by Bijou Hunter
“I’m restless,” she said, sighing. “I’m looking for something and can’t find it, so I worry over stupid stuff.”
“Are you sure you want to go paintballing? You could get hurt.”
“I want to kick someone’s ass and this is as close as I can get. Besides, it’ll be fun shooting Dylan.” When I gave her a grumpy frown, Harlow laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll shoot him somewhere that won’t affect your sexy life.”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll understand your badass habits, if you promise to be understanding of my relationships habits.”
“Deal,” Harlow said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as we joined the others.
The sound of chaos alerted everyone to Raven and Bailey’s return. At some point, Raven became the prey with Bailey chasing her with a water pistol. Vaughn and Nick watched their women run out of the house and down the deck stairs before disappearing into the woods with an army of dogs close behind.
“I’m surprised Raven isn’t joining us,” Cooper said.
“We’re in baby making mode, so I don’t want her taking any chances,” Vaughn explained while messing with his paint gun.
Everyone looked into the woods where the girls screamed and dogs barked.
“Yeah, she’s totally taking it easy,” Judd muttered.
Vaughn glanced at his friend. “Shut up, The Ripper.”
As the men laughed, I remembered what Dylan told me about Judd’s threat to Larry. Smiling, I noticed my love breaking away from the crowd and approaching me.
Dylan looked so damn sexy in camouflage pants and a beige shirt. Shivering at the sight of him, I lifted my lips for a kiss. Dylan kissed me softly then wiped off the face paint left behind on my chin.
“This is turning out to be a hell of a weekend,” he said, giving me a wink. “Hanging out with my girl and shooting good friends with paintballs. A dream come true.”
“Watch out for Harlow,” I whispered. “She’s gunning for you.”
Glancing back at my sister, Dylan smiled. “Let her come. I’m feeling like fucking Superman today.”
Laughing, I hugged him and hoped he wasn’t too tired later. Mostly, I hoped no one got seriously hurt especially since I overheard several bets floating around to shoot other people in the ass. Judd apparently planned to shoot everyone, even those on his team. He intended to be the last man standing and get paid an extra dollar by Tawny.
Chapter Twenty Eight ~ Dylan
Growing up, I’d never been into guns. The kids I lived around were more interested in sports. Playing cops and robbers wasn’t on my radar. I felt like a giddy kid as I followed the club guys and Harlow into the dense woods.
Cooper was all smiles, but I sensed he was thinking long term. The guys from Memphis weren’t coming for fun. They were visiting to test the club. The burden was on Cooper to make himself the man they trusted with the territory Kirk ruled for decades.
Cooper and I were the same age, yet I couldn’t imagine living his life. Married with a kid on the way, living in suburbia, still in school, and running the family business. Now dangerous men wanted him to prove he was badass enough to run in their circles.
My dream was simple. I wanted a business successful enough to support the family I planned to build with Winnie. She was my girl, just like I hoped. Never would I ever feel about another woman the way I felt about Winnie. She made my heart race with simply a look. Her pain was mine. Her joy made me feel like a king. The sex was better than anything I’d ever enjoyed. Winnie was learning to enjoy it too. Every kiss was a promise of forever.
Even with simple dreams, I wanted to belong. Though the guys made bets and were all smiles, I knew they were testing me. I planned to pass too.
I had to focus on working as a team. No more grudges against others or chips on my shoulder about my cold mommy and daddy.
Cooper put me on his team along with Judd and a few guys I didn’t know. Soon, I viewed them as brothers. They had my back and I watched theirs. I’d never felt anything like the camaraderie we shared out on the increasing cold and wet day.
Tucker Johansson was notoriously stupid, but he wasn’t goofing around that day. He and Vaughn were desperate to win, mostly to say they beat Cooper and Judd. The paintball game stopped being fun quickly and became about survival.
I didn’t picture the other team as my friends. I imagined them as outsiders. The men from Memphis coming out in the spring for the sole purpose of showing up Cooper. When I got cold or sore waiting for a shot, I told myself those men felt none of the pains I did. They would be ruthless, so I became ruthless.
The other club guys didn’t last as long as I did, but I had Judd to thank for my survival. The enforcer moved so silently as if floating over the dried leaves and twigs. He remained behind me, out of sight. I only knew he was around when a guy from the other team made a move. Judd always took his shot before the other guy pulled the trigger.
Judd was using me as bait. Rather than be annoyed or offended, I played the role willingly.
Careful not to be too careful, I made just enough noise to draw others to me. Even Tucker fell for the ruse. So focused on me in front of him, he didn’t notice his brother slip up from behind. For big guys, everyone moved quietly through the woods.
As the other guys returned to the house, they radioed their statuses until there were only a few of us left. I knew Judd and Cooper were focused on the same elusive target. Somewhere in the dense woods, Vaughn waited.
For over a half hour, we moved slowly with me as bait for Vaughn. Without warning, a shot from a thick bush took out Cooper. Our leader cussed so loudly I suspected people at the house heard him.
Still hidden, Vaughn laughed in response. I moved closer, hoping he gave away his location, so Judd could find him.
Cooper stomped away, scaring birds into the air and awakening the quiet woods. I sensed movement everywhere. Yet I only noticed Vaughn when the paintball struck me in the gut. Even though the shot hurt like a motherfucker, Vaughn had exposed himself. The ghost-like Judd appeared behind his friend.
“Asshole,” Vaughn said as Judd pulled the trigger.
“Did you really think you’d beat me?”
Vaughn grinned. “Sloppy, drama llama,” he said, pointing behind Judd.
Crouched down in the bushes, Harlow stood and shot Judd in the ass.
“I’ll be damned,” Judd muttered, grimacing from the shot. “I forgot she was out here.”
“Figured as much,” Vaughn said while high-fiving Harlow who grinned at me.
“I guess you didn’t come along as eye candy,” I said and she lost her smile.
“Now someone needs to shoot me, so I know how it feels,” she announced, putting her arms up. “A gut shot should work.”
Vaughn shook his head and started walking. “Nope.”
“I don’t shoot women,” Judd said.
“Liar,” she hissed and Judd shrugged.
As the two guys walked away, I focused on Harlow who lifted her eyebrow.
“I did slug you that day.”
“Yes, you did,” I said, lifting my gun and shooting her in the leg.
“I said the gut,” she grunted, limping after me.
“Gut shots hurt.”
“Don’t protect me.”
“I’m not, whiner. My concern is your sister. I don’t want you telling Winnie I shot you in the stomach. The leg doesn’t sound as bad.”
“Oh,” she muttered catching up with me as we followed Vaughn and Judd through the woods.
“You kicked ass,” I said, rubbing my tender stomach. “Maybe you should join the club.”
“They don’t have chick members. Even if they did, would I really want to be surrounded by guys thinking I was less than them?”
“No, I guess not.”
“Are you going to join?”
“Not up to me.”
“If it was, would you?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know why the club would want me.”
“You’re tough and loyal. Not every guy in the club does work like those two dumbasses.”
Focusing on the men in front of me, I saw them shoving each other while walking steadily through an open patch of woods. I was ready to turn to Harlow when Vaughn and Judd started shooting each other. After cussing a little, they returned to walking.
“Enforcers are stupid,” she whispered. “Being idiots is part of the job.
“I think it’s just them together. When I see one without the other, the IQ level is much higher.”
Harlow smiled, but I caught her rubbing her leg.
“The gut shot really hurt,” I whined to make her feel better. “I nearly puked.”
“Wuss,” she laughed. “Does Winnie know you’re a crybaby bitch?”
I laughed. “She loves me the way I am. Crybaby bitch and all.”
Harlow nodded. “She’ll probably be happy you didn’t get shot in the crotch. You’ve turned her into a sex-crazed slutbag.”
“You sound jealous,” I said, bumping her. “Ahh, don’t worry. One day, a guy will fuck you slutty too.”
“Nope.”
“Into girls?”
“Nope. I’m staying solo.”
“Good. That way you’ll be available to babysit for me and Winnie.”
Rolling her eyes, Harlow smiled. “You really think you and Winnie are leading to a baby carriage?”
“If Winnie wants free of me, she’ll have to pry me off her,” I said then added, “A restraining order might be necessary too.”
“Might? Wuss. A real man knows he’ll stalk his woman if she runs for freedom.”
“How would you know?”
“I’m very knowledgeable from watching a lot of Friends reruns.”
“I don’t remember a lot of stalking on Friends.”
“You must have missed that episode,” she said, nudging me with the gun. “Don’t make me shoot you to distract from this awkward conversation.”
“What awkward conversation?” I teased as we reached the opening to the field behind the Johanssons’ house.
“Sorry I punched you that day.”
“It’s okay. Winnie deserves to have people who’ll kick ass for her.”
Harlow smiled and I saw the sweet kid underneath her grumpy exterior. Her smile grew when she noticed Winnie up on the deck with her parents and brother.
“We’re a good family, Dylan. I hear you need one. I mean, Lark’s great, but Raven is a pain in the ass.”
“I’m right here!” Raven yelled.
“I know, but I’m packing paint heat.”
Raven rolled her eyes while climbing Vaughn. “Did you win, baby?” she asked him. “Is that why you’re covered in paint?”
“Yeah, I won. No one beats, Big V.”
Vaughn and Raven looked ready to make a baby in front of everyone. Harlow shook her head and walked faster. I watched her disappear into a group of people as she headed towards her family.
“Wait up,” Cooper said before I could follow Harlow.
“Sorry you got shot in the ass,” I said and Cooper glared at Vaughn.
“I hope he’s that clever in the spring.”
Up on the deck, Winnie waited for me. As much as I wanted to join her, I knew Cooper wasn’t done chatting yet.
“Last year, we had a mole in our club. Selling us out to our enemies. He was a tough guy. He worked with my pop for years and had the balls to stand up for people. He had no loyalty and that’s what did him in.”
I said nothing because Cooper wasn’t having a conversation. He was telling me what was what.
“You have balls, Dylan. You watch out for those people that matter to you. Balls are great, but your loyalty means more. You don’t talk shit about the crew. You don’t share secrets. I asked around. Your guys on the worksite. Your neighbors. People you might blab to, but you haven’t said shit. You keep your mouth shut because you understand loyalty isn’t only about throwing or taking a punch.”
Sensing he was getting to his point, I just nodded.
“You think about if you want to be more than part of the crew. I have a circle of people I trust. Not my pop’s guys, but my guys. I want you to be part of that circle. You think about if that interests you.”
Cooper walked away and didn’t look back. He joined Farah and Jodi then headed up to the deck where Kirk and Nick grilled steaks and burgers.
Around me, the club and their families enjoyed the rainy day. I walked slowly up to where my family waited. Winnie hugged me then made a big deal out of my stomach injury as an excuse to pull up my shirt. Harlow rolled her eyes while Jace looked like he wanted to puke at the affection. Toni laughed at her kids’ behavior. Tad kept an eye on me and I sensed he knew what Cooper wanted with me. I also got the impression he approved.
Chapter Twenty Nine ~ Winnie
The pain from my past hid away for weeks at a time. I wouldn’t think about the Vandals or my old family. I’d forget I ever lived a life any different than the happy one I now enjoyed.
Out of nowhere, the pain rose up inside me. A sense of dread hung over my every thought even if I was having a good day.
I was thrilled Dylan lasted so long in the game. He also worked so well with Judd and Cooper. The club needed loyal guys and I wanted Dylan to find a place where he belonged.
After the game, the club and their families enjoyed a barbecue even in the wet weather. I stood with my parents and a smiling Harlow on one side, my brother and Dylan on the other. I felt happy until suddenly I just didn’t anymore.
The deck was full of people, mostly large men. Everywhere I turned, I faced hard, rough men like those in the Vandals. I knew these guys weren’t the enemy, but logic couldn’t control the tension I felt.
By the time Dylan brought me to his place, I wanted a shower and to be left alone. First, I washed away the cold wet weather from my skin. Finally, I scrubbed away the feeling of being used.
After I was done, Dylan jumped in the shower. I sat on the couch in a robe. Despite hating being naked underneath, I also knew clothes irritated my tender skin.
“Want a drink?” Dylan asked, appearing in boxers and a tee.
I shook my head, so he only brought himself a soda to the couch. Staring at the TV, I didn’t care what was on. I wanted to go home and hide in my room. Except I also wanted to stay with Dylan who leaned over and kissed my neck.
“I’m not in the mood,” I mumbled.
“Are you sure?” he asked, grazing my nipple with his thumb.
“Yes.”
Dylan leaned over and slid his hand into my robe. “I don’t believe you.”
Resting my head against the back of the couch, I struggled between depression and desire.
“All those guys today reminded me of something bad,” I confessed. “I know the Reapers are the ones who saved me and gave me a second chance. I still can’t shake the feeling that I’m in danger.”
Dylan sighed, his hot breath against the bare skin on my chest.
“They’re not here. It’s just you and me,” he whispered, opening my robe. “No one is going to hurt you. I won’t let them.”
Studying his face, I wasn’t sure he had the killer instinct necessary to truly hurt someone willing to hurt us. Yet when Dylan met my gaze, I saw in his dark eyes that he could kill to keep what was his.
“You play businessman,” I whispered as he kissed my stomach. “You play the nice guy, but you have a fire inside you.”
Dylan spread my legs and knelt between them. “I’ve always been pissed. I never knew what to do with the anger. I still don’t, I guess. You quiet it though. You made it sleep even when I was sitting in my car outside your house. Knowing you exist soothes the anger, but it’s never really gone.”
Dylan spread the lips of my pussy and blew softly on the growing heat. Shivering, I whimpered at the feel of his breath.
“Your pussy looks a little swollen. Did I fuck you too hard this morning?” he murmured, sliding his fingers over my tender skin. �
�Should I kiss your pussy and make it better?”
Staring into his eyes, I nodded. “I love you.”
“Let me show you how much I love you.”
Dylan sucked softly at the sensitive flesh followed by a lick. Slowly, again and again, his mouth explored until I was a whimpering mess.
“Does that feel good?” he asked as his finger caressed my clit until I was on the edge of an orgasm.
His lips on my clit pushed me over the edge and I felt lost in a way nearly too powerful to endure. Vulnerable and exposed, I held onto one of Dylan’s hands as the waves of pleasure tore through me.
“You taste so sweet,” he said, kissing me.
“Dylan,” was the only word I knew in that moment.
“Tell me you want me.”
“I want you.”
“Tell me you want me inside you,” Dylan murmured, standing up and kicking off his boxers followed by his tee. “Tell me you need me to fuck you. Can you say that, Winnie?”
Taking in all the flesh before me, I wondered if I was drooling. I’d never felt so relaxed. I watched him remove a condom from the drawer.
“We’re almost out of them,” he said, handing it to me. “I want you to open it. Show me you want me to fuck you. Make me believe.”
Sliding my arms out of the robe, I reached for the condom. “I want you inside me. I need to see only you.”
“Say the words.”
Caressing his rock hard cock, I held his gaze. “Fuck me, Dylan.”
“How do I know you’re not just saying that to make me happy?”
I frowned. “Don’t tease me,” I said, handing him the condom. “I need you inside me.”
Dylan studied me as if waiting for something. I licked my fingers and rubbed them gently against my hard nipples. Closing my eyes, I imagined Dylan was licking them. By the time I felt Dylan kneeling between my legs, I was smiling at the fantasy in my head.
“Okay, now I feel neglected,” he said, stroking me with his cock.
I opened my eyes and grinned. “Hi,” I murmured. “Will you please fuck me now? No more teasing.”