B-ry: A Steel Paragons MC Novel (The Coast: Book 4)

by Eve R. Hart

  I think Bryan was waiting on me to make a move. Only, Blade had been right, I kept waffling between where I wanted to go. I had a lot going on in my head and even as I tried to sort through it all, I still wasn’t sure where I wanted to go from here. It wasn’t just about him. It was about everything. Who I was. What I was going to do next. What my plans were for the future. And the biggest one was how to move on from here after everything that had happened.

  I was angry. That was a given. Angry that it had happened to me. Angry at how weak I felt. Angry that no one would tell me anything about what was going on.

  I was also hurt.

  Which might have been the thing that was the hardest for me to let go of.

  Completely drained, I couldn’t think of anything other than closing my eyes. So I did, and hoped that when I woke I would have at least one thing figured out.

  I had no idea how long I had been out, but the sound of someone moving around the room was what woke me.

  “Hey,” Bryan said softly as I rolled over to look at him.

  “Hi,” I said smiling.

  “I’m going to head over to the gym for a little bit, okay?”

  There was something there behind his eyes. I could see it even if he was trying to hide it from me. He was trying to be strong, like always. But I knew everything was weighing on him. I wished more than anything that I could help ease those burdens but how could I do that when I couldn’t even be strong for myself?

  “Take me,” I said sitting up.

  “Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Not really the kind of place to take…”

  “What?” I asked with a little attitude. “Someone like me?”

  “That’s not what I meant,” he said and blew out a breath like he felt that no matter what he said, it would start a fight. “It’s mostly a gym for guys that fight.”

  “Teach me how to fight, please,” I said looking at him with begging eyes that I hoped he wouldn’t be able to say no to.

  I wanted to be strong. I wanted to feel strong. I wanted to know that if I was ever in a situation like I had been that night, that I would at least be able to do something. I never wanted to feel helpless again.

  “Okay,” he said with a resigned sigh. “Get dressed. And put my hoodie on.”

  I jumped up and got ready in a flash.

  “Thank you,” I whispered as I threw my arms around his neck and pecked his lips.

  “Do not leave my side when we get there. Don’t look at anyone and for fuck’s sake, don’t go getting in anyone’s business. Understand?”

  I nodded and was suddenly nervous about going. But I knew Bryan wouldn’t let anything happen to me as long as I was by his side.

  Once we got there, I completely understood why he had been so stern. There were a lot of big men around. Big men that looked very scary. And I was pretty sure most of them were Russian, I heard their accents right away.

  Bryan held my hand as we walked through the gym. I kept my head down so I wouldn’t look at anyone like Bryan had said. Some of them stopped and I could feel their eyes on us.

  Alright, well I clearly hadn’t thought this out when I asked to come along. I wasn’t sure I would be able to do anything around all these people. I might look like a silly girl. And what if bringing me here had somehow disrespected them. Perhaps I should have asked if it was a good idea instead of making Bryan feel guilty if he said no.

  “You okay, princess?”

  I squeaked out some sort of answer.

  “Hey, biker’s woman,” someone said and made my head snap up.

  That voice tickled something in the back of my mind. I was sure I had heard it before.

  He gave me an oddly warming smile.

  “You look better than the last time I saw you.”

  Oh! He was the man that helped me after I got out of the window. The one that put me in the car and took me to the compound. I felt bad that I hadn’t thanked him. I didn’t even know his name.

  And before I could think better of it, I was throwing my arms around his neck.

  “Thank you,” I said as I felt tears sting my eyes.

  He gave me one good squeeze then patted my back.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled as I stepped back. I hoped I hadn’t crossed some kind of line here. “I just… I’m very grateful you were there and helped me and everything.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bryan shaking his head with a smile on his face and I knew it was alright.

  “Why is your woman assaulting my men?” another man asked as he walked over to us. He was big and looked as if he had a permanent scowl etched into his face. But there was something in his tone that almost made me think he was trying to joke.

  I started to cower away. And instantly I hated it.

  No. I wasn’t going to let these men walk all over me no matter how big or how scary they seemed.

  Bryan had basically told me to stay quiet and be as invisible as possible, but that wasn’t who I wanted to be.

  So I stood up straight and looked the second man in the eyes.

  “I meant no disrespect. I was just thanking this man here for saving me,” I said calmly.

  “Vladik,” the second one said.

  “I’m sorry what?” Was that like some weird Russian sneeze?

  “His name. Vladik.”

  “Oh. Well, thank you, Vladik.” I turned my attention to him then.

  “No problem. I did not really do much.” He gave a half-shrug but I could see the smile in his eyes.

  “I’m Andrei, if anyone cared to know.”

  I let out a laugh because this time I knew he was joking.

  “I was going to show Laurel some moves. I hope that’s okay,” Bryan said speaking for the first time.

  Andrei eyed me for a long time.

  I did my best not to shrink under his gaze.

  Then he gave me a nod like he understood all the reasons that I needed this.

  Without a word, he turned and walked off.

  Bryan pulled me to one of the corners where we had a little bit of privacy. After we stretched out and warmed up, he began to teach me the basics. Like how to ball up my fist. And how to make sure I had my face protected. And how to throw a punch so I wouldn’t break my hand.

  I asked him where he learned all of this.

  That was when he told me about his dad and growing up in the club in Tennessee.

  “I was a skinny kid that liked to read. As if that wasn’t enough, kids thought I was trash because my dad belonged to a motorcycle club. I think I was in the fourth grade when I came home with a bloody nose for the third time and my dad was at a loss. He did everything he could think of. Talked to the teachers and the principal, but nothing was done about it.”

  He stopped to give me some directions and he had me working on my jab next. I had to say, I didn’t think I was half bad.

  “Anyway,” he went on. “My dad had a buddy that owned a gym and trained guys how to box. A lot of the club members trained there too. So he took me there one afternoon after school and the guys there kind of took me in. Taught me just about everything I know. It wasn’t that my dad wanted me to get in fights, I think. It was more of like a confidence booster. It didn’t help right away, but eventually, I started to hold myself up and people eventually stopped fucking with me.”

  “So did you ever get into a fight with those mean people?” I asked.

  “No,” he said with a smile. “And maybe that was the best part. I didn’t lose myself. I was still that kid that was a little bit nerdy, only I was super cool too.”

  He laughed and flashed me that cocky smirk of his. I paused as the smile spread across my face.

  Something inside me warmed right then. I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted more moments like this with him. I knew that to love him I had to let go. I had to release the anger I was holding onto. I had to set the pain free. And I needed to focus on the wonderful future we could have together.

  Sure, it wasn’t a simple thin
g to do though it sounded like I had it all figured out.

  Maybe, Blade had been right.

  I wasn’t going to hate Bryan and I wasn’t going to walk away.

  So right there in that super stinky gym, I made my decision.

  “Hands up,” he commanded, effectively snapping me out of my thoughts.

  Then we got to work again and I gave it my all.

  He didn’t go easy on me and I was grateful. He pushed me until I was dripping with sweat, panting, and ready to collapse from exhaustion.

  Then he took me back to the compound and made us dinner.

  Which surprised me.

  The baked chicken and wilted greens tasted amazing. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was so hungry or he was a pretty good cook.

  We showered together and then I told him I was ready for bed. After he checked in with Iron, he crawled in right beside me. This was the way I wanted it, him here with me, and I realized that I never wanted to give that up.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  B-ry

  I was surprised by Laurel today, though I really shouldn’t have been. She shocked the shit out of me when she asked to go with me to the gym. I didn’t think it was the greatest idea but when I saw that look in her eyes I knew there was no way I’d ever let her down. She needed this. She needed to grab some kind of power and feel like she wasn’t helpless. And I got that. I got it because I had once needed something to help me feel like I had some control.

  I was proud of her. She worked her ass off and listened to every direction I gave. She let me push her until her body just couldn’t take anymore. And yeah, maybe that was a little shitty of me, but I knew Laurel and she didn’t want me to treat her like she was broken. Like she was weak and needed a free pass. No, she wanted me to find her limits and take her further still.

  I knew she’d be hurting come tomorrow but I didn’t want to tell her that. I figured I’d let her have her victory for now.

  I still didn’t have a clue where this whole thing was going. I felt like she needed me even if she didn’t want to admit it. And because I was desperate to have every part of this woman that she would allow, I stayed as much as she let me.

  Even now, as I lay curled up around her, I was unsure of where her head was.

  “I love you,” she said abruptly. The words seemed like they had been there, waiting to push themselves out.

  I froze because I wasn’t sure I’d really heard her say that.

  But I knew I had.

  And that she’d meant to say it to me.

  I rolled onto my back as she turned around to face me. Her hair tickled my shoulder as she plastered herself to me, her head resting on my chest and I was sure she could hear how loud my heart was pounding.

  “I know that this is probably the worst time to say that with everything going on,” she said, her words slightly muffled against my chest. “But I want it all with you too. I can’t forget everything I have been through and I don’t know if I will ever really be alright with all this club business stuff, but I want to be the one that stands by your side through everything.”

  Her head lifted and she looked into my eyes. Even though they were shining with wetness, they were bright and so open for me.

  “You are my King, and I want to be worthy enough to be called your Queen.”

  “You always have been,” I said and softly cleared my throat because I was slightly choked by the thick emotions flowing through me. “You have the grace and the strength of a thousand queens. You are the only person I want by my side.”

  She kissed me. And I gave her everything I had.

  It was desperate.

  It was chaotic.

  It was soft.

  It was strong.

  It was needy.

  And it was passionate.

  It was everything we were and all the things we hoped to be.

  “I love you,” I said. “I have for a while now. I don’t want anyone but you. Even if you are a pain in my ass sometimes.”

  She laughed and it was so beautiful to witness.

  “Me?” she asked feigning shock as she pointed to herself. “I’m the pain? No, biker boy, you are—”

  “Let me guess, princess. The most insufferable man you’ve ever met?”

  “Exactly.”

  “But you love me?”

  “Somehow, I do,” she said in a breathy sigh.

  I kissed her again. I needed her lips on mine.

  I needed her like I’d never needed her before. It could have been because this was such a big declaration for both of us. And I felt like I’d been holding my breath for this very moment for a long time. How many times had I wished I could hear those words from her lips? Too many to ever count.

  I rolled over, pinning her body beneath me as I looked into her eyes.

  “I read your letter,” I confessed.

  Her eyes widened with surprise and I was thankful she didn’t seem angry.

  I wanted to say more but I wasn’t sure what. Words seemed to escape me right now.

  “Who am I?” she whispered.

  “My Queen.”

  “And who are you?”

  “Your King.”

  I smiled because it was a little silly but it felt so perfect for us. It felt like everything was right. I finally saw myself through her eyes.

  “Now,” she said with a twinkle in those silver eyes. “Show me I’m yours, my King.”

  I stripped her bare and worshiped her body. Every single part of it. I left my mark all over her with pride. And when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, I slid inside her and proved her wrong.

  “Bryan,” she moaned out as her nails dug into my back. “Please.”

  I kept my pace slow because I was hell-bent on making this last all night. Her body rocked against mine letting me know how desperate she was to come for me. Every time I pulled away, her tight pussy seemed to hug me even more.

  I had missed her. Everything, not just this part. I wanted my mark to be lasting. I wanted it to be forever.

  We were both on the verge of losing control. Her whole body was shaking. Her little whimpers started to turn into loud moans and she began to beg me for more.

  “I love you,” I whispered against her lips as I gripped her hips and changed my angle.

  That was all it took for her to come for me and I followed right behind.

  “I love you too,” she said as I rolled over and collapsed beside her.

  I kissed her, then rolled out of bed and dealt with the condom. By the time I returned to the bed with a warm, wet washcloth, she was already sound asleep.

  I chuckled as I cleaned her up. I crawled in beside her and pulled the covers over us.

  This was where I wanted to be. Every day and night. And all I had to do was not fuck it up again.

  Two days later, I got the call I’d been waiting for.

  We were at the hospital visiting Blade. Laurel had insisted on sneaking Biscuit in. But only after she took the dog to the groomers to have a bath and a nail trim. I didn’t have it in me to tell her no. Not even when she asked in her own way if she could get a stupid purple bow to go in the dog’s hair. I was sure Blade was going to love that.

  The look on his face had been worth it though. Unlike I had expected, the guy was thrilled about his baby’s new accessory. I blamed it on the pain medication. At least I tried to. But I really felt like I was seeing another side of Blade. He was dead serious when he called Biscuit his baby in his gruff, deep voice. Thank fuck he didn’t talk baby to her, that would have sent me over the edge.

  My phone rang.

  I stepped out of the room leaving Laurel and Blade chatting about some kind of nail polish for dogs. I was almost glad to get away.

  “Yeah?” I answered Iron’s call.

  “Get your ass to the diner. He just showed up there. Mouse and Cable will meet you with a van. Prospect has eyes on him.”

  “On my way,” I responded automatically.

  “Need
you cool, brother.”

  “I am,” I said rather calmly.

  “Good. I’ll meet you in the container yard.”

  A sinister smile spread across my face. This fucker was going to get everything owed to him and more.

  I stepped back into the room.

  The instant her eyes met mine it was like she knew.

  Her body went stiff as she clenched her jaw.

  “I gotta go, baby.”

  I expected questions but got none.

  “Be safe,” she said with a firm nod letting me know that she got it this time.

  Then she turned her attention back to Blade pretty much dismissing me. But I wasn’t mad. I got her. And I got that this was a good thing.

  I watched from across the street as he had his fucking bacon and eggs. I watched as he chowed down on his last fucking meal. I smiled because he didn’t even have a damn clue that it would be.

  He paid, counting out his cash like he didn’t have a care in the world. The guy wasn’t even on alert at all which gave me the chance to cross the road and hunker down behind his car without being noticed. He had no idea we were there and it was almost like he thought he was untouchable.

  I waited until he was at the driver’s side door.

  Then I casually stood up, taking him by surprise.

  He tried his damnedest to get the key in the lock but I was too fast. Two hits to the back of the head with the butt of my gun, and he crumpled to the ground.

  We loaded him in the van with no problems. And then the prospect drove Steve’s car back to the compound where we would figure out what to do with it later.

  Iron was waiting in the far back corner of the yard with the door to a rusted out container already open.

  Inside, I strung him up with the chains that had already been welded to the top of the box.

  “Now what?” Mouse asked.

  “We wait,” I said planting my ass in one of the metal folding chairs.