Taking Avery: A Lilith's Army MC Novel
Page 10
The mood is thick and I know I’m being a brat, a stupid girl with daddy issues. The sting of him not wanting me worms its way into the marrow of who I am and I can’t shake it no matter how much I try to convince myself it doesn’t matter.
“Your dad is a hard ass. Whether you had a vagina or a dick, he would have been the same asshole. Don’t let his issues be yours or define you. He got his son in the end so let him mold him into his own version of himself.”
Tears build in my eyes, and I’m so fucking sick of them. I want to take a match to my tear ducts to stop them disobeying and betraying my emotions, my weakness.
“What are you not telling me?” Slade asks. I hate that he can see through me already. He watches, learns, and dissects me.
“I told you about Ricky, remember?”
His brow drops and he slows the car and pulls into a motel car park. “Yeah. The one you fucked.”
“Crass, but yes.” I roll my eyes. “It was his first ride out. My father and half of the club were there when a deal went wrong and someone opened fire.”
He turns to face me, listening intently, not rushing or telling me to shut up. He’s refreshing. I’m under no illusions about the darkness lurking inside him. But it’s mixed almost equally with light. When the lines begin to blur between the two, who will I be left with? The sun or the shadow it creates?
“Avery?”
Shaking my head, I get back to the story. “My father was shot that night. The club doctor pulled a bullet from his groin.”
Slade flinches and his hands instinctively go to his balls and cups them.
“The brothers don’t know this, but he can’t have children.”
“Wait.” He sits forward, holding his hand up. “But your kid brother is two though, right?”
“He’s fourteen months. You can’t tell anyone about this. My father’s pride is paramount to him and if someone threatens that, he acts irrationally, consequences be damned.”
“So the kid isn’t his? Why does he claim him then?”
I release an exasperated breath. “You’re either deaf or dumb, Slade.”
“Frost.” He growls.
“I’m not calling you Frost. It’s stupid.”
His jaw tightens and his eyes flare with irritation. “It’s my fucking road name, and you know the rules, princess. You grew up under Brig, so stop acting like you’re not a biker brat because, despite you hating him, Brig is your father and is the Prez of Cutters’ motorcycle club. “
“I hate you,” I spit, opening the truck door and stepping out. The gravel crunches underfoot as I march in the direction of the vending machine.
Slade’s heavy boots pounding the ground soon follow and he slaps a hand on the glass of the vending machine. I look up at his hand to see twenty dollars pinned beneath it. “You don’t hate me, you hate him, and I get it, but you need to rein this shit in because we only have a few days before everyone is going to be scrutinizing us and looking for conflict.”
Snatching the twenty from him, I slide it into the machine and press the button for the candy I want.
“I’ll get us a room and you can tell me more about your brother.”
My heart flutters that he still called Rolo my brother. Despite his mother and God only knows who his father is, I love him and didn’t ever let on to his mom that I know he isn’t really my blood, so she lets me babysit and love him.
“Princess,” Slade calls, waving me over to a room. I grab another candy bar and then hurry over to him, ignoring the knowing smirks from two women sitting by the pool just to the right of the motel. Perfect. They think I’m his booty call.
“You do realize we’ve only been on the road a couple of hours?”
Slinging his bag onto the bed, he slumps down in a chair. This motel is almost a replica of the one we just left. The bed is against the back wall, and a small, beaten up table with a chair either side sits just in front of the window that looks out on to the parking lot. There’s a small TV which has an array of porn recommendations flashing on the screen, telling us to purchase a code from reception.
Leaning over the arm of the chair he’s sitting in, Slade switches the screen off and motions with his head for me to sit.
I’m sitting because I want to, not because he told me to.
The mattress is firm beneath my butt, and I feel like pulling the covers over my entire body to hide from everything.
“So you were saying I’m stupid and deaf. How so?”
“My father would never allow people to think his junk doesn’t work.”
“Why not just tell people she was fucking around and the kid isn’t his?”
A sigh leaves me and I throw myself backward onto the mattress and stare up at the off-color ceiling. “Because that would damage his pride. This way no one will know he can’t get his manhood up.”
A choking sound rings into the air and I tilt my head from the bed to look over at Slade smothering his mouth. “He can’t even get it up?”
I sit bolt upright and glare at him. “You can’t tell anybody this! No one knows! I only do because I was hiding out in office and he came in and they argued about it.”
He quirks his brow and I glare harder.
“I’m serious, Slade, he will think she’s told someone and he will kill her.”
“Fine.” He gives in, raising his hands in defeat. “I’m going to get us some food. You should take a nap. You were tossing and turning all night.”
Ha. I wonder why, mutilator.
The door slams behind him and I throw my head back down in dramatic fashion.
I pull my cell out and write a quick text to Jenna, but thirty minutes later, with no reply and no Slade, I find myself bored. I flick the internet icon and search news articles until I locate the one I’m looking for.
Three dead in robbery gone wrong.
I search the article for any mention of Dean being the chief’s son, but no names are given in the information. Rubbing at the ache thudding in my chest, I click off the link and curl into a ball. I won’t even be able to go to his funeral.
I’m sorry, Dean. I’m so sorry.
She’s already driving me fucking crazy. She has so many mood swings that I don’t know whether to laugh, shout, or fucking strangle her. She is hot though, and I smirk to myself, relaying last night and the way the cheeks of her ass flushed under the strike of my palm. That tight little ass. I’ve never been so damn hard, and if Owl and his old lady hadn’t banged on the freaking door, I’d have knocked out another one.
The way her eyes shimmer with tears and then the next second fire with indignation has my blood running cold then hot, the effect sending my heart stampeding in my chest.
Just as I pull into the IHOP parking lot, my cell vibrates from the passenger seat beside me.
“Scorch.” I smile, the sound of my best friend’s voice always stabilizes the erratic thoughts in my head.
“Yo, dude. How’s shit? Not heard from your ass in a while. I’m beginning to think you’ve dumped me for some other dude.”
I laugh, his humor akin to my own. He’s the only one who gets me in this shit life. The only one who one hundred percent has my back. We’ve been in a few fights together, always taking a hit for the other when we’d tried to tap some already taken ass. Hell, I took a bullet to the gut for him once.
“Well.” I clench my teeth, hating that I’m deceiving him. “I kinda got myself hitched.”
A pregnant pause has my jaw tightening further.
“The fuck?” he finally croaks out. “Say that again, ‘cos I’m sure you said you got yourself hitched.”
“I claimed an old lady, Scorch. Tits that eclipse my dick between them, an ass I can bounce my dick off, and a pussy my dick thinks is a freaking vice!”
“Mm-hmm.” He sounds doubtful.
“No kidding. She has the hugest eyes on the damn planet, a hot mouth that swallows my cock all–the–way–fucking–down. And she fucks like a whore who’s greedy for cum.”<
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“So, you got hitched just ‘cos she’s incredible in the sack?” I know he’s cynical. Fuck, I would be. He knows me inside out. He always has the ability to read every thought in my head. Still, if my dad finds out I told Scorch the truth… it isn’t worth the repercussions.
“Straight up. I want you to meet her, man. Then you’ll understand why I snatched her before any other fucker got their dirty dick near her.”
“Why haven’t I heard about her before if she’s this fucking hot under the covers?”
Swallowing, I force my voice lower, as if angry. “You pulling my dick? I have fucking told you! You were too lit to remember!” I bite my lip, praying that’s enough to put him off the scent. It seems to pay off when he chuckles.
“I’m always fucking lit, dude.”
“Exactly, man. Listen, I’ll be back in a couple of days. And, seriously, you need to meet her.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He laughs. “Frost in love, huh? Never thought I’d see the day. But, honestly, I’m choked up for you. Although, I would have preferred to watch the miracle happen with my own eyes, just for it to sink into my brain.”
Laughing, I nod, even though I know he can’t see me. “There’ll be a huge gathering at the club, I’m sure. Enough booze, coke, and ass to sate your sick needs.”
“There ain’t ever enough pussy to sate this sick dude’s appetite. You know it, brother.”
“I know it.”
Grinning, I end the call and step out of the truck to grab some food. It’s turned dark and the shadows mock me, one morphing to my right causing me to place my hand over the handle of my blade. The parking lot is half full of cars, plenty of places to hide, but the light blazing through the IHOP window would expose any fucker who dared to step out and face me.
“Come on then, cunt. You want me?” I shout, goading the motherfucker who daren’t take me on. It’s evident he only wants to scare me or he would have faced me.
When nothing but the moon moves, I snort and enter the diner. I don’t have time for this shit. I know how crazy women get when they’re hungry. And I like my dick attached to my balls, not in a pan for my old lady–ha, my old lady—to broil.
Another motel, another IHop. We got back in town sooner than I thought so I’ve had us camped out in another motel just on the out skirts so her bruises are fully faded before introducing her to the club. When I suggested going for food she almost knocked me over trying to get out the room.
I love the way she devours her food. I like that she isn’t skinny and always conscious of what she puts into her belly.
“Good?”
“Hmm,” she mumbles around a mouthful. “So…” She glances at me between taking another forkful and stuffing it between her lips. “Any of the women at the club that I have to be wary of?”
Snorting, I lift a brow. “All of them.”
She chuckles, aware of how it goes with club sluts. “Yeah.”
“You used to get along with the chicks in your club?” Distracted for a moment, I lift my fork full of pancake and bacon. “This syrup is delicious.”
Her lips twitch and the sparkle in her eyes at my appreciation over IHOP’s new brand of syrup is accompanied with a nod of agreement, but answering my first question, she shrugs. “One or two. A couple of the old ladies kinda watched out for me, but they never really ‘liked’ me,” she states, making air quotes. “I was the spoiled princess. Well, I wasn’t, but that’s how they saw me.”
Tilting my head, I stare at her. “Did you get along with anyone?”
“Not really. A couple of them were kind to me, as I said, but really, they only tolerated me.”
“That’s why you fell for Dean. A diversion and complete opposite to what you grew up with.” It isn’t a question, more of an observation, and she knows it, although I don’t think she’d ever considered that reasoning.
She shrugs. “Who knows? All I want is to go to college and make a different life for myself. Study is one of the few things my father allows me to do. Yet, sometimes, I think he thinks I want to study just so I can bring something extra to the club from it. Not because I want to go out and explore the world, or because I want a life that is just mine. It’s always what and how he can gain from something.”
It’s hard to grasp that club life isn’t what Avery wants, but I have no qualms about her studying, or even getting a job outside of the club. However, the club is my life, and I still demand her complete commitment.
“I’m good with you going to school, sweetheart. But that doesn’t mean I don’t expect you to involve yourself with the club. It’s my life, and I’ll need you there from time to time. I won’t allow your total exclusion.”
“Oh, no.” She quickly shakes her head. “I didn’t mean that. Just that I dream of being who I am. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, Slade. To be me. To be free to study and work in a totally different environment. I want to spread my wings and fly a little farther.”
I nod. I want her to spread those amazing wings too. I want to be proud of everything she achieves, and I want her to be damn good at it. “That’s all good. But don’t act surprised if I tie a piece of elastic to your ankle. You’ll always come back to me, Avery. Don’t think you can push me away when you start to fly, ‘cos, believe me, my hunting skills are as good as my fighting skills.” She appears amused by that, and I narrow my eyes at her. “Something funny?”
“Not at all. You keep mistaking me.” She lays her fork on her plate. “It’s understandable until we get to know one another a bit better. It’s just that, where my father would have said those exact words, yours are said in a completely different context. You don’t want me on a leash because you want to own me, just that you don’t want me to run.”
“You sure about that?” I quip. Leaning forward, I smirk. “I do own you, darlin’. You’re now my old lady, and whether you agree or not, it makes you mine.”
The carefree mood that had found us both chatting easily for the first time disappears and she stiffens. She looks almost hurt, and squinting, she drops her eyes from mine.
“Look,” I say, “like I said, I’m all for an education. But what I’m saying is, I’m all for my club too. You’re an important part of Lilith’s Army now. You’ll be respected for being my old lady. Lilith’s Army isn’t like the Cutters. We value every single one of our brothers and their old ladies. Family is important, blood or not.”
She nods, but I know I’ve lost the easygoing quality to our conversation.
“Eat up. There’s someone I want you to meet,” I tell her, desperate for space away from the tiny motel room. I’m not used to being cooped up. I love the open road, the freedom it gives the mind and soul. There’s nothing better than blowing the cobwebs from your brain.
She looks at me dubiously and I roll my eyes. “For Christ’s sake, princess. You’re gonna have to learn to trust me sooner or later. I’ve told you time and time again, no one will touch you now you’re mine. Unlike your father’s false promises, I never break mine. What’s this life without a promise?”
She looks up and I can see the wounded expression in her eyes ease a little. “Promises are just tickets that gain entry to disappointment, Slade.”
I give up, blowing out an exasperated breath. “Fine, have it your way. Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
Obeying me immediately, she pushes her plate away and follows me out.
She’s learning.
I feel a little apprehensive under the firm stare of Scorch. He looks me up and down, taking in all of me before lifting his eyes to mine and peering at me so intently I think he’s trying to penetrate my mind. I’m not sure if it’s how he genuinely is, or if he’s checking out whether I’m good enough for his best friend. He’s tall and broad. His blond hair is shaved close to his scalp. His dark, rich brown orbs gaze down on me with intrigue.
Glimpsing at the tattoo on my neck, his wide eyes flick to Slade. “What the fuck, dude? You forgot to mention she’s a Cutter princess.”
<
br /> “Not sure how that makes any difference,” Slade answers casually as he flops onto Scorch’s sofa.
I’m nervous about where to sit, and as if sensing my trepidation, Slade grabs my hand and pulls me onto his lap. With the extra layer of meat on my ass, I bounce a little. Slade grins at me and winks. “Fuck, I love how you always bounce on my cock.”
Heat flushes my cheeks and I glimpse at Scorch. He’s grinning, amused by Slade’s humor and my embarrassment.
“Fuck. I thought you said she was a goer. Looks like an innocent one to me.”
Panic makes my heart race, and knowing Slade will be angry with me, I plaster a dirty grin on my face and try to save the situation. “Slade loves that I blush.” I roll my eyes dramatically and lean forward to whisper. “Personally, I hate it because I’m not naïve or anything, just one of those things I can’t control. Slade likes to pretend he’s taking some uncorrupted, moral virgin and forcing her into sin and debauchery. It makes him feel like a controlling Dom. Who am I to burst his bubble?”
Scorch’s neck snaps backward and he barks out a laugh. Slade squeezes my thigh and gives me a quick wink.
“You want a beer?” Scorch asks.
Slade and I nod. I need alcohol to help me relax. I know there are so many other Lilith’s Army brothers that I’m going to have to meet, and I’m terrified. Sometimes I can’t control what comes out of my mouth, and embarrassment seems to follow me around. I’ve always been quite shy, and the mumbling is just a side-effect of my nervousness. I wish I could learn to control it.
“You did good,” Slade remarks, giving my thigh another quick squeeze.
I nod. “Just give me some time, Slade. This is all new.”
“I know.”
I can’t work him out. There have been times when he’s scared me, the fury over something I had said or done bringing forward a dark aura of rage. Yet, sometimes, he’s completely the opposite; sympathetic and conscious of my thoughts. He had listened to me earlier when I had spoken about going to college and wanting to make something of myself. He had even accepted it, raising my hopes. My heart had raced at the prospect of what his support over my schooling could finally allow me. But then he had ruined my hopes of freedom–no, not freedom—independence. That’s all I want.