Jericho’s arrogant face popped into my mind. Brash, cocky, and inconsiderate. What I’d give to teach him manners in my dungeon—to discipline that arse.
I glanced at my phone, past three, and he wasn’t here for the employee meeting. His blond lackey stood in front staring out us while he talked on his phone. That brother had brutal written all over him, too bad he wasn’t in charge, he’d keep members in line.
The prick strutted into the lounge, and I admitted to myself he was hot. Tall as fuck, built, and long hair. I hadn’t caught his eye color, maybe hazel eyes, but all his parts were exactly what revved my motor for a cock. Too bad he was an arsehole. And I’d sworn off romance with men.
I’d decided to stay with women. Val and I had a great run—six years, but that had ended over a year ago. The way Jericho excited me told me only one thing, I was ready to hunt again, find a woman, and fuck her until the prick wasn’t even a memory anymore.
“Let’s get this shit done and out of here.” Jericho surveyed the room, stopping briefly on me before he resumed his scan. “I’m the owner of Bound and Prez of the Jericho Brotherhood. You want someone to blame—that’s me.”
I approved of his no-bullshit approach.
“Misty just got out of surgery, pin in her ankle, cuts stitched up, but it will be months for her to recover. The Brotherhood will pay her medical bills.”
Murmurs swept through the group. “How about stopping the brothers from doing damage?” Someone said it but didn’t own it. That was chickenshit.
I stood up. “That’s a great question. When will the Brotherhood make protecting employees a priority?” Animosity made the words bitter.
The blond and Jericho rode into Bound and started laying down the law, but I’d never seen either at the club, so how the hell was I, or any of us, supposed to trust them?
He pinned me with his gaze and now I saw—the prick had one green and one brown eye. That was unusual.
“We’ll be discussing that very topic this week, and Viper will get back to you after Thursday. I don’t plan to allow anyone, especially my brothers, to abuse any of you, but why would you believe me? Just watch, and you’ll see soon enough.” He crossed his arms and his foot tapped.
“Why didn’t you put Ren in charge?” Another nameless question.
Jericho’s brow scrunched and jaw muscle ticked. He was heading toward pissed off. And I couldn’t blame him. I had no tolerance for cowards who didn’t stand up and speak.
“Or Rebel?” Another anonymous questioner.
I hated to see shit like that; it made us all look weak. When I found out who they were, I’d be stopping by for a chat.
“Look.” He scowled and peered out into the audience. “You have a question, stand up and own it.”
Silence. He was a Master after all. About time he put a stop to the disrespect.
“Rebel is opening a new business in Ardmore.”
Buzz started again in the crowd
“Shut the fuck up.” The blond glowered until quiet spread through the group.
“Ren isn’t ever, and I mean ever, running a business of mine. Now while we appreciate everyone who works here, we, neither Viper nor I, will tolerate anything less than total respect. You can’t do that; you should find a new place to work. I’ve told you the way this is going down, and I don’t repeat myself.” He stepped off the stage and walked through the tables of employees, making eye contact all the way to the door. His blond guard dog followed behind.
“What do you think?” Gigi stepped up, blocking my way to the door.
“Dunno. What kind of Master is never in his dungeon? But he was straight up, and that’s better than the Old Man.” I glanced over Gigi’s shoulder toward the door.
“What’s he got against Ren?” Gigi huffed. She had always been one of his fans.
“I heard it’s a beef way back when he was a Dom here under Dogg.” Sherilynn joined them. “But no one will say why. He just closed his dungeon years ago and has hated Ren ever since. But it’s a shame about Rebel. Him I like.”
“Probably no good as a Dom,” Gigi said.
“I gotta go.” I cut into their chatter. “I wanna check on Misty.”
I left the others talking about the meeting and hurried out the back door to my car. I started it up and headed for the hospital. I needed to see how Misty was doing personally. Two Harleys were parked in the deserted visitor’s lot, I pulled into the next row and shut off the car. I was surprised to see them here.
I walked in through the ER to find the blond watchdog arguing with an older woman at the admitting desk. He shoved a card at her and she thrust a clipboard at him.
“Look, lady, I gave you my number, and the money, the rest you get from Misty, yeah?” The tone of his voice made it clear yeah was the answer.
“I’ll call security.” She plumped up like a ruffled bird.
“And tell them what, love?” I inserted myself into the conversation. “You’re too stupid to take cash and need to be escorted out?”
She huffed and picked up the phone.
“Call your manager, whoever is on duty, now.” My voice cracked sharp. “I wish to lodge a complaint.”
The woman turned red and sat down. “I’m sure we can—”
“The supervisor.” The biker growled.
She jumped in her seat and called someone.
“Dare,” he said.
“Marr.” Maybe this was a biker password thing.
He gave me the guy nod.
A small man hurried up to the front. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m paying for Misty Lennon’s care—she’s uninsured, but your person won’t take the card.”
The man’s mouth dropped open. “You are?”
“Yes, it’s cleared for $25,000 and I suggest her charges are less than that.”
The man nodded like he was one of those bobbleheads.
“He won’t fill out paperwork,” the woman hissed.
“I gave you my name, number, and this card.” He held out the black MasterCard. “I’m her employer, not her family, so Misty will fill out the rest tomorrow.”
The man shot a deadly glance at Lady Bird. “Gladys, take a break, I’ll handle this before we talk.”
She marched away.
“Of course...”
“Dare.”
“Of course, Mr. Dare.” The manager took the card, smiling wide.
The biker cringed and I laughed. He shot me an irritated look.
“We’re done then.” He walked away and I almost ran to keep up with him.
“So where’s your mate?”
“With Misty.” He looked down at me. “You going to see her?”
She nodded. “So I’ll just follow you. You do scary well. Ever think of being a Dom?”
“Nope.”
“You don’t come to the club?” I wondered if he had a word quota every day. The man used words like he was about to run out.
“Nope.”
He turned into a hall and walked into room 151.
“Misty, sweetums, how you feeling?” I moved to the edge of her bed and clasped her good hand. Her face was scraped, body bandaged and that was all I could see. Anger shot through me. How could this have happened to her? Someone better pay. I shot a glance at Jericho who held up the wall with his biker friend.
“Drugged up,” she slurred.
“You rest, and know everything is fine.” My temper simmered higher seeing her brought low for just doing her job.
“Fine.” She spoke with a heavy tongue and eyes.
“I’m staying, you don’t need to,” I told the prick.
He showed me his teeth, some might call it a smile, but I knew it was a threat.
“J, we got shit
to do, I got the payment arranged.” His friend agreed with me.
Jericho held out a card toward me. “Call me if anything changes or Misty needs something. Yeah?”
“Sure.” I plucked the card from his outstretched hand. It read Jericho Brotherhood and had two numbers—the same card Dare gave the front desk.
“See ya soon.” Jericho chucked my chin.
He’d left before I formulated my protest. No one touched me without permission. And I’d make a point of not seeing him again.
* * *
I sat next to Misty, waiting for the doctor to release her. “You feeling better?” I wanted to ask her about the night she got hurt. Rumor at the club had me guessing what really happened. Most were divided between Ghost and Renegade as the culprit. Everyone agreed it was one of the bikers, which hadn’t happened before. There’d been guests roughed up, but never a worker.
She bit her nail on the hand not wrapped in bandages. “Yeah, but it’s going to be a bitch getting into my place with this cast.”
“We’ll find you a ground-level place quick.” This pissed me off, I should already have one for her. I’d asked Viper, but he’d given me the thousand-yard stare. “I’ll take care of it.” He’d dismissed me, which frustrated me, so I hadn’t talked to him about it again.
If he pulled the stick out of his ass, I’d help him, but he refused to ask for or even use the advice I gave him. Men were idiots, just another reason women made the best lovers. We were passionate, sensual, and reasonable, at least more than men. I had to find a lover—something I’d avoided since Valerie left.
The door opened and the doctor walked through. Great, it was time for her discharge, and I had no plan but to help her into her walk-up where she’d be practically stranded. On the doctor’s heels, Jericho strode inside. What was he doing here? A nurse followed with a wheelchair, making the spacious room crowded.
“You’re ready to go.” The doctor handed Misty a thick stack of papers. “All discharge instructions.” He glanced from Jericho to Misty. “Complete all the physical therapy to strengthen the ankle.” With a nod he left the room.
“Misty, honey, you look better.” Jericho’s voice was all soft and smooth.
That surprised me. I didn’t know he did anything but arsehole.
Her eyes lit up. “Fine, Jericho. I’ll be back to work as soon as I can.” Her hopeful tone almost sounded desperate.
“Yeah, babe, whenever you’re healed.” He gave a smile that wasn’t feral, go figure. He had loads of untapped charm. “Until then the club will be taking care of you. I got you a ground-floor apartment not far from your physical therapy location. We’ll take care of the rent and pay your salary.”
“No, I don’t—”
“No arguments,” he commanded in a soft tone. “When one of ours hurts you, we take responsibility.”
Well, about damn time. Now if only someone would have told her of this plan so she wouldn’t have spent the last two days worrying for nothing.
“I’m sorry, he...” Tears streamed down Misty’s face.
He used a thumb to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “Don’t cry, pretty one, just heal up. We’ll deal with our problems, and you worry about getting better.”
“Who was it?” I punched out the words and Misty cringed.
Jericho turned to me with a slow deliberation. My lungs froze when he pinned me with his gaze.
“I will take care of it. Misty doesn’t need to say a word.” He scrunched his brows and frowned. His tone communicated the important stuff.
Shit. Right, Misty feared retribution. “Sorry, honey, Jericho’s right.” The words tasted bitter in my mouth.
He arched a brow with a playful half smile. “You can say that anytime.”
Misty chuckled from the bed. “Ow.” She held on to her torso.
Throwing his head back, he belted out a deep, rich laugh and then turned to Misty. “You ready for a ride? The brothers will have you moved in.”
Misty’s mouth fell open as Jericho lifted her from the side of the bed. “We won’t need that.” He nodded toward the wheelchair. The surprised nurse stepped away as he carried her out of the room. I stared after him, amazed. I could see the Dom in him. Of course he’d take care of her, any Dom would.
Why couldn’t he be all prick? I hated it when men had just a bit of nice—it was a weakness of mine. Good thing I was done with men.
With a start, I hurried after Jericho and Misty, almost running to catch up. The front door to the hospital slid open and a huge SUV waited in the fire lane with some kid behind the wheel. With thoughtful care, he sat Misty on the seat, holding her until she’d arranged herself.
He frowned when I climbed into the seat behind Misty. No way I’d leave her alone with the Brotherhood, later I’d just figure out how to get back to my car.
We drove four blocks to Howard Street, a nice neighborhood. Two trucks and an assortment of bikes were parked along the street.
“Why?” Misty spoke for the first time. “Why all of this?” Her normally low voice was high and tight.
Jericho turned to her, face set in stark lines. “You know, I know—” he glowered at me “—who did this, and he belongs to me, for now. You belong to me too, and he hurt you.” Rage simmered in the raw way he spoke. “We’ll make it right, or as close as we can come, ’cause nothing makes it even. Not when it should’ve never happened.”
He did scary biker too well, not that he scared me, but Misty started shaking when Jericho spoke.
“Love, you’re safe.” I brushed her hair.
She flinched away. “Not if he thinks I told anyone.”
Jericho cursed with nostrils flaring. “He won’t find you, know you.” He shot me another death stare. “Because no one will know, let alone tell him where you are.”
“Who the feck ya talking about?” I raised my voice and Misty cringed.
Jericho ignored me as he stared at Misty. “We got you.”
Misty nodded even as tears ran down her cheeks.
“Ah, love, no need to cry. I won’t ask again. You’re safe. Yeah?” I handed her a tissue.
She buried her head against her good knee then wiped her eyes.
If eyes really threw daggers, I’d be dead, by the dark look he shot my way.
I glared back and mouthed, “You will tell me.”
He gave a single nod and turned to the front. The kid parked the van in the second driveway. Jericho jumped out, but he didn’t open the door. An older man with a white beard opened the door. “Darlin’, you’ve looked better.” The gruff man in a cut smiled wide and he could’ve passed for St. Nick.
“Dogg?” Misty squealed, a smile on her face for the first time since this whole thing started. “You’re retired out in Arizona, whatcha doin’ here?”
“Retirement’s overrated, and the old lady wanted a visit back with the other old vultures.” He laughed. “So we’re here.”
“I missed you.”
Despite the signs of age, he lifted Misty out of the Suburban as easy as Jericho had. “Oh little one, you’re going get sick of me, just like my old lady. I’m staying here, playing chauffeur and guardian. You get me.”
Misty clung tight. “Thank you. I already feel safe.”
I climbed out of the vehicle behind them. So that was the brother who’d run Bound for years. The man reeked of Dom, all protective and in charge. Misty was in good hands.
“Good girl.” He squeezed her tight. “You and I need to catch up, Janie says she’ll be up in a couple days to pamper you too.”
Misty relaxed against him as he carried her through the front door into the duplex.
“Ready for that talk?” Jericho’s low baritone surprised me.
I whirled and had to crane my neck to meet his gaze, but I refused to step b
ack. I never gave up ground.
“Yeah. Start with Dogg and go from there.” I walked past him, wanting to move, needing space between us. He was under my skin and that had to end.
“Dogg was her first Dom, he and his old lady ran the club first. When he retired, right before you came, the Old Man took over.”
I’d heard about Dogg—the long-timers used his name like a deity.
“That makes sense. He liked them young?”
“Nah, his old lady did. He liked ’em all.” Jericho chuckled. “I called him when she was hurt, they arrived yesterday. They’re here for the summer, maybe longer.”
He spoke as fast as he walked. I wasn’t a giant nor did I need words hurled at me.
“Slow your arse down.” I stood feet behind, tapping my boot. “This isn’t a race.”
“Marr, your Irish is showing.” He grinned at me.
“How’d you know me heritage?” I hadn’t meant to let my guard down but I went more than a bit Irish when I was riled.
“Employee files and the accent you’ve let fly now and again.” He pointed to a little park at the end of the street. “I’m headed there. See you when you get there.” He turned and strode away, eating up the ground twice as fast as me.
I didn’t hurry because no matter how fast I went, unless I ran, and hell to the no to that idea, I couldn’t make up the foot difference in our height. The man had one fine ass, just like every other part of him, and I enjoyed watching him walk ahead of me. His wild hair—breathtaking—was burnished with shades of blond and a natural curl that made my fingers itch to touch the strands.
Once I caught up, I sat next to him in the shade. Two small kids played as a mother eyed us and then her kids. I suppose we made a statement—a wicked and depraved statement. I had on leather from head to toe that fit like my second skin. Jericho had a wildness that others sensed, added to his biker boots, cut and scary frown. I was surprised she wasn’t running away from us.
Deny: A Dark, Erotic Motorcycle Club Romance Page 3