The line goes dead, and I flick my cigarette to the ground.
“What’s the plan?” her eyes are burning into mine and I wish like hell I could take her up on her offer to run off to some beach. Just the two of us, but we both know it’d be a lie and too damn good to be true. I have been looking over my shoulder waiting for the hammer to drop and now it has. I don’t want Ainsley to live like that. Always wondering when the fuckening will happen. The one thing that comes in and fucks your life up completely.
“We stay on course. I’m taking you to Drag Creek.”
“But…what about—” I cut her off by pulling her into me for a kiss. Things are different now. I don’t know why I feel so beholden to her, but I do. Something inside me just screams that she is mine to protect.
Mine to take care of.
Mine to love.
Ainsley is mine, but I think she already knows.
That unspoken connection that string that tethers us keeps pulling her back to me too.
I squeeze her ass as her tongue slithers against mine. Sexy and full of control. I let her take the lead. A horn blaring as a truck passes by us breaks our connection.
I drive another six hours. My neck hurts and Ainsley is asleep in the passenger seat. I stroke her cheek and she smiles.
Yeah.
Fuck me.
She’s mine and I don’t know what the hell to do about it. I hardly know her, but I can’t imagine going a day without that smile now. I’ve never been a believer of love at first sight. Just lust and damn do I lust for her.
I shut off the car and nudge her shoulder. I need to stretch and it’s her turn to drive.
Chapter 11
Ainsley
Kentucky
Axel is snoring in the backseat. He looks so uncomfortable and cramped as I stare at him through the rearview mirror. I wish I could just drive and keep driving until all our problems disappear. I’m scared. I’ve been driving slowly, trying to prolong our time together even if it is just me behind the wheel and him asleep for the ride. As I drive, I keep reliving every moment of the past few days we have spent together.
His intoxicating scent.
His cocky grin.
His soul piercing eyes.
The way he makes me feel more alive than I ever have. For the first time in my life I feel like I matter to someone. Not because I am Tiny Leone’s daughter but simply because I am me. I believe Axel when he says he didn’t know that the real reason we were both sent to that house was for him to protect me from Raul. I could see it in his eyes. There was only truth there. He held the same look on his face when he told me about the charges he’s facing. Dawn is on the horizon and in a few hours, he’ll be in handcuffs and this will all seem like a crazy dream. I don’t want it to end.
I’m scared of what’s to come.
I’m scared to be without him.
I’m not ready to say goodbye.
My heart squeezes in my chest. I press harder on the gas, wondering what he’d do if I drive us to the closest airport and book us two tickets out of here. I still have family in Italy. I’ve never met them, but I know they would welcome me there. I allow my mind to wonder. I fantasize about us making a life there. Maybe we’d buy a vineyard or something. He’d work in the field and I’d run the business. I even imagine my stomach swollen with his baby. Like the foolish girl that I am, I grab onto the dream and hold on tight. Then I tuck it in the back of my mind as I see the sign that reads Drag Creek twenty miles.
This is it. The end as I drive down the highway to hell.
I should wake him, but I want to enjoy this quiet moment a minute longer. Where there is nothing but the two of us. I wish we were on his motorcycle. Him driving fast and my hair in the wind. We could just ride and go anywhere.
I turn down the radio as a tear slides down my cheek. I know I need to let him go so he can face what lies ahead. I have problems of my own. A chill creeps up my spine thinking about Raul and what he said. I pull into the parking lot at the Black Rebel Riders’ MC clubhouse or as Axel called it the Roadhouse. I shut off the car and Axel wakes up. I don’t want to get out of this car. I don’t want him to get out of this car either.
I should have kept driving but to where? Like he said you can’t run from your problems. I’m eighteen. I shouldn’t have such heavy shit weighing on me.
Axel exits the car and when he shuts the door, I feel he is shutting the door on us. On me. Then he opens the driver side door and holds his hand out to me. We walk inside hand in hand. There isn’t a lot of people around save a couple of old men at the bar. There is a huge tree in the far corner of the room and three large trash bags full of discarded wrapping paper next to it.
“Every year my Mom and now my Aunt Karly, they do a toy drive for needy kids. They fill the tree with paper angels that have names on them with clothing sizes or whatever it is they need. Everyone pitches in to adopt a kid or family in need then on Christmas Eve the Roadhouse hosts a dinner and the kids get to open their gifts. My grandpa even dresses up like Santa Claus,” Axel explains.
“That’s so nice.”
The men at the bar both turn to stare at us.
“Grandpa, I’d like you to meet Ainsley.” I stare at the old man wondering what he looked like when he was young. He has all these teardrop tattoos on his face that disappear under his white beard. I bet he was a scary motherfucker in his youth. The name on his cut says Grim and judging by the expression on his face I can see why. I can’t imagine him wearing a Santa suit. He’d scare the children.
The man next to him smirks at me and winks. The name on his patch says Romeo and I smile to myself. I bet he was a real player. I bet they both have some stories to tell.
Grim nods and mumbles something to the other man. His grin fades and I wonder of it is because of who I am.
“Come on.” Axel pulls me toward a set of stairs. “Let’s freshen up.” He takes me to what looks to be a community bathroom and I try not to cringe at the thoughts of what goes on in this clubhouse. I don’t know much about bikers or clubs, but my imagination is running wild. I bet if these walls could talk…well I am sure they would make me blush.
After we clean up a bit a woman knocks on the door of the room we are relaxing in. She has a change of clothes and breakfast for us.
For the first time in days my appetite is returning. I devour the eggs, bacon, and toast.
Axel grins at me as he enjoys his own plate. I get up and take advantage of the clean clothes.
“So…do you know what happens next?”
He nods. “Yeah. I’ll meet with my old man once he arrives and then he’ll give me my orders.”
“Do those orders include me?” I ask, hopeful, but smart enough to know that it isn’t going to be likely.
He shrugs his shoulders and sets his empty plate on the nightstand on top of mine.
There is another knock on the door. Axel pops up off the small bed with the worn quilt covering the top. I pick at the frayed edges as I sit on the foot of it and wait. Axel said the quilt belonged to his Grandma Foxie. I trace the stitches with my fingers and smile. I don’t have anything special handed down to me. All I have is more money than I know what to do with, but what good is the money if I can’t use it to help Axel. Maybe if I agree to contribute to that senator’s campaign fund, he’ll try to get him a reduced sentence. I tap a finger to my chin. I can’t just do nothing.
Axel gets the door and a guy who looks eerily similar to him but with shorter hair is waiting on the other side. “Old man wants you at church.” He moves to peer at me over his shoulder and grins at me.
“Abel, this is Ainsley. Ainsley, this is my brother.”
“I can see the resemblance.” It’s terrible but my mind flashes to a dirty thought of what it’d be like to be taken by them both.
“Stay here,” Axel tells me and slams the door as if he could read my mind.
Chapter 12
Axel
I follow my brother down the backstairs and into the bas
ement. I put my phone and my knife in the plastic container that sits on a table outside of the door of the meeting room. My father is seated at the head of the table. My Uncle, Striker, my VP sits to the side of him and across from my Uncle sits Stephanie accompanied by Hades, Prez of the Devils Rejects. I take my seat next to my Uncle and Abel takes the seat next to mine. The rest of the club isn’t here, and I wonder what in the hell is going on.
“We’ve gotta get a handle on this shit with Hernandez,” my father speaks first.
“He has been hounding me since Tiny’s death,” Stephanie says.
Hades looks to me. “I see you did your part.” He smirks and nods at the hickey on my neck. I cover it with my hand as all eyes turn to me.
I don’t say anything at first but realize they all expect me to. “I’ll claim Ainsley. Marrying me affords her extra protection, but I need to ask why do you all care?”
“Because we all agree that she can’t help who her father was, and we won’t send an innocent girl to a monster. He’ll marry her and take her money and once he has a hold on her he’ll kill Stephanie and take over the Leone territory making it a problem for all of us. Then he will either kill Ainsley or continue to torture her. Raul is dirty.”
I get what they are saying. “So, it’s settled. Harley will just have to share her day with me and Ainsley then.”
“Not so fast,” my father cuts in. “You’re supposed to turn yourself in a few days. You won’t do that girl any good from behind bars. I’m sorry, Axel but it has to be someone else.” My blood runs cold at his words and all color drains from my face imagining her with any other man. They all look to my brother and I clench my fists under the table.
“I’ll do it.” Abel smirks at me and clamps a hand down on my shoulder, shaking me. “I am my brother’s keeper.” He laughs. “Don’t worry, big brother. I’ll keep her warm for you,” he teases, and I push my chair back and grab him around the throat. All humor leaves his face and Hades starts to intervene, but my father crashes his fist down on the table.
“Enough. You won’t disrespect me in my house.”
I let go and Abel rubs his throat giving me a dirty look. Stephanie wants to see Ainsley, but I ask her to give me a minute with her first. The meeting is adjourned and it’s over. Ainsley will marry my brother and they will be taking over the Texas territory while I am left to rot. I know it’s the right thing to do. It is the best choice for everyone, but it feels wrong.
I stomp up the stairs and throw the door to my old room open. Ainsley is on the bed curled up with my Grandma’s quilt. I take a seat on the bed and stroke my fingers through her hair. “We need to talk.”
She sits up. “Okay.”
“I just spoke with my old man and your stepmother.”
Her eyes widen. “She’s here?”
I nod. “The thing is. Stephanie doesn’t want to see you share the fate that your own mother did. Your old man used your mother to gain control of some territory. He tortured her. He raped her all the time and eventually drove her mad. She’s alive, Ainsley. She is in a home somewhere out west. Stephanie says she is going to take you to see her when things calm down, but your father’s death left a lot of men eager for power. Eager to use you to make it happen. Stephanie is protected by her connection to her ex-husband but that won’t stop them from trying to take her out and it sure as hell won’t stop them from taking you against your will to get your money.”
“It’s blood money. I don’t want any of this.” Tears burn in the corners of her eyes. “My mom…she’s really?” She swallows, and I rub her jaw.
“Yeah, you’re going to meet her soon.” My bottom lip trembles and I struggle to tell her the next part. “The thing is… our situation…it’s not ideal. You’re unprotected and I’m going away for who knows how long. Someone has to claim you and as bad as I want to it can’t be me. You need someone…” She pulls away from me, sobbing into her hands. “Ainsley, listen to me. My brother.”
“Your brother!” She screams and shoves at my chest. “I want you, Axel. I can pay. I’ll give that senator every penny if it buys your freedom. I’ll do whatever…”
I bring my mouth down on hers, tasting her tears, feeling like a loser. I breathe in the cinnamon scent of her golden colored skin. “I’m sorry,” I whisper against her lips.
“I know you are…” her voice cracks and I hug her to me.
“Listen to me. I need you to marry my brother. There’s a good possibility that my baby is growing inside you. You are going to need him, and he’ll treat you right.”
She shakes her head as her tears continue to fall. “No. I’ll wait for you.”
“Baby, I’m going to be aching and burning for you when I’m on the inside but there is no damn point in you waiting for me. I may never leave that prison once I go in,” I confess the one thing that scares me the most.
“Stop. I don’t want to hear anymore.”
“Okay.” I kiss her soft and deep and hold her until she quiets her sobs. Rubbing her back I attempt to calm her. I don’t like this shit either but it’s the only option. We can’t run. Not with me facing charges and the cartel out for her blood.
Eventually she pulls away, drying her eyes with the hem of her shirt. I kiss her again knowing what I need to do. I trace her lips with my tongue and the angles of her face with my fingers, committing the shape of her to memory. I breathe in her sweet smell one more time. “Stephanie is waiting downstairs to talk to you and I got some things to take care of. I’ll be back soon.” I wink at her as I get up from the bed.
“Okay,” she croaks. I think we both know I won’t be back. I’d rather turn myself in now. I don’t think I can bear to watch her marry my brother and see his mark on her.
I smile at her, a pretty picture laying on my bed wrapped in my Foxie’s quilt. This is how I want to remember her. Ainsley came at me out of nowhere fast and so fucking hard. My chest squeezes tight as I close the door and leave her laying there. I pass my brother on the stairs knowing he’s coming for her.
I stop him. “Just promise me that you’ll be good to her.”
He laughs. “Don’t worry. We’ll both be waiting for you. The day you get out she’ll be back in your arms and I’ll step aside so you can take your rightful place at the head of the club. I never wanted any of this you know.”
I know he didn’t but thinking something isn’t possible is one thing then having it land in your lap is another.
“Just do me proud.”
He gives me a hug and I get to the bottom of the stairs. My old man is waiting for me with my mother. The broken expression on her face almost brings me to my knees. I hate hurting the people I love. I hate breaking my mother’s heart.
“We’ll have you out in a few days once they set bail,” my mother tells me.
I don’t have it in me. I told my father to leave me in there, because if they bail me out, I’ll be too tempted to take Ainsley up on her offer to run.
My Grandpa, Grim brings me in for a rough hug. “Don’t drop the soap.” He chuckles. “You’ll be fine. Already got contacts in place to keep you safe in there.” I nod.
My stomach is in knots as I get in the back of the car. My Uncle Striker is behind the wheel.
I look back at the clubhouse wishing I had fucked Ainsley one more time.
Epilogue
Ainsley
White lights twinkle overhead. White roses and silver accents decorate the room.
I smile as the couple next to Abel and me recite their vows. Today is bittersweet. I’m here physically but emotionally I am dead inside. I am far away from here trapped in my own head. Living in that fantasy of Axel and me living a different life in Italy. Green fields of rolling vines stretching as far as my eyes can see.
My veil is lifted, and I blink as Abel smiles at me. “I do,” he promises, and I robotically repeat the words. Before I know it, he’s kissing me and for the tiniest moment I allow myself to pretend I am kissing his brother instead. I’m back in Te
xas next to the fire as Axel caresses my cheek. His lips are on mine. His fingers biting into my hips as he drives into me over and over again.
A chorus of cheers and whistles erupts inside the church. We follow Harley and Reaper down the aisle and to the party being thrown instead of a reception at the Roadhouse.
I can’t stop thinking of Axel and wishing he were here. His lips on my neck, whispering that he’s with me all the way. I can feel the ghost of his touch on me but then I realize it’s Abel leading me to the dance floor for our first dance. My new husband grins at me, he doesn’t have a care in the world. Half of his heart isn’t locked up in a cell somewhere.
I bite back my tears and offer him the best smile I can afford.
“My brother wants you to be happy and enjoy life, Ainsley.”
“I know.” I lean up and kiss his cheek. “Thank you for doing this. I’m sure I’m not your first choice.”
“You’re not so bad.” He dips his head down, staring into my eyes and I can see that he wants me. Warmth pools in my belly and he captures my mouth with his. It feels all wrong and yet I return his kiss hoping for something to spark me back to life.
The song ends, and he leads me to a table where I watch his sister, Harley, get her new husband’s Devil mark tattooed on her arm.
“Where do you want yours?” Abel murmurs in my ear.
“Mine?”
“Yeah. You are getting my mark too. It symbolizes our union and that you’re mine.”
My mind drifts to hearing Axel say I was his on the side of the road.
The wind blowing around us as he kissed me on the hood of my car.
I blink hearing the buzzing of the tattoo gun. I can still feel Axel’s fingertips burning into my hip. “Right here.” I bring Abel’s fingers to the spot that won’t stop tingling hoping and praying that something makes it stop. Like putting his name on me where his brother’s should be.
Abel grins at me. He is handsome but he’s still not Axel. He called me this morning and told me to forget about him. To leave the stolen moments we shared behind me and to move on with Abel. He said it was all he wants of me.
Moonshine & Mistletoe (Black Rebel Riders' MC Book 11) Page 5