Wicked Whiskey Love

by Melissa Foster

  “You’ve never mentioned him before. Is he part of Ollie’s life? Would Ollie want that?” Bones asked. It wasn’t his job to fix these types of situations, but maybe he could try to ease her worries enough for her to be stronger for her treatment.

  “He hasn’t seen him in several years, but apparently that doesn’t matter. All that matters is that he’s Ollie’s father. And I don’t know if Ollie would want it, but I doubt it.”

  She looked up at the ceiling, her finger curling around the arms of the chair as tears filled her eyes. Bones remained quiet, allowing her space to regain control of her emotions. As she took a few deep breaths, his mind traveled to Sarah, and he wondered if Lewis was listed on her children’s birth certificates. Would he be listed on the birth certificate of her unborn child? The muscles in his neck tightened at the thought.

  Wendy sat up straighter and drew her narrow shoulders back, reminding him of Sarah when she strengthened her resolve.

  “My sister said she’d fight for custody if I don’t make it,” Wendy said a little shakily. “But goddamn it, Dr. Whiskey, I have to make it. He’s my child. My responsibility.”

  “He’s your heart and soul,” he said absently, then caught himself and cleared his throat.

  “Exactly. I know you can’t promise me anything, but just tell me again that you are doing everything you can. I need to hear that. I need to hear that a lot.”

  Bones came around the desk and sat beside her. He looked into her pleading eyes and said, “Yours and Ollie’s battle is my battle. I promise you that I am, and will continue to do, everything within my power to help you beat this.”

  She nodded, teary eyed, and eked out, “Thank you.”

  Now came the hard part. “Can your sister help you with this to take some of the pressure off? Can she meet with your attorney, figure out a game plan so you can focus on treatments?”

  “It’s not her battle,” Wendy said adamantly.

  “No, it’s not. And I’m sure you’re used to handling everything, no matter how big. But just like it was okay to ask friends to help with driving Ollie and making meals when you had surgery, it’s okay to get help with the emotionally draining parts of your life that need to be ironed out. I’m not suggesting that you let her make decisions for you. I’m simply suggesting that you consider allowing whoever is closest to you to help shoulder the burden of outside influences so you can focus on your health.”

  He thought of Sarah and knew if she were in Wendy’s position she’d never step back, even if it drained every ounce of her energy. As a physician, he’d refer Wendy to the right specialists to handle her emotional state. He’d get her through her treatments and hope she was strong enough for everything her body needed to beat this monster. But separate from his medical persona, as a human being he wanted to take away her—every patient’s—anguish. To talk to the damn attorneys, to plead her and Ollie’s case. But that was a line he couldn’t cross. That was a line meant for a boyfriend, husband, or family member.

  He might not be able to be all things for his patients, but he sure as hell could be for Sarah.

  A FEW HOURS later, Bones sat beside Bullet in the Dark Knights clubhouse, stewing over the idea of Sarah’s ex having any rights to her children. Crystal wasn’t feeling well tonight, and Bear had stayed home with her, but his brother’s concerns had been playing loud and clear in his mind all afternoon. What do we even know about the father of her kids? Huh? What if he comes back for them? Bones considered himself a pretty fair man, and he didn’t believe in separating parents from children, but that man was no parent. A father took care of his family, cherished, taught, and protected them above all else. Hell, a father would give his life for his children without a second thought. Bones ground his teeth together. That man—Lewis—was a slug, a bully, and a fucking rapist.

  And he was only the tip of the iceberg.

  Sarah also deserved justice where her cretin parents were concerned.

  He glanced up at his father, who was seated at the head table, discussing club business. Before his father’s stroke, Biggs had run the bar. If a customer got too drunk to drive, instead of calling the customer a cab, Biggs would have Red drag Bones and Bullet out of bed to drive the drunk home. It took two of them, one to drive the customer’s vehicle and one to follow in their own. If someone was being treated unjustly when they were out shopping, or at a restaurant, they’d been taught to step in. To do the right thing, often what others were too scared to do. It had always been and would forever be the Whiskey way. Biggs had always been as intimidating as fuck, tougher than any man Bones had ever known. He knew his father was capable of killing a man with his bare hands, and he also knew he’d do it only if the situation called for it. Not out of vengeance. No, vengeance required only a good ass kicking and dragging the sucker to the police if they’d broken the law. When Bones was younger, he’d had trouble with that line of thinking. He hadn’t understood how vengeance could ever be a good thing. It had been one of his biggest struggles in feeling like he fit into his family when what he saw as the right thing differed from what the rest of them did. But when Thomas passed away, Bones had wanted vengeance. He’d wanted to kill someone for stealing his friend. But there had been no one to kill, no one to blame. So he’d turned that blame on himself. He knew he didn’t deserve it, but it had to land somewhere or it would destroy him in other ways. He channeled that negative energy to push past the difficulties of medical school and become the best damn doctor he could.

  But he’d grown up since then. He’d seen the worst, learned that some people needed to be put into their place. Now, as he thought about the way Lewis had treated Sarah and the children, his hands balled into fists, his chest expanded, and he saw red.

  He wanted vengeance.

  He wanted to torture the motherfuckers—all of them: Lewis and Sarah’s parents. Neither an ass kicking nor jail seemed a harsh enough punishment for what had been done to the woman and children who already owned a piece of him. But taking a human life wasn’t something Bones could do after the fact. Before Sarah, he wasn’t sure he was capable of it at all. As a doctor he’d taken an oath to act morally and ethically. Hell, even the biker code was to help others, not harm them. But those lines got blurred when catching an asshole in an outright egregious act. Bones had taken down enough men, had sent them to the hospital for raising a hand to women or children and not heeding his warnings to back off. Had he walked in on Lewis or Sarah’s parents treating her like shit, they would probably have already taken their last breaths. But he needed to find other ways to deal with this. Ways that would ensure they couldn’t come anywhere near Sarah and the kids and remove Lewis’s parental rights.

  Bones looked across the room at Charlie “Court” Sharpe, a family law attorney. Before the meeting Bones had researched how to terminate parental rights. He had no idea if Lewis was listed as the father on the children’s birth certificates, but even if he wasn’t, he could prove paternity and try to stake claim to the children. Bones needed expert advice and a concrete plan in place before he took another step. He hoped Court could provide that.

  Bullet nudged him and leaned closer, speaking in a low voice. “What’s got your cock in a knot?” He seemed lighter, happier since he’d returned from his honeymoon, but the fierceness in his eyes flashed unencumbered. Bullet was always ready to tear someone’s head off. Happy or not.

  “I need to talk to Court.” Bones glanced at Biggs. He was winding down the meeting, confirming dates for an upcoming anti-bullying rally and wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving. He felt the heat of Bullet’s stare and found his older brother studying him.

  Bullet’s eyes narrowed. “What’s the problem?”

  “I don’t know yet.” He needed answers from Sarah, but she was at Bullet’s house tonight with the girls, going over menus for Thanksgiving, and he wasn’t going to try to talk about this over the phone. It would have to wait until the kids were asleep.

  “What don’t you know?” Bu
llet pushed.

  Biggs rose to his feet and grabbed his cane, signaling the end to the meeting and sparking a cacophony of conversations. Men headed for the kitchen, gathered around pool tables and dart boards, and milled about catching up with each other, creating a sea of Dark Knights patches. Brotherhood. If Bones revealed what had happened to Sarah, there’d be thirty-plus brothers hunting down Lewis and her parents before the end of the night. He wasn’t about to let that happen. Taking down those assholes or putting them in prison wouldn’t give Sarah—or him—the peace of mind they needed. This required what he was best at, planning, strategizing, and then making sure he succeeded on all fronts.

  Bones stood, and Bullet pushed to his feet beside him, beer in hand. Bones stared into his brother’s dark eyes. “I’ve got this, B.” It struck him that he’d called Bradley the same endearment since the first day they’d met. Had he subconsciously known even then that he’d end up being this much a part of his life?

  “So do I,” Bullet said. “Whatever it is.”

  “Not this time, B. I need to handle this on my own. At least until I have things under control and understand what needs to happen.” He clapped a hand on Bullet’s shoulder and said, “I appreciate it, though.”

  Bullet’s jaw clenched, making his beard twitch. “This about Sarah?”

  Bones gave a single curt nod. He knew Bullet was only trying to help, but he wasn’t in the mood to have his path blocked. He had a plan and wanted to get the hell on with it.

  “You go after someone, I go after him. Got it?” Bullet’s eyes turned stone-cold black.

  Bones took a step away without answering, and Bullet grabbed his arm. Bones glared at him. “I’ve got this, B. If the time comes when I need help, you’ll be the first to know. Now take your hand off me before I break your fucking fingers.” He yanked his arm free and headed for Court, who was playing pool with his brother, Tex.

  Court was a barrel-chested guy who spent as much time in the gym as he did on his bike. His hair was buzzed to a sheen of black, his beard and mustache shaved just as close. His T-shirt strained against bulbous pecs and biceps. In his leathers he looked intimidating, but like Bones, from nine to five he was all dress shirts, slacks, and professionalism.

  “Bones, how’s it going, man?” Court said as he lined up his shot.

  “I’ll know after I talk to you. I need some legal advice.”

  “Give him a minute to make a shitty shot.” Tex smirked. He had a serious side, but most of the time he was cocky as hell. His hair was thick and finger combed, his beard scruffy, and he had colorful tattoo sleeves, the polar opposite of both Court and their youngest brother, Ramsey “Razor” Sharpe, a professional football player.

  “You still working at Rough Riders?” Bones asked. His buddy Sam Braden owned Rough Riders, an adventure company located on the river. Now that he was thinking about it, he imagined taking Sarah and the kids there in a few years, teaching Bradley and Lila how to row a boat. Soon there would be an infant in the mix, but maybe next summer they could have a picnic by the river and he could show the kids then. That thought led him right back to the reason he needed to talk to Court.

  “Yeah,” Tex answered. “Come down sometime. We do fall adventures.”

  “I’m pretty busy, but maybe in the spring or summer. Thanks.”

  “Talking here okay?” Court motioned around them. “Or should I give up my stick?”

  Bones hadn’t thought about that. Now he felt like a dick for interrupting his friends’ game, but he definitely didn’t want to talk there. Not with Bullet watching his every move. “Finish your game. I’ll catch up with you afterward.”

  “No, man.” Court tapped Hawk on the shoulder. “Hey, cameraman. Mind finishing my game?”

  Hawk shifted an arrogant grin in Tex’s direction. “Not unless your brother’s going to whine when I kick his ass.”

  “Go for it.” Tex took a swig of his beer.

  “Bones, I’ve got those pics for you,” Hawk said. “Want to stop by next week and look through them?”

  “Yeah. Tuesday night after work okay?”

  “Perfect.” Hawk leaned on his cue as Tex lined up his shot.

  Bones and Court each snagged a bottle of beer on their way out back. Bones inhaled the cool night air, glad to be out from under Bullet’s radar.

  “I take it this isn’t club related?” Court asked.

  “Personal, and I’d appreciate it if you kept it between us.”

  “Always, Wayne.”

  It was rare to hear his given name at the clubhouse, but he and Court had met professionally before Bones had brought him into the club several years ago.

  Bones explained Sarah’s situation and shared what she’d gone through with Lewis and with her parents, leaving out the details about her stripping.

  “Damn, Wayne. That’s an ugly situation. I’m sorry you two are dealing with it. Unfortunately, there’s a statute of limitations that varies from state to state on child abuse. In most cases it’s seven or eight years after they turn eighteen. I’ll look into Florida law, but I think you’ll be hard-pressed to do anything with her parents in that regard. Although she can certainly get a restraining order to keep them away. But you know how that works. It’s a piece of paper.”

  “Her parents haven’t been in her life since she left home at sixteen. I’m less worried about them than I am about the father of her children, although I’d like to see her parents’ asses in jail.”

  “We both would. As far as this other guy goes, the easiest tactic is to have him voluntarily terminate his parental rights. If he’s as strung out as you made him sound, he might be happy to do it. Terminating rights means no child support. Not that it sounds like he could provide any. But there’s a flipside to that coin. He could want something in exchange and hold the kids over Sarah’s head, but if he raped her and if you threaten to turn him in, there’s a chance he’d let that go. But you know proving a rape that happened months ago, without a police report, will unfortunately be a nightmare for Sarah. I’m not saying give up, but she needs proof. Evidence of some kind to get a conviction. I don’t suppose you have an eyewitness that’d come forward?”

  Bones’s gut twisted. “There was just her and the kids. Thankfully, they didn’t see it.”

  “That could get ugly, and even if he doesn’t want the kids, they could get dragged into it. It’ll be hell for everyone.”

  He ground out a curse. “Sarah’s a pillar of strength, but I’d never put her or the kids through that.”

  “Talk to Sarah, get this asshole’s name, address, and any other contact info she can give you. I’ll draft termination-of-parental-rights papers. But you need a witness, and the papers have to be notarized. After that they’ll be reviewed by the court. If he consents, I’ll handle court for you and plead your case.”

  “Thanks, man.” Bones began making a mental list of the things he needed to do, at the top of which was talking with Sarah.

  Chapter Eighteen

  SARAH’S PHONE VIBRATED with a text from Bones a few minutes before she heard his car pull up out front Monday night. She stepped onto the porch as he ran up the walkway, bringing with him a gust of sweet rainy air and even sweeter man. He crushed her to him and pressed his beautiful lips to hers. She slid her hands along his neck and up into his damp hair. She’d thought about him all day. Her hunger for him no longer worried her. Her life had been dictated by necessity for so many years, she was thrilled to finally be in control. And tonight, when she was planning the joint birthday party for Bones and Lila and Thanksgiving menus with the girls, listening to them rave about their men, everything had become crystal clear. There was no difference between her and Gemma or Finlay or any of the other girls. Yes, she had a shitty past, and yes, she’d stripped to make ends meet, but at her core, she’d been a woman trying to survive. And now she had a chance at not just surviving, but living a full life with a man she adored, and who, despite everything, was equally attracted to her.
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br />   She was done hesitating.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” he said seductively. “Let’s get you out of this weather. Are the kids asleep?”

  “Yes,” she said softly. “And Scott is hanging out with Jed at the bar, so we have a few hours alone.”

  Passion simmered in his eyes as he peeled off his wet jacket and hung it by the door. “I wanted to talk with you about something.”

  She grabbed him by the collar and tugged him toward her. “After.”

  “Christ, darlin’.” He took her hand and pressed her palm to his hardening cock. “That look in your eyes gets me every time.”

  Just the feel of his arousal was enough to make her wet.

  His mouth descended over hers, hot and demanding, as they stumbled toward her new bedroom. His hands moved greedily over her body, and he made those sexy male noises that had her whimpering with anticipation.

  In her bedroom, he broke away long enough to quietly shut the door. “Baby monitor?”

  She pointed to the monitor on the nightstand. Oh yeah, she’d planned this all right, and from the look in his eyes as he tugged off his boots and socks, he appreciated it.

  “You smell like heaven,” he said as he lifted her sweater over her head and tossed it onto her dresser.

  The second she’d gotten the text from Scott saying he was going to be out for a while, she’d taken a quick shower, and since Bones liked to get up close and personal with every inch of her, she’d put perfume everywhere—her neck, inside her elbows, the backs of her knees…

  Her bra sailed to the floor, followed by his shirt and their pants, until they were gloriously naked. She crawled onto the bed, and he followed her, grabbing her hips from behind. His lips touched the space between her shoulder blades, sending shivers of heat rippling along her skin. He kissed his way down her spine, and she closed her eyes, loving every slick of his tongue as he moved down her body, over her bottom, caressing and kissing. His scruff tickled, his tongue tantalized, and when his hand pushed between her legs, teasing and tasting as he explored places she’d never been touched, it didn’t take long for her climax to crash over her. Her insides pulsed and quivered endlessly, but he didn’t relent, keeping her in a heightened state of ecstasy for so long, she shattered into a million sizzling, pulsing pieces.