My eyes tear up and I groan. What is it with me crying so much here lately? I’m like an emotional goofball. I blink them back and lean in to hug him tightly.
“I love you, Nikoli,” I whisper into his muscular shoulder. He always feels solid, so strong when I touch him.
He clasps me tightly, speaking close to my ear, “I love you, Bean. You will always be mine first. I just lend you to him.”
The first tear runs across my nose and I try to suck it up. I have to be strong and show him I’m making the decision I want or he won’t leave me.
“I know that, Niko, I envy the girl who’ll capture your heart. I know you’ll treat her like gold.”
“Shit, gold? Nope, I will treat her as printyessa.”
I know he’s trying to lighten the mood for my benefit. It’ll be so hard not having him close. Niko is fiercely loyal and caring. He’s been a wonderful friend to me.
“Yeah, yeah, be safe and text me when you arrive.” I shove myself off the stool and step a few paces away from him.
“I send picture of my bicep.”
“Oh God, 2 Piece is going to love seeing your messages,” I groan and shake my head.
“You know this!” He smirks as I backtrack to 2 Piece’s room.
Chapter 15
2 Piece
Three weeks later…
“I’m going with you guys, Silas,” my sister argues stubbornly.
“The hell you are. You’re seven months pregnant, and there’s no way you can drive that entire way again by yourself. I told you we’d handle it.”
“So, your girlfriend and Twist can ride with you, but I’m not even allowed to drive. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Look, Sadie, just stay here. I don’t know what kind of trouble we may run into, and I don’t want you or the baby getting hurt.”
“How can you possibly know that? You don’t even know who you’re looking for or what he even looks like!”
Twist approaches us as Sadie attempts the same argument she’s been working on for the past few weeks. Twist and I talked it over with Prez. He had a good idea who this guy might be after hearing everything my sister said about him.
I already promised Avery a trip to Florida to meet her parents, so this has gradually turned into one big trip. First we’ll go to Cali and then do some sight-seeing for Shorty. We’ll end it in Florida, before coming back home.
When we get home; I think I’ll officially ask her to be my ol’ lady. She isn’t too keen on the idea of labels, but, hopefully by then, she’ll have changed her mind.
Twist wants to go badly. I’ve caught him and Sades hanging out a lot. I’m not real sure if I’m cool with that, but only time will tell. I can’t imagine what he would want with my sister and her baby. I’m a little nervous with him being fucking warped on certain shit and chilling with my sister.
“Ready, brother?”
This is Avery’s first long ride. I’m excited to have her with me.
Sadie steps in front of Twist, between us. “No, Silas, I’m going, damn it.” Twist pulls her gently out of the way and attempts to calm her.
Climbing on my bike, Avery follows suit. I crank the engine as Twist climbs on his bike, still arguing with my sister. He shakes his head and tenderly places his hand on her cheek.
I’m not sticking around for that shit. I give my bike some gas, and we’re off.
***
Avery
Two months later…
“Ohmygod London! You got a puppy, an adorable Doberman too.”
Sitting in the middle of her living room floor, I let the little monster crawl and nibble all over me. I can’t believe Cain got her and Jamison a puppy. I’m totally jealous; such a cute pup.
“Yes, he’s a little asshole too. Not sweet like Muffin, must take after his momma.”
“Wait, Muffin? What do you mean?”
“Well, I guess Tate and Cain had it all worked out as a surprise. Tate sent one of his goons up here after Muffin’s baby momma had puppies.”
I giggle at baby momma. Of course, she’d say that. Her and Cain are around each other way too much.
Ouch, little shit. I glance down and watch him climb all over my leg, trying to ferociously pull and bite at my jeans. “Jesus, how old is this little tiger?”
“He’s twenty weeks old. Jamison thinks the puppy’s the greatest thing in the world too. Cain calls him the road dog since he came all the way from Tennessee. His real name is Adonis. Thank Cain for that one too.”
I burst out laughing and she follows suit. “That’s hilarious. I can’t believe you let Cain name him that.”
“Chica, you know I don’t let Cain do squat. That bullheaded man does what he wants!”
Speaking of, Cain and 2 Piece come walking into the living room with curious stares. He gives London a wet, chaste kiss then smiles mischievously. “What are y’all out here clucking about? All this damn giggling, we had to come check it out.”
Laughing loudly thinking about the name again, I tease, “You named your dog Adonis? Vain much?”
2 Piece hears the name and chuckles, smirking at me.
“Ha trouble.” Cain rolls his eyes. “Tell me, what’d you name your pup, if she were a girl?”
I smile wistfully and think about puppy names, while 2 Piece mean-mugs Cain.
“I think I’d call her Lily.”
2 swaggers out of the room. I don’t get it. It was just a name, not like we were talking about babies or anything.
London smirks at me knowingly, and I become even more confused. Cain snickers behind his hand and it starts to irritate me that I’m clearly out of the loop about something.
A moment later, 2 Piece comes back, carrying a sweet, sleeping puppy. She’s black with tan markings and looks just like a baby, girly version of Tate and Emily’s dog, Muffin. She’s adorable.
He smiles softly and gently hands her over to me. “Meet Lily.”
She yawns, opening big chocolate-brown eyes. I snuggle closer to her and she licks me on my nose. I’m assaulted with the wonderful smell of puppy breath and I’m hooked. I grin at 2 Piece gratefully.
“Well, Shorty, what do you think?”
“I think she’s perfect. I’ve relinquished, not just for her, but for you. I love you 2.”
Dedicated to:
my grandmother.
You will never get to read my books,
But if you had,
I hope I would have made you proud.
Common terms in this novel-
MC - Motorcycle Club
Prez - President
VP - Vice President
SAA - Sgt. at Arms
Ol’ Lady - Significant Other
Chapel - Place Where Church is Held
Church - MC Meeting
Ares - VP - The Butcher
Silas - SAA - 2 Piece
Chapter 1
Ares
I watch her laughing as he pushes her on the swing. She’s always happy, smiling, and just beautiful. He’s lucky he has her. Is it wrong that I watch him too? That I find him just as beautiful as I do her? He shouts something to her, and she giggles unabashedly; he smiles widely at her and radiates happiness.
I want to feel like that. I want happiness too.
Her soft auburn waves blow in the breeze, giving me a full view of her sun-kissed skin. Whether I’m caressing it softly or grabbing it forcefully, I know it’s soft. I’ve felt it glide through my fingers several times.
She was scared of me at first. I’m assuming because I’m not very friendly. How can I be friendly though? I’m the Enforcer. I’m meant to be mean, rough, and take care of things for the club. I love my job and my club; it’s my perfect fit.
Now that we’ve spoken, she’s not afraid of me anymore. She smiles and sometimes giggles when she passes by me. I love hearing her laugh; it brings me peace. I can’t help but chuckle or grin each time.
He’s been my friend for years and has never known that I’m attracted to him.
I would do anything for him if he were to ask, but he never does. He thinks I like to watch a woman with him, when in reality, I only like watching him.
Now though…now he has her, and I want them both. I’ve never felt so torn before. I don’t want them for just a fuck. I’ve had them for that. Not him completely, but we’ve been close. I dream of grasping his hair and thrusting into him roughly while I kiss her mouth. I doubt that fantasy will ever come true though.
She catches me watching them and flashes a bright smile, excitedly waving her hand at me. I grin and give her a slight wave back. He glances at me and smirks. He knows I like her, just not how much. He would probably kill me if he were to learn that they both own my heart. I wish I would have said something when they first started, then maybe I could at least have part of her too.
There’s no telling what he or anyone in my club would say if they knew I find guys just as sexy as I do women. I don’t generally give a fuck what anyone thinks, but I do value my brothers’ opinions.
“You good, bro?” Cain comes to stand next to me, watching me as I gaze at them.
Blinking, I turn to him. “Yeah, I’m cool, man. Just enjoyin’ this nice ass weather. You should bring your kid out.” Cain is the one I’m closest to in the MC. He should be getting patched as an Enforcer soon also. It’ll be nice sharing that title with him.
“Naw, London was talkin’ bout givin’ him a haircut and shit. She’ll be here for the BBQ tomorrow though.”
Nodding, I move my head to the side, popping the sore muscles in my neck. Fucking shitty sleep. “She’s a fine ol’ lady.”
“Fuckin’ right. Best bitch I ever met. What’s up with them?” Cain nods toward the swings we had put in for the families. We say it’s for them, but we all know the brothers really ordered the swings for Jamison, Cain’s son. That kid is spoiled something fierce around here.
“Not a thing.” Shrugging, I lift my chin toward them. “She wanted to swing, and he’s wrapped around her finger.”
“Yeah, that’ll do it. I swear, London don’t know some of the shit she could get me to do if she wanted.” I nod, pretending to know what he means, when in reality no woman has ever had me like that. He claps me on the back. “It’ll happen for you too, bro. Just give it time. It seems to be in the air lately.”
No shit. Our crazy brother Twist, is busy following 2 Piece’s sister, Sadie, around like a dog in heat. If she wasn’t already knocked up, I’d swear she would be by him. There are more females around here than there ever has been before. I’m happy for everyone, honestly, but it would just be fuckin’ nice if that shit happened to me too.
“I’m cool, man.”
“Good. Well, Prez wants to talk to us ‘bout some shit.”
“He tell you what the fuck about?”
“Naw, man. You’re the one he trusts over anybody else.”
“Cain, your ass is gonna be an Enforcer before you know it.” I smack his shoulder. “I’ll enjoy sharin’ the patch.”
“I can’t wait, bro.”
“Let’s see what the old man wants before he starts yellin’ an’ shit.”
Cain grins and nods, following me into the clubhouse.
We stop outside of the office, and I peek my head in through the open doorway.
“Prez?” I call out and glance around the room, but it appears empty.
“Yep! Down here,” he grumbles.
Entering the small room, I walk closer to his desk with Cain following suit. I peer over the desk because that’s where his voice came from. He’s lying on the ground, sprawled out with his long blond mop of hair in every direction as if he just woke up.
“Prez? Whats goin’ on?” I huff, shooting him a baffled look, instantly thinking he’s hurt or something.
“I need y’all’s help. Come over here.” He gestures as Cain and I shuffle around his office chair, coming closer. I glance down at him puzzled. Has Prez lost his mind?
“Get down here, damn it!” He growls and we both bend down next to him. “There’s a safe under here, but I can’t get this fuckin’ carpet to move an’ I was tryin’ not to cut it up,” he says quietly, gesturing under his desk at the old, thin carpet. “I know everyone thinks the floors are all concrete an’ shit, but I had a safe put in. That’s what this ugly fuckin’ rug’s about.”
Cain starts chuckling, and after a beat, I join in. He must feel as relieved as I do. “Prez, gotta admit, you had me wonderin’ what the fuck you were up to for a sec,” Cain chortles out, and I nod, agreeing with him.
“Me too,” I reply gruffly, grinning.
“You guys both are gonna make me stroke the fuck out. Now give me a hand.”
I stand back up and Cain mimics me; grasping one side of the desk, he follows suit. We move it across the room and Prez is able to finally get the carpet peeled back. He obviously wanted us for our muscle. I know he trusts me a lot to let me in on the secret safe, but he must be gaining confidence in Cain as well.
“Prez, maybe it’s time for a different carpet. That shit’s fuckin’ rank,” Cain mutters, scrunching his nose up in disgust.
“It’s just crispy from all the bitches I’ve had bent over on it.”
I shake my head and roll my eyes while Cain bursts out in a belly laugh. Prez never has any females in here. The man might as well be a saint in that department.
“More like you ate too many fuckin’ nachos and that’s leftover sour cream,” I mumble and nod at the floor. Prez chuckles and shakes his head agreeing with me. “Is that all you needed us for, Prez?”
“Naw, both of you come back over here. I wanna show you where this shit is ‘case sumthin’ ever happens to me.”
Cain and I shuffle closer. Prez is bent over a decent sized hole in the floor.
“What the fuck would be happenin’ to you?” Cain voices the same thoughts coursing through my mind.
Prez is the closest thing I have to family besides my MC brothers. The bastard who raised me is no longer ‘round, thank fuck. The no good piece of shit who was supposed to be my mother got what was comin’ to her too.
“Ares, you okay, man?” I blink a few times, clearing the unpleasant thoughts and glance to Prez. I don’t know how long he was talking to me. If I think about those fucks, it’s like it happened yesterday and sucks me back in.
“Yeah, Prez, I’m good. What’s up?”
“I was tellin’ y’all that ain’t shit should be happening to me, but just in case. This is where the books and stuff is kept. All our dealin’s—business-wise—and even the costs we spend on recreational shit. All that bull that went down with the Twisted Snakes not long ago got me thinkin’ it would be easy for a big enough club to breach the compound. You two are the muscle of this club. I wanna rest easy knowin’ you both know what needs protectin’ if the five-oh or some rotten fucks show up. You feel me, son?”
“Gotcha. Ain’t no worries, bro. You know we’ll protect this club.”
“I do know that. It’s exactly why I wanted to include you both in this shit.”
I look over at Cain, and he nods. I know he would die to protect his family, his club; so would I. Let’s just hope it never comes to that.
We were dealing with some nasty shit when a club called the Twisted Snakes MC decided to start threatening the Prez’s son, Brently. We eventually broke into their club, poisoned them all, and took them out to the pig farm not far from here. It got bloody, but the problem went away after that.
There’s a knock on the office door, and we all pause, growing stiff because of the seriousness of the conversation. Cain and I step closer together to help hide the open floor behind us. No one should be around but club members, family, and the occasional club slut, but instinct has us doing our job of protecting.
I glance quickly at Prez and he nods, indicating for me to say something. Clearing my throat, I answer, “Yeah?”
She steps halfway into the doorway and glances at us, pausing briefly on me. Her lightly tanned skin calls to me, begging for me
to caress it. She loves when I have my hands all over her…pulling, pinching, or spanking. I know she craves me just as much as I crave her.
“Umm, I was just checking to see if Prez had lunch or if he needs me to bring him something.” Her voice causes my gut to tense. Her tone is silky smooth and feminine, the perfect combination to have any man hanging on to her every word.
Prez pops his head to the side of Cain’s stocky legs so he can see her. “Thanks babe, but I’ll be all right. I’ll get something later.”
“Are you sure? I can bring you something. I don’t mind.” She peers in at him innocently, and I swallow deeply as I take in her warm, honey colored eyes.
“Not now shug,’ but I’ll be out there later, I’m sure, wantin’ some food.”
She shoots him a friendly smile and nods. “Okay then.” She briefly glances at us. “Boys,” she acknowledges, nodding before she leaves the room. Releasing the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, my stomach muscles finally relax.
“She’s a sweet one, huh? Brother did good tyin’ that one down.” I nod at Prez but can’t seem to make my mouth work. They all know I watch her. My brothers see how I look at her. Thank fuck no one talks about it, especially with the way these brothers around here like to gossip.
Cain reaches down and gives Prez his hand to help him up off the floor after he shuts the safe lid. “All right, I gotta head to the house to check on London and the kid. Little hellion almost caused her to shave off all of his hair the last time she cut it.”
We all chuckle, remembering London’s story of Jamison deciding to run after the dog right when she was trying to fade the sides of his hair. Then there’s the time he thought the peanut butter was hair gel. He styled his little faux hawk with it, then smeared it over everything in the bathroom. That kid is something else; he’s way too smart for his age.
Prez nods. “Give Momma some love, Cain. Take some of the stress off her, yeah?”
Oath Keepers MC: The Collection Page 34