Protective (The Houston Defiance MC Series Book 5)

by K E Osborn

  “Oh, are they here for a reason?”

  “Remember how Chills and Chains came from Chicago originally?” She nods. “They’re here to support them with Kobe’s surgery tomorrow.”

  “That’s nice… they came all the way from Chicago? Damn! When you guys talk about your brotherhood being tight, you really do mean it.”

  “Yeah, we do… so, here’s the thing… with Chicago bunking in, there’s limited space. Zero wants some of us to give up our rooms to make way for the visitors.”

  “You want me to go back home?” The fear in her eyes is evident, so I stand, making my way over to her and take her hand.

  “No. Shit! I’m doing this all wrong. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been giving you your space to do your work and get the shit you need done, and you’ve made yourself at home here in this room, so I don’t want to shift you out of here.”

  “Texas, what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying, would you be opposed to me moving in here while Chicago bunks in with us? I know we’re only just beginning whatever this thing is between us, so I don’t want you to feel like I’m rushing you. But they need the space, and I don’t want you giving up your room.”

  “So, you’d give up yours?”

  “While Chicago are here, yes.”

  “You’d do that? For me?”

  Bringing my hand up, I caress her face, looking into her emerald eyes. “If it means I get to be near you, then fuck yeah, I am all for it.”

  She grins, leaning into the palm of my hand a little more. “Then, yes, move in here. You’ve already slept in here once, and honestly that was the night I had the best sleep. So, let’s do this.”

  I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. A rush surges through me like it always does when I kiss Finley.

  She slowly pulls back with a large smile on her face. “As much as I want to continue kissing you for the rest of the afternoon, I have to go over my client’s affidavit before he has to appear in court in a few days.”

  “Have I mentioned how hot it is when you talk all lawyery?”

  She snorts out a laugh. “You won’t think it’s hot when you come in, and I’m still working at every waking hour.”

  “You’ll always be fucking hot.” I lean in, planting another quick kiss on her lips, then pull back. “I’ll let you do your thing. The club want to celebrate tonight… would be nice if you could make an appearance.”

  “I’ll be there. Will be good to unwind a little.”

  “Okay, call me if you need anything. I’ll be downstairs.”

  “Texas?”

  I spin back, raising my brow. “Yeah?”

  “It’s gonna be real nice cuddling with you again tonight.”

  My cock jerks against the seam of my jeans, and I let out a long exhale.

  Fuck! Why the hell did she have to go and say a thing like that when I have to walk out in public?

  “Can’t wait.” Turning, I head for the door before I can’t control myself and spin back around pinning her to the fucking desk.

  Letting myself out, I try to calm my raging thoughts.

  I’m gonna have trouble keeping myself in check, but I need to take this at her speed. I don’t want to scare her off because if she leaves this compound without our protection, who knows what Maxen and his assholes might do to her.

  I have to play this smart.

  Think with my head and not just the tip of my head.

  FINLEY

  The Next Evening

  I’ve been involved with the club for a long time, and over that time I’ve seen the brotherhood and the connections they share, but I guess I never knew just how deep it ran. As two chapters of Defiance sit in a Children’s Hospital waiting room, all looking as impatient as each other, desperate for any information to come to hand. It’s easy to see the love they share between them.

  Texas paces the waiting room floor. He’s close to Chains. They work side by side. Knowing this day could change Chains’ life is hitting him hard—it’s hitting everyone hard. I drove over, bringing some of the old ladies with me as the guys wanted to ride. They wanted to be free on the road with their emotions.

  I get it.

  It’s hard not to notice the stares everyone is sending the club’s way. I mean, when the waiting room is two-thirds full of bikers, it’s bound to draw some attention. The older women holding tightly to their handbags. The men scowling like they're ready to throw down if the need arises. They’re all assholes. The club isn’t here to start shit with civilians, they are here for Kobe.

  For Chains and Chills.

  People need to keep their opinions to themselves.

  “Why is this taking so long?” Prinie murmurs.

  Foxy rests her hand on Prinie’s leg. “The surgery is complicated. Think of it as… no news is good news.”

  Foxy is Chicago’s club doctor. She trained under Chills when she was their club doctor. Chicago also has a brother, Medic, who was exactly that in the defense force. So, he has skills. They’re fully equipped, medically-speaking.

  Wraith walks over to Prinie. His hand moves down to her stomach, and he exhales. “I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to our kids… this is too fucking much.”

  “Hey, Sephy is fine, our baby is warm and cozy in my belly. Everything is fine… Kobe’s gonna be okay. You’ll see.” Prinie exhales.

  Wraith frowns. “Damir’s still out there… I just—”

  “Stop! The club will deal with him when we can. Today is about Kobe. Focus solely on him.”

  Seeing Wraith this vulnerable is unsettling. He’s usually the strong, boisterous one of the club. If he’s concerned about Damir coming back, the entire club should be too. But Prinie is right, today is about Kobe.

  Footsteps from behind make us turn around to see Chains walking down the hall toward us. He looks fucking wrecked. Everyone stands abruptly. With bated breath, we all wait as he runs his hand through his hair, his hand physically shaking.

  Shit.

  “Chains?” Foxy whispers.

  He slowly nods his head, just the once, while letting out a heavy exhale. “He made it.”

  Everyone rushes forward as I stand back watching the two clubs smother the poor guy. The brothers all cheer and laugh, the old ladies with tears in their eyes, and eventually the mass of bikers part to Chains subtly wiping under his eye.

  “Thanks… all of you, for being here. It made it so much easier knowing no matter how this went, Chills and I had a support system.”

  Texas steps forward, holding up a phone. “Chains, someone wants to celebrate with you.”

  Chains grabs the cell, and his face turns up in a smile. “Mom? Dad?”

  “Hey, kid, just heard the good news. So happy our grandbaby is okay.”

  Chains lets out a small laugh as he checks the FaceTime screen. “Are you wearing that frilly pink apron again, Dad?”

  Chains’ dad laughs loudly. “I’m making pancakes. Family tradition, son. Sorry we couldn’t be there. We wanted to so bad, but we thought it might be a little crowded with Chicago there.”

  Chains glances around. “You’re always welcome. When Kobe is healed, we will come up for a visit. It’s been too long.”

  “Oh, I would love that. I miss my babies!”

  Chains groans. “Mom, we’re not your babies anymore, and everyone can hear you!”

  We all chuckle.

  “You wanna say hi to Chills?”

  “Yes! Take me to see my Rebecca!”

  Chains glances at Texas, and he nods. “Yeah, brother, of course. Go for it!”

  Chains grips Texas on the shoulder. “Thank you.” Then he takes off back down the hall.

  We all turn around and move back to our seats.

  Texas slides in next to me. “That was nice of you,” I tell him.

  He shrugs. “I know how much he misses his parents. Chills, him, and them were so close back in Chicago.”

  “How did that all work again?”

&nb
sp; “Chills is their daughter, and Chains is their foster son. Chills and Chains grew up together like brother and sister. They fought their attraction fucking hard, but when you know, you know, right?”

  “And growing up together doesn’t make you brother and sister, only blood does that, and they have no blood connection. I can see why they would have had trouble with it… but they’re such an amazing couple and perfect for each other.”

  Texas snorts. “I don’t know how Chills puts up with the moody bastard… but he adores her, that’s plain to see.”

  Glancing down at the time on my watch, I let out a small exhale. “Texas, I really need to get back to prepare for meetings tomorrow. I hate to be a pest.”

  “No, don’t be silly. We stayed until we got the all-clear. Phantom and I will ride back with you.”

  “No, you stay here, be with your brothers. I don’t want to be a burden.”

  Texas scowls. “You’re on protective detail, Fin. Or have you forgotten. I can’t let you out on your own. I fucking won’t.”

  “Then I’ll stay. I don’t want you leaving a club thing because of me.”

  Texas stands and walks over to Phantom, then whispers something in his ear. He nods, then they head over to Zero and say something. He turns, glares at me, making me feel like a real asshole, but then he nods, and the two burly bikers come over to me.

  “Okay, pretty lady, time for us to head back to the clubhouse. President’s orders,” Texas lies.

  Slumping my shoulders, I scowl at him. “That’s bullshit.”

  “Yep, but we’re going anyway. C’mon, up you get.” Texas hoists me from my seat, and we head toward the exit. The other bikers don’t even acknowledge us leaving, but we continue to make our way to the parking lot, and I head for my car.

  “I’m sorry. I feel like shit.”

  Phantom chuckles. “Taking us away from waiting at the hospital for hours? Nope, you’re saving us, Fin. So, thank you.”

  Texas smirks. “C’mon, let’s go home.”

  I unlock my car, and Texas opens the door for me. Sliding in, he watches me as I buckle my seat belt, then he leans over making sure it’s done up right. I slap his hand away while shaking my head at him. “I can do up my own damn seat belt.”

  He grins a lopsided smirk. “Safety first. This car is carrying precious cargo.”

  Tilting my head to the side, I lean in and plant a gentle kiss on his cheek. Phantom chuckles to himself as Texas steps back, closing my door. He’s being overprotective, but I dig it.

  Walking to his ride, he throws his leg over with ease, the move sexy as sin as he starts up his Harley. Phantom follows suit, and I turn the ignition on my car. Phantom takes off in front, I follow, and then Texas pulls in behind me.

  I’m tired, we’ve been at the hospital for hours, and honestly, I want to go back and sleep, but I have prep to do. Taking in a deep breath, we reach the traffic lights, and I move to apply my brakes, but they aren’t as sensitive as they normally should be. I hit them harder, so I don’t ram straight up the ass of Phantom. My heart slams right into my chest wall as they finally bring my car to a stop.

  “What the fuck?”

  I’m going to need to get that looked at.

  Taking in a slow, deep breath, the lights turn green, and Phantom rides off again. I follow, trying to maintain a safe distance behind him this time, just in case. We’re picking up speed in the outer suburbs getting closer to the clubhouse, and while we round the corner to head onto the street as I press down on the brakes, nothing happens.

  My pulse quickens.

  My car begins to slide out from under me.

  “Shit, shit, shit.” I pump harder on the brake pedal, but nothing is happening.

  It’s downhill, so I’m only picking up speed.

  “Fuck! Phantom, move!” I start honking my horn to get Phantom’s attention. He spins around as I am fast approaching, but it’s too late. I swerve, just clipping the tail end of his bike, he spins to his side, his bike dropping as my car careens over a ditch at high speed, flying up in the air. My fingers white knuckle the steering wheel as I brace for impact. The car tilts to the side as it turns, and my hands move to the roof to support me. I clench my body and eyes waiting for the inevitable impact.

  It’s like time slows down, like the air sucks from my lungs as the metal around me squeezes into my skin. Glass shatters, ripping into my flesh as I’m jolted from side to side with the force of the hit.

  The problem is I don’t hear anything, just a ringing in my ears, telling me that nothing is okay right now.

  My body feels hot like everything is burning, sweat beads on my skin as I blink slowly trying to gather my bearings. My seat belt is the only thing holding me when I realize I am upside down in my car and getting hotter.

  “Fin!” I vaguely hear, but it’s muffled. “Finley! Fuck!”

  My entire body aches, but I turn my head to look out the demolished window as Texas slides onto the ground next to me. “Fin, can you hear me?”

  It’s like the white noise suddenly clears, and everything races back into my ears. The sound of metal grating against itself, of glass crunching, and something else I can’t quite pick.

  But that heat? Why am I so hot?

  “Finley, look at me!” Texas demands.

  I turn my head, my eyes meeting his, fear etched in his features. “I need you to undo your seat belt. Now! Right fucking now!”

  Slowly, I nod my head comprehending what he’s told me, and reach up hitting the buckle. As I do, my arm ignites in heat. My eyes widen as I drop to the roof of the car letting out a small squeal. I gasp as I see it, the flames licking the passenger side of the car. Panic washes over me instantly as Texas threads his arms inside the window and starts yanking. “Help me out here, Fin!”

  I kick my feet against the roof of the car as the flames flick at my ankles. “Texas!” I call out as he pulls me through the window. Glass tears at my clothes as he drags me out onto the ground.

  Phantom runs over, grabbing us both, helping us race up the ditch, then a massive explosion knocks us all on our asses. A huge fireball erupts behind us. Texas straddles my body, shielding me from the falling debris as the steering wheel lands with a thud right next to my head.

  Panting for breaths, tears well in my eyes as Texas rolls me over, his hands moving all over my body. “Jesus, Fin. What the fuck happened?”

  My body shakes as I cling to him, just needing to know he’s here with me. “I-I don’t know. My brakes wouldn’t work. They just… wouldn’t work!”

  He glances around like he’s waiting to see if anyone is going to approach, but it looks clear.

  “Sounds like someone’s tampered with them.” He shoves his hand in his pocket, then lets out a groan. “Fuck! Chains has my cell. Phantom, is your bike ridable?”

  “I think so.”

  “You got your cell?”

  He pulls it out and checks to make sure it’s working.

  “Call Zero, tell him to send Foxy. Chills needs to stay at the hospital with her kid, but I need someone to come and check Fin, right fucking now. We’re gonna need this shit out here handled too.”

  “On it!” Phantom walks further up the ditch while talking on his cell as Texas continues to look me over.

  “Your arm is burned, and your ankle too. How much pain are you in?”

  “I’m okay. This was Maxen… it has to be, right?”

  Texas runs his hand over his bald scalp. “Your car was at the hospital parking lot unattended for hours. It was fucking stupid of us. We know better than this. I know better than to allow this to happen. This is on me, Fin.”

  “Won’t the hospital have video footage we can check over? Might be able to ascertain who did it?” My bottom lip quivers from shock, from pain, from fear, I’m not even sure why.

  “Good idea. But first we need to get you back to the club before the heat gets here. We can have Ethan cover up that the car is yours if the cops find the VIN number. If they
figure out it is yours, they will want to know what happened to the brakes, do a full investigation, and that could lead them to Maxen. Then it will be out of our hands.”

  “I’d rather you guys handle it. You really think Ethan would do that? For me?”

  “Yeah, he’s good. There’s shit he won’t do. But this is something small, losing a number… he’ll be good with that.”

  “Thank God, you have an officer on your side.”

  “He wasn’t always. Do you think you can hold onto me if we ride out of here?”

  Exhaling, I roll my shoulders. “This isn’t exactly how I envisioned getting on the back of your bike.”

  His fingers come out smoothing stray hairs behind my ear. “Me either… but what are we if not unpredictable, right?”

  “Right. Can you help me up?”

  He moves to stand, then places his hand out to help me up. I slowly edge up, every part of me fucking killing me, especially my burned arm and ankle. He wraps his arm around me and we walk—or should I say I hobble—together toward his bike.

  Phantom is looking over his ride when we get there, and Texas raises his chin to him. “You good?”

  Phantom shrugs. “Gonna need some paintwork, but it’s good to ride.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Phantom waves his hand through the air. “As long as you’re okay, that’s all that matters. Foxy, Zero, and Medic are on their way. Clean up is coming to the scene to get the VIN and shit.”

  “Thanks, brother. Now let’s get the fuck out of here.”

  Texas lets me go, slipping onto his bike.

  Phantom helps me in behind him.

  “Hold on tight.”

  I grip hard as I can without my burn hurting like a bastard, and he starts his bike with my mind racing. I honestly never saw myself getting on the back of one of these. It has never appealed to me. But right now, I have no other option. I have to admit, sitting here, clinging onto Texas for dear life, there’s something empowering in that.

  He pulls back on the throttle, and we take off like a bat out of hell. I widen my eyes at the feeling. It’s thrilling, exhilarating, and even though the wind whips at my face making my eyes water, it’s cooling my burns which helps to make me feel so much better right now. The vibration of the engine makes my insides tingle like they’re bouncing with energy.