by Harley Stone
That both surprised and worried me. “Daisy’s mine,” I snapped, half-jokingly. “You tell every one of those bikers I will cut them if they try to take her.”
Levi laughed. “Noted.” To Hound he added, “Watch this one. She’s violent.”
“I like it kinky,” Hound replied with grin.
Still chuckling, my cousin circled the bed to give me a hug goodbye before he slipped out.
“How you holdin’ up?” I asked Hound.
The nurse had tried to re-dose him with pain meds a few times, and all he’d accepted was a few ibuprofen. He had to be suffering through unimaginable amounts of pain, but he was still refusing the harder stuff.
“It’ll pass,” he assured me. “I just need to get through it. You being here makes it easier. Thank you for staying with me.”
I squeezed his hand. “There’s no place I’d rather be. Get some sleep. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Saturday morning was more of the same. The entire club came to visit, and every single one of them asked if Hound or I need anything before they left. I was tired and worn down, and their kindness threatened to wreck me.
Levi was right, I didn’t know shit about family. But I was learning. The Dead Presidents were teaching me.
Hound looked a lot more alive the second day, and he said the pain had ebbed drastically. The doctor came by and checked out his wound, asking about his plan for aftercare. “Do you have anyone who can stay with you for a few weeks?” the doctor asked.
“I have roommates,” Hound replied.
The doctor chuckled. “Yes, the nurses have noticed the constant parade of bikers coming in to—”
“I’ll stay with him,” I interrupted.
Hound’s eyes were full of questions, but he didn’t argue.
“Great. I believe we’ll be able to release him in a couple of hours. I’ll have one of the nurses start the paperwork.”
“I’ll arrange a ride home,” I said, pulling out my phone to text Julia. She’d given me her number, and I knew if she couldn’t help me, she’d get the word out, and someone would pick us up.
As soon as the doctor left, Hound turned on me. “You’re staying?” he asked, his expression heart-wrenchingly hopeful.
I’d been thinking about staying ever since Toby had stabbed him. Turned out my five-hundred-thousand goal didn’t mean shit when Hound was lying in a puddle of his own blood after putting himself in danger to save me from my psychotic childhood friend. Sometimes goals needed to be altered.
Who needed five-hundred grand anyway? I’d been using my phone to check out apartments online, and, although they were expensive, they wouldn’t break the bank. I’d also researched international moving companies and calculated the cost of getting all my stuff to Seattle. It, too, would be costly, but it would also be worth it. Regardless, I’d be staying at the fire station until Hound was fully healed.
Feeling like I was putting myself out there, I asked, “As long as you want me to?”
“For real? Don’t play with me, Mila. Don’t you get my hopes up and leave me again.”
If I hadn’t made the decision to stay already, the desperation in his eyes would have glued my feet to the floor. I smiled reassuringly. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
Our hands were still linked, like they’d been for the past two days. He pulled me to him. “There’s just one thing I need to know.”
Our mouths were only inches apart. “What’s that?” I asked.
“Were you really pleasuring yourself to my pictures?”
Heat flooded my checks. “Let’s just say you look really good in your Navy uniform.”
Grinning, he slid his arm around my neck, and brought my lips to his. His kiss was desperate, hungry, and it made my stomach flutter and my knees weak. When we finally parted, I rested my forehead against his and breathed him in, beyond relieved that he was okay.
“You may not know who you are, but I do,” he said.
“You do, huh?” I asked, curious.
“Yeah. You’re a survivor. That’s what you’ve always had to be. But you don’t have to just survive anymore. I think it’s time we both started living. Together. Me and you… we can build something amazing.”
Tears stung my eyes. The idea of settling down and building a relationship with Hound sounded too good to be true, but I let myself hope for it. “I’d like that.”
“Good. Now, is that a phone in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?”
Realizing that my cell was poking him in the side, I laughed and removed it from my pocket.
Hound grabbed my hand and set it on his chest, his tone growing somber again. “I’m glad you’re staying.”
There was far more affection in his gaze than just happiness, but he knew I wasn’t ready to hear any crazy declarations of love, so he didn’t push me.
Grateful, I asked, “How glad are you?”
Mischief gleamed in his eyes as he slid my hand down the uninjured side of his stomach and placed it on his hard cock.
Appalled, I gasped. “How can you be horny in a hospital?”
“Have you seen yourself? How can I not?”
That answer scored him some points, making me want to show him a little appreciation. I mean, the guy had gotten stabbed for me. Reaching down under the blanket, I gave him a little squeeze through his thin hospital gown.
“It’s like that, is it?” he asked.
“I wonder how many of these sexy gowns get returned with cum on them?” I asked, suddenly curious. Did people ever get busy in hospital beds? It seemed wildly inappropriate, but also kind of hot.
“I don’t know if I can do much like this,” Hound said, gesturing at his wounded side.
“Who said you had to do anything?” I licked my lips, preparing to go down on him. “Tap on my head if you hear someone coming.”
“Other than me, right?” he asked.
Laughing, I dove under his blanket, pulled up his gown, and wrapped my lips around his cock. Hound hissed out a swear as I took him in, all the way to the back of my throat. With every suck, lick, and bob of my head, I did my best to tell him what my words weren’t ready to say.
I loved him, and I fully intended to stay by his side.
Epilogue
Mila
Three Months Later
THE FIRE STATION was packed with people. Everyone available had shown up to help me and Hound move into our new apartment, and now that the work was done, they were partying it up like nobody’s business. If there was one thing the Dead Presidents knew how to do, it was celebrate.
And we had a hell of a lot to raise our glasses (and Hound’s water bottle) to.
“Hey Meals,” Levi said, sliding his arm over my shoulders and pulling me in for a hug. “You guys all good in the new place?”
“Yeah.” I returned his hug, grateful to be back in his good graces. I hadn’t seen much of Levi lately. He’d spent the past few weeks helping the feds, and it was good to have him back.
Toby had unwittingly helped bring the reverend down.
I’d learned that instead of heading to the airport Wednesday, he’d circled back around and had driven through the alley to hide his car behind the shed in the back yard. Complete with a server and a wall of monitors, the shed had served as his stalking headquarters. He was most likely watching me from there, when he wasn’t sneaking in through the back door to do shit like mess with my phone and steal my lotion.
The police found my missing lotion under the bed I’d been sleeping in. I didn’t want to think too hard about how it got there, and why there was a collection of sticky tissues beside it.
I thought I had issues, but Toby… that man’s headspace was frightening.
When he came to, he threatened everyone within ear shot with the wrath of God. Or, at least, that’s what I heard. I’d been in the ambulance with Hound at the time.
Levi was right, and the feds’ involvement did crank the party up to ten. Armed with my statem
ent about the reverend’s appetite for minors, and the correspondence they’d found between Toby and the reverend, the authorities busted down the gates of the compound and turned the reverend’s perfect little world into one gigantic bust.
Other girls came forward and shared their stories as well. With any luck, the reverend would live out his golden years in prison where he couldn’t hurt anyone else.
Toby had been one busy little psychopath, and was facing charges in both Canada and the US. While shining a spotlight on his life, the feds had found evidence that he’d set up Billy the Bastard, to make it look like my ex was embezzling.
For once, Billy was innocent.
And needless to say, we wouldn’t have to worry about Toby for a long-ass time.
“How you doin’?” Levi asked.
“Great,” I replied, and this time, I meant it. Despite the crowded room, I didn’t feel a lick of anxiety. Having gotten to know most of these people over the past few weeks, I actually felt like I belonged. That also had a lot to do with my new therapist. Julia had been steadily drawing me out of my own head and reintroducing me to society. Now, she sat on one of the sofas talking to Jessica. Havoc stood behind her like a sentry, cradling their tiny newborn baby boy in his giant arms.
“Excuse me,” Levi said before stepping away to talk to Sage.
As soon as he was gone, Monica and Naomi swept in like two sharks closing in for the kill. A few weeks ago, I would have found an excuse to flee their expectant smiles, but today, I was glad they were here.
“You two look like trouble,” I said.
Their grins widened.
“And we wouldn’t want it any other way,” Naomi admitted.
“What about you?” Monica asked. “You excited to be getting the hell out of this testosterone crazed sausage fest?”
I laughed. “The guys aren’t bad once you get to know them.”
Her eyes widened with surprise. “I can’t believe that just came out of your mouth.”
“Right?” Naomi added. “Check you out… all making progress and shit. I’m proud of you, girl.”
Since I was a grown woman, their acceptance and respect shouldn’t fill me with joy, but it did. It felt good to have friends rooting for my success.
“Speaking of progress, you still considering teaching for us?” Monica asked.
Since I’d chosen not to return to Canada, I was officially jobless. While Hound was laid up, I’d been working to get my American teaching certificates. I almost had everything I needed to start applying for a job.
But what the girls were asking of me was quite a bit different. The broad squad had started a non-profit called Ladies First that helped women in need get on their feet. Everyone did their part. Julia donated counseling sessions, Emily helped out with all things legal, Monica and Naomi taught classes about how to be a boss bitch in a man’s world, Jayson helped women piece together job interview outfits to help boost their confidence, Jessica was in charge of the business’ branding and marketing, Sasha taught self-defense classes, Carly helped out with registration and called women who didn’t show, and the whole lot of them called potential sponsors and collected donations.
They wanted me to teach a GED class once a week.
Having never taught adults before, my first response was a resounding ‘hell no.’ But the broad squad was relentless, and they had a lot more faith in me than I did in myself. It had taken weeks, but they were beginning to wear me down.
After all, the classes would only be one evening a week.
And by providing an education, I could help women find an alternative to spreading their legs and putting their lives in danger in order to get ahead in life. Our goal was to give them the bootstraps they needed to pull themselves up, and to be there if they needed a little shove.
I’d be able to help women like me. Women like Polly.
“Still thinking about it,” I confirmed.
The grin they shared spoke volumes about their confidence that I’d give in. I had to agree, since I couldn’t imagine those two powerhouses giving up until I did. Having adequately harassed me, they scurried over to see if they could pry the baby from Havoc’s arms.
I laughed and wished them luck.
Hound wrapped his arms around me from behind, squeezing my backside to his front. The scent of him washed over me, making me feel safe and protected. Loved. “Did you find her yet?” he asked.
“Nope, but I know where she is. Look around, who’s missing?”
He scanned the area, and then let out a low chuckle. “Of course. I should have known. Ready to go spring our little girl?”
I turned in his arms, so we were facing one another, and slid my arms up around his neck. “Only if afterward we can go home so I can spring you.”
Heat filled his eyes and he dipped his head to brush a kiss against my lips. “Baby you can spring me anytime you want.”
Another thing I’d learned over the past few weeks… Hound could make anything sound dirty. And I meant anything. When he was in the hospital, it had become an ongoing joke between the two of us. Now that he was on his feet again, it felt more like foreplay.
With the promise of a good time stirring between us, we climbed the stairs. Hound led me to a door and knocked. A few minutes later, Frog answered with a fluffy little ball of fur in his arms. He took one look at us and immediately swung his arm around to hide the kitten behind his back.
“Hey. What brings you two here?” he asked, trying his best to look innocent.
Never, in a thousand years, would I have guessed that a bunch of bikers would go gaga over a kitten, but that’s exactly what had happened. I’d had to retrieve Daisy from almost every single one of them. Even Link’s dog, Boots, had adopted her. But Frog was the worst offender. If I ever needed a kitten sitter, I knew exactly who to call.
“I’m gonna need you to hand over the kitten nice and slow like, so nobody gets hurt,” Hound said, doing his best to keep a straight face while his eyes lit with laughter.
“What makes you think I have her?” Frog asked, holding onto his innocence for dear life.
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. The situation was too ridiculous. “We’ll bring her back for visitation,” I promised. “You can even come to our place to see her whenever you want.”
“Promise?” he asked, his expression hopeful.
“Well, not whenever,” Hound replied, sliding a smirk my way. “You might wanna call first.”
We carried Daisy downstairs and said our goodbyes before securing her in the cat carrier in the backseat of my silver Toyota Camry. I’d paid movers to bring the car, along with all my other worldly possessions, to Seattle as soon as I’d made the decision to stay. Everything except the car had been packed into storage until we found our own place, but it had proven helpful for getting Hound to and from doctor and physical therapy appointments.
And it was kind of growing on me.
Maybe I was a responsible, understated sedan girl after all.
With Daisy loaded up and ready to go, we headed home.
Hound
Mila was practically glowing as I unlocked the door to our apartment and let us in. She carried Daisy inside and I closed and locked the door behind us. I understood exactly what she was beaming about. It felt damn good to be in our own place. With my court fees finally paid off, the money I’d been awarded for pain and suffering after Tobias tried to carve out my kidney, and my steady paycheck from Morse, I was financially sittin’ pretty for the first time in my life.
Being able to contribute had changed my entire outlook on life.
Our apartment had vaulted ceilings, new carpet, fresh paint, and shit like stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. It wasn’t a luxury condo or anything like that, but it was the nicest place I’d ever lived. Shari had loaded me up with recipes and I was stupidly excited about the prospect of cooking meals in my own kitchen.
But first, I needed to christen the room with Mila’s bare ass on the c
ountertop.
Mila set Daisy free to explore her new space, and I trapped Mila in my arms, pressing her against the bar. Brushing a kiss against her lips, I said, “I have something in the kitchen I need your help with.”
Her eyebrows shot up and a smile formed on her lips. “Oh?”
“Yeah. I was thinking about pulling out some andouille sausage for dinner, but I need your opinion on the casing. Should I wrap it up? Or can it go casing free now?”
She laughed, planting a kiss on my neck as she tugged at the hem of my shirt. I took a small step back, so she had enough room to pull the shirt over my head. She tossed it aside, her gaze dropped to my chest, and heat flooded her eyes.
“I’ve heard that the flavor’s a lot more intense without the casing,” she said, playing along. “That the juices really explode on your tongue.”
Damn, she was good. The promise in her eyes and the slow, sensual way she spoke had my cock so hard it chaffed against my zipper. Planning for lots of new apartment sex, I’d opted out of boxers this morning to give Mila easy access. We’d already christened the master closet before heading back to the fire station to grab Daisy, but we still had several rooms to go.
I was looking forward to fucking in every one of them.
I tugged Mila’s blouse over her head. “Do you like it when the flavor explodes in your mouth?”
Her fingertips trailed down my chest and abs to the top of my jeans. She undid the button and carefully slid the zipper down, licking her lips when my cock sprung free. “You know, I can’t remember. I should probably try it and refresh my memory.”
Tugging my jeans down with her, she dropped to her knees in front of me and slid my throbbing cock past her plump, lush lips. Wet heat enveloped me, and I hissed out a curse. She licked and sucked, as I did my best to keep from giving her what she wanted. Having been granted permission to ride her bareback, I had other plans for where my flavor would be exploding.
I let her play until I was on the brink and couldn’t take her assault anymore. Then I tugged her to her feet and removed her bra, paying homage to each of her perfect, pink nipples. It was my turn to suck and lick and drive her crazy, and I planned to rise to the challenge with abandon. Removing her leggings and panties, I set her on the bar and massaged her clit, first with my fingers, then with my tongue.