Cinder

by Harley Wylde

  He didn’t say anything at first, just watched me. The man wasn’t going to make me flinch, and he fucking knew it, which meant he was trying to figure out exactly what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it. Scratch had never been one to sugarcoat shit, but I didn’t know if he was about to talk to me as my VP or as my best friend. We’d been through a lot of shit together over the years, and I was closer to him than anyone.

  Which also meant he knew me too fucking well. With just the two of us in this room, he would be more likely to speak his mind. It wasn’t like I was going to beat the shit out of him or toss him from the club. The only way that would ever happen was if he turned traitor, and Scratch was the one man I knew I could count on, even if I’d had a quick flicker of doubt when I’d learned I had a rat in the club.

  “Just say it already,” I said.

  “The women aren’t too happy about how things went down with Meg,” he said. “They liked her and were hoping she’d stay here indefinitely.”

  “I thought Jordan said no one else knew where Meg went.”

  “They don’t, but they know something happened between the two of you, and that Meg is now gone. They heard what Jordan had to say, and Clarity is especially upset.”

  I closed my eyes a moment. “I’m sorry your wife isn’t happy about this, Scratch, but what happened with Meg is no one’s damn business. It seems Jordan stuck her nose where it didn’t belong, and now Meg has vanished. I have no way to keep her safe if she’s not here.”

  “Maybe it’s for the best,” he said. “You didn’t want to claim her, and I know she was always underfoot. It’s probably a good thing she’s moved on. Eventually she’ll trust someone else enough to let down her guard. It’s her chance to find someone to give her forever and not just right now.”

  “Are you saying I can’t give that to a woman?” I asked.

  He snorted. “You keep saying it, have been saying it for years. I’m sorry that women tend to fuck you over, but Meg isn’t like that and you damn well know it. I’m not here to bust your balls about it, but I wanted to let you know that the ladies aren’t feeling particularly kind toward you at the moment.”

  Fucking great. Nothing caused trouble faster than pissed-off women, and now every last one in my club hated me. They didn’t understand that I’d never lied to Meg, had never given her false hope. Whatever future she’d dreamed up was completely on her. Even if I should have kept my dick in my pants, I’d been as transparent as I could be, telling her from the start I wasn’t the forever kind of guy. I didn’t see how all this shit was now my fucking fault. And yet, I knew damn well if she were still here, still under my roof, I’d want her again.

  Women. Pains in my Goddamn ass.

  After my VP left, I shifted in my seat. I was beyond irritated that Meg had run, and that someone here had helped her. Just the thought of everything we’d done the night she’d been in my bed was enough to make me hard again, which made me all kinds of fucked-up. She was gone, in trouble, and here I was thinking about fucking her again. I closed my eyes and focused on the sounds she’d made as she came multiple times, the way she’d screamed my name. Before I even stopped to think about what I was doing, I had pulled the lube out and had my dick in my hand, stroking one out.

  I’d find her, one way or another. And maybe when she came back, I’d get her back into my bed. Pound her sweet little pussy so good until we were both spent. Shackle her to my bed and do every filthy thing she’d allow. I bit my lips as I remembered how tight she’d been, how fucking perfect. A few more strokes and I came, groaning with my release. I cleaned up and shoved my cock back into my pants.

  “Where the fuck are you, Meg?” I muttered to myself. I looked around my office, hoping I’d find a clue, or that inspiration would hit me and I’d suddenly just know where she was. None of that happened.

  Instead, I went to stretch out in bed. My fucking sheets smelled like her and I closed my eyes and breathed her in. I’d screwed up. Even I could admit as much. I didn’t have forever to give a woman, but maybe we could have come up with some other arrangement. I knew that I still wanted her. My cock twitched just thinking about being balls deep inside of her again.

  “Face it, old man,” I said to myself. “You’re fucked and not in a pleasant way.”

  I closed my eyes a moment, trying to convince myself it was better that she was gone. Instead, I just imagined all the ways The Inferno could get their hands on her, and what it would mean for her. If those assholes dared to touch her, I’d rip them apart.

  Chapter Eight

  Meg

  I’d had a fitful night of sleep, being in a strange place, and the scary looking Forge under the same roof hadn’t helped my nerves any. Even though I knew Dingo was close and would watch over me, it had still been hard not to be afraid. Once I’d been shown to my room last night, I’d stayed here. It was silly -- probably. I didn’t know Forge, or the Reckless Kings, but they seemed to want to help me, to keep me safe. I’d thought Cinder would do that, but I’d been wrong. Well, sort of wrong. He’d kept me safe from everyone else, but he hadn’t protected me from a broken heart.

  My eyes misted with tears and I placed a hand over the ache in my chest as I thought about his words. He’d never lied to me, never made promises of any kind other than he would protect me, but he hadn’t protected me from himself. The fact he’d slept with me and then pushed me aside hurt more than anything I’d suffered before. I could admit it was because I was falling in love with the man.

  There was a knock on the door and I held the covers up over my chest as I sat up in bed. “Come in,” I called out tentatively, unsure who was on the other side.

  Dingo popped his head around the door as he pushed it open and gave me a smile. He didn’t cross the threshold, but the smile slipped from his face as he saw the first tear slide down my cheek.

  “Meg, what’s wrong? Did I scare you when I knocked?”

  I shook my head and pressed my lips together, not wanting to admit how foolish I’d been to fall in love with a man who would never want me. Not for more than a quick fuck here and there, although the one night and morning seemed to have been more than enough for him.

  “I know you’ve had a rough time of it recently, and the stress can’t be good for you. The Reckless Kings would like their doctor to check you over, make sure everything is all right. He has a small room in the clubhouse where he treats people.”

  I snorted, having been around the Devil’s Boneyard long enough to know what types of treatment the bikers would need. Stitches and removal of bullets were on the top of the list.

  “He’s a good guy, Meg,” Dingo said. “Graduated from Johns Hopkins, which I’ve been assured is a top-ranking medical school.”

  “Then why is he working with bikers?” I asked. “No offense.”

  “None taken. As brilliant as they say Dr. Kestral is, I’m sure he had his pick of any hospital in the country. And to answer your question, his baby brother is a Reckless King.”

  I didn’t know what to make of that. I’d never given their families much thought, to be honest. It made me wonder if Cinder had family out there. Were there siblings, parents, or nieces and nephews he’d never mentioned? Of course, we hadn’t exactly discussed much. I hadn’t even been completely honest with him about where I came from, but that had only been because it was too painful. I’d known my parents were gone and that I didn’t have anyone left to care if I was alive or not.

  “I’ll see Dr. Kestral,” I said.

  “Get showered and dressed. I think Forge is cooking breakfast,” he said. “Or someone is. I smell bacon and eggs.”

  I nodded, and after he shut the door I gathered my clothes and went into the hall bathroom. As much as I’d have liked to linger in the shower, I washed quickly and pulled on a pair of jeans and a plain long-sleeved tee. My hair was still wet and I didn’t see a hairdryer, so I braided it to keep it out of my way. I carried my pajamas back to the guest room and set them on the foot
of the bed, then straightened the covers. There was a chill to the wood floors of the house so I quickly grabbed some socks and my shoes. After smoothing on some lip balm and a little moisturizer, I headed downstairs.

  Forge was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and Dingo was across from him. A tall woman with blonde hair stood at the stove, but she didn’t acknowledge me when I entered the room. Her rumpled barely-there clothes made me wonder if she’d stayed over, not that it was any of my business. Forge hadn’t seemed to have a wife or old lady, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t a steady woman in his life. Unless… I swallowed hard. He wouldn’t ask a club whore to cook for us, would he? I hadn’t seen much of those women at the Devil’s Boneyard. I knew they were there, but they didn’t live at the compound. Whenever the sun set and the music started pumping at the clubhouse, they’d come in droves to try and snag the attention of one of the guys. I’d seen them from a distance but had never spoken to one.

  Considering my past, I had a hard time imagining anyone wanting that kind of life. I didn’t look down on her for her choices, I just didn’t know why she’d pick that type of life. Even though I had learned to trust the Devil’s Boneyard members, it didn’t mean I wanted to hop into bed with them. Well, except Cinder. I’d gladly get into his bed again, but not as one of the women he’d toss out the next day. I wanted to be there every night and wake up to him every morning. Wouldn’t happen, but it didn’t stop me from yearning for it. Now that I’d had a taste, I wanted more.

  The woman scooped something out of the skillet and set it on the plates, then turned off the burner. She turned with two plates in her hands, and I could tell that she’d had a hard night. Possibly several. She served Forge and Dingo, then cast a glare at me before stomping out of the room. I went to stand and retrieve the other plate, but Forge reached out and placed a hand on my arm, making me jolt.

  “Sorry,” he said, as he released me. “You’re a guest so you’re damn sure not getting your own plate.”

  I didn’t know what to say, so I just sat quietly. He turned his gaze toward the door where the other woman had vanished and his jaw tightened.

  “Bunny!” he yelled. “Get your ass in here.”

  She appeared in the kitchen doorway, arms folded as she stared at him.

  “What the fuck was that shit?” he demanded. “I have more than one guest. I’d suggest you serve her food as well.”

  She sneered at me and didn’t move. “I’m not serving the whore. She can get her own damn food. Bad enough I had to cook it.”

  Forge stood, his chair scraping against the floor. As he moved toward her, I saw her pale a bit and her lower lip started to tremble. Dingo ate his food, ignoring the drama, but I couldn’t stop looking their way. Forge was a bit taller than her, but the way he stared down his nose at her, and the contempt rolling off him, would have made me flinch if it’d been directed at me. He was menacing even if he wasn’t as big as Havoc. I could see why he was the Sergeant at Arms.

  “The only whore in this house right now is you,” he said. “Get the fuck out. As of this moment, you’re no longer permitted in my house. You don’t touch me, don’t even fucking look at me.”

  “Forge, I…” She clamped her lips tight when he growled at her. After a slight squeak, she scurried out of the room and I heard a door slam.

  Forge ran a hand through his hair and sighed, then got the third plate from beside the stove and set it down in front of me. His touch was light as he patted my shoulder, then reclaimed his seat, eating as if nothing had just happened. Is that how Cinder saw me? Disposable? I looked down at my plate, but I suddenly wasn’t very hungry.

  “Sometimes the club whores forget their place,” Forge said. “Shouldn’t have asked her to come into my house. Won’t happen again. I’m sorry she disrespected you, Meg.”

  “It’s fine,” I said softly.

  “No, it sure as fuck isn’t,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going on with you and the Devil’s Boneyard President, but I have no doubt he’s going to come looking for you sooner or later. If he’d seen Bunny slight you like that, or call you a whore, I can only imagine how he would have reacted.”

  Dingo snorted. “Never seen him violent with a woman, but he definitely wouldn’t have let her get away with that shit. The man is in denial that he cares about Meg, but it’s clear for everyone else to see.”

  “He doesn’t want me,” I said, picking at my food. “He wanted me gone, so I left. He won’t come looking for me.”

  “We’ll see,” Dingo said.

  After we finished eating, what little I could manage to swallow, Dingo took me to the clubhouse. I hadn’t known what to expect, but my jaw dropped at how beautiful it was on the inside. The floors, ceilings, and walls were all a gorgeous pine, and polished to a high shine. Natural light came in from windows that were high up across the front, and I saw a balcony overlooking the main floor, the railing across made from what seemed to be tree limbs, also sanded and polished to match the rest of the clubhouse. I was in awe.

  “I’ve never seen anything like this place,” I whispered to Dingo.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, it’s something. I was told the doctor’s room was back this way.”

  I followed him to the back of the clubhouse, down a hall with several doors. I heard a buzzing and we passed an open door where a man was getting a tattoo. It looked like a professional set-up inside. There was another room that said Massage on the door, and then we approached one that said Dr. Kestral. The other doors didn’t have any writing and were all shut, so I had no clue what was behind them.

  Dingo knocked on the doctor’s door. The young-looking dark-haired man who opened it wasn’t what I had expected. But then, nothing around this place was what I would have imagined. The doctor didn’t seem old enough to have completed medical school, but he wore a lab coat and had a stethoscope around his neck. There was kindness shining in his eyes and he gave me an easy smile.

  “You must be Meg,” he said.

  I nodded and stepped into the room when he motioned me inside. I glanced at Dingo, a mild panic seizing me when I realized he was still in the hall.

  “You might want privacy,” Dingo said. “I’ll hear you if you call out.”

  I swallowed hard and got onto the padded table as Dr. Kestral closed the door. I noticed he didn’t lock it, which eased my fear a bit. The doctor wasn’t as heavily muscled as most of the bikers I’d been around since being saved, but he seemed trim and fit.

  “I’m Martin Kestral,” he said, holding out his hand.

  I shook it, not bothering to say my name since he already knew it. I spent the next twenty minutes answering questions. Anything pertaining to sex or my period made my cheeks warm, but I gave him truthful answers.

  “Meg, I requested your files from the doctor you saw after coming back to the United States. You mentioned that you thought you were barren because you’d never conceived.”

  I nodded.

  “Were you not aware you’d been on birth control?” he asked.

  “Birth control?” I blinked. “But I never took pills or anything.”

  “The files I received show that you had received shots in Colombia. Is that correct?”

  “Yes. They said it was vitamins or something.”

  “How often did you get them?” he asked.

  “Every three months.”

  He tapped his lips with his fingers and shook his head. “Meg, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I think they were giving you doses of birth control in your injections. You aren’t barren. In fact, all the scans and blood work done by your doctor in Alabama show that you’re perfectly healthy and capable of having children.”

  I felt the blood drain from my face and I placed a hand over my belly. If that was true, then I’d inadvertently lied to Cinder and could very well be carrying his baby. My hands shook and the room spun a little. What had I done? He would be furious if he ever found out. A whimper escaped my lips and I swayed.

&nb
sp; Dr. Kestral reached out and gripped my arms, keeping me upright. “Meg, I need you take some deep breaths and calm down.”

  “I told him I couldn’t get pregnant,” I said softly.

  “It was an honest mistake. I’m sure Cinder wouldn’t hold it against you. You said that your last period was three weeks ago. If you’re still here in a week and you miss your cycle, let me know and we can do a pregnancy test. We can do both blood and urine just to be safe.”

  I felt a tear slide down my cheek and I hastily wiped it away. Tears hadn’t gotten me anywhere in life, and they certainly wouldn’t change the fact I was pregnant. Or not. Maybe I wasn’t pregnant. Plenty of women had trouble conceiving, so it was possible I was one of them. There was no point panicking until I knew something for certain. Like Dingo had pointed out, I’d been under a lot of stress and it wasn’t good for me.

  Dr. Kestral checked my eyes, ears, and nose, then gave me the all clear. He helped me off the table and opened the door, letting Dingo into the room. Jordan’s brother clasped my arm and led me back through the clubhouse and out into the fresh air. We didn’t immediately go back to Forge’s place, but Dingo let me just stand there and decompress for a moment.

  “Better?” he asked.

  “Yeah. Thanks.”

  “Bad news?” he asked.

  “Maybe. I won’t know for a bit.”

  His gaze dropped to my stomach and I knew he understood what I meant. Part of me wanted to ask if anyone from the Devil’s Boneyard had contacted him, but if Cinder was relieved that I was gone, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Some small part of me hoped that he hadn’t really wanted me to leave, that he was looking for me, wanted me. I knew it was stupid to dream such things. Women like me didn’t get a happily ever after with the man of their dreams. As far as I knew, none of the other women from Colombia had found their Mr. Right, even though a few had been brave enough to start dating. Some of them kept in touch with the Devil’s Boneyard, but not all of them did.