by Ravenna Tate
“He knows me so well. Why are he and Tannin talking to Donny? Is this about Brad?”
Rai sipped her own coffee, peering over the rim of the cup at Chloe. “That, and I think it has something to do with me and my big mouth yesterday.”
“Are you in trouble with Tannin?”
“No. Not at all. We stayed up half the night talking.” Rai stood and twirled slowly. “Notice anything different?”
“Oh my God! I didn’t even see it! I’m so fucking foggy from the pain pill I took last night.” Chloe placed her cup on the nightstand and eased out of bed. “You have your cut.” She was in more pain than she’d anticipated. “Turn around again. Let me see the back.”
Rai did as she asked, and Chloe traced the patch of the Demons on Wheels MC logo. Above it, the words “Property of” were in in their own patch, and below the logo was a patch with the name “Tannin.”
“It’s gorgeous.”
“The thunderbolt is on the front.” Rai turned around, and pointed toward the patch over her left breast. “I can’t believe how close it is to my tattoo.”
“Will he have other patches put on this eventually?”
“A few. We talked about which ones usually go on an old lady’s cut. I have a jacket like this, too.”
“I’m so happy for you!” Chloe gave her a quick hug. “How is your arm? Are you in a lot of pain?”
“It’s not terrible. But how do you feel? You’re so pale.”
“I’m surprised how much it hurts. The other ones didn’t bug me this much, but this one is much bigger. Jed said it might hurt more because of the location, and the fact it’s covered so much. But I’ll be all right.”
“Are you going to take a break from dancing until it heals?”
Chloe didn’t want anyone except Gorgon knowing she was afraid to go back on stage until Brad was found. “Yeah. Just a short one.”
“You’d be so proud of me. We rode on Tannin’s bike to get these, and I held the coffees and bag of food the whole time.”
She laughed. “That’s great. See? Soon you’ll be a pro at this. So, everything is okay with you now about how we do things here?”
“Yes. And I’m sorry I said those things.”
“You don’t have any reason to apologize to me, Rai. I know you’re only protecting us in your own way.”
“I have a lot to get used to. Tannin told me that my first night here, but I didn’t realize the depth of it.”
“I’ll help in any way I can.”
“Chloe, you already do. Just by being so understanding all the time.”
“We’re friends. That’s what friends do.”
Gorgon and Tannin came into the room. “She’s awake.” Gorgon gave Chloe a tight hug. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. Really. Did you guys have your coffee and breakfast?”
“Yeah. We had it while on the phone with Donny.”
“Is there news?” asked Rai. “News you can tell us, that is?”
“Yeah,” said Tannin. He cut his gaze toward Gorgon, who nodded. “Brad is wanted in California for possession of cocaine, for selling it, and he’s racked up quite a few DUIs as well. Seems breaking and entering wasn’t bringing in enough cash, so he turned to drugs. And we all know how Donny feels about that shit.”
“What about the license plate?” asked Chloe.
“Not his,” said Gorgon. “Belongs to a relative visiting someone who lives in Creek Ridge. The only car registered to Brad has a California plate, but it’s still in California. It was impounded two weeks ago. So he’s either walking from Lorain if he is here in town, or he’s borrowing someone else’s car.”
“So if he’s wanted for all this,” said Rai, “why is he walking around anywhere, free as a bird?”
“The cops in LA have more to do than any police force can handle,” said Tannin. “They’re not going to pursue him across the country.”
“Why can’t the local cops find him? It’s not a big town.”
“Donny doesn’t think he’s staying in Creek Ridge,” said Gorgon, flashing Chloe a sympathetic look. “One of his men spotted Brad in Lorain, and he’s certain it was him.”
Chloe put a hand to her mouth. “He had friends there.”
Gorgon nodded. “You wouldn’t have names and addresses by any chance, would you?”
“No. I never knew them. He only mentioned them in passing a few times. Did Donny’s men get him?”
“He slipped away from them.”
Sweat had collected along her hairline. Chloe swiped at it. “So that means I haven’t lost my mind. Up until right now, no one but me had actually seen him.”
“We believed you,” said Gorgon.
“I know you did, but I was beginning to think I’d imagined it. Does this mean Donny’s men are looking for him?”
Gorgon gave her an expression that answered her question before he spoke. “Baby, Donny’s exact words to me were, ‘I have bigger fish to fry, but if we spot him and can grab him, we will.’ He also said if Brad tries to come into the club again, detain him and make a call. He will take care of him for good.”
“But the local cops do know he’s here in Ohio?”
“Yes, they do. So do the Staties.”
“Thank you.”
It wasn’t the answer she’d hoped for, but it would have to do for now. Chloe drained her coffee and finished her sandwich. At least Donny was making an effort.
“So listen to this,” said Tannin. “Donny also said there was a fight at the Last Stop Saloon last night. Mad Dog was shot and killed.”
Chloe gasped. “You’re kidding. Is it on the news?”
“Probably won’t be. We need to tell the other members right away.”
“Who is Mad Dog?” asked Rai.
“Mad Dog, aka Bobby Danfield, was President of the Outlaw Dogs MC. All those recent concessions Vito had to make to Donny? Seems Mad Dog wasn’t crazy about the fact that Vito hadn’t gotten a piece of this club out of it.”
“Was he that stupid?” asked Rai. “They weren’t in negotiations for a business deal. Vito was backed into a corner.”
“I doubt Vito told the Outlaw Dogs the details,” said Gorgon. “Mad Dog has been after a piece of this place for a long time, ever since a few of their members were sent here undercover to become prospects. They were plants for the Outlaw Dogs. Their job was to look for weaknesses. Things they could exploit and use to get a piece of our profits.”
“Is that the trouble you all talk about with them?”
“Yeah,” said Tannin. “So last night, Mad Dog got into it with Howler, their Road Captain. Apparently, Mad Dog had been talking to Mob bosses in other states, trying to get a better deal as he called it.”
“Is he out of his fucking mind? You don’t negotiate your way into protection with a gangster who offers you a better deal than the one you’re currently in debt to.”
“He’s not too bright,” said Gorgon. “Never was. Howler saw it as a betrayal, not only to Vito but to the MC. The two got into a fight and guns were fired.”
“Is Howler in jail?” asked Chloe.
“Yeah, but he’s claiming it was self defense. A few of the members are backing him up, and Donny said Vito is, too.”
“So how is this Donny’s problem?” asked Rai.
“The members who don’t support Howler are calling for a raid on this club.”
“What?” asked Chloe. “Why?”
“They believe we were the ones who convinced Donny to do what he did. Taking out Jennifer, setting Timmy up to take the fall for that, and everything that Vito is now in debt to Donny for. They think we’re the masterminds behind it.”
“Have they actually met Donny?” asked Rai.
She likely didn’t mean for her comment to be funny, but Chloe, Gorgon, and Tannin laughed. It was the levity they needed. Tannin gave her a big hug.
“I doubt they have,” he said. “Their accusation is absurd, but that’s who that bunch is. It’s Donny’s prob
lem because now he has to make sure Vito keeps a tight lid on them, and that they’re not actually making deals with other bosses behind Vito’s back. The last thing Donny or Vito want is a turf war.”
“So what happens now?” asked Rai. “Brad is still out there. No one is actively looking for him despite all his arrest warrants, and there’s a rival MC ready to fight with us.”
Gorgon and Tannin exchanged a glance. “I like the way you said ‘us’,” said Tannin. “As if you finally understand you are part of this MC.”
The lust-filled smile Rai gave Tannin sent shivers down Chloe’s spine. Everything was okay between those two. It was obvious in their body language, and in the way they looked at each other this morning.
“I do understand it. Got the cut to prove it.”
“What happens now is business as usual,” said Gorgon. “Donny also said he’s gonna send a couple of his men to stay here full time. Just until things settle down. I told him that would be fine, but me and Tannin need to let the others know what’s going on first.”
“Do you think Donny’s men will find Brad?” asked Chloe.
“I don’t know, baby.” Gorgon pulled her close. “Don’t you worry about him, okay? He won’t get back inside this club.”
But what was she supposed to do in the meantime? Never go into town? Never open any mail addressed to her again? Chloe hugged her man, breathing in his scent. This was the only place where she felt truly safe. In his arms. She had no idea what would happen now, but it was reassuring to know that Donny did care, and he would do something about it if one of his men spotted Brad.
And, she was very happy that Rai had accepted her new life here in the MC.
Chapter Twelve
Gorgon and Tannin filled in the other members and prospects later that day about the shooting at the Last Stop Saloon, and about Donny sending over men to stay here. They also told them where Brad had been spotted, and reiterated that he was not to get inside this club.
“And if anything else comes in the mail addressed to Legs, with or without a stamp, it comes to me first.”
“One last thing,” said Gorgon, glaring at Tannin. “I want Tarot gone by the end of this week, whether she has a place to go or not.”
“Consider it done.”
By the time the Brothers finished getting all their anger out, and Gorgon was able to end the meeting, he was worn out and very glad the club wasn’t open for business that night. What a load of bullshit to have to deal with from the Outlaw Dogs. None of them needed this crap right now.
He went into his room where Chloe was reading. “Where did Rai go? I figured you two would be hanging out all day.”
She put the book on the bed. “Tiffany came to get her. They’re going to get the rest of Rai’s things from her former offices. The FBI wouldn’t let her back in until today.”
“That will suck for her.” Tiffany was Rai’s former administrative assistant.
“Yeah. I asked if she wanted me to come with them, but she said you’d probably want me here. In other words, I shouldn’t take my chances out there.”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean it that way. And weren’t her offices in downtown Cleveland? Brad isn’t following you around, baby.”
“I know that, but I feel like I can’t even go outside.”
“It’s not true. You can.” He leaned over and nuzzled her neck. “But maybe later? ‘Cause right now, there’s something I really, really need to do inside.”
She giggled. “And what might that be?”
“One guess.” Gorgon pushed his hands up her t-shirt, delighted to find out she wasn’t wearing a bra. He massaged her breasts, rolling her nipples the way she liked. “Can you guess yet?”
“Um, no. Clueless here. You’ll have to give me another hint.”
The way her eyes went all soft and her face flushed when she was horny drove him insane with need. Gorgon eased her shorts down, wincing as he moved the fabric over the new ink. “I don’t want to hurt you, Legs.”
“You won’t.” She sat up and pulled off her top, then finished taking off her shorts and tossed them onto the floor. “Lie down.”
“You ordering me around?”
“Yes.”
“I love it when you get all bossy with me.” Gorgon lay on his back and she climbed on top of him, shoving her tongue into his mouth. He grasped her hair and kissed her back, moaning into her open mouth.
When she finally released the kiss, she moved to his neck, torturing him with tiny bites and soft flicks of her tongue. “Enough, Legs! I need to fuck!”
“You’re so damn impatient all the time.” She sat back on her heels and brushed her hands over his cut, up and down, stopping just short of his crotch each time. His dick was so fucking hard it hurt. Gorgon squeezed her tits again, groaning with the need to ram his cock into her good and hard.
When she began to trace the tats on his arms with her fingertips, he caught her wrists and held them tightly. “I swear to all that’s holy if you don’t fuck me, I’m gonna get one of Tannin’s paddles and swat your ass until you cry. Legs … it’s been two fucking days!”
She laughed, leaning down to kiss him again. He tangled his fingers in her hair and tried to keep from coming in his pants. Finally, she undid his jeans and slid them down. “You look ready to burst.”
“I am. Suck me off, Legs.”
“Patience, Billy.” He wanted to die from horniness when she licked the length of his shaft, slowly. She played with his balls until Gorgon’s blood boiled.
“I seriously can’t wait any longer, baby.”
Instead of taking his cock into her mouth, she lowered her hot, wet pussy over it. Gorgon almost reached for her hips before he remembered the new ink. “Fuck! I can’t even hold you while you fuck me!”
“Then I guess you’ll have to let me take charge today.”
“You’re trying to kill me.”
“No, my love.” She moved off him and bent down, teasing his dick with her nipples. “I’m trying to fuck you.”
“You’re fucking torturing me!”
Her sly smile sent his heart fluttering. He adored this woman more than anything on this fucking planet. There wasn’t anything he’d deny her. All she had to do was ask. She bent her head low again, but instead of sucking him she brushed her hair over his cock.
“Oh, fuck, Chloe! God dammit, baby!”
“Hush. Close your eyes and enjoy this.”
Finally, she took him into her mouth, but as soon as she got in a couple of good, hard sucks, she sat up and sheathed him again with her pussy.
“Oh Christ!”
“Mmm, I like it, too.”
He was powerless under her spell like this. She squeezed her tits together, then moved her hands to her pussy and rubbed her clit as she rode him. Gorgon grasped her right hip, but he still couldn’t hang on tightly enough.
When she moved off him again and returned to licking and sucking his dick, he fucking gave up and groaned loudly, letting her have her way. She alternated, fucking him with her pussy and sucking him off, and she came well before he did.
“Oh, Legs … fucking A … bring that pussy here, baby.” She moved over his face, and he pulled her closer by hanging onto her thighs. Her juices were all over his face by the time he finished, but that was what he wanted. He loved the taste of her cunt.
“Baby … God, that was fucking incredible.”
“Yes.” She snuggled up next to him, keeping her left hip elevated. “It was amazing. Thank you.”
They lay like that for long moments. Gorgon thought he’d drift off to sleep, like he usually did after a good, hard fucking, but his mind raced with images and memories. It was bad this year for some reason.
“Are you thinking about Scotty?”
Goosebumps broke out over his arms. “How did you know?”
“The anniversary of his death is in a few days.”
That she remembered it touched him more than anything had in a long time. “Chloe. It�
��s so hard still. Why is that? He’s been dead for twenty-two years.”
“Because he was your brother. And because it was a horrible way for anyone to die, let alone someone you loved and admired that much.”
“I dream about him.” He’d never told anyone that. “I mean, what he might look like now, not the way he did then.”
“That’s amazing.”
“What do you dream about, baby?”
She propped herself up on her elbow to gaze into his face. God, she was fucking beautiful. She had the most gorgeous eyes he’d ever seen. “You’ve never asked me that before.”
“I’ve never loved anyone like I love you.”
A smile filled with tenderness graced her face. “I’ve never loved anyone like this, either. And I don’t know what I dream about. Lots of things, I guess.”
“No, I mean what do you dream about for your life? I know you want to go to college, but do you ever picture yourself doing anything else?”
“Like what, specifically?”
Now that he’d started down this road, he couldn’t back out. His pulse raced. What if that’s not what she wanted, too? “Don’t get upset if I tell you.”
“Why would I get upset?”
“Bad choice of words. Tell me the truth, okay? When I tell you this?”
“Billy, you’re scaring me. What is it?”
Fuck it. He’d backed himself into a corner. “I dream about having kids. Not the white picket fence or anything like that. But having children. With you. And raising them here, the way I was raised. In the MC.”
Her eyes widened, and a slow smile graced her beautiful face. “You do?” she whispered.
He nodded. “Yeah. Chloe, I never thought I’d find a woman I wanted to spend my life with, but then you walked through the door.” Gorgon sat up and brought her with him so he could look straight into her eyes. “I can’t think of a better way to spend my life than raising kids here with you by my side.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Really.” He brushed a hand over her lower abdomen, imagining a life growing in there. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s wonderful. I’d love to have your children.”