emery when she didn’t close the door.
“I’mma leave you two to it,” she said and gave him a pointed glare. “But if you hurt him, or I should say, if you hurt him more than you already have, then I will cut off your balls and shove them down your throat.”
Joker snorted out a low laugh. “Weird fetish you’ve got there, Em.”
Emery’s eyebrows shot up to her hairline as she watched him with curious eyes.
“He’s good for you. Don’t you dare throw that away,” she said before turning and walking off.
Joker closed the door. He started to walk down the hallway but stopped to take a deep breath. As he drew nearer to the kitchen, he could hear Gabe puttering around. He stopped in the doorway, the sight of Gabe making his heart skip a beat. Gabe turned around and froze. His lips parted on a surprised gasp and he stared at Joker with wide eyes. Then anger took over.
“What the hell do you want?” Gabe snapped.
Joker swallowed hard. He’d never heard Gabe like that before.
“Gabe,” Joker tried, stepping closer.
Gabe held a hand up to stop Joker. “Don’t. Just say whatever you came here to say and leave.”
Gabe didn’t know it yet, but Joker wasn’t leaving without him. Not a fucking chance. He moved his bag in front of himself and opened it to pull out Gabe’s cut.
“You forgot something,” Joker said. He put the bag on the floor and threw the vest to Gabe.
Gabe caught it, still glaring at Joker for a second before he turned his gaze on the leather in his hands. A few different emotions flashed across Gabe’s face. Among them were surprise, regret, and sorrow.
Gabe didn’t look up as he said in a soft voice, “I don’t want it.”
Joker had to hold himself back from yelling and charging across the room to shake some sense into Gabe.
“Too bad,” Joker said through clenched teeth.
Gabe’s head shot up, his eyes finding Joker’s gaze. “Why? I’m stuck being a prospect for however long I stay at the club. So what’s the fucking point? No one will ever see me as a brother.”
Gabe threw the vest back at Joker who caught it with one hand. His jaw ticked as his temper flared. He breathed through his nose as he fought to calm himself down.
“Before you ran off, your father asked me if I thought you were ready for your colors,” Joker said.
Gabe’s eyes went wide as he stared at Joker.
“What?” Gabe asked breathlessly.
“We agreed to leave it up to Stiletto because we both thought we were too close to make that decision.” Joker walked up to Gabe and pushed the vest back into his hands. “Be glad I didn’t tell her you left your damned cut when you left, or she might’ve changed her mind.”
Gabe frowned, then glanced down at the vest. He slowly unfolded it. Joker heard the breath whoosh out of Gabe as he realized what he was holding. Gabe’s gaze jerked up to meet Joker’s and he opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
“That’s my old cut. King got me a new one when he made me VP, but I saved this one. I had no idea I’d one day be giving it to you,” Joker said.
Gabe seemed completely dumbfounded and Joker wasn’t surprised at his reaction. This wasn’t exactly how they normally did it, but the second he’d found out Gabe was getting his colors, he’d known there was only one cut that would do.
“All you need is a road name,” Joker said.
Gabe closed his eyes, his fingers squeezing the leather tight and making it squeak.
“You’re making this so much harder,” Gabe whispered.
“Making what harder?”
He was pretty sure he’d already made it clear that the cut was Gabe’s whether he wanted it or not.
Gabe laid the vest on the kitchen counter and turned his gaze to the floor as he spoke.
“I can’t do this with you. You can’t do this to me. Not anymore,” Gabe said.
“Do what?” Joker aske
d, taking a step closer.
Gabe looked up at him with so much despair in his brown eyes that it took Joker’s breath away.
“You can’t act like nothing’s ever happened between us one second then go and give me your old cut the next. I can’t do it anymore. I know I said I could handle it, but I can’t. I’m sorry.”
Joker was already shaking his head before Gabe had finished. He reached for Gabe, cupping his cheeks in his hands.
“I came here to get you back.”
Gabe laid his hands over Joker’s, pulling them off. “I know. Thank you for the cut. I need some time to think about it.”
Joker shook his head. “No.”
One of Gabe’s brows shot up, surprise written all over his face.
“No, Gabe. I came here for you.”
The frown forming on Gabe’s forehead made Joker groan before saying, “I’m an idiot and I sure as shit don’t deserve you. That doesn’t stop me from wanting—from needing—you. I don’t care if I’m being selfish, and if you’ll let me, I want to be yours. I want you to be mine. More than anything in the world.”
Gabe stared at him with big vulnerable eyes. He shook his head and said, “If you’re only saying that to get me to go home—”
Joker cut him off by slamming his mouth over Gabe’s. There was no hesitation on Gabe’s part. He wrapped his arms around Joker, holding on tightly as he welcomed Joker’s tongue into his mouth. He cupped the back of Gabe’s head while he explored his mouth. It hadn’t been that long since he’d last touched Gabe, but it might as well have been an eternity. He pulled back, breathing heavily.
“Fuck. I’ve missed you,” Joker said.
Gabe grinned at him. “I’ve barely been gone.”
“You’ve been gone long enough,” Joker growled and claimed Gabe’s lips again.
He turned Gabe so his back was to the counter and ran his hands down Gabe’s arm. He reached around to grab Gabe’s sexy ass. Gabe groaned into his mouth, his hips rocking against Joker.
“Shit. Sorry.”
Joker broke the kiss to move back an inch and look to his right. Emery was standing in the doorway, a hand over her eyes. Gabe’s laughter brought a wide smile to Joker’s lips.
“You can look, Em,” Gabe said.
“Oh, thank god,” Emery exclaimed and dropped her hand. She gave Joker an apologetic look. “Sorry. I know. I have terrible timing.”
Joker snorted and said, “That, you do.”
He shared a smile with Gabe, loving what he was in those gorgeous brown eyes. Loved that he’d put it there.
Gabe grabbed his vest from the counter, and he didn’t even have to unfold it before Emery gave him a wide-eyed stare. She stepped into the room.
“Is that what I think it is?” she asked.
Gabe nodded, pride shining from him.
Joker cleared his throat. “That’s not actually yours yet.”
Gabe gave him an indignant glare. “What?”
“Uh.” Joker shifted, his bottom lip between his teeth. “We kinda need to vote on it first.”
Gabe slapped Joker’s chest.
“Are you serious? You came here with your old cut, to give it to me, and you don’t even know if I’ll get to keep it yet?”
Emery made a strangled noise. “That’s your old cut?”
Joker knew that look on her face and couldn’t help the groan pushing through his lips. He dropped his head into his hands when Emery let out a squeal. She was not a squealy kind of girl. He heard Gabe laughing and looked up to see Emery holding Gabe’s hands while she jumped in excitement.
“I have no idea why we’re doing this,” Gabe said, laughter in his voice.
Joker shook his head with a huff and crossed his arms. Emery let go of Gabe to wrap Joker up in a hug.
“My big, growly bear is finally showing some humanity,” Emery teased.
Joker grumbled under his breath but wrapped his arms around her smaller body. He squeezed her tight and lifted her off of the ground, making her laugh. He put her back down and let her go. She was smiling up at him though he was sure he spotted some tears in her eyes.
“I’m so proud of you,” she said. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Emery smacked her fist against his arm.
“Ouch. What the hell, Em?”
“It’s not that hard to say, is it?”
Joker glared at her, then turned his gaze on Gabe who was staring at the ground. Em was a bitch. He pushed Emery away to step closer to Gabe. He grabbed Gabe’s hand, making the man look up at him.
“Can we please go home now? Preferably before I get more bruises.”
Happiness shone from Gabe’s eyes as he nodded.
“I’ll go grab my stuff,” Gabe said and hurried out of the kitchen.
Joker’s eyes followed him until he could no longer see him. A squealing sound made him glare at Emery.
“You’re so cute,” she said with a wide smile.
“Fuck off.”
Gabe
He pulled the cut on and looked into the mirror. He saw the joyous smile on his face and felt an absurd amount of pride and happiness surge through him. He turned so he could look over his shoulder to see the back of the cut. It might not be his yet, at least not officially, but he already loved everything about it.
“It looks good on you,” Joker said from the doorway.
Gabe turned towards Joker, glancing down as he felt heat spread in his cheeks. Why was he always blushing around Joker? He didn’t hear Joker walk into the room but there he was, right in front of Gabe. He cupped Gabe’s face in his hands, forcing Gabe to meet his gaze.
“I mean it,” Joker said.
“I know,” Gabe mumbled, his eyes dropping to Joker’s lips.
Joker lowered his head and brushed his mouth over Gabe’s. He licked along Gabe’s lips. Gabe slid his fingers into Joker’s hair and tilted his head. He opened for Joker, moaning into his mouth. Their tongues tangled languidly. Gabe nipped at Joker’s bottom lip.
“Fuck,” Joker gasped, pulling back. “We’re leaving. Now.”
Gabe was one big grin as Joker tugged him into the hallway. He grabbed up his bag on the way and when they reached the front door, Emery was already there waiting for them. She gave Gabe a knowing smirk.
“I figured you guys wouldn’t be staying much longer,” she said.
She walked up to Gabe and pulled him into a hug. Gabe let his bag fall to the floor and wrapped his arms around her. He held her tightly, wishing he could just take her with them. Emery leaned back in his arms.
“I love you and if you need me, I’ll be there,” she said.
“I know, Em. That goes both ways.”
She nodded, blinking her eyes against what he believed was tears. She turned her attention on Joker who was waiting impatiently.
“You, too. You damned buffoon,” Emery told Joker.
Joker rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah, I can feel the love, Em.”
“Shut up, you ass, and come hug me.”
Joker happily wrapped Emery up in his arms. She planted a kiss on Joker’s cheek before pulling away. She aimed a stern gaze on Gabe then turned it on Joker.
“You two stay safe and no more running from each other,” she said.
Gabe met Joker’s eyes, a smile pulling at his lips. No more running. Joker walked the few steps to Gabe and bent down to grab Gabe’s bag. He slung it over a shoulder and then slid his hand into Gabe’s. Gabe’s heart gave a little skip.
They walked down the stairs and out to the parking lot. Just before they reached their bikes, Joker stopped and turned to put them face to face.
“I don’t know if we should—”
“Tell anyone?” Gabe guessed.
Joker nodded, looking a bit embarrassed.
“I think we should just keep it between us, at least until I’ve actually earned these colors,” Gabe said and motioned to his cut.
“You’re okay with that?”
Gabe took a step closer, putting them almost right up against each other. He laid a hand on Joker’s chest, right over his heart. “As long as we’re together, I’m more than okay with it. Besides, if Pops really wants to implement that no dating between prospects and members rule, then by telling everyone, we’d just be adding more fuel to the fire.”
The relieved look on Joker’s face made Gabe's lips twitch at the corners. Joker grabbed Gabe by his vest, pulling him all the way against him to get his lips on Gabe’s. His tongue slid against Gabe’s, sending sparks of heat through his body.
Gabe pulled back reluctantly. “You’re right. We really need to get going.”
Joker chuckled and pulled Gabe the rest of the way to their bikes. He didn’t even get to ask for his bag before Joker had put it in his own saddlebag. Gabe shook his head, smiling to himself as he grabbed his helmet. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out Joker’s old leather gloves. With a glance at Joker, he put them on. Joker noticed and the look he gave Gabe was downright sinful.
With his helmet on, he swung a leg over his bike and when Joker started his bike, Gabe followed suit. As they drove off, he was certain he’d never been that happy before.
Chapter Fifteen
Joker
HE STOOD in the doorway, watching Gabe lying on the bed, wrapped up in the blanket. Two weeks he’d had him back. Those had been two wonderfully dirty weeks. He’d never imagined his life could be like this. So full of happiness and joy.
He glanced at his watch. Gabe needed to get up if he was going to get to work on time. Gabe wasn’t a morning person. Not unless there was an orgasm involved. Gabe turned over, grumbling something unintelligible. Joker walked into the room. He put a knee on the bed and leaned over Gabe.
“What was that?”
Gabe blinked up at him, looking mussed and sleepy.
“I said, you’re creepy,” Gabe mumbled.
Joker couldn’t help his burst of laughter. Gabe made a face at him and lifted a hand to push Joker away. It didn’t move him an inch. Joker lowered his head to press a kiss to Gabe’s cheek.