by Chiah Wilder
“Dad’s easy. He’s good with a sandwich and soup. Take some cookies for him. I’ll pack up the sweet rolls. I’m the only one who eats them in the house, and I don’t want to be tempted.” She rose to her feet and Isa smacked her lips, her eyes fluttering open.
“Your father doesn’t need them either.”
“He can bring them to the office tomorrow.” She pulled out the box from the cupboard and handed it to her mom.
She walked her mother into the garage. “Drive safely.” She kissed her on the cheek.
“I will.” Cathy ran her finger over Isa’s cheek. “Tell Braxton bye for me. I’ll see you and the children on Saturday.” She went into the garage, and Cara waited until she’d backed out and headed down the road before she closed the door.
“Brrr… it’s cold, sweetie,” she said to Isa as she closed the door and went back into the kitchen. Hawk stood in front of the open fridge. She came behind him and patted his firm butt. “Looking for something?”
He turned around and pulled her into his arms, Isa chortling. “I just found it.” He squeezed her ass cheeks.
Isa squirmed and held out her arms. “Daddy.” Cara handed her over to Hawk.
“Hey, princess.” He rubbed his face against her and she giggled.
“Leftover lasagna sound good? I’ll make salad and garlic bread.”
“Sounds great, babe.”
“The people from Brighter Lives were blown away today when Belle told them the Insurgents were replacing all the toys. They were very happy and grateful.”
“Of course. We’re not gonna let a pussy-ass fuck with the toy drive.”
Cara sighed. “Honey, please watch your language around Isa. Okay?”
He went over to her and swept his lips across hers. “Okay, babe.” He swatted her ass and went into the family room.
As Cara prepared dinner, Hawk played with Isa while watching The Muppet Christmas Carol for the twentieth time with Braxton.
“I think you should look into this Garret guy who came to my office. Remember I told you I saw him when I went to a meeting last week at Brighter Lives? Lindi said that he doesn’t work there.”
Hawk looked over his shoulder: a line etched between his brows. “You didn’t tell me he was there. Have you seen him since?”
She shook her head. “I just have a gut feeling he’s the crazy guy who’s destroying Christmas things.”
“You think he started the fire last night?”
“I do. I don’t know why I do. It’s a feeling. I have a description of his van and two numbers from his license plate. Remember I told you I couldn’t read his last name on the ID he gave Asher when he came to my office.”
“Yeah. You didn’t make it sound like this fucker was dangerous.” He got up from the couch and came over to her. “Has he threatened you?”
“No. Nothing like that. I just don’t have a good feeling about him. I wish you’d check him out.”
“Give me the details and it’s done.”
Cara gave the description of the van and the two numbers and Hawk took out his phone and went to the mudroom, closing the door behind him. As she was setting the table, Hawk came into the kitchen and went over to her.
“Did you find out anything?” she asked.
“I will. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of it. Dinner smells good. I love your lasagna.” He spun her into his arms and kissed her. “And I fuckin’ love you, babe.”
She kissed him back. “We have to make sure the kids are safe on Saturday. All the Insurgents will be there, right?”
He nibbled her neck. “Yeah, and the prospects too. We got this, babe.”
While they ate dinner, Braxton told them what he did at school, and Hawk kept throwing sultry glances her way. By the time the food was put away and the dishes were in the dishwasher, she was a quivering mess of lust and desire.
When the clock struck seven thirty, Cara took the children up to bed. Isa fell asleep almost immediately after rocking her in the chair, and Braxton was already in bed waiting for his bedtime story when she went into his room. She and Hawk took turns reading to him, and she cherished the nights when she held one of his favorite books in her hands and transported her son to the world of make-believe.
Switching off the lamp, she smiled as she watched Braxton sleep, his ratty teddy tucked under his chin. As she went down the stairs, electric heat moved through her as her need for him intensified. Her body had been craving his touch since he’d come home.
He was on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table, the lamps turned down low, and a fire spitting in the fireplace. A show with a lot of zombies stumbling around was on the screen, the sound turned down so low she couldn’t make out any of the dialogue.
She came up to him from behind and put her arms around the front of him. He tilted his head back and she bent down and kissed him deeply. He reached behind him and grasped her waist, lifting her off the ground and bringing her over the couch to him. They didn’t say anything, just grabbed onto each other: their lips fusing together, his hands sliding under the hem of her top, her arousal rising within her like a flaming torch. The space between them was supercharged with the electricity of lust and desire. He plunged his tongue deep inside her mouth and hers tangled around his in a tantalizing dance, stoking that fire.
The way he kissed her, touched her made it seem like the earth beneath her melted away and all time stopped. She only felt.
“Fuck, babe. You’re the spark to my flame. I can never get enough of you. Never,” he rasped against her skin as he pinched her nipples and moved his lips down her neck.
A wave of warmth filled her up, spilling out from her heart and rushing to every corner of her body: her curling toes, her aching nipples, her throbbing mound. Every inch of her was saturated with desire. “Oh, Hawk,” she moaned. Her arms reached up and tangled around his thick, strong neck. In an instant she’d pulled away and arched up into his broad chest, moaning in the contact of body heat against her own, before she drew back into his lips.
“Let’s get on the floor, babe,” he whispered, pulling her up. He moved the table out of the way, and she grabbed a blanket strewn over one of the cushy chairs, laying it out on the floor. He lifted his shirt over his head, the fire’s glow illuminating every ripple in his amazing chest and arms. His tats danced as he reached out and yanked her to him, his mouth crushing against hers.
As he eased her down on the plush blanket, desire, love, and joy spread through her. She loved and desired Hawk so completely that she knew no matter how long she lived, she’d never get her fill of him. He was her world and she was his, and no matter how tough things got, they always had each other.
She grabbed a fist of his hair and brought his face to hers.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Banger
Thousands of twinkling white lights welcomed guests to the Brighter Lives’ Toy Drive Fundraiser. The Insurgent men looked out of place amid the dangling snowflakes, glittering trees, beaded and sequined cocktail dresses, and designer suits. Round tables with chairs draped in white and secured with red satin bows filled the large room, and servers balancing large silver trays filled with a variety of hors d’oeuvres maneuvered through the labyrinth of people.
Popping a stuffed jalapeño into his mouth, Banger snagged a glass of champagne with his free hand as a waiter walked by carrying a tray full of flutes.
“Never thought I’d see you drink piss water,” Hawk said, coming up to him.
“I was fuckin’ thirsty. And I can’t catch one of these people to get me a Jack.”
As if on cue, Throttle and Axe came over with four glasses full of amber liquid. Banger took one from Axe and drank a big gulp. “I needed this, brother.”
“Thought you would,” Axe said as he brought his glass to his mouth. “This is a kickass turnout.”
“Cara said it’s gonna double last year’s profits easily. Good to see people helping out the kids.” Hawk took a few bacon-wrap
ped shrimp and gave one to Throttle.
“Hear you’re gonna be a daddy.” Banger cupped Axe’s shoulder.
“Yeah. Fuck, how the hell am I supposed to know what to do? I never had a real dad.”
“It just falls into place, I guess.” Throttle took a bite out of the appetizer.
“Just make sure you love him and are there for him no matter what,” Banger said.
“I still can’t believe we’re going to have a baby, but it’s going to be okay. Baylee’s designing our house. Do we have a clue who destroyed the toys?”
Banger narrowed his eyes. “When we catch the sonofabitch, I’m gonna kill him. I’m sure it’s related to the shit that’s been goin’ on in the town.”
“He’s probably the same asshole who broke into Jax’s house and scared the shit outta Cherri,” Throttle replied.
“Cara gave me the name of a guy she suspects. She just knew his first name but got a partial plate number and description of the car. I gave it to Blade and he got a match this morning. He went over to the dude’s place, but he wasn’t around. Looks like he owns some property outside of town.” Hawk motioned a waiter over and ordered four more whiskeys.
“We’ll head out there tomorrow and pay this fucker a visit. Tonight I have all the brothers and the prospects on high alert. If the asshole’s gonna pull something tonight, we’re gonna nab him,” Banger said.
“Why don’t you guys circulate a bit?” Belle asked as she came over.
The dark green evening dress showed off her figure, and Banger loved the sheer top that hinted at something only he had the right to see behind closed doors. Pulling her to him, he kissed her and patted her ass. “We don’t fuckin’ ‘circulate,’ woman.”
“Especially with citizens,” Throttle added.
“Yeah, babe. We’re good.” Banger winked at her.
Rolling her eyes, she held up her hands. “You guys are impossible. Do you know where Cara is, Hawk?”
“Last time I saw her, she was on the stage fixin’ some shit.”
“I bet she’s making sure everything’s set when Santa comes out.” Belle rushed off toward the stage.
“Remember when we had ribs and slaw and the event was at Steelers? That was a blast. None of this fancy shit, just good food, whiskey, and a whole lot of people coming out to raise money for the kids.” Throttle shook his head.
“That was before we got old ladies who wanted to kick it up a notch. What can I say? I’m guilty of bringing a rich girl into the fold.” Hawk spread his arms out. “This is all my woman knows. She wouldn’t have a clue how to have a laid-back fundraiser.”
“You better keep her outta the bike rallies,” Axe said, and the men chuckled.
“But we never raised the money like we are now for some of our charities.” Banger clasped his hand on Hawk’s shoulder. “Your woman has done good.”
Hawk nodded, his lips twitching.
Wheelie and Rags came over and fist bumped with Banger and the others. Rags jerked his head toward a pretty woman in a formfitting red dress covered in beads that shimmered under the lights. “Our horny client is here.”
Throttle glanced over, his eyes widening. “Damn. Mrs. Christiansen. There’s no way in fuck I want her to see me. If she starts shit, Kimber will belt her one, and Cara will fuckin’ kill me.”
“You got something with her?” Hawk asked, looking over at her.
“Nah. She’s a bored housewife who wants some cock. We got a lot of those. This one’s just more persistent than the others.”
“Did you give Kimber her ring?” Wheelie asked.
“Tonight.” Throttle downed the rest of his whiskey.
When Tigger and Sofia joined in, Banger saw Wheelie run his eyes over the petite woman, and then he stiffened when Tigger high-fived him. As they talked, Banger saw Sofia and Wheelie steal glances at each other, smiles whispering on their lips. Coldness ran through him, and he made a note to talk to Wheelie in the morning.
The dinner was catered by Gourmet Bites, and Banger had to admit the steak was fucking great. Kylie sat across from him, and she looked all grown up in her sleeveless ice-blue dress. He watched the way Jerry leaned in close to her, stroked her cheek, laughed at her jokes, and looked at no one but her, and he knew she’d found the right man to take care of her. It didn’t mean Banger wasn’t still going to give Jerry shit—he had to make sure the brother kept in line—but a large part of him relaxed knowing his little girl would be taken care of.
“I like this,” Harley said as he shoved a forkful of mashed potatoes in his mouth.
Banger laughed. “You fixin’ to see Santy Claus tonight?”
Bobbing his head up and down, tendrils of hair fell over Harley’s forehead. “Ya. Brashton and me are gonna get there first.”
“You have to let the other kids go first, honey. Remember we talked about it at home?” Belle wiped his face with her napkin.
With his bottom lip out, eyes narrowed, and jaw clenched, Harley crossed his arms without saying a word. He’s Insurgents material. Banger’s chest expanded.
A woman came up to Belle while they were finishing their food. She glanced at Banger, then bent down and whispered something in Belle’s ear that made her brow crease.
“What’s going on?” Banger asked.
“Lindi’s husband wants to leave. Oh… Lindi, this is my husband, Banger, and this is Lindi.”
Banger shook her hand. “If you need a ride home afterward, we can take you.”
Lindi gave a weak smile. “That’s not it, but thanks. Dale, my husband, said he’d play Santa tonight, and now he’s trying to back out. I really don’t know what his problem is. I guess it stems back from when he was a child. He never talks about it, but he’s told me the holidays were a nightmare.” She shrugged. “He just hates Christmas, but he promised he’d be Santa. What’re we going to do, Belle?”
As the women talked, Banger’s mind went back to his Christmas past when his mother would slave for days making food for their holiday dinner, then sit glumly and pick at her meal while his dad would whisper things into his mistress’s ear and feed her. To this day, he hated his father for humiliating his mother that way.
“Daddy, can I go over to Brashton’s table? I’m finished eating,” Harley said.
Jerking his head back, the past fled and he looked at his boy. “Okay, but I’ll walk you over.”
“You don’t have to. I’m big now.”
He chuckled. “I know you are, but there are too many people, and most of them are bigger than you. That’s the deal. Take it or stay here with Mommy and me.”
Scrunching up his face, Harley pushed against the table. “Okay. But I still could go alone.”
Banger walked Harley to Hawk’s table and watched his son run over to Braxton. “Keep an eye on him for me,” Banger said to Hawk, then went back to his table. “What the hell’s going on with Lindi’s pussy-assed husband? You want me to make him get his ass in the fuckin’ red suit?”
Belle leaned in close, and the scent of her perfume lit a fire in him. “Shh… people may hear you. Dale came over while you and Harley were gone, and he told her he was just joking. Something’s terribly wrong with him.”
“Sounds like he needs someone to set him straight.”
“Well, at least he’s going to do it, so we’ve avoided that catastrophe.”
Chimes rang out from an overhead speaker and the lights dimmed a few times. All attention focused on the stage where Joseph stood with a microphone. He thanked all the volunteers and the Insurgents for making the event such a success. Congregated in the front were groups of children who fidgeted in place in anticipation of Santa Claus coming on stage to hand out the toys.
“I’m gonna watch Harley,” Banger said as he leaned in to kiss Belle’s cheek. He walked over to Hawk who was standing behind Harley and Braxton. The two men chatted until the trumpets rang out and Santa Claus came onto the stage. The children went wild, and the applause from the audience was deafening. Harle
y jumped up and down in place while looking behind him at Banger.
“Cara’s motioning me to come over. I’ll be right back,” Hawk said. Banger nodded and focused on the stage.
Fifteen minutes into Santa calling children up on stage and giving them their gifts, Hawk came back over, his brows snapped together.
“What’s up?” Banger asked.
“Cara spotted that Garret fuck. She said he was standing by the stage.”
Banger scanned the area but didn’t see anyone besides a few Insurgents and volunteers. “What does he look like?”
“Not too tall, wiry, longish unkempt hair. She said he’s around thirty. She’s positive she saw him. Hang tight. I’m going backstage to take a look.” Hawk disappeared into the crowd.
There were so many children crowded in the front, and an uneasy feeling took hold of Banger. Placing his hands on one of Harley’s and Braxton’s shoulders, his eyes darted around the room searching for anything that was amiss. Nothing seemed out of place. Why is the fucker here? Cara’s not the type to imagine shit.
Hawk came back over. “Nothing in the back or around the area. I told Bear, Helm, Tiny, Rags, Cruiser, Klutch, and Bones to watch out for anything that doesn’t look or feel right. I gave them a description of the jerk.”
“I feel something off. What about you?” Banger asked.
“Yeah.” Hawk turned his head from side to side.
“You’ve all been so good this year. Ho. Ho. Ho,” Dale said as he tugged on the white beard.
Banger jerked his head toward the stage. “He’s not too convincing, is he?”
“No. Next year we’ll pay for a professional,” Hawk answered.
Then the lights went out and the room was plunged into blackness. For a second, it was quiet as a tomb and then frenzied voices rose to the surface, children cried, bodies rushed and bumped, and chairs toppled over.
“What the fuck?” Banger said out loud as he reached in front of him. “Harley! Braxton! Call out.” He whipped is cell phone out and turned on the flashlight. Soon the room was lit with an eerie white glow as people held up their phones to guide them to their tables.