Protective (The Houston Defiance MC Series Book 5)

by K E Osborn

  “There’s no need. You can relax while you’re here. We got your back.”

  As Texas places his hand on my lower back, I sniffle, and he leads me toward the clubhouse. When we enter, Cherry offers a weak smile.

  Prinie walks over as we head for the stairs. “I’ve made sure the girls have given you the best towels and sheets in the place, Fin. We want you to be as comfortable as you can be here.”

  I sink in on myself. “I’m not that prim and proper, am I?”

  Prinie smirks. “No, not at all. But you are an attorney, and you’re used to a certain lifestyle. Here at the club, that’s not what we are. But we wanna keep you on our good side.”

  For the first time in what feels like a lifetime, I find my smile. “Thanks, Prinie.”

  “C’mon, let’s get you cleaned up,” Texas suggests.

  I glance back down to my blood-stained clothes, my smile instantly falling. “Yeah, then we can burn these clothes.”

  Texas leads me up the stairs, down the hall to a room near the end. When we walk in, it’s not what I was expecting. Honestly, I’m not sure what I was expecting. The room is medium-size with a queen bed dressed in white linens and the walls a soft gray color. A desk lines one wall—a place for me to work—a bathroom entry is just off to the left of the bed, and to the right is a balcony overlooking the back compound of the club.

  This room is more like a hotel suite than a biker’s bedroom.

  “Well, this is nice.”

  Texas chuckles. “The guest rooms are usually neat. If people are staying with us, it means we like them, so we want to look after them.”

  “Well, I’m glad you guys like me.”

  “Okay, let’s get you in the shower. Phantom will be up soon with your luggage, and I’ll bring in some clean clothes for you.”

  My shoulders slump. “Even after everything, you’re still looking out for me.”

  “I care about you, Fin. Even if you fucking infuriate me sometimes.”

  I lean in embracing him. His strong arms wrap around me tightly, and for the first time in hours, I feel safe. I place my head against his chest just taking him in. His cheek rests against the top of my head as we stand holding each other.

  Eventually, I pull back, taking a deep breath and look down at my clothes again. “I better go.” I gesture for the bathroom.

  “I’ll bring in your clothes. Don’t worry, there’s a curtain, I won’t see anything.”

  I dip my chin, then make my way for the door to the bathroom. It’s quaint, but lovely. I rush to get these fucking clothes off me, throwing them to the floor in a pile and give them a little kick for good measure. I turn to look in the vanity mirror, and I hardly recognize the woman staring back at me. Her hair is disheveled, blood splatters cover her face, and her eyes are puffy and red, not to mention the bluish bruise forming on her cheek.

  She doesn’t look like me.

  Swallowing hard, I avert my eyes from that deceptive picture, pull back the shower curtain, and step in. Turning the faucet to the temperature needed—which is scalding hot—to wash away the blood, and God only know what else, of the man who blew apart on top of me. A memory of his head exploding flashes through my mind. I bring my hand up to the wall to balance my shaky legs. I breathe fast not sure how to control the panic overtaking me.

  I’ve never seen anything like that before.

  I knew the club killed people. I’m not so naïve as to believe they were above all that. But witnessing it with my own eyes, knowing Texas and Phantom both killed for me, it’s sobering. I’m not sure if the reason I’m having a hard time dealing with it is because I am so undeniably happy about the outcome.

  What kind of monster does that make me?

  Stepping under the water, a river of red circles the drain as I let the hot water wash all through my hair. The shower floor runs crimson with the remnants of the man who tried to kill me, and I clench my eyes shut to try and stop the imagery from swallowing me whole. But all I see is his head exploding, his blood and brain matter showers onto me, sliding all over my body and face. I let out a gasp, my knees give way, and I fall to the bottom of the shower. My knees pull up to my chest, my head is in my hands while tears slowly stream down my face.

  I’ve always been a strong woman. I think that’s why this hurts so much because I don’t know how to handle feeling so incredibly weak.

  I’m not sobbing, just sitting on the bottom of the shower trying to keep my shit together. Slow tears fall from my cheeks and run with the water as the door to the bathroom opens. My head snaps up looking through the curtain at the dark figure entering the space.

  “It’s just me,” Texas confirms. “I’ll put your fresh clothes on the vanity. Take your time.”

  “Mm-hmm,” I mumble back so he doesn’t hear my cracking voice.

  “Okay, see you out there.” He closes the door behind him and, for some reason, hearing his voice gives me strength.

  I manage to find a way to my wobbly feet and stand under the stream of water. The running river of crimson seems to have vanished now, making this all a little easier to deal with. So, I reach for the shampoo and get to work removing all evidence of a day from hell.

  Once I finish washing my hair and scrubbing every inch of my body, excessively, I figure I need to get out. So, regrettably, I hop out, grabbing a towel. Wrapping it around myself, I glance down to where my stained clothes sat only to see they’re gone. Texas must have taken them away with him when he came in. My chest swells with warmth for the kindness in his heart as I make my way over to my fresh clothes and take a look at what he’s picked for me. A pair of sweatpants, a sweater, and a matching bra and panty set—the non-sexy, comfortable ones. I half-smile at that. He wants me to feel at ease. Not all done up and pristine like I always do when I am here at the club.

  And for some reason, I appreciate that thought.

  Maybe he knows me better than I think he does. Though none of Defiance have ever seen me in sweatpants. But right now, I honestly don’t give a shit. I want to curl up on that giant bed and not care about the world for a little while. The tiredness I feel is overwhelming me.

  After getting dressed and pulling my wet hair up into a messy bun, I open the bathroom door to see Texas sitting back in the desk chair, waiting patiently. My eyes widen in shock—I thought he meant he would see me down in the main area of the clubhouse. Guess I misinterpreted that little fact.

  “You’re here?”

  He stands, making his way over to me, reaching out for my hand. My entire body ignites when he touches me. Like a wave of adrenaline surges through my system, rebooting my emotions. He has the power to undo me, and that shit scares the hell out of me.

  “I am sorry about our argument.” Exhaling, I shrug. “It all seems so pointless now after what we’ve just been through.”

  “When I saw someone was outside your window, all that shit… I didn’t care about it at all. All that mattered was protecting you. All that mattered was keeping you alive.”

  “I was worried you were going to get hurt.”

  Texas leans in gently brushing the swollen bruise on my cheek, then he caresses my face. “Does it hurt?”

  “Everything hurts.”

  His golden orbs stare into mine, his fingers gently caressing my cheek. His touch on my face erupts inside. I’m burning up for him in this moment as he stares at me. It’s like for the first time in my life, the world is coming alive. Like the room is catching on fire, smoldering with the intensity around us as my breathing hitches.

  He leans closer, his fingers moving from my cheek to the back of my head.

  I lick my lips, needing him, wanting him.

  Texas inches forward, his lips barely a hair’s breadth away from mine. “Then let me take your pain away.” He pulls my head forward, his lips slamming against mine, his other hand snaking out around my waist holding me to his rock-hard chest.

  My body reacts instinctively, my arms looping around his neck, my tongue going rog
ue with his.

  As we kiss, it’s like a volcano erupts inside me, and I’m molten lava that burns a path through me for this man. His hand slides down to my ass, lifting me slightly as he shifts me around to the desk, sitting my ass on the edge.

  I let out a small moan into his mouth as his cock grows hard against me. His hand slides down my side. Texas grinds his cock into my pussy, and we both let out a groan. Then his lips leave mine, kissing down the side of my neck.

  My fingers move to his back, digging in as I bite on my bottom lip…

  A knock on the door sounds, making us both snap our heads to it.

  We both pant for breath as Texas pulls back, his cock tenting in his jeans more than obvious, as the knock sounds again.

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s just me. Zero sent me up to check on Fin. To make sure she’s okay, medically,” Chills calls from the other side of the door.

  I can’t fight back my grin as Texas takes another step back from me, and I slide off from the desk, trying to straighten out my clothing. “Sure thing. Come on in,” I call out.

  Texas casually rearranges his cock in his jeans as Chills opens the door and steps inside. Her eyes shoot to the two of us—I’m sure we look as guilty as sin. She tries to hide her smirk, but I still catch it.

  Texas clears his throat walking toward the door. “I’ll come find you later. We can finish that… talk?”

  Grinning, I nod. “Okay.”

  Texas walks out of my room, closing the door behind him, and Chills bursts out laughing. “I am so sorry. I interrupted something, didn’t I?”

  “I don’t know, I think so… maybe. But that’s for me to worry about.”

  Chills beams from ear to ear. “Right, well, how about we sit you down on the bed, and I look you over? Make sure that knock on your cheek is nothing to be worried about, and we go from there.”

  “Sounds good.” I walk to the bed, taking a seat and Chills follows. She sits next to me, rubbing her hands together to warm them up.

  “Okay, let’s have a look. From what Phantom told me, the guy punched you pretty hard in the face?”

  Swallowing hard, I nod. “Yeah.”

  Her eyes meet mine for a moment, then she moves back to the bruise, poking at it a couple times. I flinch, but it’s not too bad.

  She reaches for a small flashlight, shining it in my eyes, and I squint a little at the brightness, but she nods, seeming satisfied. “Move your jaw like this for me.” She opens and closes her mouth in a specific way, and I follow suit.

  She grins, sitting back seeming pleased. “I’m sure there’s no broken bones, just some deep bruising, which will only get a little worse over the next couple of days I’m afraid, but then it will start to ease. I’ll get you some ibuprofen and pain killers for the swelling.” She pauses and looks at me. “Now, I want to know how you’re doing mentally? After going through something like this when you’re not used to this kind of life, it can be traumatic. So, any recurring thoughts or fears are totally normal.”

  “I sat in the shower and cried for a little bit just before. I think having a man’s head blown off and his brain exploding all over you is gonna leave some scars. I always thought I was such a strong person… I don’t feel so strong anymore.”

  Chills places her hand on my thigh comfortingly. “That’s to be expected, Fin. Like I said, you went through something traumatic, and it’s okay to not be okay. Just know, it will get better. You will be your old self again soon. This biker world is tough and can take some getting used to.”

  I let out a small laugh. “I can see that. I’m glad I’m on the right side of the club.”

  Chills weakly smiles. “Everyone here adores you, Fin. Maybe one more than the rest, by what I just walked in on.”

  “I’ve been hard on Texas. I don’t know why he’s even giving me another chance.”

  Chills shrugs. “Because when there’s a connection, Fin, a really strong connection… sometimes nothing can stop that pull between two people. You just have to let the magnetism work because have you seen what happens when you try to pull two magnets apart in the opposite direction?”

  “It’s chaos.”

  “It’s fucking chaos. So let it happen if that’s what you think needs to, Fin, because fighting it never works out. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. I wasted time I could have spent with Chains. Years of our lives we could have just been together instead of fighting the pull.”

  “You and Chains are so happy. And with your son, Kobe, you’re what I aspire to have in my life.”

  Chills weakly smiles. “We’re not without our faults. Kobe has to have his heart surgery soon, it’s the entire reason we came to Houston from Chicago, and the operation terrifies me as a mother. The thought of having Kobe, who’s so fucking little going under the knife, possibly losing our little man, is so fucking scary...” she pauses and then continues, “… but sometimes you have to take the big risks for the rewards. Without this surgery, Kobe will die. Maybe not soon, but before his tenth birthday. So, we need to fix the problem so he can live a full, happy life...”

  I nod my head and smile.

  “The small sacrifices we make are for the greater good in the end… moving states, leaving the brotherhood we loved to join another, it was all for Kobe. But you know what? We wouldn’t change anything. We love it here. We love these guys and girls. They’re family now too. So I guess what this long, drawn-out tangent is trying to say is when you find something worth fighting for, fight, with everything you have because tomorrow is never promised. Today should have shown you that.”

  My chest squeezes at her words.

  She’s so fucking right.

  Tomorrow is never promised.

  I need to remember that all Texas has ever tried to do is protect me.

  We may have had our ups and downs, but in the end, it’s only because of one thing.

  Because he cares about me.

  The same way I do about him.

  That kiss meant something, and I know it did to him too.

  So, I need to fight.

  Being an attorney and dating a biker is going to be difficult. But I’m living at the Defiance clubhouse right now, so what damn difference does it make? I’m going to have to make excuses anyway, so I may as well start covering my tracks from today.

  And that includes my relationship with Texas.

  TEXAS

  With Chills checking in on Fin, I have a moment to gather myself. That kiss with Finley was undeniable fire. It may not have been the right timing, considering everything she’s been through today, but it felt fucking incredible.

  I’m walking on cloud fucking nine, which is strange seeing as I generally feel detached from my emotions. Fin does something to me. I don’t know what, but I can’t wait to find out.

  I spot Zero, Neon, and Wraith by the bar, and I head over. As I approach, Zero looks me up and down. “You good, brother? You’ve had a big couple of hours.”

  Rolling my shoulders, I say, “I just want Fin safe. We’ve done that by bringing her here. Now we need to make it count if you hear what I’m saying?”

  Zero rubs at his beard. “I hear you.” He turns to Neon. “Can you dive deep into this Maxen guy. Find out all you can before we hunt him down. We need to know what the ramifications of taking him out might be.”

  Neon pulls out his device and starts to type in something, but his eyes bulge. “Ahh, Pres… there’s a cab pulling up, and somehow the gates are auto unlocking.”

  We all widen our eyes.

  “We expectin’ anyone?”

  “Everyone’s here,” Wraith responds.

  With quick action, I pull out my gun, followed by Zero, then Wraith. Neon, places his device down, draws out his gun, and we take off out of the clubhouse.

  The cab pulls up and a young jock-looking guy sticks his head out the window, with his hands in the air. “Shit, don’t shoot, we’re friendly, I promise.”

  My eyes shift to Zero as we continue
to aim our guns at the strange young kid, when the rear door of the cab opens and someone slides out. Instantly, I relax. Koda, Zero’s younger brother, places his hand out for a young girl to follow. She’s pretty. Brunette. Stunning eyes. Seems a little nervous to be here.

  Seeing Koda is a shock, I have to admit. He’s supposed to be in New York, at college, finding himself, making a man of himself. Now he’s here mid-semester with two other kids we don’t know. Something’s up. We stow our weapons walking over to them.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Zero calls out.

  “Nice to see you, too,” Koda answers, ushering the jock guy to the trunk to grab their bags. Neon and I move in to help, then the cab driver pulls out of the clubhouse gates with a squeal of his wheels. Guess he doesn’t want to be here.

  Don’t blame him.

  We did come rushing out with our guns aimed and ready to shoot him.

  “Don’t get me wrong, Koda, I’m glad you and… your buddies are here. But you should be in class right now, yeah?” Wraith questions.

  The three of them grimace.

  “About that.”

  “The fuck did you do, Koda? You get yourself expelled?” Zero grunts.

  Neon narrows his eyes on Koda. “This have anything to do with that thing you gave me to look after at the wedding?”

  Koda dips his chin. “Yeah, that thing, though, has been taken care of, but I’ve… we’ve, officially withdrawn from Stonewall—”

  “The hell are you talking about, kid?” Zero glares at Koda.

  “Sorry to interrupt, you don’t know me, but Koda’s not a kid. In the past few months, he’s taken down corrupt officials, single-handedly survived a scorpion bite, and saved me when I was handcuffed in a sinking yacht. He’s shown more strength in character than I have seen in some of the bravest men I know. Koda is not a kid, so don’t call him that.”

  Koda smiles, wrapping his arm around her neck and pulls her to him, kissing her temple.

  A slow grin forms on Zero’s lips. “So, this is the girl, huh?”

  Ha! Koda has grown up at college!

  “This is the girl.”