by Davida Lynn
“I chanced it.” Her brother gave her a secret smile.
“What do you mean?”
“I threw Hoser’s name in twice.” Tanner winked and threw back a shot of whiskey.
Raven laughed. Her brother had been there for her in his own way. He was forbidden from explaining anything about the three tests, but he was still there supporting her. He had convinced Bear about her courage, and he had done what he could to keep himself out of the running for the strength test.
She could see the respect in her older brother’s eyes as he spoke. “I mean it, Raven. I never would’ve thought of that trick.”
Tanner had been rooting for her from the very beginning. Raven loved him for that, and she appreciated all his help. She knew he trusted her with life and death when they went to rescue Jenny, and Raven knew he’d ride beside her into anything.
She tilted her beer toward him and smiled. “Thanks, Brother.”
Raven waited near the dance floor while the executive board of the Rising Sons Motorcycle Club discussed the two matters. She realized quickly what the other matter was when Jenny came into the bar that night. Bear’s words came back to her: “She’s gonna owe us big.” Jenny was there to pay for her rescue.
The young black woman looked better after a few days of sleep. The bruise on her cheek had gone down some, and Raven had to laugh, since she had one on her cheek from the same man: that cop. She’d gotten even for the both of them.
Tanner didn’t say anything about Jenny earlier that night, so Raven wasn’t sure what she was discussing with the executive members, but she came out with a smile on her face, so it couldn’t have been bad.
Raven waved to her, and Jenny came over. When she stood up, Jenny almost knocked her back as she threw her arms around the biker. Despite every muscle in her body screaming in protest, Raven laughed and found herself hugging back.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you. You and Zane saved me. I can never repay you.” Raven didn’t think she looked like a stripper at all. She was dressed in tight jeans and a loose sweatshirt. Her makeup was simple. She looked like the black girl-next-door.
Raven smiled. “Just be good to him. He’s a mean son of a bitch, but he’s a good man.”
“Speaking of mean sons-of-bitches, what’s the deal with Gunner? He exploded on me during our meeting. I gave the club an idea on bringing in legitimate income, and he blew up.”
“Oh, he’s had a shitty night. Some girl beat him up about an hour ago.” Raven beamed with pride. “I’d be pissed off, too.”
They talked for a little longer, and Raven decided that Jenny was a level-headed, down-to-earth woman. She and Tanner would be great for each other. When Jenny said she and Tanner had already talked about moving her in, Raven offered to help Jenny get everything set up at Tanner’s place, or the “dude palace,” as Raven called it.
Bear came up behind Raven and surprised them both. “It’s time, darlin’.”
Raven excused herself after exchanging numbers with Jenny and followed the president of the biker club back into the kitchen. Each step reminded her of the two beatings she had taken the past few days. To Raven, though, they were badges of honor; badges of courage.
She was following the man that would officially induct her into membership of the toughest biker club in California. She was ready.
Inside the kitchen, the key members of the club were waiting to tell her the decision they’d come to. Bear, Trask, Gunner, Boss, Tanner, and Trigger were leaned against a metal table waiting for Raven. She nodded to them all. Trask gave her a slight smile, and Gunner stared fiery daggers at her. There was nothing too out of the ordinary, except that Gunner’s eyes were red, bloodshot, and swollen.
“Gentlemen,” she said, unable to help giving Gunner an I told you so look.
Most of them just nodded. A few gave her a grunt in reply. Bear ushered her to step closer.
“First off, I’d just like to say holy shit. I mean, no offense, Darlin’, but I don’t think any of us really thought you’d make it through that fight. We were hard on you, that’s for damn sure. I bet Pitt getting in before you really steamed your buns. I get that. We did that on purpose. You know what a knuckle dragger is?”
Raven shook her head.
Bear smiled. “A knuckle dragger is all brawn, no brains. Just some dumbfuck who doesn’t mind the heavy lifting. Pitt is a knuckle dragger. You are not. Pitt will never hold any of these ranks.” He looked around to the patches on the cuts: President, Treasurer, Sergeant-At-Arms. They were the heart and soul.
“You, on the other hand… you might, someday.” Bear extended a hand. “As decided by the executive board of the Rising Sons Motorcycle Club, we officially offer you full membership. From this day forth, you bleed for the club. You kill for the club. You are a brother to twenty-six men.” After a pause, “I get that it sounds a bit strange, but it’s true. You have twenty-six new brothers, and they have a new one, as well. If you think you’re prepared for that responsibility, shake my goddamn hand, already.”
Raven smiled and felt a lump in her throat. The last thing she wanted to do was cry in front of some of the toughest motherfuckers she knew. She took Bear’s large, rough hand in hers and squeezed.
“Congratulations, Raven. You can talk with Boss about trading in your Prospect cut for something a little less gay.” Bear shook her hand, approving of her hard grip.
Boss spoke up, “Unless anyone has any objections, I’d like to declare this meeting adjourned.”
There were only mumbles of agreement as the bikers parted with unceremonious shrugs. As Tanner passed, he gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Great job, sis.”
Everyone walked past her as Raven stood staring at the back of the kitchen, still taking in the news of her promotion to a full member. Then she heard the crunch of leather boots behind her and spun around. Gunner was there, staring at her, looking more than pissed off.
He kept staring, and Raven felt a sense of panic in the back of her mind. She didn’t think he would do anything while everyone was just feet away, but then again, he was probably humiliated. Raven started to back away.
“Stop. You’re not going anywhere.” Gunner’s voice was the cold sound of a bullet sliding into the chamber.
Raven froze. Her eyes widened as she waited for the explosion. This time, he wouldn’t give her a chance to use any dirty tricks. She looked to the left and right, praying there’d be a knife within reaching distance.
He straightened up from the table and moved with deliberate slowness toward her. “I almost admire what you did today. It’s a test of strength, sure, but you played dirty.”
Raven’s heart was thumping so loudly she thought it would overpower his voice. “I… I…”
“Shut up. How do you think I feel? Huh? How do you think I feel having to tap out of a fight with a hundred-and-ten-pound bitch with an attitude problem? You think I’m gonna live that story down any time soon? Jesus, I’m a fucking joke because of you.”
He was just a foot away from Raven. Her feet felt like they were sunk into the floor. She wanted to run; she wanted to scream, but nothing came out.
“You know how that makes me feel?” His words were hissing from his serpent’s tongue, and he leaned in close. Raven could see the veins in his neck bulging like they had been during the fight. The cold swell of adrenaline rushed through her body as Raven stood frozen.
He lunged at her, and his arms were around her before Raven could react. He kissed her hard, his hands at her lower back pulling her against his tall, hard body.
Raven didn’t understand what was happening, but she finally pulled herself together enough to push Gunner away from her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“The thing that’s been on my mind since you rode into this place. You drive me fuckin’ crazy, Raven. I can’t stop thinking about you, and I need to take you. That one kiss just wasn’t enough. I knew it never would be. I about died when my name got pulled out. You beat me fai
r and square, but fuck if it didn’t feel good to feel your tight little body against me.”
Raven’s heart beat hard, blood rushed to her loins, and she threw caution to the wind. Gunner had been in the back of her mind, too, as much as she didn’t want to admit it. She leaned up and planted her lips on his, engulfing them both with the passion that had erupted between them.
He backed Raven up against a wall, tearing her prospect cut off as he did and dropping it to the floor without a care. Raven’s hands were already at the hot biker’s belt, fumbling with the large, metal skull buckle that kept it secure. She could feel his cock through his jeans already, and she needed it.
She almost had to pull herself from Gunner’s belt when he pulled her t-shirt up and over her head. As soon as it was off, he leaned back, taking in Raven’s fit, tattoo-covered body. Her lacy black bra had a single, sparkling gem hanging between her perky breasts. Gunner flicked it with his finger, then touched her skin. She shuddered, feeling the power of his manhood taking her over.
He brought the finger down to her navel as she took shallow breaths. “Oh, God,” she moaned. His finger was setting her body on fire, burning her with lust everywhere it touched. She snapped out of the daze and dove for his belt again. His mouth was at her neck, and Raven let out a desperate cry. It only seemed to spur Gunner on more.
His hands cupped her breasts through the bra. She felt completely overpowered, but couldn’t explain all the ways she loved it. His hands were large, weathered, manly, washing away every bit of pain he had caused earlier that day. His scent was leather and booze. His sounds were something primal, making her wetter by the second. Raven finally managed to unhook his belt buckle and unzipped his jeans.
She slid her hand inside and found what she had felt pressing against her. Gunner’s cock was throbbing, warm at her touch. She squeezed it to hear the groan that he let out. She let out a soft moan of her own thinking of how much she wanted him; how much she had wanted him without really knowing it.
His hands lowered down to her jeans, and he got them off far quicker than she had. After she kicked the jeans away, Gunner’s fingers found their way up her thigh to her heat. Raven’s head fell back against the wall of the kitchen at Gunner’s touch. It was confident, electrifying, and just what she needed.
She yanked his jeans down and took his cock in her hand. He stepped closer to Raven as she stroked him. He lifted her leg, spreading her open. Feeling his desire made her want him right then and there.
She pulled his body toward her. “Give it to me, baby. I know you’re angry, and I want you to take it out on every inch of my body.”
Gunner growled. “You want punishment? You’re gonna get it.” Then he slid into her wet hole, and she cried out. She threw her arms around him as she felt her knees go weak. He filled her hard, pulling her pelvis to his by her ass.
He thrust, his hands bringing her to meet him over and over again. Raven held on tight, feeling the pleasure surge through her body. All the bruises and pain turned to white hot bliss, and when Gunner spanked her, she yelped and giggled.
“Mmm, yes!” she squealed. He did it again and again as they fucked.
Raven kissed at Gunner’s shoulders, biting down when he spanked her. Grabbing onto her hips, Gunner spun her around and pushed her down by her neck. She grabbed onto a cabinet in front of her as he slid in from behind. Her hair flew all around as she moaned out loud. Her favorite position got her closer to an orgasm faster than ever before. Each hard spank pushed her nearer to the edge.
When it came, her body tightened and then exploded. She lost all control and screamed. The biker grabbed onto her hips and slammed in even harder. She felt weightless as the orgasm swept her body up. She couldn’t think, she couldn’t speak, and if it hadn’t been for Gunner’s strong hands, she wouldn’t have stayed on her feet.
He grunted louder, jackhammering into her as his own orgasm grew closer. She threw her head back, flipping her straight blonde hair, and turned to her new lover. There was fury in his eyes. He was taking what he wanted from her, but only because she had driven him to it. She felt powerful and powerless at the same time. She had made him do it, and then gave up all control. Raven saw it on his face.
Gunner howled as his body let go. He thrust once more, deeply, and hunched forward. Raven felt his hands dig into her skin, and she let out a deep, low moan of her own. As he recovered, Gunner stayed leaned over against Raven’s body. Each could hear the other’s quick breathing, just like after the fight earlier that day. This time, they had both won the battle.
Raven woke up the next morning thinking that things in her life were finally moving forward. She stretched in her bed, her bruises and tender ass failing to bother her as much as they should. It was the phone call a few minutes later that bothered her.
Her heart stopped for a beat when she saw that Allan was calling. Debating whether or not she should answer, Raven accepted the call, already regretting the decision.
“Yeah?”
“You and I need to talk right a-goddamn-way.”
Raven’s throat went dry. “About what?”
Allan was angrier than she had ever heard him before, “Are you seriously going to play dumb with me? Meet me at the coffee shop on 20th street. You’ve got fifteen minutes.” Click.
She sat in bed for a few minutes, wondering what to do. Call the club? Call Gunner? All Allan wanted to do was talk—at least, that was what she told herself. She decided to let her brother know what she was doing, just in case something did happen. She texted him, knowing he wouldn’t be up until probably noon.
Raven parked her Harley a block away from the coffee shop and walked down the sidewalk, fighting to control her heart rate. She had caught herself up in a spider’s web, and it was tangling and closing in on her.
She decided she’d hear Allan out, then decide what to do. She absolutely didn’t want any more blood on her hands, but if it came to that…
Allan was in plain clothes, and Raven thanked God for that. She walked in and sat down across from him. He stared for a minute before asking, “What? You don’t want to order anything?”
“Allan, what do you want?” Raven kept her voice low and hoped that he would do the same.
He leaned back in his chair, a grin on his face. “Well, first off, I want to know where this shit attitude of your came from. You and I had a deal, and that was before you called me asking for some cop’s address. You know, it’s an unfortunate thing, what happened to Jason. He was a good guy. I liked him quite a bit. Most of us at the station liked him. Initial cause of the fire? Faulty wiring in the kitchen. Damn shame. Damn shame.”
Raven’s face remained stoic as Allan spoke, even if her heart was raging. She knew he’d try to pin it on her, and she wanted to know what his demands would be. He dragged it out, enjoying the power that he had over her.
“How are we going to make all of this go away, Raven? Now, isn’t that the question? You’ve already done a pretty good job avoiding me, so I don’t know if holding out for that sex is even worth it. Tell you what, I’ll make it extra clear for you.” Allan took a long drink of water.
“You get me two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, or I light the fuse.” Raven was about to stop him, and Allan saw it coming. “No, no. Let me finish. The fuse is me fast tracking the coroner’s report. The fuse is me putting all of my effort into your little gang out on the edge of town. The fuse is me digging into the cold cases and finding every biker that wound up dead in Kern County and dragging them out into the light of day.”
Allan leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head. “You’re the one with the torch. Just be careful where you set the flames, darlin’.”
At hearing Bear’s favorite term of endearment, Raven’s eyes got wider. Allan made it clear that he knew an awful lot more than she thought. Giving up a member of the club was out of the question now. It was money, or else Allan would bring down everything he could on the Rising Sons.