by Sassie Lewis
“Did you have fun shopping?” He ran a big hand up and down her naked back, his gravelly voice breaking the silence. She could still sense his anger and fear, so she answered him honestly.
“Yes and no. I’ve missed Becca and I loved teaching you a lesson by racking up a huge bill on your credit card…” Chase didn’t say anything, just continued to trace the leather bra still clinging to her body. “But I felt like I was being watched the whole time, in a creepy way. Not like when one of the boys are following me around…” She wasn’t quite sure how to describe it. It was as if someone or something was smothering her in malevolent vibes. Thinking about it now was rather surreal, especially with Chase’s cock still nestled between her thighs.
Rubbing her face against his chest she closed her eyes. The tension from the day and the fuckfest they’d just had left her with little energy. Chase’s big hand twined in her hair, pulling her head back until she looked up at him. Anger still coated his features, along with tiredness.
“You can spend as much as you like. But never—and I mean never—disobey an order again.”
She wanted to argue with him, but was smart enough to know now wasn’t the time. Instead she asked the two questions plaguing her.
“You keep saying I’m yours, but what does that actually mean, Chase? And I know club business is club business, but if you want whatever this is between us to work, you’re gonna have to let me in, at least a little.” Okay, so the second wasn’t actually a question, but the man wasn’t stupid, surely he’d understand that was her way of asking what the fuck was going on with Hell’s Exiles?
The look on his face softened and he leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her lips. Even with her poor, abused pussy screaming in protest, Nessa couldn’t help but rock her hips against his stiffening cock. Damn the man had stamina. Was it normal for him to even be hard again?
Taking hold of her hips, Chase slowly rocked her back and forth. Nipping at her lips, he pulled his mouth from hers but didn’t stop the slow swaying. “After we’ve slept I’ll tell you what’s been going on at the club. As for us, I’ve wanted you since before I should have. You’re mine Vanessa. Mine to protect. No one but me will ever know how sweet this pussy is. No one but me will hear you moan their name. And I won’t let anyone hurt you, Nessa. Because if that ever happens the world will run red with the blood I spill to avenge you.
“No one takes what’s mine!”
Okay, so it wasn’t a declaration of love, and as her body again reached its peak and the sweet bliss of orgasm overtook her, Nessa bit her tongue and held back that word wanting to slip through her lips. Maybe in time, but for now, she was happy with the one he always uttered; mine!
Chapter Fourteen
After having a nap, and while cooking dinner—something she’d discovered he was rather good at over the course of the week— Chase had been true to his promise. With every word he spoke, Nessa’s heart ached.
God, those poor people. Yeah, they might not be the most law-abiding citizens but they were a family. And the brotherhood of the MC was tighter than any family Nessa knew of. Hell, just look at her own, how easily the breeders had dismissed her, just because she didn’t fit into their mold. So for Hell’s Exiles—a family she was already part of—to lose so many, pulled at her heartstrings and made her feel sick. It truly helped her understand why Chase had lost his shit when she’d gone out.
Crap.
“Umm, Chase? Please don’t be mad at Tommy. Honestly I didn’t know what Becca had planned. And we were almost at the mall before I realized he wasn’t following me.”
“It’s my job to teach that boy a lesson. If he wants to be part of this club he needs to follow orders—”
“But—”
“No buts, Vanessa. He left you unprotected. Unless he was dying, there’s no excuse for not doing his job. Even then I’d expect him to use his last breath protecting you.” The matter-of-fact way Chase spoke sent a shiver down her spine.
Trying to lighten the somber mood surrounding her, she smiled up at him, “Trust me, with that stink bomb your sister let off, he was probably begging for his last breath. We’re going to have to air out the barn for a week before that stench is gone.” Chase didn’t look amused.
Freakin’ stubborn biker. Screw him, she knew he was pissed with her and worried about the club, but so was she; worried about the club that was. The pissed part… well, she was pissed with him too. If he’d just explained what was going on, she wouldn’t have gone anywhere without protection; or anywhere at all for that matter. But she wasn’t telling the asshole that.
Pushing away from the table she stormed out the back door. She didn’t make it down the porch steps before Chase was on her, his arms tight bands around her. “Where the hell do you think you’re going, Vanessa?”
Damn her body for reacting to that voice. Her core tightened, her nipples beaded and her heart rate kicked up a notch. Thank Christ she’d awoken with her period. Her poor pussy would end up resembling a mangled cat if she let him near her again. Her libido just wasn’t catching on that her hoo-ha needed a rest after the heavy pounding it had taken earlier. Reefing herself out of his hold she continued down the steps, ignoring her needy libido and her moody biker.
Tommy rested against the side of the barn. Even from outside the smell was bad and her gag reflexes kicked in. Breathing through her mouth, guilt moved her forward until she stood in front of the scowling man.
“I had no idea she was going to do that to you, Tommy. It wasn’t until we were almost at the mall that I noticed you weren’t following, and Becca told me what she’d done. I’m so sorry.” He didn’t say anything just stared up at her, pure irritation filling his face.
For the first time since Nessa had met him a twinge of fear rolled through her. Not for her own safety but for anyone else who happened to piss him off. At that moment he didn’t look like the man she’d come to know, he looked like the badass biker he really was. His eyes flicked over her shoulder and he gave a small nod of his head before pushing himself up to stand in front of her. It wasn’t really an acceptance of her apology but at least he wasn’t drilling holes in her with his eyes anymore. Still, she couldn’t help the tears from falling. He wasn’t just a man ordered to protect her; before Chase had gotten back to town he’d been her friend.
A small sob made its way past her throat and she turned to run back to the house. The strong arms that enfolded and turned her around weren’t the ones she’d grown accustomed to. Tommy’s scent filled her nose as he hummed soothing sounds and rubbed her back.
It was kind of odd. She normally had her arms around him while riding on the back of his bike, not the other way round. Even as friends Nessa didn’t think Tommy had actually hugged her before: thrown an arm over her shoulder, yeah. Held her hand as she got off his bike, yeah he’d done that too. But a full-body hug? Nope, never before.
Her sobs got louder, because right then a hug from Tommy was exactly what she needed. She knew she was falling for Chase big time, but it was the comfort of friendship she wanted. To know that everything between her and Tommy was okay. To finally let out the tension of what Chase had told her in the kitchen. And goddammit, she didn’t want to put Tommy or any of the other guys in danger. I don’t want anyone dying for me.
“Hush, sweetie. It’s my job and I’d be a piss poor brother if I let anything happen to one of our old ladies.” Tommy’s voice vibrated through his chest and into the ear she had pressed there. Nessa hadn’t realized until then she’d spoken her concerns aloud.
Anger hit her like a tidal wave. Anger at how easily he dismissed his own life just for her. Anger at the assholes who made him have to think about it in the first place. Pulling from his hold she spun on her heels to face Chase. If she was his, then he was hers, and that meant she wasn’t going to stand idly by while shit went down with her club.
“He,” she stabbed a
finger in Tommy’s direction, “is not to die because of me.” Both men went to interrupt but she stopped them, stomping her foot. “No. I will not have that on my conscience. But Chase, you are going to find the motherfuckers threatening us, and when you find them, make sure they hurt. They need to pay for the lives they’ve already taken.” Before Chase could say anything she spun back toward Tommy, “and you are not sleeping in that barn. There’s a spare room in the house.” Once again, Nessa was swept into a set of strong arms, this time they were the ones she was not only accustomed to but also becoming addicted to. Chase slanted his lips across hers; the kiss short but fierce. Just as quick as it started, it ended, and she was placed back on her feet.
A little stunned and a lot horny, she tilted her head back to take in his face. A wide smile dimpled his cheeks and his eyes twinkled with a deadly glow.
“Fuck you’re hot when you’re bloodthirsty.”
His words threw her for a second before she realized what she’d asked him to do. Yeah, she probably should be shocked to discover that dark side of herself…a side that was not only willing, but eager to see bones broken and lives threatened. But with what was at stake, she couldn’t lie to herself and say she was totally surprised. And if wanting that meant she was bloodthirsty? Well, Nessa could deal with that.
Chapter Fifteen
Once again Chase sat in the factory surrounded by his brothers. For almost a week everything had been quiet. No more attacks. Nothing. And that was pissing him off.
How the fuck were they meant to deal with shit if no one was coming forward claiming fame for taking down part of Hell’s Exiles? He hadn’t even been able to ease his tension between Nessa’s soft thighs. The fact she was on her rag didn’t bother him; the only thing keeping him away was her continued protest of “No, you broke me. This hoo-ha is out of commission.” That, and she had been walking a little funny since he’d fucked her on the porch.
He’d just spent an hour going a few rounds with Blake. The big guy seemed as much on edge as Chase. But the feel of flesh against fist wasn’t nearly enough to ease the frustration still bubbling inside him.
Quin pushed through the door, looking as ragged as the rest of them. He’d called Chase that morning telling him to organize this meet, but hadn’t told him anything else. As their Prez made his way into the room, all the boys stopped what they were doing, and grabbed a chair.
“We clean?”
“As a virgin on her wedding day Prez.” Zane tapped a button and a low-level buzz filled the room. He’d already swept for bugs, but the buzz would interfere with anyone trying to listen from outside the building.
Nodding, Quin threw a ledger onto the table. “I went for a drive today. Figured it was about time I spoke to Razor.”
Well shit, Chase hadn’t been expecting that. Razor was a bastard. The ex Hell’s Exile president was a mean mofo, and the one person he hated most was Quin. The fact they were father and son just made the hatred even stronger. Hell the men barely spoke to each other, and normally conversations between the two involved fists. The only family member Razor had any time for was… “Shit. Please don’t tell me you dragged Becca into this?” Chase couldn’t stop the question from pouring out. He might still be pissed at Becca for putting Nessa in danger, but she was his sister.
“Of course I fucking did. Do you think for a second that asshole would have seen me otherwise?” Quin slammed his fist against the table, anger rolling off him in waves. “As president I did what I needed to do. Don’t fucking question me again, boy.”
Holding his hands up, Chase swallowed his anger. His grandfather might treat him like dirt but Chase knew the old bastard would never do anything to upset Becca. “So what did ya find out?” He redirected the meeting back to business.
“I’ve got a theory…” Pulling out a seat, Quin flipped it around and straddled it, his eyes scanning every brother at the table. “It’s pretty fucked up but at the moment it’s also the only thing that makes a lick of sense.
“Apparently my granddaddy—Deno—wasn’t too faithful. Turns out I’ve got an uncle out there who was none too pleased when he was turned away from the club. As far as Razor knows, this man,” Quin flipped open the ledger. “Rick O’Connell, claimed to be Deno’s kid. There was no proof, but from what Razor said, there was no mistaking the family resemblance.”
Quin got up and stormed over to the fridge. Grabbing the vodka from the freezer, he didn’t bother with a glass, just drank directly from the bottle. Chase could sympathize. He loved the fact his relatives had given them the club, he just hated most of the bastards he was related to. Both Deno and Razor had been great presidents. They were both just shitty fathers and grandfathers. Quin on the other hand was great at both. And Chase would bet on his life that when he and Nessa had kids his dad would be a fantastic grandfather. That thought had his cock twitching with the need to fill her with his seed.
“So you were right Chase. This goes way back. Well, if the theory this asshole’s involved is good, it does. And so far it makes sense.
“Razor was surprised by how much this Rick knew about the club. And when Deno turned him away, he promised retribution but nothing came of it.”
“So why now? If this guy’s your uncle he’d have to be what? Seventy-something?” Horse asked the question they all had to be thinking. It sure as hell was playing through Chase’s mind. Why the fuck after so long would he act now? And fuck, he’d have to have help. As Horse just said the man would be in his seventies.
“Fucked if I know.” Quin turned back to face them. “That folder has all the info the old man would give me, Zane. Do your magic. We’ll meet day after tomorrow. If I don’t spend some time with my wife, she’s going to pitch a fucking fit.”
* * * *
Nessa stared out into the pouring rain. She’d rocked up at the Anderson house not long before it started, thinking that spending her day off with Becca would ease the jittery feeling humming through her. But it wasn’t helping and it was that asshole’s fault.
She could lie and say the restlessness came from the threat Hell’s Exiles faced, but that wasn’t it. It was going four days without the big dickhead boinking her brains out which had her entire body buzzing in the most annoying way. Oh, her pussy was very grateful for the reprieve her period had brought with it. Her libido though, was not impressed in the slightest. It was telling her to allow the man to do whatever he wanted to her.
Huffing out a breath Nessa ignored the need for Chase’s big hands on her body, along with Becca’s whining about Blake shadowing her every move, and continued to watch the heavy downpour.
It didn’t rain often in Nevada, but when it did it came down fast and hard. Normally the rain would be a welcome sight, and something she’d want to memorialize in ink afterward. But right then, all the rain did was add to the worst case of PMS she’d ever had.
Fucking hormones!
“Hey heifer, your mom’s home,” she called out as a car pulled up the drive.
Becca moved to peer out the window beside Nessa, “You think we should go out there and help with the groceries?”
“I’m on it,” Tommy’s voice made her jump. He’d been so quiet Nessa had forgotten he was even in the room.
Calming her racing heart, she blew out a slow breath and went back to staring out the window. Bianca and Rico stepped from the Rover and six bikes she didn’t recognize sped into the yard.
“Get the fuck away from the window.” Tommy screamed from the door before running outside, his gun drawn and pointed. Gravel pelted the house, and the boom of gunfire drowned out the rain. And a voice in Nessa’s head yelled at her to run, get help, call someone, but she was frozen. The world slowed down; her heart missed a beat, and all she could do was watch the horrific scene unfold.
Gunfire shattered the air. Bianca jerked as bright red exploded across her face, the color vivid against the bleak, gray b
ackground. Rico dove at the bleeding woman, pushing her bodily to the rough driveway. Becca’s anguished cry thundered through Nessa’s head, her own mind echoing the mournful sound. Blood pooled beneath Bianca’s prone body as Tommy joined Rico.
It’s too late. Too late… she wanted to tell him. Her heart screamed in sorrow, because there was no coming back from that kind of wound.
The world sped up and Nessa lost focus of Bianca’s dead body as that fight or flight part of her brain kicked in and she ducked away from the flaming bottle hurtling toward the window. Fire erupted around her.
Grabbing her best friend’s hand, Nessa pulled Becca away from the shattered glass. Leaping over the flames, they made a run for the open front door as another Molotov bomb sailed through the opening. The fire rapidly engulfed the Anderson’s living room.
Nessa’s heart raced and her lungs burned; they were running from one bad situation straight into another, but they couldn’t stay in the smoke filled house. The moment they hit the porch, Nessa pushed Becca to the ground, shielding her from flying bullets. A sharp pain splashed across her arm. Ignoring it she whispered into Becca’s ear “stay down, don’t move. I’ll be back in a second.”
Becca looked up, tears streaking her face. Nessa wanted nothing more than to huddle with her best friend and let the grief consume her, but the rapid blast of bullets wouldn’t let her. They drove her need to fight.
To protect.
To survive.
Swinging around, Nessa held her breath and raced back into the house, and to the entry closet which held a small arsenal. Hefting the duffle she knew was filled with an assortment of weapons, she dragged it out to the porch.
Taking up position behind a large potted plant, Nessa pulled out a semi-automatic rifle, checked it was loaded then handed it to Becca. Her best friend didn’t raise her head, just curled her fingers around the handle of the weapon. The girl was going to be no help in this fight, too caught up with grief to protect herself. Nessa’s focus, however, was centered on killing those who had taken the woman she loved like a mother. For thinking they could bring down Hell’s Exiles.