by Jayne Blue
“I didn’t want to wake you for my supply run.”
“Where the heck did you go?”
“There’s a front desk and a camping outfitters type place here. I’ve been here before. I paid for last night and one more night if we need it. Then I got a little bit of food for us. And a few things for you.”
“Wow, quite the shopper.”
“Here’s the thing. I have an agreement with the guy who runs the place. I take care of things for him now and then, and he doesn’t see me. You get it?”
“I guess?” I didn’t really.
“You can’t be seen. You gotta stay hidden until I can figure stuff out.”
“I have a million questions, like what will the police in– ”
“ –Yeah, let’s finish our coffee first. You get a shower and then we go to work.”
“Work?”
“Yeah, figuring out how to get us both out of this mess.”
“Okay, any change of clothes in there?” I pulled the bag forward.
“Take a look.”
There was a Texas t-shirt, a packet of underwear, and a pair of drawstring shorts.
“My wardrobe is set.” I couldn’t help but smile thinking what he must have looked like picking out the packet of women’s panties at the camp store.
“I figure you need stuff. Women need stuff. And you can wash what you’ve got while you wear this.” He was like a kid, hoping I would approve.
“You thought of everything.” I also saw a travel pack of toiletries and realized he actually had worried about what I might need.
“Bathroom’s yours. I’m going to make you food.”
I leaned forward and kissed him. He kissed me back and steadied my coffee hand at the same time. I noticed every protective gesture. I hadn’t before. I was so focused on getting dirt I’d missed it.
“Wow,” he said.
I got up, naked as I was born, and walked over to the bathroom carrying my little bag of supplies. He watched. I knew he appreciated every inch of me. I’d felt it last night and I felt it this morning.
This was something intense and fast. It absolutely couldn’t last.
It was going to come to a crashing halt. I had no idea how. Could it even last a day before his club intervened and stopped us both?
I let the water in the shower run over my body. It was cold. That was good.
Cold water, soap, coffee; I needed these things. And I needed to start thinking.
Benz had taken the risk and the lead for the last twenty-four hours. He had saved me from something awful.
But I needed to get back in the driver’s seat of my own life.
I didn’t want Benz to lose everything for me. And I wasn’t about to accept what some MC President decided about my life. If I had to run, I’d run. If I had to fight, I’d fight.
Benz may be a good man. Some of his brothers may be too. But Bear wanted me dead and I best not forget it.
18
Benz
Watching her sleep. That was what I could afford to do. Sleeping myself? No. That wasn’t going to happen until I figured out a way to keep her safe.
I’d gone to the outfitter and shopped as soon as it was open.
But I’d also called Kade.
“Benz, man, what a fucking mess.”
“I know.”
“Bear is calling for us to find you and that chick. Jen, right?”
“How is the club reacting?”
“So far the club doesn’t really know much.”
“No vote?”
“No vote, but right now, it’s shitty for you.”
“What’s he saying?”
“Bear is talking one-on-one with members. He says that Jen is a narc, a cop, and you’re basically pussy whipped. He’s laying the disaster at the docks on you.”
It was what I was afraid of. Bear was persuasive, gruff, and hot tempered.
I loved him, but I also knew he made rash decisions. He did what he did to protect the club, but also his ego and his authority.
All this I knew, but I also saw now, that sometimes, rash decisions could lead to trouble in the bigger picture.
“And Bo?”
Bear had ordered Bo to disappear for a while. It was right. The cops had seen Bo and while we had an agreement with them, having Bo walk around Port Az right now was stupid.
Shit.
“Kade, I need a vote.”
“Man, you know that to bring something to a vote, you need Bear, and if Bear doesn’t, then two members need to bring it to Church. You know this shit.”
“I can’t come back unless I’m going to come in for a vote.”
“Look, you got me. I saw. I don’t want you to kill that girl.”
“Girl? She’s a cop, sort of. Who in their fucking right mind thinks that killing her would be good for The Saints?”
“Well, maybe you won’t be a Saint if you don’t.”
That was a truth that punched me in the gut.
“Look. Let me work on it. Stay out of Bear’s way if you can. And sorry about the punch to the face.”
“Ah, it’s nothing. You’re getting soft.”
“Fuck off,” I said.
Kade was on my side. He was almost in it as deep as me, but thanks to the punch he at least had a cover story with Bear.
Fucking Bear. He was on a rampage against me. I had seen it before. Bear was ruthless; it was how The Saints survived and thrived. It was how we kept shit tight in Port Az. But right now it was directed at Jen and me.
I knew I had to get a vote to the table. But that wasn’t enough. I had to get a few members on my side for when that vote went down. Bear would have to back down if the club decided it. I was after some unanimous support to save my ass and my reputation in The Dark Saints.
Right now, all the club knew was what Bear was telling them.
I had to give them more. I had to make my case before the vote, or I’d be out at The Saints, and both of us would be on Bear’s list.
I needed an officer. I needed someone bigger than Kade on my side.
I needed E.Z. If anyone was going to defy Bear with me, it was E.Z. He was the Veep.
He fought with Bear, he came up with Bear, and he was almost as feared as Bear. If I could make him see that we had to have a vote and it had to come out my way, maybe I had a chance.
The problem with that plan? E.Z. didn’t do cell phones.
E.Z. lived on a spread just outside of Port Az. We’d traveled miles and miles to get away.
But we’d need to go back.
I needed to get to E.Z. and I needed to be sure none of the club knew I was going to do it.
Jen came out of the shower with a towel around her.
If my resolve wavered at all in my plan to force a vote on this, the sight of Jen rectified that. She’d moved every other thing in my life to the periphery. In the space of a few days, she’d become the focus of my world.
I couldn’t have imagined a scenario where I’d lie to the club, defy the Prez, or lobby E.Z. on something. But I was willing to do it all for her.
When this shit happens, it’s not logical, it’s not smart, and it’s not in any plan you recognize. I supposed I’d seen that with Axle and his new old lady.
And I’d seen it with Bear and Mama Bear. I could try to get to her, but that would be harder than trying to get to E.Z.
Jen walked over to me. I put my hands on her hips and pulled her to me.
I kissed her mouth, and she was instantly ready for me, wanting what I gave her.
No woman had ever been this responsive. No woman had ever turned my guts inside out like this. But she did. So, fuck it: I was probably going to get myself killed over her.
I slid the towel a little lower. Her gorgeous fucking tits were just under the terry cloth. I knew the towel had to be a little rough. I also knew she liked it a little rough. The alley came to mind.
I slid the towel off her and looked at her. She was pure gorgeous to me. Her hair was wet and wate
r dripped a tiny river down her shoulder. I put my tongue there and tasted her clean skin. It was sweet. Fresh.
I pulled her forward and she straddled my lap. Feeling her naked against me was the only drug I’d ever need. She sighed. Man, those noises she made did me in as much as her fucking body did. I wanted to take this slow.
But I’d been about as much of a Boy Scout as I could be with her this morning. I needed more.
I needed to brand her as mine. I didn’t want her to have a single fucking doubt about that. Soft and sweet was nice. I wasn’t nice.
I stood up and she wrapped her legs around me, tight as a vice. In one motion, I had her up against the door of the cabin. I held her there with my body and freed myself.
I was like a goddamn piston. She was open wide for me, and there wasn’t a damn thing that was going to stop either one of us.
“Benz!” she said and I felt her in ways I hadn’t on the floor, or in the alley.
I drove up and stroked her with my cock in ways I knew no Boy Scout had ever done.
Up to now, I’d waited for her. I’d slowed down to make sure she was fine and satisfied. This time I was selfish. I pulled pushed harder and her legs opened further to me.
“Oh my God. Oh my God.” She said it over and over. I knew that taking what I wanted in the way I wanted was what she needed too.
I had scared off a woman or two in the past, they couldn’t handle me. I knew that.
Jen looked like an angel to my eyes, but she was into what I was giving her. I felt her hot and tight around me like she was built for me. Or the other way around. I was fine if that was the truth, too.
I swear the fucking door could have come off the hinges. I was out of my head as I exploded into her.
“Yes. God, Benz. YES!” she yelled. I buried my face in her shoulder as I rocked out a climax for both of us that would have got us kicked out of any number of hotels if anyone would have heard it.
It took me a few seconds to realize I probably could have bruised the hell out her.
I immediately felt shitty as hell about that. I lifted her up and away from the door, putting her down on that crappy bed. But at least it was a mattress.
I turned her over to run my hand over her shoulders, her spine, and her beautiful ass. God. I could do it again right then.
“Did I hurt you?”
“You don’t have to ask me that again. I am beyond okay. I can take what you dish out. And more,” she said and I captured her lips in mine. I pressed hard. I knew this would leave her soft, sweet skin, swollen, tender, and sensitive. I wanted that.
“You’re mine, Jen,” I said to her.
“What does that mean?” I spooned in behind her and she slid backward. She was perfectly tucked into my body. Mine sheltering hers. That’s what it meant. That’s where I was supposed to be.
“It means I love you. And it means I’ll protect you. From whoever the fuck wants to hurt you.”
“Your Club wants to hurt me.”
“Over my dead body.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of, too.”
“I have a plan. Here’s what we’re going to do.”
And I laid it out for her. The Club had a code and I’d adhered to it all my life.
Not only that, I’d kicked the ass of any member who broke the code. The only way I was going to keep my brothers and my woman was to work inside the code.
But I also couldn’t risk anyone finding us until I had done everything to ensure she was safe.
“We’re going to ride at night.”
“Ride to where?”
“Back to Port Az.”
I felt her shudder.
She was scared. She should be. But it was the only way to make sure that, if I didn’t do the job, Bear didn’t send another Saint to do it.
19
Jen
When Benz said I was his, I felt something deep in my chest. It was right and wrong at the same time.
How could I be his when my life had been devoted, up to then, to destroying what he loved?
My Daddy was still dead and his Daddy was the reason. I was a traitor to my family with every kiss. But I couldn’t stop him. I wanted more of him the more I had.
Was this weakness? Was this insanity? I’d never seen two people in love, really, in my life. I didn’t know what it looked like. And this felt like more than love. It felt like a fever that consumed my entire body when I was with him.
Being cradled by his body made me feel safe. But we weren’t safe.
“So, what’s your plan?”
“I’m going to go to E.Z. and convince him to call for a vote.”
“Why?”
“I only need two people to bring it to the table. I’ve got Kade on my side. Probably Zig too. Bo’s out of the picture – he’s got to stay away.”
“Because of me.”
“Yeah, well, it is what it is.”
“Who’s E.Z.?”
“He’s the Veep. Vice President.”
“Okay, so call him.”
“Gotta go to him, that’s why we’re headed back to Port Az. Well, just outside of it.”
“When?”
“I think we need to go tonight. I don’t want any eyes on us and that’s our best bet. E.Z. will be home late. He stays at the MC and when things wind down, he heads to his place. That’s where we’re headed.”
“Is he usually on your side, E.Z.?”
“Fuck no. But he’s against Bear half the time. He’s willing to go toe to toe. If I have him and Kade to start, I can make the case on why killing you is a stupid fucking idea.”
“Bear will see reason, he has to.”
“Yep.” Benz pressed me tight to his body. I was still reeling from what he’d done to me up against the door. He was a beast, a wild animal, and I didn’t know that was exactly what I wanted in my life until I got it.
Nothing was going to be as good as being with Benz. He’d told me I was his. And that he loved me even. I loved him too.
“Benz.”
“Yeah, babe.”
“I love you.”
He gently kissed me on the shoulder blades. They were feeling a little tender. Even still, his mouth on my skin was what I wanted.
We had a few hours before we had to hit the road. I knew in my head that these were our last few hours. I wasn’t going to let him or men I didn’t even know decide if I lived or died.
Even if that meant leaving Benz. I loved him. I was his. He was right about that. I trusted him. But I wasn’t going to let him hold my fate in his hands. Trusting him with my life was one thing. The Dark Saints? Not fucking likely.
We didn’t talk much as the day wore on. We just touched each other. Benz brushed my hair out of my face. I ran my fingers through his beard. I looked at the scars and tats that covered his body. I memorized them. Someday down the road, I hoped they’d bring me some comfort.
If being with Benz became a memory, I wanted all the details. I wanted to be able to take that memory out and get lost in each second. What had happened between us wasn’t the real world. It was a bolt of lightning and it was soon to pass. I knew that and savored every second in that bed with Benz.
Eventually, the sun set and Benz started packing up.
I considered running. What if I just headed out to the woods?
But the reality was, we were in the middle of nowhere. If I called for help, could anyone here it out here? If I did that, would the cops come and arrest Benz for kidnapping? What would I say?
I was prepared to testify against Bear if it came to that, but Benz? I wasn’t ready for that. I didn’t think I ever would be.
“It’s time.”
Benz had packed up his bike. I looked around the odd little cabin. It was almost a dream what we’d done here together. We’d committed ourselves to each other in a way that was physical, spiritual, real.
Benz helped me on the bike and handed me the helmet. He was protecting me still.
It got darker and darker, and
we got closer and closer to the mess that I’d made in Port Az. Closer to the history of my family tied up with the history of his. I wished we could stay in the cabin forever, together. But that was a memory now too.
With each mile, things got more real. I held tight to Benz. I wasn’t without resources and I’d have to use them if Benz couldn’t get out of this.
As scary as the idea of returning to Port Az was, I wouldn’t be cut off like I’d been with Benz in the cabin.
I could get to my place. I could get to my car and out of Port Az on my own. I wouldn’t be running into the woods or driving in the dark. I was willing to let Benz’s plan pay out, to a point.
E.Z. was the first part of Benz’s plan.
When we were within sight of his place, but not too close, Benz cut the engine.
We were about ten miles outside of Port Az.
E.Z. had a ranch house on acreage.
“Stay behind me and quiet the entire time.”
I nodded. Then he took out his gun, the one I’d only glimpsed when he was at the warehouse.
“You know how to use a weapon right? Police training?”
“Yes.”
“If something goes bad, shoot E.Z.”
“Is that likely? Jesus Christ, Benz.”
“If I thought it was likely you wouldn’t be here. But I also want you to defend yourself if I can’t. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go.” I had the weapon behind my back. I did know how to shoot. I was good at it. Benz was not leading me into some sort of slaughter; he was making sure I had options.
If his argument didn’t work, I had an escape hatch.
We walked up the long dirt drive to the house. It was dark, but there was a light on inside.
Benz knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before a woman came to answer it.
“Hi, Charlene.”
“Benz.” The woman was hard looking. She had a tattoo of a rose over her breast and smeared eyeliner under her eyes.
“I need to talk to E.Z.”
“Yeah, I heard some shit was going down.”
Then a man with a shotgun came down the hall. The barrel was pointed down. He was gray-haired like Bear, but much more wiry. He seemed to be made of bone, sinew, and motor oil. I was more scared of E.Z. than Bear. Whereas Bear seemed to make hot-headed decisions, something about E.Z. was as cold as steel.