by E. C. Land
“What are you doing here?” I demand schooling my features. I don’t want him to see my reaction toward his being here.
“Waiting on you,” he grunts, bringing one of his hands from behind his head to the bed and lifts one of my toys up, and waves it in front of me. “I didn’t take you for having so many. I’m guessing they don’t satisfy your needs.”
Narrowing my eyes, I stomp over to the opposite side of the bed and reach out to snatch the toy from his hand. “You need to leave.”
I realize my error in judgment when Rogue grasps my wrist and yanks me down on the bed. “What are you doing?”
He rolls us until he’s positioned between my legs and hovering over me. “I’m taking back what should have always been mine,” he declares, grinding himself into my apex.
Planting my hands on his chest, I push against him. “Yours?” I breathe, fighting the way my body screams for him to touch me—to caress my nipples with the brush of his fingers.
Stop right there.
He smirks, “Yeah, Duchess, you’re mine. You always have been. Can’t deny it.”
“How dare . . .” I don’t get to finish my statement, because Rogue captures my mouth. Everything from there goes quickly, and I find myself naked with Rogue sliding inside me. Both of us breathing heavily against each other’s lips.
“Xander,” I pant, wanting him deeper.
“Fuckin’ missed this pussy, Duchess,” he growls, picking up the pace. His cock’s hitting the right places with every thrust.
Rogue reclaims my mouth, and something about the way he’s handling me sends me over the edge, making me come moaning against his mouth.
This might be the best orgasm I’ve ever experienced, and that’s saying something. It also frightens me.
Chapter Three
Rogue
Shit, I didn’t expect to fuck Rebel so quickly, but after breaking into her house and finding her collection of toys—it did something to me. I could all but visualize Rebel using them on herself while picturing me thrusting into her body.
Fuck.
Normally I can control myself. I pride myself on control, especially in the bedroom. I don’t allow a woman to touch me while I pleasure them—unless it’s with their mouth, and even then, they can’t use their hands.
Coming inside Rebel is the best release I’ve experienced since I was twenty years old and took her virginity. That’s saying something, considering it’s been ten years. Yeah, I’m no saint. I’ve been with plenty of women, doesn’t mean I’ve wanted any of them for more than what I was looking to do—satisfy my kink.
Staring at my woman, I realize just how much I’d truly missed her. That and how much she’s changed over the years. Sure, I’ve seen her, but I haven’t ever been this close to her.
Still, inside her warm tight sheath, I brace myself, not wanting to press my full weight on Rebel’s smaller one. I meet her gaze before slanting my mouth on hers. I could stay like this all evening, but we gotta talk. Rebel’s going to have to understand she’s my woman, and I’m not letting her go this time around.
Breaking my mouth from hers, I press one last kiss and reluctantly withdraw from her silken depths. I roll off of Rebel, pulling her with me until I’m lying with her hair splayed out over my chest.
Wrapping my fingers in her long strands, I rasp, “Fuckin’ missed this Duchess.” I’ve used this nickname since the time we were in school together. I’d been a senior, and Rebel being as smart as she was, was taking twelfth grade English classes. She’d been lucky enough to be paired with me for a Shakespeare project, and ever since she’s been, my Duchess.
“What are we doing here?” she whispers, lifting her head off my chest. “We shouldn’t have done that. I can’t be doing this with you. I’m not your woman anymore. I haven’t been for a long time.” Rebel starts her ranting and tries to push up off of me. “I think you should go.”
“Baby, I’m not goin’ anywhere,” I say, making sure she hears me when I tell her I’m not leaving.
“Really, Rogue, you need to leave. I need space to think, and I can’t have you in here naked. Not right now. I need time to think about what we—”
“Rebel, quiet,” I order her, rolling us until I’m once again hovering over her. “You don’t need time to think. You need to stop thinking all the goddamn time, and for once, just listen to me. Go with the fuckin’ flow.”
“Easy for you to say. You don’t have a thousand and one things constantly going on.” If she only knew.
“Whatever you say, Duchess. Now listen to me for a moment,” I say, but before I can go any further, my phone starts ringing, and it’s a ringtone I’ve set for an emergency call. Hammer only uses the number to call everyone when it’s critical.
Motherfucker.
Jumping off the bed, I reach for my jeans and pull the phone out. Swiping my finger across the screen, I sit on the side of the bed and answer, “Yeah.”
“Need you to go on a run, Rogue. Got a situation that needs your assistance,” Hammer, my Prez, informs me.
Shit. I know what he means when he says the situation needs my assistance. I might be the Secretary of the club, but I’m a contract killer. The club brings me in for my skills when needed. I’ve no problem in taking a man’s life. It’s ironic, really, considering Rebel is a lawyer defending those who need her to.
“Right, send me the location, and I’ll head in that direction. Who’s going with me?” I don’t want to leave when Rebel and I have shit to discuss, but this needs to get done.
“Gunner, Ruger, and Savage,” Hammer grunts. “They’ll be heading out in fifteen minutes.”
“Tell Gunner to bring my bag with him,” I grumble, balancing my phone on my shoulder while pulling my jeans over my legs.
“I’ll tell him,” Hammer confirms, disconnecting the call.
With my jeans over my ass, I reach up and grab the phone, shoving it into my pocket, and sigh. “I’ve gotta go. Something’s come up with the club,” I grind out through clenched teeth. “But I’m telling you right now, Rebel, I’m coming back here. I’m not giving up on us. You, Duchess, are my woman,” I say, meeting her gaze.
Bending down, I snag my shirt off the floor and slide it on over my chest. I quickly slip my boots on, fasten my jeans, and grab my cut. I walk over to the side of the bed, where Rebel is silently watching my every move. I bend, planting both hands on either side of her, and lean in close enough that our breath mingles. “Trust me when I say this, baby. When I get back, I’m looking forward to being inside that tight pussy again. More than that, I can’t wait to get my mouth between them legs.”
“Rogue—” Rebel starts, but I stop her from saying anything else by capturing her mouth in a quick hard kiss before pulling away and stalking out of the house without looking back. As much as I want to stay here and spend time with Rebel wrapped up around me, to show her, I mean what I’ve said, I have to get this done with.
Rounding the side of Rebel’s house, I find my bike sitting just as perfectly as it was when I’d parked it there. Shows my woman still doesn’t check her surroundings. Straddling my bike, I kick up the stand and start her up, hitting the throttle, pulling out of Rebel’s driveway.
I’m just hoping whatever this job is, it’s quick and I can get back to her quick enough.
Pulling up by my brothers at the gas station to fill up, I take my bag from Gunner and hook it to the back of my bike. “Where are we going?” I ask, needing the information of what’s going on.
“Risk called,” Gunner growls, mentioning the Prez of the Florida Charter for the Inferno’s Clutch MC. “He’s asking for assistance from the Toxic Warriors and us. Chains’ men are also on their way down.”
“What’s he need so much help with?” I grunt. “He’s not one to go outside his club for help.”
Gunner shrugs, pulling the nozzle out of his tank, and places it back on the pump. “Yeah, but this shit involves our club. From what he told Hammer—the De La Rosa Cartel has
a massive shipment coming in with over five million in drugs. The De La Rosa Cartel is supposed to be trading a few cargo holders full of women and children for the drugs. He needs manpower to get those women out before they get taken. Evidently, it’s the same sex slave organization Stoney’s club has been dealing with.”
“Shit.” I let out a harsh breath, knowing what we are going to be walking into isn’t going to be easy. It never is. I just hope we don’t lose anyone in the process of helping Risk with this problem. There’s no way I’d say no even if I wanted to. Too many peoples’ lives are at stake, and I’ll do what I’m good at to save them all.
Chapter Four
Rogue
“You all understand the plan?” Risk asks. His hardened eyes scan the main room of the clubhouse. I’m sure looking for someone who would protest. We’ve spent the last two days going over the plans we’re setting in motion tonight.
With the men who came from Chains’ club in Louisiana, we were joined by Viking’s men to handle this situation for Risk. Together, we made a plan that should succeed as long as everyone works alongside each other.
To say Risk’s guys are hardened men is an understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone colder than his VP, Warrant. The man only seems to sneer at everyone who comes near him.
“Think we all got it,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. The plan is simple, work together to get the women and children out of there.
After we got here, we were able to get more information about what’s going on. From what Risk had told us, he’s got an inside man with the cartel who’s working with them to take out certain members at the top of the food chain.
While everyone else works together, Creep, Hollow, Maverick, War, Brake, Pipe, Gunner, and me are going to be doing our own thing separately. Two men from each club are what we’d decided to go with. Gunner will have my back while I move in for the kill making sure no one comes at me from behind. The same goes for the others. Savage and Ruger are also setting up somewhere to be our eyes from above. Both men were snipers for a government contractor no one knows about.
“Good.” Risk nods meeting my gaze. Normally, I wouldn’t have spoken out, but this is something I’m good at. He also knows just how experienced I am in this type of situation.
Risk motions for everyone to head out. It’s time for us to get this shit done.
Stalking into the night, I follow the others out to one of several vehicles we’re taking. With how big of an operation we’re heading into, we aren’t able to take our bikes. The sound would give us away before we could even step foot on the docks.
And that’s something we can’t have.
Pulling onto the docks, my gut is churning, and I know something’s not right about the situation. I’ve always listened to it when it comes to these types of jobs. I don’t know what’s about to happen, but whatever it is—won’t be good.
“You feelin’ good about this?” Gunner grumbles, climbing out of the back of the van in front of me.
“Nope, something is off about this. I just don’t know what it is.” I grunt, following suit. I scan the shadows looking for the threat lying in wait for us.
Risk motions for us all to get to our positions, and I meet his gaze. He gives me a nod, answering my unspoken question. He feels the eerie sense of something happening like I do.
“I’ve got your back,” Gunner utters as we start in the direction we’d planned to take.
Nearly five minutes later, that gut-churning feeling gets stronger. “We need to get back. This is a trap.”
“Call Risk,” Gunner says.
Nodding, I pull my phone out of my pocket to dial Risk’s number when everything goes to shit. Gunfire erupts into the night and screams ring in my ear. Rushing forward, I shoot at anyone who isn’t one of our men. Gunner and I catch up with the rest, shooting at those who’d ambushed us.
All of a sudden, a sharp pain in my right shoulder causes my body to jerk.
Fuck, I’ve been hit. I ignore the pain and continue shooting, protecting everyone as we move back toward the vans. Another pain hits me in the gut, and my knees collapse underneath me. My ears are ringing as my head hits the pavement—the last coherent thought to cross my mind is of Rebel.
Gunner
Motherfucker.
This can’t be happening.
“Rebel,” Rogue utters his woman’s name before passing out.
“We gotta get him out of here,” I snarl, rolling him to his back. Blood coats his face from the blow he’d taken to the face. His shirt is worse. He was shot twice.
“Come on, let’s get him into the van. We’ll get him to the hospital,” Pipe says as he, Brake, and Risk help me in getting Rogue off the ground. The rest of our men cover us while we carry him the distance. Laying him on the seat of the van, Pipe jumps in next to him and gets to work. I hop in behind them. Savage and Ruger follow suit. I didn’t even see them join us.
Staring at my brother, everything seems to come together. My mind takes me to a completely different time when I’d lost someone else who meant something to me.
Quinn.
I didn’t know it until it was too late, we’d shared a daughter together, and now she’s gone.
Blinking, I refocus on Rogue as the van comes to a halt outside the hospital. I get out of the way as nurses come rushing out with a gurney. Guess someone had called to give them a heads up. If I remember correctly, Risk has two sisters who are nurses. Maybe it’s one of them he’d called.
Rogue’s rushed away and a mask is placed over his mouth—orders are yelled around them.
Ruger and Savage come to stand on either side of me. None of us are able to move forward to go through the doors where we would have to wait for news on our brother.
“He’s going to make it through this, brother,” Savage utters loud enough for only Ruger and me to hear.
“We need to call Hammer,” Ruger advises, stating the inevitable.
“I’ll call him.” I nod, pulling out my phone, unprepared to give Prez this news.
Hammer
The phone rings next to my hand. I glance at the screen to find Gunner’s name staring at me. I knew shit was going down tonight. It’s why I’m still up. Not wanting to take the chance of waking Avery or our son, I’m working in my office.
Reaching out, I pick my phone up and answer. “Brother.”
“Shit went sideways, Prez,” Gunner mutters through the line, sounding off.
“What happened?” I demand becoming alert.
“It’s Rogue. He’s in surgery. It’s bad.”
“I’m on the way,” I snap, already standing. I hang up and stalk out of my office with my phone in hand. Not wasting any time waiting for Gunner to give me details, I shoot a text to both Axe and Malice.
I don’t wanna wake either of them up, but I’m gonna have to let my woman know I’ve gotta head out. Stepping into my room, I’m surprised to see her already awake, sitting on the bed, looking at me with tired eyes.
“Hey,” she whispers, giving me a small smile before her eyes dart over to where Tate’s sleeping peacefully.
“What are you doing awake, Sunshine?” I ask, moving to her side.
“I woke up from a nightmare.” Fuck. It’s not uncommon for Avery to have nightmares. She’s constantly taking everything on her shoulders. The attacks against the club and Quinn’s death are just two to list off.
“I’m sorry, baby.” I palm her cheek with one hand and stroke her cheek with my thumb. “I should have just stayed in here with you, so I could’ve been here when you woke up.”
“It’s okay, honey.” She sighs, leaning into my touch. “Something happened, hasn’t it?” Avery asks. She knew I was waiting on an update. It’s the reason I wasn’t in here lying next to her.
“Yeah, I didn’t give Gunner a chance to tell me what went down, but Rogue is in surgery, and it’s bad,” I inform her.
“Oh God, I’m so sorry, Tyler,” she gasps, tears welling in her e
yes. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Avery, the only thing I need you to do is take care of our little boy and the baby you’re carrying.” Avery’s eyes widen at what I just shared with her.
“How did—”
“Sunshine, I know you. I know everything about you. No way I’d miss the fact my woman is pregnant.” I smirk, sliding my hand from her cheek to stroke her bottom lip.
“I wanted to surprise you,” she pouts, but smiles anyway.
Chuckling, I lean into Avery and plant a loving kiss on her soft, luscious lips. If I’d the time, I’d show my woman how much she means to me. I pull away and press my forehead to hers, “I’ll be back soon as I can.”
“Call me when you get there and tell me how he’s doing,” she utters.
“Will do, Sunshine.” Nodding, I pivot on my boot, and snag my bag from next to the nightstand I keep ready for emergency purposes. I give Avery one last look before opening the door. “Love you, baby.” I don’t wait for her to respond. I know how she feels about me and don’t need to hear the words.
I meet up with Malice and Axe in the main room of the clubhouse. Malice will have to stay behind on this one. With everything still going on here, one of us has to stay behind.
“I’ve texted Cy. Rebel needs to know about Rogue,” Malice growls. I’m sure he’s not happy to be staying behind.
“Thanks, VP. I’ll call soon as I know something,” I promise, tossing the bag over my shoulder and looking to Axe. “Ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready, Prez.” Axe gives a jerk of his chin—lifting his own bag up.
Nodding, the two of us stalk toward the door. This is definitely not a trip I’m looking forward to. I only hope our brother makes it through whatever had happened to him.
Chapter Five