Taking a quick survey of the area, I can see his point. Beer cans litter the tables and mantle. Dirty bowls and cups are stacked around the room. Filthy clothes and blankets are stashed on the leather furniture. Something’s not right.
The aroma’s spot on though. The place now has a distinct, Clubhouse smell. A mix of marijuana, body odor, and gun oil.
“How do we know someone didn’t follow your stupid ass here?” Billy asks.
“That’s right. You’re a direct link to Jolene. You could have been being watched. Fuck.” Ronin jams his fingers into his beard, tugging, appearing deep in thought. He turns back to Brad. “You have to stay.”
“What?” Brad’s eyes grow even bigger.
“What?” I stare at Ronin. He doesn’t want to make eye contact. Of course not. He would be able to see that I want shred his balls using a dull fork.
“There’s no way around it. We don’t know if he was followed. We have to wait it out to see if anyone makes a move. Even if nothing happens, we don’t know if we’re being watched. The cum junkie stays.”
He walks away, stumbling over a skyscraper of red and white cans. “Fuck! You bitches get this shit cleaned up!”
Brad jumps.
I stifle a giggle. I can’t help but find pleasure in his agony.
The women hop into action, filling trash bags and starting laundry.
“This place is a fucking pigsty. Don’t let me catch it like this again.” Ronin turns to me. “Where the fuck is Ruth?”
“I don’t know. We’ve been holed up in our room. I’ll go check on her. You good?” I jerk my head toward Brad.
He nods. “Just another shit hawk to go with the shit storm.”
I reach up on my tiptoes, still a long way from meeting my mark, I tug his head down to meet mine. “We need everyone to come out of this alive. Even Brad.”
“Yeah, but if he gets thrown in front of a Bentley or something on this winding road, it ain’t my fault. Accidents happen.” He winks. His full lips devour mine, setting off a fire deep in my belly.
I push him away before I’m physically unable.
I stop Bonnie, who’s now elbow deep in suds. “Have you seen Ruth today?”
The woman shakes her head. “Nope. I knocked, but she said she wanted to sleep some more.”
“How long ago was that?”
She shrugs one bare shoulder, dressed in her usual revealing top. “Maybe three or four hours.”
“Shit.” I rush down the hall. Standing outside of the second master suite, I press my ear to the door. Nothing.
I tap. Still nothing.
“Ruth?” I knock. “Ruth, can I come in?” I rap louder against the wood with my knuckles.
No response.
I twist the knob, surprised to find it unlocked.
I crack the door, craning my head inside to take a peek. Ruth is sprawled out on the bed passed out cold. Her blankets and jeans are on the floor. I kneel at her side. Her pulse is weak. My knee hits something, sending it rolling under the bed.
I extend my arm as far as I can reach. Finally, hanging halfway out from under the bed, I grab what ends up being a prescription pill bottle.
Percocet, belonging to none other than Brad.
“Fuck! Brad! Get in here!” I yell, not wanting to leave Ruth alone. I start the shower water. Ice cold.
“What is it?” Ronin tears into the room, weapon drawn.
“She’s out cold. I need to know how many pills were in this bottle?” I don’t look up. I can feel the room closing in with a crowd. “Brad? How many pills, goddamn it?”
“Um, I don’t know. Maybe ten or fifteen. I have no idea.”
All eyes are on him as he backs out of the room.
“Everyone get the fuck out. I have to get her undressed. Jessa, you stay.” I’m relieved that my sister doesn’t give me any lip. The door closes and we get to work removing our step-mother’s clothing. I grab her arms while Jessa grabs her legs and we manage to drag her to the shower, jolting her body into motion.
“She’s not coming to.” Jessa uses the back of her hand to lightly smack against Ruth’s gray cheeks.
The older woman moans.
“Shit.” I dab her damp body with the towel before wrapping it snuggly around her breasts. I throw one arm over my shoulders and Jessa does the same as we lug her around the room.
“Come on, Ruth. You gotta wake up, now.” Jessa’s voice quivers.
It pierces my heart. Nothing ever penetrates my sister’s hard shell. But seeing Ruth like this must be too much.
She continues to release small groans. After thirty minutes of constant movement, Ruth rolls her head.
Jessa and I connect.
“Ruth, can you hear me?” I place both hands on her shoulders and guide her to the recliner. “Ruth, hey, open your eyes.”
Her lids flutter.
“There you go,” I say, running my palms up and down her arms, attempting to get the blood circulating. “Are you with me? Say something.”
“Sweepy…” Ruth mutters.
“Nope, no going to sleep. Can’t have that.” Jessa throws her step-mother’s arm back over her shoulder and begins hauling her around on her own.
“Jessa, she’s going to be ok.” I watch my sister frantically lugging Ruth’s half coherent body around in circles.
She nods. Her eyes mist over.
I seize my sister’s wrist. “Jessa, what is it?”
She stops. “There’s a lot of shit going down, Jo. I don’t like it. Too much change.” She looks down at Ruth, draping limply off her body. “And what’s this shit about?” Her words choke past a sob.
I shake my head, staring at the two people I thought I knew, standing, dangling, before me. Broken. Lost.
“Fuck if I know, but let’s get her over here. I think she’s waking up.” I hold Ruth’s heavy face in my hands.
She pries open her bloodshot eyes. “Mm. What? Happened?”
Jessa leans over my shoulder. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Ruth struggles to open her eyes wider. Her dry mouth hangs gaping.
“Dammit, that’s now how to handle the situation!” I shove her away and glance back at Ruth. Concern fills my weighty chest when I see the fear in her eyes. “Ruth, it’s alright. You’re safe. You’re going to be ok.”
She squeezes her eyes, sending tears spilling down her sullen face.
I peel the hair from her forehead. “What is it? Talk to me.”
She simply rolls over, tugging the sheet above her head.
“What do we do now?” Jessa asks.
I want to scream at her, how the fuck should I know? I want to scream at them both. Who the fuck are you and what did you do to my bad ass bitches, but I don’t. This isn’t the time. Someone has to take the lead.
“I need to talk to Ronin. Why don’t you see if you can get some coffee in Ruth?” Relieved that she nods, I miss the fight. Something is stirring.
The house has been whipped into shape. Even Brad appears pleased, huddled in a corner chatting it up with a curly headed X bitch. I’ve seen the girl around. Respectful. Knows her place. I feel kind of bad for her being hit on by Brad, but not bad enough to do something about it.
I find Ronin leaning against the wall, surveying the room like a hawk. “Can I talk to you?” I jerk my head toward the other kitchen.
He closes the gap between us in two long strides. “How is she?”
“She’s waking up. Jessa’s getting her some coffee.” I peer up at him. His chocolate eyes gazing back at me. The man is carrying his weight in worry. “It’s not good. I don’t know what’s going on, but she’s really upset. That was a lot of Percocet. Ronin, that wasn’t an accident.”
“Fuck.” He rakes his hands through his beard. “The Prez is gonna lose his fucking mind.”
“We can’t tell him. Not right now.”
Ronin arches his brow. “You can’t be serious?”
“I’m absolutely serious. There’s alr
eady tension in the air with Pop splitting off for days. Brad shows up out of the blue. And now this? On top of why we’re here in the first place?”
“Yeah, I guess I see your point. But I don’t know if the guys are gonna go for this.”
I give his beard a playful yank. “You’ll just have to make them.” My mouth closes in. My tongue tangles his as he explores my mouth, causing heat to flush through my body. The center of my thighs pulsates, aching for alone time with my soldier.
Before all hell breaks loose.
CHAPTER TEN
(Ronin)
“It’s just best that we handle it this way.” Ronin sits in his VP seat in the makeshift chapel.
“We can’t keep shit from the Prez. You know that.” Stoner chimes in.
“We’re not keeping anything from him. We don’t know the whole story. I’m just asking that we agree to let Jolene take the reigns and tell him in due time. That’s all.” I sigh, scowling at Clint.
He finally takes the bait. “I agree. Let the girls take the lead on this one. We have enough shit on our plates. Not to mention the turd in the living room.”
I glare down the rest of my brothers. They begin to nod, followed by a few fines and whatevers.
“Good. As far as we know, Jesse’s supposed to be back today. No need to point it out, but obviously Ruth lost touch. Let’s get shit in order around here. Herc, point guards good to go?”
He gives one stern nod. All business with the big guy.
“Stoner, figure out the funds so we can have a report to give when the old man gets in. Billy, take one of the boys and get a count on ammo and get back to me.” My chest swells as everyone leaps into action.
So, that’s what having power fucking feels like.
Hell of a lot better than sitting around with my thumb stuck up my ass.
***
I stand at the kitchen counter, leaning against the sink, ankles crossed drinking my fifth cup of coffee for the day.
“Can I get ya a beer?” Patsy asks, her head popping out from the fridge.
“No thanks, doll.”
She smiles, grabbing a few bottles for the boys.
“How you doing?” I ask.
She pauses. Shrugging, she tilts her head. “I think I’m good. Like, actually, good.”
I pull her in for a quick side hug, careful not to make her uncomfortable or give off a wrong impression. The girl has been through a real shit storm. “I’m glad to hear it. You take care of our boy out there, got me?”
Patsy’s eyes light up. Her lips curl into a full grin at the thought of Clint. “Yeah, I got ya and I consider it an honor. He’s a real upstanding guy. I wouldn’t wanna be any place else.”
“Good girl.” I nod and she bounces away.
A chuckle escapes. Even when we’re waist deep in shit, the heart still wants what the heart wants.
I recognize the rumble before I see the sleds. Peering out of the kitchen window to confirm, along with a few stragglers on the street, oxygen hits my lungs with new force.
Jesse pulls up into the drive, followed by Wizard and two others.
Jolene must have heard the bikes because she slips out of Ruth’s bedroom, closing the door gently behind her.
“Ready?”
She loops her arm through mine. “Let’s do it.”
Everyone is already outside saying their greetings when we make my way out the door. I identify the two riders as Duke and Troy, fellow Executioners from another charter. Jesse and Wizard appear tired from the ride.
“Son, how are things on the home front?” The Prez is directing his attention to me, but palms Jolene’s shoulders, placing a kiss on top of her head.
I see the way her eyes smile when she and her father share those special moments.
“Things are under control, sir.” I extend my hand. He pushes it aside and spreads his arms. I embrace the gesture.
A black and white rolls up to the curb.
“Can I help you officer?” Jesse meets the uniform half way.
‘Got a few calls.” He surveys the group. “I’m gonna guess this here isn’t your property. Am I right?”
Jesse shoves his hands into his worn jeans, hanging loosely off his thin hips. “Well, you’d be right about that. We have permission from the home owner to be here. The code is, um, what is it again?”
“Beast mode,” everyone chimes in from the background, followed by peals of laughter.
Jolene disappears inside.
The pig puts his hand on his hip, silencing the crowd. “Yeah, that doesn’t mean shit to me.” He plucks the radio from his shoulder. “Dispatch. This is 98624 requesting backup at…”
“Hey, officer, is there a problem?” Brad steps out the front door, leaving Jesse eyeballing Ronin.
“Who are you?” The cop unbuckles his holster, gripping his weapon.
“I’m the home owner. My name is Brad Whitmore. These people have been invited by me and aren’t breaking any laws.”
“Identification?”
“Of course.” Brad removes his wallet from his jacket pocket, handing his license to the officer. They talk for a few more minutes before the cop drives away.
“Way to go, Bradie boy!” Stoner hollers, ruffling the man’s hair.
Herc chucks him the arm, sending Brad reeling into Clint who shoves him back.
“What the fuck is going on? Why is this douchbag even here?” Jesse flares his nostrils. The air disturbing his thick, yellow mustache.
“I can explain everything. Let’s move this shit off the street.” I dread the conversation. Not because of what I have to say, but because I don’t know if I can stomach another round of lies.
We pile into the house. The girls are buzzing around. The men have been sitting for too long. They’re now anxious, ready.
“Where’s Ruth?”
I turn to Jolene, my eyes pleading.
“She’s not feeling well. She’s sleeping. Jessa’s keeping an eye on her.” Jolene offers a reassuring smile before eyeballing me.
“Alright then. Nice crib.” Jesse observes his surroundings. “Chapel?”
“This way.” I lead the way.
Duke and Troy attempt to follow. Herc places a hand in the center of Duke’s chest. No words are exchanged. None are needed. The two turn back.
Jesse takes his place at the head of the table. “Jerk off?”
“He showed up out of nowhere. We had no choice. No telling if he was followed or if he’d pull this shit again. Besides, it turned out to be a good thing he was here. Might be a good idea to keep him.”
I see the old man pondering. Weighing out his decision. “Fine. Moving on. Troy and Duke out there are wanting to change charters. I got their letters and it needs to be unanimous.”
“Why them?” Billy asks
“The fact is, we need bodies. I put a feeler out. They were the only ones to respond. We’re not exactly a safe haven lately for brothers.”
“You got that right,” Stoner says under his breath.
“Let’s vote.”
After a round of yays, the boys are brought in for the rest of the meeting. I can’t say that I’m thrilled. It wasn’t that long ago I wanted to skin that blonde bastard, Troy, for hitting on Jolene.
She promised me it wasn’t like that. All innocent and shit. He was just a nice guy enjoying a cold beer and conversation. Fuck that. She doesn’t have a goddamn dick swinging between her legs guiding her every move. I won’t be letting my guard down.
“You gonna fill us in on the Jukes?”
Jesse lights a joint, pulling a long drag. “Wizard and I had a good meeting. The Jukes are on board. We cut them in on our monthly income and they cut ties with the Pistol Kings. The percentage is a little higher than we would have liked, but the deal is done.”
“No need to bring it back to the club?”
He leans his head to one side. His bad eye nearly closed as he squints in my direction. “There really wasn’t time. We need to get to the Kin
gs for retaliation. In order to do that, we need to clear a path. Can’t be worried about getting hit from behind.”
I nod. “Fine. Anything fresh on Zombie?”
“Not a goddamn peep. I don’t know where that fucker is hiding, but it must be underground.” Jesse slings the ashtray across the table. “Gotta drive that fucker out.”
“We’ve offered every kind of deal we can think of to get people talking. Nothing.” Wizard stares down at the table.
“That’s it for now. You boys go have a beer. Get laid. Something to pick up moral around here. When else are you gonna be staying in a joint like this?”
Everyone files out of the room at record speed, ready to party, but not me. Not with the boulder size pit in my gut.
“Hey, baby, a beer?” Jolene’s soft, bronze skin is gathering lines. Darkness circles her typically vibrant, blue eyes.
“Sure.” I unscrew both and hand one back to her.
“Everything ok?” She asks.
That’s all we talk about anymore. The club. The war. Is everything ok? Is everyone safe? Who’s keeping secrets? Who’s on our side? Who the fuck is trying to kill us today?
I take a step toward her, guzzling half the beer. My gaze is fixated on her mouth and everything she can do with it.
“What are you doing?” She stumbles backwards, resting against the counter.
“Getting my mind off all the bullshit.” I close the gap between us, finish off the remainder of the bottle, and place my lips to her warm neck. The vein thumps under my hungry mouth. “Wanna help me with that?”
“Now?” Her word is more of a giggle as I continue to nuzzle.
“Mm Hmm…” I pile her hair to one side, letting it fall off her shoulder.
“Fuck yeah,” she pants.
Her breathing causing my dick to stir, hard, begging to be free. I pick her up, flinging her legs around my waist. I can feel the heat radiating from between her thighs, calling my name.
I slam the bedroom door shut with the heel of my boot. Her weightless body floats in my arms. The only two things I can feel? Her heart racing in anticipation and her warm breath hitting my skin, causing the hair on my neck to stand up.
I position Jolene on the bed where I can gaze at her as I undress her. First, her boots, tossing them in the corner. I see her breath hitch when I graze her skin taking my time with her zipper, slipping her jeans to the floor. I skim my fingertips up her inner thigh.
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