“It’s my life on the line.”
“You knew how dangerous this was coming in.” Cara toyed with the handle on her mug. “Kane and Kaleb will have your back. You ever feel like you’re in a bind, they’re just a phone call away. Take us out of the equation and you no longer have that lifeline. I surely wouldn’t put my life in the hands of the DEA alone. I’m not sure they’d have your back like we do. To them, you’re just a petty drug dealer.”
“Make sure you set up your meets here in Pleasant … at the club,” Cara continued. “Let us know when they’re going to happen. If the Devils won’t come this far into the Sons’ territory, then set up a meet and greet near the border. We’ll make sure you have coverage from the MC. The Devils don’t stand a chance one-on-one against any of the Sons. You let us worry about your back. You get us a meeting with Raúl and let us do the rest. You do this and the Sons will owe you.”
He blew out a steady stream of air. “I hope I’m alive to collect.”
“You trust the Sons?”
Draven nodded. “The only reason I’m doing this.”
“It’s also keeping you out of jail.” Joe leaned back in his seat. “You forget we already have enough on you to take you in, Draven. You do this and all the evidence we have on you goes away. You have our word on it. You aren’t big enough for the DEA to even care about you, but they do need you as a pawn to bring down the big guys. They will use your drug running against you to get their way.”
“How the fuck did I get so messed up in all this?” Draven set his cup down and braced his hands on the bar. “All I wanted was to run my business.”
“You were dealing drugs to kids, Draven,” Joe pointed out. “You aren’t innocent in all of this. People died from the shit you were handing out. You’re lucky no one’s death is hanging on your doorstep.”
Draven bowed his head. Cara hoped what she saw was remorse. The son of a bitch had handed out ecstasy like candy, not once taking into consideration he might have been handing out death to some poor kid. His penance now was to convince the Devils he wanted to deal in cocaine, not just from his club but to other supposed dealers in the area, hopefully securing him a conference with Raúl Trevino Caballero. To make that happen, it had to be a good deal of coke. Kane and Kaleb would make sure they were there for the meeting. Raúl wouldn’t be walking out alive. The bastard would be saved from a life behind bars. The DEA would get to swoop in, break up the dirtbag’s cartel, resulting in the arrests they’re hungry for. Raúl, being dead, wouldn’t be able run his ring from behind bars.
“So where are you with this, Draven?” Cara asked, drawing his attention. “We need to be kept in the know and you haven’t given us shit in the last few months. What the hell are you doing out there? You haven’t even been around the bar much lately.”
“My managers are keeping the Rave going in my absence.”
“Where have you been? Gaining the Devils’ trust, I hope.”
Draven sighed. “It’s not very fucking easy. They know I cater to the Sons of Sangue. I won’t earn their trust overnight.”
“Your job is to turn their way of thinking around,” Joe chimed in. “Get the job done. Do what you have to do.”
“I’m gaining ground. Kane and Kaleb forcing me out of the ecstasy business is the only leverage I had to build on. They believe I’m pretty pissed, and that I might want retribution. I lost a good deal of revenue. Money they understand. I can regain the loss and then some by selling their nose candy from my bar. Bigger profits. Once they trust me, then maybe I can convince them I have people who will deal for me across the state. Problem is, they fear the Sons finding out again. I don’t think I have to remind you two what happened to the last snitch.”
Draven and Cara allowed his statement to go without comment. To Joe Hernandez, Ryder Kelley had disappeared from the boat, only his cut left behind and a good amount of his blood. Later, Cara might have to come up with a reason how he resurfaced as a prospect for the Sons.
“Where were the Sons then? I can’t afford that kind of mistake.”
The Sons hadn’t been told about their snitch meeting with the Devils. They were taken by surprise when he showed up. It was just a shipment of drugs. Grayson and Anton were to follow the men picking it up. Nothing more. Not knowing the true details of what was going down had nearly gotten Ryder killed.
“Don’t take chances, Draven. You take a meeting with the Devils, you make sure the Sons know about it and provide you backup. No surprises. Surprises can get you killed.”
His gaze held Cara’s for a long moment. She could tell he wanted out. Had something already happened he wasn’t telling her?
“Look, Draven”—she slid a phone across the bar—“this phone has one number programmed into it. It’s to a nontraceable phone. You call that number if you get into trouble. No one will answer. Pocket the phone leaving it on and we’ll trace where you are. Only use it in extreme emergency. The Sons come storming in there, the gig will be up. If you need to talk to me, then after calling the first time, hang up, wait a few seconds and call back. I’ll pick up.”
Draven took the phone and pocketed it.
“The only time you speak to any of the Sons is here.” Joe sat forward, his finger tapping the bar. “The Devils already know it’s a known hangout for them. If that suddenly changes, you draw attention. You have a meeting set up with the Devils, you tell one of the Sons. They will pass along the information. The DEA have allowed us to head this up because the Sons have a better shot getting you inside. You talk to no one other than one of the Sons.”
“The Sons pass the information to you and you talk to the DEA? I don’t have to talk to the pigs?”
Joe shook his head. “We’ll deal with the feds. They’re sending a man over to the S.O. He will be their contact. The DEA doesn’t want to come to Pleasant and blow the deal. This guy is supposed to arrive any day. They said they were sending someone who had prior dealings with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office so to not raise red flags.”
Cara couldn’t help wondering what fed had prior dealings with the S.O. It had to be from before her time. She couldn’t remember dealing with a federal special agent while she had been employed with Sheriff Ducat. Joe’s phone rang, breaking into her musings. He looked at the number, then excused himself.
Draven looked at Cara. “I don’t have to tell you how fucked up this whole thing is. I know the Sons can easily kill any one of the Devils. My worry is they don’t get to me in time.”
“Ryder’s alive, Draven. Grayson got there.”
“And now he’s drinking blood to stay alive. Not what I want, man.”
“Stick to the plan, Draven. Make sure we know any and all meetings you have with the Devils. Don’t be a hero.”
Draven harrumphed. “You don’t have to worry about that. We’re not messing with bad guys here. They’re fucking nightmares.”
“You aren’t going to believe this,” Joe said as he returned.
Cara turned, dread sizzling up her spine. “What is it, Joe?”
“That was Sheriff Ducat. The man the feds are sending?”
She nodded.
“You remember that fucking weasel Captain Melchor? The Criminal Investigations Captain for the Oregon State Police?”
Lightheadedness settled over her. Of all the people she had hoped to not see again, Robbie Melchor topped the list. He could never hurt her again, but she’d rather not have the reminder of weaker times. The man had raped her and passed it off as consensual. Cara had kept her mouth shut because no one would have believed her. In truth, it wasn’t her Robbie would have to worry about when he stepped back in Lane County. It was Kane.
* * *
“Going somewhere? Tamera asked as she entered the clubhouse, spying Grayson with a filled backpack slung over his left shoulder. He looked good enough to eat in a pair of low slung, washed out Levis’ and a worn K&K Motorcycles shop tee, his pecs filling it out quite nicely.
He set the olive drab
pack on the sofa side table and faced off with her, crossing his arms over his chest, his stance shoulder wide. A pair of black work boots rounded out the outfit, with his sunglasses perched atop his head. He certainly didn’t look too happy to see her, if the look on his face was any indication.
“To the coast, as if it’s any of your business.”
“Why?”
“Jesus, Tamera. Why the fuck do you care? It’s not like we’re tied together anymore.” Grayson’s gaze darkened dangerously. “Where’s your bodyguard? You give him the day off?”
Tamera’s jaw ached as she clenched her teeth. “That’s just rude.”
“Is it?” One dark brow arched slightly. “Isn’t Blondy supposed to be keeping an eye on you?”
She rolled her eyes. “They lifted the lockdown. I no longer have to stick to his side like glue.”
“As I recall, you didn’t anyway.” His sarcastic smile boiled her blood. “You seemed more than happy to attend to my needs a few days back.”
Lord, how she wanted to bridge the separation and smack the smug look off his rugged face. Tamera wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had gotten beneath her skin. She held her ground. Besides, it would be detrimental to moving the plan forward, therefore saving the life of baby Stefan, and getting her back in good graces with his royal assness.
“What do you want from me, Gypsy? An apology?”
Again that raised brow challenged her.
“Well, I’m not sorry and you won’t get one. The only thing I’m sorry for is I never got the chance to fuck you.”
“Oh hell, no! You do not get to go there.” His brow became more pronounced in his rising anger. His eyes blackened. “As I recall, it was you who turned me down. That’s how you wound up Blondy’s mate. You do not get to act as if you’re the injured party. What’s the matter, Tamera? That dry-hump better than anything Blondy has?”
Enough! Anton had been nothing but kind and a good friend to Grayson. She would not allow him to take his anger at her out on his friend. Separating the gap, she fisted the front of his K&K tee and forced him to look down at her. They stood so close his beard tickled her chin.
“Blondy does not deserve your censure, you ass.”
“He crawled into my bed and held you through your change.”
“Jesus, Gypsy. That was over nine months ago. How long do you mean to make him pay?”
“As long as it takes.”
“For what? What the hell are you waiting on?”
“To exorcise you from my system.”
And with that, he gripped the ponytail at her nape and yanked back her head. His lips covered hers, sucking the very breath from her. She should fight him. Every signal coming from her brain called for her to push him away. They were supposed to be playing this cat and mouse game until Grayson caved. Well, it looked as if he might be caving all right. Tamera needed more than crazy desire. She needed love. If he were to petition the big guy, she needed him vehement about her. Because in all honesty, her head was on the line. If he wasn’t passionate enough, Vlad might very well take it.
Desire wouldn’t be enough, it rarely was.
Yet, here she stood, melded with him, gripping his shirt so tight her knuckles ached. He kissed away her every thought. This wasn’t a sweet, let’s get to know one another kiss. Hell, no. It was one of possession, a seizure of her body and soul. Grayson’s control seemed to have finally snapped and he was about to take what the erection between them demanded.
He wanted to conquer. She felt it in his desperation. To win her from Anton and prove to himself Tamera desired him more than the blond vamp. And damn if she didn’t. But love? She doubted with all the hate he carried for her, he’d ever find room in his heart to love her.
She returned the kiss and allowed herself to be enveloped in his arms. She should step back, walk away, leave him wanting. The will to do so, though, left her the minute his tongue slipped past her lips. Damn it, she could not walk away. Not this time. Tamera wanted this as much as, if not more so than, he did.
The clubhouse, to her luck, was empty save for the two of them. She had no idea where Ryder had gone, or Kaleb, Suzi, and the baby for that matter. Nor did she care. She was going to give herself to the son of bitch who had so easily given her away, with the hope he would never let her go again. Tamera was no longer willing to decline the one pleasure she had been so long denied. If Vlad were to take her head, then at least she’d go to her death knowing she had been Grayson’s passion for a short time. And baby Stefan would be safe because Rosalee could no longer hold her accountable if she were dead.
Vlad had forbid Grayson to so much as touch her.
Knowing he was willing to ignore the ruler’s demand and take what he wanted was a heady thought and fueled her rising desire. His erection nestled between them, rock hard. His fangs grew, scraping her tongue. The razor-sharp points drew blood. The metallic flavor filled her mouth and fueled her hunger. Part of her worried Grayson willingly took a chance in going against Vlad’s orders, which could easily result in the separation of her head from her shoulders. The other part of her swelled with the knowledge he was so filled with his want of her he could no longer control his actions.
Either way, they would have to keep the day and any forthcoming events from Vlad. Grayson hadn’t petitioned the royal pain in the you know what, therefore he chanced forcing the ancient ruler to act on his threat. Tamera stilled the urge to rub the threatened part of her anatomy, not wanting to give Grayson any reason to withdraw now.
Grayson broke the kiss, causing her a moment of fear he might actually be able to read her thoughts. Her crazed reflection stared back at her from his mirrored gaze. For a brief second, she thought he meant to grab his backpack and head for the beach as planned. And maybe he did war with idea to do so. His moment of hesitation over, he slid his fingers to the front of her jeans, slipped the button from the hole and yanked down the zipper, quickly divesting her of her pants and panties to follow. She stood before him, naked from the waist down. Grayson reached for the buttons of his leathers, unsnapped them, pulled the zipper, and freed his quite impressive erection.
Her mouth watered.
She licked her lips and her knees weakened. Lord, how she desired to bow before him and draw him into her mouth. Tamera wanted to taste him, to pleasure him, make him think twice about giving her back to Anton. She belonged to Grayson. She had from the moment she took his blood. Even if the idea to do so had originated from Rosalee. Panic rose up the back of her throat, but she swallowed it back. One step at a time. After she secured Grayson as her mate, then she’d tell him about Rosalee and pray he’d forgive her and help her find a way to destroy the bitch.
“Damn,” he whispered, he tipped her chin up. “Don’t even think about it, il mio dolce rossa. You take me into your mouth and I won’t last. I want to feel you from the inside before I explode. And trust me, I will. You have no idea how fucking horny I am right now.”
Tamera looked up at him, slipping her tongue along her lower lip. “What are you waiting for, Gypsy? I’m yours. Regardless of what you think, I was never Blondy’s.”
Grayson growled. “You never fucked him?”
“No.”
“Good.”
His large hands palmed her ass and easily lifted her. Tamera wrapped her legs about his waist as he swiftly impaled her. Tamera cried out, her breath catching. She tightened her hold around his neck and held on, waiting for the pleasure-pain to subside. Blood rushed to her head, pounding in her ears. No wonder he was the talk of the donors. Grayson’s cock was quite remarkable, making her feel as if he could almost split her in half.
He released his breath between clenched teeth before saying, “Let me know when you’re ready. The last thing I want is to hurt you.”
“I’m a vampire, Gypsy. You can’t hurt me.” Tamera’s tongue followed the line of her teeth, feeling the razor edges of her fangs. “I’ve been ready for months.” She tilted her head and sank
her fangs into his carotid.
Grayson growled, walked to the wall, and slammed her back against it. When she withdrew her teeth, he said, “Keep your eyes on mine. I want you to watch me fuck you, il mio dolce rossa.”
Tamera could hardly find her voice as Grayson pumped his sexy ass so deliberately slow she could damn near feel the veins of his cock. Though he likely meant to build the pleasure bit by bit, it was driving her near mad. She wanted fast … furious.
“Damn it, Gypsy. Fuck me already. I won’t break.”
Grayson chucked. “That’s my girl,” he said, then slammed into her, bouncing her back off the wall.
She slid up the rough siding, fisting the hair at his nape. His sunglasses slid off his head and thumped to the wooden floor. Tamera leaned forward, drawing his lower lip between her teeth, tugging on it until her fangs drew his blood to the surface. She sucked on the sweet aphrodisiac before closing her eyes and allowing her orgasm to carry her. Her breath stuck in her throat as she cried out his name. Grayson’s ass tightened beneath her heels before he thrust one final time. Withdrawing, he allowed his semen to spill between them.
Thank goodness he had the foresight, since neither had bothered with a condom. Mated to Anton, baby fathered by Grayson. She doubted then Vlad would excuse her actions. He’d most definitely stake her ass outside the clubhouse without a second thought or care to what Grayson or Anton might have to say on the matter.
Grayson slowly released her.
Tamera slid down the wall, finding her feet. “I think I need a shower,” she said, not able to look at Grayson for fear of seeing regret.
Gypsy: Sons of Sangue Page 18