City Of Sin: A Mafia & MC Romance Collection

by K. J. Dahlen

  She snuggled in closer and heard Raine grunt as his arms wrapped around her to bring her body closer to his. “Did you watch the dawn come up again? Is everything all right in the compound?”

  Cricket smiled. “Yup, the birds are awake and the sun is shining, all is good.”

  Raine chuckled under his breath. “Something else is awake too,” he murmured as he ground his cock into her belly.

  Cricket groaned. “Yes please…”

  He rolled her onto her back and in one swift thrust buried himself deep in her warm wet core. Then it was his turn to groan as he fit inside her like she was made for him. His lips crashed down on her mouth and the kiss they shared turned hot.

  With a flip of his hips, he began withdrawing and thrusting back inside her. His arms tightened around her. Breaking the kiss, he whispered in her ear, “I just can’t get enough of you. No matter how many times we do this, I’ll always want more.”

  “Good, because as much as you want this, I want it even more,” she whispered back. “You have become a very essential part of me. I don’t think I can give you up.”

  “You don’t ever have to,” he vowed. “I’m here for as long as you’ll keep me.”

  Cricket smiled as she felt her body tighten with her release pending. “That long huh? It might be forever.”

  “Then forever it is.” He growled as he thrust deeper and faster. Reaching down, his thumb thumped her clit and she cried out his name as she reached her climax. He followed her over the edge and for a moment, they both forgot to breathe.

  Raine couldn’t seem to move for a few minutes and when he did Cricket groaned and tried to keep him where he was. Lying next to her, he reached out and traced her jaw gently with his fingertip.

  Cricket turned her head to stare at him for a moment, then smiled softly and asked, “What is it?”

  “Can I keep you?” he whispered.

  “Forever and a day, that’s how long I’ll stay. And do you know why?”

  Raine shook his head.

  “I’ll stay that long because I love you.” She smiled. “And I’ll love you forever and a day.”

  “Forever might not be long enough,” he warned her.

  “Forever is all I got.” Cricket grinned as she leaned over and kissed his nose. “Come on old man, it’s time to rise and shine. The day is calling.”

  Raine groaned and fell back on the bed. Glancing over at the bedside clock he said, “Woman, it’s not even six a.m. yet.”

  Cricket giggled. “I’m sorry, but I’m awake and I can’t lay around any longer. I have to be busy doing something.”

  Raine grunted. “Then go start coffee. I’m going back to sleep for an hour and wake up like a normal person.”

  “Okay, Mr. Grumpy Butt, be a lazy bum then.” Cricket got up and got dressed. “I’ll make coffee and start breakfast.”

  “Have a great time.” Raine snuggled back under the covers.

  Cricket blew him raspberries as she made her way out the door. Walking down the short hall to the main room, she froze in her tracks. Scanning the room, she didn’t find anything out of place. The room was empty but it hadn’t been earlier. She didn’t know how she knew this but she could almost sense it.

  She continued into the room but her mood had changed. Her nerves were tingling and she felt unsettled now. She searched the entire room but again, found it empty. She did however find a faint scent of another human being, but it was so faint she could almost dismiss it.

  Hurrying to the kitchen area, she went to make coffee. She froze when she saw a fresh pot of coffee on the burner. It was only half full but it was still hot when she put her hand on the glass pot to check it. She grabbed the pot, dumped out the coffee and made another pot. Every few minutes, she glanced over her shoulder to make sure the room behind her remained empty. This was the kind of fear she thought was gone forever just a minutes ago.

  What had brought it back? Taking a deep breath, she began making coffee. Turning on the oven, she pulled a couple pounds of bacon out of the refrigerator and laid it out on cookie sheets. Then she pulled the ingredients out of the cupboard for pancakes and scrambled eggs.

  By the time Reva, Gator and their three kids showed up breakfast was almost done. Reva joined her in the kitchen. “Well this is a surprise.”

  Cricket shrugged. “I got up early and needed something to do.”

  Reva watched her carefully for a moment then asked, “Are you okay, hon?”

  Cricket’s hands shook as she began dishing the food up. “Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”

  Reva looked worried but got busy helping to set the food out.

  When Reva brought Gator a cup of coffee, she saw him sitting with Raine. She carried the cup over to her husband and glanced at Raine.

  Raine noticed the look and frowned. What?”

  “Is everything ok with Cricket?”

  Raine stared at her for a moment then glanced around the room for Cricket. Watching her for a moment, he looked back at Reva. “As far as I know, why?”

  Reva shook her head. “I don’t know. I just get the feeling something is very wrong here.”

  “Really?” Raine looked puzzled. “She was more than fine this morning.”

  “Maybe I’m wrong,” Reva said as she turned her head her gaze following the other woman around the room. “But I don’t think she’s fine anymore.”

  Raine watched her for a moment then he began to see what Reva saw. Cricket was trying very hard not to show it but there was something making her edgy.

  He turned to the other woman and nodded slightly. He continued his conversation with Gator but his eyes kept going back to watch his woman. The longer he watched her the more upset she seemed to get.

  Finally, he looked at the clock on the wall. Getting to his feet, he walked over to where she was serving breakfast, Wrapping his arms around her he pulled her close, “Is everything ok, sweetheart?”

  Cricket gave him a sad little smile and a nod.

  “Are you sure?” he pressed. “You seem a little off this morning.”

  “No, I’m fine,” she insisted.

  “What are you going to do today?” he asked.

  “Cassie needs help at Redemption House today. She asked me to help Quinn with the reading classes.” Shrugging she added, “There are too many people out there who need help of some kind or another.”

  Raine knew this. “Yeah I know, the city council has asked her to start another Redemption House. They think her program is working and they want her to expand.”

  Cricket nodded. “And she’s so busy with the kids she hasn’t got time. She’s down there trying to find the right people to work the second place.”

  Raine pulled her close. “If you need me today for anything, call me ok? Maybe we can do lunch together.”

  Cricket nodded but wouldn’t look at him. “Yeah, sure. Maybe lunch.”

  Raine paused then studied her face. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll call you about lunch. I don’t know what time I’ll be done.” She patted his arm.

  Raine had to step back and leave her be. He knew if he pushed her too hard, she’d shut down. He’d just have to keep an eye on her until she told him what was bothering her. He leaned down and kissed her goodbye.

  Cricket was breathless by the time the kiss ended. “Wow,” she exclaimed. “What brought that on?”

  Raine smiled. “Are you complaining?” he smirked.

  Cricket smiled. “Not a bit.” She shook her head. “But you usually don’t get the frisky in front of people. That’s the good stuff and you always save the good stuff for when we’re alone.”

  “Maybe I wanted to give you something to look forward to today when you’re taking care of all those kids. Maybe I want you thinking about me all day.”

  “Aww honey,” she groaned. “I think about you all the time, day and night. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too, you know,” he whispered.

&
nbsp; Cricket relaxed a bit and patted his chest. “You’d better go to work before you’re out on the unemployment line.”

  Raine barked a laugh. “Yeah, like that would happen. I got skills baby, skills you ain’t never seen before.” Then he slapped her ass. “Call me later.”

  Cricket shook her head. “Go to work.” She had thought about mentioning her feelings but decided against it. Nothing was wrong that she could say with any definition. She hadn’t seen anything out of place this morning, just a weird feeling.

  She watched as he walked out the front door. Then she began clearing the tables and wiping them down.

  Reva took the stack of plates and put them in the dishwasher. “Did I hear you were going to Redemption House today?”

  “Yeah. Quinn needs a second person in her classes.”

  “Good, you don’t have to be alone.”

  Cricket gave her a funny look then glanced at the time. “I’d better get going. I’m going to be late.”

  Reva nodded. “Drive carefully.”

  Cricket turned and left the clubhouse. Walking out to the parking lot, she got that creeping feeling back. As she put her key in the lock to unlock the door, she glanced around the dooryard but didn’t see anything amiss.

  Getting into the car and driving off, she couldn’t help but keep glancing in the rear view mirror. The further she drove away from the compound the better she felt. Drawing a deep breath by the time she reached Redemption House, she felt calm again.

  Losing herself in the activities of the classroom, she forgot about her problems. The laughter of the children made her forget everything from this morning. It wasn’t until she was on her way home after a full day that Cricket remembered the tension she felt this morning.

  The closer she got to the compound the more the fear was building inside her. When she came through the gates and pulled into the parking lot, she felt as if she’d crossed an imaginary line. Her heart began pounding in her chest, sweat bled through her skin slowly, as her breath got short and quickened into pants.

  She could feel the fear intensify and she began to imagine eyes staring at her from the shadows. Then she jumped and screamed in panic as someone thumped on her window.

  A concerned Raine stood there staring at her.

  Cricket took a deep breath and opened the car door.

  “Are you ok sweetheart? What’s wrong?” he asked her worriedly. Squatting down he took her hands and began rubbing them. “My god, your hands are so cold.”

  “I’m fine.” She tried to tell him but her voice was little more than a whisper.

  “No baby, you’re not ok. Come on, let’s get you inside.” He pulled her out of the car and wrapping his arm around her, he led her inside. Leading her to a quiet corner, he sat her down and squatted in front of her. Raising her head, he studied her face. “What’s going on Cricket? What are you so afraid of? Did something happen today? You were so happy this morning, now you’re scared to death.”

  Cricket closed her eyes briefly. “I don’t know. I thought my troubles were far behind me. I thought I could just relax and take life in for the first time in forever.”

  “What changed from the time you left my bed and breakfast time?”

  Tears filled her eyes. “I don’t know. When I came out into the main room, I felt like something evil had been here.”

  “Something evil?” He frowned.

  She shook her head. “I know I can’t explain it any better than that. No one was here but I could still feel it. It felt as if someone had been here but was now gone. Almost like I just missed someone walking out the front door. I could still feel his presence.” She shivered.

  “Who’s presence?” Raine looked troubled.

  “That’s just it, I don’t know. There was nothing out of place, no sign anyone had been here. Except when I got to the kitchen there was half a pot of hot coffee on the burner. I dumped it out and made a fresh pot but who made it in the first place? It didn’t make sense. But I’ve felt eyes following me, watching every move I make all day.” She shivered. “I know it doesn’t make sense, it makes no sense to me either, but someone is watching me and I don’t know why. It’s freaking me out.”

  Raine didn’t say anything. There was nothing he could say. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t worry. He’d check with Deke and find out if anyone had been in the clubhouse after everyone else went to bed, or if the patrol had seen anyone around who didn’t belong during the night.

  In the past, they had had visitors who shouldn’t be there, but that hadn’t happened in a long time. Their visitors had just been a couple of young kids who thought they could become members but rather than be upset about them breaking in, Deke had set then up, playing the bad guy biker. He’d literally scared them straight. Something the boys’ parents and the local sheriff had been grateful for.

  He knew Cricket wasn’t crazy or subject to weird vibes, so if she felt someone had been there then someone had been inside the clubhouse.

  She looked at him. “Do you think I’m crazy or what?”

  Shaking his head he said, “No baby, I don’t think you’re crazy, I don’t know what happened last night but I’m gonna find out. I promise you that.”

  She leaned into him and laid her face against his chest. Pressing her ear tight against him, she wiggled around until she could hear the beat of his heart. Without looking at him she asked, “Would it be rude if I just went to bed? I don’t want to talk to anyone tonight. I don’t think I could stand to see the pity in their eyes when I try to explain my fears of shadows and imaginary people who may or may not be there or here or whatever.”

  Raine hesitated then agreed, “Honey maybe you shouldn’t be alone right now, at least not until we figure this out.”

  She pushed away from his chest and looked him in the eyes, “I’ll be fine, I just need so time to get my fears under control. What could possibly hurt me here? I’m in a MC clubhouse, surrounded by big bad bikers? I’m safe here, aren’t I?”

  Raine nodded. “As safe as you are in your own mother’s arms.”

  Cricket shivered slightly. Then she got up and walked quickly to the hall where she almost ran to the bedroom they shared.

  Raine watched her flee with real concern in his eyes. Then he felt more than saw others join him.

  “Is there something going on that we need to know about?” Deke asked.

  Raine turned his head to stare at the three men standing behind him. Deke, Gator and Bones stood there watching him watching her run away.

  “Maybe, maybe not.” Raine shrugged. “I’m not sure yet but we do have to talk about this.”

  “Talk about what?” Deke asked.

  “We might have a shit storm coming.”

  2

  Deke didn’t say anything for a moment then he asked, “What kind of shit storm?”

  Raine shook his head. “I’m not sure. But I do know that Cricket got up this morning, like every morning, in a great mood. She likes to stand at the window staring outside and watch the dawn break. For some reason, she likes watching the light chase the shadows away.”

  “Point?” Gator growled.

  Raine glared at the other man. “The point is, when she left our room she was happy. Then something changed that happy to afraid. She’s been afraid of her own shadow all day and it’s getting worse.”

  “Worse, what are we talking about here?” Deke stared hard at him.

  “Right now, she’s so far from just afraid, she’s terrified,” he informed them.

  “Did she say what happened?” Sam, better known as Bones asked.

  Raine shook his head. “She said when she came into the main room this morning she felt she sensed evil was here. She said it was like someone had just left the room but she found nothing out of place and the room was empty. Although when she went to make coffee, she found a fresh half pot that was still hot to the touch. It kind of freaked her out.”

  Deke glanced at his dad then at Gator finally back to Raine. �
�Does she sense evil often?”

  “That’s just it, she hasn’t been afraid of anything since she got here. She told me once that after Cordy was gone and Bane was dealt with she finally felt free of the fear she lived with every day of her life.” Raine reasoned with them, “You have to understand something, her parents were running for their lives, and Cordy was a monster hiding behind the guise of being a sister. Cricket has lived with that shit all her life. She has the scars to prove it. The last four months have been wonderful for her. She’s blossomed into the beautiful person she was always meant to be.”

  “Yeah,” Bones agreed. “She has been a little bit of sunshine around here and Redemption House.” He paused then asked, “So what happened today then? What scared the piss out of her?”

  “I don’t know.” Raine growled in frustration. “She told me that she felt someone was watching her all day and it was starting to freak her out.” He looked over at Deke. “Why would someone be watching her? Why would she have found hot coffee in the kitchen before 6 am even? Who the fuck was here that we don’t know about? Could that be what this is all about?”

  Deke shrugged. “I have no idea. Let me talk to the patrol from last night. No one reported anyone inside who didn’t belong. We haven’t had anyone try breaking in for a while now and I know the gate was locked last night as usual.”

  “I’d appreciate that.” Raine nodded. “Something is freaking her out and she’s not the type to freak, not like this.”

  “No she’s not,” Deke agreed. “She’s the type to face her fears head on. Hell, she brought my kids back because it was the right thing to do and faced down an angry MC to do it. She faced a tribunal with everything pointing toward her guilt with more courage than some men I’ve known. She even faced her uncle with nothing but hate in her heart when most would wilt under his glare. It didn’t matter to her that he was a killer by trade. ”