“You don’t ever bring a rival gang member into this house, you dumb whore! If I hadn’t been here, he would’ve walked into her room and fucked her without a care. It’s bullshit how little you care for her. Say your goodbye. She’s moving in with me. I won’t have her living with an unloyal, cracked out whore like you.”
Turning on Amberlee, she cowers beneath his rage.
“You knew this fucker was here. You should’ve warned me. This just might cost you your in with the Serpents.”
Guilt and discomfort slam into my gut hearing the way he’s talking to my mother and sister, but so much of what he said is true.
Fuming, his gaze switches to me. “Erika, we’re leaving, now.”
With a couple steps forward, he outstretches his hand for me to take it so he can help me climb over the slumped and bloodied body blocking me in. Seeing his face and skin already bruising and covered in crimson red tears a hole through my gut.
Taking his hand, I tug the duffle along with me and jump over the guy’s body. Dominic catches me at the end of my leap and settles me on my feet. With my hand in his, he leads us toward the door.
“You’re going to let him talk to me like that, then leave with him?” Dori’s voice screeches, her expression appalled.
Stopping in my tracks, I glare back at her. “Yeah, I am. Dominic actually gives a damn about me. I can’t say the same for you. What you did tonight was stupid. You had to have known they were rivals, but I’m guessing the money or drugs were more important.”
Seeing my jacket, her eyes narrow. “So you’re one of them now? His little whore for the taking?”
Dominic steps forward, ready to defend me or hit Dori, I’m not sure which. Placing my hand on his arm, he stops, looking over at me.
“Yeah, mom. That’s all I am. Just a whore for the taking. I don’t expect you to see me as anything more.”
Alee comes in close, tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize this would all go down like this.”
Pulling my wallet from my bag, I retrieve a hundred-dollar bill from it and hand it to her.
“Dominic was going to let you stay at his house tonight, but I know that’s not happening now.”
She glances at Dominic, regret filling her irises. Looking back at me, she takes the bill.
“Stay at a hotel tonight. Call me when you’ve checked in. I want to know you’re safe.” Hugging her, tears well in my eyes. “I know you didn’t mean for this to happen,” I whisper.
Dominic wraps an arm around me. “Let’s get out of here.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
——
DOMINIC
IN THE SHOWER, I can hear her crying. I want to go to her, to hold her until her tears stop, but I know she needs this time to cry out her emotions and to find the strength that comes after. She chose me tonight, without hesitation, but I know the fight we had with her mother hurt her. Deep down, no matter how much her mother has done to her, she still loves her and loves Amberlee even more. Giving Amberlee that money for a hotel was smart. I’m proud of how she handled the entire situation.
Seeing the way she didn’t second guess coming with me proved to me where her loyalty lies. From the moment I kissed her in that shitty kitchen and tasted what she had to offer me, I knew I wanted her, all of her, and most importantly, her devotion to me. In the short time we’ve been together, I can see that devotion growing, see how strong her feelings are for me. There are moments I worry I’m letting this happen too fast, but I’ve never been the kind of guy who lives life cautiously. I’m a live free, live fast, live hard kind of guy. Yet I know it’s true, she’s becoming my Achilles heel. My one and only weakness. I find myself willing to put her before my brothers and that is dangerous.
Brotherhood and respect are the reigning principles of the Serpents. Without them, we wouldn’t be as strong as we are, which is why stripping Ditch of his colors was an easy choice for me and many others. Why Christian is indulging Drake, Levi, and probably Shane’s complaints is complete bullshit. He needs to set them straight and be done. Maybe he was closer to Ditch than I realized. It would give another explanation to him cornering Erika and questioning her about the attempted rape besides only looking out for me and the Serpents.
Jesus, I need to stop. She has my head so fucked I’m questioning Christian’s intentions. Laying back on my bed, arm behind my head, I stare at the ceiling.
I. Need. To. Get. My. Shit. Together.
My brothers rely on how logical, controlled, and focused I am. Tonight, I wasn’t controlled. Seeing the way that fuck, Bronx, looked at Erika, what he wanted to do to her, it lit my mind on fire. I saw red. He’s lucky he was knocked out unconscious. I would’ve killed him. I would’ve killed Ditch for touching her too. Fuck, I’ll take out any man who thinks they can lay a hand on her. These pansies don’t know what I’m capable of. What I’ll do. All because they’ve never seen me with a woman like this.
I’m getting tired of having to make it clear who she belongs to. I didn’t want to do it to her, but I might have to bring her back to the club to claim her again in front of every Serpent and any other club member who’s around.
Just the thought of fucking her on one of the pool tables while everyone watches is giving me a hard-on. I’d get a high from her moans and the sound of her voice when she cries out my name for everyone to hear. Only one problem. She brings out a possessive side of me that puts me in a rage anytime a man looks at her like he wants to fuck her. There’d be many looks like that and that’s just asking for a mass murder.
Hearing the bathroom door open, my thoughts disperse like frightened rats. Padding across the room, a towel wrapped around her, her damp hair in thick strings around her face and shoulders. Sad, swollen, puffy eyes tug at my blackened heart. I open my arm for her, and she crawls into it, laying against my body.
Tilting my head to the nightstand, I bring her attention to the glass sitting there.
“I brought you some whiskey. Thought you might need some after the shit that happened tonight.”
“I’m so sorry Dori did something that stupid.” In her tone, I can hear tears threatening to escape again.
“Baby, look at me.”
Lifting her chin, her glistening golden hazel eyes plead with me for forgiveness.
“You don’t need to be sorry. You can’t help the decisions Dori and Alee make. I won’t ever hold the things they do against you. I want to be sorry for the things I said to your mother and sister because I know it hurt you, but they needed to hear them.”
Nodding, she fights back tears. Pulling her on top of me, she spreads her legs over my semi and leans her chest against mine. Removing the fabric of the towel from between us, I enjoy the feel of her naked skin warm against mine.
Hands on her ass, I pull her pussy tight to my growing erection. “You’re hurting still. I want to fix it. I’ll do anything you want. Tell me what you need.”
“Will you make love to me? Like you did the night Ditch hurt me?”
“Yeah, baby, I can make love to you.” Taking the glass from the stand, I hand it to her for her to drink. She takes it, gulps it down quickly and grimaces at the bite.
Turning her on her back, I trace my fingers with slow, languid motions up her thigh, waist, and across her breasts, twirling my fingertip around her nipple before plucking it between my thumb and forefinger.
My eyes catch hers, the light of the lamp and the fire of the whiskey dancing in her gaze.
“Do you love me, Sparrow?”
Lips trailing across her left breast, her body arches in response.
“I’m completely in love with you.”
A single tear falls from the side of her eye.
Leaving a trail of damp kisses, I bring my mouth between her legs.
“What does love mean to you?”
With a kiss on her thigh, I tenderly spread her legs.
“There’s nothing I won’t do for you. You’re everything to me.”
&nb
sp; Kissing between her legs, her body quivers, needy for my touch.
“Every man has a weakness. I didn’t have one…until I met you.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
——
ERIKA
WAKING UP IN our sex-scented and well-used sheets, I’m disappointed to see Dominic is gone. Rolling over, I lift my cell phone from the nightstand and read the text message he left me.
Didn’t want to leave your sexy ass this morning but had to take care of business. Be home late.
Bummed I won’t see him until tonight, I pad to the bathroom and draw a bath. After breakfast, I empty my duffle and toss it over my shoulder with the intention of refilling it with more of my things from home, my old home. That’s going to take some getting used to.
Worry grinds in the back of my skull. I can only imagine what it was like for Amberlee and Dori when Bronx woke up from his fight with Dominic. If he’s still there, I won’t be going in, but maybe Amberlee can get away and spend some time with me since it’s the weekend.
Locking the back door, I traipse to the Camaro. My footsteps slow when I see two officers stepping out of a police vehicle in Dominic’s driveway. They spy me and I freeze.
“Miss Daniels.”
Shit. I know this routine. Been down this road before with my father.
They approach, kind smiles, pristine uniforms. I have nothing against them but seeing them is never a good thing.
“Miss Daniels, is Mr. Xavier home?” The taller one with a handsome bearded face asks.
“No, he’s not.”
“Do you know where he is?” With darker features and a hardened expression, his partner comes off less congenial and more all-business.
“I honestly don’t know. He was gone before I woke up and he left me a message that I’d see him later.”
Vague is best. Never too many details.
“That’s fine, ma’am. We’d actually like to speak with you today. Would you mind answering some questions for us?”
“Am I being arrested or detained?”
“No ma’am,” the taller officer responds.
“Go ahead then.”
Leaning against the Camaro, I watch them take out their notebooks and pens. Next, I’m given my rights and right to refuse to answer any questions. All things I’ve heard before.
“Do you know what you were doing on the night of July thirteenth?”
“That was over a couple weeks ago.”
I was here with Dominic. It was the night…oh my God, it was the night he went out for Christian. The conversation I eavesdropped on.
“Yes, ma’am, it was. Do you remember what you did that evening?”
“I was here.”
“Do you remember where Mr. Xavier was that night?”
“Yes, here with me.”
“Did he leave that evening for any reason?”
Keeping my attention on them, I stand confident. “No, he was with me all night. We had sex a lot that night, so I remember it well.”
Cheeks blushing, the taller one scribbles in his notepad.
“Did anyone come to visit that night?” the shorter officer asks, brown eyes studying me closely.
Behind us, the engines of Harleys rumble down the road. Attention shifting, the officers briskly walk to their vehicle, and I follow. Four Harleys and their Serpent riders block the officers’ vehicle from exiting. Expression cold and deadly, Christian steps off his bike.
“Erika, get on.”
Glancing at me quickly, his expression brooks no argument. Moving with sure steps, I head to his bike. His gaze remains fixed on the officers.
“We’re not done here,” the shorter officer tells Christian.
“Unless you’re taking her in on a charge, you’re done.”
Climbing onto Christian’s bike, I watch the officers back down from the challenge. Christian climbs on his ride and leads the crew off down the road. This feels bad, real bad, especially with Dominic missing.
Pulling into the clubhouse, Christian cuts the engine and I hop off quickly. Snagging my wrist, he gets my attention.
“What’d you tell ‘em?”
“Not a damn thing. It’s not my first rodeo with the police, Christian. I assume you know who my father is.”
Christian clicks his tongue as he nods. “Yeah, I know. So what’d they ask you?”
“Where I was on July thirteenth and where Dominic was. I told them he was with me, fucking me all night.”
A smirk lifts the corner of his mouth. “Good girl. What else?”
“They asked if anyone came to visit that night?”
“And,” Christian’s gaze narrows.
“And you arrived, saving me from having to lie and tell them no one came to visit.”
Christian gives a nod of approval as he climbs off his bike.
“You did good.”
Looking around for Dominic’s bike, I don’t see it.
“Where’s Dominic?”
“He’s being detained at the station. They took him in this morning. Don’t worry though, he’ll be out by tonight.”
He must have read my expression.
“What do they have on him?” I ask, panicked.
“A couple witnesses, but we’ll take care of them.”
Following Christian’s back, I’m surrounded by Serpents as we enter the clubhouse.
“What are you going to do to them?”
The tall, ginger-haired man next to me snickers and I recognize him right away. “Mercy, right?”
“Yeah and don’t worry your pretty little head. Us Serpents take care of our own. You can hang with us today until Dominic is out. He asked us to pick you up as soon as he got rolled on.”
“He knew they’d come to his house looking for me?”
The men disperse in the clubhouse, leaving me alone with Mercy.
“Yeah, the police are predictable. You’re a fresh target. They don’t know how loyal you are to Dominic yet. They were hoping you could help them incriminate him.”
“There’s no way in hell I’d let that happen.”
Mercy’s thumb and forefinger swipe over his scruff as he licks his lips. “That’s what Dominic said too.” With a tilt of his head, he motions toward me. “Where’s your jacket?”
“In my bag.”
“Put it on while you’re here. I don’t want any of these dumb fucks getting the wrong idea about you being here. One Daniels sister is enough.”
Pulling my jacket from the duffle, I look at him confused. “What do you mean one Daniels sister is enough?”
Mercy blows out a puff of air. “Your sister showed up here last night wanting to work herself back into our good graces.”
“And?”
“You’re a sweet thing, aren’t you?” he chuckles, clearly humored by something. “Your sister whored herself out.”
Vomit rises in my throat and I slap my hand over my mouth. Mercy puts a hand on my shoulder, stabilizing me.
“Ah, fuck, you look like you’re gonna be sick. Phil, bring me a bottle of water,” he shouts at another Serpent.
“She still here?”
“Yeah, she’s somewhere around here, probably with Christian. He took her up on her offer to satisfy him.”
“Stop fucking talking.”
Mercy laughs, his hand gripping my shoulder, keeping me from lunging forward and spilling my breakfast.
Phil joins us, handing the water bottle to Mercy. He slaps it into my open palm.
“There she is now.”
Walking out from the hallway that leads to Christian’s office, is Amberlee and Christian, his arm is draped around her shoulder. Purple marks of exhaustion are under her eyes, yet she seems full of energy, spritely even.
Christian slaps her ass in the little shorts she’s wearing and her braless chest bounces in her flimsy camisole. “That was fun last night, Red. We’ll have to do it again. Now be sure to give my boys some attention too.”
Phil eyes Amberlee’s ass and makes hi
s way toward her as she watches Christian walk back down the hall.
“Hell no.” Intent on ending this shit show, I storm toward Phil and Amberlee. Mercy grips my jacket and yanks me back to him, whispering in my ear.
“Listen, sweet thing. Not every Serpent has a pretty woman like you to satisfy them, so that’s where your sister comes in. She’s keeping the men happy and she gets what she wants in return. Don’t get in the way. I told Dominic I’d keep an eye on you, and that’s what I intend to do, so don’t start a fight I have to end.”
Brushing him off my sleeve, I glare at him. “I’m guessing Dominic told you I’m a smart mouth who doesn’t listen to anyone and if he didn’t, he should of.”
I’m out of his reach before he can grab me again.
“Amberlee!”
Whipping around at the sound of my voice, her expression is horrified.
“What the fuck are you doing?”
“Goddammit, Erika, what are you doing here?”
Phil, a shorter guy with a round belly wraps an arm around Amberlee’s waist.
“This your sister?”
“Yeah,” Amberlee replies, unfazed by his groping.
Mercy is at my back, breathing down on me like a freaking lion that’s just caught its kill. I need to tread lightly. I know I’m in over my head.
I look to Phil and put on the charm. “Thank you for the water. I appreciate it. Is it ok with you if I talk to Alee for a few minutes before you two hang out?”
Mercy’s heavy breathing backs off and Phil nods carelessly. “Sure, I’ll grab a beer.”
Taking Amberlee’s arm gently, I pull her away from the bar and restaurant part of the club and into the women’s bathroom.
As soon as the heavy gray door closes behind us, I lunge.
“What the hell is going on? Why did you come here last night after I told you to check into a hotel and what the fuck are you high on?”
“Face it, I don’t have the protection you do. Being Dominic’s girl, you’re untouchable. I have no rank in this club, but I still need their protection, so I’m making sure Christian gives it to me.”
Clipped Wings : (A Kings MC Romance, Book 2, Standalone) Page 11