by London Casey
“You okay?” Shay asked.
“Yeah. Sorry. Just… I’m good.”
“It’s just me,” Shay said.
“I see that.”
“I have to go to a meeting soon. You want something to eat before I go?”
“Yeah. I could eat.”
Shay rolled to the other side of the bed and reached to the floor. He grabbed Ava’s bra and threw it up on the bed.
“You can put that on now,” he said.
“Are you sure?” Ava teased.
“Oh, I’m sure. If you want to go out there with a bunch of horny bikers looking like that, that’s your call. I can only protect you so much.”
Shay climbed out of bed and stretched again. He walked to the dresser and put his leather cut on before holstering his guns and knives. He turned just in time to watch Ava putting her bra on. The t-shirt was on the bed, and her perfect breasts were on display. Ava snapped the bra from behind but Shay stopped her before she could cover herself.
“I have to,” Shay whispered.
He cupped Ava’s breasts with his hands and stood there. His thumbs grazed her small nipples and they quickly became hard.
“Fucking hell, love,” Shay said.
Ava’s cheeks were burning red.
Shay let her breasts go and Ava finished getting dressed. He took her out to the clubhouse where the prospects were making breakfast. When Shay spotted Jon, he called him to the bar.
“You made it back,” he said.
“Without a problem,” Jon said.
“You got something to eat for me?”
“Of course.”
“For her?” Shay asked as he nodded to Ava.
“Yes.”
“You think she’s pretty?”
Jon stiffened. “Yeah, I do.”
“You want to fuck her?”
Ava gasped.
Jon looked at Ava, then down at the ground. “I, uh, well…”
“Something wrong with her?” Shay asked.
“No. She’s beautiful.”
“So you’d fuck her?”
“Yeah,” Jon admitted. “I would.”
Shay reached out and patted Jon on the shoulder. “Good man then. Keep working hard around here and maybe you’ll get a real patch someday. Then you could fuck anything you want. Except what I’m enjoying.”
Jon walked away.
Shay looked at Ava and she looked pissed.
“What?” Shay asked.
“Is that what I am? Something you’re enjoying right now?”
“What do you think?” Shay asked. “You came into my shower and jerked me off, love. I shoved my fingers up that pretty little pussy of yours and you enjoyed it.” Shay leaned close to Ava. “And that pussy hasn’t been touched in a long time. Which means you weren’t some old lady. Right or wrong?”
Shay smirked and Ava’s face grew red again. “I don’t like you, Shay.”
“You don’t have to like me. You just have to continue to earn your keep. I’ll protect you, but eventually you’re going to have to tell me the truth. I’m not an idiot, Ava. You were never an old lady. You’ve probably never even been around a club before, have you?”
Jon brought plates of food and then coffee and orange juice.
Ava didn’t speak as she ate.
Part of Shay felt bad for laying into her like he did, but there was no time for fucking around anymore. Every time the club got distracted lately, all hell would break loose.
After eating, Shay put a hand to Ava’s barstool. “Look at me, Ava.”
She looked at him. “What?”
“That hand of yours… is fucking perfect. I’m not done with you. You’re going to be in my bed tonight and tomorrow… and as long as I say so. I’ll fight for you to stay right here. If you go back with the Lost Men, they’re going to fuck you and then kill you.”
“I know that,” Ava said. She blinked fast. “Last night was the first time I’ve slept in… a long time…”
“Even before the Lost Men?”
When Ava didn’t reply, he knew he was right about her running from something.
“You are going to start talking soon,” Shay said. “You will let me in.”
“I already let your fingers in…”
Shay smiled. He moved close and put his lips near Ava’s ear. “Just wait until you feel my cock.”
Ava sat up straight. Her lips were parted but she didn’t speak.
“It’s not easy living this life,” Shay said. “Every second is a second closer to death. Which I guess is true for everyone. The difference is that our countdown is much faster.”
Miller appeared in the clubhouse and let out a long whistle. The entire clubhouse shut up. “I want a meeting in five minutes. Time to get to the real business.”
“That’s my cue,” Shay said. “You can go hang in my room. Lock the door and nobody will bother you.”
“Nile…”
“He’ll be in the meeting with the rest of us. Don’t think about it.”
“Okay. Thank you, Shay.”
“No thanking me. Just earn your keep…”
Shay waited for Ava to stand and walk away. His hands balled into. He didn’t want, or need, to be attracted to Ava, but he couldn’t stop it. Maybe once he fucked her a few times, the feelings would pass. He just needed to satisfy the urge of wanting something he shouldn’t have.
“Hey, you hit that last night?” Blaine asked as he walked by Shay.
“None of your fucking business.”
“I didn’t hear her screaming,” Blaine said. “So if you did, you didn’t do it right.”
“Fuck you, man.”
Blaine winked and laughed.
A few minutes later, the meeting room was jam packed.
Back Down Devil guys sat around the table while the walls were lined with the Lost Men.
Miller cleared his throat. “Alright boys, the fun is over. Time to get to work.”
eight.
Shay’s room was obviously much bigger than her little closet area she was used to, but this was still no way to live. It was no way to survive either. She unlocked the door and held the doorknob as she looked back to the bed. That was the most comfortable she had been in such a long time. Shay had pleasured her and then held her while she fell asleep. But it wasn’t fair. She didn’t deserve this. She wasn’t some old lady and she never would be. She knew nothing about living the MC life and it wasn’t her place to be in the mix of it. Ava’s plan to find her father and disappear from her husband ended with her father being killed and her somewhere in California. She had no idea what she was doing.
Shay made it clear what a war really meant for Back Down Devil. It wasn’t about a bunch of guys wanting to fight each other because they’ve been disrespected. No. This war involved bombs and serious people. The club needed to focus on their task at hand and nothing else.
Ava opened the door and stepped into the hallway. She didn’t want to leave her stuff behind, but it was the only way to make her wrongs right somehow. Maybe once Shay read the information about who she really was, maybe he would understand why she had to leave. Ava had a couple hundred dollars rolled up in her back pocket. With that she could resupply herself and get a train ticket or a cab ride out of town.
Three steps into the hallway, Ava froze when Nile came around the corner. Tall, dark, disgusting. His face was covered in swelling and bruises from what Shay had done to him already.
“Look at you, beautiful,” Nile said. “Out here all alone.”
“Get away from me,” Ava said. “You can’t touch me anymore.”
“Oh? Why’s that? Were you chosen by one of these guys? I get it… it’s the guy who I tangled with, right? Did I look weak in front of you? Trust me, I’ll show you some strength. You little cunt whore.”
Nile licked his lips. Ava tried to ignore him. She tried to cut around and keep walking. But Nile wasn’t having it. He moved to the left and blocked the way. When Ava moved to the right, he moved
to the right.
“Tell me,” Nile said, “did you suck his cock? Did you let him fuck that sweet pussy of yours? What did he do to you last night?”
Ava looked at Nile. She told herself don’t say anything stupid…
But it was too late.
“He did more to me in one night than you have done or ever will do in your lifetime.” Nile curled his lip and stepped at Ava. She stepped back. “You can’t hurt me. Shay will kill you. They will all kill you. Even your own guys, because you don’t belong to anyone.”
Nile laughed. “You think I’m afraid of death? If taking you in that bedroom to do everything I’ve ever wanted meant my death, so be it.”
Now Ava was scared. She always knew the Lost Men were insane and weren’t afraid of death, but would they really give up their lives for a few minutes of pleasure?
It certainly seemed so.
“Want me to tell you what I want to do?” Nile asked. “Or should I just do it and surprise you?”
“Get away,” Ava said. “I’ll kill you.”
Nile smiled and took a step back. “I’m late for my meeting. Lots of people to kill. But I’ll be back. Don’t worry. It just turns me on even more.”
As soon as Nile turned around, she started shaking. The fear spread through her body like a wildfire. Without Shay and protection, what was going to stop Nile from tracking her down if she did leave?
When Ava found her strength, she slowly made her way down the hall. Just as she rounded the turn, she ran straight into two beautiful women.
“Oh, sorry,” Ava said as she tried to sidestep around them.
The two women stopped.
“You came with the Lost Men, right?” the one woman asked. She had scars on her face. Was she bombed too?
“Yeah…”
“I’m Avery,” the other woman said. “I heard you were an old lady.”
“Something like that,” Ava said.
“By the way, I’m Kaity,” the woman with the scars said.
“Nice to meet both of you. I’m Ava.”
“Ava,” Avery said. “That’s a hot name. No wonder Shay is all over you and risking his ass by stealing a woman from the Lost Men.”
“Not stealing,” Ava smiled. “I was leaving to go for a walk or something.”
“Leaving the clubhouse?” Kaity’s eyes widened. “That’s kind of dangerous right now with what’s going on.”
“I’ll take my chances,” Ava said.
“Shay will be pissed,” Avery said. “I’ve seen him pissed before. He’s nasty.”
Ava swallowed. She shrugged her shoulders. “I just need to escape sometimes.”
Kaity came forward and touched Ava’s arm. “And sometimes you need protection.”
Ava couldn’t help but look at the marks on Kaity’s face. Even with the scars, she was beautiful and her eyes were dark and sexy.
“She’s not shy about it,” Avery said. “Her face. You keep looking at it.”
“I don’t care,” Kaity said. “I just don’t want the same to happen to you.”
Ava shook her head. “Why would that happen to me?”
“Because you’re here. The second you stepped foot in this clubhouse, you became part of it all. Part of the war. Part of the MC. Sorry.”
“I’ll take my chances still,” Ava said. “Living with the Lost Men does that to you. Accepting death is more comfortable than anything they have to offer.”
“Pretty rough with them, huh?” Avery asked.
Ava nodded. “As bad as you’ve probably heard. They’re all just shells of men. They’re monsters. And they really do not care about a thing.”
“Kind of like the men around here,” Kaity said with a grin.
“Yeah, but at least there is order and rules around here,” Ava said.
“For the most part,” Avery said. “Are you really going to leave the clubhouse?”
“I have to,” Ava said. “I’m sorry. I can’t explain it right now to anyone. Not even Shay. Are you going to rat me out?”
“No,” Kaity said. “If you have to go, go.”
Ava appreciated the women somewhat helping her. She walked by them and kept her sights on the main floor of the clubhouse. When Kaity whistled and called her name, Ava looked back.
Kaity touched her face and nodded. “I had nothing to do with this war, Ava. I was just a woman on the run with a broken down car. But the club’s enemies were out for blood, so that’s what these scars are. They force Erik to look at me everyday and remember what his face looks like. You leave this clubhouse you never know what could happen. I hope you’re okay with that.”
Ava nodded and started walking again. Her heart rose to her throat.
She needed to do this.
Not a single person in the clubhouse bothered her as she left. Once outside in the parking lot, she looked around and then started to run. It was all she could do right now. She craved that sense of freedom and escape.
Outside the compound, Ava felt the worry roll through her body. She shouldn’t be doing this. But anything an enemy of the club wanted to do to her would be better than letting Nile have his way with her. Because that man would hurt her in ways she feared to even think about. And ultimately she would end up dead anyway.
As Ava continued to jog along the sidewalks in town, she smelled the fresh, warm air and was overcome with the smell of the ocean. It enticed her. It had been a long time since she saw a beach or the ocean. When she was younger, the beach was a beautiful place of peace, and she was in desperate need of peace. So that’s where Ava went.
As much as she wanted to leave Frelen and leave Back Down Devil, she was shaken by what both Kaity and Avery had said. They were involved with the MC so they knew what they were talking about. Ava kept looking around, wondering if someone was looking at her. Stalking her. Waiting for the right time to swoop in and attack her.
When Ava got to the beach, she stood and looked around. There were plenty of people enjoying the day. Some sitting in chairs, reading. Some throwing frisbees around. Some in the ocean, trying to ride the waves.
Ava walked over to an empty, quiet spot and sat down. She pulled her shoes off. The sand between her toes felt amazing. It seemed so unfair that she was the one having to run and hide. She didn’t ask for this life, and she definitely didn’t ask for the life her husband had tried to force her into. His craving for fame and fortune was why she had to leave. He wanted so badly for them to become “camera stars” as he would put it. Their sex life became increasingly scarier and more dangerous as he got more abusive and forceful in his attempt to make her sign the papers for films. So when she found out who her real father was, it seemed like the best way to protect herself. She had no idea it would get him killed.
A warm breeze tickled along her skin.
She took a handful of sand and let the wind take it from her hand. She swallowed and thought about Shay. The intense look on his face all the time made her so curious about him. He was troubled and it was obvious that no one else was seeing his struggle. Ava pictured his naked body and could still traced the lines of his muscles with her mind. Then she looked down at her hand and blushed. That hand had earned her keep.
Is that all it was though?
If Ava didn’t go back to the clubhouse, did that mean Shay would just find another woman for the night then?
Probably.
Ava couldn’t help but feel as though her time was ticking down. The lies were going to catch up to her.
“I need to run,” Ava whispered. “I need to run right now. Run fast. Run far.”
But even with those thoughts, Ava couldn’t find the strength to stand. She sat there on the beach, staring at the crashing waves, listening to the squeals of happiness and laughter around her. The sun’s reflection on the water was serene. Ava couldn’t move. In both her heart and mind she hoped Shay would come get her. She hoped he would want to find her and help her. To save her. Protect her. Maybe even… love her?
Ava s
hut her eyes. Shay was an outlaw biker. His heart only beat for his club.
nine.
The room was filled with smoke and the disgusting scent of the Lost Men. Shay’s fingers twitched, already needing a damn drink. He was not ready for what was about to be decided. The decision would set off a chain of events that would change, and ruin, a lot of lives.
Miller walked to the head of the table and looked around. “Stinks like pussy in here.”
Everyone chuckled.
“That’s just me,” Blaine said. “Had a great night in the clubhouse.”
The door opened again and Nile walked in. He gave a nod and shut the door. “Sorry about that. Was just finishing a little business.” He looked at Blaine. “Sorry about your bed, Blaine. You should probably just fucking burn that thing. It was a rough night.”
Shay eyed Nile and got a shit feeling from him. He looked at the door and considered leaving the meeting to check on Ava. He didn’t like that Ava had been alone with Nile creeping around. He hoped Nile wasn’t dumb enough to try anything, but the man was part of the Lost Men. They didn’t care. They would accept death for even the dumbest thing which is why they were tossed out of their MC’s in the first place.
Shay looked at Trev. How many times had he cruised the streets of Frelen next to Trev? Causing trouble. Ending trouble. Enjoying drinks and women. Shay never understood why Trev had gotten himself thrown out of the club.
“I’m going to be right up front,” Miller said. “We have some enemies out there that are pretty scary.”
“Scary?” Nile said. “You boys get scared?”
“Nile,” Trev said. “Talk again and I’ll cut your fucking tongue out of your mouth.”
“Scary,” Miller said. He pointed to Griffin. “Check it out.”
Griffin reached under the table and lifted a small box. He opened it and dumped it on the table. Jonesy’s fingers rolled out onto the table and it shut everyone up.
“Holy shit,” Trev said. “Whose fingers?”
“A guy we paid to help us,” Miller said. “Good friend of the MC. He was tracking down who planted the bomb in Shay’s car. And they got him. They sent us these two fingers separately to send a message.”