Ravens Ruin MC: The Complete Series

by Marie James

  “Glad you could make it,” TJ says with humor in his voice as I cringe away from him when he walks up and presses a kiss to my temple.

  I keep my eyes focused on a spot on the floor, still not ready to thank him for what he’s done. I don’t know that I’ll ever get to that point, knowing they’ve damaged my opinion of them with what happened last week.

  “I need to put some shit to rest.”

  My head snaps up. Lynch is standing in front of the room, looking so much like my father, if only in stature, my knees begin to shake. Briar pulls me tighter to his side, and I don’t know if the action is for my protection or if he’s trying to reassure me that things will be fine.

  “I’ve heard chatter.” Lynch narrows his eyes on Mac, one of the newer prospects to step foot in the clubhouse, before sweeping his gaze over everyone in the crowd. “That I was soft on Briar after he went against my direct order about Molly.”

  Anticipation swarms through the crowd. They get a little restless wondering what he’s going to say next, but no one speaks or leans to their neighbor to discuss predictions. They all know better.

  “I’ve heard that he should’ve died for his betrayal.”

  Lynch doesn’t focus on anyone in particular, which is smart. If he singles anyone out, he might as well sign their death certificate because no one in the club would have their back, but it doesn’t keep me from wondering who would want Briar dead.

  “I was going to kill him.”

  You could hear a pin drop, or rather the splash of my tears as they begin to fall on the worn concrete floor at my feet.

  “He’s alive today because he took that choice out of my hands. Briar made the decision to die himself. His loyalty, his dedication to my sister is so strong, he was willing to die to protect her from a moment’s pain.”

  My entire body is trembling now. I’m confused, scared, and more in love than I’ve ever been before.

  “That being said, I urge any man willing to off themselves right now for her to step forward.” My oldest brother pulls his gun from the back of his jeans and holds it down by his side.

  “I would die to protect her.” Ronan steps forward, sureness in his voice.

  “I’m not asking you to take a bullet for her.” Lynch swallows thickly, and I’m sure he’s overcome with emotion that another man in the club is willing to lay it all on the line to protect me. “I’m not saying jump in front of a bullet to protect her. Are you willing to put this gun to your head and pull the trigger to save her from emotional harm?”

  Ronan’s eyes find mine before jolting back to my brother. Wordlessly, he takes a step back, relief washing over his face when Lynch asks again and no one else steps forward.

  “Briar was willing to do that,” Lynch tells everyone in the room. “I’m not going into detail with what happened down there last week because it’s none of your fucking business, but know that Briar is alive because of his willingness to die.”

  Several people murmur their approval.

  “But you two better keep all your personal shit, personal.”

  Briar chuckles when Lynch’s eyes narrow on him. I don’t feel the joy he’s feeling right now. This entire day has left me more confused, with a million more questions than before.

  “To Briar and Molly.” TJ holds a beer in the air. “May all of us find someone that loves us enough to step off the crate.”

  “Shhh,” Briar pleads against my lips, and I don’t even realize I’ve been crying until I look up to find us in the very hall I tried to seduce him in so many weeks ago.

  “Y-you did what?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” He holds me to his chest as he tries to soothe my tears. “All that matters is that I love you, and I’m willing to do anything to protect you.”

  “It’s really over? They aren’t going to hurt you again?” He’s been telling me as much the last week, but I haven’t let myself believe it. Lynch has never been a forgiving person. It’s one of the character flaws he inherited from our father.

  “It’s over,” he assures me. “Now let's go back out there and have a drink.”

  Reluctantly, I let him clasp my hand in his and lead us back out to the living room. Everything is exactly as it was before this whole thing exploded. Girls are drinking and walking around trying to entice the men into calling it an early night. The guys are laughing and joking with other members.

  Before long, I let the normality of the evening settle over me, and I enjoy sitting beside Briar, holding one hand while his other arm is wrapped around my shoulder. Not once does Lynch or TJ snarl when they look in our direction.

  Chapter 38

  Briar

  “Wake up, sleepy head.”

  I brush my lips across Molly’s cheek, down her throat, and taking the opportunity that sleeping naked allows, I suck one nipple into my mouth. Having the ability to do this the last month without worrying about dying has been some kind of dream.

  “Mmm,” she groans, rolling over and giving me better access. “What a way to wake up.”

  “Don’t do that,” I warn when her arms go over her head in a practiced stretch. Her legs fall open, revealing the sweetest pink pussy I’ve ever had the pleasure of putting my mouth on. “What did I tell you about taking your panties off after I’ve fallen asleep?”

  “Not to,” she taunts as her hand skates down her flat stomach. “But I get so hot.”

  “Stop.” I bite the back of her hand before it hits her intended spot. “You’ve definitely got the sex kitten act down.”

  Reluctantly pulling my eyes from the sweet heaven between her legs, I look up to find her grinning at me.

  “Well,” she purrs, widening her legs even further. “If you’d just fuck me and get it over with, I wouldn’t have to be so devious.”

  “And what did I tell you?” She frowns. “We’re going to date first.”

  “I’ve sucked your cock.” Her arms give up on the downstairs action, and she crosses them over her chest.

  “And I’ve explored every sexy inch of your body, but I meant it when I said I’m going to date you. Do you like your gift?”

  Her fingers reach up and toy with the silver raven hanging at her throat.

  “I already had a raven,” she teases, and my eyes immediately go to the dark bird surrounded by vibrant colors tattooed on her lower belly.

  “You needed a new one.” After finding her in the living room two days ago with her yoga pants pulled down showing half the damn club that she prefers to wax instead of shave, I nearly lost my shit.

  “What did Lynch threaten you with this time?”

  Her eyes narrow, and my lips twitch, threatening to smile. I’m amazed by her ability to read between the lines of every situation, and in love with her even more for that fact that she doesn’t have a problem calling anyone out on their shit.

  “He told me if I couldn’t keep you under control, he’d find someone who could.”

  “Yet he spread Zoe out like a five-dollar Vegas buffet last week and let every man in the clubhouse get a taste of her.”

  “Not every man,” I counter. “And you can’t kink-shame anyone, sweetheart, especially if you don’t want anyone to shame you for yours.”

  Crimson tints her cheeks as her eyes dart to the closed bedroom door before finding mine again. “Tell me you didn’t tell anyone.”

  “That you’ve discovered the joys of ass play?” I grin wide. “I haven’t told a soul.”

  “Don’t look at me like that.” She reaches for a pillow, but I stop her before she can hit me in the face with it. “I never imagined it would feel so good.”

  “Enough.” Releasing her, I jump up off the bed and back away. “We have things to do today, and you need to get dressed.”

  “I don’t need clothes for the things I have in mind.” Her back arches, legs open impossibly wide, and the wicked grin on her face is almost enough to get me to strip down and join her.

  “We have self-defense class starting in ten minute
s.”

  “Perfect.” I watch her mouth as her tongue snakes out and licks her lips. “Just means we even have time to cuddle.”

  Narrowing my eyes, I glare at her with fabricated irritation. “If you make one more joke about how fast I come.”

  She only grins at the warning in my voice.

  “Not complaining about my mouth skills then?”

  “Not even thinking about your mouth skills.” I clear my throat and turn around, quickly adjusting the growing erection in my sweats. The girl never even needed to practice with those fucking cherry stems all those weeks ago. Now that she has, she makes it her goal to suck me off harder and faster. I caught her setting a timer once. She would’ve gotten away with it if she didn’t yell “Beat my record!” after I came down her throat.

  I punished her in return, only I took my sweet ass time when I got my mouth on her, left her begging and panting, swearing that she’ll never do it again if I just let her come. I trusted her once, but she pulled the same shit the very next time she wrapped her lips around me. I tried to get her back, but it backfired when instead of freaking her out, she enjoyed the finger I shoved in her ass while going down on her. Hell, that was payback, too. I came that night without her even touching me.

  “Sweats and a loose t-shirt,” I instruct before walking out of the room.

  Adjusting myself as I walk down the hallway, I know I’ll be good to go by the time I turn the corner. I no longer have to wonder when I’ll get to touch her again. It’s much easier to control my cock knowing by nightfall, and sometimes during the day, I’ll have her beside me.

  “This what you were talking about?” Chains thumbs over his shoulder as I approach him.

  The living room furniture has been shoved to one corner, and gym mats have been spread out on the floor.

  “Yeah, but I only needed one mat for Molly and me.”

  “And make us miss all the fun?” Turning in the direction of the voice, I find Xena, Legs, Vixen, and two other girls I don’t recognize walking toward me. Each of them are in tiny shorts and halter tops. “We want to learn to defend ourselves, too.”

  Legs pouts, which does nothing for me, but Ronan seems entranced when he walks up.

  “You could easily put out someone’s eye with these things for sure.” Ronan twists Legs’s pebbled nipple that’s pushing against the fabric of her tank top before testing the weight of both breasts in his hands. “Come on, doll. You’re with me today.”

  Chains pairs off with Vixen, and the other two girls giggle as Mac walks up to them, holding out a hand for each of them.

  “Oh!” Molly squeals as she steps up beside me. “It’s going to be like a real class.”

  “Hardly,” I mutter as the couples on the mats start wrestling with each other. I turn my attention to her. She’s the only one I can see anyway. “Nope.”

  I point my finger back in the direction of our room.

  “What?”

  “Different clothes.”

  “They’re wearing less than I am.” I don’t even bother following the point of her finger. “Don’t do this, Briar.”

  “I don’t want them looking at you,” I hiss.

  “Then you’ll have to make sure you stay on top.” She walks past me. “Hey, guys—”

  She heaves out a breath when I tackle her from behind, but she’s face down on the mat before anyone has the chance to see the amount of skin she’s showing. Not that they’re paying her any mind to begin with. She’s wearing more right now than she wore last week at the pool in town, but horny teenage boys and MC members aren’t even in the same class. I still don’t trust that Irish fucker Mac.

  “Your erection is digging into me,” she huffs on a giggle, trying and failing to sound offended.

  “You’re going to pay for acting like a brat,” I warn in her ear.

  “How so?” I allow her to turn under me, thinking she was having a hard time breathing, but the mischievous glint in her eyes tell me I just got played. “You going to fuck me so hard I can’t walk?”

  “No,” I whisper before allowing my voice to get louder with each successive word. “I’m going to stick my finger in your—”

  She squeals, cupping her hand over my mouth. “You promised you wouldn’t say anything.”

  “I did no such thing,” I say after shaking her hand from my lips.

  “Try and escape this!”

  We both look over to see Legs straddling Ronan. She’s got his arms pinned over his head, and somehow during their wrestling, her shirt has vanished.

  “Easy,” Ronan pants before lifting his head and sucking her nipple into his mouth.

  Molly mewls like a kitten under me, and the erection I thought I could control comes back full force. The sight of other people isn’t what gets my blood pumping. It’s the fuck-hot girl under me that sets me on fire. Sure the sexy sounds the other couples are beginning to make add to the ambiance, but crickets chirping would probably have the same effect on me right now.

  “I want to fuck you,” I confess against her lips.

  “I want that, too,” she replies breathlessly.

  “We’re supposed to wait,” I remind her, but my mind is already made up.

  I’m sure every person in this clubhouse, including her two older brothers, think we’ve been fucking since the first time I was able to get an erection after they beat my ass, but I haven’t. I mean we’ve done just about everything but the final act, but waiting for the perfect time is silly. Anytime with her is the perfect time.

  “Are you sure?” I have to ask even though she’s been begging me for the last two weeks straight to take her virginity.

  Her eyes soften, and she must realize how serious I am right now. Hand cupping my cheek, she lifts her head and presses a soft, sweet kiss to my lips.

  “I am.”

  “Fuck, yes. I’m gonna come!”

  Molly’s eyes widen as one of the new chicks ruins our moment.

  “Not out here.”

  “Definitely not,” she agrees, giggling as I scoop her up and carry her back to our room.

  Chapter 39

  Molly

  “I’m nervous,” I confess as Briar uses his free hand to close us into our room.

  “We don’t have to do this today.” He sets me on the mattress but makes no move to join me. “We can go to the mall or grab some ice cream from that little store you like.”

  “It’s frozen yogurt,” I correct, “and I said I was nervous, not that I don’t want to do this.”

  “I’m nervous, too.” Sincerity fills his eyes as he looks down at me.

  His apprehension comes from a different place. I’m worried about the pain even though the girls have assured me it’s temporary and worth it by the second time we’ll make love. He’s terrified he’s going to hurt me, but I know better. He hasn’t closed his eyes or asked to be restrained once since everything went down in the basement.

  “You won’t hurt me.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  “You know how far to take it.”

  I was the one trembling from nerves, yet here I am assuring him we can do this.

  “Breath play while getting you off won’t be the same if I’m inside of you.”

  A wicked thrill races up my spine, but I won’t confess that the danger of being with him is part of the excitement.

  “How will it be different?” Running my hand up his muscled thigh, I keep my eyes on his. “Will being buried deep inside of me make it harder for you to control yourself?”

  He’s panting by the time my hand brushes over his erection.

  “Tie me up.” He rushes past me and falls unceremoniously to the bed, holding his arms up to the slats.

  “And do what?” My smile never fades. “Just jump on top of you and slam down on your cock?”

  The member in question jolts behind the fabric of his sweats like it’s answering my question for him.

  “Tie me up,” he repeats.

  “No.” I cros
s my arms over my chest in defiance, but when he refuses to look me in the eye, the threat of tears burns in my nose. “This is a bad idea.”

  He grabs me before I can climb off the bed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “If you’re going to pull that no touching/no eye contact mess, then I don’t even want to do this.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Pain is laced in his tone, and I know I’m being selfish, but this is a big damn deal. We’ll have tons of sex in our lives together where he’ll be allowed the upper hand, but this first time needs to be centered on me, and I refuse to feel bad about that.

  “You hurt me when you don’t look at me, when you refuse to touch me. Do you really think there’s anything special about using you as a fuck toy?”

  A growl rolls from his throat. “I couldn’t live with myself if I do something that causes you pain.”

  “You’re going to hurt me.” His brow draws in. “It’s going to hurt. There’s no way around that, but the pinch of pain I’ll feel will be nothing compared to the ache in my chest if you insist on being tied down.”

  His grip doesn’t loosen on my arm even though I’m making no attempt to get away from him.

  “When I fuck you—”

  My hand covers his mouth. “You aren’t going to fuck me.”

  The crease in his brow deepens.

  “You’ll make love to me, and that little demon you think you have in you will just have to wait until next time to get his fingers around my throat.”

  “Hurting you is the last thing I want to do, but hearing you mention my hands around your throat while inside of you makes me harder than I’ve ever been.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” I tease, my teeth digging into the upper curve of my mouth.

  There’s nothing romantic or sweet about the way he forces me to my back and rips my clothes off. Good thing I wasn’t wearing much to begin with.

  “Get naked,” I urge, my hands trying to shove down his sweats with little success.