Ashes (Devil's Boneyard MC 7)

by Harley Wylde

  Every bump in the road made me wince, but soon I was pulling up to the warehouse. The fact it looked deserted had my nape prickling. Something wasn’t right about this. Just how much did Havoc know about this guy? For that matter, he hadn’t told me a name or given me a description. It wasn’t the usual way things were handled, but I’d apparently fucked up and they all wanted me to pay. How the fuck would I know if the right man showed up?

  I killed the engine and got off the Harley. I needed to go inside and yet, I hesitated. My fingers twitched and my stomach knotted. Everything inside me screamed to go the other way. Instead, I forced one foot in front of the other until I stepped into the darkened interior of the warehouse. The scent of urine and mildew burned my nose as I progressed farther inside.

  I didn’t hear so much as the skitter of rodents. That eerie feeling was building. The wrongness of the situation grew with every step I took. Where was the guy I was supposed to meet? Or anyone else for that matter? Had Havoc sent me on a wild goose chase? I was nearly convinced that no one was going to show when I heard the creak of a door, but it wasn’t the one I’d entered.

  Pulling the gun from the back of my pants, I gripped it tight and scanned the interior. Everything was silent again. Still, someone was there. Had to be, unless vermin had learned to open doors. Or maybe a bum. It wasn’t unheard of for places like this to house the homeless when they needed a place to crash.

  I prowled the interior, hoping to either run into the man I was meeting, or determine there was no one here so I could fucking leave. There was a pile of flattened boxes in the corner that looked like a makeshift bed. Another corner had stacks of newspaper that was most definitely someone’s toilet. My nose wrinkled in distaste as I quickly moved away from the offensive stench. My boots clanged as I went up the metal stairs to the second floor. Maybe the door I’d heard was up here.

  I’d covered every damn inch of the place and didn’t see or hear anyone. Heading back down the stairs, I decided it was time to go. Whoever was supposed to be here had evidently flaked out. Before I could reach the doors, there was a deep voice that called out.

  “You the Devil I’m meeting?” said a voice from… somewhere. There was just enough of an echo that I couldn’t locate the man speaking.

  “Yeah, I’m the Devil sent to meet you.”

  “Good.”

  His voice came from right behind me, but before I could turn, something smashed into the back of my head. I groaned and dropped to my knees, my gun falling from my hand and sliding across the floor. Whoever had hit me, bashed me over the head again and again. Something wet dripped down my forehead. Blood. Fucking hell! Was the asshole trying to kill me?

  I swung out, trying to connect with him, but my fist glanced off his thigh. All he did was fucking laugh, then he nailed me in the ribs. He came at me again, and I tried to fight him off. I connected with his face, making him snarl and stagger a step back. I didn’t see the next two blows that landed against my temple. My vision started to fade, and I felt my heart slowing. I worried that this might be the end, that I’d never get home to Nikki.

  I struggled to stay awake, to keep breathing. She needed me. What would happen to her and little Oliver if I never went home? Would the club still protect her? Would she miss me?

  My mind whirred with what-ifs as darkness closed in and I passed out.

  Chapter Four

  Nikki

  I couldn’t stop smiling. The way Ashes had taken me against the shower wall, the obvious concern that I’d regret it… he really was the sweetest man. Sometimes it was hard to believe he was a badass biker. I knew all the guys might have a hard outer shell but a gooey center when it came to women they cared about, but I’d never thought he’d be one of them. Yeah, I’d let Bane take me to bed on our first date, but I’d known even then it wouldn’t go anywhere. My brother had made sure the bikers stayed clear of me. Defying his authority and sleeping with Bane had been fun, and I’d possibly have gone out with him a few times, but after just an hour or two I’d known it wasn’t the forever kind of thing. I’d never told anyone that.

  After Ashes had left for Church, I’d taken my time showering until the last drop of hot water had been used, then I dried off and dressed. I explored his home, then checked out the fridge and pantry to get some ideas for breakfast. I hated that he’d had to leave without eating anything. We’d both overslept this morning. Then again, I’d been doing a lot of sleeping the last three months. I’d woken when I heard his phone ring, but when Ashes hadn’t come out of his room, I’d decided to get nosy.

  Seeing him in the shower… My cheeks warmed and I clenched my thighs at the memory. His body was a work of art, all sleek muscles and ink. Most of his tattoos couldn’t be seen unless he was shirtless, and I wondered about the meaning behind each one. I’d also worried that someone as fit as him would take one look at my naked body and be disgusted, but the way he’d tried so hard not to look when he’d put me into the shower at my apartment, I’d hoped that maybe he was interested.

  Damn my brother for making Ashes stay away all this time! We could have had years together! Maybe I wouldn’t have been with the mistake I’d dated for so long. Chad. Even now I wanted to sneer just thinking of him. If Ashes had shown an interest, I’d have gladly dumped the douchebag asshole sooner. It pissed me off that Renegade was always meddling in my life. I knew he meant well, but I didn’t need a babysitter. I was a grown-ass woman and I could take care of myself. Being with Ashes would have never been a mistake, at least I didn’t think so. Maybe the man he was back then was different from the guy who had been taking care of me. Or maybe not. I’d never know since my big brother had taken that from me.

  As the time ticked by and I hadn’t heard from Ashes, I started to worry that Renegade had found out what happened and beat the hell out of him. I wouldn’t put it past him. I knew that I wasn’t supposed to go to the clubhouse without an invitation, but that was before Ashes had claimed me. Things were different now, weren’t they? Scratch had demanded that Ashes make me his, so I had a right to go look for him. At least, that’s what I’d tell anyone who asked. I could play stupid for a few days at any rate.

  I slipped on some shoes and then left the house. I followed the meandering road through the compound, taking my time so I wouldn’t overdo it. After sitting on the couch day after day, I didn’t know what my body was capable of handling, especially while I was six months pregnant. I could have taken my SUV, but exercise was good for me. By the time I reached the clubhouse, I saw only a handful of bikes out front. One of them looked similar to what Ashes usually rode, but I couldn’t be certain it was his. I didn’t know the difference between the bikes, but the colors and size seemed right.

  Taking a breath to steel my nerves, I went into the clubhouse and came to a halt when I saw Havoc, Magnus, and Phantom were seated around a table. There was a Prospect behind the bar, and I could hear voices farther back down the hall. Magnus lifted his eyebrows when he saw me and Havoc shot a scowl my way.

  “What the hell are you doing here, Nikki?” he demanded. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”

  I stumbled back a step, not expecting the Sergeant-at-Arms to be so harsh with me. The few times we’d talked before, he’d always been nice. I didn’t know how to respond and just stood, frozen in place. Phantom stood and came toward me, his expression unreadable, which made unease prickle down my spine. Were they not told that I was with Ashes now? Or were they pissed about not getting a vote? Would they have voted against us being together?

  “Nikki, you shouldn’t be here. You need to go home,” Phantom said.

  “I was looking for Ashes. He didn’t come back and I haven’t heard from him. I thought…”

  Phantom didn’t say anything at first. I could see the indecision in his eyes.

  “Your brother didn’t take it well when Scratch informed us that Ashes was claiming you. Renegade had thought the idea of being stuck with the same woman all the time would make Ashes back
off.”

  My brother really didn’t want me here. My stomach churned. Even though I hadn’t experienced much morning sickness, the acidic burn at the back of my throat was all the warning I needed. I bolted for the hall and the bathroom I knew was in that direction, not stopping until I’d slammed the door open and fallen to the ground in front of the toilet. Booted steps came running and I heard someone skid to a stop in the doorway as I threw up again and again.

  By the time I was finished, I was shaking and felt weak. Tears leaked from the corners of my eyes and I felt snot dripping from my nose. A handful of toilet paper appeared in my line of sight and I cleaned myself up. Standing on shaky legs, I took a shallow breath and then another. I swayed and hands gripped me, keeping me upright.

  “Jesus, Havoc. She’s pregnant. Did you have to be such an ass?” Magnus asked.

  “I wasn’t trying to upset her, but she needs to know she caused trouble. Renegade was fucking pissed and went after Ashes like he was possessed or some shit,” Havoc said.

  I whined and looked up at Magnus. “Ashes…”

  “He’s fine,” Magnus assured me. “Cinder sent him out on a run. He’ll be gone most of today.”

  Havoc muttered something that sounded like bullshit.

  “Did my brother hurt him?” I asked.

  “He beat on him a little, but Ashes was standing and able to ride when he left here,” Magnus said. “Might be bruised and tender for a day or two, but he’s fine, Nikki.”

  “I’ll take you home in one of the trucks,” Phantom said from somewhere behind Havoc. “You should rest.”

  I didn’t want to rest! I wanted Ashes back. Part of me knew I was being irrational. He was part of this club and would be gone on various jobs. It was something I’d have to adjust to if I was going to be with him. Maybe if I had seen him before he left, or heard from him, then my stomach wouldn’t be churning quite so much. I followed Phantom outside and got into one of the club trucks. At the house, he started to get out, but I waved him off. The last thing I wanted was to come across as weak and pathetic, even if I had just thrown up in front of him. “I’ll be fine.”

  Phantom nodded. “You have the clubhouse number. Call if you need anything before Ashes gets back. I’m sure he’ll be here by dinner.”

  I went into the house and the first stop was the bathroom to brush my teeth. Despite the nausea, I was a little hungry so I made a snack and decided to watch a movie. I needed the distraction so I wouldn’t think about Ashes and my brother going after him. How could Renegade have done that?

  My brother was the last person I wanted to see, so I was thankful he didn’t come try and talk to me. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. He was treating me like a child. It was my life, and I should have a say in who I dated… or… I stared at the wall. Ashes had claimed me. I was his ol’ lady, which meant more than just dating. It hadn’t really sunk in until this moment. The Devil’s Boneyard men didn’t claim a woman and let her go. It was a lifelong commitment. Even a tighter bond than marriage.

  The new reality of my life was starting to settle in my mind. I wouldn’t be raising Oliver alone. Ashes would be by my side all the time and not just a few days a week. And… my cheeks burned as I thought about how incredible sex was between us. I wasn’t the most experienced when it came to that sort of thing, but Bane hadn’t been my first either. No one had ever made me feel the way Ashes did. Even though it had been intense and fast, I’d come harder than I ever had before. For that matter, only Bane had ever made me come at all. Well, aside from my own hand or a vibrator.

  My stomach rumbled and I had a sudden craving for peanut butter cookies. From what I’d seen of Ashes’ kitchen, there wasn’t a cookie in sight, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t make some. I got up and rummaged through the cabinets and pantry, hoping he’d have all the ingredients I needed. Other than crunchy peanut butter and eggs, Ashes didn’t have the other stuff the recipe called for. I was dressed and I did have my car here. My bank account was pretty much empty, but maybe I had just enough room on my credit card to buy the few groceries that were missing for my culinary plans.

  I grabbed my purse and keys then went out to my SUV, only to find a Prospect leaning against it. I froze, not sure if I should go back in or just tell him to move. I hadn’t really spoken to Jin before, even though I was aware of who he was. He’d worked the gate a few times when I’d come to visit Renegade.

  “Going somewhere?” he asked.

  “I need some things from the store.”

  He nodded and looked down at his boots. “And you’re going to buy those things with what money? Your brother said you’re so broke you lost your apartment and that’s why you’re really here.”

  My heart felt like someone had just stuck a knife through it. That’s what my brother thought of me? That I’d let Ashes claim me just to have a place to stay, or money to spend? Did he really think I was that mercenary or shallow? My purse hung limply from my fingers and my keys dropped to the ground. Tears burned my eyes and made my throat tight as I turned to go back inside. Why would he tell someone that?

  “I’ll just…” I pressed my lips together as I reached for the door, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “It’s fine. I just didn’t realize my brother thought so little of me.”

  Jin sighed and turned me to face him. “Look, I know Ashes pretty damn well. I’ve known for a while there was some woman he was hung up on, and since I heard he claimed you, I’m guessing it’s been you all along. Don’t let your brother fuck with your head. He’ll come around.”

  I nodded and wiped at my cheeks.

  “If you want to go to the store, I’ll take you. But we’re stopping at the clubhouse first to get some cash. I don’t think Ashes would want you spending your money on food. He’ll see that as his job.”

  “Fine. I just wanted to bake some cookies and I don’t have everything I need.”

  Jin smiled. “Cookies are always a good reason to go shopping.”

  I snorted, then laughed. If he truly felt that way, he’d make some woman very happy whenever he settled down. Jin led me over to the SUV and helped me into the passenger’s seat before he took the keys and got behind the wheel. He stopped for the cash like he’d said, then hit the road into town, not stopping until he reached the nearest grocery store. I’d thought maybe he’d stay in the car, or at least trail behind me. Not Jin. He took control of the shopping cart and walked beside me, reaching the items on the top shelf and even throwing in some extra stuff like fresh fruit.

  “Do you know what you’re making for dinner?” he asked.

  “No, but Ashes had some ground beef in the fridge and a bag of frozen chicken breasts in the freezer.”

  He arched a brow and looked at me, clearly not impressed with the selection. Yeah, I wasn’t too thrilled with either option. But at the same time, I didn’t want to spend money if it wasn’t necessary. I didn’t know if Ashes would have to pay the club back for whatever I used right now, and since I didn’t know about his finances, I wasn’t about to spend a lot of money without talking to him about it first.

  Jin seemed to sense my hesitation and led me over to the butcher. I chewed my lower lip as I looked at the pre-seasoned meat, the fresh seafood, and steaks so thick that I just knew they’d be good and juicy. When I didn’t make a selection after a few minutes, Jin gave me a nudge. I ended up getting two chicken breasts rubbed with a lemon pepper seasoning, a large salmon filet, and two of the steaks.

  After picking up some side dishes, the ingredients for the cookies as well as for two pies and a cake, I let Jin load the cart up with grape juice, apple juice, and sweet tea. It seemed all Ashes had was tap water, milk, beer, and coffee. The doctor had already limited my caffeine intake so I’d stopped drinking coffee most days. By the time we checked out up front, I was a bit worried over the total. Jin didn’t seem concerned and peeled off a few hundreds to pay. It didn’t esc
ape my notice the cute clerk was checking him out.

  I turned to hide my smirk. Sure, we could have been a couple, but we weren’t so I didn’t see the harm in her eyeing him like a piece of candy. Now if Ashes had been with me, then I might have given her a piece of my mind. After he got his change, I led the way back to the SUV in the parking lot. Jin loaded the groceries while I waited in the car.

  The last thing I anticipated when we got back to the compound was for him to not only unload the car, but help put everything away. I eyed him, wondering who had taught him to be so considerate. Or domesticated for that matter. Most of the bikers I’d met were a rough sort who only remembered their manners after the fact, or just didn’t care to begin with. Even my brother was the same way. I knew our mom had taught him the proper way to act around women, but Renegade had seemed to think women were there for the taking, and should be bent to his will. Until he’d met Darby.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “I’ll be outside if you need anything else, Nikki. Phantom asked that I stick close until Ashes gets back.”

  I gave him a nod and as he walked out of the kitchen, I began gathering the ingredients for the peanut butter cookies. Working in the kitchen kept my mind and my hands occupied. I’d made two batches before I heard the front door open and the scuff of boots. Smiling, I turned to greet who I hoped was Ashes, but the smile quickly fell from my face.

  Ashes had returned, but… not in the same condition he’d left. Blood trickled from a wound on his forehead, more covered his knuckles, and he staggered as if he were barely upright. I rushed toward him, wrapping an arm around his waist and staring up in eyes that looked back with confusion.

  “Ashes, what happened?” I asked.

  The confusion quickly turned to anger and he shoved me away from him. His gaze dropped to my belly before he snorted and turned toward the fridge.