Pepper (Freedom MC)

by Ren Parris

  “I don’t see a property patch or tattoo saying so. In my book, that means she’s available.”

  I look at him with an assertive eye. “Listen up, Red, I’m only going to say this once. Just because I don’t have a certain patch or tattoo, I'm a person and not the property of someone. I make my own decisions about who I’m with. Right now, that’s Wolf, so respect my wishes.”

  Taken aback by my little speech, a surprised Red looks at Wolf. “Man, your woman is tough. There’s not a timid bone in her body.”

  “You have no idea.” Wolf grins like the animal he is named for.

  As the night lingers on, I begin to yawn, having trouble keeping my eyes open. It’s only one in the morning, and the party is still going on strong. Wolf is at the bar talking with the new guys. I’m ready to go upstairs and get some sleep.

  I notice Slick just came from the hospital. I wave my hand in the air, getting his attention, and motion him over to where I’m sitting on the couch—well, I’m not sitting as much as lying on it. Slick walks over and I make room for him to sit down with me. “How is Dog’s sister doing?” I ask him.

  “She’s doing okay. They had to wire her jaw shut because it’s broken in two places. At least she didn’t have any internal damage,” Slick responds with an overwhelming sadness.

  “Oh, my goodness, that sounds horrible. I hope she gets better soon. I would go see her, but I’m not allowed to leave the compound. Did Dog stay at the hospital?”

  “I know she'll appreciate the thought. Yes, he stayed, but sent his mother home with his other sister.” Realizing I’m about to fall asleep, I lean my head on Slick’s shoulder and yawn.

  Wolf stalks over to the couch. “What the fuck, man! Every time I turn my back, one of you has Pepper with her head on your shoulder,” he snaps.

  “Man, she’s about to fall over. Maybe you should take her to bed,” Slick suggests.

  “Yeah, I will in just a few,” Wolf growls while glaring at Slick.

  “If it’s okay, I’ll go on up now,” I say around a yawn.

  “Sure thing, babe, I’ll walk you up in a few seconds,” Wolf tells me, not taking his eyes off Slick.

  “I believe I can walk myself, and I’ll lock the door.”

  Wolf glares at me. I don’t like how he’s being so possessive and getting mad over men I talk to. He has a problem that needs to be fixed.

  Slick senses the tension brewing. “I’m going up now. I want to wash off the hospital before I come back down to the party. She can walk up me.”

  I know it will bother Wolf, but I agree before he can object. “I’m so tired I think you’ll need to help me up the steps, Slick.”

  He looks at me questioningly. “I’ll be happy to help, sweetheart.”

  Getting up from the couch, I jump into Slick’s arms, hoping he will catch me. He shrugs his shoulders and doesn’t say anything, but then freezes in place while I get comfortable with my arms and legs wrapped around his front. Wolf has already turned back to the other guys, who are grinning like they like what they are seeing.

  Not looking my way, Wolf continues to walk over to them, then I hear one of them aggravating him. “Man, I would never let that happen with my woman.”

  Wolf turns to see us. I smile at him and wink. His eyes narrow and then he grins. "Don't worry, he'll take her to my bedroom door.”

  “I will bet you twenty, he goes into your room with her.” Red smiles a wicked smile.

  “Fuck yeah, I'll take that bet because Slick will not do that.” Wolf smiles back at Red with his own wolfish grin.

  “Brother, you need to open your eyes. Every man in this room has been checking her out since I walked in. No offence but I couldn't help myself, either.”

  I hear Wolf's last statement before Slick finally starts walking. “My eyes are open, and none of my men would go behind my back to mess with her. Just so you know, I would advise that nobody mess with her."

  Chapter Seventeen

  Pepper

  I probably shocked Slick when I jumped in his arms. What's shocking me is the feel of his hard on.

  He carries me all the way to Wolf’s room. When he stops, I jump down to the floor and give him the key. “Are you going to put me to bed, too?” I ask, giggling my head off.

  “No, sweetheart. I like my body without bruises.” Slick looks up, avoiding my eyes.

  “That’s okay. I'll tell Wolf you did a good job.”

  “Fuck, woman, are you trying to get me killed? If that’s what you're going to do anyways, then I believe I'll take you to bed. I better get something out of it before I die.” He starts to walk in the bedroom.

  I laugh at his threat, knowing he's not going to betray Wolf. “That’s okay, Slick, I'm just messing with you. I won't say anything to get you hurt for any reason.”

  Slick leans his arm on the door frame and closes his eyes. Finally, after a few deep breaths, he opens them back up. “Night, darling. Sleep good.”

  Looking up at him, I realize I messed with his feelings. I feel bad. Standing up on my tiptoes, I kiss his cheek. “Sorry Slick, I didn't mean to upset you.”

  “No worries, sweetie. Go on in the room,” he says so softly, I can barely hear him. “Lock your door, so I can leave.”

  I go in feeling like I've hurt a little puppy dog, and unaccustomed to this much attention at one time. I'm not sure why some of the guys seem to like me. I probably shouldn't have let Slick carry me like a child, either. I only wanted to mess with Wolf. Oh well, there's nothing I can do about it now.

  I go to the bathroom to get ready for bed, going through my routine lost in thought for a few minutes. It's quiet.

  Right before opening the bathroom door, I hear a sound in the room. I stop and listen to the sound of drawers opening and closing. It doesn’t sound like Wolf and he's never exactly quiet when he enters a room—especially when I'm pretty sure I'm going get some payback for my earlier actions.

  I flip the light off and crack the door open slowly, holding my breath until I'm sure whoever is out there isn't seeing me. It's a man I haven't seen before. I put my hand to my mouth, hoping he can't hear my breaths. The guy is going through Wolf’s dresser drawers. He must've gone through the nightstand already as I spot the drawer on the floor.

  The contents are all over the bed. He moves on to Wolf’s closet, spending a little while there. The lamp sitting on the nightstand is on low, so I can't get a good look at him. Knowing there's no way for me to attack him—he's kind of on the big side—I wait in the bathroom and hope he'll leave soon.

  Did I lock the door?

  Yes, I know I did because Slick told me until he heard the door lock he wouldn't leave.

  A phone rings, then the guy lifts a cellphone to his ear. I strain to hear him speak.

  “I couldn’t find the zip drive in his office. I'm not finished with his room." He pauses. "Okay, I'll head right back down.” The guy walks out the door, the sound of the deadbolt turning carrying to me.

  Whoever he is, he has a key and I'm certain Wolf didn't give it to him. I wait a few minutes before I come out of the bathroom. My hands shake as I think about the reality of my situation and what could've happened if I'd been in the bedroom when he entered the room. I run to the desk where I left my stuff. Thankfully, the guy didn't go through the desk. The phone call interrupted him from finishing the job.

  Grabbing my phone, I try several times to dial Wolf’s cell. I finally manage to get the number in right; it rings four times and goes straight to voicemail. I guess he can't hear it over the music. Knowing I don't have anyone else’s cell number, I'm not sure what to do next. Then, I have a lightbulb moment. I remember Tanya called Bull using my cell.

  Opening recently called numbers, I find the one Tanya used, praying Bull will answer before that man decides to come back.

  “I hope this is important enough to interrupt my good time." Bull’s growl is intimidating, even through the phone.

  “Thank God! Bull, it’s me.” I nearly dro
p my phone from the constant shaking.

  “Who is this?"

  “It’s me, Pepper,” I answer in a panicked voice. “Sorry, I didn't know who else to call. Wolf won’t answer his phone. Someone came into Wolf's room when I was in the bathroom. He was looking for something and I think he'll come back.”

  “Calm down, sweetheart, and try to say it slower.”

  I'm too freaked out, and when I'm like this I know I talk fast. I try to pace myself as I repeat what I said. When his curse rings through the phone, I know he heard me that time. "Please come or get Wolf."

  “Hang on, darling, I'll be right up. I'm going to give the phone to Cherry while I get my clothes on.”

  Cherry talks to me and I think I respond, but I really wish one of the men would make it to the room.

  “Okay, sweetheart, I’m on my way.” Bull's comforting tone comes over the phone. I can hear him grunt like he just ran into something.

  “Hey man, where’s the fire?” It sounds like Slick.

  “Not a fire. Pepper’s in Wolf’s room scared because a guy came in there while she was in the bathroom. She couldn’t get Wolf to answer his cell. Can you get him?”

  “Fuck! Yeah, man, I will.” Slick sounds agitated.

  “Baby, you still with me?” Bull asks like he is out of breath.

  He must be running to me. “Yes, please hurry.”

  I jump when someone knocks on the door. “Pepper, sweetie, it’s me, Bull.”

  I run to open the door. When I get it open, Bull pulls me into his arms, giving me a hug. “Are you all right?”

  “I'm fine. It was a little shocking for me to see a guy in here. I haven't seen him before, either. I know I locked the door. He had a key.” If I wasn't a hundred percent sure at first, I know I heard him turn the deadbolt when he left, so he definitely had a key.

  “Fuck! Are you sure?” Bull pulls me away enough to look into my eyes.

  “Yes, I heard him lock the deadbolt when he went out. I also know I locked the door when I came in.”

  “Let’s get you seated on the couch. I'll get you a drink and we'll wait on Wolf to get up here.” He ushers me to the couch and then heads to the fridge.

  “Okay, I'll take a Sprite.” My stomach is still twisting from the scare.

  He grabs the soda out of the fridge and brings it to me. Then, he takes the blanket from the back of the couch and wraps it around my shoulders. “On my way up here, I ran into Slick, who's going the get him.”

  “I know. I heard you tell him on the phone.”

  We sit together waiting on Wolf. Bull is hugging me to him, offering comfort I really need.

  The door flies open and Bull has his gun out so fast.

  Slick stops, already a foot into the room. “Hey man, it’s just me. Shooter is getting Wolf. He told me to come up here with you.”

  When Bull lowers his gun, Slick walks over to the couch. “Are you all right, baby?”

  Bull gets up to look around while we wait for Wolf.

  Slick takes my hand and I accept the comforting gesture. We're still holding hands on the couch when Wolf bursts in the room. He looks terrified as he comes over to us. Going down on his knees where I'm sitting, he pulls me into a hug. “I'm sorry baby, I didn't hear your call. Are you okay?”

  Starting to feel the effects of the scare, tears blur my vision. I look him straight in the eyes. “I am now, since you're here.”

  Wolf looks down at my and Slick’s hands, still clasped together, and glares at Slick. I expect Slick to pull away, but he glares back, then kisses me on the forehead. "I'll check on you later."

  He leaves the room and I'm lost, wondering what's going on with him. Considering the degrading way he’s introduced himself to me, I don't get his actions toward me now.

  "Baby, please tell us what happened.” Taking the seat beside me now, he pulls me onto his lap.

  It's the safest I've felt since the incident. I repeat everything I told Bull—what I witnessed, where the intruder was looking, and what he said on the phone. The only thing I can tell them about what he looked like was that he was tall. Go figure.

  I close my eyes, trying to remember anything else about him. Then, I sit up real fast. “He has a tattoo right on the back of his neck. It was a real dark black tribal looking tattoo of a tiger. I got a glimpse of it when he answered his phone. I didn't think anything of it since I was trying to hear his conversation.”

  “Baby, you did well. Try not to worry about this. We'll check on it and see what we can come up with. In the morning, you and I will go down to the surveillance room. We can go through the footage of the people coming and going tonight to check if you see someone who might look like the guy."

  While we're talking, Fox comes up and changes the deadbolt with a new lock. “Here you go, Prez. There are only three keys.” He hands all three of them to Wolf.

  “Thanks, Fox. I'm glad you had a new lock in stock.”

  “No problem, but that was the last one we have. I'll order some more tomorrow.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Wolf

  Finally. Everyone is gone and Pepper fell asleep on the couch before they all left. I check the deadbolt and then walk back over to where she's curled up. She's at peace and I hate to move her. If I don't, she'll wake up with some serious muscle aches. I know from experience.

  When I unravel the blanket and see she's only wearing a t-shirt, I bite my fist. This woman—I've never met someone like her. I don't give a shit how many women I've fucked or how hot they were. None compare to Pepper.

  Shit, why is she getting to me like this?

  I'm hard as steel seeing her like this. It’s a damn good thing she had a blanket on blocking the other men's views earlier. I'd have killed them. Considering Bull made it first, I'm sure he’s seen her without it and I don't think I can let him live. That's for another time though.

  Before the asshole broke into my room, I had every intention of coming upstairs and punishing Pepper in the best way possible for straddling Slick. Now all I want is to get her to bed and hold her tight. When I gather her in my arms, she burrows as close as she can against my chest.

  That's not a feeling I think I'll get tired of. She mumbles in her sleep as I lay her on the bed. I can't tell everything she's saying, but I know I heard her mumble ‘hurry up’.

  I like that she talks in her sleep, as long as she's dreaming of me. I strip down to my boxers and climb into bed with her, then I pull my Pepper against me. Wiggling, Pepper rubs against my aching hard-on. She's going to kill me.

  No complaints. It's not a bad way to go.

  When I wake, I'm not even sure when I actually fell asleep, my arms are empty and the rest of the bed is empty, too. I jump up in a panic. The bathroom is unoccupied when I look there, also the closet, and she's nowhere to be found.

  From the day before, I figure she's an early riser, so I try to hold my panic down but it's not working. Then I see a note on the nightstand by the bed.

  Wolf, I went down for breakfast. I didn't want to wake you.

  After what just happened, I hate that she went on her own, but I've learned Pepper will do what she wants to do. My controlling personality isn't fond of it. Getting my clothes together, I go to take a quick shower. By the time I get to the kitchen, there's no one around. Wondering where the hell Pepper is, I pull my phone from my pocket and dial her.

  She answers the call on the second ring. “Hello?”

  “Hey baby, where are you?”

  “I'm in the surveillance room with Ghost going over the footage from yesterday. So far we have not seen anyone that could be the guy from last night.”

  “I thought you were going to wait and look at the footage with me.” It's what we talked about before she fell asleep on the couch.

  “I'm sorry, but Ghost came into breakfast and told me Shooter wanted me to start looking at the tapes from last night. He said he had it ready whenever I was.” She pauses. "I really want to know who was in the room."
r />   “Okay, on my way.”

  Slamming my cell shut, I stomp off to the surveillance room. It pisses me off that nobody waited on me. I may also be a little pissed that all my men seem to have a thing for my woman. Right before going into the room, I try to calm down some. I can hear Ghost, Shooter, Slick, and Pepper all laughing at something before I enter. Doesn't take all of them to look at the tape, that's for damn sure.

  Without knocking, I push the door open, making them all jump. Pepper's sitting right in front of the monitor with Ghost on one side and Shooter taking up space on the other. Slick is standing behind her chair, leaning down to look at the monitor.

  Ghost stops the tape and turns to look at me. “Hey man, what’s up?”

  “Seems like a lot of people in this room.” I know I'm starting to sound like I bark all the time when it comes to Pepper.

  Pepper turns around. “Hey there, honey. We just started looking at the tapes. Do you want us to start over?”

  “No sweetheart, you and Ghost can finish looking, but Slick and Shooter need to help me.” I know my tone sounds a little better because she called me honey in front of the others.

  “Okay, I'll come and find you once we get through,” she replies.

  I walk out the door with the other two following me to my office. “Have a seat, guys," I say once we enter.

  Before the guys take a seat, Shooter shoots off questions. “Did you know what the guy meant when he mentioned the zip drive or better yet, where he’ll get a key from?”

  I sit up in my chair and run my fingers through my hair. “I've thought about the key and the only thing I can come up with is Brenda. She used to clean my and Bull’s bedrooms when she lived here. She had access to my key, but she always put the spare back in my office. As far as the zip drive, it's what we keep our club information on. The only thing on it is bank information, the store sales, and a list of clients we do business with.”