by Nikki Landis
My mouth felt like it was full of sawdust and I slipped from the bed, staggering toward the bathroom to take a piss and a hot shower. I grabbed my cut, keys, and smokes from the dresser on the way out the door in search of Mimi only twenty minutes later.
The dining area was empty except for the pain in my ass that never failed to irritate me every chance he got. Rael was eating chow and I pulled my phone from my cut, hissing in displeasure when I noticed the time. 0950. How the fuck did I sleep for so long? Last time I slept in this late was after boot camp. My internal clock never let that happen. Must have been super relaxed holding Mimi most of the night.
“Fuck, Patriot, it’s almost ten.”
I flipped him off, snatching a slice of bacon from his plate.
“Asshole,” he complained as I walked into the kitchen.
Damn. I missed breakfast. The club girls were almost done cleaning up. Becca and Harley were finishing the dishes as Snooki sat on one of the stools and jotted down what appeared to be a grocery list.
She smirked when she saw my sour expression. “Mimi saved you a plate. It’s in the microwave.” She hopped up and snagged a mug, pouring coffee before passing it into my hand. “That girl is ol’ lady material.”
“She sure is,” I agreed, puffing out my chest. “Gonna make sure that happens soon.”
“Glad to hear it,” Snooki announced, spinning around to chat with the other girls. Becca, Harley, and LeeAnn all smiled as I warmed up my plate.
Mimi didn’t realize how deeply those words affected me when she said that the club girls didn’t know what kind of relationship we had. That wasn’t an issue anymore. I wanted her to be respected and treated right. I knew Snooki would take care of that now that I said Mimi was gonna be my ol’ lady.
She flashed me a smile and winked as I chuckled, knowing she asked on purpose in front of the others. No room for error or mistake. I made it clear who Mimi belonged to and what she meant to me.
Snooki was a genius.
Rael was waiting for me as I sat down to eat, shutting his trap for once until I was done. I gulped down half my coffee before he finally spoke.
“Desi is awake. Nylah called off work and went in to see her with Mimi. She was too upset to leave her sister after finding another trafficking victim.”
“Is that confirmed?” I asked, slightly irritated.
“No, but I’m certain that’s how Naomi and Desi met.”
“That’s the logical conclusion,” I agreed gruffly.
“Nylah said Mimi was crying this morning. Just giving you a heads up.”
“That’s not a surprise if what we suspect is true. That’s her friend.”
“Exactly what I said to Nylah.”
“Have you seen Shadow around this morning?”
He blinked at the change of subject. “Yeah. Stalking Mimi like a lost dog lookin’ for treats.”
“That’s not funny, you fucker.”
Rael snickered as he stood. “Let’s go. I hate when I don’t fucking know what’s going on. Puts me in a shitty mood.”
My lips twitched with humor as I stood and finished off my coffee, heading down the hall to the guest room. Shadow was perched outside and he lifted his chin as we approached.
“Just the three girls inside. No one else.”
“Anyone else come by?” Rael asked, crossing his arms. He seemed a bit agitated and on edge but fuck, he was always that way. Guy was wound up tight.
“Only that new club girl.”
“Neveah?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t let her in.”
That was odd. Why would Neveah want to go into the room?
“Stay sharp, prospect.”
“Always.”
I entered first as Rael hung back, taking everything in. The girls didn’t notice our arrival. Desi was propped up with pillows and talking to Mimi, sniffling as Mimi held her hand.
“He fucking knows, Trixie,” she was saying, “He knows where you are and he’s pissed.”
Mimi shrugged. “I’m not afraid of him.”
“That’s stupid. You should be. Have you forgotten what happened the night Katya told us she was pregnant?”
“No,” Mimi sighed.
“He’s planning to kidnap you and make you suffer before he sells you to the highest bidder. I heard Sean on the phone making threats. He was telling Mikhail Resnikov that you would bring in a big payout and make up for the loss he’s suffered.”
My lip curled into a sneer. No fucking way.
Jones wasn’t coming anywhere near Mimi.
“He’s always been like that. All talk.”
Desi shook her head. “No, this is bad. They’re working with those Scorpion bikers and shit is getting ready to go down. I overheard Sean saying something about a setup.”
Rael moved forward with the confirmation of a threat. “Tell us what you know.”
Desi startled, turning to Rael with wide eyes. “You’re the devil!”
He snorted, shaking his head. “No, but I sure as fuck work for him.”
Chuckling, I couldn’t help finding humor in that statement of truth.
Had to admit his freaky makeup scared people all the time and it was comical. Fucker had a sick sense of humor.
“Not gonna ask again, Desi. Tell us everything you know.”
She swallowed hard and squeezed Mimi’s hand. “They know about the Royal Bastards MC and they’re planning to take you down.”
“How?” I asked, my voice hardly more than a growl.
“I didn’t get all the details. I’m sorry,” she blubbered, a tear slipping down one of her cheeks. “I know they have some warehouse setup for porn that they’re planning to use. I’ve been there a few times. Most of the ride I’m usually blindfolded but the last time I was there I saw the sign outside.”
“What was the name of it?”
“VidComm Industries.”
“Anything else?” Rael asked, taking a threatening stance.
“No. I swear.”
He ticked his head in my direction. “We need to talk to Grim.”
My gaze shifted to Mimi. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Go take care of business. I’m not going anywhere.”
Despite the situation I couldn’t help but grin at those words. “See ya soon, sunshine.”
“The Scorpions and Russians have a partnership with VidComm Industries,” I announced, staring around the table. Grim started church five minutes ago as we sat down to decide our next move. “Desi confirmed that she’s been to their warehouse a few times and it’s their main porn site.”
“She seemed reluctant to tell us that the BSMC and Russians are working together and they’re planning to set us up somehow,” Rael added. “My guess is that is has something to do with that warehouse and the shipment they’re expecting. I just can’t figure out how that would matter if we’re not the ones supplying the girls.”
Hannibal flicked the metal lighter in his hand open and closed as he frowned. “Got to be another reason.”
“That’s my thought,” I agreed. “We need to put our heads together and figure out what leverage Jones and Resnikov think they have against us.”
“None that I’m aware of,” Grim complained, scowling as he leaned back in his chair. “Those Russians like to play games. We know that shit from Voltoy and Solonik.”
“They do,” Wraith responded, staring in my direction. “Have you talked to Naomi yet?”
“About?” I asked, immediately defensive.
“The shit that went down while she was a captive. She’s got to know some inside shit, brother. Now that Desi is here it’s gonna make having that conversation easier.”
Exorcist shrugged. “He’s right. Club is in danger and the Crossroads is at risk. We can’t take any chances.”
Mammoth’s gruff voiced added to the fuckin’ peanut gallery. “Club comes first, Patriot. Not sayin’ this doesn’t suck but we need to know everything that she does. It’s all our asses on the line.
”
They were right. I knew that but I still didn’t like it. “I know.” Scrubbing a hand down my face, I stood to my feet. “The sooner the better. I’ll be in touch when I know something.”
My heart gave a funny little lurch when I thought of having this conversation with Mimi and how it might hurt her to dig into her past. All those rapes, the beatings, the torment. It was fucking cruel to ask her to confront it all but I didn’t have a choice. The club was first and the other lives that we were responsible for that included ol’ ladies and club girls.
I left the chapel and headed straight for the guest room where Desi was staying. Shadow opened the door without a word as I approached, giving me a chin lift as I walked inside. Kid had suddenly become my first choice to protect Mimi and it was a bit weird to admit that I wasn’t pissed at him anymore.
“Katya misses you, Trixie. She’s not doing well.”
“I knew Katya was in trouble when she said she was pregnant. What did they do?”
Desi let out a sob, tucking her chin into her chest. “Sean beat her when he found out. He fucked her up, Trix. When she didn’t miscarry, he said she would stay pregnant and they would sell her baby once it was born.”
Mimi paled, gasping as she shook her head. “No! That son of a bitch!”
Desi was crying hard, her shoulders shaking as she clenched her fists. “I hate him! He’s the vilest human being I’ve ever met.”
“No,” Mimi disagreed, “Resnikov is worse.”
Desi reached out as Mimi accepted her hug and the two women cried together, taking what little comfort they could in such a horrific situation.
“Sunshine?” I called out softly, my heart breaking for both women. “Can we talk?”
I might be a tough biker but I wasn’t that fucking cold.
Mimi immediately leaned back and rose to her feet, releasing Desi and swiping her small hands across her cheeks. “I’ll come back later, Desi. Get some rest.”
Desi nodded, laying back against the bed as her eyes fluttered and the dark circles beneath proved she was exhausted.
Mimi reached for my hand and I took it, intertwining our fingers as we entered the hall, heading toward our room. It was ours. Everything I had belonged to her too. I wasn’t so goddamn full of myself that I couldn’t admit that Mimi was my woman and she could have whatever she wanted. We shared it all.
She sat on the bed when we entered and I dropped beside her, still holding her hand to offer as much support as I could.
“I suppose you want to know about Sean Jones and Resnikov.”
Nodding, I kept quiet, letting her take as much time as she needed to gather her thoughts.
“Sean Jones is a sadistic prick. He likes to rape the girls and keep them guessing which one is next. Solonik liked to choke girls as he fucked them. Alexi liked to beat them. Sean is twisted. He likes to take their ass as they’re being raped and prefers to be the first one who violates every girl that comes in.”
My jaw clicked in anger and I held back my Reaper, realizing that was the one thing I hadn’t revealed yet to Mimi. The final part of who I was before she could accept me for the man that would become her protector and vindicator. It was sure to be shocking when she found out. My body vibrated with rage but I held myself in check, squeezing her hand lightly as she kept talking.
“Mikhail Resnikov is on a whole different level of evil. To put it into perspective, he sold his own niece into slavery. Katya is his family. His sister’s daughter. He’s as ruthless as they come. He stood there when Katya was flown into the U.S. and thought she was here for a modeling contract, watching as she was pushed down to the ground and Sean Jones raped her for over an hour.”
Mimi’s voice cut off as she swallowed hard and my chest heaved, hating this motherfucker with every ounce of breath in my body.
“And what did he do to you?” I asked softly, hating the question, and needing to know at the same time.
“What didn’t he do? You know what Alexi did to me. I was kept chained to his bed on numerous occasions when I wasn’t sucking dick or being used. Sean liked to share me with him. The two of them together,” she paused, gritting her teeth, “was almost too much.”
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out, tugging her onto my lap as I held her as tightly as I dared.
“I would bleed afterward and they didn’t care, Dale. Resnikov would laugh as he stood by the door, jerking off as I screamed and cried for them to stop. Any reaction only made it worse. I learned to keep quiet and it was usually over faster.”
“Did they know about the Royal Bastards MC?”
“No, not to my knowledge. That must have changed after you saved me.” She sniffled, cradling my face as our eyes met. “I never did say thank you. I don’t know what would have happened but I can’t help but feel that you did more than save my life. You gave me a fresh start and a place to heal. You’ve been my friend and my hope, my anchor, and my lifeline. Without you, I wouldn’t be whole again.”
Her words sparked a fire inside me and I wanted to lay her back against the bed and make love to her, worship her body, and prove to her that sex could be amazing. My lips met hers in the softest of kisses, pressing with enough pressure and passion that she didn’t doubt how I felt, but not enough to overwhelm her. When we separated, I brushed my thumb across her cheek in a gentle caress.
“It means a lot to me that you opened up like that, Mimi.”
“We both know it needed to happen.”
“Yes, and I should reciprocate.”
Her arms slipped around my neck as I held her in my lap, holding her as close as I could.
“Blackjack was the name of the mission op we chose. Intel provided the location of known terrorists in a tiny town on the outskirts of Afghanistan. My team was made up of some of the best Marines I had the privilege of serving with. Guys I had known for years. Some of them I met in boot camp.”
“You were close,” she responded, understanding.
“Yes. We dropped down in the middle of the night in all our gear, moving in nice and slow as we cleared each area slowly to ensure we didn’t tip off the terrorists. We made it all the way to the house we suspected they were hiding in.”
She bit her lip, sensing the rest of the story didn’t have a happy ending and she was right.
“We forced our way in and that’s when shit got crazy. My team got separated as we took on fire and fought back, closing in on the two leaders that we were supposed to capture if possible but kill if it was necessary. The last room I moved into should have been empty. We cleared it but somehow more of their soldiers moved in behind us.”
“Oh no,” she whispered.
“There was an explosion on two sides of the room. I watched as my best friend blew apart in front of my eyes.” With the memory, my own eyes slammed shut. “I can still see the smoke and debris, smell the gunpowder and metallic tang of blood. It’s like I never left sometimes. The cries of my brothers and the heavy gunfire mix together in my head. I remember the excruciating pain in my back and I knew I was hit. All I kept thinking was that I hoped we got all of those motherfuckers and that I died with my fellow Marines.”
“Dale,” Mimi cried as I opened my eyes again, staring into the liquid pools of sky blue that were swimming in tears. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’ve been lost since that deployment. Never could find my footing or stop having those goddamn nightmares. Everything changed when we met. You helped save me too, sunshine.”
She lifted her hands and showed me her wrists. “See these scars? I tried to take my life one night after Sean and Alexi used me for nearly five hours. I was in so much pain that I could hardly breathe and I just wanted it all to end.”
My fingers rubbed over the scars and I lifted each wrist, placing a kiss on the top. “We’re good together, Mimi. Me and you, we get one another.”
“We do, Patriot. That’s something I’ve never had until now. You make me feel safe and wanted. It means everything.”
&nbs
p; His forehead lowered to mine and we breathed together, letting the sorrow and pain of the past drift a little farther away.
“We’re gonna make it, sunshine.”
“When you say that, I actually believe you.”
I kissed her one more time, leaning back to stare at the woman I was positive that I loved. It wasn’t the right time to say those three life-changing words but I would tell her soon.
Right now, I wanted to hold her a little longer and keep the monsters that wanted to tear us apart from closing in.
The entire day was shot. I couldn’t concentrate for shit even when I filled in the club on my conversation with Mimi. My entire focus was on the woman I wanted to take to my bed and remove the last barriers between us.
My cock was hard all day and I had to keep adjusting, pretending I didn’t notice the knowing looks that Wraith and Rael tossed in my direction. Fucking assholes. They knew my struggle and found it funny as hell that I was suffering.
Mimi sure knew how to tempt my restraint. I found her after church in the common room, sitting on one of the barstools in a yellow dress that was far too short and ended at mid-thigh. Her long tan legs ended in a pair of brown western boots. Looked smooth and silky enough for my hands to roam.
Skin was on display all over her body and my gaze hungrily swept over her bare shoulders and the way her tits were pushed up against the front of the dress and daring neckline. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and all I could think was that she looked like an innocent temptress that I wanted to corrupt for hours in my bed.
My tongue swiped across my mouth as I imagined how good she would taste when I dived into her pussy and savored that sweetness for the first time. I should have felt guilty for lusting after a girl who went through as much as she did but all the emotion in my brain was consumed with desire and need. Fuck, she was beautiful.
And her self-confidence was back as she sent me a flirtatious smile. My hand rose and rested over my heart as she blushed. She was so fucking brave to sit here in front of everyone and show off all those scars on her body, baring herself to the members of this club and everyone else. I didn’t see them as something that marred her skin. I saw the courage and determination that brought her this far and was proud to say this goddess was mine.