Misguided (Fallen Aces MC Book 5)

by Max Henry

  I give her a swift smack to the ass. “Fine by me, babe. Now go get your naked ass in my bed so I can spend some time with it, too.”

  Mel giggles, taking off up the stairs two at a time so I can’t catch her. To look at her now, you wouldn’t think a few weeks back I was scooping her up off the floor in this very spot, wondering if she’d ever find her old self again.

  But as she looks back over her shoulder, swinging herself into my room with one hand, I know without a doubt she not only found her old self, but she improved it with a bit of the new Mel, carved from her time alone.

  She’s nothing short of amazing and everything I ever needed.

  She’s mine.

  I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of saying that.

  Mine.

  FORTY

  Mel

  “Talk to me, sis.” Hooch rubs his eyes with his free hand, holding his phone over his head with the other, judging by the angle of the FaceTime image.

  “Did I wake you up?” It’s well after ten in the morning.

  “Long night,” he says on a yawn.

  I lean back with my knees bent in what’s become my favorite spot: the lawn down by the back fence of the Lincoln clubhouse. “I’ve got a question for you.”

  “Mmm,” he mumbles.

  “I want Dog to come stay with us.”

  He blinks a couple of times, rubbing his eyes again. “That’s not a question, Mel. It’s a statement.”

  “Leave her alone,” comes from the background. “You know what she’s asking, so just answer her.”

  I call out in sing-song, “Hi, Dagne.”

  “Heya.” Her head pops into view briefly.

  “Why do you want that?” Hooch asks. “I thought you weren’t fuckin’ him?” he prompts.

  Silence stretches between us: me biting my bottom lip to stifle my nervous giggle, and him staring wide-eyed at the screen.

  “Mel?”

  “Little brother?”

  “I ain’t so little when I kick his fuckin’ ass for touchin’ you,” he growls.

  “Hooch …”

  “What, Mel?” he drawls.

  “I’m a grown woman. I have sex.”

  “Stop.” He holds a hand up to the screen. “I don’t need to hear it, especially when it involves one of the guys. No. Just no. I do not need that visual this early in the mornin’.”

  I prop my phone between my knees. “So, is that a yes?”

  He pushes his head back into the bedding, groaning. “Yes, Mel. If King’s okay with it, he can come down here. Whatever gets you home, baby girl.”

  I go to thank him, but he cuts me off.

  “But, no fuckin’ around. If he’s here, he’s serious. I’m not havin’ that asshole screw you around, okay?”

  “Don’t worry,” I say. “He’s serious.” I look down at the head that lies in my lap and match Dog’s smile.

  He winks back up at me.

  “When can we expect you back?” Hooch asks, clearly still unaware Dog’s there.

  “A few days. He’s got some things to sort out here with family, and then we’ll bring the truck down too. King said he’d get a prospect to drive it so they can bring it back after.”

  “Generous of him.”

  “Yeah.”

  Hooch yawns for what feels like the millionth time. “If that’s all you wanted, Mel, I’ll let you go. We can catch up when you get home.”

  “Sure. Go get your lazy ass out of bed,” I tease.

  “All in good time.”

  “Thank you.”

  Hooch twitches a small smile. “Anythin’ for you, sis.”

  He disconnects, and I set my phone to sleep. Dog rolls beside me, his body at a ninety-degree angle to mine as he uses me as a pillow.

  “Easy as that, huh?”

  “He’ll save the real grilling for when we get down there,” I warn. “Be prepared for the whole shotgun speech.”

  He chuckles, reaching up to place a hand behind my neck. “Give me a fuckin’ kiss, woman.”

  I lean down as he pushes up, and meet him half way. Dog nips at my bottom lip, gently soothing it with a sweep of his tongue. I place one hand on his head, tugging at his hair the way he likes, and deepen the connection as I run the other hand over his chest.

  A month ago I couldn’t see my future. I felt so lost and at odds with the world I grew up in. But all it took was the hand of a kind man, and I managed to steer my way through the emotions being back brought with it.

  Sure, I still get upset and shed a tear when the emptiness that accompanies the loss of Daddy and Dana hits. But at the same time, I’m not afraid to let that grief in, to allow it work through when I know that I have such amazing support around me.

  From Dog. From my club family. And from my brother.

  I’m one lucky bitch, that’s for sure, and I intend on never letting that privilege go to my head ever again.

  “Baby,” Dog whispers as he rests his head, breaking our kiss. “You gotta stop.”

  I lean left a little, running my palm over his flat stomach, relishing the feel of his abs as they tense beneath my touch, anticipating what comes next. Dog groans low in the back of his throat as I cup my hand over the bulge in his jeans and squeeze.

  “You know, we could take a few days and get away again.”

  “I have to stick around in case the lawyers call,” he moans. “Bastards, keepin’ me from my woman.”

  I chuckle, running my right hand through his hair as he unleashes the power of those rich chocolate eyes on me. We sit in silence for a while, simply looking at each other, and it’s the best few minutes of my life. So much can be said without words, so much given in our actions.

  Dog taught me that. Pulled my confidence out from where I’d misplaced it and showed me it’s okay if I don’t have any physical skill that helps this club. Because what I have, compassion and love, is worth more than any material thing I could set a value on.

  And in a world as unpredictable and sometimes volatile as ours, love is the only thing that’ll keep us together.

  Love and the knowledge of who we do this for.

  Our family. By name and blood. Our love.

  Our men, or women, as the case may be.

  Our everything.

  My everything.

  What’s coming next?

  An exclusive sneak peek for my early readers <3

  Theatre is Cammie Newton’s life. When a tragic accident left her burdened with survivor’s guilt, she found solace in the escape from reality. From first rehearsal until the final curtain, she does everything she can to avoid the reminders an empty home brings.

  Duke Harwood wants nothing more than to rediscover the world he left behind when he donned his fatigues and lost himself to a war that was never his to win. Although the further he drifts from the comfort of routine, the more he retreats into the combat zone that still thrives inside his mind.

  When Duke breaks down on the side of Cammie’s road, fate delivers them a hand that neither can ignore. A free-spirited dreamer, and a closed-off realist—two souls with seemingly nothing in common except for the ability to drive the other mad.

  Why is it then, when it comes time for Duke to leave, neither know how to say goodbye?

  BLOGGERS - Sign up for the cover reveal and release blitz here: http://bit.ly/EchoesintheStormEvents

  CAN’T GET ENOUGH MC ACTION?

  Read on for a taste of the Wicked Throttle MC

  CHAPTER ONE

  How the hell did I get myself into this? Oh, I know. The second I heard that heart-pulling whine, I just had to bend down and look into this fucking drain. When I locked my gaze with those bright eyes filled with fear, I didn’t think twice and shoved my arm in there. Shall I mention the fact that my arm is massive? So now I’m stuck, just like that sweet puppy that my arm is keeping company.

  Positive note is that the sweet little thing is kinda happy now. Cuddling, licking my skin...yeah, he’s a good boy, or girl…damn, I don’t
fucking know. I can’t even tell what breed it is because my fucking arm is blocking everything.

  Footsteps shuffle on the ground behind me. I can barely lift my head, because I’m lying flat on the ground and all, with my other arm tucked underneath my body. All I can manage is to turn it a little bit and get a glimpse of black biker boots. Wait, no…maybe they’re SWAT or, hell I don’t know.

  Just fucking perfect, I can’t do shit. Talk about a compromising position, with me lying helpless on the ground pinned to a damn drain.

  “What on earth do you think you’re doing?” If her voice didn’t carry a punch, I might have written it off as timid.

  Why? Why in the hell am I stuck and unable to look up to see if there’s a nice set of tits attached to the body that produced that voice? Fucking excellent. Not only is my arm trapped, but my dick seems to be confined in my pants that appears to get a tighter fit with every passing second. Not to mention the fact that there’s little space between me and the ground I’m draped over.

  Ignoring the fucker that wants to get wet, and by this I’m not talking about the rain that’s starting to fall, I try to think of something smart to say.

  Except…there’s that voice again. “Wait…you’re stuck? Why would you put your arm all the way in there? And it’s kinda big and all…not the brightest idea, but I think you’ve already noticed that little fact, right?”

  Come on, I could really use a smart reply right about now, but the only head that seems to be working is in my pants. Isn’t there a law against sexy voices when someone is in a rough spot or something?

  I can hear her move and know she’s looming over me. The sweet smell of jasmine and vanilla attacks my nose. This is pure torture considering I can almost feel the heat of her body so close to me…and that dog that’s...

  “Could you stop humping me?” I grumble in frustration.

  There’s a bite of pain due to a slap on my biceps.

  “I. Am. Not. Humping you.” She seethes and I can feel her step away from me.

  “No. Fuck, no. Not you, babe. The dog. The dog is humping my arm.”

  “There’s a dog in there?” Her voice does have a bite to it, although this time it’s filled with emotion.

  I feel her crouching down next to me and then curly flames come into my line of vision. She’s a fucking redhead? Great, just fucking great.

  “Aw, you sweet little thing, I’ll get you out. But first I need to get this huge chunk of biker out of our way, so hold on little one.” She croons.

  I’m still processing her words when she slides my other arm free that was tucked underneath my body.

  “Grab hold of me.” She instructs.

  “Don’t have to tell me fucking twice.” I mumble.

  Damn, I haven’t even seen her and I’m already hooked to that enchanting voice.

  My fingers find a loop on her jeans and do as I’m told. I feel her touch on my back as she presses me down against the ground some more. Probably to create more space and get a right angle to get my arm free. My cheek is now on the pavement and I see her pressing her boot against the curb with her knee slightly bent. Tight fingers wrap around my biceps.

  “Hold on.” She says only seconds before I see her leg go straight as a board and my arm is yanked loose. Hard.

  Fuck, that hurt. Although I can hardly complain considering my arm is now free. There’s that whine again. Shit, the dog is still in there.

  “Move.”

  I’m pushed out of the way right after she throws that word out. Sitting up, I inspect my arm that has some lacerations. When I divert my gaze, all I see is a tight jean clad ass up in the air and a green shirt. Her magnificent red curls are about shoulder length and dancing around.

  “I’ve got you, little one.” She mumbles in an endearing voice while moving back.

  There’s a little bundle in her hands that might have been white at some point but it’s dirty as fuck now. My eyes slide up and I am absolutely speechless. Some might not classify her as hot, but she most definitely is to me.

  Those corkscrew flames surround her face. Eyebrows that are so perfectly arched that it appears she is questioning things. Her lips seem like they are locked in a forever pout. Full, pink, and I cannot wait to taste them. She’s got a light spread of freckles on her cheeks and nose that look hot as fuck.

  I’m still taking in every inch of her face even though it’s blocked due to the puppy she’s holding up to inspect.

  “I think you’re a Doberman pup, but you’re all white… oh such pretty eyes…you’re an albino, aren’t you?” Her gaze locks with mine. “Don’t you think?”

  There’s no air in my lungs. I might as well swallow my tongue because all of my bodily functions seems to seize with her standing right in front of me.

  “Shit. You’re bleeding too.” She scrambles from the ground.

  With the pup in one hand, she holds out the other one for me to take. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up too.”

  My fingers wrap around hers and there’s no denying the feeling of contentment that washes over me. Pushing myself off the ground, we keep our hands locked a moment longer than necessary. The pup starts to stir and she lets go to cradle the dog and walks off.

  I see her tight ass stalk into the direction of the vegetable store. That’s where I was going when I stepped off my bike and got sidetracked by the pup in the drain. My mom is in a retirement home and I visit as much as I can. I always come here first so I can buy her some strawberries or other fruit. I’ve never seen this chick here, though. There’s always an old dude managing the store and talking my ear off.

  Walking past a black GMC Sierra pickup truck, I follow the redhead into the store. She turns and shoves the pup into my hands.

  “Can you hold him while I go grab the first-aid kit?” She doesn’t wait for a reply but just jogs into the back and comes right out a few minutes later, kit in hand and a blanket in the other.

  Putting the things on the counter, she walks toward the apples and grabs a box. She turns it upside down to empty it over another crate and walks back to take the blanket and puts it in the box. She grabs the pup, places a kiss on its head and gently sets him in the box that now clearly functions as a bed.

  “Okay, let’s do you first.” Her words dropping like a bomb.

  Yeah, let’s do me. Right here? Shall I unzip my pants while you do the same? Damn, focus Corban, I don’t even know her name.

  “Before we get into you, or me, doing anything, let’s make some formal introductions first.” My hand comes up for her to take. “Corban Winspear.”

  Her delicate fingers wrap around me in a tight grip, she shakes twice and lets go. “Maud Gilford.”

  “As in ‘Gilford’s Fruit & Vegetables’?” The thought slips from my lips.

  She gives a tight nod. “The very one. I’m the owner.”

  “The owner.” I snort, because I always see the older dude here so I’m pretty sure her dad owns the store.

  “Yes. Owner. As in working my ass off from the day I started, get up early, hard work and shit. That such a surprise to you, biker boy?” She bites out her words, clearly annoyed by the snort that snuck out, meaning I wasn’t buying her being the owner.

  And, really…biker boy? Okay…I am a biker, but I’m hardly a boy. I’m thirty-four years old... I’m a big dude at six foot four and my arms and chest are massive. Considering I’m wearing a tank and my leather cut, that obviously displays I belong to Wicked Throttle Motorcycle Club, along with the little patch she can’t miss stating the fact that I’m the VP. As in Vice President of the MC. Clearly, I’m not a fucking boy.

  “Do I look like a fucking biker boy to you?” I growl while I tower over her.

  The pup starts to growl and jump, catching both of our attention.

  She smiles down. “Oh, I’m gonna keep you. Such a good boy, already protecting me, huh?”

  “Pretty sure he was protecting me, babe.” I chuckle.

  She crosses her arms in fro
nt of her chest, making my gaze drop to a perfect pair of pressed up tits. Nice.

  “He’s mine, I’m keeping him.” Her face shows no room for disagreement.

  Obviously, she doesn’t know me. I never back down. Inching forward, invading her space some more, I lean down until our noses almost touch. “Then we’ll divide ownership because the pup is mine too.”

  She rolls her eyes. “You make it sound like you’re the Daddy and I’m the Mommy. Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “That’s right, we’re doggie parents now. You’re stuck with us guys. Ain’t that right, Elmo?” Turning my head, I direct that last part to the pup.

  He jumps up and barks. “See, he likes his name.”

  “Elmo? As in that red Muppet character?” She closes her eyes and shakes her head.

  Spinning back, my lips almost touch hers. “Don’t diss Elmo. He was all I got growing up.”

  “Fine.” She seethes. “You picked the name so I get Elmo the first few days. I’ll take him to the vet and you can come by here on Friday to have him for the weekend. Bring him back on Monday. There, parenting divorced-style.”

  Fuck that. “We will take him to the vet and I’ll come over later to your house so he can settle in and get used to the both of us.” I. Am. Brilliant. Thank you Elmo.

  Her mouth drops open and she takes a step back. Elmo starts to whine, startling her out of her shocked state. We both squat down. The pup starts to lick her hand and switches to mine.

  Maud looks up at me. “Fine.” She grumbles.

  I’m pretty sure my heart and dick twitched in sync by the sound of that single word.

  “Are you gonna do me?” I can barely keep my face straight.

  For a second she looks like she’s gonna hit me before her gaze shifts to my arm.

  “Shit. Yeah. Sorry.” Maud swallows as she turns to grab the First-aid kit.

  Her first reaction was the correct one, because she’s for fucking sure going to do me.

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