by London Casey
Until now.
I was going to claim Harlee.
It was her only chance at surviving.
She’d have to become my wife.
sixteen.
(harlee)
I walked through the apartment and couldn’t find Trent. My body was still feeling him from last night. And that was from just his hands and mouth. Everywhere I looked in the apartment he was nowhere to be found. The couch was empty and I touched the pillow, wishing he was there. I wanted to repay plenty of favors to him.
The lingering smell of coffee hit my nose and I stumbled my way to the kitchen. I poured a cup of coffee long before I saw the note on the table. When I did see the note, I sat down and sipped the coffee, reading it.
My life was about to get insane.
Harlee -
Table meeting. Not sure when I’ll be back. Do not leave the apartment without an escort from the prospects. I need you to make a decision and then come to the clubhouse so we can talk. I haven't lied to you yet and I don’t plan on starting now. When you’re done reading this, burn it. Then go into the bedroom and open my top drawer. There will be something there for you. It’s your decision to take it or not. If you take it, you’ll be protected and you’ll have a family. If you decide not to take it, I will do everything I can to help you get out of this town and out of this war in one piece. The second we hit the border, you’re then on your own.
Make your decision.
I’ll be waiting.
- Trent
“My decision?” I whispered to myself.
I had no idea what Trent could have been talking about. I stood up from the table and saw a lighter on the counter. I did as the letter said and set it on fire. I dropped it into the sink and watched it fold up into itself until it was just ashes in the sink. Then I turned on the water and it was like the letter never existed.
In the bedroom, I feared what I’d find in the dresser.
I wanted to trust Trent. I wanted to really believe in him and take it for what it was worth that he hadn’t lied to me. But now I had to choose between staying and going? I had no intentions of leaving, at least not right then. Unless the club wanted me to go. Daxton thought I was dead, right? There was no purpose for me anymore. Except to fool around with Trent. And even that… the way he held back off from me, that was just pure torture. Having his cock so close to my body and he finished himself off. Torture, but wildly hot. So wildly hot.
I slowly peeled open the dresser drawer.
I half expected to find a gun.
What I didn’t expect to find was a diamond ring.
An engagement ring…
Trent wanted me to marry him?
**
I opened the door and a young prospect stood there. He had a toothpick in his mouth and quickly spit it off the balcony.
He was clean cut, too boyish for the life he thought he wanted to live.
“Do you need something?” he asked.
“A ride to the clubhouse,” I said. “Right now.”
The prospect checked his watch. “Not yet. I’ll let you know when it’s time.”
I went back into the apartment.
Then it struck me.
I’m not fucking kidnapped.
I dove forward and ripped open the drawers until I found the one I wanted.
I grabbed a knife and walked back to the door.
I was done with this shit.
Trent wanted an answer? He would get an answer from me.
I had the ring in my pocket and the answer in my heart.
When I opened the door again, the prospect smiled at me. I sliced the knife through the air, coming too close to him, actually startling myself. He ducked and fell to the right, tripping over his own two feet. I bit my tongue and kicked his ass, literally, and sent him to the ground.
I pointed the knife at him. “Take me now, prospect. Do you know who the fuck I am?”
The prospect stared at me, shocked. “I… Trent said…”
“Trent wants an answer from me and I’m not waiting any longer,” I said. “If you don’t take me, then I’ll walk. And if I get hurt, what do you think Trent would do?”
His faced turned white. He grabbed for the railing and pulled himself up. He put his hands out and waved at the knife like he could make it disappear.
“Put the knife down,” the prospect said.
“Take me to see Trent.”
“Okay. I will. But put the knife down.”
I tossed the knife into the apartment and shut the door, staying outside.
I fully expected the prospect to charge after me or something, but he didn’t.
He listened to me.
I was in control of him. Because of my affiliation with Trent and Back Down Devil MC. I was higher up in the MC than the prospect that gave me his bucket helmet to wear. That was power.
And it had nothing to do with me personally.
It was because of the diamond ring in my pocket.
The prospect started his ride and three more appeared.
I was getting a full escort to the biggest decision of my entire life.
seventeen.
(trent)
“Rocco’s been in touch,” Trev said as he sat at the head of the table. “Night Soul is shaken up bad over this.”
“They know about Mays?” I asked.
“They left May’s body outside the clubhouse,” Jasper said. “So they fucking knew.”
“I told them we have the head,” Trev said. “They can come get it and make arrangements to bury their brother as needed.”
“Seems a little nice, Prez,” Xavier said.
“No matter what, having those close to you fall, it hurts,” Trev said. “We didn’t order that hit on Mays. I made that clear to Rocco. I also made it clear that Ripper was far out of his element when he was dealing and that the O’Nuall family is one you don’t fuck with.”
“What’s the next play?” Austin asked.
“Rocco wants his guns,” Trev said. “More than ever. I’ve been arranging more meets and something was brought to the table.”
“Jesus Christ,” Jasper said. He looked right at me. Then to Trev. “Right now with this?”
“It’s a play,” Trev said.
“What is this?” I asked. “Is this about Harlee? Because if it is…”
“It has nothing to do with Harlee,” Jasper said. “It’s about your father.”
“Shit,” I said. “What did he do now?”
Trev stood up. “Our play is to keep both sides of this transaction happy until we can strike. That means Night Soul has to think they’re getting guns. And it means the O’Nuall family needs to think they’re getting paid for guns. We’re in between holding all of this together.”
“Why not let the O’Nuall just wipe out Night Soul?” Duke asked. “They take out our enemy, then we make arrangements for payment. We get the guns, Night Soul is gone, and we can start small dealing on the side and earn back and then some. Shit, it could let us take a breather up here, Prez.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” I said.
“I would vote on that,” Hudson said.
“Me too,” Cash said.
Trev just stood in silence. He slowly nodded. “Tell you what. There’s a lot of emotion and opinion flying around here right now. I said I wouldn’t drop my dick on the table and command too much. I respect all of you up here and all you’ve done, even when Ripper was trying to destroy all of this. Let’s take a break and think all this out. Everyone think about what they feel is right for the club. Right now, we’re in a small bit of calmness and all parties accept what’s going on. Take advantage for the moment. I’m calling this dead for now.”
Trev quickly smacked the gavel off the table.
To put it simply: it was fucking weird.
Trev wasn’t the type to just end a meeting. And he wasn’t really the type to talk about respect. He showed it.
The room slowly started to clear out, but I kept my ou
tlaw ass right in my seat. I wanted to know what the fuck was going on with my father.
Trev and Jasper sat in their seats also. They knew what they were doing by clearing the table. They were giving me the respect to some privacy to talk about my old man.
“Want a beer?” Jasper asked.
“No,” I said. “I want the truth. Right now. What the hell is going on?”
“Bringing you to the O’Nuall meeting was a mistake,” Trev said. “I should have done more intel on everyone.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Garvan and Bryant pegged you the second they saw you,” Trev said. “They made a connection and knew how to dig their claws in us.”
“I’ll keep it simple,” Jasper said. “Your old man still has some bad habits.”
“Drugs or gambling?” I asked.
“Everything. He’s in debt.”
“Shit,” I said. “Shit.”
I quickly stood up, sending the chair flying behind me. I rubbed my forehead and came to a swift decision on it. A decision I made a long time ago when it came to him. He never took care of me. He let me get my ass beat up. Shit, I was lucky nothing else happened to me with some of the people that showed up.
“Just let them do it,” I said.
“Do what?” Trev asked.
I looked back. “Let them kill him. I don’t care. I’m not going to be cornered by some Irish mobsters. We’ll show a greater force of power by not helping him. Think about that for a second. It’ll put Garvan and Bryant in their place. Just to show how fucked up we are. As long as they don’t go near your old lady, Prez. Or your baby.”
Jasper glanced at Trev.
Trev shut his eyes for a second. He put his hands to the table and stood. “Trent, it’s not that easy.”
“Yeah, it is,” I said. “I don’t give a shit about my father. I know you’re new up here, Prez. We can grab a beer and I can tell you some shit that will make you want to put a bullet in his head.”
“Trent, it’s the three of us alone for a reason,” he said. “I’m telling you it’s not that simple. Garvan and Bryant don’t want to kill your father.”
“Then what the fuck do they want with him?” I asked. “He doesn’t know shit about the MC. He doesn’t know shit about me.”
“Goddammit,” Jasper said. “Trent, just listen for a fucking second.”
That second turned into two and turned into another ten.
Trev stared me down. I waited for an answer.
There was no answer.
Instead, the door to the meeting room busted open and Tristan came rushing in. “I’m sorry, brothers, but we have a big problem.”
“What?” Trev asked.
“That chick Trent brought…”
“Harlee?” I asked, my mind instantly shifting gears. I was already running around the table. “What’s wrong?”
“Trent,” Jasper called out. “Wait.”
I wasn’t waiting for anything or anyone.
Tristan put a hand out. “Whoa. Brother. She’s outside looking for you.”
“She’s here now?” I asked.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” Trev growled.
“That’s not it,” Tristan said.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“She’s got a gun,” Tristan said. “She’s holding a prospect hostage.”
**
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Harlee stood at the gate with a gun to a prospect’s head. The poor guy looked terrified and ready to cry. She was in a terrible position too. The prospect could have easily gotten out of the situation but he just sat there on his motorcycle with his hands up in the air.
I put my arms around her and told everyone to stand the fuck down and stay the fuck away from her. Nobody knew what I had proposed to Harlee. Literally. The plan was for her to stay put in the apartment until after our meetings and then handle our business. I needed to walk this thing lightly to make sure the MC didn’t want my head cut off next.
When I got close enough, I grabbed Harlee’s wrist and lowered the weapon. “What the hell are you trying to prove?”
“I need to talk to you,” she said.
“Give me the gun.”
I took the gun and gave it back to the prospect. I grabbed his shirt and pulled him away, letting him stumble as I kept walking. When I was far enough away I swung him around to face me. I pulled him close, putting us nose to nose.
“She was supposed to stay,” I growled.
“She pulled a knife on me, Trent. She demanded. I was worried she would sneak out and try running. I figured it was easier to bring her. To keep her safe, like you wanted. I had four of us and made sure nobody was going to hurt her.”
“You let her put that gun to your head, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“My only move was to attack,” he said. “I’m not going to attack a member’s old lady. I’m not going to touch her.”
“She could have shot you.”
“That was a risk worth taking.”
“Why, prospect?”
“Because she seems scared and pissed off,” he said.
“Maybe she’s coming to shoot me.”
“If so, then there’ll be an opening at the table.”
“Are you being a fucking smart ass with me?”
“Yes, I am, sir.”
I pushed the prospect away. “Thank you for keeping her safe. Thank you for not making her jumpy. Now go inside and get a beer. Get your dick sucked by a reliever. You did good, prospect. You have a thirty minute break. Move.”
I never saw a prospect run so fast in my life.
I set my sights back on Harlee. I walked right up to her and grabbed her by the waist. I lifted her up and walked her to the gate. Her back hit against it and she gasped. I could feel the monster building from deep inside me.
“Are you serious?” I asked.
“Are you?” she asked back. “That’s your plan?”
“I gave you two choices, darling,” I said. “I’m not being kind here. I’m not trying to be your knight in shining armor. I’m a dirty fucking outlaw. I’ll never be anything but that. But you can stay and become my old lady for real and have protection and family or you could ship your ass into Canada and hide out. That’s what you’ve done to yourself. Not me.”
“Then maybe I should have stayed at that poker game. I should have gotten shot. Or I should have just done what I was there to do…”
I gritted my teeth and my eyes went wide. My hands squeezed tighter around Harlee’s waist. No other woman in my life had pissed me off this much. Ever. This was why I didn’t keep women around. Ride my cock and then walk the fuck home. Or go to another member’s room and ride his cock. I didn’t do the morning breakfasts and morning breath flirty talk bullshit. No fucking way.
“You know what, give me the fucking ring back then,” I said. “You’re ass is gone.”
“Yeah?” Harlee asked. “That’s what you’re going to do now? Change your mind.” Harlee sucked in a shaky breath, like she was going to cry. “What did you think I would do here? Just show up… oh, Trent, yes… please, Trent, please marry me right now. Yes! I accept your proposal!”
I then saw Harlee’s eyes go really big. And she got really scared.
I looked over my shoulder and felt the same shock she must have felt.
A few steps behind us was Trev.
And he just heard what she just said.
**
“What the hell is this?” Trev asked.
“Give me a sec, Prez,” I said.
“Like hell I will. She shows up with a gun to a prospect’s head…”
“I put her in a bad spot,” I said.
“It’s my fault,” Harlee said. “I got nervous. He was gone. Because of yesterday.”
“I don’t give a shit about that,” Trev said. “Did you say something about a proposal?”
“Prez,” I said. “You didn’t hear that…”
> “Yes,” Harlee said. “Trent proposed to me.”
“He did what?” Jasper asked as he started to close in on the scene now.
Fuck me.
“It’s not what you think,” I said to Trev. “I wanted…”
“Here,” Harlee said. “Look.”
She dug into her pocket and goddammit, she had the ring. The ring I had planned on giving someone else but never had the chance to do so. She had it in her goddamn hand, showing it to Trev and Jasper as her hand shook with fear.
“Holy shit,” Jasper said.
“You’re kidding me,” Trev said.
“Look, I gave her the ring, okay?” I said. “I’m not the one for big romance bullshit so I left her the ring this morning after we talked last night.”
“And that prompted you to pull a gun on a prospect?” Trev asked.
“I wanted to find out if he was serious,” Harlee said.
I looked at her. Our eyes were burning for each other, probably for all the wrong reasons.
“So what’s the answer,” Trev said.
Slowly, Harlee moved her hand toward me. “Yes, Trent. Yes.”
“No fucking way,” Jasper said.
I suddenly felt like I was no longer in the MC. That I was some outsider, purposely lying to get what I wanted. Like a fucking rat, trapped in a corner, doing anything to survive. The bigger problem was that it wasn’t about my survival, it also included Harlee’s.
I grabbed the ring from her hand and turned her hand around. And right there, in front of the President and VP of Back Down Devil MC, I slid a diamond ring onto Harlee’s finger.
That ring would allow her to stay at the clubhouse without worry or fear of the MC. That ring gave her protection. That ring gave her family.
“Jesus,” Jasper said. “That didn’t take long, Trent. I’ve seen you go through ten women in a weekend. What the fuck is she made of?”
“That’s something you’ll never find out,” Harlee said.
I turned and stood next to Harlee. I put my arm around her. My face like stone. I was simply the monster… well, a controlled version of the monster. And Trev ate me alive with his eyes. It was now two powerhouses staring each other down, trying to figure the other out.