Entwined

by E. C. Land

  “Please tell me I didn’t say my thoughts,” I mumble, feeling myself growing embarrassed.

  “Yeah, mo stòr, you did, and that shit is never gonna happen,” Mitch declares and leans in to whisper further into my ear where none of the other people in the room can hear him. “If you wanna dance on a pole it’ll be in our bedroom where no one else can see what’s mine.”

  Oh my.

  Ugh.

  Um.

  How do I respond to something so massively hot?

  Rather than using words, I simply nod.

  Taking Mitch’s hand, I let him pull me from the conference room along with guiding Mathias out to his car.

  “Change of plans tonight, baby, we’re getting food in, and the three of us are going to have this conversation. Once it’s had, I don’t want to bring the past up. Not unless it rears its ugly head.” I’ll give my husband this.

  It’s not easy for him, and on top of that, to find his son hasn’t been dead this entire time. Then there’s also the stuff he and Dean are dealing with for the Alliance. He doesn’t need to worry about anything else.

  And I’ll give him this because my heart is entwined to his and his to mine. I can almost feel the pain within him as if it were my own and I’ll do what I can to make it better for him.

  Getting in the car, I wait for him to get in on his side, and I take his hand in mine while looking in the backseat to Mathias. “You ready to go see your new home?” I ask, causing him to grin.

  God, he has the same grin as his dad too.

  Oh lord, help me when he gets older. I’ll take him as my son as he stole my heart alongside his dad the moment I saw him. Because something deep down told me Mathias belonged to Mitch. I just didn’t know it was true.

  Epilogue

  Mitch

  One Month Later

  “You ready for this?” Dean asks as the two of us head for the room that holds the man who used to be my father-in-law. A man I thought I respected.

  After leaving the school with my wife and son, I’d held on to my anger, burying it deep within for the time being. I needed to first see to my son and make sure he’d had what he needed at the time. It hadn’t been just me who’d been hurt by this whole shitstorm. Mathias went through it as well. He’s gone all his life being told both his parents were dead, whereas I’ve gone ten years of mourning the death of my son and his mother.

  Over the past month, we’ve found more shit on Michelle’s father, none of it good, and even some things on my deceased wife. Those things I don’t want to think about. I’d prefer to forget them as if I didn’t know.

  I now knew the reasons for her leaving that day to go to the store. It wasn’t just for her to get a hot dog, but rather for her to meet the man who she’d intended to sell our son to for her father. When she died, her father couldn’t sell Mathias because of the fact he’d lost her and felt he earned the right to have him for himself.

  What they were going to use him for, however, is another story.

  Evidently, they thought with my blood he’d make a good soldier for the Supreme Masters. A group of elite men that Michelle’s father was a part of. The man who was buying our son from Michelle agreed to allow my father-in-law to raise him on the condition once he turned a certain age, he be released to them to train.

  Now I’m about to enter a room where I’ll end the man’s life. I’ve thought about ways to do it. My wife, she’s even told me she’d shoot him if she could. I’ve never seen a woman more enraged than she’d been when I told her some of it. I couldn’t tell her all of it because I didn’t want to scare her, but what I did tell her sent her into an enraged fury that led to her screaming about shooting the man.

  Alison loves Mathias as if he were her own and I love her more for it. She took it in stride, taking him into our home and even called her sister asking her to take her shopping to get things for Mathias to have in our home. This trip got the sisters bonding again and while she’d been doing that, he and I bonded ourselves.

  We’d had the talk about his mother and after that he asked that he not hear of her anymore. I agreed and so did Alison. According to Mathias, he took one look at Alison and thought he wished she’d been his mom as she’d been sweet to him in the classroom while helping him. Guess you can say he got his wish.

  Hell, the woman has said only when and if the time ever comes, she wants to adopt him. Said that he did as I’d done the day I married her. Entwined himself around her heart.

  This is good since I’d already had Swan, who works for our lawyer, start drawing up the papers for adoption.

  See, I have a few surprises for when I get home this evening. Alison doesn’t even know it yet, but I’ve figured it out on my own. Since we’d gotten married and I’ve taken her to bed, she’s not had a period, and I could put it down to stress; however, I’ve seen the tiniest of changes in her. For instance, this morning when she’d rushed out of bed during us fooling around to go puke in the toilet. I’d held her hair.

  I’ve had a month of seeing her with Mathias, and though the thought of her being pregnant is exciting, my fears are gutting me, I look forward to it. Just hope like hell she understands when I say she’ll be watched like a hawk. Going nowhere without a guard on her. I’m not taking the chance of losing her. I meant what I said about if something were to happen to her. I’d even told this to Dean, Kenyon, and Marc earlier when I arrived and told them of my suspicions. They understood and swore nothing would happen to her.

  Inwardly shaking my head, I clear it in order to get this shit over with. I have way better shit that I’d prefer to be doing rather than anything with this man.

  “Yeah, let’s get this done with,” I state, finally answering Dean’s question.

  Nodding, Dean and I head into the room and come to a stop at the sight before us.

  Someone has been in here, and we know this because my father-in-law is hanging with his head dangling in an awkward position with his eyes out of their sockets.

  Fuck.

  “Who the hell could have gotten in here?” Dean asks. Scanning the room, I noted the markings on the wall behind the dead fucker. I wanted to gut him myself after I found out more information from him about the Supreme Masters.

  “Boss, it seems they didn’t want their buddy here talking to us,” I snarl at the SM drawn on the wall in blood.

  This isn’t over by a long shot and now we’ve got more shit to worry about on top of everything else.

  Dear Readers,

  Thank you for reading Entwined! For those who are ready for more, don’t worry, I’m not keeping you waiting for long.

  Entangled isn’t that far from releasing and can you take a guess at whose book is next? If you thought Kenyon, you’d be right. Just wait for what’s in store as we continue with the drama about to unfold.

  Kenyon is holding secrets close and no one knows except for three people. They’re the only ones he’ll be able to count on in this situation that comes.

  We’ll soon be there and you’ll get to see more of Mitch, Alison, and Mathias as we go.

  Sincerely,

  E.C.

  Irish Translations

  Mo stór – My treasure

  mo chuisle – my pulse

  Da – Father/dad

  Mamma – Momma

  iníon/iníonacha beloved – beloved daughter/daughters

  deirfiúr bheag – little sister

  tú féin agus do dheirfiúr – you and your sister

  mo dheirfiúr mhór – my big sister

  soith – bitch

  bréagán – whore

  m’iníon álainn – my beautiful daughter

  Breathnaíonn tú go hálainn, Alison. Bheadh do mhama ag dul amú ort. – You look beautiful, Alison. Your momma would be beaming at the sight of you.

  Ba mhaith liom tú níos mó ná mo chéad anáil eile. – I want you more than my next breath.

  Family Connections

  Tomás MacDermott

  (Father to
Bridget and Alison)

  Bridget and Dean O’Connell

  Children – Uilliam

  Alison and Mitch Conray

  Children – Mathias

  Carlin MacDermott (Deceased) (Tomás’ sister)

  (Mother to Angelina Corbin)

  Angelina and Peirce Corbin

  Child – Carson

  Cormac (deceased) (Carlin and Tomás half-brother)

  (Father to Jordan, Dragon, and Gadget)

  Jordan and Brent (Badger)

  Children – Nico

  Dragon, Gadget, and Connors

  Children – Logan, Keegan, Kagan, and Cillian

  Available Now

  By: E.C. Land

  Devil’s Riot MC Series

  Horse’s Bride

  Thorn’s Revenge

  Twister’s Survival

  Reclaimed (Devil’s Riot MC Boxset Bks 1 – 3)

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  Fated for Pitch Black

  Tiny’s Hope

  Their Redemption

  Dark Lullabies

  A Demon’s Sorrow

  A Demon’s Bliss

  A Demon’s Harmony

  A Demon’s Soul

  A Demon’s Song

  Royal Bastards MC (Elizabeth City Charter)

  Cyclone of Chaos

  Aligned Hearts

  Embraced

  Entwined

  De Luca Crime Family

  Frozen Valentine (Prequel)

  Pins and Needles Series with Elizabeth Knox

  Blood and Agony

  DeLancy Crime Family with Elizabeth Knox

  Degrade

  Anthologies

  Romanticizing the Gods By: Corrine Falls

  Santa’s Naughty Helpers

  Sweet Treats

  No Man Left Behind

  Available on Audible

  Reclaimed

  Cleo’s Rage

  Connors’ Devils

  Hades Pain

  Badger’s Claim

  Coming Soon

  By: E.C. Land

  Devil’s Riot MC

  K-9’s Fight

  Red’s Calm

  Devil’s Riot MC Originals

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  Rebelling Rogue

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  Fuse’s Hold

  Nora’s Outrage

  Tyres’ Wraith

  Brielle’s Nightmare

  Aligned Hearts

  Entangled

  Night’s Bliss

  Finley’s Adoration (Co-Write with Elizabeth Knox)

  Cedric’s Ecstasy

  Satan’s Keeper’s MC

  Keeping Reaper

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  Spiral of Chaos

  Toxic Warriors MC

  Viking

  Ice

  War

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  Deprave

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  Fuse’s Hold

  Fuse

  Being who I am, most people, not a member of the club, assume I got my road name for being able to fix shit and my brains. What I’m really known for is my short fuse. Being a part of the Inferno’s Clutch MC, I handle shit for the club that could easily put me behind bars for years. I also go to fights to release the aggression that builds within me.

  When she entered my life, I realized quickly she can anger me in ways not many can. It makes me despise the way I’m attracted to her. She’s nothing I normally go for. Worst of all, I hate that I have to bring her close to me in order to protect her from whoever’s after her.

  Will I be able to control my temper? Or even be able to hold back the temptation to make her mine?

  Nora’s Outrage

  Nora

  After all Breaker and I went through when we first got together, you would think it would all be downhill from here. No one should have to go through what we have. Drama has been swirling around the club for a while now, and it seems the danger attached is coming our way once again.

  In a way that could change everything.

  I’m not ready for the outcome or even the rage that becomes all-consuming. Screaming in outrage I vow to make those who come after the ones I care about endure the same pain they cause with their actions.

  Blood and Torment

  Michail

  I was warned not to touch her, but I couldn’t help myself.

  Trista came to work for Pins and Needles months ago. After we fired the receptionist, she seemed like a perfect fit. My boss and best friend, Kronid, warned me to stay away. Warned me that Trista is off-limits and to go after any other woman I want in Moscow.

  The problem? I want her.

  I want her so much that I leave subtle hints to Kronid’s pregnant girlfriend, Dema, who’s also best friends with Trista. After a period of time, Dema sets me up on a blind date with her, just as I wanted. Kronid warned me to stay away, but his precious woman playing matchmaker is something he can’t deny.

  I think everything’s going great until I watch the way Trista trembles when she gets too close to me, or any man for that matter. I see the signs. I know what’s happened in her past, and I’ll do anything to keep her safe. She just doesn’t know it yet.

  Malice’s Soul

  (Back Matter)

  Malice’s Soul

  Malice

  For as long as I can remember, I’ve only felt one thing—hatred.

  No other emotion has ever lived within the confines of my soul. On many occasions, I’ve been told I have no soul. Not that I give a damn. It only means I won’t get burned. Growing up I saw the people closest to me get hurt by those who were important to them. It showed me that feelings were overrated. It worked fine until that one day, the day she walked in. I wasn’t prepared for what it meant when she walked through my clubhouse door. One look at her and I knew I’d do anything to keep her safe. For so long I’ve felt hatred, but this woman makes me feel something else—fire.

  Axe’s Devotion

  (Back Matter)

  Axe’s Devotion

  She’s a new face, and something I need to have.

  Axe

  Everyone left and now I’m picking up the pieces. After the fire, what could I expect?

  We know who was behind it and the club is ready for a fight. No one fucks with us and gets away with it, but I’d be lyin’ if I said I wasn’t distracted.

  I can’t stop staring at her. There are plenty of reasons I shouldn’t go after her, the biggest being she’s Kenny’s friend, but I couldn’t care less.

  When I see something I wan
t, I go after it, regardless if there’s a threat right around the corner.

  BE SURE TO FOLLOW OR STALK ME AS YOU WILL!

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