by J. L. Drake
“Then I wouldn’t touch you again.”
“So now you know.” I couldn’t help but drag my eyes down his front, stopping to gawk at his lean muscles. Where just a night ago my nails dug into each groove.
He opened his mouth to argue, but my phone went off with the same unknown caller.
Trigger picked it up and read the screen before he passed it over.
An uneasy vibe burst across my skin. Damn. “It’s fine. Let it go to voicemail.”
“Answer it.”
I shook my head. Before I could react, he hit answer, and the blood felt like it dropped from my head to my toes.
“Hello?” His eyes stayed locked onto mine. “Who is this?”
This isn’t happening.
His hand lowered, and I saw the call end.
“Who was that?” His tone sent my nerves a jolt.
“Wrong—”
“You sure you want to lie right now, Tess?” Leaning in, he was inches from my face.
My mind was ping-ponging all over the place. Old life and new life were never supposed to collide. I needed a new number immediately.
“I’m not sure.” I cleared my throat but couldn’t seem to produce any more than a whisper. “I’m not sure who it was.”
“But you have a guess.”
I closed my eyes and nodded.
“Don’t fucking lie to me!” he barked, and my chin quivered. “I better not find out there’s a shit storm coming my way.” He left, slamming the bar stool to the ground.
Morgan approached me from the other side, his eyebrow cocked with confusion.
“My advice—”
“I didn’t ask for it.”
“Maybe not, but you’re gonna hear it anyway. Don’t piss off Trigger. You want him on your side when shit goes down.”
“He doesn’t need to know everything about me.”
“Yeah, he does.” Morgan moved to face me head on. “You are a part of this club, therefore you are a target. Trigger employed you, therefore he looks out for you. This is a family, Tess, and if you’re bringing a shitty element into the house, we need to be prepared. This is not Walmart or the 7-Eleven. This is our house, and we don’t listen to outside rules. If something bad is coming, you better tell us, or…” His head shook. “If you can’t hang with that, you’re not made for this life.”
I tried to push the chip off my shoulder, my protect yourself or die motto. Where the hell was Brick? I could really use some backup right now.
“Fine.” I ducked under the bar top and over to his office door. I knocked twice before I looked back at Morgan.
He said, “Look up to the left corner.”
Sure enough, there was a camera, and a moment later I heard a click.
“Yeah,” he yelled as a command to enter.
Pushing the door open, I found Trigger at his desk, a joint dangling from his fingers. The smell made me take a step inside.
“Can I come in?”
“You already are. What do you want?” He turned some papers over so I couldn’t see. Little did he know, I didn’t give a rat’s ass what he was up to. I just needed a paycheck.
“You’re right. We are a family, and I should be honest.”
He didn’t look up. He really was dicky sometimes.
I ran a hand through my hair as I went on. “The unknown caller is most likely my ex. He wasn’t happy with me moving.” I shrugged.
Trigger leaned back and watched me. He seemed to do that a lot.
“Is this ex going to pay you a visit anytime soon?”
“He would have to know where I am, and only Brick knows that, so my guess would be no.”
“Don’t need problems, Tess. We’ve been through this before.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
I bit back my sassy comment and nodded.
He sucked back his joint and exhaled slowly, which made his eyes cloud over momentarily. There was something about this man that screamed sex. He made even a little movement like puffing out smoke hot.
His gaze dropped down my body, stopping at my jean skirt.
“You sore?”
His question threw me.
“No.” I hated that my thighs flexed as hunger traveled right to my core. Then I saw him smirk, which in turn made me push back. “I finished myself a few more times when I got home.”
His eyes darkened and his tongue brushed over his bottom lip. I wanted to lie down on his desk and let him do whatever he pleased, but I liked to fuck with him too.
“Pace steps in when I need him to.” I was headed for the door when I hear the lock click.
Chapter Seven
Trigger
Her back stayed to me as I came up behind her and brushed her messy blonde hair off her slender shoulder. “Never,” I whispered, sinking my teeth into her neck gently the way I knew she loved, “use Pace while we are actively fucking.”
“You weren’t there.”
“Then move in here.” My hand traveled down her leg and up under her skirt, where I found her wet. My mind shut off and all I wanted was to be in her. I pushed two fingers in, and she moaned. I circled her bud and spread her arousal around. Her arms came up and pressed my lips back to her neck. I sucked hard and twisted my tongue in the same pattern my fingers were moving.
My dick pressed into her back and beat to the blood pumping through it.
“Trigger, I’m too close. I was riled up from before.” She ground into my painful erection.
“Good.” I pulled my fingers free, whirled her around, and caught her chin. Her wild eyes flashed with anger. “We have company coming, and I need you to serve us in the meeting room.”
“What?” She tried to catch up. Her cheeks were flushed, and I wanted to sink balls-deep in her, but I also needed her to stop fucking lying to me about shit.
I moved to unlock the door and sat on the edge of my desk.
“Screw you.”
“Yes, you will be.”
Just when I thought she was going to go off, she turned on her heel and marched out to the bar.
I didn’t yell at her to close the door, mainly because I wanted to watch her walk away. Her tight little ass made my mouth water. I cringed when Brick’s crotch blocked my view.
“What?”
“Can we talk?” He held up a hand to show me his camera.
I nodded for him to sit, and he did, but not before glancing once at Tess.
“She in trouble?” he asked without thinking.
I hated to be questioned. “You tell me.”
His face twisted in confusion. “I don’t think so.”
“Is her ex someone I need to be concerned about showing up here causing problems?”
“Ah…” he stumbled and looked over his shoulder. His fingers flicked the camera on and off. “Look, you know I will never lie to you. But her history is something else. Not my place to tell it. I will say he’s unstable, but from what I understand, he doesn’t know where she is. So…”
I didn’t like his answer. I could force it out of him, but Brick and Tess went way back, and I didn’t want to take that from him.
“But I’ll talk to her and see what’s up.”
“What’s on the camera?” I nodded at him to close the door.
“Seems our bottle drop did the trick. I took this around four this morning. The Stripe Backs had three of the Serpents’ men nailed to the back of their clubhouse wall. Blood drained from their necks, wrists, and ankles.” The video was exactly what I wanted. My plan was to move the heat off my club’s contract and over to the Stripe Backs.
When the video shut off, I saw myself. There was a time where my own reflection appeared unrecognizable. It was haunting, and now I saw myself for what I truly was. The son of the devil.
A knock sounded at the door, and I moved over to my computer and tapped a button to see the camera feed. There was Tess holding a lipstick in the air, and then she gave me the middle finger. I couldn’t help but smirk. The chick
flirted with my switch, and I liked it.
Suddenly, Morgan was in view and I buzzed it open.
“Hey, Trigger?” Morgan knocked at my door. “Prospects are on the way with the cash. Rail called it in.”
“The other half?”
“Yes.”
I nodded then pushed to my feet when I heard a commotion outside. Morgan turned but stepped back when I approached him.
“Seems we have some strays.” Morgan laughed under his breath.
My tongue ran along my teeth in search of that tin taste that came when I was about to kill.
“Indeed.”
I saw it in Morgan’s eyes. He recognized the beast that was about to show itself. “You’re going to frighten Tiger.” He nodded toward Tess, who looked hesitant to serve them.
“Better she learns now.”
Morgan smiled darkly before he stepped away.
I sat next to the preppy looking one and waved at Tess for some whiskey. She placed it in front of me, not looking in my direction. I took a deep breath. It’d been a while, and I needed this kill.
“Who sent you?”
The kid’s eyes bulged and his neck contracted when he took me in.
“I-I…” he stammered. “It was just a dare, man. Part of the whole freshman thing.”
“Who,” I repeated and downed my shot, “sent you?”
“Nah, man,” the other little prick cut in. “School thing.”
Both my elbows fell heavily to the bar as I pulled myself in. Rubbing my chin with the back of my thumb, I weighed out their options. Tess started to wipe down the bar.
“So, can we get a drink?” The guy interrupted my thoughts again. “Just need a quick photo of it and we’ll be on our way. Maybe with the girl?”
Brick stepped into view, his gun out, waiting for my command.
“You guys are insane,” Tess hissed under her breath. “Just leave.”
The kid next to me stood and hit his friend on the shoulder. “Come on, dude. Let’s go.”
“Look,” the guy moved over one seat, “I’ll make you a deal. One picture, and we leave. I’ll tell all my friends about this place, and your business will triple.”
“Stop.” Tess tossed her rag on the counter and ducked under the door, rounding on us. She snatched the asshole kid’s phone, fumbled with the screen, then held it up. “One, two, three.” She snapped the phone and slammed it to his chest. “Now get the fuck out before he kills you.”
“Thanks, doll!” The guy had a death wish. He went to kiss her on the cheek, but in one movement, she kneed him in the crotch, dropping him to the ground.
I hardly realized I had moved, but I felt his arm break in more than one place. My foot crushed down on his knee, rotating it out of its socket. Tess turned on me as I expected, but to my surprise, she grabbed the guy’s phone and snapped another picture then tossed it at his stunned friend.
“Get him out of here, or you’re next.”
She stood between him and me. Her chest heaved, but she held her ground well. Somehow his friend dragged his broken ass out of my bar.
I broke the silence. “Who the fuck is watching the door?”
Tess turned around and tossed her hair out of her face with a huff.
“This place always this eventful?” she muttered, going back behind the bar.
“It’s you, little Tiger.” Morgan laughed from behind me. “Seems like your reputation might be out.”
“Reputation?”
“Prime meat,” he joked.
“Whatever.”
The door burst open, and in walked Rail and the prospects. “Boss, we come with a gift.”
“Good. Count it, bag it, and get it ready for our trip.”
“Done and done.” Rail grinned, but then something hit him. “Don’t we have company tonight?”
“We do, indeed,” Brick purred.
“Oh, please, let me play with one of them?” Rail whined, and I knew he and Brick were out to start another bicker match.
“One,” I muttered and turned to face Tess then saw Peggy slide into a seat.
“You good?”
“Yeah, I took care of myself.” She shrugged.
“Whose lipstick?” Peggy picked up a tube of purple lipstick off the counter, and I heard Brick roar behind me as Tess’s face went about six shades of red. Peggy pulled off the top. “It’s plastic?” She turned to look at us. “Who owns this?” She jumped when it started to vibrate. My eyes flickered back to Tess, who gave me a smirk.
“Why don’t you try it on, Peggy?” Tess laughed as Peggy dropped it, confused.
“Is that yours?”
“Women have needs—needs that are not always fulfilled.”
I lunged forward and snatched it up before Tess could.
“Think I’ll hang onto this for a while.”
“Didn’t really think you were into that kind thing.” Tess snickered. “But, sure, I have plenty more.”
Peggy looked back and forth between the two of us before her hand landed on mine and squeezed hard. I moved it out of her reach, but as usual, she didn’t get the hint.
“Trigger, let’s go for a swim.”
“No.”
“You did with Tammy the other night.”
Tess’s hand hesitated just long enough for me to catch it, but that was the only emotion I saw.
I searched her face, almost wanting a sign so I could end things with her. Tess as a fuck buddy seemed too good to be true, and I kept waiting for the shoe to drop. Again, she showed nothing.
Good.
“Jace!” I barked. “Close the bar down.”
***
Tess
“Listen up!” Trigger’s voice boomed across the room, silencing everyone. “We have some company arriving in twenty. Make sure you’re carrying, and those of you in the meeting, you know the rules. Tess.” He glanced at me, and I couldn’t help but drop my gaze to his mouth. “You’ll be serving.”
“Okay,” I whispered, completely shocked at how quickly the mood had changed in the room.
“Do as he says, Tiger,” Morgan warned.
“I will, but damn, you are all so intense,” I muttered to Morgan once Trigger barked out a few more orders and left. “And who is coming? Why is it such a secret?”
Morgan’s hands landed on my shoulders as he stared at me straight in the eye. “You don’t get to ask questions. Your job is to look sexy and serve them. When are you gonna learn women don’t have much say around here? So, shut up and do your job.”
“Inspiring pep talk, Morgan.”
“Here.” He jammed a tray in my hands. “You always serve from the top down.” I gave him a confused look. “Trigger first, Brick, Gus, Rail, then the company. The booze is in there, only thing missing is you.” He stepped back and looked at my outfit. Jean skirt and black top with a zipper down the front to expose as much cleavage as I wanted. “Shit, he’ll love you.”
“Who?” My mouth went dry. “Who will?”
“We need to win them over. I’m sure that’s why Trigger is using your body on this one.”
Most women would have taken offense to that, but not me. Respect was never part of my life. I knew my assets, and I used them to my advantage.
Morgan looked over my head. “They’re here. Look, Tess.” He rubbed his hand over his beard and seemed as if he were deciding something. “This needs to go smoothly. The club’s future could ride on the outcome of this meeting. You need to keep your head down, listen, and do as you’re told. Can you do this for me?”
“Yeah, of course.” Sweet lord, the whole thing was frightening.
“Good, now go.” He turned me around and pushed me toward the double doors.
“Don’t fuck up.” Peggy giggled from the corner of the room where she was giving someone a lap dance.
“I’d say the same to you, but…” I looked at the sweaty dude she was riding. She gave me the finger, and the guy spoke up to get her attention.
Opening the doors,
I walked in and saw the bar off to my left. With my head down, I hurried over and started to pour the guys a double, being careful to follow Morgan’s instructions as to who to serve first, second, and next. As I turned around, I froze like a deer caught in headlights, and I stood stock still as the blood drained to my fingertips.
Holy mother of Christ.
Trigger caught my expression and body language, and his eyes narrowed in on me, but as usual, he kept his composure.
I forced myself to move with shaky hands and legs. I made my way over and set Trigger’s drink in front of him. It spilled a bit over my hand, and I was ready for him to make a comment, but he only nodded at me.
“Who wants a drink?” he asked the table as I handed Brick his.
“A drink or something else, perhaps,” Mateo, the president of the Satan’s Serpents, hissed at me like the snake he was. The skin on the back of my neck prickled as his gaze dragged up my front then turned pointedly over to another member. I followed his line of sight, and my stomach dropped. I tripped in my nervous state and stumbled toward the table. I managed to catch myself, but my heart was in my throat. Tiago, the fat man who had hit me in the face and tossed me in the trash, smirked back at me. He was obviously delighted with my predicament.
“Something else?” I managed to get out.
“Tequila.” Trigger directed the order to me but kept his gaze on Tiago.
Tequila. Okay, I just needed to get one, two, three…I looked up and counted. Twelve shots. The pres spoke to Trigger about something, but Tiago had his eyes locked on my ass.
Shit, shit, shit, you can’t mess this up! Morgan’s words bounced around inside my head. I felt the whole outcome of this meeting might already be ruined simply because of my presence.
One, two, three. My breathing was rapid, and it took a great deal of concentration to fill the shots.
My tray was full when I turned back around. The guys were talking, but not one word got through my terror. I began to hand them out. I moved fast, hoping it would help make the shakes less noticeable.
When I got to Tiago, I flinched. He noticed, and his mouth turned upward. He loved my reaction. He was thoroughly enjoying this, the son of a bitch.
Suddenly, his hand latched onto my wrist and held me in place. I wanted to punch his balls, but Morgan’s words were still inside my head. “What’s your name, girl?”