by KB Winters
“And I’m going to keep asking until I’m sure you’re okay. Deal with it.”
His lips pressed against mine again, harder this time until I opened up and he slipped his sweet tongue in, tasting of barbecue sauce and root beer.
It was the kind of kiss that would have led to a lot of dirty things if we had the time. Which we didn’t. Dammit.
“Go. We have to deal with this.”
Lasso pressed his forehead to mine and groaned. “I know. I wish I could keep you up here until this was over.”
“And I wish I’d never brought this to your door.” If he ended up hurt because of me, how could I forgive myself? How would our child forgive me?
“I wish you never knew guys like Genesis existed.” It was sincere and heartfelt, proving once again that Lasso really was one of the good ones.
“I’m glad you showed me there are a few good ones still out there.”
His grin turned playful. “And lucky you, all this is yours.”
For now. “Make it snappy and maybe I’ll give you road head.”
“Damn wife, you should have led with that,” he smirked, whistling cheerfully as he carried the dishes into the kitchen. I sat there for a minute, just watching him move. Lasso was a real man, not just big and strong but capable and kind. He would make a good husband and dad. For some other woman.
I would do everything I could to get us out of this.
That meant I needed to get off my pregnant ass and get my shit together. I had things to order, phone calls to make and a very nice gourmet kitchen to clean.
Seventy minutes later we were on the road, driving through rural Idaho, which was basically all of Idaho, literally under the cover of darkness.
“What are you doing over there?” he asked after we had a bunch of miles behind us.
“I’m sketching out a map of LA by territory. It would be reckless to have gangs going into other gang territory to raid a stash house when they likely have one in their own territory.”
He snickered. “Looking out for the gangbangers of greater Los Angeles?”
“No, the innocent people those assholes are likely to shoot because they don’t practice.”
Things couldn’t have changed that much but doing this on the fly meant they were all best guesses.
“Now, keep quiet while I make some calls.”
It took longer than I thought, which was a miscalculation on my part. Convincing my contacts I wasn’t running a scam had taken some time. But they were all intrigued and I could hear the glee they couldn’t hide, and that’s how I knew this plan would work.
“That was some skilled negotiations.”
Lasso sounded impressed and I was pretty sure there was pride shining in his eyes when he smiled over at me.
“Do you think they bought it?”
“Not fully, but they’ll send some guys low on the totem pole to scope it out and then they’ll strike. If what your friend Cross says is true, that he’s sending guys in waves, the houses will be unprotected or at least with a smaller crew.”
I hated that I still knew this shit but being zoned out on pills and pot hadn’t diminished my ability to absorb info.
“So now we wait?”
“Now we drive to your hangar, sleep, eat and prepare.”
It had to stop, and I had to figure out a way to make it happen before anyone else got hurt.
Chapter 18
Lasso
It took us two days to make the drive because I wanted to stick to the road at night and because I couldn’t let Rocky sleep in the car, not after all the work she’d done to set things in motion. It was unbelievable really, the way her mind worked. She could’ve been an evil genius in her own right if she had the temperament for the outlaw life.
Then again, she still needed to get used to my life with the Reckless Bastards. She hadn’t said as much but I could tell Rocky’s views hadn’t changed much and the guys hadn’t done shit to help change her mind. I just had to hope that I would be enough to change it.
“Sounds like there’s a party going on.” Rocky’s hand tightened in mine as we arrived at the club and her steps grew slower, more cautious.
I clocked the guys standing out front and the closed gates meant that some shit had gone down. “Hey guys, what’s going on?”
Stitch stopped twiddling with his moustache and grinned.
“Hey Lasso man, glad to see you’re in one piece. We’re on lockdown. Some fucktards broke into your house and then showed up at Mandy’s store, breaking shit and threatening her. Worst of fucking all, they tried to knock off the Mayhem & Medicine Dispensary. I fuckin’ love that place, man.”
I held back a smirk. Stitch was equal parts teenage boy, efficient killer and weapons expert. “Did they get anything?”
“Nothing besides a fuckin’ beat down. Cross and the guys are inside.” He stepped aside, and I ushered Rocky in ahead of me though she stuck close to my side, leaving barely any room between us. Not that I was complaining.
“Thanks, Stitch.”
I didn’t bother with an introduction because I was sure he knew who Rocky was. I didn’t know his opinion on the situation and I didn’t give a damn. Inside really was like a party, but lockdowns always were. There were several tables piled high with food, tubs of beer buried in ice, one of the newest brothers worked the bar and the Reckless Bitches made sure the guys were distracted. In the corner were Teddy, Mandy and Jana with their babies.
“Lockdown?”
“All the family comes here so we can deploy resources to protect our interests.”
Rocky looked around, eyes as wide as saucers before turning them back up to me. “Can I have a gun?”
I smiled. “Do you know how to use a gun?”
She rolled her eyes at me and for a moment I felt like we were a real couple. “Like you don’t remember Max gave me lessons?”
“Of course I do. But can you shoot in your condition?”
Bonehead move. I could practically see the steam coming out of her ears. “Okay, fine. If you’re sure. I’ll get you a gun.”
“Granted my accuracy isn’t the greatest,” she added “but I can wound with the best of ’em.”
With all hell breaking loose around us, Rocky could still make me laugh. “You’re so damn cute when you get all southern gunslinger on me,” I said, wanting to take her somewhere private right then and really show my appreciation. But I just whispered in her ear and said, “Okay, yes, I’ll get you a gun.”
“Thanks, and don’t get me some bullshit piece like a .22, I’m warning you.” She groaned and stepped back. Seconds later I could see why.
“You’re back,” Cross said, Savior at his side.
“I am. No trouble to report on our end. How’s my place looking?”
“Like shit,” Savior said. “They clearly didn’t find that big fucker Big Boy, so they just trashed the place. No significant damage, just broken glass and shit like that.” He still wore a frown. “They were gone by the time we showed up. It’s a good thing too because we’re running out of places to hide these bodies you keep dropping.”
Yeah, because it was my fucking fault. Whatever. “That all?”
“No.” Cross stood closer, face as implacable as ever. “We’re at a huge disadvantage here because this is our home turf, all of our shit is right here for them to fuck up.”
Jag joined the circle and clapped a hand to my back.
“About that,” I said without looking at him. “Rocky has a good plan that can help. If you’re in, that is.” Because I was done asking. Either they would help, or they wouldn’t.
“A plan? If she can plan this shit, why can’t she just do what the fuck he wants?” Savior growled, glaring at Rocky.
“The same reason you tried to protect Mandy from Roadkill, asshole. You know what, forget it. Let’s go, Rocky.”
“Fuck,” Cross growled behind me. “Fine, let’s hear it. Not here though.”
I held Rocky’s hand and followed my
brothers down the dimly lit back hall and out into the night air. It was cooler now with a slight breeze but none of that seemed to matter in the moment.
“Rocky can explain it better than I can.” She glared at me and I gave her an encouraging nod and placed my hand on her hip.
“Fine.”
She gave them the basics as we had discussed on the drive down, but she failed to mention that she’d already reached out. “He’ll come unhinged and act rash. If we’re lucky he’ll start shit with someone else and they can take care of him for us, but I don’t believe I have that much luck so it’s just a first step.”
Savior was the first to respond with a long, low whistle. “Fuck me little girl, that’s a damn good plan.” He winked at Rocky who kept a careful, blank expression on her face.
“We might even be able to make some cash on this too, a few stacks just for intel. Think about it.”
“Maybe, but I don’t like it.” Cross protested.
“Because it wasn’t your idea,” Rocky shot back defensively.
“No, because I have more than you and your kid to fucking think about! Shit!”
To her credit, Rocky didn’t even flinch at his outburst. She nodded and pulled her phone from her pocket, staring at the screen like it held the secrets of the universe.
“I’ll let you know what I decide.”
Cross glanced at each of us but Rocky never looked up or acknowledged him.
“I’m out of here.” She brushed past me and Jag, marching toward the parking lot in sharp, angry strides. I didn’t blame her, but she wasn’t going anywhere. Not tonight.
“Rocky, please. Be reasonable.”
She turned, hair wild and unkempt just like her eyes. “I am being reasonable! I didn’t want to come here and beg for their help, you did. You may have to follow his orders but I don’t and I won’t.”
“Fine. Stay here tonight, with me and tomorrow I’ll figure something else out, okay?” She stared at me, eyes rightfully suspicious at my easy surrender. “Don’t make me carry you, Rocky. On second thought, make me.”
“Ugh, you are infuriating, Lasso!” She pushed at my chest and pounded her little fists against me until she grew tired. Exhausted. Wobbly. Too wobbly. And then her legs were giving out while my heart raced, and my arms reached out grab her.
“Hey, take it easy sweetheart. Don’t get so worked up.”
“I’m fine,” she said, trying to push out of my grasp. But I held on tight.
“It’s past time for my next meal and this little guy gets cranky when I skip meal time.”
“Guy? Do you know something, is it a boy?”
I didn’t care, not really, as long as the baby was healthy. But the idea of having a son did something to me.
“You were at the last appointment. Lasso. You know what I know.”
She pushed at my chest again and this time I stepped back.
“Can you show me where I’m sleeping tonight?”
“Don’t you want to eat first?” The woman loved food, relished it more than any other woman I’d ever met. “You did almost pass out from hunger.”
“Can you just bring me something up after you’re done talking with your friends?”
Her gaze couldn’t meet mine and I knew she was lying. She didn’t want to spend any time with the guys who were my brothers. Not that I blamed her, but it didn’t bode well for the future I was starting to see with her.
“Why don’t you just eat down here with everyone and then go on up?”
“If you don’t want to do it, just say so Lasso. I don’t have time for this!”
Again she was marching off in no direction in particular, mumbling under her breath about, “useless fucking men.”
“That one’s gonna be a handful man, you sure you can handle her?” Jag stood beside me, tall and broad, with a smirk on his face.
“I sure as hell hope so since I went and married her.”
It was as good a time as any to start telling people and Jag was my best friend.
“Holy shit, for real?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think it matters. I get this feeling she’s going to run. Rocky is a runner and she hasn’t felt welcome around here so she’s going to run. Scared and pregnant and alone.”
“So make her stay.”
“Just that easy?”
I didn’t believe that for one fucking second. Rocky had been on her own for a long time and I didn’t know if she was capable of leaning on another person, at least not when her life was in danger.
“Yep. If she wants to leave, go with her. If she wants to fight, let her yell and scream and then hug her and kiss her senseless. You might not get Cross to change his mind Lasso, but you have a decision to make, are you going to choose Rocky or listen to Cross?”
Sounded like two terrible fucking options to me but I got Jag’s point loud and clear. “Yeah, thanks man.”
“No problem. You need anything, call me.”
The only thing I needed now was time and space to figure out what the hell I wanted beyond saving Rocky.
Rocky. That’s what I wanted.
But first, we had to keep her alive.
Chapter 19
Rocky
I never should have trusted Lasso to keep his word about leaving the Reckless Bastards compound. Not only was I still there three days later but I was restless as hell and damn sick of the tiny apartment they had us staying in until further notice. I was going crazy and today I would leave this damn property even if it killed me. Lasso was out with a couple of guys checking on their property to make sure nothing had been damaged overnight. This was the perfect time to go.
I slipped a paisley print dress over my head and tucked my feet into canvas shoes. My intention? To look like a girl just out and about, not a woman on the run in case anyone here gave a damn. I was pretty sure they didn’t, but they’d promised Lasso to keep me safe and I suppose that meant something. To them.
To me, it meant my escape would be more difficult, but it didn’t stop me from slinging a patchwork hobo bag over my shoulder and creeping down the metal steps in search of keys. Lasso was on his bike as were everyone but the women lingering around the place. And dammit! I saw at least a dozen sedans in the parking lot. I needed keys.
“Lookin’ for something honey?” The guy had long black hair with a matching moustache that should have made him look creepy, but it didn’t. Those grey eyes made him look like a wolf. A big, sexy, teasing wolf.
“Yeah, uh, dude. I’m looking for a set of car keys.”
“Stitch, not dude. Please never call me dude from those sweet lips. Don’t tell Lasso I said that.” He winked, looking extremely boyish despite his manly appearance.
“Whatever. Keys?”
He shook his head. “No can do, babe. No one leaves without an escort.”
Escort? Sounded exactly like the prison it felt like. I didn’t like this, unable to move freely. It felt too much like my time with Genesis, which was how I got into this mess in the first place. I really needed to start making better decisions before I produced another generation of losers and quitters.
“Thanks for nothing, Stitch.”
“Sorry, those are the rules.”
I didn’t give a damn about rules, especially someone else’s fucking rules designed to keep me in check. I turned on my heels and stalked across the bar or whatever it was with pool tables, dart boards and other bar crap.
I pushed through the front doors, gasping as the sun hit my skin. I hadn’t stepped outside in a few days and the heat felt invigorating and life-affirming after hanging out in the dark apartment for days on end.
But I could feel two sets of eyes on either side of me, courtesy of the goons at the door. “I know, I can’t go anywhere. Ever. Got it.”
“If you want to go out, come with me.” It was Cross, the last person other than Genesis I wanted to go anywhere with, but beggars couldn’t be choosers.
“Okay.”
I followed him to a
matte gray pickup truck and hopped in before he could attempt to help. We drove in silence and stopped along Mayhem’s equivalent of Main Street where we both got out.
I followed him into an art supply store. I didn’t really want to talk so I looked around, feeling more gratitude than I would ever admit when I realized I could buy supplies and paint in the shop.
“Excuse me,” I said to the middle-aged clerk, “I notice palettes back there?”
“Yes, we have select paints and palettes if you want to paint by the hour.” She named a very reasonable rate and I grinned my acceptance of the price, handing her the cash.
“I’m Moon, and this is my shop. You’re new around here.”
Was it written on my forehead? “I am. The name is Rocky. It’s nice to meet you Moon, this is a great place.”
“You’re an artist?”
I sensed a kindred spirit in this woman but maybe it was that we were dressed near identically except she had sunflowers instead of paisley.
“Not really but I have an online craft store … which is temporarily down.”
Shit, I’d managed to forget about that for a minute. Moon looked concerned and I shook it off.
“Never mind.” I took my crap and set up at the end of the room, looking at the plate of food in the center to act as inspiration.
It was nice to just sit down and paint again, to get lost in the colors and textures of the Tomahawk steak, the red wine and the herb-flecked mashed potatoes. As I focused on the details the tension left my shoulders and as my mind finally cleared, the confusion lifted. Lasso was my husband now, no matter how or why it had come about, and that meant we were a team. I had to trust him and since he trusted his brothers I had to as well.
Even if they didn’t like or trust me.
The painting complete, I sat back and smiled at the image. It wasn’t all that creative, but the technique was good. I was about to ask Moon if she did regular classes, but she and Cross looked to be deep in conversation. That seemed weird, but I didn’t care enough to question it. Except maybe to warn her away from the surly asshole. But that was none of my business. I took my painting outside and set it against the wall to dry while I enjoyed the feel of the sun on my skin.