Broken Memphis (Little Memphis MC #2)

by Bijou Hunter

  Madden crosses his arms and glances at Ginger, who smiles again.

  "Ricie wasn't the only one with a view of the festivities. I've had eyes on Zombie since my crew arrived in Little Memphis. Everyone knows he's an evil fucker and gets his power from Trigger."

  "Zombie is on the loose now. When do we take him out?" I ask.

  "To keep the death count low," Madden says, pulling off his hat and running a hand through his hair, "we need to take out the main guys all at once. We don't let them know they're fucked until we've got them bent over."

  Joker fiddles with his cigarette, but doesn't light it. "Trigger claims he's coming for me after New Year. We should hit them sooner. If you have people you need out of town, get them gone before December 27. Anything later and we chance Trigger going early."

  "So we hit him. Then what?" Lucky asks.

  Ginger stands up and looks outside. "I figure there's ten solid guys in Trigger's camp. All loyal fuckers. Big Dick and his nephew Wino gotta go too. Oh, and his bitch wife too."

  "Are we killing old ladies?" Lucky asks.

  "No," Ginger says, looking back at us. "Just Big Dick's wife. She's a cunt, and I want her dead. The rest can keep breathing."

  "What about your stepmom?" Ford asks Madden. "And your brother?"

  "Ryder can't stay in Little Memphis. He won't be loyal, and he'll start trouble. He needs time to accept shit. His mom raised me, and I'm not killing her. If she pulls a gun on someone, shit happens, but I don't want her dead. I'd like to give her and Ryder a chance to get the hell out of town once Dad is dead. If they don't take that chance, I have no problem pulling the trigger myself."

  "Why Big Dick's wife?" I ask, suspicious.

  Ginger grins. "You're a curious little fella, aren't you?"

  Suspecting she heard the other guys messing with me earlier, I roll my eyes and say nothing.

  "Linda brings young women into the house as live-in maids. Soon, they're indentured servants, and she won't pay them. She beats them and pimps them out occasionally too. When they try to escape, they end up in the quarry. If they start trouble, quarry. If she thinks they're getting too close to Big Dick, quarry. Time for the bitch to end up there herself."

  "As good a reason as I've ever heard."

  Ginger shoves the gun into her jacket. "You boys are always fun, but get your shit in place, because I'm done killing lowlife nobodies. I'm ready to take out the big guys and change club management. All this waiting around is giving me hives."

  Walking out of the room, Ginger disappears down the hall. We all focus on Madden, who waits for us to get to the point.

  "Are you really going to kill your dad?" Ford asks when no one else does.

  "When I was a kid, my mom took off for Mexico to see family. She never came back. As I got older, Dad told me she ditched me and started a new family. I believed him until I was fifteen and heard what happens to people the club doesn't want around. I knew then my mom wasn't in Mexico, but in the quarry. I've been waiting for years to put him there too."

  "Why not just kill him when you found out?"

  "I kill him. Then one of his guys kill me. I'm not a suicidal guy. When he had his heart attack, I figured he'd be dead soon. Instead, he makes his plans to kill Joker, and I see a chance to kill him and take what he worked for all these years. I also get to live and hand the club over to someone Dad resents for being a better manager. Dad is great at killing people, but he's got no eye for talent or brain for planning. Joker was good enough to use, but not to move up. Well, we're going to change that shit in a few weeks."

  Madden's reason for wanting Trigger dead works for me. If someone killed Ford, I'd want revenge too. Spilling blood over a loved one makes me respect the pretty boy. Trust him, maybe not so much, but I no longer want to punch him in the face.

  35

  Bebe

  Tit for Tat

  Pax arrives home from his work errand in a weird mood. He forces me into a hug then kisses me hard. I shove him away before I lose the will to punish him for a bit longer. Pax is sorry, but he isn't sorry enough.

  Leaving Tallulah to watch cartoons, Pax pulls me into the kitchen and explains his plans for us to leave town. I don't argue or ask questions. Darby once told me that she never had a problem with the ugly side of Joker's life because she never looked at it. Ignorance is bliss, she said, giving me a wink.

  Now I embrace how Pax can't tell me what's happening in the club. He isn't in the position to explain why everything needs to remain a secret. Or why I can't even tell Darby. Just keep it between Ford, Shay, and us.

  "We're family," he whispers. "Joker, Darby, and the rest are club family. It's different. You need to think about keeping Tallulah safe."

  "I'll pack our things and hide the bags."

  "Good."

  "Will we come back, or will you come to be with us?" I ask, unable to help myself.

  Pax cups my cheek with his rough hand. "There are only two things that'll keep me from you and Tallulah. Jail and that ain't an issue in Little Memphis most days. You know the other thing, but I won't say it and upset you."

  Caressing my lips with his thumb, Pax studies my face. "Lucky and Joker have plans. They know how to keep their people safe. Taco and the others too. I can't get into more, and I can't have you telling anyone. Like I said before, trust is a tricky thing these days."

  "I understand."

  "Yeah, you do," he says, leaning over and kissing me again.

  Like a dope, I let him press his lips against mine. Heat rushes over me, and I wish we could make up tonight. Just roll around in his bed for a few hours then cuddle up in mine until Tallulah wakes up. Forgiving him would be so easy.

  "Stop," I say, standing up and forcing space between us.

  "Why?"

  "Because you F U C K E D up, and I'm not over that yet."

  Giving me a grumpy frown, he whines, "It feels like you've been mad a long time."

  "That's because you have the attention span of a toddler," I say, tugging at his blond hair. "It's only been a few days, and I need more time to rebuild trust. I gave into you too fast last time. This time around, I'm playing it smarter."

  When Pax moves towards me too quickly, I grab a frying pan from the clean side of the sink.

  "Are you going to hit me?" he asks, grinning.

  "Yeah," I say, struggling not to laugh. "I'm going to go A P E S H I T crazy on you. Prepare for the beat down."

  Pax steps closer. "Go ahead and hit me. All I want is one more kiss before bed."

  "I'll kiss you, but only because I'm trying to forgive you. A kiss might help."

  "Then kiss me now."

  "No," I mumble, setting down the frying pan.

  "Why?"

  "You messed with my heart. Now I'm messing with yours. Soon we'll be even. You're welcome."

  I hurry past him before he forces a kiss on me. If he keeps trying, eventually I won't deny my hunger any longer.

  Tallulah and Pax goof around in the backyard while I pack up our clothes. We'll live out of a suitcase until it's time to leave.

  By the time I join them outside, they've decided we need to eat out at Burger King. Since this means I don't have to cook, I happily grab my coat. We spend the evening out like a family. The urge to give into Pax gets harder with every smile we share.

  At dinner, we wear Burger King crowns. Pax looks silliest in his, but Tallulah thinks he's perfection. Seeing him with that crown on his head, I get the urge to climb over the table and into his lap. I imagine how his arms will wrap around me and I'll be free. The fantasy lies, but I don't give in. Not yet.

  "Problem?" Pax growls at a guy checking me out. "Do you want to talk outside?"

  Grin disappearing, the guy stares at his food while praying Pax won't push the topic.

  A frowning Tallulah doesn't understand what is happening.

  Noticing the expression on her little face, Pax fixes her crown. "I don't like men looking at your pretty mommy. If someone tries, I want to
smack them around."

  Smiling, Tallulah shakes her head. "Hitting people is wrong."

  "What if they hit you first?"

  "Then it's okay."

  "I'll let that guy hit me first. Then I'll shove him into the trashcan."

  Tallulah laughs at him. "He's too big for the trashcan."

  "Oh, I bet I could get him to fit."

  The topic then turns to meeting Santa. Tallulah is immediately terrified, and Pax says she's smart to be scared of sitting on a stranger's lap. By the time we arrive home, Tallulah is talking about drawing a picture for everyone for Christmas. She is especially excited about the one for Folgers.

  Once Tallulah is in bed by eight, I know the kiss is coming. Shocked by how flustered I am, I clean the kitchen. Pax appears from downstairs and walks to Tallulah's bedroom to check on her.

  When he returns, I casually glance at him and put on a fake smile. He doesn't return it. Taking the sponge from my hand, he tosses it in the sink. Pax wraps me in his arms, and his lips glue to mine.

  Not in the mood for a peck before bed, Pax kisses me like this is only the first step before we head downstairs.

  My mind swims from the intensity of the kiss. Gripping his shirt, I relish the heat of his embrace. Everything is so damn perfect.

  Suddenly, he pulls his lips away and licks them. Stepping back, Pax sighs.

  "Night, baby."

  Pax leaves the room as quickly as he entered. Suddenly, I'm standing in the kitchen with a bad case of horny, and no one to help me alleviate the need.

  Cleaning no longer soothes me. I consider calling Shay for help, but know she's probably getting her brothers in bed for the night. Darby is likely in the same position with the kids in her house.

  I finally take a shower in the desperate hope that enough cold water will take away my hunger for Pax.

  When this plan doesn't work, I turn to warm water and decide to pleasure myself. My body doesn't need much help to find an orgasm. Leaning against the wall, I caress my clit with one hand and my nipples with the other.

  I close my eyes and see Pax. The way his muscles flex when he's propped over me. I imagine his hair swaying against his face when he thrusts into my body. Rough fingers. Hard stomach. Tattooed chest. Thick cock. I picture every detail in my head while working myself past one orgasm and searching for a second.

  "Pax," I moan again and again.

  Finally relaxed, I turn off the water and leave the shower. The chick in the mirror looks unhappy, but my body is at least satisfied. For now anyway.

  After dressing in my pajama top and bottom, I open the bathroom door.

  "Hey, baby," Pax says, covering my mouth before I can scream. "Missing me, huh?"

  Narrowing my eyes, I try to bite his hand until he removes it.

  "What do you want?"

  "I came up here to check on you and Tallulah again. Figured I might get a little visual help for my dick problem by looking at your feet sticking out of the covers. Imagine my surprise when I heard you moaning my name."

  Hating the smirk on his face, I try to push past him. "Go away."

  "Or," he says, blocking my way with his long arms, "you could help a guy out."

  "Eww."

  "Why is it gross when I want a little relief?"

  "Because you think I'll give it to you. I'm not your whore."

  Pax frowns for a minute, and I figure he'll storm away. Then a smile slides across his sexy face.

  "Cute trick you pulled trying to piss me off like that. No, I'm too hard to walk away."

  I glance down at where his hand strokes his cock inside his sweats. Fuck me, but I shiver at the thought of him inside me.

  "No," I mutter.

  "Let's make a trade," he says still stroking himself. "A kiss and maybe a handful of tit to help me get over the edge. Without you in my bed, I jack off so much lately that my dick is holding on by a thread."

  "What do I get if I allow you to use me like a blowup doll?"

  Pax narrows his eyes again before realizing I'm trying to piss him off. He catches on and gives me a smile.

  "Well I heard Shay is getting her nails done with the girls tomorrow. I figure you won't go since you're saving up for Christmas and birthday presents. What if I paid for you and Tallulah to get your nails done?"

  "She's too little to need her nails done."

  Leaning down until his lips are against my throat, Pax inhales my scent. "Don't tell me she wouldn't like pink nails with sparkles. Or maybe red with black dots like the ladybugs she thinks are so cute. Oh, something Christmas could be pretty too. Tell me she wouldn't like that."

  Pax knowing my baby well enough to play this game makes me fucking crazy. I need him inside me. I feel like the damn shower never happened.

  "Deal, but make it quick," I say, selling an indifference I'm not feeling.

  My gaze locks on Pax licking his lips. Waiting and wanting what I should avoid. This time when he kisses me, Pax is soft, testing, and patient. My tongue licks at his and the kiss deepens. His free hand slides up my shirt, finding my hard nipple waiting for him. He squeezes the rigid flesh, making me moan in his mouth.

  The hand around his cock moves faster, and I imagine cum leaking from the slit. Even craving to taste him, I won't. Once I welcome him back in my arms for real, I'm fully open to any wounds he inflicts. I can't handle that yet. Tonight, we'll just tease. I scratch at his chest with my nails, making Pax moan into my mouth.

  I don't stop teasing his nipples until his breathing relaxes and our kisses soften again.

  "I want the cash in the morning," I say, trying to keep up my cold exterior.

  Pax wraps me in his arms and returns to the kissing. I hate him for doing whatever he wants. He wanted me. He got me. He got overwhelmed then hurt me. Now he wants me back, and I should spread my legs for him. I imagine hurting him. Maybe just a twist of his balls to give him a little wakeup call that I'm not his property. Before I can reach for his crotch, Pax ruins my plans.

  "I love you," he whispers, kissing my face then neck. "I thought Ford was a fucking fool to give himself over so quick to Shay, but you feel right like no other chick can."

  Sighing, I hate him even more for sounding so vulnerable. He loves me, and the words aren't hard for him to say. Even now with me angry, he trusts me with his feelings.

  "I love you too, but get off me," I whisper with no power behind my words.

  Pax doesn't react immediately. He kisses me on the forehead and cheeks then the lips. Even kissing him back, I think of anything besides his hot body wrapped around mine.

  "I'm getting you back," he says, stepping away from me.

  "I know."

  "I won't give up."

  "I know that too."

  "I'm very patient."

  "No, you're really not."

  Pax glances around the hallway. "If you're still unsatisfied after your bathroom fingerbang, I can help you out."

  I flip him off. "Good night, A S S H O L E."

  "There's the cussing hottie I love."

  Laughing against my better judgment, I push past him. "See you in the morning."

  Watching me go, Pax never stops smiling. I don't need to look back to know this fact. Pax always smiles when he's winning.

  36

  Bebe

  Don't Open Her Gifts

  As Christmas approaches, the college girls remain at the hotel. I've considered asking the specifics of their plans, except I noticed how quiet they got when a guest was too chatty. Maybe they didn't want to share with a strange guy, or they're private with everyone. Either way, I don't plan to push the subject even if I'm curious.

  I find them at the indoor pool like most days. Most of them are in the water, talking quietly. Virginia sits at a table alone. We share a smile when I enter the pool area. I keep my mouth shut while collecting wet towels from other guests.

  "Tallulah is a unique name," Virginia says, painting her nails on a deck chair. "How did you choose it?"

  Wipin
g down the tables, I shrug. "A girl at my school growing up had a cousin named Tallulah. She visited her every weekend since they were best friends. I always liked the sound of it."

  "It's a great name. I just wondered why you didn't follow with the French name tradition."

  So focused on remembering Lula as a baby, I nearly miss her words. When they register, I stop my cleaning and look at her. She's waiting for me to acknowledge what she said.

  "How did you know about my family's French thing?"

  "Sabine told me," she says, pulling her blonde hair loose as if the ponytail was driving her crazy. "We were friends."

  "Were?"

  Virginia studies me, and I understand what she means. Rather than a grief-stricken punch to the gut, a slow sense of dread infects me.

  "Do I want to know how she died?" I whisper, moving closer.

  Her expression grows dark, and I have my answer.

  "I will say the people who took her life will be dead soon. I'll get revenge for you and Sabine. Your man Pax is helping too."

  "Pax?"

  "He's quite a character," she says, grinning slightly. "Not what I'd imagine for you, but Sabine would approve. The way he got you away from Taz was impressive."

  "How do you know all this?"

  Virginia pats the seat next to her. "I left town after Sabine disappeared. The trouble that took her was looking for me next, so I bailed. I never forgot her or what they did."

  Her friends are quiet now. They share a look with her then leave the pool area. Once we're alone, Virginia continues, "I'm back to get what's mine and make people pay for what they did. Not just to Sabine but to others. I've been in town for months, hanging around the edges of Little Memphis. I kept an eye on you back when you lived with Flora and Perri. I wanted to contact you, but it was too early. Besides, what could I really say? You didn't know me, but I knew you. The whole thing felt too stalker-ish."

  "I don't understand how you could know about me, but I never heard about you."

  "She probably called me Ginger. Everyone did. The Virginia thing isn't even much of a fake name. Sage says I want to get caught. Maybe she's right."

  I knew Ginger Snaps was once a prostitute before becoming a pimp when hers died. Sabine said Ginger was crazy, but my sister always acted like she meant it as a compliment. Years ago, Howie bitched about Ginger Snaps moving into his territory and stealing his girls. He and his brother tried to take her out, but she kept killing everyone they sent. Sabine said Ginger sent chunks of the people in the mail. Yeah, Ginger Snaps was certifiably nuts.