by Harley Wylde
I nodded, knowing that while I might be giving her what she wanted, I’d enjoy the hell out of getting to hold her while she fell asleep. Might make me hard as a damn post, but I wouldn’t make a move until I knew she was ready. Kissing her was one thing. Getting naked with her might be an issue.
“You’re safe, MaryAnne. Take a shower. I’ll be in my room when you’re ready for bed. Just give me a shout down the hall.”
I kissed her forehead and walked out.
When I got to my room, I pushed the door mostly shut and stripped out of my clothes, kicking my boots aside. She wasn’t the only one who needed a shower. I set the water as hot as I could stand it, then stepped under the spray, letting my mind wander back to the first month she’d been in my house. The haunted look she’d had in her eyes, the way she’d flinched whenever someone got close. I’d been pissed as hell and decided to take my anger out on someone who deserved it.
Wizard had tracked down one of the orderlies who’d raped and tortured her. I shut my eyes and let the memory wash over me.
Bart Zimmer glared at me, his gaze full of hatred as he struggled against the duct tape holding him to the chair. There wasn’t a point in taping his mouth shut. Besides, I was hoping he’d give me even more of an excuse to hurt him. Raping MaryAnne was enough reason for him to die, but I wanted to make him hurt first. Make him bleed.
I used the tip of my knife to clean my fingernails as I leaned against the table, ankles crossed and my posture as relaxed as I could make it. So far, he hadn’t admitted shit, but it wouldn’t take long to break him. I’d only been intimidating him so far. Once I started cutting, chopping off body parts, and having a bit of fun, he’d squeal like the pig he was.
“You ain’t got shit on me,” Bart said.
“That what you think? Let me guess. You’re innocent of any wrongdoing. I’ve got the wrong man.”
He nodded.
“Wrong. I saw the videos. I know exactly what you did to MaryAnne. Don’t worry. You’re the first, but you won’t be the last. Every single man who dared to touch her will pay the ultimate price.”
He paled a little and beads of sweat started to form on his brow. Good. Now he knew I meant business and he wasn’t leaving this damn barn. Not alive at any rate.
“She screamed and begged for you to leave her alone. You got off on her pain and her fear. Now you get to see what it feels like. Except I won’t be fucking you. Not my type. No, I have something else in mind.” I moved as fast as a rattler, pressing down on his hand as I hacked off the index finger on his right hand. “You didn’t deserve to touch her.”
He screamed and begged for his life, pleaded with me to stop as I removed each of his fingers. I walked over to the burn barrel and lifted the hot poker. With a smile on my lips, I pressed the iron to his bleeding hand, cauterizing the wounds. Couldn’t have him bleeding out before I was done with him.
The pussy passed out, so I waited. Gave him time to snap out of it. When I got tired of standing around, I tossed a bucket of icy water over his head, jolting him back to reality. The begging started again. Didn’t matter. He could say whatever he wanted, promise me the entire world, and I wouldn’t stop until he’d breathed his last. No one hurt Little Bit without paying for their sins.
Yeah, I was fucked. I already considered her mine, even if she was hands off and too damn young, and a little broken. If MaryAnne needed anything right now, it was a friend and a protector. I’d gladly take on both tasks. Making this asshole, and the others disappear, would ensure her safety. And if she ever asked about them, I’d let her know she had nothing to fear from them ever again.
I spent several hours removing pieces of Bart and keeping him from bleeding out. By the time I’d finished, I mostly had a pile of body parts and a torso to dispose of. I could have asked my brothers for help, but this was personal. I removed the corpse’s hair and teeth, bagged it into five trash bags, and disposed of dear ol’ Bart across several pig farms. Spreading him out, I knew the pigs would work through the remains in no time, leaving nothing behind.
A knock on the door brought me back to the present and I slicked my hair back from my face. Part of me wanted to tell her about the men I’d killed, let her know they’d never hurt her again. But I wasn’t entirely sure how she’d react. She was a sweet girl, and I didn’t know if she could handle the bloodshed, not to mention dismemberment, of my particular brand of justice.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I yelled out. I finished my shower and quickly dried off, wrapping the towel around my waist. I hadn’t thought to bring clothes into the bathroom with me.
I stepped into the bedroom and every muscle in my body locked up at the sight of MaryAnne sitting on the side of my bed. I’d thought she’d head back to her room to wait when she’d realized I was in the shower, but I’d been wrong. Her eyes went wide when she saw me wearing so little. I could go back in the bathroom and shut the door, ask her to leave, then come get my clothes. Or I could act like it wasn’t a huge deal.
I decided to go with option two and went over to the dresser, pulled out a pair of sweatpants and slid them up my legs under the towel. Any other woman, I’d have dropped the towel to put them on. Last thing I wanted to do was scare MaryAnne. She’d seen me shirtless plenty of times, so I didn’t bother pulling out a T-shirt. I knelt at her feet and reached for her clasped hands, enfolding them in mine.
Her pink pajamas were covered in kittens and coffee cups, and she had fuzzy pink socks on her feet. I fought back a smile at how damn adorable she was. The thermal top and stretchy pants didn’t exactly hide her curves. Even covered from her collarbones to her ankles, she managed to be sexy without trying. I wouldn’t tell her that. Not yet anyway. I’d noticed from the beginning, even in the heat of summer, she tried to cover as much of herself as she could.
“You ready to go lie down?” I asked.
“Can I stay in here with you tonight?”
Fuck. I couldn’t exactly tell her no, but having her pressed up against me all night was going to give me a wicked case of blue balls. But for MaryAnne, I’d endure it. Nothing was more important to me than her well-being. If she needed to hold onto me tonight like a safety blanket, then so be it. I’d keep it to myself how much I would enjoy having her in my arms.
“Sure. You can stay here. Let me pull the covers down and you can get into bed. I want to do a walk-through downstairs before I call it a night. Need to put the animals to bed too.”
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, tugged the covers down, then walked out of the room. I went room by room on the first floor, making sure the windows and doors were locked. Before MaryAnne, I’d left everything unlocked all the time. Now that I had someone precious under my roof, I wasn’t about to take any chances. Too much bad shit had happened over the years for me to think no one could slip past our defenses.
Once I knew the house was secure, had put the dog in his kennel, made sure the kitten had everything he needed, and covered the parrot’s cage, I made my way upstairs. MaryAnne had remained on the edge of the bed but she stood as I entered the room. I shut the door and slowly moved closer, fearing if I moved too fast it would scare her. I motioned for her to slide into bed. She settled near the center of the bed, and I couldn’t hold back my smile. Looked like she meant to stick close, and I was all right with that.
I flicked off the light and got into bed, pulling her into my arms. She snuggled close, her breath ghosting across my bare chest. A tension I hadn’t realized I’d even felt suddenly released. Her scent filling my nose, her warmth pressing up against me, gave me a feeling of peace. It was like she was finally where she belonged.
“Do you think you’ll kiss me again sometime?” she asked.
“I guess it depends. Do you want me to?”
She nodded. “I liked it. I’ve never felt that way before.”
I tightened my hold on her and wished I could erase the past few years for her. I wondered what she’d been like before the Sadistic Saints had go
tten their hands on her. Did she smile more? Had she been outgoing? I’d noticed she wasn’t only quiet, but she had a tendency to try and blend into the background. It was like she wanted to be invisible.
I’d give anything to see her stop hiding from the world. I’d taken out most of the men from the hospital, and the club had already erased the Sadistic Saints from existence. Still, there were a few out there I hadn’t been able to pin down yet. Not to mention the men they’d allowed to hurt my Little Bit, the ones who had paid for the use of her body. Wizard had tracked down anyone who’d been caught on camera, or left a paper trail. There was no way of knowing if there were others.
“I’ll kiss you anytime you want. All you have to do is ask.”
She lifted her face, her eyes wide. “Even now?”
I leaned in closer, my nose brushing hers. “You want a kiss right now?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
I pressed my lips to hers, trying to keep things somewhat chaste. I wanted to devour her, to touch every inch of her body, but I held back. She wasn’t ready for that yet. Might never be ready. I drew back and she gave a soft sigh.
“Such a sweet little angel,” I murmured. “I think kissing you is my new favorite thing to do.” Even in the darkness, I saw her cheeks flush.
“Maybe you should kiss me whenever you want?”
“Little Bit, don’t even offer me that. I’d be kissing you all the time.”
She was quiet a moment, then sighed again. “I think I might like that.”
Well, fuck me. She wasn’t supposed to agree with me. Now what the hell was I going to do? She didn’t know what she was asking. If I kissed her any time I wanted, we’d never come up for air. Never tasted anything so sweet as MaryAnne.
Instead of responding, I kissed her again. Longer. Hotter. Wetter.
Yeah, I was fucked.
Chapter Three
MaryAnne
I heard a giggle outside and cautiously approached the living room window. Patriot had insisted on finishing his work on the Bronco today. I’d left him to it, but as I peered outside, I saw one of the club whores leaning against the car. Despite the fact her breath was frosting the air, she had a skirt so short if she bent over Patriot wouldn’t have to wonder about what color her panties were. Assuming she wore any. She looked like the type who might go commando.
She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and giggled again at something he said. My hands curled into fists, my nails biting into my palms. He’s not yours. He can date or flirt with whomever he wants. Or was he mine? He’d kissed me several times last night. Even said he hadn’t been with anyone since I’d come to live with him. That had to mean something, didn’t it?
The kettle whistled in the kitchen and I rushed to shut off the burner. I had two mugs on the counter with some cocoa mix. It wasn’t as good as making it with milk and melted chocolate, but it was better than nothing. I filled the mugs and stirred them before topping each with a handful of marshmallows. I set them on the kitchen table.
I looked around the room as I took a deep breath. The dog and kitten dozed on a bed in the corner, and the bird eyed me. Probably wondered if I was going to give him a treat. He seemed to have Patriot wrapped around his feathers. You’re stalling.
Gathering my courage, I went out to the front porch, folding my arms across my stomach to keep from shivering. My green fuzzy sweater was soft, but it wasn’t doing much to keep out the frigid air.
“Patriot, the hot cocoa is ready,” I called out.
He flashed me a smile. I went down the steps, thankful the ground was dry since I was only wearing socks. Green ones with little elves on them. Christmas had once been my favorite time of year. Last year, I’d tried to wear cheerful things in hopes they would make me smile. It only half worked. As I healed, I was finding joy in more things again. Like the holidays. I’d even carved a pumpkin this past Halloween. It hadn’t looked all that amazing, but I’d had fun, and Patriot had made sure he lit the candle inside it every night. Until it had rotted and had to be tossed out.
“The grown-ups are talking,” the blonde said, narrowing her gaze in my direction.
Patriot reached over, gripped my folded arms and tugged me against his body. He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to my lips. When his tongue flicked my bottom lip and I opened for him, he deepened the kiss, and I heard the blonde’s shriek of outrage. As a fire settled in my belly, the world fell away. It felt like I was tumbling head over heels. Freefalling. Patriot gently bit my lip and drew back, a slight smile curving his lips.
Something cold and wet hit my face, my eyes going wide as whatever it was slid down my cheek under the neckline of my sweater. Patriot slowly turned to face the woman, fury blazing in his eyes.
“You have to the count of three to apologize to her and get the fuck out of my sight,” he said.
The blonde folded her arms and tipped up her chin at a stubborn angle. “No. I won’t stand here and watch you kiss her when we were having a conversation.”
Patriot took a step and then another, his body nearly shaking with anger. When he reached her, he gripped her arm so tight she winced and tried to pull away. Patriot shook her like a rag doll.
“I don’t owe you a damn thing. You’re a fucking club whore. Easy pussy. I didn’t invite you to my fucking house, and I damn sure won’t let you insult MaryAnne.”
I tugged my sweater away from my body and realized she’d thrown a slushie at me. Who the hell drank an icy beverage in the winter? I heard the pipes of a bike approaching and looked down the road. A slight smile spread across my lips when I realized it was Sean. No, Galahad. I didn’t know how long it would take me to remember he had a new name. I’d been here long enough to learn it by now.
He came to a stop at the bottom of the driveway, eying Patriot and the club whore before his gaze swung over to me. It only took him a moment to figure out what happened, or at least the part where she’d thrown her drink at me. My cousin got off his bike and approached Patriot.
“Why the fuck is my cousin wearing your drink?” he asked the club whore.
She simpered and batted her eyelashes at him. Did that sort of thing really work? I’d always assumed it was a Hollywood thing only done in movies and on TV. When my cousin didn’t relax even a little, and Patriot didn’t seem to calm down either, I realized her antics weren’t working on them.
“Bitch got mad I wasn’t paying her enough attention when MaryAnne came out,” Patriot said.
“He kissed her while he was talking to me!” The blonde stomped her foot and huffed out a breath. I hadn’t seen her around before and wondered if she was new. It wasn’t that I hung out with the club whores, or saw them much, but there were a few who tried to win over the bikers by cleaning up or offering to do laundry. But this one I hadn’t seen around before, not even coming or going from the clubhouse.
Sean looked at Patriot and they seemed to do that silent communication thing I’d noticed most of the club seemed to do. Even the old ladies had their own version. I didn’t think I’d ever be able to look at someone and talk to them without words.
“She needs to apologize to her,” Patriot said.
“He called me easy pussy.” The blonde looked spitting mad.
Sean snorted. “You are. A club whore is only good for spreading her legs, not running her damn mouth. You keep opening that pie hole and someone around here might shove something in there.”
I pressed my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh. She looked absolutely gobsmacked that he’d said such a thing to her. Anyone else and I’ve have been offended for them, and outraged. But Patriot had explained about the club whores and assured me they were there of their own free will. I knew she’d chosen this way of life, even if it did seem like she was here to land a permanent spot in Patriot’s bed. How many of the others were hoping to end up with one of the bikers? All of them?
I almost felt sorry for them.
“She doesn’t have to apologize,” I said.
“I’m what?” I asked. “Your unwanted houseguest? Galahad’s cousin? I know you said you haven’t been with anyone, and you kissed me, but… I don’t know what exactly that means.”
“You’re mine,” Patriot said, not even looking my way.
My heart flipped, then flopped as my stomach dropped to my toes. His? He thought I was his? Sure, we’d kissed a few times now. I’d slept in his arms. But… his? I glanced at my cousin, but he didn’t seem the least bit surprised. Did the entire club know he thought I belonged to him?
The club whore squeaked as he gave her another rough shake. “Apologize now!”
“I’m sorry!” She struggled to break free. “I didn’t know you had an old lady. I’m sorry and I won’t do it again.”
Patriot released her with a slight shove that sent her sprawling on her ass. Sean snickered and walked past her, not even offering to help her up. Both men approached me, and I felt like a deer being hunted by wolves. The urge to run was strong, but I held my ground.
“Yours?” I asked softly.
“I’ve been giving you time to heal,” Patriot said. “And you can still take all the time you want, Little Bit. I haven’t wanted another woman since you moved into my house, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. But yeah, you’re mine and everyone around here knows it. If they don’t, they’re fucking stupid.”
I wasn’t sure what to say, so I decided to set all that aside for later. “The hot chocolate is cold by now.”
His lips twitched like he was fighting not to smile. “Guess we’d better make more, right after you shower and change.”
I nodded and hurried into the house, Patriot and Galahad on my heels. I went upstairs and grabbed a clean set of clothes in my bedroom before using the hall bathroom to rinse off and change. Thankfully, it hadn’t gotten in my hair. I pulled the long tresses up into a messy knot on the top of my head while the shower warmed. When steam billowed out, I stepped under the spray and washed the sticky drink off my skin.