Cowboy shakes his head and scoffs, "You're good. At this point, I feel like popping these fuckers like they're fucking zombies on the Walking Dead." He lost his parents to a crackhead with a gun a long time ago. His sympathy for these people is zero and none of us can blame the guy.
"Okay, Daryl,” Cyber says.
"I do have a nice crossbow," Cowboy teases. "Seriously, I feel like these geeked out fools are going to fuck with my cattle."
"Fuck, it's like some Dawn of the Dead type shit."
"You're not going to hoist them up in your barn and skin them, are you?"
"Fuck no. Who knows what diseases they’ve got. I don't want anyone, including my animals, infected."
"No joke. We don't want our residents hooked. All it takes is one hit to turn some of the best people into addicts."
"I need a beer," Cowboy grumbles, standing up out of his chair.
"Bring a round of beers in. We're not done," Boomer adds. Cowboy goes out to grab a bucket. It's nice to have a well-stocked bar in this place. He comes back a minute later and passes the bottles out. After tapping bottles, we toss them back before getting back down to business.
"I want their organization down on its knees. I want everyone to know we aren't to be messed with either."
"Of course we all want them dead, and at this point, I'm not above putting a bullet in each one of their heads," I add. Pulling that trigger had been as easy as breathing. I'd destroy anything or anyone who came after my woman. War was a part of my past and now is back in my present. This time, I have rules to play by, but then again, Steeleville's laws are a little lax when it comes to retribution. We went back and dug up some laws from the days of the Wild West and activated them. Stand your ground is the modern version of the rules, but we could push it if charged as long as we dropped the bodies in our town.
"What's the game plan? Are we going to sit back and wait, or lure those bastards into our backyards?"
"It's too dangerous to lure them here. We have our women and babies to consider. My wife isn't going to be getting shot because we brought the fuckers here, but if they show up, I will bury all those I can."
"Beast, I want you to start watching those around you at work. There's always someone in the pocket in law enforcement."
"Not that we would know anything about that," Law jokes.
"Understood. You've got me wondering if my office is bugged. Cyber, can you come in tomorrow and sweep it?"
"Absolutely."
Someone may have been listening and that's not cool for a multitude of reasons, but as an attorney, secrecy is a must. We continue to talk for another half an hour when Boomer's phone blows up.
"Uh, oh. We've left the girls too long,” Jackson says.
"Yeah, Morgan says Crystal's fallen asleep. It's time to call it a night, brothers." We all shake up and walk out.
My eyes scan the room for my woman. She stands up with a wide grin that makes my heart fucking jump. Wagging my finger at her, she comes to me, causing my cock to harden instantly. "I missed you, baby." I drop my head and steal a brief kiss on her soft lips.
"I did too," she sighs, hugging me.
"Did you have fun?" I ask, walking toward the door.
"Yes. The girls are hilariously entertaining," she says, smiling up as we walk to my truck. I help her inside and put on her seatbelt.
Leaning in, I kiss her cheek and add, "Crazy is more like it, but you didn't hear that from me."
She parts her lips and gasps, "I'm telling."
"I'm going to spank you," I growl, sliding my hand over her thigh and between her legs.
"Ooh, then I'm definitely telling," she stammers.
My thumb massages her slit as my mouth hovers over her neck, skimming my lips on her heated flesh. "You love being my bad girl, don't you?”
"Yes, William."
"Damn it, woman. I don't know how I'm supposed to drive with my dick so hard." I step back and close the door, walking around the front end to my side. Once inside, I open my pants to let my cock breathe. Her eyes widen and her lips part. Immediately, all I can picture is pushing her head down and let her slobber on my shaft until we get home. I'm about to whip out my cock when I hear the gravel move around us and see a pair of headlights. Shit. I forgot we were still in the clubhouse parking lot. Shifting it into drive, I pull out of the lot.
Chapter 16
Mary
I can’t believe that I’m getting married today. It’s too wild. I’ve never been this happy before. It’s been over two months since we got together and almost two days before Christmas. We were going to marry weeks ago, but his trial schedule kicked in and one lasted longer than expected. Finally, he’s on vacation for the winter holidays, so we’re standing in the middle of the Vegas strip, getting ready to say I do.
Roxie smiles at me and asks, “Are you ready?”
“Of course. How do I look?” I do a quick spin around in my below-knee white dress.
“Freaking fabulous, and I’m so jealous. Beast is going to lose his mind.”
“Oh please. I’m sure you’re going to find someone amazing one day. I really hope William finds me pretty today.”
“The man drools over you in a pair of sweats. He’s going to have a hard time making it through the ceremony. So let’s do this.”
“Hold on. I want to make sure my hair’s perfect.” My long black hair is pinned up in curls that I had done an hour ago, so I’m certain they are going to fall soon. “You know Beast is waiting for you. The man is usually quiet and patient, but he’s not today, so let’s get a move on.”
We exit my personal suite after one more evaluation of my appearance. The room is full of guests with about half the Riders and their friends. Boomer and Crystal manage to make it, although they will be heading home after the ceremony because her family is coming for Christmas. “You are a vision. Are you ready to get hitched?” Boss says as he sticks out his arm to lead me to William.
“Only to William.”
“Shit. I done forgot that was his name.” I roll my eyes and giggle. The hall doors open into the wedding chapel, and there he is. I’m at a loss for words on how handsome he looks in his black tux. The man wears a suit every day.
The second my eyes land on his, I see how I look to him. William forgets that Boss is supposed to walk me down to him. Instead, he jolts from his spot, eating away the distance between us.
“Hey, this is my part.” Boss claps his hands to his waist, giving Beast the space to move between us.
“Sorry, old man. I can’t wait anymore.” He scoops me in his arms and carries me to the altar. Everyone around us erupts in laughter, but my heart isn’t laughing. It’s pounding out of control. I love this man. My brow arches and I whisper, “You can put me down.”
“Oh yeah.” He sets me on my feet and smooths down my dress. “God, you look so damn beautiful.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek and then turns to the officiant who is just staring at us. “Okay, we’re good to go,” he tells the officiant, twirling his wrist in a hurry-up manner. The ceremony is over in a flash and I find myself bent over in an amazing kiss to rival anyone’s wedding.
“I love you, Mrs. Brandon.”
“I love you too, my husband.” He growls and scoops me up, cradling me all the way down the aisle. The man is insane, but no one else seems to care as they clap and cheer.
We all head into the Granite hotel restaurant for our scheduled wedding lunch and are directed to our tables. We’re twenty minutes into our meal when a well-dressed man with two men following closely behind approaches our table. “Hello, I am Emiliano Martín. I’m the owner of this hotel, and I’d like to congratulate the happy couple.” William shakes the man’s hand and says, “Thank you, Mr. Martín.” He pulls me closer as if the owner has any interest in me. In fact, I don’t think he’s interested in me at all. His eyes land on Roxie, but she refuses to look up from her plate. Strange. Was she attracted to him? He’s handsome. “I’ll let you continue yo
ur meal. Again, congratulations.”
Another hour passes, and as William requests the bill, he learns that it’s been comped by the owner and to consider it a wedding gift. “Wow. That’s fucking amazingly cool,” Cyber says.
“I want to know who he knows,” William says. “I don’t like free stuff as a DA.”
“We aren’t even in Texas, so it’s okay, but I’ll still check him out.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.”
“I just don’t like good looking rich bastards anywhere near my gorgeous wife.”
“Are you serious?”
“I think anyone else would consider the hotel owner wiping our tab as a pleasant surprise.”
“Well, maybe…just maybe I’m too hard up to care at the moment. It’s been a whole twenty-four hours since I’ve been deep inside of you, and most importantly, I haven’t consummated our marriage yet.” The elevator doors open and it’s empty, so we enter and as soon as the door closes, Beast earns his name. Growling, he lifts me up and pins me to the wall of the elevator with his stiff cock digging into my stomach. Shit, is it possible to come during a short elevator ride? He grabs my ass, gripping it firmly as he rolls his hips. The door pings and we practically stumble out as he carries me to our room. My hands run over his shoulders. His cock nestles between our bodies, grinding on my core with every step he takes, causing me to shimmy against him. "Relax. Is your pretty pussy aching?"
"Yes, William. I need you inside of me."
I hear the door lock beep, and then he uses his elbow to push down the handle, opening it for us. As soon as the door closes behind us, he wastes no time in getting us to our California King bed. He stands up and slides off his suit jacket.
Chapter 17
Beast
It’s been a month since we married, and the weather has been total shit for the past week. We had snow, rain, and slush. So it’s nothing new, but for some reason, the sound of rain takes me by surprise. I'm immediately worried about my wife. She's working at the bar because Roxie caught a cold and they need her. She got a ride from Wrench and one prospect is there as well, but maybe it's the weather, but I have a bad feeling. I call her cell and she doesn't answer.
"Sir, you're going to be late if you don't leave now."
"Shit. Okay. I'm coming." I'm due to meet with Detective Spencer and an informant of his to get down to Serrano learning my address and when Mary would be leaving the house.
I get down to my truck and onto the road within a few minutes. My phone goes off just as I turn onto the ramp for Dallas. I see my girl come up on my screen. Clicking the display on the dash, I greet my future wife. "Hello sweet felony."
"Beast, I came to your office. They said you just left and to check the lot and maybe you'd be there."
"What? Baby, why are you there?"
"I got a message saying you wanted me to come here." Her voice becomes a hushed whisper. "Oh shit. Someone is staring at me. I'm scared."
"I'm on my way. Please go hide somewhere." The call ends. What the fucking hell? At least one of the prospects should have been with her.
Seconds later, my phone goes off, and it's Cyber. "Blade and I have her. She's safe. I intercepted the call. We followed her and waited for the person to make a move. It's a scrawny man that Boomer's got pinned down. The pic coming to your phone now."
Fuck. "It's my assistant. The little rat bastard."
"We got him."
He rushed me out for a meeting, and now I know why. "I'm on my way back."
"She's scared, but she's not hurt."
"Why isn't she on the phone?"
"Because we want to know what you want to do with him."
"The Clubhouse."
"Understood. Here's Mary."
"William, I'm okay. Sorry." She's out of breath. I'm going to fucking kick their asses for not telling me what was going on.
"Babe, are you really?"
"I don't know what's going on. The guys came out of nowhere, and I felt like I could breathe again."
The second we're at the clubhouse, I jump out of my truck and to Mary. I scoop her up and spin in a circle as she wraps her legs around me. I don't give two fucks that it's pouring down on us as I crush my mouth onto hers. Mary’s fingers fork into my hair, kissing me like it's the last time. Fuck it could have been.
"I need to get you out of the rain."
"I don't care. I'm always wet for you." I crack up laughing and set her on her feet. That's just what I needed. That's the woman I'm madly in love with.
"I love you, too." I have too many questions that can't wait, and I have a special guest to welcome to the club or maybe to one of Blade's quality knives.
When I enter the clubhouse, Boomer's there with a pair of plyers in his hands.
"What the fuck, Boomer? Why didn't anyone call me?" I roar, losing my temper.
"Chill the fuck out. We tried. Your phone was receiving some sort of interference."
"Are you serious?" It could explain why I couldn’t get through to Mary.
“We’re completely serious. As soon as she arrived, your signal was free again.”
“Shit. Check my briefcase. I bet there’s something in there. He handed it to me before I left.”
We were about to walk back to my truck when a loud blast sends us backward. My arms are tightly wrapped around Mary as we hit the ground. I can feel footsteps around us. I hear something, but my ears are ringing.
My head's spinning as I try to move. Mary’s not in my arms anymore, and I’m starting to freak out. I can hear Mary moan, sobbing my name. "Baby, I'm here."
"Let's get you both inside,” Blade says.
"Where's Mary?"
"I'm here." I turn my head that's pounding like hell to see my wife in Boomer's arms. We're in the clubhouse, and I reach out to my wife. I'm going to kill Francisco.
"I'm bleeding," Mary sobs.
"You're going to be okay."
"No, the baby." Shit. The baby? Tears well up in my eyes, and my heart starts to crack.
"Baby?"
"I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you today." She cries, and I reach out, forgetting all about my pain and pull her to me.
"It's going to be okay, my love. I'm sorry about our little one." I kiss her temple, attempting to be brave for her.
The love of my life's carrying my baby, and we may have lost it. There's no way in hell is this going to happen legally. Thinking about what he had planned infuriates me to the core. I would be dead and unable to protect Mary for whatever they had in store. My guys foiled Francisco's plans and saved our lives.
"I'm sorry, brothers." If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be here.
"No need to be sorry. You know we'd be the same way."
"Doc, they're over here."
He comes to us, but I wave him off. My wife needs to be the priority. "Take care of Mary first, please."
"I think both of you need to go to the hospital. The ambulance is already on the way. Don't argue with me. It's a must."
"Don't worry about the other issue. We'll keep him waiting for you."
"Thanks." The sound of sirens can be heard even inside the clubhouse.
"Let me get them in here with the stretcher for Mary."
"It's already too late. I've lost the baby."
"We don't know that. It's possible to bleed and not lose the baby. Just do us all a favor and give Beast some relief and get treated properly."
"Thanks, Doc. Please, sweetheart."
"I will for you."
The ride to the hospital seems to take forever. Mary's lying on the stretcher with me and the medic on one side while Doc is on the other. "Ma'am," I'm going to put an IV in, okay?"
She nods, turning her head towards me.
"William needs to be treated as well."
"We will take care of him as soon as we arrive. Unfortunately, getting another ambulance out over here is hard. There are accidents all over the city." Suddenly, I feel lousy
and drained, and things go black.
* * *
I wake up a few hours later, and Mary is lying in bed next to me asleep. “Ah, you’re awake,” Boss says.
“Hey, yeah. What’s going on?” I choke out, feeling like I’m in the damn desert.
Boss grabs a cup of water with a straw and brings it to my lips. “Well, you almost died, and your pretty wife freaked out.”
"What?" I spit the straw out.
He sets it down before patting my hand that’s connected to a saline drip. "Yes, the bombing happened yesterday, and you were in surgery for three hours."
"You're kidding with me," I scoff, trying to get up and go to Mary. Immediately my body protests, and I fall back onto the pillow behind my head. There's a pain in my side.
Chapter 18
Mary
It’s been weeks since the attempted murder and kidnapping, and I still have a hard time when William is away from me. I don’t tell him that, though, because he needs to recover and not worry about my feelings. Morgan wraps me up in a hug when I enter the secure room at the clubhouse. Having been through this, she understands the fear I live with. “Thanks for keeping me company while they deal with that bastard that tried to kill us.”
"No problem. We've all had moments like this because of the cartel. We're just glad that you and Beast are on the mend."
"Thanks, Morgan." She’s not the only one here. All the women are gathered while the men talk shop and plan their confrontation with Francisco Soto. "So, what do you think they're going to do?"
Crystal walks up to me, gives me a quick hug, and then answers flatly, "Well, they’ll kill him; that's for sure, but I'm betting they're going to do it slowly. This is weeks in the making. He's been held this entire time."
"Enough of the ghastly talk. How about we talk about our babies coming? I'm so happy that we can all share that." Sammie, who married Crystal's brother, is also pregnant, so we're all commiserating together. Crystal is the farthest along, but all of our babies will be growing up together. It's going to be so sweet.
Beast: A Steele Riders MC Novel Page 9