by Mara McBain
Ginny laughed, the throaty sound like a balm to frayed nerves.
“I love the way your family, and club, looks out for and loves one another,” Eva admitted, studying Mox’s fingers intertwined with hers. “I’ve never had anything like that.”
Ginny wrapped Eva in a hug. “You do now, honey.”
“I’m sorry,” Rhys murmured, pulling her into a hug and kissing her ear.
“Don’t look at me,” Zeke said with a sardonic arch of his eyebrow. “I welcomed her into the family Christmas Eve.”
Eva laughed and wrapped her arms around the Brawer patriarch’s waist in an easy embrace. Mox’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Ginny smothered a giggle behind her hand, but Zeke gave the girl a squeeze and kissed the top of her head.
“What?” he grumbled at his surprised family as he herded them back toward the stairs. “I don’t bite.”
“I beg to differ,” Ginny said with a delicate snort of skepticism.
Zeke caught his wife in a headlock, his brawny forearm curving under her chin to tilt her face up to his. Leaning into him, Ginny stumbled along, smiling sassily.
“That’s a whole different matter, baby, but if it makes you happy I’ll be sure to leave my mark later,” he murmured, kissing her.
“Dear God,” Rhys groaned, nudging Mox in the back. “Please walk faster. I need a drink.”
Curled in the crook of Mox’s arm, Eva listened to him laugh and reminisce with Rhys and Rain. It surprised her how quickly Mox’s ire had faded away. Like when Rhys had thrown Mox’s mother in his face at the apartment, within minutes all seemed forgiven between the brothers. She didn’t know whether to accredit that to the way brothers got along in general or to Mox’s laid back personality.
The warm haze of alcohol let her mind wander. Hearing Mox mention Ginny and the reverent way he said the woman’s name brought up a third possibility. Could it be that Mox didn’t feel he had the right to stay angry with Rhys? He’d said, growing up, the fear of being thrown out had been there the few times the two fought. When had Ginny stopped thinking of him as Rhys’ friend and started thinking of him as another son? As a kid, had Mox known? Either way, it was one thing to know and another to believe.
A silence fell over the group and she looked up. Rhys’ lips were pressed together in obvious annoyance, and Eva felt a blush creeping over her face. Had she missed something? Her eyes darted to Mox. He was looking over his other shoulder. Twisting her head, Eva blinked at the stick thin blonde. Wearing a mini-dress that pushed her breasts into twin mounds above and barely covered her lower cheeks, Becca looked trashy.
“How’d you get in here?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Becca said, smirking smugly at Rhys.
“I’d rather know what you want.”
“It’s New Year’s Eve. It’s a time for fresh starts and all that. We can put last year behind us and move on. We’re not kids anymore, Rhys. New Years is a time for couples. I’m sure even your dad wouldn’t want you all alone tonight.”
A slow smile spread across Rhys’ perfect lips, and he leaned back on the loveseat, tossing an arm around Rain. “I’m far from alone tonight, but thanks for your concern.”
Rain didn’t preen, or play coy. She maintained her relaxed sprawl—and waited.
Hatred transformed Becca’s painted face. Her scarlet lips drew back in a snarl.
“I don’t know what you see in this hippie bitch! It’s New Year’s Eve and she’s dressed like a hobo.”
Rhys didn’t bother to look at Rain’s casual jeans and lace tank. He smirked. Becca’s problem with the flannel tied around the other girl’s waist likely had more to do with the fact that it was his then any fashion objection. He let his hand drape down over Rain’s far shoulder, fingers trailing over the swell of her breasts to play with a crystal pendant that lay nestled between them.
Rain looked down, amusement quirking the corner of her generous lips as she watched Rhys’ fingers. Becca emitted a low strangled growl, drawing the playmates from their game. Eyes narrowed to fury filled slits, Becca’s nails dug into the back of the couch Mox and Eva sat on.
“Get your hands off my man,” she hissed between clenched teeth.
“It’s his fingers that are doing the walking, so don’t get your thong in a twist with me,” Rain said with a mocking smile.
“Don’t get smart with me, bitch! You aren’t the first ho to try and steal Rhys from me, and you won’t be the last. I’m not going anywhere. He always comes back to me, so why don’t you save yourself the embarrassment and ass kicking and go find some other low life biker to fuck.”
Rain stood, stretching her lean form like a lazy cat. “Such a dirty little mouth you have. I’m sure Rhys makes good use of it. Look here, sunshine, I’m not going to gnash my teeth and flex my claws with you. Rhys is a big boy. It’s up to him where he sheaths his sword, but one thing for you to think on, woman to woman, if you have such a lousy opinion of bikers, why keep chasing one? He’s not going to change. It’s in his blood,” she said, and stepping over Rhys’ long legs, headed for the bar.
Becca lunged at Rain’s back, fingers hooked into talons reaching for her unruly locks. She ended up with a face full of Rain’s fist. The crack of bone was audible to those nearby as Becca’s nose exploded in a spurt of blood.
Teary eyes wide in shock, Becca hit the floor grasping her shattered nose with both hands. Her wail broke the stunned silence. Blood gushed over her fingers, zigzagging between the gold sequins of her dress like tendrils of molten lava. No one moved to help her.
“You should’ve let me walk away, blondie. I don’t do the hair pulling and patty cake crap,” Rain said, shaking her head in disgust. She glanced at the trio she’d been sitting with and shrugged. “Anyone else need another drink?”
Eva tried to follow Mox’s conversation with his dad, but everything was fuzzy. After Rain had decked Becca, the party had seemed to kick into high gear. With the booze freely flowing, the Lords of Mayhem had welcomed the New Year in fine form.
She blinked as Lee swayed in front of her. At least Eva thought Lee was the one swaying. Flattening a hand against the wall, she nodded and giggled. It was definitely Lee. The beautiful Asian girl giggled and gingerly perched on the arm of an overstuffed chair.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Thank you for asking,” she said so politely, and then giggled again. “Reaper stepped outside.”
Brow furrowing in question, Eva glanced toward the ally door. Mox turned her into his chest.
“He’s taking a piss and doesn’t need your help, nosy.”
Lee and Eva dissolved into a fit of giggles while Mox just shook his head.
“Come on, giggles. I’m taking you home.”
Waving to her friend, Eva let her man, her fiancé she corrected herself, lead her through the clubhouse. It was the early hours of New Year’s Day now, and things were winding down. Many couples had retired to the second floor bedrooms. Some people hadn’t made it that far and lay passed out where they’d landed. Crazy Eddie was sprawled in a folding chair, with his boots on a table and the chair tilted haphazardly on two legs. She covered her mouth to hold back her amusement. How could he do that? He was dead to the world.
The wind whipped around them, its icy blast stealing her breath as they stepped outside. Huddling against Mox’s side, she blinked against the stinging sleet.
“Come on, baby. Two hundred yards to our warm bed and a puppy that misses us,” Mox murmured into her hair, hugging her close and stepping off the curb.
Stumbling along in the shelter of his hulking body, Eva tried to still the frantic chatter of her teeth. Her eyes closed. She was so damn tired. She didn’t know where the SUV came from. When she opened her eyes, it just materialized from the blowing sleet. Déjà vu struck with a vengeance. Flashbacks of another night in this same dark street flashed in her mind. Black and ominous, the powerful vehicle lumbered toward them.
She opened her mouth to say
something to Mox and no words would come out. It was probably nothing, just Amber and Bowie again. The window rolled down. Why was it the back window?
“Get down! Get the fuck down!”
The voice cut through the fog, coming from behind them. Eva screamed as the sound of gunfire shattered the still night, and she hit the pavement, buried under Mox’s bulk. She strained to make sense of what was going on. Brilliant flashes came from the vehicle’s open window. More voices sounded behind them with the constant pop of gunfire. Holes peppered the gleaming SUV’s side, and the engine roared, tires squealing.
Eva felt the brush of the Suburban as it raced past, but she was frozen by the face framed in the open window. Rocco. He’d come to do the job himself. Hatred burned from his dark eyes in that single second, and then he was gone. Eva’s head spun and she felt the night’s refreshments pushing their way up her throat. Her stomach heaved violently.
Trembling, fighting the debilitating nausea, she pushed against Mox. He didn’t move. Panicking, she shoved against his dead weight. His arms didn’t want to release her. Wiggling desperately, she freed her upper body and slid her hands over him. Her fingers came away slick and sticky. A familiar coppery tang burned her nostrils. She howled in grief and rage.
Chapter ~ 34
Arms draped awkwardly over Mox’s broad back, Eva clung to him, praying with everything she had. Another vehicle fishtailed around the corner, its engine roaring as the tires grabbed on the icy asphalt. It whistled by and was gone. Shouting male voices blended together in the dark. Nearby, Lee’s melodic voice broke as she wailed her man’s name. Eva’s heart twisted. It had been Reaper that had shouted for them to get down, drawing the gunfire from them.
The sound of running feet startled her. A faceless shadow stepped out of the gloom. She cried out, hunching over Mox as moonlight glinted off a gun barrel. The rumble of Zeke’s authoritative baritone was soothing in the chaos.
“Are you hurt?”
“No. Please. He’s bleeding.”
Zeke’s hands were sure as they ran over his son, looking for injury.
“Head wounds look worse than they are. The bullet just grazed the side of his head. Hold this to slow the bleeding,” he ordered, pressing the shredded remains of a shirt into her shaking hands. She fought not to drop it from her frozen fingertips. Zeke removed a holstered weapon from Mox’s belt and shoved it into the back of his waistband. “The knot on the other side of his head is more of a worry. Help is on its way. I have to get back to Reaper. Just hold on, little girl.”
He was gone before her numb brain could formulate an answer. Someone draped a blanket over her shoulders, and she looked up blankly. Ginny squatted next to her, spreading a throw over Mox. The older woman’s hands were bloody and shaking. Fear carved deep lines into her beautiful face. Ever the queen, she still reached over to squeeze Eva’s hand, offering comfort.
Eva felt sick again. She was the last person who deserved comfort. This was her fault. Mox was hurt and Reaper possibly dying, all because of her. Rocco would’ve never even heard of Trinity Falls if it wasn’t for her. Tawny, Mox, Reaper, their blood was on her hands. Sirens pierced the night air, and she sent up another prayer, willing them to be in time.
A sheriff’s car arrived a moment before the wailing ambulance. Their red and blue lights reflected off the wet road like a disco ball. Male voices continued to dominate the night air. She felt so isolated, like she was on the outside looking in as they scrambled to load Reaper into the ambulance. Zeke boosted Lee into the back and then slammed the doors closed, smacking his palm against the back of the vehicle to get them to go.
Panic surged through Eva, giving voice in her anguished cry. “Nooooo!” She struggled to lift Mox. They had to help him. Hands grabbed at her, but she shook them off. They couldn’t leave him. Someone shook her violently, and she finally focused on Ginny’s face.
“They’re coming for Mox. I promise you. Reaper’s bad, baby.”
Eva stared dumbly at her, watching the tears roll over sharp cheekbones. Relief, gratitude, and shame rolled over her in a wave as a Fire and Rescue van skidded to a halt yards away. Zeke was there then, relaying information to the paramedics. Rhys appeared behind her, pulling her away from Mox. His hands were gentle as he loosened her fists from Mox’s blue shirt.
“Come on, little sister. Let them help him,” he whispered.
She stumbled, legs numb like the rest of her. Rhys caught her easily and pulled her into a crushing hug. At odds only hours ago, he now offered comfort. She felt his chest heave in a smothered sob. He was as terrified as she was. It was all her fault. Her world felt shattered. Bits and pieces of sights and sounds filtered through the fragments. Tech’s drawl, a deputy asking questions, Murphy’s Boston accent, Crux holding his pregnant wife.
“Let’s go, baby.”
Rhys turned her toward Ginny. Eva stared at the other woman in confusion.
“We’re riding with him. Let’s go.”
The paramedic blocked Eva as she tried to climb into the back of the van. Ginny grabbed his arm.
“She’s his fiancé.”
“We’re only supposed to have one family member,” the young man said apologetically, but at the look Ginny gave him, he sighed. “One of you can ride in the front.”
Squeezing the man’s arm thankfully, Ginny jumped back to the ground and kissed Eva’s cheek. “Ride with your man. I’ll be right up front, baby. It’s going to be okay.”
Eva leaned her head back against the side of the swaying ambulance as they raced through town. Mox looked pale. This was her fault. She turned the diamond on her finger. He had offered her the fairytale. What did she bring him except pain and trouble?
The image of Crux’s rough hand gliding over the swell of his unborn child taunted her. It wasn’t right to continue to put these people in danger. How could she even dream of starting a family with Mox when everyday she’d be looking over her shoulder? Rocco’s resources and hatred were infinite. What chance did she have? She jumped at a touch on her hand.
“Are you okay?”
Scalding tears flooded her cheeks as she looked down into his blue eyes. That she was his first waking thought humbled her like nothing else. She didn’t deserve that type of love and devotion. He hooked his index finger under hers and squeezed gently.
“I’m fine,” she choked out. “My man protected me.”
The hospital waiting room was wall-to-wall Lords of Mayhem and family. Eddie, who had been passed out when this had started, leaned near the windows, his ass resting on the sill, a cup of coffee in his hand. Tragedy had a wonderful sobering effect.
Poor Lee was crumpled in a chair, her almond shaped eyes red-rimmed and swollen. As odd a couple as the menacing Reaper and gentle geisha made, it was obvious she loved him very much. Kat handed her a cup with a tea bag dangling from it. Kat, always the caretaker. She squatted awkwardly in front of Lee, hand resting on her knee. There was blood on the knee. Was it Lee’s or had she knelt in her man’s blood? Eva closed her eyes. This was her fault.
“How’re you holding up, little girl? Can I get you anything?”
Eva opened her eyes and stared up at Tech. Southern gentleman or not, how could he even talk to her after what had just happened? She shook her head mutely, not trusting her voice. He tucked an errant lock of her hair behind an ear, his broad, pierced face awash with sympathy. She knew he was searching for words of comfort. There weren’t any, so she just nodded and he moved on.
A bronze plaque on the wall kept drawing her eyes. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. ― Ambrose Redmoon She had no idea who this Redmoon guy was, but his words played over in her head. If she went back to Rocco he would kill her. If she stayed here, others, innocent people, would die. It didn’t seem like much of a decision.
Why then was she so afraid? Before meeting Mox there had been plenty of times she had prayed for death. At times, she had goaded Rocco
’s temper with her defiance, hoping to push him too far. Tamara walked in, her sleeping little girl wrapped in a blanket and cuddled in her arms. Taz gave up his seat for mother and child. The scary biker stroked the little girl’s sun-kissed locks, tugging the soft blanket higher around her angelic face. She’d heard him tell Crux that he had tried to catch the Suburban with no luck. It had been him at the wheel of the fishtailing vehicle.
Everyone looked up at a movement in the doorway, hungry for news, but it was just Crux. The heavily scarred biker continued to pace, stabbing his fingers through his tousled dark hair shot with gray. His worry for his brothers made his movements jerky and agitated. Spinning on a heel, he almost ran into Kat. She didn’t say a word, but Crux opened his arms to her and hugged her close.
Zeke finally arrived from talking to the police. Eva watched some of the tension leave Ginny’s shoulders, and she excused herself from Lee for the moment and walked straight into her husband’s arms. He tucked her head under his chin and held her tight as she updated him in a hushed tone. Concern lit his steely eyes. Eva closed her own. These people were more important than the fear.
Her thumb caressed the back of Mox’s hand as he slept. What the bullet had failed to do, the hard asphalt had almost accomplished. He had fractured his skull in the fall. The doctor had reassured them that it would heal on its own, but with the nasty concussion, they wanted to keep an eye on him. Once they’d gotten him settled, the nurses had allowed family to see him. They were letting her sit with him now. Reaper was still in surgery.
The fingers of her other hand traced the buttons on her phone. Eva shuddered. She’d promised herself in the waiting room that as soon as she was sure Mox was all right, she’d do the right thing. A tear rolled down her cheek. She wished she was brave enough to wake him up and tell him how much he meant to her, but leaving him was taking every ounce of courage she possessed. Leaning over the bed, she kissed him softly and then turned blindly for the door.