Mettle: (Spartan Riders #2)

by J.C. Valentine

  “Is that the Mexican Hat Dance?” Talia asked, giggling as he pulled out the phone and cut off the sound.

  He didn’t acknowledge her question, his mood decidedly sour now. “This had better be good,” he barked.

  It wasn’t. Nothing from that moment on would be. Talia watched with a growing sense of unease as the muscles in Tucker’s back stiffened and his shoulders crept up toward his ears. By the time he ended the call, his skin had turned an alarming shade of crimson, and Talia had a lump in her throat the size of a golf ball.

  She’d garnered nothing from the one-sided conversation, except that something bad either had happened or was about to. “What’s going on?” she questioned when Tucker left the bed and started getting dressed without a word.

  “The club needs me. I have to go.”

  “Wait. Hold on,” Talia commanded as she leaped out of bed and rooted around the floor for her clothes.

  Tucker paused, watching her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Wrenching her shirt over her head, Talia said, “With you.”

  “No, sugar,” he said with some amusement, “you’re not.”

  “The hell I’m not. Move,” she said, shoving him out of the way so she could pick up one of her socks that he happened to be standing over.

  Finished dressing himself, Tucker clucked his tongue. “Sorry, sugar, but the only thing you’ll be doing tonight is giving me a sweet kiss goodbye and climbing back into that bed. I’ll call you when I’m done.”

  “Yeah, um, let me think on that.” She tapped her chin. “How about go to hell.”

  Tucker’s amusement vanished and in its place stepped a hard as stone expression that, she was sure, he used to intimidate others often.

  “And you can wipe that look off your face right now. You don’t scare me one bit,” she informed him. Lacing her boots, she remembered something. Returning to the bed, Talia took a moment to untie Tucker’s laces from the bed post and tossed them at him. He caught them against his chest with one hand. “Forgot those.” She headed for the door. “Ready when you are.”

  Catching her around the waist, Tucker reeled her back in. “Not so fast, sugar. I’m serious. You’re staying put. Now don’t give me that look,” he admonished when she bared her teeth at him. “I won’t put up with any of your sass, you hear. If we’re going to give this relationship thing a shot, you’re going to have to learn that women don’t tag along on club business.”

  “Antiquated bullshit,” she lashed back. “I’m not buying it.” Furthermore, she refused to obey it. They weren’t her rules. She hadn’t taken any oaths. As far as she was concerned, he could suck her big fat toe.

  “Doesn’t matter if you buy it or not,” he informed. “That’s the way things are in my world. You want more from me, you’re gonna have to accept it.”

  “And if you want more from me,” she challenged, “you’re gonna have to accept that I don’t follow orders. I march to my own drum.” Lifting onto her toes, she stuck her face in his. “You feel me?”

  Tucker’s amber colored eyes darted back and forth between hers in disbelief. Talia braced herself, waiting for a verbal tongue lashing that wouldn’t come. Instead, he barked a laugh deep from within his belly and squeezed her close. “You’re a goddamn riot. What the hell am I gonna do with you.”

  Crushed against his chest, her head trapped beneath his chin, Talia mumbled, “Take me with you.”

  His chest rumbled beneath her cheek and, after giving her ass a quick, hard squeeze, Tucker patted her butt and released her. “Fine, you win. You can come with me, but,” he added before her pride had a chance to set in, “you stay quiet and out of the way. You got any opinions, keep ‘em to yourself until we’re alone. I’m serious, sugar. You’re stepping onto grounds you know nothin’ about. Understand?”

  Talia barely resisted bouncing on her toes. Finally! She was getting the opportunity to look inside the inner workings of the club where women weren’t normally permitted. It was the treasure chest she been looking for, she just knew it. “I hear you loud and clear, Tuck. You won’t hear a peep from me.”

  He didn’t look as if he believed her, but he didn’t have any choice. No way would she let him take it back now. She was going deep into Spartan territory, and she was going to rock that bitch like nobody’s business.

  THIRTY

  “They came out of nowhere.”

  That seemed to be the theme of the night. When the prospect he had outside the apartment called up to tell him that the compound had been hit, he knew right away who was behind it. The Spartans had only one enemy: Cruiz. It was the only thing that made sense.

  What didn’t make sense was that he and his men didn’t stick around for a fight. Of course, that wasn’t what they’d been after.

  Bullets riddled the side of the building, broken pieces of brick littering the pavements below. Shell casings were all over the road, and there were tire marks from where they sped off. They didn’t even try to hide the evidence. This was a hit and run.

  “How many did they take?” Blake asked through clenched teeth. His president was barely holding his shit together. He’d arrived about the same time as Tucker, his outrage evident in every aspect of his appearance. The man was ready to draw blood. It was up to Tucker to hold him back, think it through, develop some kind of plan so they didn’t get themselves all killed in the process. With the cops crawling the grounds, questioning everyone and collecting evidence, it wouldn’t do to have their main man lose his shit and get locked up.

  “Just one.” Repo’s deep timbre turned their head around to see him striding their way, his mood just as dark and somber as the rest of theirs. “A few of the prospects said Bambi was coming up the walk when they showed up. Snatched her right off the pavement.”

  “Shiiiiiit.” Tucker scrubbed his hands through his hair. It was impossible not to feel responsible after sending her away earlier. He knew the dangers, especially for the women around there. “I should have sent the prospect with her.” He cursed himself for being so stupid. He’d been so worried about keeping Talia safe that he hadn’t bothered considering anyone else.

  “Not your fault, brother. Cruiz is gunnin’ for us. All of us. He was bound to hit his mark sometime,” Moose said.

  Tucker, Blake, Repo, Moose, Taco, Cricket all stood in a protective circle of sorts, just within the gates while the prospects kept vigil over the surrounding area, keeping an eye out for any signs that Cruiz might be coming back. Didn’t matter how big the police presence, they weren’t taking any chances.

  “At least no one was hurt,” Taco muttered.

  “Tell that to Bambi,” Tucker shot back. “Remember what they did to Prez’s old lady?”

  Everyone’s head lowered by degrees, their expressions tight. No one had to be reminded of the night that Cruiz got his grubby paws on Blake’s woman and cut her up. She’d bear the scars of that night for the rest of her life, and they’d bear the memory of failing to keep her safe and protected the rest of theirs. Tucker might not want anything else to do with Bambi, but he wasn’t a total asshole. He cared. Bambi might be a lot of things, but she didn’t deserve whatever Cruiz had in mind. No one did.

  “Once the cops are gone, I want this place on lockdown,” Blake growled. “Get everyone inside and tighten up. I want prospects on every door and window. Cricket, let everyone know that whoever isn’t here tonight, they’re not to leave their houses for any reason. Tell the men to arm up and be prepared for anything.”

  “You don’t want them here with us?” Tucker questioned. “Power in numbers, true?”

  “So Cruiz’s men can cut us down in a single pass? That’s exactly what he’s counting on. I don’t plan to make it so easy for him.”

  “That’s true, man, and we can’t forget that this kind of heat is going to make moving around complicated for a while. The cops aren’t going to just look the other way anymore,” Moose added.

  As true as that was, Tucker was concerned. “
What about Gabby and Ash?” Tucker glanced over his shoulder to Talia who stood a scant twenty feet away, watching him like a hawk. He couldn’t help wondering what would happen to her. How much protection did he need to make sure she remained safe? Was he enough?

  Hell, he’d have to be. Being on lockdown, they wouldn’t have the men to spare.

  “They’re at home. I got a coupla prospects on ‘em, but it’s not enough. She’s always been his target. I’m going to assume nothing about that’s changed.” Blake’s gaze circled their group. “Tucker, Repo, Moose, since you’re unattached, I want you with me.”

  “Ooh, a sleepover,” Moose quipped, loosening up the mood. “Awesome. Do you have ice cream?”

  Repo jabbed him with a fat elbow. “Fuck’s sake, man, this isn’t a time to discuss ice cream. Unless it’s Neapolitan. I can get into some Neapolitan.”

  Moose’s eyes brightened. “Oh, you ever have it with chocolate syrup? Brings out all the flavors.”

  Blake shook his head and lifted his voice, drowning out their easy banter. “Tonight we’re going to have to stay on our toes. I’m not giving that fucker another chance to get at my family. Any of them,” he added, casting another meaningful look around their group.

  “You got it, boss,” Moose assured him, serious as the plague now. “You can count on us.”

  “As long as you provide the ice cream,” Repo amended, clapping his hand on Blake’s shoulder as their group disbanded and they started to walk.

  “I can’t promise Neapolitan, but with the baby coming, Gabby keeps the freezer well-stocked.”

  The reminder of the baby hit Tucker harder than expected. For a moment, he put himself in Blake’s shoes and wondered what he would do if it was Talia instead of Gabby they were talking about. What if he had the burden of keeping his own family safe?

  The thought wasn’t as terrifying as he’d assumed it’d be. Instead, he felt a burning in the center of his chest, a fierce need to protect what was his.

  Once again, his gaze strayed to where she stood, her arms folded beneath her breasts and her eyes fixed on him. He liked her eyes on him, liked the way she tuned out the rest of the world, her focus singular. In a way, his was too. While his brain registered the flurry of activity going on around them, he saw only her standing there, waiting. Suddenly, he had an impressive need to take her into his arms and hold on.

  A heavy hand cuffed his shoulder, breaking Tucker from his ruminations. “I don’t want to make assumptions,” Blake started, “but I’m going to anyway. You two together now?”

  There was no clarification necessary. Tucker knew exactly what Blake meant. “Yeah, man, I think we are.”

  “Congratulations, bro. If I were a better man, I wouldn’t say I told you so, but I’m not, so I told you so.”

  “Yeah, you did,” Tucker said with a chuckle. Drawing in a breath, he sighed it back out. “Which is why I have to tell you, I don’t think I can be there tonight. At your place, I mean.” He tipped his head toward Talia. “I have someplace else I need to be now.”

  Blake looked her way, his big brain working behind those dark eyes. “So bring her with you.”

  “To the house? In the middle of club business?” He hadn’t even considered it because club business was just that. No outsiders were welcome, at least not for the serious shit. And this was just about as serious as it got. There was no telling how deep they were going to have to go, but no doubt about it, blood would be shed, which was why it was so important to limit outsider knowledge. As much as he hated to say it, Talia was still an outsider, even if they were together.

  “Way I look at it,” Blake said, “you hooking up with her officially means shit’s serious. And if you’re the man I think you are, then I know she ain’t going nowhere. Even if she tries, you’re going to be hot on her ass bringing her right back in, true?”

  Ducking his head, Tucker scratched a fingernail over his brow. “Likely.”

  “Then I’m not worried. Way I see it, she’s gotta get used to it sometime, and my daddy was always a fan of throwin’ ya into the deep end. She’ll either sink, or she’ll swim. Wonder which one it’ll be.” He waggled his brows and stalked off toward the road, probably heading for home, Tucker surmised.

  Finally alone, Talia took the opportunity to make her way over to him. “So, what’s going on? What’s the plan?”

  Draping his arm over her shoulders, Tucker tucked her up against his side and walked them back toward his bike. “I’m sure you overheard plenty, and you know I’m not permitted to fill in the blanks, but I’ve got some business over at Blake’s tonight, and you’re coming with me.”

  “I am?”

  “You are.”

  “Like a sleepover?”

  “Yep.” Reaching his bike, Tucker picked up his helmet and turned to place it on Talia’s head. Then, it struck him, the surreal nature of the moment. He was putting this woman on the back of his bike, something he’d vowed never to do, and he was putting her needs before his own. Some invisible force driving him to protect her. What was the world coming to?

  Shaking his head, Tucker almost expected to hear something rattle around in there between his ears, because he’d definitely lost a few marbles.

  “Just out of curiosity,” Talia said as she lifted her chin to allow him to buckle the helmet in place, “are we going to be the only ones there?” Her gaze drifted to where Moose and Repo stood a few feet away, prepping their bikes.

  Perceptive little one wasn’t she. “A couple of the brothers are tagging along.” Tucker kicked his leg over the side of the bike and got it started then waited for her to climb on behind him. Turning his head so she could hear him over the rumble of the engine, he said, “Out of curiosity, what’s your favorite flavor of ice cream?”

  He couldn’t see her face from that angle, but he could hear the confusion in her voice well enough. “Mint chocolate chip. Why?”

  He shrugged and let off the throttle. “No reason.” Except that was his favorite too.

  ***

  “I just can’t believe this is happening again.” Gabby was pacing the kitchen floor. She’d been doing it since they arrived, her fear palpable. Tucker didn’t blame her one bit. She had good reason to be afraid. He just wished he could promise her that everything would be okay.

  But he didn’t make promises he couldn’t back one hundred percent.

  Blake caught her up in his arms, halting her pacing, and began talking to her in a low, even tone that made it impossible to hear what he was saying, but the moment was so intimate, Tucker had to look away.

  Coming up behind him, Talia handed him a glass of ice water. “It’s sweet, the way they are together. They love each other a lot.”

  “Yeah, they do,” Tucker grunted. Cradling her head in his giant meaty hands, Blake pulled Gabby in for a kiss, and that was when Tucker decided to find something else to do. Watching his friend and president make out with his woman wasn’t something he was into. Now, making out with Talia? That was a different story.

  “What do you say we go find someplace quiet and make out?” he suggested.

  As expected, Talia wasn’t going for it. She backhanded his chest. “Absolutely not, Mister. This is neither the time nor the place.”

  “I disagree. War is coming. It’s tradition to get down and dirty before a man is shipped off. Just in case,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers.

  She allowed him a single kiss, then pushed him away. “That might have worked in the fifties, but I’m a modern woman. You’re going to have to do way better than that if you want any hanky-panky from me.”

  “Hanky-panky?” Tucker chuckled. “Are you sure you’re not an implant from the fifties, sugar?”

  “Oh, pshhh. Stop giving me a hard time.”

  “If I give you a hard time, you’ll know it.”

  Exasperated, she rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Just behave. This is a tough time. I don’t want to come off insensitive by…playing around.”

  Tucker
could see her point. Really, that’s all he had been doing. The tension and the stress was thick, and he needed the mental break. Truth be told, just having Talia by his side was a nice distraction. It kept him from sinking into the darkness. It was the one place he didn’t like to go. There, even he was a little terrified of himself.

  Breaking away from Gabby, Blake turned to the rest of the group. “It’s getting late. We should all get some rest. Who’s taking first shift?”

  “I’ll do it,” Moose volunteered. He was sitting in the recliner, his feet kicked up and his attention glued to the television. There was an old Friday the 13th movie playing that Tucker remembered seeing when he was a kid. It’d scared the living shit out of him, but now it looked cheesy as hell.

  “I’m not tired, are you?” Tucker asked Talia.

  She shrugged. “A little.”

  “Then how ‘bout we go out on the back deck and relax a bit.”

  “What about getting rest before the next shift. Don’t you want to be refreshed?”

  “Staying up late isn’t a problem for me. You should know that,” he said with a lecherous grin. The not-so-subtle reminder of their late nights together set in and Talia sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, trying desperately not to smile. He loved it. Love how she tried so hard to be the good girl everyone expected her to be when he knew what a dirty girl she was behind closed doors.

  Putting his arm around her shoulders, Tucker led the way toward the back door. “We’re going to be out on the deck if anyone needs us.”

  “Watch your six,” Blake called after him.

  Tucker just lifted his hand, letting him know he’d heard. He didn’t need the reminder, though. He was always aware of his surroundings, to the point he could do it in his sleep. It wasn’t a matter of sleeping with one eye open, it was a matter of being in tune with his environment. If a mouse so much as passed gas, he’d hear it. His training had been drilled in, straight into his subconscious, and it’d meant the difference between life and death on multiple occasions. Now, he’d be using it not only for his own protection but Talia’s as well.