Along Came Merrie

by Beth D. Carter

  “Do I do that now?” she asked.

  “No,” Givon said. “I have to bring him in for questioning first then you need to come to the station within twenty-four hours to press charges. Merrie, if you don’t, he’ll walk free and you’ll spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder.”

  “Okay,” she whispered. “I…I need to think.”

  She saw he wasn’t happy with her answer but he eased back and relaxed his stance.

  “All right,” he said. “You have twenty-four hours. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” she replied.

  He gave a single stiff nod then headed for the door. North followed him. Detective Christianson watched both men before he turned back to Braden, Leo and Merrie.

  “I would advise against pressing charges,” he said.

  “What?” Braden said angrily. “You want her to just let this asshole get away with this?”

  “Listen to me,” the detective said, keeping his focus on Merrie. “I’ve worked organized crime for twenty years and in that time, I’ve seen the gauntlet of witnesses. An outlaw motorcycle gang won’t hesitate to hurt you in any way possible to shut you up. Even if you run, they’ll come after your loved ones. Gangs work through fear and intimidation but it’s also a guarantee. Think long and hard, Miss Walden, before you go accusing a member of a crime.”

  The detective strode out of the house as well, leaving Merrie shaking in her shoes. She thought she was safe but it seemed the only way to make sure was to forget the incident had ever happened.

  * * * *

  “Let me handle this,” North insisted again.

  “I can’t,” Givon said. “Axe beat her, for God’s sake. I’ve seen the pictures. He forced her to jump out of a moving car, breaking her wrist. If it wasn’t for her quick thinking and her bravery, I’d be investigating a homicide.”

  “This is my problem,” North insisted. “The club will handle Axe.”

  “You told me you were going legit,” Givon said, keeping his voice low so no one could over hear him.

  “I am.”

  “Then back me on this.”

  Frustrated, North ran a hand through his hair. “I have to tell the other officers. He’s in charge of security for the club, for fuck’s sake!”

  “Then talk them into giving him to me.”

  Detective Christianson stormed out of the house. His glare landed immediately on Givon.

  “You’ve interfered in my investigation,” the man snarled.

  “What investigation?” Givon demanded. “You never even contacted me.”

  “Your office is part of this fucking mess,” the detective declared. “Accusations have been made against you—”

  “I’m pretty sure I know who my leak is,” Givon interrupted. “If the Department of Criminal Investigations comes to Destiny then I have nothing to hide.”

  “We’ll see, Sheriff,” the detective snarled. He turned his back and stomped to his car. A few seconds later, he roared away from the house with a furious spin of tires on the rocky driveway.

  “What an ass,” North remarked.

  “I don’t like that man,” Givon admitted. “Come on. Let’s go find Axe.”

  Detective Christianson angrily dialed his brother. Axe picked up on the second ring.

  “North knows,” he snapped. “They’re on their way. Get the hell out of there and disappear or else the girl might press charges.”

  “Ah, you do care about me,” Axe drawled.

  “Fuck you. If she doesn’t press charges, you won’t get arrested and you don’t mention my name. Once I retire, I’m done. Understand?”

  He ended the call before his brother said another damn word. He was tired of this shit. His retirement was set to start on Monday, which left him three days. No fucking way was he going to allow his brother to screw this up. If Axe simply laid low, maybe disappeared from the Red Wolves altogether, then his problems would be solved.

  As long as he got his health benefits then his brother could go drown in a fucking lake, for all he cared.

  Chapter Twenty

  For the first time in a long time, Merrie felt as though she could relax. No more wondering or worrying. Axe would be dealt with and all she had to do was decide if she was going to press charges.

  Of course she would.

  Wouldn’t she?

  Did she want him loose on the streets, able to get to her again? She knew North had said he’d deal justice but she didn’t know if she could fully trust him to keep his word. Gangs stuck together and if push came to shove, Merrie didn’t hold out hope that North would condemn one of his biker brothers.

  “Have you ever ridden a horse?” Braden asked, startling her out of her musings.

  “Yes,” she said. She hadn’t grown up in her hometown in rural Wyoming or worked on a dairy farm without learning how to ride a horse.

  He smiled. “How about the three of us take a ride, enjoy the rest of the day before I have to go back to work?”

  She shot Leo a quick glance, who nodded.

  “That would be wonderful,” she said.

  Since she didn’t have boots to wear, her sneakers would have to do. Braden drove to the barn then introduced her to a little mare named Sassy. Sassy’s dark chocolate coat gleamed in the sunlight. She bobbed her head in a greeting and Merrie patted the soft white fur on her face. And the horse didn’t just walk. She pranced.

  “That’s why her name is Sassy,” Braden explained.

  “I love her.” Merrie stroked the mare’s velvety nose. Sassy nudged her arm, clearly looking for a treat. “I didn’t bring anything with me, sweetheart. Next time, okay?”

  They saddled their horses then took off at a moderate pace across the rolling green hills. Destiny backed up to the Wind River Mountain Range, a part of the Rocky Mountains. It was a popular tourist destination of hiking, climbing and skiing, and Braden and Leo’s ranch had an eastern view of the sweeping landscape.

  “Wyoming’s highest peak is Gannett,” Braden told her, pointing into the distance. “It’s about thirteen thousand eight hundred feet.”

  “Although there’s about fifty mountain peaks in the Wind River Mountains at thirteen thousand feet,” Leo cut in dryly.

  Merrie laughed. “I must admit, even though I grew up in Wyoming, I didn’t know all that much about the mountains, especially this range.”

  They rode across the flat grass, between the trees and over a little mound into their own private clearing. Nearby a river sped past, its water glistening in the bright sunlight. Merrie couldn’t help but wonder if this was the same river she’d walked through during that night. It probably was. There weren’t many rivers in the area. She shivered despite the warm sunshine.

  The men dismounted and she followed course, loosely tying the reins on a low-hanging branch.

  “This is a beautiful place,” she said. “Peaceful.”

  “And secluded.” A wicked little gleam in Leo’s eyes hinted that he had something fun in mind.

  “Oh?” she inquired, her heart skipping a beat. “And just what would we do all by ourselves to stay occupied?”

  Leo pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his, kissing her long and deep. Her senses spun and she clung to him.

  “Merrie,” he moaned as he broke the kiss to lick his way down her neck. “Lean against Braden.”

  Braden brought his arms around her shoulders and trapped her back against his chest—not that she intended to get away. Leo loomed over her, staring into her eyes for a moment before he claimed her lips again, sliding his tongue into her mouth to dance with hers. As Leo cupped her breasts and rubbed them through her shirt, Braden shimmied his hands down the sides of her body until he reached her hips. She wiggled her ass against his hard cock and he nuzzled her neck, just as he unzipped her pants so he could slide his hands inside and under her panties. As soon as he touched her clit, she almost jumped out of her skin, moaning.

  “You are so sexy,” Braden murmured in h
er ear, his voice heavy with sexual need. “Sexy and beautiful.”

  “And ours,” Leo added. “Right, sweetheart? You’re ours.”

  With Braden to her back and Leo tormenting her aching breasts, Merrie could only whimper her affirmation. Yes, she was theirs, and they were hers—and everything she’d ever wanted in life was finally within her grasp. A home filled with love plus not one, but two, wonderful men.

  As Braden pushed his finger into her, and Leo pinched her nipples, she bucked her hips and wiggled, seeking something and going crazy when the men continued their ruthless assault on her senses. They teased her, revving her up little by little until she could no longer contain her climax. She exploded, riding Braden’s fingers as Leo swallowed up her passionate cry of release.

  “That’s it,” Leo breathed against her mouth.

  She humped Braden’s hand, her inner walls milking her orgasm for a few breathless moments. As she slowly filtered back to reality, Braden removed his hand from between her thighs but kept his hard body pressed against her back. Leo gave one last swipe with his fingers against her nipples before cupping her face to give her a light kiss.

  Both men helped her undress and her clothes fell at her feet. “Turn around, Merrie,” Leo ordered.

  She obeyed. Now she stared up at Braden and she saw all the love, the tenderness and yes, even the lust shining from his eyes.

  Behind her, Leo ran one hand over the curve of her bottom, down the back of her thighs then up between them to touch her intimately. He dropped to his knees level with her ass and nudged her legs apart. The stance gave him better access to her anus. With his thumb, he circled the tight ring of muscles there. She tensed but the pressure he applied caused her to squirm.

  “Don’t worry,” Leo assured her. “I brought plenty of condoms and lube.”

  The soft noises of the picnic basket opening then closing teased her ears, and a second later, cool gel drizzled into her crack. She gasped. Leo smeared the lube on and around her anus, his feathery strokes soon heating her blood and causing her juices to run. Now slick, he pressed his fingers inward. He bent one finger, rubbing along the back wall of her passage to stretch her. Slowly, he breached her with another digit, widening her. The thrust and burn took her breath away.

  “You’re so gorgeous.” Leo groaned. “So wet. Feel how wet she is, Braden.”

  During all this time, Braden had simply watched her reaction to Leo’s ministrations, but now he teased down along her stomach and slid his hand through her curls. When he found her folds, he dipped a finger into her warmth.

  “So wet,” he agreed. “I want to fuck this pussy. Would you like that, Merrie? Would you like my cock buried in your tight little cunt while Leo discovers the delights of your ass?”

  Merrie panted. Not only did the images turn her on, but the fact that Braden was saying them revved her higher.

  She moaned. “Oh yes.”

  Braden dropped to his knees to kiss her belly button then licked his way south until he reached the apex of her thighs. He nudged them apart and a second later, he licked her and sucked on her clit. He pushed one finger into her wet pussy then began thrusting, back and forth, hitting her G-spot and driving her out of her mind.

  Leo placed his finger at her back entrance, prepping for penetration by mimicking Braden’s fingers pumping inside her pussy. Before she even realized what was happening, her body exploded into a thousand pieces, shattering her strength. Stars bloomed behind her eyes and dimly she heard the rustle of condom wrappers tearing open. She opened her eyes and saw Braden lie down on the grass, his cock swollen and hard. He held her hand to help steady her as she straddled him. She fisted his dick, locked gazes with him and slowly lowered herself. Since he was big, it took her a moment to adjust to his girth.

  “I’m just going to make sure you’re loose enough to take me,” Leo said. He dripped even more lube on her anus before inserting his finger again.

  “Oh!” She groaned. “Yes, it feels so good.”

  That seemed to be all the proof he needed. In the next instant, he removed his finger from her and adjusted her body, pushing her forward until she lay on Braden, her breasts flattened on his chest. Leo moved into position behind her and gripped her hips. As he slowly teased her rosette with the tip of his cock, Braden reached between them to rub her clit. The burning returned and Merrie held her breath, waiting for the sting of pain to give way to pleasure. She’d had anal sex before but it felt different with Leo. Better. Amazing. Braden pulled out of her a little to give Leo more room and pleasure and pain mingled inside her. A second later, Leo popped his cock through the tight ring and he slid home.

  Merrie gasped, reveling in the feeling of being completely filled. Possessed. Consumed. She had no words to describe the sensations. It was beyond anything she had ever imagined.

  Leo’s breath tickled the back of her neck as he held her hips still.

  “That’s it, baby,” he said. “You’re so beautiful sandwiched between us.”

  “She’s so tight, Leo,” Braden said. “She’s gripping my dick like a vise.”

  Merrie moaned. “I can’t believe how much I love this. Oh, my God, please move. Both of you… Please take me.”

  Bucking his hips, Braden started their rhythms, but it took a moment for Leo to match Braden’s pace. Merrie bounced between them, resting her hands on Braden’s shoulders. Sweat rolled off their bodies as their hearts thundered in time together.

  Merrie quickly realized being between two men took a little finesse. As one went in the other pulled out and Merrie knew they were spiraling together. In and out, in and out, Merrie wound tighter, tighter, tighter. Suddenly her climax hit and pleasure spiked through her brain as she cried out in abandonment.

  “Not gonna last,” Leo gasped from behind her.

  Leo’s cock swelled in her ass just before he found his release. His cock pulsed inside her as he poured his seed into the latex barrier. He leaned and rested his head against her back for a moment before extracting his softening member.

  “Merrie.” She opened dazed eyes to see Braden staring up at her.

  He started thrusting harder, his gaze locked with hers. The pressure started to build again, little by little. Merrie knew what awaited her—the absolute euphoria of a mind-blowing climax. She chased it by grinding herself down onto Braden’s cock.

  “Yes,” he panted, pumping his hips. “Yes, come for me. Come for me, Merrie.”

  “Uh!” The world tilted off its axis and she splintered into a thousand pieces. He shouted as he followed her, his cock jerking deep inside her.

  She collapsed. He arms came around her, holding her for a long moment before he withdrew to tug off his condom. Leo snuggled into her from behind and they shifted until they all lay on their sides.

  The sun warmed her naked body. There was something almost sinful about being naked outdoors. The cool breeze helped dry the sweat on their bodies. She propped herself up and looked at each man, who stared at her with lazy, contented smiles on their faces.

  “Why are you content to share me? I mean, you’re so concerned with me being younger when, in reality, it seems to me that you’d each find it easier to have separate relationships.”

  They both blinked at her.

  Finally, Leo answered. “You’re incredibly strong, Merrie. Shoshone prize three things—strength, honor and loyalty above everything. You have that in spades. I admire you. So if the woman I care for happens to also love my brother, then I’m content with sharing.”

  Braden more or less gave a grunt of agreement. She smiled and relaxed as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

  “My mother was a drug addict,” she told them.

  Their smiles slipped away.

  She’d never really shared her whole past with anyone before but she wanted her men to know that she didn’t have her head in the clouds. “And she was a whore too, which is how I came to be. By the time I was ten, I was taking care of myself. I learned how to install
a deadbolt on my bedroom door and I also learned how to sneak money from her johns so I could eat.”

  “Jesus,” Braden whispered.

  “As the daughter of the local slut, I gained a reputation, even though it really wasn’t deserved. When I turned sixteen, my mother died so I went to live with my great uncle. I started working two jobs—one at a diner and one at dairy farm. I never cared about school and barely graduated. My dreams have always been simple. And I know there’s an age gap between us, but truthfully, I don’t see it. My age is a number but it’s not who I am.”

  Braden intertwined their fingers and brought her knuckles up to his lips, kissing them. Leo gripped her other hand.

  “A soul-baring moment, eh?” Braden said with a rueful grin.

  “Don’t you think it’s time?” Leo replied, nudging him.

  “I don’t like talking about some things.”

  “I know,” Merrie said. “You must have loved Samantha a lot.”

  “I was young and thought I was in love,” Braden corrected. “Samantha and I were high school sweethearts and got married as soon as we’d graduated. We both attended UW for two years. I wanted to learn about business management but Sam…? Sam wanted to pursue something more. She’d studied French throughout school and had dreams of living in Paris. I didn’t understand it and forced her to give it up because she was my wife. I thought we shared a desire of owning a successful horse ranch and living our lives together. But that fantasy was mine alone.”

  Merrie kept quiet, watching the emotions play over his face.

  “By the time she turned twenty-one, she’d come to the conclusion that she didn’t want to live in rural Wyoming on a ranch. She wanted to be in a city. A year later, on my birthday, I got served with divorce papers.”

  “I’m so sorry, Braden,” Merrie said.

  “Nothing to be sorry about. We were just way too young to marry.”

  “And you thought I’d be the same,” she concluded. “That I’d be just as flighty.”

  He nodded. “After the divorce, I only dated women who were older than me. You’re the first younger woman I’ve come to care for.”