by Sophia Gray
“I know,” I said. “I really do. I understand.”
“No, you don’t,” Angel said bitterly. “You don’t get it at all. I’m so sick of being controlled by people and by things I don’t understand. Every time I think my life is getting a degree of autonomy, the same shit crops up and I’m reminded that I’m not actually in control after all.”
“I’m sorry about that,” I told her. “I really am. But it’s for your own safety right now. I promise, after this all dies down, you don’t have to worry about me controlling your life.”
Hurt flashed across Angel’s face. I wondered if I’d said the wrong thing. After all, she was the one who had wanted me to leave her alone. I wondered if that had changed in the short amount of time she’d been staying with me. Forget it, I thought. Nothing is ever going to be the same as it was between us. You know that, she knows that, and it would be better for everyone involved if you just dropped it.
“Fine,” she said. She pushed her chair away from the table and stood up, grabbing her half-eaten plate of food and bringing it into the kitchen. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” I said sarcastically. “Anything else?”
Angel glared at me. “I have to call my manager and go help Chuckie,” she said. “Don’t you have some kind of business you need to attend to right now?”
I chuckled drily. “I do,” I said. “I’m actually posting one of my men to the house. His name is Ram; he’ll be here if you have any trouble. He’s a good watchman.”
Angel’s cheeks colored and I could tell she wanted to protest, but she didn’t. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked into the bowels of the house. I watched her ass swing from side to side and suppressed the urge to chase her, grab her, and make her mine. The pull between our bodies was too much; it called to me and tortured me.
“I gotta get out of here,” I said under my breath. “This shit is starting to get to me.”
Ram came over as soon as I called. I could tell he was dying to ask what was going on, but I just told him Angel was a friend and we needed to protect her and Chuckie.
“This is an unusual job, boss,” Ram said. He winked at me. “You sure there’s nothing you forgot to tell me?”
“Just do your job,” I shot back. “I have to head to the police department.”
Ram settled in at the kitchen table with a gun, a book, and a mug of coffee. He looked content, perfectly so. I hoped Damien wouldn’t show up while I was gone, but I knew Ram would give his life for Angel and her son. That was the beauty of the Skullbreakers’ brotherhood: we trusted each other. We’d do anything for each other, and this was just one of many times Ram had stepped in to save my ass. As I climbed on my bike, I felt a swell of affection for him. He was a good guy. All of my guys were good guys. But Ram in particular, well, he’d really done a lot to prove himself to me over the years.
The wind whipped at my hair and I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation on my face. It felt like it had been ages since I’d really gotten out by myself. My whole brain was wrapped up in this shit with Angel and Damien, and I had no idea when things would finally return to any semblance of normal.
It was funny that Angel hadn’t recognized Damien’s name. Maybe she’d really forgotten more about the past than I expected. The thought was painful, but not surprising. After all, she had a life with a kid now. How much of the past could she really remember?
It was after dark by the time I pulled up to Centerville Police Department. I hadn’t been there in a few months. Last time Damien pulled some shit, they called me in for questioning. I’d been evasive, but honest. They’d let me go and I hadn’t heard a peep since then. But everyone in the office knew who I was: Trey Minter, leader of the Skullbreakers. The cops had been swarming a little too close for comfort ever since the shooting, and I knew I had to take action if I wanted to get them off my back. The last thing I needed to worry about was being pursued for something I didn’t even do.
“Evening, sweetheart,” I greeted the young cop on duty. She was a slim blonde with a pert nose and sincere blue eyes. She and I had yet to really tangle — I had a feeling her superiors had warned her about me.
“Hi,” she said, without looking up. “Can I help you?”
I cleared my throat and she finally looked up. When she realized who I was, her cheeks flushed.
“What can I do for you, Trey?”
“I was hoping we could chat a little bit about that shootout with the Russians.” I flashed her a charming smile and leaned with my elbows on the counter. “After all, I might be able to help y’all out.”
“I don’t think so,” she said curtly. “We’ve got our best and brightest on it.”
I leaned back and rocked on the balls of my feet. “What’s your name?”
She looked up at me again. There was a trace of fear in her light blue eyes. “It’s Amy,” she said softly. “What do you want?”
“I just want to help out, Amy,” I told her. “How about letting me take a look at some of that evidence from the scene?”
She laughed and shook her head. “No way,” she said quickly. “You bikers think you’re all so damn charming, but it isn’t gonna work on me.”
I smiled widely at her and she froze for a minute. I could tell my grin had the intended effect; she looked completely disarmed. She wasn’t Angel, but she was still cute. And my magic still worked on her. “C’mon,” I said. “I’m not going to mess anything up. Hey, why don’t you come with me?” I grinned at her again. “Keep an eye on me, make sure I don’t tamper with anything.”
She sighed. “I’m really not supposed to do that,” she said. “I could get in a lot of trouble.”
“I promise I won’t give them any reason to be pissed at you,” I said. “In fact, you don’t even have to tell them. Our little secret.”
She bit her lower lip. “Fine,” she said. “Come with me.”
Amy walked in front of me, leading me to the back of the station. Almost everyone else had left for the day — the offices were locked and dark. She took a ring of keys from her belt and unlocked a heavy metal door.
“Everything is in here,” she said. I followed her to a back cabinet. “We weren’t able to pull a ton from the scene, but there’s a gun here and some bloodied handkerchiefs.”
My blood ran cold when I recognized the gun. “That belongs to Damien,” I said. “You see that metal design on the side?” The gun was emblazoned with a set of Steel Demons, in copper. “His MC is the Steel Demons,” I explained. “Someone gave him that gun when he was promoted to president.”
Amy looked at me with her mouth open. I felt triumphant, like I’d just saved the day.
“Anything else?” She was still gaping.
“Nope,” I said smugly. “I think that’ll do just perfectly.”
Chapter 12
Angel
By late evening, I was dying to leave. Chuckie had finished his homework and gone to sleep hours ago, and I was feeling more restless than ever. Normally, I’d never leave Chuckie alone. But with Ram around, I felt pretty safe. I just had to distract him and then I’d be able to leave. I couldn’t wait to be alone with my own thoughts. Even though Trey hadn’t returned home yet, I felt crowded by his presence. The whole house screamed “Trey.” Every room smelled like his delicious, intoxicating scent. I could practically feel the grip of his strong hands on my body as I wandered from room to room, looking in but not really snooping.
The whole house was spotlessly clean. I wondered if Trey paid for a cleaning service, or if maybe he was just a neat freak. I remembered that when we’d been kids, he’d always been embarrassed about the condition of his mother’s house. He’d never allowed me inside. We’d dated for a year, but he’d still never let me see his childhood bedroom.
“Hey, Ram,” I called from the bathroom after I’d closed the door behind me. “You around?”
There was the sound of footsteps and a gun clicking into place. I sighed. Sure enough, his voice boomed back.
>
“Angel? Are you okay?”
I looked down and sighed. “I’m fine, but I forgot something from home.”
“I can’t let you leave.” Ram’s voice was loud from the other side of the door. “I’m sorry, Angel. It’s Trey’s orders.”
“I got my period,” I said loudly. “I need to go buy some tampons.”
“Can’t you just wait in the bathroom?” Ram sounded clueless.
If I hadn’t been desperate to break out of the house, I would have laughed. “No,” I said in an exasperated voice. “I can’t. It’s uncomfortable, Ram. Besides, when is Trey coming home?”
“No idea,” Ram said. “Do you want me to call him?”
“No,” I said. Think, Angel. Think. “You know what, I think I’ll be okay,” I said. “I’m going to take a bath and relax. When Trey gets home, I’ll ask him to take me to the store.”
Ram shifted his weight from foot to foot outside the door. “Okay, Angel,” he said. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
I held my breath until I heard him lumber back down the hallway. Score! Quickly, I dashed over to the bathroom window and flung it open. It would be a squeeze, but I could still slip outside.
After a few minutes of wriggling and holding my breath, I fell the short distance onto the damp ground. Crickets were chirping but I instantly felt better. I decided I’d just take a little walk and then return. No need to freak Ram out if he discovered I was gone.
Even though I was wearing jeans and a light sweater, there was a chill in the dark air. I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered. There was a little park not too far from here. I thought I’d go and sit on the swings for a few minutes until I’d managed to collect my thoughts. I already felt better now that I wasn’t around the house anymore.
“Hey, lady,” a voice said in the dark. I jumped high in the air. “Remember me?”
“No,” I said, backing away. Randy and Nick walked towards me out of the darkness, grinning like hyenas. “Help!” I yelled, my voice sounding shrill and scared. “Help! Trey! Ram! Help me!”
“Baby, it’s gonna be better if you don’t fight,” Nick said. He leaned down and glared at me. “Grab her,” he said quickly to Randy.
My body froze in panic and they came at me with astounding speed for their overweight bodies. Before I could even let out another shriek, Randy had grabbed me forcefully. I kicked out and he stumbled but he didn’t drop me. Nick grabbed my legs and they started carrying me over to their bikes.
“Help!” I managed to scream before Randy clapped his hand over my mouth. I bit him but he slapped me hard and I was reduced to whimpering. A trickle of blood crept into my mouth and I tried to spit it out against his fingers.
I was fighting hard to keep my eyes open and get Randy and Nick off of me when, suddenly, Randy dropped to the ground.
“Fuck!” he howled.
“What happened?” Nick was still holding onto my legs as I crashed onto the asphalt, landing hard. Before he could move, a pair of hands grabbed onto his arms and dragged him away.
“Stay the fuck away from her,” a familiar voice growled.
I shivered and finally looked up. Trey was standing there, at my feet, glaring down at me. Without warning he wound up and punched Randy hard in the mouth. Randy went down on the ground without a cry and Trey stood over his prone body, kicking and punching him.
“What the fuck did I tell you assholes?” Trey hissed. He got in Nick’s face and swung, hitting him hard. Nick went down and Trey kicked him so hard in the stomach that I saw his body jerk and pulse off the ground. “Leave her the fuck alone! If you ever come back, I’ll kill you,” he added in a gruff voice. Spitting on Randy and Nick’s prone bodies, Trey walked over and pulled me off the ground.
He cupped my chin with his hand and looked deeply into my eyes. I could feel that my lip was bloodied. When I leaned up to kiss him, it hurt, but I didn’t care. I kept my mouth pressed to Trey’s until his arms wrapped around me and carried me back to his bike.
We didn’t talk on the ride home. I knew he was serious, that he wasn’t fooling. That everything he’d told me had been right. And I’d been the stupid one for not believing him.
“Trey, I’m sorry,” I said softly after he’d let us into the foyer of his house. “I—”
“Don’t talk right now,” Trey said. He held up a hand to silence me. The air between us was thick with tension. Our eyes were locked on each other’s. I could feel his gaze on me like a hot brand.
“Come here,” I said softly.
Trey stepped closer and I wrapped my body around his. The electricity jumped from his skin to mine, sending bolts of arousal and lust through my body. As our kiss deepened, I felt myself start to get wet until my panties were soaked. Trey ran his hands down my back and scooped me up. He threw me over his shoulder and carried me down the hallway. Before I could even process where he was taking me, he was throwing me down on a soft bed and tugging at my jeans. They slid off and instantly, Trey was between my legs, licking and sucking and nuzzling. I screamed with pleasure when his tongue hit my clit, not caring about Ram or Chuckie or anyone who could hear us.
“I need you,” Trey growled. He crawled on top of my body and whipped his belt off, kicking his jeans down to his ankles. When he was clad only in boxers, he pressed his groin against mine. His erection was huge and stiff and I moaned softly as he slipped his hand up my sweater and yanked it over my head. The cool air in the bedroom felt delicious on my body and I shivered as he lowered his head to my breasts and began to suck and lick on my nipples. His teeth were just enough to send bolts of pleasure shooting through my body and I tangled my hands in his soft brown hair, desperate for more, desperate for him.
Reaching down, I slid Trey’s boxers down his legs. He kicked them off and slapped the insides of my thighs. I spread my legs obediently and pulled him closer. When he was almost inside of me, I looked into his eyes. They were the same dark blue they’d always been, but now I was seeing him nakedly in a way that I never had before. I felt so exposed, so intimate; I couldn’t stand it.
“I need you,” I whispered softly.
Trey grabbed a hold of my hips and plunged inside of me. The feel of his cock sent me into spasms of pleasure and I arched my back and shrieked until his mouth came down on my nipples again, biting and tugging harder this time. The hot pulsing feeling in my lower belly started to build and build and I closed my eyes and screwed up my face. He felt so amazing, so encompassing, that I couldn’t believe we’d ever parted from each other. We belonged together.
Trey started thrusting his hips faster and harder against me. Sweat was beading on his forehead and as he looked into my eyes, a drop landed from his skin against mine. I felt my orgasm build and build, until I was thrashing below him and screaming his name.
“Angel,” Trey grunted into my neck.
The intensity of his voice surprised me and I felt my eyes well up with unexpected tears. Being with Trey again was like coming home, like I’d never been apart from his side. The years melted as he slammed his body against mine until we were both hoarse and crying out from pleasure. His skin was so hot against mine than I felt like I was being burned.
When it was over, Trey and I stayed locked together for a few heavy seconds. I had no idea what had just happened. I had no idea if I wanted it to happen again. But right there, in the moment, everything felt right in a way that it hadn’t felt for years.
I love you. I didn’t dare say it, but as I looked at Trey’s sweaty body on top of mine, I hoped he knew.
Chapter 13
Trey
I couldn’t take it any longer. Couldn’t wait any more. Angel was mine, she’d always been mine, and I had to have her again. From the first moment I threw her down on the bed, I knew that, once again, she’d be mine. All mine. Angel lay back and looked up at me with her sparkly emerald eyes. She bit her lower lip and I felt my crotch seize with lust. My cock stiffened in my pants and I rubbed it suggestively and raised my eyebrow
s at Angel.
She giggled and blushed and, for a moment, I saw the girl she’d been all those long years ago. Suddenly, the moment got more serious. Angel kept her gorgeous eyes trained on mine and suggestively ran her hands down her body. As she cupped her breasts, she closed her eyes and moaned softly. Her soft pale hands ran down her body and she slipped them between her legs, groaning softly and spreading her thighs wide. With a fierce growl, I tackled her back on the bed. When our mouths met, my teeth and lips pressed hard against hers until I tasted a little blood mingled with her saliva. She was so sweet, so delicious. I could smell the arousal wafting off of her in huge waves. Closing my eyes, I tangled my hands in her red hair and pressed her lips to mine over and over. Angel moaned softly in my mouth. Her soft hands slipped up my chest, giving me goose bumps. I saw her gape a little when she caught sight of all of my tattoos.