Blood & Bones: Deacon (Blood Fury MC Book 4)

by Jeanne St. James

  “Nobody.”

  “Right. And look at you now.”

  “Lying in a biker’s bed.”

  She was ignoring the success she worked hard to build by making light of where she currently was. With him. “Ain’t so bad, is it?”

  “Depends who you ask.”

  Yeah, he wasn’t stupid. He knew full well he wasn’t on the other side of the goalposts. He wasn’t even on her playing field. “I’m askin’ you.”

  “Earlier today on the run and again in The Barn... Being around your brothers. The sweet butts. The whole lifestyle. It reminded me of how far I’ve come and how I never want to go back.”

  “This life ain’t bad, babe.”

  She was a woman afraid of losing everything she worked for. She’d clawed her way with broken and bloody nails to the top and didn’t want anyone or anything dragging her back down to the bottom.

  Apparently, she had it in her head being involved with him and his club would take her back. That his lifestyle would grip her by the ankles and drag her back to the bottom.

  “But it’s not my life.”

  He got that this life wasn’t for everyone. Didn’t mean it didn’t bother him that Reese felt that way. Normally it wouldn’t, but it did with her.

  “I’m sorry but today caused a flashback. It made me panic and realize where we might have ended up if I hadn’t worked so damn hard. That could’ve been me—or Reilly—walking topless around a bunch of men, doing whatever I could, just hoping one of them would shower me with a little attention. Even if I needed to suck them off or have sex with them.”

  “They know what they’re walkin’ into when they come here. And they can leave at any time. No one’s forcin’ them to stay. No one’s forcin’ them to suck or ride a cock. No one.”

  “What are they hoping to get out of it?”

  “Like you said, the attention, I guess. Maybe they like the fact no one’s gonna judge them for sleepin’ with Easy one night and Whip the next. You said yourself that we judge women differently from men. You’re doin’ it, too. How d’you know they ain’t here ‘cause they can get all the dick they want? Maybe they love sex. They know it’s an environment they ain’t gonna get raped or beat the fuck up if they say no. Or even for talkin’ back. When, if it comes down to it, they’re under our protection ‘cause they belong to us. They can drink all they want and not worry about wakin’ up in some alley after being gang banged. Yeah, maybe their morals are a little loose but then, so are ours. They belong to us and we protect what’s ours.”

  “Property.”

  “Yeah, Reese, property. They belong to the BFMC ‘til they decide they don’t. But that’s their decision unless they do somethin’ stupid.”

  “What about you? Your brothers? Is it just as easy for you to walk away?”

  “No reason to walk away.”

  “What if there was?”

  “There won’t be.”

  “Humor me.”

  He normally didn’t talk club business with the women he fucked. But Reese wasn’t just a woman he was using, and she just unloaded a lot of shit because he asked, so he could give her an answer on this. “You buy out your membership. Cover your colors. Give up your cut. But the hardest part of all that is givin’ up your brotherhood. Givin’ up havin’ your brothers at your back.”

  “That loyal, huh?”

  “Yeah, that fuckin’ loyal. Some clubs are fucked up. Lot of shit goin’ down. Backstabbing. Drama. Fightin’ within the ranks. Power struggles. Illegal businesses which could bring in the pigs, if not the feds. Trip’s workin’ hard to do it right and avoid all that. He and some others, like my cousin, witnessed the way the Fury burned to the ground over twenty years ago. They learned from the Originals’ mistakes. Not sayin’ we won’t make any, but he and the others know what not to do. Gotta respect him for that. You had a goal to make somethin’ from nothin’, so did our prez.” He grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. “Believe it or not, you two are a lot alike. But while he’s super fuckin’ focused, he also knows how to let loose. He knows how to forget the heavy shit for a while and enjoy everything he’s built. You need to learn that. What’s the point of buildin’ a life like you got if you can’t enjoy it? Or die tryin’ ‘cause you don’t think it’s enough?” Or will ever be enough. She could drive herself so hard she could destroy herself.

  “Now you know why I am how I am. What’s behind my motivation and my need to succeed.”

  “Yeah. Thanks for trustin’ me enough to share it.”

  “Talking about it isn’t quite like living it. Believe me, it was way worse at the time.”

  “I believe it. When I said life’s unfair, you’re proof that’s true. A child shouldn’t raise a child. A kid shouldn’t ever be liftin’ that heavy burden. So, I realize what you said ain’t nothin’ like what you lived. I get it. But, babe, here? You’re surrounded by people who are survivors of their fucked-up family life. If anyone would understand, they would. Remember that when you look at them. Or if you get the urge to judge them. Look past their fuckin’ cuts and sleds, their tattoos, drinkin’ and cursin’. Instead, see how far they’ve come. Just like you. Your measure of success just might be a little different, that’s all.”

  “How about your childhood?”

  “Mine was fuckin’ awesome. We might not have been rich, but I had great fuckin’ parents. Maybe you’ll get to meet my mom. She’d love you unless you got that stick jammed up your ass when you meet her.”

  His lips curled up slightly when hers did.

  She ran her fingertips from the hollow of his neck to one of his nipples where she gently flicked his barbell with her fingernail. “What about your dad?”

  “Cancer took him when I was a teen.”

  Her fingers stilled for a moment. “Sorry. That had to be difficult.”

  “It was. But thank fuck I had him for as long as I did. I was ten when Jemma and Judge came to live with us. Can’t imagine raisin’ a baby at that age. Hell, I was pissed I had to share my room and my fuckin’ toys.”

  Her soft laugh had him grinning. It was a good sign that they were done talking about serious shit and could get down to serious naked business instead.

  “Now you get the D you so desperately want.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re just...” She sighed.

  “Yeah, I know. I’m so fuckin’ amazin’ I make you speechless.”

  “That’s not why.”

  “Anyway, got a coupla hours before you gotta sneak out. Trip don’t want women stayin’ overnight in the bunkhouse. Don’t want it to turn into a whorehouse.”

  “Great. So, I’m a whore for sneaking down here?”

  “Babe, whores don’t have sticks up their asses. Just dicks.”

  “Are you saying if I like anal, I’m a whore?”

  He rolled over her, caging her in again. His voice was gravelly when he asked, “You into anal?”

  “It was a rhetorical question.”

  He narrowed his eyes, tilted his head and studied her face. “Sure it was. But we’ll explore that deeper at another time. Got other plans for now.”

  “What kind of plans?” she whispered as he lowered his lips to hers.

  “Shit that’ll make you forget any man’s name but mine.”

  “Wow,” she mouthed.

  “You think I’m kiddin’.”

  “Honestly? I hope you’re not.”

  “Fuck yeah.”

  “Fuck yeah,” she repeated as he took her mouth.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Reese quietly turned the key in the lock and opened the door.

  She hadn’t left Deacon’s room as early as she should have. One reason was, every time she tried to leave, he pulled her back into bed.

  She also knew she left too late because bikers in the form of zombies were wandering around the bunkhouse in various states of undress. Sig hadn’t been lying when he said no one on that farm was shy. Not one of them cared that Reese had gotten
an eyeful. Or more like many eyefuls. She tried not to ogle them too badly as she found Reilly’s flip-flops she’d kicked off, then escaped using the back door.

  She stepped into the apartment, turned after closing the door and... froze.

  Her sister was awake already? Showered and dressed? Her hair was neatly pulled back into a cute ponytail and a Pop Tart was clenched between her teeth as she poured a glass of OJ.

  “Morning.” Reese cleared her throat since her greeting came out rough and scratchy from lack of sleep. Aaand maybe from calling out Deacon’s name one too many times. In a very high pitch.

  Reilly took a bite, then asked around a mouthful of the frosted toaster pastry, “Where’ve you been?”

  Her baby sister seemed amused.

  Justice loped up to her and Reese gave the bulldog his required ear ruffle and pat on the butt. “Walking. I couldn’t sleep.”

  Reilly’s gaze dropped to Reese’s feet tucked into her flip-flops and her lips twisted. “Right. Walking. I think you mispronounced fucking.”

  She ignored that by asking, “Why are you up so early?”

  “It’s not so early, sis. I’m surprised you don’t know that since you have every minute of your life scheduled.”

  “What time is it?” She wondered if Justice had been outside yet.

  “Almost seven.”

  “That’s early for you.”

  “I have a job, remember?”

  One she was taking seriously? That was surprising. “Do you like it?”

  “Yeah. It’s great. Dutch is a bit gruff, as well as rough around the edges, but, hey, one of the benefits of the job is a great view.”

  “The garage has a great view?” Reese had assumed the shop was in town.

  “Yeah. Can’t get a better one than four hot guys who look great wearing jeans and grease.”

  Reese rolled her eyes. “Reilly...”

  Her sister raised a palm. “Don’t worry. My panties might get a bit damp, but they haven’t fallen off yet.”

  “Yet,” Reese murmured. “Well, the job’s only temporary.”

  “Sure it is,” Reilly answered, then downed half the juice.

  They heard a horn beep.

  “Fuck, that’s my ride.” Reilly downed the rest of the OJ and fed the last bite of the Pop Tart to Justice.

  “I don’t like you being on the back of a motorcycle so much. It’s dangerous.”

  “I do,” Reilly said as she passed Reese, then paused with one hand on the knob. “You seemed to enjoy the run yesterday. Especially when Deke took you on that little detour.”

  “He had something he wanted to show me.”

  “Sure he did. Same thing he showed you just a little while ago.”

  “Reilly...”

  “Sis... It’s okay to get laid. No one around here cares if you’re boning Deke. Well, Deke probably does. He’s not beating you off with a stick, right? You’re not forcing that handsome Viking stud to do all kinds of naughty things to you against his will?”

  “We’re not discussing this.”

  “See? The only person it bothers is you.”

  Reese’s mouth gaped as Reilly jerked open the door. Justice pushed past them, ran down the steps to do his business.

  “Look at you, big sis, getting fucked by a bad boy.” Reilly wiggled her eyebrows. “And it bothers you that you like it so much.” She grinned and planted a peck on an unbruised spot on Reese’s cheek.

  Reese followed her sister outside and stood on the landing as Reilly jogged down the steps to the awaiting bike. A spring was noticeable in her sister’s step that she did not have while at Reese’s house in Mansfield.

  “Sweetheart, your chariot awaits,” the biker shouted over the loud, rumbling exhaust.

  Reese tried to remember the name of the biker who Reilly settled behind and wrapped her arms tightly around. She was normally good with names, she had to be in her line of work. Nothing worse than forgetting a judge or client’s name. Or getting it wrong.

  His name was some sort of chess piece.

  Rook. That was it.

  If she remembered correctly, he was Dutch’s oldest son. The one that had been in and out of jail in the past few years.

  He was as tattooed up as the rest of them. This morning he wore jeans, a T-shirt and his Fury cut.

  As she stared down at Rook, he stared back up at her. Even with the distance between them, she could feel his eyes inspect her bruised face and saw his jaw shift sharply.

  After a moment, he glanced over his shoulder. “Ready?”

  “Yep.” Reilly called up to her on the landing. “I love you, sis. Don’t worry.”

  Reese would always worry about her. That would never change.

  And right now, seeing her sister slide so easily into the club life and onto an ex-con’s bike worried the hell out of her.

  Deacon could say there was more beneath the surface of his club and brothers than met the eye, but she wasn’t sure if she believed that yet. She needed to see it for herself.

  Reese lifted the red Solo cup to her lips and let the red wine slide down her throat to join the rest of the wine already filling her gut. The evening was perfect. The breeze light. The sun still up but fading. And good company surrounded her.

  The Blood Fury’s executive committee was upstairs in the barn having their meeting about taking the next step in capturing Billy Warren.

  She wasn’t sure how this whole situation turned from Deacon trying to capture a skip to suddenly a whole MC getting involved in finding the man.

  It probably went back to the loyalty Deacon talked about. Having his brothers at his back. If he needed their help, they all stepped in.

  Maybe with all of them involved the curtains would soon be closing on the Billy Warren Shit Show.

  She could only hope.

  But right now, she was drowning her worries in wine. Lots and lots of wine since Deacon insisted she stop working at five and forced her to leave his office.

  She still had so much work to do and she’d spent three hours of her day in Judge Thomas’s courtroom this morning. Three whole hours on a case that should’ve been settled weeks ago.

  Some clients were just too stubborn for their own good.

  Her snort of irony echoed inside her plastic cup as she tipped it once more to her lips.

  “What do they do in these meetings?” Reese asked her dwindling cup of boxed wine.

  “Measure their dicks, probably,” Stella answered after taking a long swig off her beer bottle.

  Reese glanced up. “Has anyone actually witnessed what they do?”

  “None of us,” Autumn answered. “Women aren’t allowed.”

  Reese’s mouth made an O shape as she stared at the redhead. “By the way, do you prefer Red or Autumn?”

  Sig’s ol’ lady smiled. “Whatever you want to call me.”

  “You’re really nice.”

  Autumn’s smile grew even bigger. “So are you.”

  No, she didn’t feel nice. Didn’t nice people have friends? She didn’t have friends. She had two employees and she sometimes talked to Bambi at the Mill Creek Bar & Grill.

  That was it.

  She hadn’t even had time to make friends in school. She was too busy taking care of Reilly, working, or studying hard so she could earn college scholarships.

  Even during college, it was the same. Working and studying hard to keep those scholarships. She hadn’t lived on campus so she could keep Reilly with her. The few spare moments she had were taken up by making sure Reilly was doing her homework and assignments, so she, too, could get into college.

  She had gone to one college party and that was when she met Allen. Instead of drinking, they ended up talking all night and sharing their dreams of success. She had thought he was as driven as her.

  She was wrong.

  Now, here she sat, under a pavilion on a farm owned by a biker club. This was after she crawled out of a biker’s bed this morning.

  She groaned.


  “Are you okay?” Autumn asked softly, touching Reese’s forearm lightly.

  Honestly, she wasn’t sure. Her life had spun out of control and until Billy was caught, she couldn’t get it back to normal. And that thought caused a rock to sink to the very bottom of the red wine pond in her stomach.

  “Have you ladies always been a part of this?” She swept a hand around the courtyard.

  “I only met Judge a few months ago,” Cassie answered.

  “And you’re already building a house together?” Reese raised a hand. “Sorry, did that sound judgy? I didn’t mean it to be judgy. I meant, you knew he was the one right away?”

  Cassie laughed. “Oh no. Not right away. I have a daughter—you haven’t met Daisy yet—I had to look out for her. I was worried about bringing her into this life. She’s not even six yet.”

  “But you’re comfortable with doing so?”

  Cassie hesitated for a moment. “Yes. You have to look past the surface to see the value of this club.”

  Interesting. “You don’t mind her being around those sweet butts?”

  “For the most part, we keep her away from The Barn and the parties. That’s why we now have Saylor as a house mouse. Plus, my sister and her husband live in town. It’s another reason why we’re building our house on the other side of the trees. To keep a bit of a separation. However, this club is a family and I want her to be a part of that. We just control what activities she’s involved in.”

  That sounded like a responsible plan. Reese turned to Autumn. “I asked Sig how you two met. He didn’t go into details.”

  “Fate,” the redhead said simply.

  “That’s what he said.”

  Autumn wore a small smile. “We saved each other.”

  “I was born into the original Blood Fury,” Stella interrupted, pulling Reese’s attention to her. She had a feeling that Stella was protecting Autumn, which made her even more curious about Sig and Autumn’s story. “My father was Crazy Pete and was an Original. It’s his cut hanging on the wall in The Barn. So, this lifestyle is nothing new to me, even though I left it for a long time. Though, in truth, I really didn’t leave it because I married a musician and the life around a musician isn’t much different. This life isn’t for everyone.” The last sounded like a warning.