by Jenika Snow
“Does it matter? I’m calling you, and we’re both getting what we want.”
He could agree with that, but Mayhem was the type of guy that liked shit up front. “I like to know what I’m in with.” He let the curtain fall back in place and leaned back on the chair he was in. The plastic and metal creaked from his weight and the age of the shitty furniture. “I’m not into fucking surprises showing up on my doorstep. So tell me what is the problem you have.”
There was a moment of silence, and then she exhaled long and slow. “My brother was either dropped off, or somehow managed to walk to my place. He was beat to shit, and it was because of the group of people that he’s in trouble with.”
Mayhem stayed silent, let her tell him everything on her own time. He might have done some digging on her and her brother, wanting to know what he was dealing with because he’d wanted her that much, but she also needed to trust him, even if she had no reason to.
“I want you to know the only reason I called you, and the only reason I’m even telling you any of this, is because you offered up a lifeline and I am desperate. I think you’re a bastard still.”
He grinned even if she couldn’t see him. Hell, he knew it was lowdown what he was doing, but nothing in this world came without a price. That was reality, and if she didn’t know that by now that was on her. When he didn’t respond she exhaled again and started speaking once more.
“My brother is involved with the Cardona gang. Have you heard of them?”
Mayhem shifted on the seat, becoming more alert. “Yeah, punk ass gang that thinks they’re the next Godfather?”
“They’re dangerous, especially to people like my brother. He has a gambling addiction, and that’s what has him in this current situation. They want ten grand for his debts.”
“Is his time up?”
“What?” she asked.
“Is that why they clocked him out?”
She cleared her throat. “No. He wanted to try and work things out with them.”
Mayhem shook his head and ran a hand over his eyes. “Your brother is a fucking idiot.”
“He may not be the smartest out there, may have problems up the ass, but in his heart he’s a decent guy. He’s also my brother, and my only family.”
“That ‘decent guy’ is going to end up getting killed and buried in a cornfield, but not before they make him watch you eat a bullet, baby.”
He could practically hear her grinding her teeth and feel her anger.
“And that’s why I’ve called you. I have no resources, no friends or family to turn to aside from Nate. Believe me, this is a last fucking resort, but I’d do anything for my brother.”
“Weakness only gets you pulled into other people’s shit.” Mayhem grabbed the bottle of whiskey sitting across from him, didn’t bother with a glass, and unscrewed the cap. He drank right from the mouth of it, staring at the wall, and waiting for her to continue.
“And there isn’t anyone that you’d die for, that you’d do anything to make sure was safe?”
Mayhem took another large drink of whiskey, then set the bottle down. He wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. “There’s plenty of people I’d lay down my life for, but they would also do the same for me, and wouldn’t fuck up repeatedly. You screw with me and what’s mine once, and that’s it. I don’t do second chances, and don’t let someone continue to pull me into their problems. That’ll get you killed.”
“Then I guess you’re better than me, aren’t you.” She didn’t phrase it like a question.
“No, baby, I’m not better than you. You’re just not as strong as you think you are.” He wasn’t saying that to piss her off or cut her down. This world would eat up anyone that couldn’t hold their own. Because she was there for her brother he was still alive. But Mayhem could tell the little prick was weak, and if not for his sister bailing him out he’d be rotting already.
“This is a transaction. You’re giving me something, and in return I’ll—God, I don’t know what I’m supposed to give you.”
He felt his cock jerk at the thought of exactly what he wanted from her. “You know what you’re supposed to give me.”
“But I have my own rule.”
Really, he could have said fuck that. Without his money she and her brother were screwed. Mayhem was a bastard, but he wouldn’t be a dick to her. If she wanted to negotiate with him he’d hear her out. That didn’t mean he’d agree with it all. But just the thought of finally having her, getting that itch out of him because he’d have her in any and every way he saw fit, had Mayhem so fucking juiced up.
“You want to talk, you can come to the motel I’m staying at.” He had to grin after he said that, because he knew she wouldn’t agree to being in a private, closed off space with him, not if she was smart.
“You want to talk, we do this in the open.”
If Mayhem was the laughing type he would have done so right then. She was smart, had a fire inside of her, and that was one of the reasons he was so hard up for Butters. Mayhem didn’t bother reminding her that when she was his he’d do a hell of a lot of things to her in private. She’d find that out soon enough. If she wanted this feeling of having the upper hand, of having some control, he’d give it to her, but only this one time.
****
Butters twisted her hands together. After she’d gotten off the phone with Mayhem she’d been able to sleep for a few hours, but it had been tossing and turning, with a mixture of nightmares between them. She looked out the window again, waiting for Mayhem to show up. It was the following evening, and with Nate still at her house sleeping off and on, more in pain today than he was last night, she needed to get this handled.
“Can I get you anything, hun?” the waitress said, pen and pad in hand. She was an older woman, looking like she’d had a rough life but was still pushing through.
Butters shook her head. “I’m fine with the water, thanks.”
“Just wave me over if you change your mind.”
“Thanks again.” She watched as the waitress nodded and turned, leaving Butters to sit there and think about all the shit in her life once again. She didn’t know how long she sat there, but she finally saw the gleam of chrome as a big ass Harley pulled into the graveled parking lot. Mayhem sat on it, parking the beast of a vehicle, his body looking huge, covered in denim and leather, and sporting that vest that denoted he was in a dangerous biker club.
Butters started feeling twitchy. She bounced her leg under the table and was tearing apart the napkin in her hands as she watched him. He dismounted the bike, took off the skullcap helmet, and looked at the diner. He had on a pair of sunglasses, his dark hair short but messy, and she felt like her world was falling apart. He was attractive in a darkly, dangerous way, and she wasn’t blind to the thought or excitement of being with him sexually. But he scared her more than she admitted. She didn’t think he’d ever hurt her, but it was the way he looked at her, the fact he was going to these lengths just to sleep with her. It seemed unreal. Who in the hell would give someone ten grand to fuck them? Not even the best of whores made that kind of money, at least not in this town.
He started making his way toward the diner, and she turned her focus to the front door. It opened a few seconds later, the little bell above it making noise as he entered. This diner was shitty, as were many of the businesses within a ten mile radius, but she’d been here countless times after getting off work. The people were friendly, most of the time, and the food was palatable.
Butters could have stood and motioned him over, but instead she sat there, watched as he looked around the restaurant, and then finally stopped as his gaze landed on hers. For a second they just looked at each other, and then Mayhem was moving toward her while slipping his sunglasses in the collar of his shirt. The dark lenses hung on his shirt, and this emotionless mask covered his face. They were still holding each other’s gazes when the waitress came by again.
“You want any—”
“I’m good,” Mayhem said in a m
onotone, never taking his eyes off of Butters, and cutting off the waitress.
“Okay.” The waitress drew that word out a little longer than comfortable, but she left them alone.
They sat there, the silence thick enough it felt like a second skin.
“You wanted to talk, so talk, baby.”
She gritted her teeth. “I’m not your baby.”
He didn’t move, didn’t show any expression after she spoke. The fact he stayed silent. His focus on her, intense, searing, made her feel like she was under a microscope. She didn’t have time to fuck around, though. Taking a deep breath, the sooner she got this out of the way, the sooner she got the cash to save Nate, and could be done with this deal.
“Going through with this, how long did you see it lasting?” She just knew he probably wouldn’t be a one-night type of guy.
“Does it matter?”
She clenched her teeth. “It does. This is my life.”
“It shouldn’t, seeing as I’m giving you ten grand.” His bright blue eyes were still focused on her. “If I want you for one night or one month, you should be ready to do whatever the fuck I say, right?” He lifted a dark eyebrow again.
“A month?” she seemed to gasp out. Thinking about being his sex slave for that length of time was inconceivable. “I have a life, a job. I can’t just be on my back for you until you’re finished using me up. I need to know what I’m getting into here.”
He didn’t respond, and she felt twitchy, feeling like she had bugs crawling on her body for as close as he was.
“I need to know, Mayhem. I need to be prepared, because believe it or not, this is really hard for me. I’ve never degraded myself like this.”
“This is really hard for me, too, Butters,” he said in a deep, thick voice, and a smirk covering his mouth. She felt warmth fill her that this man had said something filthy, yet it sounded normal almost. She knew what he was referring to, knew he was talking about his cock. That should have pissed her off, but instead it had arousal rising up in her so swiftly she didn’t know how to handle it.
But she didn’t respond, didn’t even move.
“Okay, you want some specifics to make this easier for you?”
Of course she’d do it no matter what, because she had no other options and she wasn’t about to let Nate die. She nodded, not wanting to go into this blindly.
“I want you for a week. I want to be able to have you in my bed, doing whatever I say for that time. You’ll be mine, only mine, Butters.” He leaned in close. “If I say get on your knees and suck my cock until you gag and start to cry, you’ll do it.”
Her heart was thundering. His words should have frightened her, but the reaction her body was having was the opposite.
“However you want to think of this to make this feel right for you, do what you need to do. The end result is still the same. Your body will be mine. Your pussy will be sore by the time I’m done with you, your ass, too.”
Her throat tightened.
“You won’t be able to walk comfortably when I’m with you, but I’m not a selfish bastard, baby. I’ll make sure you get off just as many times as I do, if not more.” He smirked again. “I’ll make it good for you.”
For a long while she couldn’t speak, and she was very aware of the outraged gasps coming from the people beside them, obviously hearing the filthy things Mayhem said.
She knew she had to be strong, knew she had to show this biker that she could give as good as she got. Butters was not about to be his doormat, even if she was going to be his whore.
“I have a little stipulation on what will happen for this deal, and what I’m willing to do.”
He kept his smirk in place, leaned back against the booth, but otherwise stayed silent.
Trying to act like this didn’t bother her was easier said than done.
“I won’t be shared by anyone. You want me, are willing to pay that kind of money to fuck me, I only want to be yours for that time.” Of course he’d already said as much, but saying it again wouldn’t hurt.
He made this low sound in his throat, and she leaned back, slightly startled by the noise. It wasn’t a warning sound, but one that was of … pleasure.
“I don’t want anyone knowing about our deal either. I don’t know how long you wanted this transaction to last, but that’s all it is … a transaction. If that means making everyone think I’m there to work at the bar, so be it.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, his muscles clenching and bunching, the power clearly there, and not even trying to be hidden. She could see the definition of his pecs and strength through the material of his shirt, and she swallowed at the heat that moved through her as she stared at those tattoos that lined his arms from his wrists to disappear under the sleeves of his shirt.
“And I want my brother to come with me. I want to make sure he’s safe while I’m gone.”
“Fuck no.” Mayhem didn’t move as he cursed out. “My club ain’t no damn shelter. Your brother got himself into this, and I’m helping to get his ass out, but he’s not coming with us. The MC will never allow that.”
She breathed out, knowing he was probably going to say no to that.
“They want their money. Once they have that they could care less about him, well, not if he’s smart enough not to screw up again.”
She knew he was right. She supposed she’d just wanted Nate with her for her own comfort.
“He’ll be fine, as long as he keeps his shit in order until the money is paid.”
For some reason she believed Mayhem, even if she had no reason to.
“Yeah,” she said, but not knowing what she was really agreeing to. “I want this strictly between us. So, I know asking this, demanding these things, is probably crossing the line, but I need to have my own rules, even just a few, Mayhem. Surely a man like you knows what I mean.”
“You know, baby, I could say fuck this and find pussy elsewhere.”
She swallowed, but kept her composure. “You could, but you’ve been hard up for me for a while now.”
And I have no clue why, but I’ll go with it.
“If I was the type of guy that found things funny, you giving me demands would have me laughing,” he said with a straight face. “I want you, no doubt about it, and I won’t lie. But the truth is you need me and the money I can give you more than I need to fuck you.” He leaned forward, and although the words were harsh, they were true.
Butters breathed out and nodded. “You’re right.” This was worse than she’d imagined.
“But I didn’t say I wasn’t on board for your demands in order to have a piece of you.” He smirked, just the corner of his mouth lifting, but it wasn’t humorous in the slightest. It reminded her of a predator knowing he’d get exactly what he wanted from his prey.
She smoothed her hands over her jeans, feeling them shake with her nerves. Butters didn’t even care how he had ten grand just lying around. She didn’t care, as long as this was legit and she could save her brother.
“I really want to fuck you, Butters, so I can be that guy that lets you think you have the upper hand right now.” Mayhem hadn’t said the words low, and she saw a few people glance over, their shocked faces clear.
The tension, intensity, and thickness surrounding them grew until she felt like she’d suffocate.
“When do you need the money by?”
She didn’t know, because she hadn’t even been smart enough to ask Nate. “I don’t know.”
“I would assume you need it pretty damn soon.”
“You’ll give me the money before we … do this between us? You trust me like that?” He didn’t seem like the type of guy to trust anyone.
“Butters, you taking the money and running from me won’t happen. It doesn’t have anything to do with trust, baby girl. I can find you anywhere you are.”
And she had no doubt that he could deliver on that tenfold.
“But I won’t just be handing shit over to you either.”
> “What?” Panic set in.
“I have one rule about the money.”
God, what now?
“What?”
“I’m the one that delivers it. I won’t have you going up against the Cardona Family, payment in hand or not. They’ll deal with me and my club.”
“But why? Why care if I go to them on my own?”
He looked at her right in the eyes, and she swore it was like he was reaching out and touching her. “Think of it as watching out for my investment.”
Chapter Five
One week later
A week had passed since he’d spoken to Butters and she’d agreed to be with him. He’d had to postpone things with her because of issues arising with his twin, Claire, and some motherfucker ex of hers. Although that was getting taken care of, Butters had been on his mind on his mind the entire time.
Mayhem had never gone up against the mafia, even if said “mafia” was some incompetent gang that used violence to try to get the upper hand on. Although this was all new to him, he wasn’t about to let Butters go in there alone. Hell, he’d heard about the Cardonas even though he lived hours away, knew they were slimy, fucked-up assholes, and they might want to mess with her just for shits and giggles. They may be smalltime in the sense that they weren’t a country wide known name, but in this state they were getting a fast reputation for being bastards.
They were also newer, trying to establish themselves, and trying to gain a reputation that involved dishing out a lot of pain. They were idiots, if anyone asked Mayhem, because violence didn’t equal power.
He shouldn’t get involved aside from giving her the money and letting this go, but he couldn’t, and he didn’t know why. Mayhem didn’t want to see her hurt.
He stood by the front door, his arms crossed, staring down at her and her brother as they spoke softly. He took in her home, trying not to focus on their conversation. He didn’t need to hear what they were saying. This wasn’t about wanting to help them out because he cared. This was about him being selfish.
Yeah, but Butters does mean something to you, even if you don’t want to acknowledge that.