by K. J. Dahlen
Deke barked a laugh. “You don’t know what else is going on here man. That girl is running from four members of the Ghosts of Dixie. One of whom is a murderer and is looking for her to kill her.”
“Are you fuckin serious?” Iceman asked.
CHAPTER FIVE
“Dead serious,” Deke admitted. “The only problem is Raven doesn’t know about it, or at least I don’t think he does.”
“This girl is nothing but trouble,” Iceman argued. “Do we really need this kind of headache right now?”
“No but we don’t have a choice,” Deke replied. “I can’t turn a kid like her out on the streets with the problems she has. Cassie would kill me.”
Iceman winced. “I hear that, Peaches would do the same to me.”
Gator shook his head with a smile. “Damn Bones…” He looked over at Sam. “…When trouble looks for you, it lands big, don’t it?”
Sam grunted and gave him a glare but he mostly ignored his old friend. Then he disappeared for a moment and when he came back, he brought Melora with him. “We all need to understand what’s going on here.” He held her hand, so she would have no choice but to stay.
“What is this evidence you told us about?” Deke asked her.
Melora glared at him then brought out her phone. She flipped through the buttons and found the video she was looking for. Then she handed it to Deke.
All four men gathered around as he hit the play button. She had indeed caught Baily’s murder on video. Not only the murder but the conversation afterwards, all the way to the moment the truck turned the corner and the street was empty.
“So who was this kid?” Iceman asked in the silence that followed.
“Senator Walker’s nephew,” Deke replied. “He was under Raven’s protection and no one knows what happened to him. Walker has been looking for him since he disappeared two years ago.”
“Damn.” Iceman swore. “You have to call Raven and clue him in.”
“Yeah I do, but if that happens he’s gonna send a posse after Whiskey and his boys and then we’ll have a war in our streets.” Deke countered.
“He has to know.”
“I know.” Deke ran his hand over his face. Then he glanced over at Melora. “And you aren’t going anywhere until this is settled. I’m not risking anyone’s life over you.”
“I never asked to be here,” Melora protested. “I didn’t want to put anyone between me and Whiskey.” She turned and glared at Sam. “He’s the one who brought me here against my will. Just let me go and Whiskey’s bullshit won’t come down on you or this club.”
Deke ignored her outburst and stared at Sam. “You brought her in, you keep track of her, twenty four seven.”
Sam nodded. “I can do that.”
“You’d better. Try not to lose her until this is over or it will be your blood that’s spilled.” Deke reached for the phone. He nodded at the door and everyone left him alone to make the call to Raven.
~* * * *~
Sam grabbed her hand and dragged her back to the bedroom they would share. As he closed the door behind them, he flipped the lock and put the key in his pocket.
Melora paced back and forth in front of the bed. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to come here.”
“Why is that darlin’?” Sam asked casually as he went over to the bed and stretched out.
“Your son is risking his life and those of his club to keep Whiskey out. Whiskey is plain crazy. He isn’t going to let anyone stand between me and certain death at his hands. He has to kill me now.”
“Honey, he’s always had to kill you…you just didn’t know it at the time,” he assured her. Sam patted the bed and urged her to sit down beside him. When she did, he continued, “He doesn’t know where you are yet. Hopefully, we’ll be able to neutralize him before he knows where to find you.”
“It hasn’t worked out that way in the past, why should it now?”
Sam frowned. “How did he find you before?”
Melora shrugged. “I have no idea. When I left Raleigh, I didn’t tell anyone where I was going. Hell, I didn’t know myself. I did call a friend to tell her I would be out of town and I asked her to collect my last paycheck.”
“Could he have known you would call her?”
Melora shrugged. “I don’t think he would have. The only one who even knew we were friends was another bartender at the club I worked in. Gloria wouldn’t have told him anything.”
“Not even if he forced her too?”
Melora paled. “Maybe? I did call her after I left town. I asked her to let Izzy collect my check.”
“Who’s Izzy?”
“She’s the only friend I have in the world,” Melora admitted. “She’s the only one I’ve kept in touch with since I left Raleigh.”
Sam snapped his fingers. “I’ll bet Whiskey knows this Izzy. He’d have to in order to keep track of you all this time. Izzy has been telling him where you are every time you call.”
Melora shook her head. “Izzy wouldn’t do that.”
“Honey, she may not have had a choice. If Whiskey is desperate to find you, he would use whoever he could.”
Melora flopped down on the bed. “Damn his ornery hide.”
Sam began undressing and when he was naked, he pulled her up and around to lay next to him. “There isn’t anything more we can do tonight, so let’s get some rest. Things may not seem so desperate in the morning.”
“No it will probably be worse,” she muttered. She sat up and loosened her braid. Shaking her fingers through her hair, she groaned.
Sam was entranced by those long silken strands. “Your hair is beautiful but why do you hide it under a wig?”
“It makes people remember me,” she answered simply. “I can’t be hidden from the world if people remember me.”
“I’ve never seen anyone with hair so long or so light.” He reached out to smooth his fingers along it. “Like silk…”
“My mom told me once that a woman’s hair was her crowning glory. Her hair was down to her ass. I’ve never cut it in memory of her. It kept me connected to her even after her death.”
Sam pushed her on her back and leaned over her. He pulled her top off. His mouth touched hers…then something changed and his kiss went from warm to very hot within seconds. His hands ran up and down her sides finally settling on her breasts. He slipped her bra straps down then reached behind her and unsnapped it, throwing the bra to the floor. His hands kneaded her breasts then thumbing her nipples, Sam kissed a path to her chest. Taking one nipple into his mouth he bit down on it gently and Melora squirmed under him. Pinching the other nipple between his fingers, she whimpered. Lifting her ass off the bed, he pulled her jeans and underwear off.
She opened her legs and exposed her core.
Accepting the sexy offering, he reached down and he rammed two fingers deep inside her.
Melora moaned and raised her hips to meet his fingers. Over and over he dipped inside her. Harder and deeper he rammed them in. Melora reached out, grabbed his cock and fisted it. Each stroke with her hands brought him closer to where he wanted to be. Finally, he couldn’t stand it anymore and he settled between her legs. As he rammed himself inside her, they both groaned.
“Harder…” She moaned. “…I need you harder. I’m so close. Please…”
Sam ramped up and soon was lost as he stroked harder and faster. He could feel her responding and that made him ready to blow. Then it hit them both. Melora cried out and Sam stiffened as they both climaxed together. Sweat beaded Sam’s forehead and dripped down to Melora but neither of them cared. Melora closed her eyes and tears spilled down her cheeks.
Sam saw them and rolled beside her. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you? I mean I know I’m kind of rough.”
Melora shook her head. Turning, she looked at him. “No you didn’t hurt me,” she whispered. “I’m just wondering why you are the only man I’ve ever wanted to sleep with?”
Sam chuckled. “I have no fucking clue bu
t I’m glad to hear that.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I’m a possessive old man. As long as we’re together, you won’t be allowed to stray. I’ll kill anyone who tries to touch you.”
“And how long will that be?”
“As long as both of us want it or until I get tired of it,” Sam admitted. “But I don’t think that’s gonna happen anytime soon.”
“I can’t promise anything as long as Whiskey is out there,” Melora warned. “I may not want to leave but may not have a choice. I won’t risk anyone else’s life.” She paused then whispered, “For some reason, I feel safe here with you and I haven’t felt that way in a long time.”
“You won’t risk your life either.” Sam’s arms wrapped around her and held her close. “You’re safe here and no one will hurt you behind these walls.”
Melora was tired of the fight and of living in fear so she didn’t object. She snuggled into Sam’s embrace and closed her eyes. “Whatever you say old man, whatever you say. Now be quiet, I’m going to sleep.”
Sam grinned as he snuggled down beside her. He kept stroking her silky hair and for the first time in his life, he was in awe of something…Someone.
~* * * *~
A few hours later, three motorcycles roared up to the main gate. Mountain and two of his men sat aboard them.
Wiley was making rounds and came up to the front gate.
“I need to talk to Deke and the girl.” Mountain barked. “I can’t wait till daylight.”
“Wait here.” Wiley told him. He turned and walked around behind the clubhouse. Fifteen minutes later Wiley came back, Deke was there as well.
Mountain was leaning up against his bike waiting. “I want to talk to the girl again.”
“It’s the middle of the night man, can’t you wait until its light out?”
Mountain shook his head. “I need to know if she’s my kid.” He waited and when Deke didn’t say anything Mountain asked, “Would you wait until daylight if your kid might be inside these walls?”
Deke sighed then reached over and hit the code to unlock the gate.
Mountain threw his leg over his bike and rode up to the door of the clubhouse. His men followed,
Wiley shut the gate and locked it after they were inside.
Mountain watched as Deke walked up to the doorway. Opening it, he allowed the three men inside. Snapping on the lights Deke went to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee.
When he joined the others in the main room, he sat down and motioned for them to sit. Looking at Mountain he asked, “What are you going to do if this girl is your daughter?”
“Fair question.” Mountain nodded. “All I want to know is that she’s all right and if she needs anything. I’m not here to start trouble but I do want to know her.”
“Can I ask a question?” one of Mountain’s men asked.
Deke turned and stared at him. “What do you want to know?”
“Why is this compound on lockdown?”
“Because the girl you came here to find is being hunted.”
Mountain stiffened. “By who and for what?” he sneered.
Deke sighed and rubbed his hands over his face. “Two years ago, she witnessed a murder. A member of the Ghosts of Dixie knifed a man under Raven’s protection then hid the murder. He knows she saw what he did and he’s been after her ever since.”
“Raven knows this and allows it to happen?” Mountain asked. “That doesn’t sound like Raven.”
Deke glanced over at Mountain. “You know Raven?”
Mountain nodded. “We’ve done business in the past.”
“Do you know any of his crew?”
Mountain shrugged. “Some but not all.”
“Do you know a man named Whiskey?”
Mountain and the others grunted with disgust. “Yeah, we know the bastard. Why?”
“He’s the one after the girl,” Deke informed him.
Mountain sighed heavily. “Now why doesn’t that surprise me?” He rubbed his hands across the back of his neck. “Who was it Whiskey murdered?”
“Senator Walkers’ nephew Baily.”
One of the men with Mountain snorted again. “Whiskey always was a stupid little shit.”
“That’s gonna kill Raven’s political connection. Why would he do that?” Mountain asked.
“I don’t think Raven ordered the hit,” Deke replied. “In fact, Baily was under his protection.”
No one said anything for a moment. Then Mountain asked, “Is there any proof? Raven isn’t gonna take some chick’s word for what happened. He’s gonna want proof.”
“Yeah, there’s proof. The girl recorded the whole thing.”
Mountain sat there a moment then smoothed his hand along his chin. “Can I see this proof?”
Deke took Melora’s phone out of his pocket and played the video for him.
Mountain didn’t say anything for a minute then reached for his own phone. He waited until someone answered then asked to speak to Raven.
While he spoke to Raven, Deke got up and went to get the coffee. When he got back, Mountain was done with his conversation.
When Deke poured the coffee, Mountain told him, “I asked Raven to come up here. He needs to see the video and handle Whiskey himself.”
“That’s just what Melora didn’t want,” Deke told him. “She didn’t want to start a war with another club.”
“This won’t start a war,” Mountain declared. “Raven needs to know the truth. He needs to know what’s going on in his own club. He had no idea what happened to Baily and he was pissed when I told him.”
“I agree with you on that point.” Deke nodded. “But I won’t turn her over to him or to you if she doesn’t want to go.”
Mountain stared at him for a long minute. “Message understood but I need to know if she’s my kid.”
Deke nodded and got to his feet. He went down the hall to his old bedroom and knocked on the door. When his dad answered, he passed along the message and went back to his table. “Sam will be out in a minute.”
“Who is he? Is that the older guy who was sitting next to the girl?” Mountain asked.
Deke nodded. “He brought her in.”
“What do you know about her?”
“She claims her name is Melora and she’s been running for two years now.” Deke shrugged. “That’s about all I know. Maybe Sam knows more but the girl doesn’t like to talk about her life.”
Sam joined them a moment later. He sat and stared at Mountain. No one said a word and when the door to the bedroom opened up again, everyone turned to stare at her.
Melora came out of the bedroom dressed but nothing covered her pale, silken hair. Her white locks flowed around her all the way to the floor. She walked out staring into Mountain’s eyes. She heard him gasp but she didn’t smile. Finally, she sat down next to Sam and reached for his hand. Staring at her father she told him, “My name is Merry Loran Shaw.”
CHAPTER SIX
Mountain took his time looked her over. Her pale hair shimmered in the light. “Are you Carla’s daughter?”
Melora nodded. She wasn’t going to make this easy for him.
“Why didn’t you speak up before?” Mountain wanted to know.
“You were just the man that screwed my mother twenty four years ago. I don’t owe you anything nor do I want anything from you. My mother gave me everything she had, everything I needed. You, I don’t even know. What’s more important, you don’t know me either.”
“I didn’t know you because Carla never told me you were born,” Mountain argued. “How can you hold that against me?”
“She gave you everything she had for seven days and you never came back.” Melora scoffed. “Did you know she waited for you for ten years? Did you know she never found anyone else to care about her after you left? She died still loving you.”
Mountain hung his head. When he lifted it, she could see his eyes were swimming in tears but they never fell. “The hardest thin
g I ever did in my entire life was to ride away from her that day. I never found another woman who could take her place in my heart, but it never occurred to me that she was waiting for me to come back for her.”
“She once told me she loved a lifetime in that week you were together,” Melora whispered. “She tried to find you after I was born but she didn’t know anything about you.”
“Oh, she knew about me.” Mountain nodded. “She named you after my mother and her grandmother. Merry was your great-grandmothers’ name, Loran was my mother’s name. She remembered that much.”
“She remembered more than that,” Melora admitted. “She used to tell me stories about you, little things the two of you did while you were with her. The only thing she didn’t tell me was your name. She would never tell me who you were.”
“My name is Talon Morgan. My club name is Mountain because I’m so big. My family lives in Iowa. I have a father and four brothers there. My club family is from Sabine Pass, Texas. That’s where I ended up after I left her and you in Chicago. I’ve been there for twenty four years and that’s where I’ll die. It’s a good place to live and I’m hoping you’ll come back there with me.”
Melora shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“I’m in trouble with another club and if they find me, they will kill me.” Melora explained. Looking around she added, “I didn’t want to come here but Sam here didn’t give me a choice.”
Mountain turned to stare at Sam. He noted the fact of how he had moved closer to her after she sat down and they both came out of the same bedroom. He also saw Sam’s hand on her shoulder and knowing she was his daughter this bothered Mountain. “How long have you been with the old man?”
Sam stiffened at the tone of his voice.
Melora laid her hand on Sam’s. “I met him two days ago.”
“Isn’t that a little soon to be sleeping with him?” Mountain asked.
Melora sneered. “You got no say in how I live my life or who I sleep with. As far as I’m concerned you’re just a donor.”