Waging War

by Faith Gibson

  After spending a few hours with his brother, he and Kerrigan headed out on the road. They weren’t in a hurry to get to South Carolina, but War was eager to get his female alone. Having her on the back of his bike was a blessing and a curse. She not only looked good all decked out in the leather he’d bought her, but she felt amazing snuggled up against his back as they rode. Too amazing, and it was all War could do not to pull off every exit leading to a hotel.

  They rode several hours until his need to be inside her overrode every other thought. Kerrigan never complained about needing to stretch her legs or having to pee. She was the perfect riding partner. After checking into one of the nicer chain hotels, they settled into their room. Even though they had already had sex, War was nervous.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked as he placed their bags on the floor beside the dresser. When she didn’t answer, War turned around and stood immobilized. Kerrigan had already tossed her jacket aside, removed her boots, and now she was sliding her jeans down her long legs, taking her panties off at the same time. Biting her bottom lip, she nodded at him with heated eyes.

  “Starving.”

  Seeing her bare skin, War found he was starving as well. Fully clothed, he stalked the few steps it took to reach her and slid to his knees. He couldn’t wait to be inside Kerrigan, but first, he needed a taste. Gently, he pushed her back against the bed, and when she was sitting, he picked up one of her feet and massaged her arch while sucking on her toes. Kerrigan gasped. “Is this okay?” She nodded, so he continued exploring each toe before switching feet. After getting his fill, he urged her thighs apart and licked her from her pretty pucker up to her clit, savoring her essence.

  War made love to her pussy with his mouth, working his fingers in tandem with his tongue. Kerrigan grabbed his hair, squeezing tighter the closer she got to release. Her harsh breaths alternated muttered curses as she released the hold she had on his head and grabbed onto the comforter. “War.” His name sounded like both a curse and a plea. He took his time, licking her folds and sucking on her clit while his fingers explored inside. She was so wet and tight. He ignored his own need and concentrated on driving Kerrigan to the brink, over and over, until her legs were trembling.

  “I can’t... War... Oh, please let me come,” she begged.

  When War stood to remove his clothes, Kerrigan jerked her head up. “Where did you go?” He had never seen her angry, not with him, but leaving her at the edge without taking her over had his pretty redhead steaming.

  “I’m coming right back.” He made quick work of undressing, desperate to be inside his female. He would let her come, but it would be around his cock. Kerrigan’s face was still etched with exasperation as she reached between her legs and circled her clit with her fingers.

  War grabbed her hand and pulled it away, licking her glistening fingertips. “None of that, Sweetheart. I’ll get you there, I promise. But it’s going to be while I’m inside you.”

  After rolling on a condom, he scooted her up the bed so she was lying on the pillows. Her thighs opened for him, and he didn’t make either of them wait. Sliding into her wet core, War knew he was home. Their bodies fit perfectly. Bracing himself on his forearms, War kept his eyes locked to hers so she could see how much he loved her. His Gryphon urged him to take her harder, but War kept his pace slow and sensual. There would be time for down and dirty later. She had been through some trying days, and War wanted to erase the bad with nothing but good.

  He wanted to tell her exactly how he felt, but he would wait until the time was perfect. He was afraid she would think it was the sex talking and not his heart.

  “War, I...” Kerrigan arched her back, gaining more friction against her clit as he stroked her core faster. Thrashing her head side to side, she scraped her still-jagged nails down his back. She was marking him, and he wanted to do the same to her. Gryphons didn’t have fated mates, but sinking their sharp teeth into a partner’s neck was something reserved for that special one.

  Do it. Make her ours.

  War let his lion’s sharp canines drop from his gums. When Kerrigan saw them, her eyes widened, and her breathing hitched.

  “Do it. Mark me.”

  When Kerrigan gave permission for something War had never done, his Gryphon roared inside his head, and he dropped his mouth to her neck, puncturing the skin until her blood seeped into his mouth. He’d tasted the blood of animals when he hunted, but that had been for sustenance. This was a claiming, and in that moment, War’s spirit aligned with Kerrigan’s. She cried out as her body tightened around his cock, and War shot his seed into the condom as he came harder than he ever had in his life. He retracted his canines and licked at the blood, the wounds closing instantly. He slowed his movements, his cock throbbing through the aftershocks.

  “Holy shit, that was intense.” Kerrigan raised her head, pressing kisses to his neck, nipping at his beard with her lips. When he caught his breath, he took her mouth, teasing her tongue with his own. Kerrigan wrapped her legs around his hips, deepening the kiss. His cock was lengthening, and he cursed the need for protection.

  “Shit, Sweetheart. Let me get rid of this condom.”

  “I need to get back on the pill, because this” – she motioned at him pulling out – “isn’t going to cut it.”

  War huffed out a laugh. “I agree. But until then, it’s a good thing I bought the large box.” After tossing the spent rubber into the waste can, War grabbed several wrappers out of the box and tossed them beside Kerrigan on the bed. By the time they fell asleep, exhausted and sated, they’d used them all.

  War woke with a tangle of red curls in his face and a handful of Kerrigan’s ass under his palm. He released a contented sigh thinking how much his life had already changed in the course of a few weeks. His uncertain future when he left the university was now clear, and he got to proceed forward with this amazing woman by his side.

  Another lovemaking session later, followed by her giving him head in the shower, they ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant before hitting the road again. They arrived at the beach in time to witness the sun setting on the horizon, oranges mixing with yellows and pinks. War had watched plenty of sunsets over the years, but never had one moved him as this one did. Standing barefoot in the sand with Kerrigan’s back pressed to his front, War felt peace like never before. Her hands, which were healing nicely, stroked his arms as she leaned her head back against his shoulder. War kissed her temple and inhaled deeply. Her scent was already ingrained into his senses, but he knew he’d never get enough.

  “What do you think of a sunset wedding?”

  Kerrigan stiffened, and War’s heart stuttered. He knew it was fast, but he also knew she was it for him, and he didn’t want to waste one minute more. Turning her in his arms, he took her face in his hands. “Sweetheart, when I set out on the road with Maveryck, I had no plans other than to go where my bike led. I had no purpose. And then I overheard your parents when they came into Harper’s Point, and it hit me. Somehow, I knew you were mine the moment I heard you were missing and saw your photo. I had no choice but to find you. I lost my heart to you then, and you became my purpose. I love you, Kerrigan O’Shea, and I want you to become my wife. Not today, but whenever you’re ready. I can’t promise our life will be easy, but I can promise to love you with everything I am.”

  Kerrigan slid her hands up his shoulders and threaded them through his hair, pushing the long strands away from his face. “And I love you. I never thought I would find someone who looks at me the way you do or touches me so gently yet so passionately. You’ve also given me a purpose, and I look forward to a future with you. So yes, Warryck Lazlo, I will be your wife.”

  War picked Kerrigan up, kissing her while he spun them around in the sand. When he placed her on her feet, she frowned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Does this mean I’ll be your ol’ lady?”

  War chuckled and pulled her back into his arms. “You’ll be the wife of a Hound, but you’ll
never be an ol’ lady. You’ll be my life. My everything.”

  Kerrigan looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. “I’m ready. For everything.”

  They spent the next few days with Shawn and Enya. War enjoyed getting to know them while letting them get to know him, as well as seeing how much he loved their daughter. They spent hours on the patio, drinking beer and sharing stories of Kerrigan as a child and their time in Ireland before relocating to the States. War shared as much about his family as he could without admitting the darker parts they wouldn’t understand. By the time they were ready to head back to New York, War had asked Shawn’s permission to marry his daughter. If their emotions hadn’t been so high, it would have been comical when the older man threatened War that if he hurt Kerrigan he’d have to answer to Shawn. Kerrigan’s father was tall, but War had about seventy pounds of muscle on the man. War promised he’d take care of Kerrigan and love her with everything he had.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  War

  Two Weeks Later

  LUCY’S house was full of Hounds, and there was a welcome home party in full swing for Warryck, Kerrigan, and Mac. Rory had offered to host them at home, but Lucy insisted there was more room in the large three-story house she’d inherited from her adoptive parents. After stopping off in New Atlanta to visit his daughter and her mate, War was even happier than he’d been when he and Kerrigan left South Carolina. The two most important females in his life hit it off immediately, and he got to know Tamian St. Claire as well as a few of the Gargoyles of the Stone Society Clan.

  When War explained his intent to move back to upstate New York to be closer to the family, Lucy offered her house to him and Kerrigan until they could find their own home. He graciously accepted after talking it over with Kerrigan. Tamian also offered to fly them on his private jet, but Kerrigan wanted to continue their trip on the Harley.

  Lucy and Tamian surprised them by being there when they arrived a week later. Being surrounded by his family was more wonderful than War could have imagined. Kerrigan and Mac bonded over being new to the family, and Lucy helped Mac navigate the waters of being a granddaughter and niece to the loud group of Lazlos.

  Ryker and Mac spent a lot of time catching up, and part of that was introducing her to Rory and the other brothers.

  “I love you, Son.”

  War turned at his mother’s voice. Rory was smiling as she watched Kerrigan and Mac shooting pool against Kyllian and Hayden. “I’m sorry I let our differences get in the way all these years. There’s not a lot I regret in my life, but that I do.”

  “No, Mom. It’s all on me. It took me finding Kerrigan to realize how I let Harlow manipulate my decisions. Like I told Dad, I loved my wife, but if she had been the right one, she would never have asked me to make the choices she did.”

  “True, but then we wouldn’t have Lucy. And you wouldn’t have come to this point in your life where you found Kerrigan who in turn led Ryker to McKenzie. Seeing a smile on his face is worth you and me spending a few years apart.” Leave it to Rory to find the good in the bad.

  Sutton walked into the room with Maveryck at his side, both stopping to speak quietly to Ryker. When he nodded at whatever they said, Sutton whistled to get everyone’s attention.

  “Everyone, gather around.” When the room was quiet, he stepped over to where War was standing. “I truly believe everything happens for a reason, when it’s supposed to happen. War, in traveling your own path, you’ve brought us Kerrigan and Mac. Ladies, welcome to the family. I started the MC knowing one day, all my sons would sit at the Hounds’ table. It took longer than expected, but now, I have the honor of seeing that happen.” Maveryck stepped forward and handed their dad a black, leather vest. Sutton held it up, showing the full Hounds of Zeus rocker on the back. “I know you said you wanted to start as a prospect, but we took a vote. Not just your immediate family, but every member of the MC unanimously decided you’re already worthy to wear the kutte.” Sutton held the vest out, and War allowed his father to slide it up his arms.

  War had to clear his throat a couple of times to get his words out. “I will wear this with pride and do my best to always deserve it.”

  Cheers went up around the room, and all the Hounds stepped up to congratulate him and welcome him to the club. War never thought a piece of clothing could make a difference in how he felt, but wearing the symbol the rest of his brothers did instilled a sense of pride he only felt when he was with Kerrigan. He had ridden alongside the Hounds when they rescued Kerrigan from Gideon, but he’d felt like an imposter. Now, he was truly one of them and couldn’t wait to hit the road as a fully-patched member.

  Kerrigan brushed her fingertips over the patch with his name on it. Where the others had biker names, War was still War, but he was okay with that. “And I thought you couldn’t get any sexier. Do you think you could wear this and nothing else for me later?”

  War grinned at his female. “I think that can be arranged.”

  While in South Carolina, Kerrigan had called Brooks and told him she was safe. The cop who had come in to Harper’s Point to talk to her parents had kept Ambrose apprised, and in turn the fisherman had kept Brooks in the loop. War asked Kerrigan if she wanted to file charges, knowing she wouldn’t. There was no evidence of what Dalton had done to her, and she said she just wanted to leave that part of her past where it belonged, so she asked Brooks to let both Ambrose and the cop know she was safe.

  The party resumed, and when Kerrigan went back to her pool game, Ryker asked War to step outside. He worried for a moment his older brother was going to lecture him or tell him the decision hadn’t really been unanimous. Standing on the patio, Ryker’s face was unreadable, but that was nothing new.

  “While you were on the road with Kerrigan, I had the chance to speak to Donald and Amy, Mac’s adoptive parents. They told me what happened to Juliette.”

  That wasn’t what War had been expecting Ryker to say. “And? Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I’ve had a lot of years to cope with her being gone, but to finally know the truth... You’d think knowing would make it easier, but honestly? The night she disappeared I was on the road with the Hounds. We didn’t get done with our job until about three in the morning, and by that time I figured she’d already be in bed. When I was on a job, I didn’t call and check in every day, but I should have. She was just such an independent woman, and I never worried about her. By the time I got home and figured out she hadn’t been there, it was too late. I called the friends she’d gone out dancing with, and I even went by the club. Her friends thought she’d called a cab, and the club’s cameras didn’t show her leaving with anyone. She just walked right out the front door.

  “Maybe she went outside for some fresh air and Josiah grabbed her then. I won’t know for sure until I talk to the fucker, because I am going to talk to him when I go look for Elijah. Anyway, when Gideon found out Juliette was pregnant, he’d already fallen for her. He kept her locked at his compound the same way he did Kerrigan. He had just started The Sanctuary, and he wanted Juliette to run it with him, but if the followers knew she’d had someone else’s kid, they wouldn’t have bought into the bullshit he was preaching. He hid her away, and once she had the baby, he got his cousin to adopt her. They’d always had a rough time making ends meet, and Gideon agreed to help pay their bills if they’d take Mac. Eventually, Donald lost his job, and he moved his family to the compound.

  “By that time, Juliette had already tried to run away twice, and the last time...” Ryker scrubbed a hand down his face, pulling on his beard. “The last time, she managed to get her hands on a car, and one of the guards chased her. You saw the roads leading into the compound. She lost control on one of the curves, and the car flipped end over end. It burst into flames when the gas tank was punctured. So that part wasn’t a lie.”

  “Fucking hell, Ry. I’m so sorry.”

  “Yeah, me too. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but I’m going to kill the bastar
d. I’m going to find Josiah and make his death more horrible than hers.”

  “I’m there. Whatever you need.”

  Ryker reached out and rearranged War’s kutte, even though it didn’t need it. “This looks good on you.”

  “Kerrigan thinks it’s sexy.” War wiggled his eyebrows, and Ryker barked out a laugh.

  “Thank you, War. For finding Kerrigan and in turn Mac.”

  “So, things are good with the two of you?”

  “Yeah. She doesn’t want anything to do with Donald and Amy. She knew she was adopted, but when she found out how Juliette was taken and her parents went along with the adoption knowing that, she just can’t forgive them for it. She wants to keep in touch with Sparrow if it’s something her sister wants. Mac’s a grown woman, but she’s still my kid, and I’m going to do everything I can to help her find her way. I’m also going to see if I can find out who adopted her baby. I have a granddaughter out there somewhere.”

  “Lucy can probably help you with that, and I’m here if you need me. You’re a good male, Ry. The best I know besides Dad.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself. I might have misjudged you.”

  “No, you didn’t. I let Harlow influence my decisions, and they were the wrong ones.”

  “Well, that’s all behind us now. You’ve got a good one this time.”

  “I sure do. And I better get back to her before Hayden tries to convince her he’s the better Lazlo.”

  War found Kerrigan and Lucy hanging out in the kitchen, mixing margaritas. Kerrigan was explaining the best way to make them without using a mix. Tamian was sitting at the counter. The Gargoyle was never far from Lucy, and War could understand that. He hated when he wasn’t in the same room with Kerrigan. He took the stool next to the male, and both sat quietly while their females chatted away about the use of fresh limes over concentrate.

  Maveryck and Kyllian came into the kitchen, arguing. Mav shoved their younger brother. “Forget it. The last time I let you talk me into a bet, I came home with my—” As soon as Mav noticed the females, he shut up.