by Chiah Wilder
“It’s strange as fuck. I never led her on once. Wexler told me that she’d told her friends we were lovers. Made up some elaborate fantasy where we were a couple, living together, and planning to get married. I mean, I suspected she had a crush on me, but I never pictured anything like this.”
“She was a fuckin’ looney tune. Do you think she believed all that?”
Muerto shook his head. “I guess, but it’s hard to imagine someone would be that far out there. The badge said that Jaime’s mom is in a mental institution in South Dakota. From what he learned, Jaime did a stint in a mental ward for attacking her ex-boyfriend and vandalizing his house. She’s definitely fucked-up.”
“So she really believed I took you away from her?” Muerto nodded. “You know, after I found the rose in the blood at my house, I started to wonder if it was Deanna who’d done it. I knew I hadn’t left the window unlocked, so I figured it was someone who had a key to my place. Deanna never liked me, so I thought she was messing with me.”
“It was Jaime who did it. Wexler found a copy of the keys to my Harley, the pool hall, and your rental. She must’ve snagged my key ring when she was working. And she was stalking you and me. She had a shitload of pictures of me over the past year. Damn, I never saw that coming.”
“And she faked being attacked. I still can’t believe it,” Brandy said.
“She fuckin’ caused a lot of damage around here. I knew something wasn’t right about it.” Crow scrubbed his hand over his face.
“She wanted it to look like someone was after the pool hall, meaning you or me. So, in her warped mind, after she killed Raven, the suspicion wouldn’t be on her. It’d be on the ‘guys’ who broke in and roughed her up a bit. Fuckin’ sick.”
“Having a series of similar robberies in the area probably gave her the idea. Spraying that shit on the wall was stupid because the dudes didn’t do it at the other businesses. I guess she couldn’t help herself. She must’ve been real pissed at you to spray all that shit around here.” Crow shook his head.
“And don’t forget the attention she received from you after you rescued her. I know I keep saying this, but I really can’t believe any of this.” Brandy crossed her arms. “And for something like this to happen in Alina. Unbelievable.”
“Who’d she kill in South Dakota?” Raven asked softly.
“Some old woman in her apartment building. She must’ve had a thing about old women.” Muerto reached around and grabbed a Coke.
“Poor Mrs. Kilpatrick. I still can’t fathom why she would kill such a nice lady,” Raven said in a low voice.
“And I hung out with her. We’d go barhopping sometimes. Gives me the chills.” Brandy rubbed her arms.
“I guess as long as you were single, she could keep the fantasy alive of you and her having a relationship, but when I came along and we started dating, I threatened all that. It’s just too weird. It’s almost like it never really happened, you know?”
“Yeah, but now it’s behind us and we can move on.” Muerto crushed the empty water bottle and tossed it in the recycle bin.
“I hope she pleads guilty. I don’t know if I can stand a trial.” Raven rested her chin in her hand.
“Aren’t they sending her back to South Dakota?” Brandy asked.
“The sheriff said the DA wants to try her for Mrs. Kilpatrick’s murder, and the attempted murder and kidnap charges they filed for what she did to me. Since she’s here, they’ll do all that first, and later she’ll have to go to South Dakota and face charges there. It’s going to be a long haul, that’s for sure.” Raven exhaled loudly.
“We’ll be by your side,” Brandy said. “Jaime needs to be locked up for a very long time. She really needs help.”
Raven’s phone interrupted the group’s conversation. Muerto saw her jaw tighten. “I have to take this. Be right back.” She hurried out of the place.
“You got it bad for her, bro.” Crow winked at him. “You gonna do something about it?”
“Maybe, but keep your fuckin’ mouth shut about it. Sometimes you, Goldie, and Chains gossip worse than a bunch of ladies.”
“Are you gonna marry her?” Brandy asked. “I can barely believe you have a girlfriend, but a wife? No way.”
“I’m not saying anything. You both need to keep your mouths shut.” Muerto watched Raven as she talked and walked the floor. Her back was to him, but he could see her arm flying around. I hope everything’s okay with her dad.
When she came back in, her eyes were twinkling and her face was beaming. She rushed over to Muerto and squealed while clapping her hands. “They sold one of my paintings, and he wants a few more.” She jiggled in place.
He hugged her. “I’m so proud of you. Fuckin’ good job. Which one sold?”
“Devoradora.” He threw his head back laughing, and she joined him. Soon they were in hysterics while Crow and Brandy looked on.
“Seems like craziness is catchy around here,” Crow said, and the two lovers laughed harder.
“I think you’re right,” Brandy agreed.
“It’s a private joke,” Raven sputtered. “I’m just so stoked that I sold a painting at the gallery. This opens all sorts of doors for me.”
“Congratulations. I never knew a real artist. That’s so cool.” Brandy walked over to the bar and poured herself a cup of coffee.
“We’re going out to celebrate,” Muerto whispered in her ear. “You pick the place.”
“Alfonso’s. That’s where I first met the man behind the attitude, and I liked him a lot.”
He wanted to make love to her at that moment, but instead, he held her tight. “Seven work for you?”
“It’s perfect. Love you.”
“Me too.”
* * *
When they came home that night, Raven went over to Walter’s and knocked on the door. He flung it open and stared at her. Muerto came up behind her.
“Hi, Muerto,” he said, his gaze darting from Muerto’s to Raven’s.
“Hey.” Muerto jerked his chin up.
Raven cleared her throat. “I want to thank you for helping me out a few days ago. If you hadn’t come in when you did, I wouldn’t be talking to you.” Her voice hitched and Muerto put his arm around her. “I just really appreciate what you did for me. You’re a good guy.”
Walter fidgeted in place and kept looking behind him at his TV. “My program is on.”
Muerto held his hand up. “Don’t want to keep you from it. Just thanks.” He held Raven close to him as they walked away.
“Uh… you’re welcome.”
They turned around and saw Walter looking at them, his hands shoved into his pockets. Raven smiled at him, and he licked his lips then stepped away from the door. Muerto tugged her along and they went to the front of the duplex.
When they got inside, Teddy barked and jumped in excitement and Sooty slinked over to Raven, her eyes fixed on Muerto. “I think she’s getting used to you,” Raven said as she took off her jacket.
“That’s good because she’s going to see a ton of me.”
After Raven changed the water bowls for Sooty and Teddy, gave them treats, and played with them for a bit, she sat down next to Muerto. “I’m so tired.”
“The doc said you gotta take it easy. You had a concussion and lost a lot of blood. It was just a few days ago.”
“It seems like a lifetime ago. Strange. Let’s go in the bedroom. I’m beat.”
As she took off her clothes, Muerto sat on the bed. “We need to move. This place is too small and has bad memories for you.”
“Are you asking me to live with you?” She tied the sash around her short robe.
“We’re already doing that. I’m just saying we need a bigger house.” He reached out and tugged her to him.
“You’re going to give up your room at the clubhouse?” She settled on his lap.
“I’ll always have my room there if we want to crash after a party.”
“Or a few rounds of pool.” A twinkle lit u
p her eyes.
“Brutus isn’t letting up on that.”
“I don’t want to get rusty.” She curled her arm around his neck and kissed him deep, hard, and wet.
“I like that.”
“Thanks for coming into my life. I thought I was never going to see you again.” She buried her face in his neck.
“You’re a fighter, babe.” He peppered kisses over the side of her face and she winced. “Sorry, sweetie.” He gently rubbed his fingertips over the fading bruises. “I love you.”
He looked at her, his dick hardening when he saw the desire in her gaze. She took the initiative and slid his shirt over his head, running her fingernails over his chest and circling her palms over his nipples. He sucked in his breath and looped his arms around her, hugging her to him chest to chest. She moaned and he pushed her back onto the mattress, her robe parting and exposing her breasts. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath, and then he stroked the very tip of her nipple with his finger.
“I love the way you touch me,” she rasped as she ran her fingers up and down his arms.
As his hands roamed her curves and his mouth traveled over her body, she whimpered and moaned beneath him, her sounds of pleasure fueling his fire. He was more than ready to bury himself between her legs. Bending down, he swiped his tongue over her pussy, which pulsed in glistening need. As he sucked her wet clit, his tongue flicking against her hardened nub, she arched her back, pushing her mound into his mouth.
“You are my passion, my love, and my life,” he said thickly.
“I love you so much,” she panted.
The scent of her arousal was so intoxicating that he lost himself to the hunger, licking and sucking her as he brought her to the edge and then withdrew. He rubbed his hard dick over her sopping pussy, then pushed it inside her inch by inch.
“Fuck me,” she said hoarsely.
He pushed all the way in, watching his cock slowly disappearing into her warm, tight center as he squeezed her tits. He lay on top of her, kissing her deeply while his dick pulsed and twitched inside her. Pushing up, he pulled out and then plunged back in, her moans surrounding him as he increased his pace. He leaned over and breathed her in, and with the way she wrapped her legs around his waist, whimpering, he knew he’d never have his fill of her. He’d never let her go. She was his.
“You’re my woman. I’m claiming you. You belong to me,” he rasped as he plunged into her again.
“I’ll always be yours.” Her face contorted as he pushed in deeper.
Grunts. Moans. Growls. Pants. The sounds of them coming together reached a frenzied pitch, and he felt her ready to come—tight, swollen, gripping his cock. He kept pumping in and out, wanting her pussy squeezing his dick as he exploded in her. Then he shot into her still-pulsating wetness while she screamed her release. He filled her up, and the minute he was finished he wanted to fill her up more; when it came to her, he was never sated.
When their breathing became more even, he rolled off her and tucked her to his side, their legs entwined under the cool sheets.
“That was the best,” she whispered, her head pillowed on his shoulder.
“You’re the best.” He ran his fingers up and down her damp back. “I want you to be by my side for the rest of our lives.” She stiffened under his touch. “Do you want that too?”
“Yes. Are you asking me something?”
He licked his lips. “Yeah. I’m asking you to be my old lady and wear my patch.”
“That’s when I wear the vest thing, right? Is the patch on that?”
He laughed and squeezed her. “Love you, babe. My patch is on your cut. The patch is everything. It binds us together in love, respect, and pride. It’s a fuckin’ big deal for a brother to ask a woman to wear his patch, and it isn’t taken lightly. I never thought I’d meet a woman who I’d want to wear my patch, but you’re everything to me. You make my life complete.”
“I’m the yang to your yin.” She kissed his chest.
“I think that means what I’m saying.”
“It does. And you totally rock my world. I’d love to wear your vest, patch, jacket, and whatever the hell else you want me to wear.” She slid up and kissed him hard. “I think I’m going to need some lessons on being an old lady.”
“I think you do.” He chuckled. “Breanna can help you. We got a couple of other old ladies, Sam and Shannon. They’ll teach you the ropes.”
“I thought Breanna was the only one.”
“She’s our president’s old lady, so she’s the head. You’ll be second since I’m an officer. Sam is Tattoo Mike’s old lady and Shannon’s Rooster’s. They’re older and been around for as long as I’ve been with the Night Rebels.”
“I’ll have to meet them. I like Breanna a lot.”
“That’s good. You made me happy.”
“And you make me ecstatic. I love you,” she said against his skin.
“I love you too.”
He stroked her hair for a long time. Once she’d fallen asleep, he held her tightly.
She’d entered his life when he wasn’t looking for love, and then he’d found it just like that—one flashing, throbbing moment. And he couldn’t imagine it any other way.
Chapter Thirty-Six
The smoky aroma of charred peppers and flank steak tantalized Muerto when he walked into the clubhouse. He glanced to the left and saw sizzling fajitas on a portable grill. Several of the brothers scooped up the mixture, and he ambled over and grabbed a plate.
“Hey,” Goldie said as he grabbed a few corn tortillas. “You’ve been a stranger for the past two weeks.”
“I only see you at the pool hall, dude. What gives?” Crow asked as he speared several strips of steak with his fork.
“Been busy.” Muerto took a generous portion of fajitas, smothered them in pico de gallo, and headed for a table, jerking his head to the hard beats of Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades” playing in the background.
“Has your main squeeze taught you any tricks on hustling? I thought we’d set up a tournament and have her play for our side. Of course, I’d play too. I can kick ass real good…just not hers.” Army plopped next to Muerto.
“We don’t talk pool. And the—”
“I bet you don’t.” Snickering, Brutus kicked out a chair and sat in it.
Swatting at the air, Muerto frowned. “I was trying to say that Raven’s not my main squeeze, she’s my old lady.”
The only sound in the room was the shredding guitars from the speakers. Sangre turned the music off, then looked at Muerto. “What the fuck?”
Taking a long gulp of beer, he pushed back from the table and stretched out his legs. “I said Raven’s wearing my patch.” He scanned the shocked faces around the room. “Fuckin’ deal with it.”
“I can’t wrap my head around you having an ol’ lady,” Goldie said. “I mean, you can’t focus on a chick longer than a couple of days.”
“Raven’s different.” Muerto gestured Patches for another beer.
“You moving out?” Chains asked.
“Yeah. We found a place we’re moving into next weekend. I need some help. Any volunteers?” He brought the beer bottle to his lips.
Most of the brothers voiced their support, and a warm feeling spread through him. He knew they were shocked as hell that he’d asked a woman to wear his patch. Hell, when the thought first came to him, he was just as surprised. He never thought he’d ever have an old lady, but then, he’d never met a woman like Raven. She came barreling into his life and since he first met her, he hadn’t had a chance to catch his breath. Life without her just wasn’t an option. He knew some of the brothers didn’t like her or trust her, but he also knew they’d respect her and defend her with their lives if they had to now that she was his old lady. That’s what he loved about the Night Rebels—they were together to the end no matter what.
As the shock of his revelation wore off, the members came up to him and congratulated him by punching his arm or grasping his shoulder.
By the time the sun set over the snow-capped peaks of the San Juan Mountains, Muerto was drunker than hell. Most of his brothers didn’t fare much better. When his phone pinged, it felt like a bullet through his head. He blinked several times as he tried to focus on his phone.
Raven: U gonna b home 4 dinner?
Muerto: Ate already.
Raven: What did Lena make?
Muerto: Not sure.
Looking up, he asked, “What the hell did we eat today?” Goldie, Army, and Brutus met his look with glassy gazes as they shrugged.
Muerto: We had something.
Raven: R u drunk? :)
Muerto: Fuckin’ trashed. Celebrating u being my old lady.
Raven: Sounds like fun until u get the hangover. U probably should stay the night.
Muerto: Can u come here? Don’t wanna spend the night without u.
Raven: Sweet. B there in an hr. ♥ u.
Muerto: Me 2.
“Is your ol’ lady comin’?” Goldie asked.
“Yeah.”
“What about a pool match?” Brutus said as he scooped up a handful of peanuts. “I’ve been itching for a game with her for a while.”
“You gotta ask her when she gets here.” Muerto stood up. “I’ll be in my room.” He weaved through the doorway and clamored up the stairs.
Once inside, he threw off his clothes and stepped into a cold shower. After he was finished, he heard a knock at his door. With a towel wrapped around his waist, he padded over and opened it. Ruby stood there, her heated gaze fixed on his chest and arms. “Hey,” he said as he opened the door wider.
“Hiya. I heard you asked that black-haired chick to be your old lady. Is that true?” She ran her fingers over his chest.
Stepping back, he nodded. “I’m hitched now.”
“I can’t believe it.” Her brow creased slightly.
He laughed. “Neither can I.”
“First Steel and now you. I hope it stops there.” Ruby pursed her lips.