Betrayed (Soldiers of Darkness MC Book 2)

by Michelle Betham

  ‘I know. I know you do. And I love you too, Zeb.’

  I take her hand in mine and squeeze it gently, bringing it to my mouth and kissing her fingers, rubbing my thumb over her wedding band. ‘That means something, baby. Remember that.’

  She kisses me slowly, and this relationship we have, it’s still fucked-up and wrong on so many levels, but I think we’re finally starting to get somewhere. And as I watch her walk away, I feel a surge of something real and dangerous rise up from the pit of my stomach. Something I know I ain’t always gonna be able to control…

  Mack

  I pull the bike up outside Laney’s and climb off, pulling my gun out of my jeans before I stride inside, I ain’t hanging around here.

  I go straight over to the bar where a pretty young blonde I don’t remember being here before, so I’m guessing Odi done some new recruiting since I left town, is busy drying some glasses. And maybe it’s best she’s someone who don’t recognize me. ‘Odi around?’

  She looks up and smiles and, yeah. I still got it. But whereas the old Mack Slayer would’ve played on this attention, the new one just ain’t interested. ‘He’s out back. In the yard. Do you want me to let him know you…?’

  ‘It’s OK, sweetheart, I’m an old friend. He’s expecting me.’

  I head straight off down the corridor that leads out into the yard, and the door’s open so I take a couple of steps outside, and there he is, standing by the trash cans dragging on a joint, I can smell it from here. He’s all arrogance and shit-for-brains as he laughs into his phone, and I can’t help thinking how fitting it is that he’s gonna take his last breath out by the trash. And I could just end him now, stick a bullet in his back and get outta here without him knowing it was me who snuffed him out. But I kinda want the bastard to see my face. He needs to know you don’t do this shit to me. I may have been weak, and I may not have turned out to be the President this club ultimately needed, in the end; I may have let a woman change me to the point where I don’t know if I even want this life anymore, but this – he needs to know.

  ‘Hey. Odi.’

  He throws his joint down onto the ground and slowly turns around. But he really should be more careful. He really should learn to realize that, in this life, you make enemies. And sometimes, just when you think those enemies have forgotten all about the crap you dealt out, they come back. And they finish the job. And I don’t even give him time to say my name, I fire twice, and I stop only to make sure he’s dead before I walk away, climb back on my bike and head straight back to New Mexico.

  It’s over.

  And I gotta whole new life to start planning now.

  Zeb

  She knows what she’s doing, and I also know she’s doing it for my benefit, but I already told her. I ain’t interested. Sure, she’s hot, she’s got a pretty enough face, and if I didn’t have Izzi I’d be on her like you wouldn’t fucking believe. But there ain’t no rule saying I gotta ignore the show. And she’s putting on one hell of a show, man, she must really wanna be an old lady, to someone, anyone, because right now I ain’t sure she cares whose bed she wakes up in. But it sure as hell ain’t gonna be mine.

  I turn away from watching Kit throw herself at any brother who shows her the slightest bit of attention and look around the clubhouse. I ain’t seen Izzi for a while, but then I catch sight of her coming out of the kitchen, laughing and talking with a couple of the other old ladies. She looks happy. She looks relaxed. And as she glances over at me and smiles I feel that surge in my gut take over again; that dangerous, dark need to keep her by my side. And she comes over, and she kisses me, and I slide my hand into the small of her back and push her against me. And then she pulls away, and she smiles again before she goes back to the other girls. I take a deep breath and look down at the floor, and then I raise my gaze and Kit’s beside me, the smell of her perfume turning my stomach slightly. She wears too much, it’s distracting.

  ‘You OK?’

  I narrow my eyes and the corner of my mouth twists up into a smirk. ‘Why’d you care?’

  She lays a hand on my shoulder, her fingers slowly trailing down over my cut until I catch her wrist and gently pull her hand away. ‘Everything all right with you and the beautiful, young Mrs. Zebrowski?’

  I laugh quietly and take a long draft of beer. ‘You saying she’s too young for me, huh?’

  ‘She’s half your age. Or do you like ‘em that way?’

  ‘You wanna learn when to stop talking, darlin’.’

  ‘Wouldn’t a man like you prefer a woman with a little more, I dunno, experience?’

  ‘Like you, huh? You been around the block more times than all our Harleys put together, sweetheart, which means I ain’t going nowhere near you.’

  ‘You saying I’m some kinda whore?’

  ‘You ain’t exactly playing the Disney princess, are you?’

  She smiles and moves so she’s in front of me, and she reaches out to touch my cut again, and again I gently remove her hand. ‘I can be that, if that’s what you want.’

  ‘I’m sure you can, darlin’, but that ain’t gonna work on me.’

  ‘You don’t know what you’re missing.’

  ‘I think I’ll survive.’

  ‘One day, Zeb…’ She starts to walk away, but then she stops and looks over her shoulder, throwing me the kinda smile that means business. ‘One day you’ll want to find out, what you’re missing.’

  Izzi

  I’m only here, at Six, because there’s something I need to do. Yeah, I like to hang out with Cora now and again, but tonight there’s something I need to put a stop to. Zeb may have just threatened to kill Mack and once more made me wonder just what kind of world I’ve pushed myself into here, but he’s my husband. He’s my man, and she needs to know that. I can still be the cold, hard bitch with balls; I can pull her out when I need her, and she’s about to come out to play right now.

  Cora joins me at the bar as I down a vodka shot. ‘Everything all right, honey?’

  ‘Everything’s just fine, Cora.’

  She raises an eyebrow as I slam my glass down onto the counter. ‘You sure ‘bout that?’

  ‘Kit around?’

  ‘I think she’s just gone out for a quick smoke. She’s on her break…’

  ‘OK. Thanks.’

  ‘Izzi…?’

  I head outside and watch for a second as Kit smokes her cigarette and wanders between the lines of Harleys all lined up out front of the bar, but it’s when she starts running her fingers over the leather seat of my own bike that I make my move.

  ‘You might want to leave what isn’t yours alone.’

  She swings around and her face breaks into a grin as she takes another drag, and I lift a hand and swipe the cigarette from her grasp. She drops her gaze as the cigarette falls to the floor, and then she slowly raises her head, her eyes meeting mine. ‘You got a problem?’

  ‘These men, this world, it might lead you to believe that they can do anything they want with anyone they want, regardless. Married, single, engaged, you might think they’re all fair game. Maybe some of them are, I don’t know. But Zeb, he doesn’t want you, Kit.’

  ‘Not yet, maybe. But he will. After all, you’ve still got the hots for Mr. President, haven’t you? And I don’t really blame you, if I’m honest, I mean, I’ve been there. I’ve had Mack. And he is good…’

  I grab her neck and push her back against the wall, lifting her chin so she has no other option but to look at me. ‘You don’t touch him, you quit with the doe-eyed flirting and you never, ever tell my husband that, one day, he’ll want to know what he’s missing. I heard you, bitch, I heard it all. So you’ll understand why I’m feeling just a tiny bit aggravated right now.’

  ‘You know what he really wants, huh?’

  I shove my hand harder against her throat because I’m pissed off now. I’m angry. She thinks she can win this one? I’d welcome the challenge. ‘He wants me.’

  ‘He needs a woman, you’re just a
child…’

  Once more my grip tightens on her neck, I can feel my fingers digging into her. ‘And you’re an irritation that’s really starting to fucking grate on me now, so here’s the deal, OK? You keep the fuck away from my husband, you got that? You don’t touch him, you don’t flutter those fucking eyelashes anywhere near him and you don’t, ever, tell him he doesn’t need me. You don’t even talk to him unless you have to. And if you want to challenge me, you go right on ahead. You try it. I fucking dare you.’

  ‘You think I’m scared of you?’

  ‘You should be.’

  She laughs, and I yank her head upwards. I’m so over her now.

  ‘Zeb doesn’t need you, he doesn’t want you. Take your pick of the others, sweetheart, because I don’t give a shit what you do to them…’

  ‘Even Mack?’

  It’s my turn to laugh, but there isn’t an ounce of humor in there. ‘You want to test me, Kit, you keep right on going. But remember this – I could end you, in a fucking heartbeat.’ I let go of her neck and throw her back against the wall. ‘Oh, and one more thing before I leave you to think things over. Don’t ever, ever assume you know anything about me and Mack.’

  I leave her outside and head back into Six.

  ‘I have to say, honey, that was actually quite hot.’ Cora’s leaning against the doorpost, arms folded. She’d obviously followed me outside. Do I mind that she saw all that? No. Not really. ‘You’re incredibly sexy when you’re all up in some poor bitch’s face.’

  ‘Yeah, well, she isn’t gonna be a problem anymore. I’ll make sure she’s gone and out of here by the end of the night. Come on. I need a drink.’

  She follows me back inside. ‘Defending your man, huh?’

  ‘Something like that.’ I order a beer from the bar and take a long, welcome draft. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be dancing tonight?’

  ‘I’m on in a minute.’

  She moves a little closer to me and I breathe in her perfume, the same stuff she used to wear when we worked together, and I’m not sure dredging those memories up is such a great idea right now. I’m feeling more than a little wired, and I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be touched by another woman. I just know that I liked it.

  ‘And I’m gonna dedicate tonight’s performance to you, honey. ‘Cause you sure got me all wet right now.’

  She throws me a loaded smile and sashays over to the stage in the corner of the room, and when she drops her robe, leaving her in nothing but the tiniest pair of bikini panties, I feel my thighs start to tingle, and I wish Zeb was here because I’m really going to need him. Soon.

  I don’t take my eyes off Cora as she slides up and down the pole, her incredible tits all pert and hard as she sinks to the floor and arches her back, lifting her hips slightly as she slides off her panties. And when she opens her legs and touches herself I feel that burn in my thighs intensify.

  Jesus, Zeb, where the fuck are you?

  I head into the rest room, taking a second or two to get my head straight, and I resist the urge to bring myself off, even though I really, really want to. Zeb isn’t here, so that’s the next best option. But I don’t really want to do that here. I want to go home, run a bath; I want to wait for Zeb and let him take away my frustration. I fought for him tonight, the man who threatened to kill Mack if either me or him show even a hint of what we may or may not still feel for each other. He did that, and still I want him to fuck me until I come, over and over again.

  I step out of the stall and wash my hands, looking up as the door opens and Cora walks in. She’s got her robe wrapped back around her but I know she’s naked underneath. I can see her nipples pushing against the thin material. And, Jesus, I really want to touch them.

  ‘You were good tonight.’ I smile and lean back against the row of wash basins, folding my arms.

  ‘I’m always good, honey. You should know that by now.’ She moves a step closer and I do nothing to stop her. ‘You got to run home now? Or can you stop for a little nightcap before you leave?’

  I drop my gaze as she loosens her robe, letting it fall open, and I’m right. She’s still naked, and I let my eyes wander over her rock-hard nipples, down to her smooth, shaved pussy and there’s a part of me that wants to reach out and slide a hand between her legs; push my tongue deep inside her, just like we used to do, we were so good together when we played on stage at Laney’s. But to go there now, like this, that’s just as bad as me sleeping with Mack. It’s still cheating on Zeb. And, yeah, I want sex, I want it real bad right now. And she’s here, in front of me, willing to let me do whatever the fuck I want to her; let her do whatever the fuck she wants, to me. But I can’t. I’ m not going to.

  ‘You know I can’t do this, Cora,’ I whisper, folding my arms tighter against myself because I really want to reach out and touch her. But she’s my friend, and she gets this. She knows how messed-up my mind is right now.

  ‘I’m sorry, Izzi.’ She wraps the robe back around herself. ‘I shouldn’t have done that. I know what you’re going through…’

  ‘I’m staying with Zeb, Cora. I have to make that work, and I love him, y’know?’

  ‘Enough?’

  I frown slightly, cocking my head in question as I look at her.

  ‘Do you love him enough, Izzi?’

  ‘I…’ Of course I do. I have to. I don’t really have a choice, I just don’t want to tell her that. ‘Yes. I do.’

  She reaches out and cups my cheek and leans forward to plant the tiniest, lightest of kisses on my mouth. ‘You know where I am, if you need me. For anything.’

  I watch her head off into one of the stalls before I leave the rest room.

  I’m going to find my husband.

  Zeb

  It’s late when I get home, but with Mack being A.W.O.L. I had all kindsa shit to deal with at the clubhouse, man, I ain’t even had time for a drink.

  I kick the door shut and throw my cut over the chair in the hall before I head into the kitchen, but there ain’t nobody there. Surely Izzi gotta be home by now. I know she was at Six earlier, and I don’t mind that she’s there without me. She can keep an eye on things over there, she knows how it works. But I was kinda hoping she was home now.

  I get a beer from the fridge and quickly make myself a sandwich, and as I look out into the back yard I see her bike parked up by the shed, so she’s home. She’s here, somewhere, and as I head back into the hall I hear the shower being turned off, and the relief that she’s home swamps me. I take a bite of my sandwich and discard it on the hall table, I can eat later. Right now, I need my girl.

  ‘Izzi...’

  I head into our room, and the bathroom door’s slightly ajar so I walk over to it and peer inside, and the sight that greets me has my cock standing to attention in a fucking second. She’s standing in front of the wash basin, one hand gripping it tight, her back arched and her ass pushed out, legs wide apart as she plays with herself. Her eyes are closed, and she’s biting down on her lip as her hand strokes her pussy, back and forth, sweeping across it and then stopping to rub her clit, and when she widens her stance, from where I’m standing, I can see heaven and more. Man, I freakin’ love this kid!

  She throws back her head and lets out a long, low moan and I feel my cock push hard against the zipper on my jeans. It’s fucking aching, and I drop my hand and cup my bulging hard-on. There ain’t a part of me that doesn’t want to ram it straight into that beautiful ass of hers, but I kinda want to watch her fuck herself first. Then I want her to go all over again, with me inside her. I want her to ride me ‘til she comes like a crazy bitch.

  Still holding the basin with one hand she drops down to her haunches, her legs wide open, and she bows her head and moans again as her other hand picks up a faster rythym, rubbing hard against herself until she cries out loud, she’s almost howling as she throws back her head and her whole body shudders with the orgasm she’s just brought herself to. And then she stands back up, both hands gripping the basin now as
she hangs her head and tries to get her breath back. And I stay watching her for a second, because sometimes I like to do that. Just watch her. But I need to touch her now, so I walk over and gently rest my hand against her hip, and she responds by leaning back against me.

  ‘What’s got you so wired, princess, hmm?’

  She reaches back to touch my face as I lean in to kiss her shoulder. ‘I couldn’t wait for you any longer,’ she murmurs as she slides her fingers into my hair, and I raise a hand up to her tits and flick my thumb over her rigid nipples. Man, that feels good! She feels good.

  ‘All of this ‘cause you’re thinking of me, huh?’

  She laughs quietly and I feel her tit vibrate against the palm of my hand. ‘Yeah. Something like that.’

  ‘You still got enough energy left to handle the real thing?’

  She laughs again and turns around in my arms, kissing me gently, dropping her hand to my cock. ‘Get undressed, handsome.’

  I grin, and she steps back and heads out into the bedroom and I watch as she kneels up on the bed, all that God gave her on show, and it belongs to me. Mack Slayer, man, you fucked up big time when you lost this one.

  ‘What d’you want me to do, Mr. President?’ she whispers as I join her on the bed, and I pull her over so she straddles me. Mr. President. Yeah. I like the sound of that. That fucking title suits me. And I may only be covering for Slayer right now, but one day…

  She leans over, not even waiting for my answer but, hey, she don’t need to. She knows what I want, what I like her to do. Ain’t no need for talking. And she kisses me, forcing my mouth open with her lips, sliding her tongue inside, running it over the back of my teeth as her hand reaches down and massages my throbbing cock and if she don’t hurry up I’m gonna come in her fucking hand, I’m going freakin’ crazy here!

  ‘Baby, you’re killing me,’ I groan, and she laughs, and I take her face in my hands and kiss her hard as I sit up, pulling her up with me, and as my cock finally reaches home I throw back my head and let the frustration flood outta me. I’ve fucked this woman so many freakin’ times in ways that would make most people flinch, believe me, we’ve done some twisted shit. But every time I fuck her, yeah, it feels so freakin’ good.