Until Mayhem: Happily Ever Alpha World

by Layla Frost

  “Boom Nico?”

  “He’s a good bounty hunter but even he couldn’t find the bastard. Casey reconnected with her family and moved her and Madison to Baltimore to live with them. But it soured the sheriff and Nico’s gut that he got away. Nico reached out to Nox—”

  I sat up so fast, I nearly knocked my head against his jaw. “He found him, right? Did he kill him? If not, can I do the thorn thing?”

  “Yeah, he found him down in Florida, already shacked up with another chick who had a daughter even younger than Madison. He brought him back to Tennessee.”

  As happy as I was he got caught, I was furious he’d gotten off easy compared to what he deserved.

  My feelings must’ve shown because a hint of a smirk curved Judge’s lips. “Funny thing… One second the guy’s drinking at a bar in Florida, the next he’s waking up on the steps of a police station with a broken wrist and five broken fingers.” He wiggled his own fingers. “Two different, unusable hands.”

  “Doubt he’ll be able to make a fist,” I said.

  “Makes it hard to defend himself in a place where people got no love for fuckers who abuse defenseless kids.”

  A little vengeful peace settled in my shattered heart.

  “So are you helping them move back?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “Madison has to testify in a couple days. We’re transporting them, making sure they’re safe and, more importantly, that they feel it. We’ll be at court so she knows that motherfucker can’t get to her. But she’s still freaked and tried to escape out the bathroom window.”

  I didn’t blame her because I wasn’t sure I could do what she was about to.

  She really is a brave hero.

  “This isn’t the first time you’ve done this,” I stated.

  Still, he answered, “No.”

  “How did you start?”

  “Scythe.”

  “His scar?” I asked, my already broken heart sinking to shatter to dust when he gave a single nod.

  He didn’t elaborate, which meant it wasn’t his story to tell.

  I hate people.

  “On one run, we had an irate bastard come home ‘cause some nosy-ass neighbor called him to tell him we were packing up his wife and twins. Middle of the damn street, and he was screaming at her, threatening to kill her.”

  “Did you get her away?”

  Sadness and anger filled his eyes. “She refused. Knew he’d kick her ass worse than before, but thanks to that damn neighbor running his mouth, she lost the element of surprise. She said it was pointless because, now that he was expecting it, he’d track us, find her, and kill her. There was nothing we could do to change her mind. We put the fear of God in the bastard, but a man like that doesn’t change. Got another chick away from an abusive boyfriend. She settled into a new life and was happy but missed her friends so she reached out. One of them told the asshole where the chick was living because she thought her friend was being dramatic and that the dude was just in love. He put her in the hospital. We did the same to him.”

  “Good.”

  “Couldn’t tell you why we were taking the trip ‘cause this shit can go bad with one word to the wrong person. You tell a friend who tells a friend who posts about it online or some shit. Next thing you know, everyone knows Madison’s story and where to find her. That bastard could drop a stack, have someone take her out, and he’d walk free. Only that time, he’d feel invincible, like he could keep doing it.”

  “I won’t say a thing. Ever. To anyone about anything.”

  Judge’s expression was stern, his words weighty. “Trusting you with my life and other people’s.”

  “I know. And you can, I promise. Our business is our business.”

  “Our business, huh?” He pulled me up his legs. “You and me against the world?”

  “Ride or die,” I joked back.

  Well, kind of joked, but it was also kind of true.

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m your soldier, remember? Your woman. Your old lady. Your own, personal biker bunny.” My heart raced, but I forced the words out, throwing myself fully into the mayhem that was my life. “I’m yours because I love you, too.”

  There, I said—

  I gave a little yelp when he shifted me off him suddenly. “What’re you doing?”

  He didn’t answer as he moved away from the headboard until he was flat on his back. Gripping my hips, he lifted me back onto him, but with me facing away.

  “What’re you doing?” I repeated.

  “It’s tomorrow.”

  My eyes went to the clock. “No, it’s not.”

  “Close enough,” he growled.

  It took me a moment to get what he was saying. “Ohh. Oh! Lemme take off my panties.”

  “Fuck no. Every time I see your panties, I think about moving ‘em to the side and tasting your pretty pussy.” He put a hand to my back, pushing me down so my ass was in the air. Because of our height difference, he had to shift me closer to his cock and lean up to reach me. It couldn’t have been comfortable for him, but I wasn’t about to argue. “For a good girl, you’ve got bad girl panties.”

  “That’s ‘cause I’m secretly bad,” I said, my words catching when he pulled my panties to the side.

  “Fuck yeah, you are. Violent. Ruthless. Perfect.” His tongue teased, flicking and playing.

  I moved the sheet out of the way and did the same, swirling my tongue around his head and moaning at the taste that was all Judge.

  I was right, I love it.

  Then I moaned because his groan vibrated against me.

  His mouth covered my pussy and he ate me the same way he kissed me.

  Like he’d been starved and dehydrated, and my pussy offered all he needed.

  Like I was the breath in his lungs.

  Like I was his to kiss and feel and take.

  And I was.

  Just like he was mine.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  ___________________________

  BADASSES

  OPHELIA

  “YOU GOOD, KID?”

  Standing in front of the courthouse, about to do something a lot of adults couldn’t face, Madison looked up at Judge and gave him a small smile. “Mama said I could keep Lightning with me the whole time.”

  “That’s good.”

  “I asked for Scythe, but she said no.”

  “Compromise.” His eyes went to me. “Life’s all about give and take.”

  “It’s time to go in,” Casey said, reaching for Madison’s hand.

  She didn’t get it, though.

  Instead, Madison ran to her scarred and scary biker buddy. Like it was nothing, she slipped her hand into his.

  “What’s wrong?” Scythe glared as he scanned the area.

  “Mama said we have to go in now.”

  “Then we better listen.”

  I watched them go, Scythe somehow getting a scared little girl to belly laugh loud enough for the sound to echo around us.

  The other guys moved, too, an army of badasses behind her.

  “Change your mind?” Judge asked, a hopeful thread in his tone.

  After we’d gotten into town the night before, he’d told me he wanted me to chill in the courthouse cafeteria. The area was crawling with cops and guards, so he knew I’d be safe. And I wouldn’t have to hear Madison’s testimony.

  Or get thrown in the slammer for jumping the barrier to kick the bastard’s ass.

  “I’m good,” I said. “I’ve got you to hold me back so I don’t end up in the clink.”

  His gorgeous eyes lit with amusement. “The clink?”

  “Stony lonesome?”

  “Let’s get you inside, Outlaw O.”

  We were almost to the door when someone called, “Hawkins.”

  Judge moved me behind him as he turned. When he saw whoever it was, his body relaxed and he shifted me next to him again, throwing an arm around my waist with his hand resting low on my hip.

  The possessive ho
ld made sense when I saw the guy heading our way.

  “Might as well pee on me next time,” I muttered.

  “Not my kink. But I gave it some thought, and I’ll do the briefcase thing.”

  I elbowed him just as the guy reached us.

  The man smirked, his gaze moving from Judge’s side to his hand on my hip then up to meet his eyes. “Heard Nox brought the boom back to Boston.”

  Nico.

  Heavily tattooed with a blond faux hawk and gauge earrings, he looked like a Mayhem brother—not the son of a sheriff.

  “You find yours yet?” Judge asked.

  “I still think it’s bullshit,” he said, though he didn’t seem too confident.

  “Right.”

  An older man approached from the side and I didn’t even need the introduction to know he was Nico’s dad. He was nearly as tall, and his blond hair was almost the same shade—just with the addition of some gray.

  After introductions were made—with a fair amount of smirking from Sheriff Mayson and eye rolls from Nico—the sheriff tilted his head toward the building. “How’s she doing?”

  “She’s a soldier,” Judge said fiercely, “holdin’ it together better than anyone should expect from a kid.”

  Everyone fell silent for a moment, their eyes on the building and their thoughts on their rage.

  “We better get in,” Sheriff Mayson said, the voice of reason.

  Nico raised his chin and started for the door, looking like he’d be the one jumping the barrier.

  When I took a step, Judge tightened his grip. “Give us a minute.”

  I didn’t know Sheriff Mayson. I didn’t even think Judge knew him outside of helping with Madison.

  That said, I liked him. I’d already guessed he was a good man, but it was confirmed when his concerned eyes went to me. And, like Judge’s, they said I shouldn’t hear what I was about to in that courtroom.

  Along with being nice and good, he was also smart because, after taking a look at me, his lips quirked and he followed his son, muttering a, “Good luck,” to Judge as he passed.

  Tilting my head back, Judge tried again. “Sure you don’t wanna wait in the cafeteria? We’re not even sure we’ll be allowed in when she testifies.”

  I doubted my presence would matter a single bit to Madison since I wasn’t her mom, her sloth, or her biker buddy.

  But when I’d sat with her the night before, giving her and Lightning checkups and reassuring her neither of them were dying, she’d made me promise to come. She’d said I was like her school’s Nurse Doris—who was apparently a hundred years old and mean as Maleficent. She likely wouldn’t need me, but it made her feel better to know I was there if she did get sick.

  At least, that’s what I hoped the comparison meant.

  So whether she needed me or not, I’d be there, surrounded by the big, bad bikers who had her back.

  “I promised,” I told Judge, and that said enough.

  “Figured. You’re good with her.” Curling my body so my front was pressed to his side, he moved his hand up my hip to the side of my stomach. “Meant what I said about putting my baby in you soon.”

  I was surprised he couldn’t feel the rave of butterflies erupt in there. “It’s only been a week.”

  “And?”

  “And it’s been a week. Normal people are only on their second date at this point.”

  “We’re not normal.”

  “One of us sure isn’t,” I huffed.

  “If you think I’m going back to you not being in my bed, you’re out of your mind.”

  “If you think I’m moving in with you after a week, you’re out of your mind.”

  “You already have,” he pointed out, a cocky smirk on his stupid, sexy face.

  “That’s…” I started, my words trailing off. Because it wasn’t different—well, not that different. I wasn’t in a guest room. My clothes weren’t in my bags. My toiletries weren’t in a little kit I brought to and from the bathroom.

  I called it home—in word, thought, and action.

  Shit, no wonder he unpacked my stuff.

  He basically moved me in.

  His smirk grew to a grin.

  I glared.

  Pressing his hand against my stomach again, he said, “There’s one important thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “After hearing about your toys, I get to name all our kids.”

  I laughed a little. “We’re not naming our kid Court Stenographer or Defendant.”

  “You’ll be a good mom, so I’ve got higher expectations for our kid—Plaintive.”

  “Grand Jury, so they’re better than regular Uncle Jury?”

  “No, but you bet your tight fuckin’ ass I’m telling Jury that’s what we’re doing,” he said with a chuckle. His smile faded and he hugged me tight, a needed moment of togetherness before we went inside to be scary badasses.

  Him more than me, but whatever.

  EPILOGUE

  ___________________________

  OPHELIA

  Three weeks later…

  “HARDER.”

  “No,” Judge gritted out.

  Slouching on the couch with his head resting against the back, he looked up at me while I fought to ride him. His hands gripped my hips through the thin fabric of my skirt, slowly moving me up and down.

  “Faster,” I tried.

  “No.”

  “You’re only torturing yourself.”

  “This isn’t torture for you? I’ll slow down.”

  “No, no, no.”

  I tried again to move, but he held me still and smiled up at me. “Love you.”

  Every day. Multiple times a day.

  We’d spent two days on the road to Tennessee. Two days in town—long enough to be there for Madison and see the bastard found guilty in what had to be a record-breakingly fast deliberation. Then three days headed home, taking an easier pace so everyone could enjoy the open road and the indescribable calm it brought.

  We’d been back for over two weeks and, in all that time, Judge told me every day, multiple times a day he loved me. And without fail, no matter the position or speed or vibe, he told me while he was inside me.

  Rough sex.

  Quickie sex.

  Wall sex.

  Shower sex.

  Bike sex.

  Blow jobs.

  Whatever.

  He’d give me that dangerously charming smile and say he loved me.

  Usually, I loved it. Each time would sear itself into my memory, and when I was old and gray, I’d be able to replay them—hopefully using some advanced, 3D virtual reality technology.

  But right then, when he was teasing me to the point of violence, his dangerous charm wasn’t going to work.

  Okay, it kinda still did.

  But I glared anyway. “Then fuck me harder.”

  “Love you so fuckin’ much, Ophelia.” His smile shifted to a smirk that looked extra sinister in the dim lighting and shadows. “But I never did make you beg.”

  It seemed like years but had only been weeks since he’d told me I’d beg before he touched me.

  And one thing I could say about my man, he wasn’t a liar.

  But one thing I could say about me?

  I was ruthless.

  Cupping his cheek, I ran my palm against the rough stubble and smiled.

  And, smart man he was, Judge went alert.

  With forced nonchalance, I tilted my head. “I’m thinking of going off the pill.”

  That did it.

  Judge pulled me down at the same time he raised his hips. “Don’t fuckin’ lie to me, princess.”

  “I’m a shit liar.”

  He lifted his finger. “Don’t play with me.”

  I bit it and sucked it into my mouth before slowly releasing. “I thought you liked when I did that.”

  A low growl vibrated from his chest as he sat upright to take my mouth and grind his pelvis against my clit, stretching me fuller than I’d ever
been.

  But I wanted more.

  Tearing my mouth away, I ordered, “Fuck me.”

  “Bossy,” he grunted back, but he listened. Holding my hips, he moved me up and down his length savagely, his own hips rising and falling to fuck me harder. He bit and licked and kissed and sucked wherever his mouth could reach.

  Like he couldn’t get close enough to me.

  Couldn’t get enough of me.

  I was almost there. My legs trembled, my body tightened, and my heart raced as if I was actually sprinting toward the cliff I desperately wanted to leap off.

  And then it stopped.

  My unfocused eyes narrowed and my mouth opened to tell Judge where he and his amazing dick could go, but then I saw he wasn’t just teasing me. His head was turned toward the door.

  And then I heard the knock.

  “We expecting anyone?” I asked, climbing off him despite his attempts to clutch my skirt and keep me in place.

  “No, clubhouse is closed tonight.”

  That was another big change Judge had insisted. One night a week, the clubhouse was ours. I’d thought the brothers would be pissed, but they hadn’t given a shit. Especially once Judge had made it clear they were still welcome if they needed it.

  Like in an emergency.

  “Light on,” Judge said to the room, the mood lighting returning to full brightness. Standing, he tucked his still hard cock away and reached under the couch, pulling out a gun I hadn’t known he stored there.

  If I hadn’t been worried, I’d have thought his badass gracefulness and his muscular body were works of art.

  Fine, I still thought it.

  I approached, but he kept me behind him as he brought up the front door camera on the alarm panel.

  “Holy shit,” I whispered as he bit out a harsher curse. I took a step, but he stilled me, putting his finger to his lips. He used the controls to check the area quickly before opening the door.

  Haze and Hollywood stood there, practically propped against each other to stay upright.

  Both were beaten.

  Bloody and raw.

  “The—” Judge started.

  “What the hell happened?” I interrupted, shoving him out of the way. Going onto my toes, I tried to get a better look at their already swelling shut eyes.

  “Got jumped,” Hollywood bit out, blood dripping from the dirty tears in his lip.