by Harley Wylde
“Yeah. I just needed to talk things out, and my mom has always been there for me. I knew she’d have some advice for me.”
“And?”
“I want to stay, to give us a chance. I’m scared, Justin. I’ve never been in a relationship before and I have no idea if I’m even capable of it. If you claim me, and it’s a forever kind of thing, what happens if everything goes to hell? What if we fight and can’t stand one another after a few days or weeks?”
Titan pushed his chair back and motioned for me to come closer. When I reached his side, he tugged me down onto his lap. “Baby, I don’t make rash decisions. I’ve watched you, and not just on your webcam show. You’re sweet, sexy, and I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you, Delilah. It hasn’t died down over the two months I’ve known you, and I don’t think it ever will. If you want to stay a few days and see how it goes, I’ll give you that.”
“A few days?” I asked.
“It will give you a chance to see what it would be like to live with me. I’m waiting on two of my guys to come back from a run. After they get back, I’ll be calling Church, and I’ll officially claim you unless you’ve decided to leave by then.”
It was better than no time at all, but still… a few days to decide the rest of my life? It felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff. If I made the wrong choice, I could fall to my death. Then again, maybe if I took the leap, I wouldn’t fall. I’d fly.
“All right. A few days.”
He put his hand on the back of my neck and drew me closer, then kissed the hell out of me. I didn’t know what I’d just gotten myself into, but I hoped it was the beginning of my happily-ever-after.
Chapter Five
Titan
The sun peeked through the blinds and bathed Delilah in a soft, golden glow. She’d been here three days. I always found her beautiful, but with her hair spread across my pillows, she was even more stunning. I knew I needed to get up and deal with club business, but I wanted to linger a little longer. Reaching out, I ran my fingers over her cheek. After weeks of wanting her in my bed, she was finally here, right where she belonged. Not having been around clubs before, especially like the Hades Abyss, I knew me wanting to claim her so soon after meeting her had to have been a shock. I’d known men who took old ladies within a day or two of meeting them, so two months seemed like forever to me. Sometimes you just knew when someone was meant to be yours.
Hell, even Barney knew she was ours. He’d taken to following her all over the house, barely leaving her side. I had to kick his ass out at night and shut the door, otherwise he’d probably try to bite my dick off when I fucked Delilah. The dog was smart, but if he thought she was being hurt, I had no doubts whatsoever he’d protect her. Even if it meant biting the hand that fed him.
I cursed when my phone rang, and I grabbed it before the noise woke Delilah. She hadn’t gotten much sleep and I knew she had to be exhausted. The screen flashed with Boomer and I answered.
“What the fuck do you want, asshole?” I asked my VP.
“I know you’ve got your woman there and I hate to interrupt, but some shit’s going down and needs your attention.”
Fucking hell. “What now? Wizard already told me about Delilah’s family. And one of the webcam girls being the daughter of Grizzly. What the fuck else could go wrong? Is it too much to ask that we have a quiet fucking week every now and then?”
Boomer cleared his throat. “Well, since you asked. Shella is gone. Not like gone from the clubhouse, but as in she left town entirely. The two prospects who tag-teamed her were Owen and Riley. Even though they were dumbasses, they didn’t break any rules.”
“What the fuck do you mean she’s gone?” I asked.
“Packed up her shit and left. Missy gave her some cash until the girl gives her a forwarding address for her final check. Not sure where she’s going to end up.”
“That it?” I asked. On the upside, maybe the Devil’s Fury wouldn’t come knocking at our door looking for her. At the same time, I didn’t like keeping shit from Grizzly. I’d have to let the man know his daughter had been here. Probably leave out the part of her being a webcam girl, or the fact she’d screwed any guy who’d looked her way while she’d been here. What a fucking mess!
“Not quite. The shipment we were expecting is late. Sent Morgan and Galahad out to check on it. That was an hour ago. Haven’t heard from them and they aren’t back yet. Brick and Smoke came back from their run without issue. Already handed the cash over to Pretty Boy so it can be put into the right accounts.”
I knew exactly which shipment he meant. I’d not wanted to make the deal with a bunch of mobsters, but I hadn’t exactly had much choice. There was one thing I’d never allow and that was for anyone to abuse women. If that meant I had to purchase their freedom, then so be it. The fact I’d just bought three women from a Bratva brothel, and they were now gone along with my men, didn’t bode well.
“See if Wizard can track them. I’ll throw some clothes on and head to the clubhouse.”
Boomer snorted. “No offense, Pres, but you probably smell like pussy. At least shower first.”
I’d have flipped him off if he could see me. “Never bothered you before.”
“Yeah, well. It’s different when you smell like a club whore. Don’t think you want everyone smelling your old lady on you.”
“Not officially my old lady,” I said, glancing at Delilah.
“Maybe not on the record yet, but she’s yours. Everyone here knows it.”
“Pull everyone who isn’t missing, including Prospects. For once, we’re bringing them into Church. Need all hands on deck for this one. I have a feeling those fuckers have double-crossed us, and likely have our men tied up somewhere if they haven’t outright killed them.”
“Only if they want to start a war,” Boomer said.
“Doubt they care either way.”
I disconnected the call and went to shower. After a quick scrubbing, I got out and dried off, then dressed as quick as I could. I leaned over the bed to press a kiss to Delilah’s cheek. I hated leaving her, especially while she was asleep. I pulled a small notepad from the bedside table drawer and a pen so I could scribble her a note, letting her know where I was. When I was finished, I put on my boots and headed out, stopping long enough to let Barney out to pee and back inside again.
Any other time, I’d have left someone outside my house to keep an eye on her. Since no one outside the compound knew she was mine, she should be safe enough for now. Not to mention Barney would bite anyone who tried to hurt Delilah. Our chapter was still on the small side, but the trouble that kept landing at our feet meant we needed more men. We’d added three Prospects since the incident with my daughter, especially since we’d patched in Sean, who now went by Galahad.
I knew some thought I’d patched him out of pity. His cousin, MaryAnne, had been snatched, and abused horribly. It had taken a long time to track her down and save her, although, I wasn’t too sure there’d been much left to save. The sweet teenager he’d known was long gone, leaving only a shell behind. Under constant care at a private mental facility, MaryAnne had everything she could possibly need. It wasn’t enough. I’d failed her.
Since bringing her home, I’d made it my mission to save as many women as I could. Those who chose prostitution were another matter, unless they’d decided they wanted out. The women who came to the clubhouse, the ones we called club whores, were there voluntarily. They knew the score. In exchange for being easy pussy to anyone in a cut, they got free drinks, recreational drugs if they so desired, and had a good time. Any who thought they’d get claimed were soon set straight on the matter.
I pulled up to the clubhouse and parked near the stairs. No matter how packed the lot became, I’d always have a spot reserved as President. Boomer had a place on the opposite side that was always left open for him. It looked like everyone was here already, or some had possibly never left. Wouldn’t be the first time a few men had fallen asleep either in t
he rooms down the hall or slumped over the bar or tables.
I pushed open the doors and went inside, my eyes adjusting to the dim interior. Two barely clad women were asleep at the nearest table. The rest of the main room was empty. I made my way down the hall to Church and claimed my spot at the table. Not only was every patched brother at the table, except for those out on jobs, but the Prospects lined the wall.
“You’re probably wondering why I called in everyone,” I said. “Trouble has found us again, and I need every damn one of you. The shipment we were expecting is missing, along with some of our men. Wizard, were you able to pinpoint a location?”
He had his laptop open and tapped away at the keys a moment. “Their phones are all pinging from the same location, which is in the middle of nowhere. If we sent someone to retrieve them, I’m guessing they’d find the phones on the side of the road. The bikes are another matter.”
“Wait. Bikes?” Philly asked. “What the fuck, Pres? You chipped our bikes?”
“After the things we’ve been through the last few years, yes. I had Wizard put a tracker on everyone’s bikes.” I’d also had him include one inside the lining of each officer’s cut, but I wasn’t about to share that. We’d had a rat in our midst before and I wasn’t going to chance that information getting into the wrong hands. It could mean the difference in one of us coming home alive or in a body bag. “We’re brothers. Family. And I will be damned if I’m ever leaving a man behind. If that means I put trackers on you or your bikes, then so be it. Don’t like it? You know where the fucking door is.”
Philly held up his hands. “Not trying to start shit, Titan. Just would have been nice to know.”
“In case you’re wondering, I used only the best money can buy, which means they’re damn hard to discover. Unless they have state of the art equipment, the trackers go undetected, which is what we were counting on,” Wizard said. “Actually, it’s the brainchild of Wire and Lavender. The Dixie Reapers will be using them as well, if they aren’t already.”
“Nothing quite like having a leash shoved up your ass,” Stone muttered. “I can see why you’d feel it was necessary, but I don’t like it.”
“The location of the bikes?” I asked, needing Wizard to focus and get back on track.
“About fifteen miles outside of town. Looks like a warehouse complex. Getting an exact location would be a bit harder. Might have to send in a few men for recon, figure out exactly where they’re being held and what we’re up against,” Wizard said.
“Any volunteers?” I asked.
“I’ll go,” said Pretty Boy.
Poison and Gravel both raised their hands. Before I asked if anyone else wanted to go, two Prospects volunteered as well.
“Count me in,” Riley said.
“And me,” said one of the newer Prospects, Cache.
“All right. Pretty Boy, since you’re an officer, I’m putting you in charge. I want you to roll out within the hour, but don’t go in guns blazing. We need methodical and not maniacal.”
“Which is why I’m staying here,” Boomer said. He grinned and I flipped him off, although he wasn’t wrong. He’d earned his name by blowing shit up.
“Just one other matter of business before everyone leaves. I’m claiming Delilah. As of now, she’s officially my old lady, which means you’ll give her the respect she deserves,” I said.
“She know about you paying to see her webcam show?” Wizard asked.
“I told her. I think she actually felt relieved. When she realized her family could have stumbled across the site, she seemed embarrassed. There’s some shit we’ll need to discuss about her family, but I want this other issue settled first. Everyone get the fuck out.” I slammed my fist on the table and stood.
Wizard hung back and approached after everyone else had left. He handed me a flash drive and without a word, walked out. I closed my fist around it, then shoved it into my pocket. Whatever was on it, I doubted it was something good. I’d open the file or files when I had a moment alone.
Before I went home, I rode to the nearest bakery and got a sack of kolaches. No doubt Delilah would be hungry when she woke up, and I knew I was damn well starving. I’d have gotten a box of donuts, but I knew they wouldn’t travel well in my saddlebags. I stashed the kolaches, then headed back to the compound.
The house was still silent when I got home. I put the food on the kitchen table, then went up to find Delilah. I smiled when I saw her curled around my pillow, the sheet around her ankles. She’d twisted and turned until my shirt had ridden up to her waist, exposing her sexy ass. It was tempting as hell to crawl back into bed with her, but I knew if I did, I’d want to do far more than wake her up.
Barney lay at her feet, his head on his paws. He eyed me but didn’t budge.
I placed a knee on the mattress and ran my fingers through her hair. “Wake up, beautiful. Time for breakfast.”
She murmured and squeezed her eyes shut tighter. Cute as hell. I leaned down and kissed her cheek before I licked the shell of her ear. She moaned and turned her lips toward me. I couldn’t resist and claimed a morning kiss.
Her eyes slowly opened. “Morning.”
“I have breakfast downstairs. Hungry?”
Her stomach growled and her cheeks turned pink. I helped her from the bed, fighting to keep my hands off her ass or anywhere else that would land us right back under the covers. Instead, I herded her to the bathroom so she could take care of her morning business, then led her downstairs to the kitchen. The click of Barney’s nails let me know he’d followed. I didn’t see him at first, then realized he’d settled under the table right at Delilah’s feet. It seemed I no longer had a dog. My woman had stolen him without even trying.
The kolaches were still warm and I plated two for each of us. There were more in the bag if that wasn’t enough. No matter how much Barney begged, he wouldn’t get one. At least, not by my hand. The vet had warned against giving him people food, and he was on a special diet of expensive dog food.
“I may have to step out again later. Club business,” I said.
She took a bite of her breakfast and eyed me but didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. Any other woman would probably have asked what I’d be doing or where I’d be going. Not Delilah. She wasn’t like anyone I’d ever met before.
“Not even curious?” I asked.
“Would it do me any good? According to Missy, you guys never discuss club business around anyone.”
“She’s right. We don’t. I’m just surprised you didn’t at least attempt to get anything out of me.”
She leaned back in her chair. “I have three brothers and an overprotective dad. Trust me. I know when a man doesn’t want to tell me something, especially if he thinks it’s for my own good, that I won’t be able to pull the information from him no matter what I try. No sense making you mad or giving myself a headache over it.”
“I think you’re going to settle in here just fine.” I winked at her. “And for the record, I’m not keeping things from you because I think it will keep you safe. If you’re in danger, I’ll tell you. This shit I’m dealing with today doesn’t have anything to do with you, or my daughter.”
She sat up a little straighter. “There’s another woman here? I mean, other than the ones who party at the clubhouse? Your daughter lives here at the compound?”
I nodded. “She’s Kraken’s old lady and they have a house inside the gates. Her name’s Phoebe.”
She opened and shut her mouth. “You mentioned being a grandpa, and you said your daughter was with Kraken, even mentioned he’d brought her home, but I didn’t realize their home was at the compound. Will I get to meet them?”
“You will. After I get things situated today, I’ll give Kraken a call and have him bring everyone over for dinner. We can order pizza or Chinese. The kids are too small to eat either. Or rather, Phoebe refuses to let Ember eat either one. I can understand the Chinese since she might choke on it, but pizza?” I sho
ok my head. “Every kid should be allowed to have it.”
“How old is Ember?” she asked.
“Around two. I don’t know her exact age. Only my daughter tells the kids’ ages in months. Far as I’m concerned, you’re either one age or another. Who the fuck measures their life in months?”
She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t know how old your grandkids are?”
I shrugged. “I can tell you the date of anything going on with the club. But birthdays? Someone will have to remind me.”
She let the matter go, but I couldn’t tell if it bothered her or amused her. I’d have to find out when her birthday was and put it in the calendar in my phone. Something told me if I forgot my woman’s birthday, she’d have my balls. She might be all sweetness and innocence, but I had no doubt she’d stand toe to toe with me if the need arose. I didn’t want a pushover for my old lady. I had no idea how she’d react if she saw a club whore trying to get into my pants. Part of me wanted to find out, but at the same time, I didn’t want to upset her. There was no competition whatsoever, as the only woman I wanted was sitting across from me right now.
“Why don’t you call Missy and have her bring your things over? You have to be tired of running around in my shirts. I know we’ve been a bit preoccupied, but you should at least get anything you need immediately. Someone can get the bags or boxes from her at the gate or clubhouse and drop them by the house. I’d prefer that she not come here.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“She came with Wizard about an issue with the club and her business. That’s not the same as her bringing stuff to the house for you. If she’s permitted to come hang out whenever she wants, she may think she holds more power in the club than she does. I know the two of you are friends, but you’re mine now, Delilah, and that means people will use you to get to me, or to gain an advantage with the Hades Abyss. Missy doesn’t just run her business out of her clubhouse, but she parties there too.”
She chewed on her lip and seemed to think it over. “I can understand why you’d feel she might do that. She’s not the same person she was before. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that she seems a little like a stranger some days. I’m not sure I know this new version very well.”