by Shyla Colt
Her instincts told her to run. But she forged ahead until she stood before him on the front porch.
“I knew you’d be back eventually. I wanted to break you in slowly. But now you’ll have to learn your lesson.”
“L-lesson?”
“Oh, yes.” He nodded. “You used to be such a good girl. So obedient, malleable. But your time with those assholes changed you.” He frowned. “I don’t like it.” He stepped back inside the house. “Come in.”
Evonne stepped inside, waiting for the right moment to unleash her fury. Her eyes were drawn to the couch in the center of the room. The limp form of a woman lay there pale and unresponsive. Welts marked her nude frame. The blue tinge of her lips told Evonne she was too late to save her.
“Don’t mind her. A simple distraction while I bided my time waiting for you. Food, drink?” he asked, shutting the door behind her with a cordial smile.
How can this man seem so normal? She studied him like a scientist observing an animal in the wild. With the blinders off and knowledge on her side, everything looked different. Every movement he made was precise and she wondered if his obsessive-compulsive tendencies were a coping mechanism. A way to keep whatever lurked beneath the surface in check. “No, no thank you.”
“So polite, yet nervous. You know you’ve been a bad girl, don’t you, Evonne.” He walked toward her, stalking like a lion intent on devouring his prey. “But it’s okay. We can make it right as long as you do everything I tell you. We can go back to what we were. Would you like that?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“I’m going to be good to you, Evonne,” he purred. “I’ll teach you to like the pain. In time, you’ll come to enjoy playing as much as I do.”
I fucking doubt that, pal.
“For now, let’s ease in slowly. Come here and kiss me.” His words held an edge that promised punishment if she balked.
Moistening her mouth, she swallowed the bile that slithered up along the back of her throat and shuffled forward. Pretend you like it. Sell that shit like your life depends on it, because it does. She stopped a few inches from him, placed her hands on his well-formed chest and rose on her tiptoes to reach his soft, pink lips. Their mouths met and she immediately felt cold and dirty. Like a stripper dancing for money. Tracing his lips with hers, she silently asked for entrance the way she knew he liked.
He moaned, humming with that she thought was approval. “Suck my tongue,” he whispered.
Evonne did as he commanded, blanking her mind, superimposing Rocky’s face over Levi’s to manage a believable response. Levi fisted her hair, pulling it tight and she whimpered. His cock hardened, pressing into her belly. Sick fuck gets off on pain. He placed his hands on her hips, digging his fingers into her flesh. She winced and he ground against her.
She eased her hand up along his chest, wrapping it around his neck while keeping the other at her side. Taking a risk, she caught his short locks and pulled.
A bellow escaped his throat and he fucked her through her pants, nipping at her lips as he deepened the kiss in a scary display of what her future could’ve been. He was like a vampire going into bloodlust.
Mentally, she counted to ten and eased her hand back inch by inch. Digging her nails into the back of his neck to keep his attention focused, she trembled as her hand slipped under her shirt and rested on the cool piece of metal.
He must think her shaking was desire, because he dug his fingernails into her flesh.
Gasping, she returned the favor on his neck, hoping she drew blood.
He roared, sinking his teeth into her bottom lip.
The taste of copper filled her mouth. Son of a bitch. Her blood worked him into a fury. He licked at her teeth, lapping it up, like the parasite he was. She clenched the handle and brought it up swiftly, pressing the butt to his temple and pulled the trigger without hesitation. He had a moment to tense before his body jerked back and she continued to release bullets into his face. The sound of the firing muffled by his flesh. Blood splattered onto her face and clothing. Her hand shook and her heart felt ready to explode.
He hit the ground with a sickening thud and she peered down at his lifeless body, twisted in an awkward shape as he bled out. Blood soaked through his clothes. Horrified yet relieved, she stood frozen on the spot. All her planning ended here.
On overload—her brain shut down and she froze.
* * * * *
Rocky was ready to pull his hair out. “Where the fuck can she be?” he asked, pacing the length of the mini-mall with Hawk as his shadow.
“You didn’t see anyone go in after her, did you?” Hawk asked for the millionth time.
“No, I told you that. Hell, I had to kick the door in. It was locked.”
“I hate to be the one to tell you, but it sounds like she ran. I mean we tracked her phone to a trash can, and you said exiting here was spontaneous, right?”
“Yes.” His stomach ached. It was a conclusion he’d come to himself.
“Neither of us got where we are by not facing up to the facts, brother.”
“I know. I’m just wondering what the fuck she was thinking,” Rocky spat, sinking down on a bench nearby. They had everyone combing the area while Specs and Gadget hacked the web, searching for signs of activity from Levi or Evonne.
“She’s had a lot of shit come her way recently. Her brain’s got to be crowded and frazzled. That’s a breeding ground for stupidity. No offense.” Hawk held up his hands.
“None taken, I’m going to paddle her ass ‘til it’s red when we get her back.” If we get her back. The small voice inside his head made him want to rip his hair out at the roots. His phone vibrated and he quickly removed it from his pocket. A number he didn’t recognize lit his screen. Fuck. He answered, “Hello?”
“I did something…”
The tone of Evonne’s voice immediately stopped any ranting he’d planned on doing. “Evonne, where are you?”
“With Levi.”
“What?”
Hawk stood up and Rocky held out his hand, shaking his head. “Why are you with him, Evonne?”
“Oh God. I killed him—and there’s blood everywhere, all over me.” Her voice grew shrill.
His jaw dropped. Holy shit. “Okay, just…calm, down and give us an address, we’ll take care of the rest, okay? I need you to calm down, so we can get through this.”
Hawk leaned in.
“Yes, y-you’re right.”
“Good girl, now give me that address.” Rocky kept his cool as he rattled the address back, glancing at Hawk to make sure he got it.
Hawk gave him a nod and stepped to the side to start the phone calls.
“Okay, we’re sending our boys now. Tell me. Do you think anyone heard you? Can you get to a safe place? Make sure you take the…weapon with you.”
“Oh, Jesus, What did I do? What did I do?”
The broken tone in her voice sliced at his heart. “I need you to keep it together. Do you think anyone saw you or heard the shots?”
“No, it’s a .22 and I was so close.”
“Just keep talking to me, mama.” He heard Hawk barking orders. He would have a car here for him soon. As much as he hated to get into a cage, he knew if he hung up right now, Evonne would go off the deep end. “What made you do this?”
“I couldn’t lose anyone, not because of me. I kept playing last night in my head, thinking about what I’d do if it was my mom next, or you.”
“You should have said something.”
“You would never let me do this. I know you,” she said.
“Damn straight.” Rocky bristled. His anger rose and he locked it down, tight. That’s not what she needs right now. “We’re going to come and make it right.”
“No one can do that. I’ve got blood on my hands now. It won’t wash off,” Evonne said.
“You think he didn’t deserve it?” he asked.
“No, that son of a bitch deserved every bullet I put into him. I wish I’d had more.”
“And don’t ever let yourself forget that. Our brains are funny things. They play tricks on us, make us doubt what we believe and know to be truth. You did this world a favor and solved part of our problems. Mayhem won’t forget that. Shit, you might just get patched in your own right.” She snorted over the phone and he smiled, knowing she’d be fine eventually.
A prospect pulled up with a car and Ajax sat inside. There was nothing the man couldn’t cover up and he knew people. People who scared the shit out of even Rocky. There were rumors that Ajax was born into the mob life, but he wasn’t the type of man you would to let catch you gossiping about him, so the speculation didn’t happen often.
“I’m getting in a car headed toward you now, mama. I want you to leave the room, move away from the body.”
Hawk opened the passenger door. “Meet you there, brother.”
Rocky slipped inside. “Thanks, man,”
“I can’t—part of me is afraid this is like the horror movies and he’s going to come back for one last scare.”
“I’ll make sure he ain’t ever coming back in this life. None of this will touch you. I swear that on my name.”
“Rocco.”
“You doubt me?”
“No, just my ability to ever forget this. God, he was so fucked up. He killed a woman. And he liked hurting me.”
Rocky clenched the phone. “What did he do?” He forced the words out. His body tensed and his chest grew tight.
“Dug his fingers and his nails in, bit me until I bled,” she said. Her voice shook.
“Son of a bitch.” He punched the door. “I wish I could reanimate the fucker’s corpse and kill him all over again.”
“Me too,” she whispered.
“Stay with me, Firecracker, I’m about ten minutes out from you.”
“You’re mad,” she whimpered.
“As fuck, but that ain’t important right now. I can save that for later,” Rocky said, trying his best to reassure her.
She huffed. “Even now I can’t get a pass?”
“Fuck no. You ditch me and run off halfcocked like that? You knew that shit wouldn’t fly. I’m going to tear that ass up literally, mama. It’s going to be red and impossible to sit on while I’m gone. I like your fire, but unchecked that shit’s a raging forest fire decimating the land. I’m just the man to take on that task.”
“You sure you still want it? I don’t even know who I am anymore,” she said. Her voice was heavy with the weight of her first kill.
“The same woman that got under my skin. Just a little more badass.”
Evonne chuckled. “You would put it that way.”
“Hey, we all got a dark side, baby. You don’t get into Mayhem with a college exam, aptitude tests and volunteer work. We’ve all got our back stories,” Rocky said.
“And now I have one too,” she said.
“That’s right. Now we match even more,” he said, fighting to keep her from receding back into herself.
“Only you could turn this into a positive,” she said.
“I’m just used to fighting for what’s important to me. And very few things are more important than you. Think I need to put a damn ball and chain around your ankle after this. Every time I try to make you mine officially, shit comes up.”
“You still want that?” she asked.
“Fuck! Haven’t I made myself clear? I don’t renege.”
“I’m not—I’m…”
“Shut the fuck up, mama. We both know it’s going to happen. Soon as I can get shit together…you’re mine. At the fucking compound in front of everyone.”
“But, Shooter and Juliette—”
“I’m not asking you,” he deadpanned.
“Heavy handed,” she muttered.
“You need a stern hand. You like it too.” Her breath caught so deep, he could hear it over the phone. “You keep thinking about that. ‘Cause tonight your ass is mine. After you get chewed out by the Prez. ‘Cause believe me, baby, he’ll have words.”
“Are you trying to make this worse?”
“Nope. We’re here and I’m coming in.” He disconnected, trying to prepare himself for the fucked-up scene he’d be walking into.
“Your girl got her head on straight?” Ajax asked, fixing him with those penetrating black eyes that would make a lesser man pee himself.
“Straightish.” Rocky shrugged.
“Least she’s not hysterical. I can’t stand that shit.” Ajax scowled. The corners of his lips turned down and his sun-weathered skin wrinkled as his face curled up in disgust. “Can’t stand all the screaming and crying. Shit gets on my last nerve. Hinders the process and makes a fellow sloppy.” Ajax shook his head.
“She’s solid as far as that goes,” Rocky assured him.
Ajax grunted. “Type of woman made for a biker.”
They stepped from the car with the prospect taking the rear. They reached the front door and it slowly opened. Evonne’s face was drawn, her eyes looked too large in her face. “Hey,” she whispered, moving back so they could step inside.
Rocky took in her appearance and shuddered.
Her face had speckles of red and the hoodie she wore had the same red splatter treatment. A slimy piece of gray matter clung to strands of her hair, along with tiny white fragments he thought might be bone.
“Jesus, shit, you blew this fucker’s head off. Damn, don’t get this one mad at you.” Ajax shook his head, but Rocky could hear the pride in his voice. “You did him up proper, girl. Way you should. I’d have you at my back any day.” Ajax and Evonne locked gazes and something he couldn’t understand passed between them.
Evonne nodded and stood just a bit taller.
Rocky mourned the loss of her innocence even as he embraced the new facet. Another barrier had fallen between them. He would focus on that, and not the fact of how she looked like a heroine from a horror movie.
“Go, clean yourself off best you can. We’ll handle this. Our car is unmarked, but it’s probably best we lay low ‘til the sun goes down anyway. It’ll draw less attention and give us time to figure out how we want to spin this,” Ajax instructed. “Gadget and Specs will be here to do tech cleanup.”
“Come on, Firecracker, let’s see what we can do about those clothes of yours.”
She nodded and he placed his hand on her hip, guiding her to the bathroom.
Chapter Twelve
Evonne had never felt so empty in her entire life. Ajax had made the problem go away. No one would ever find the bodies or know what had occurred in that little house. Her justification had begun to fade now as the fact she’d taken a human life without so much as batting an eye sank in. Do any of us even know who we are until we’re tested? She sat with her thighs touching Rocky’s, stealing his warmth. Right now he was her anchor. The solid weight that held her together, keeping her from falling to pieces.
Night had fallen hours before and they were on their way to the cabins where everyone had settled. She should be nervous, but there was nothing left.
Prospects opened the gate and they pulled inside.
“This might be a first, but you’re going to church with us.”
“Church? Your members meeting, why?”
Rocky shrugged. “Because Prez said so.”
“Should I be worried?” She toyed with the shirt Rocky had literally given her off his back. His tan skin peeked out from beneath his leather vest.
“You know he won’t hurt you. Burn your ears up and make you feel like shit, possibly.”
“You think I deserve it?”
“Not getting caught in that crossfire, Firecracker.”
She gave a small smile. “Smart man.”
“I have my moments.”
The car came to a halt and they exited with her in between Rocky and Ajax, who she felt an odd kinship with now. She could tell from the deadness in his eyes he was dangerous, but he also understood in a way she felt sure most people never could. Whatever happened to him had been nasty and life-altering. Her
heart began to speed as she entered the club. A wave of applause filled the air. Her jaw dropped and she glanced up at Rocky.
A look of wonder was erased by one of pride. “This is for you, Firecracker. They’re giving you props for a job well done.” Rocky gently pushed her forward.
She scanned the crowd, spotting her friends. She refused to meet their concerned gazes but held up her hand instead. “I don’t deserve this.” She shook her head. “I did what I had to and that’s that. I don’t want any glory for taking a man’s life.”
Low murmurs went through the crowd and the Prez stepped up and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You make it hard to compliment you, woman. It ain’t easy to earn recognition from Mayhem, so shut your pretty mouth, smile and accept it.”
She clamped her mouth shut and nodded. You didn’t argue with the Prez.
“Come on, boys, we got church.” He guided her toward the meeting room.
Evonne couldn’t help but feel like a little girl on her father’s shoulders. Tiny exuded that awe-inspiring ability. You wanted to please him, worried about displeasing him and feared slighting him. Fair he might be, but he could also be harsh. Surrounded by a group of burly men with leather vests, rap sheets and the capability of great violence, she felt safe and comfortable. Life is an ironic bitch.
They all piled into the space and Tiny led her up to the front.
“We all know what happened earlier today. This woman was willing to do what needed to be done to keep Mayhem safe. It’s not something I plan on ignoring. Her blood runs black and white. So I nominate her as an honorary member of the Lords of Mayhem.”
Her jaw dropped. “Wait—what?”
Laughter filled the space and Tiny patted her back. “You’re family, girl, and with a set of balls like that on you, you more than earned your patch if you want it.”
“Yeah, I want.” She grinned.
“Well, shit, there you have it,” Tiny said.
“Damn, Prez, you stole my fucking thunder,” Rocky grumbled.
“Fuck you guys, dragging your feet. We do this shit tonight. Everyone needs a celebration about now. That being said, you pull some shit like that and I’m going to whoop your ass, forget Rocky!”