“This was club related?” I asked in surprise.
He looked at me quizzically, but I didn’t know what I’d said that made him that way. He blinked, shook his head, then his hand left the back of my neck. I missed its heavy warmth immediately.
“We have no clue who did it. But he might’ve been with his family instead of getting ready to come to the clubhouse if he’d never joined.” As if it was suddenly too heavy of a burden, his head fell forward and his shoulders slouched.
“Bullshit. Please tell me you don’t believe that shit. Life is unpredictable, yet we all have our time. No one lives forever. You cannot take the blame for this. It may have been some random incident. Wrong place, wrong time.” Using the edge of my index finger, I raised his chin slowly to make him look at me again.
The tears shimmering in his eyes nearly broke me. Seeing this man, stronger than any man I’d ever met, crumbling, was too much. Dropping from the chair, I knelt between his booted feet. My arms wrapped around him, and his engulfed me.
Face pressed into my neck, he silently sobbed. Shoulders shaking, he fell apart.
“I’m here. Oh, Grayson, I’m right here. Whatever you need, I’m here.” Though I didn’t think it was possible, those thick arms tightened around me to the point I was having trouble expanding my ribs to breathe. Then he loosened them and simply held me close.
Without meaningless words, I stroked his back, ran my fingers through his thick hair that was coarse and soft all at the same time, and held him close. Soft, chaste kisses were placed on him repeatedly as I comforted him the best I could.
When his shoulders quit shaking as violently, I reached over to the coffee table and grabbed a tissue. He raised his head, and I handed it to him. After he’d wiped away the evidence of his grief, he couldn’t meet my gaze. Instead, he stared off over my shoulder.
“Thank you. I’ve been trying so hard to stay strong for everyone. It was getting to be such a heavy load.” His lids dropped. “You don’t think I’m a pussy, do you? Because God, I feel weak as fuck right about now.”
“Hell, no. You’re human. You’re allowed to have pain, and you’re allowed to let it out. You stay strong for your brothers, and you come to me so I can be strong for you. Okay?”
The kiss I pressed to his lips was meant to be comforting and quick. He had other plans. Lifting me to his lap like I was nothing more than a doll, he deepened the kiss and slipped one hand up the back of my shirt.
His thick hair ran between my fingers. I gripped it tightly and leaned closer. We both groaned softly at the resulting pressure of my lady bits rubbing on his thick cock.
The friction of his rough hands on my soft skin was electrifying. The fact that his long fingers nearly spanned my rib cage and wrapped around me was crazily seductive. They slid up until his thumbs teased the underside of my breasts through my bra.
I couldn’t get close enough to him. My head tilted down as I cradled his in my hands, my body attempting to curl into him as he pulled me close, until there was not a speck of space between us.
The soft sound of a door clicking made me freeze. We broke apart, gasping for air. Nervously, he peeked over my shoulder.
“It’s all clear. She must’ve been going to the bathroom,” he whispered as if we were the teenagers making out and trying not to get caught. I didn’t tell him she could get to the bathroom through my room.
Reluctant to lose our connection, I traced my thumb over his bottom lip.
“I meant what I said. It may make me crazy, but I’m here for you. Whatever you need,” I reiterated. I’d decided, though it may make me a fool, I’d take whatever he was willing to give me. I was an idiot for thinking I had any willpower or self-restraint against him. He’d always been my Kryptonite. If sex was all he could give me, I was willing to accept that—with the slight possibility that maybe it would build into something else.
“Take off your shorts,” he demanded, eyes dark with lust.
The thought was so very tempting. He had no idea the dilemma he’d caused. “I don’t know if that’s a great idea today. Mattie….” I trailed off.
Understanding and regret warred on his face. Then he said, “Shit, I’m not used to her being here. I don’t know what I was thinking. Well, will you go to the memorial with me tomorrow?”
I was taken aback. Since that first night we’d slept together, he hadn’t even come close to having me around his club. Like he hadn’t wanted them to know I was anything more than a one-night stand. Hell, he’d barely talked to me.
“Are you sure that’s what you want?” I asked hesitantly.
He appeared to consider my question. I appreciated that he didn’t immediately say, “yes.”
“I’m completely sure. I don’t know why, but you ground me. Being close to you makes me feel stronger.” He searched my eyes for understanding. Something in me unfurled and began to bloom. It felt a little like hope.
“Okay. Instead of you picking Mattie up on the bike, you want her to ride with me? We can follow you? I mean, unless she wants to ride on the bike,” I clarified.
“That would be great. There’s a lot of us going, though. So you may not be right behind us.”
“It’s okay. I think I can follow a bunch of bikes without losing them or running them over,” I teased before brushing a soft kiss across his cheek.
I didn’t make it far as I leaned back, because he grabbed the hair on the back of my head and crushed his lips to mine. Parting my mouth to welcome him inside, I returned the kiss with all the passion within me.
We groped and made out like teenagers again before we came to our senses. Sort of.
Breathless, I asked him, “Do you wanna stay for dinner with us?”
“I don’t want to put you out or intrude on your girl time,” he panted, just as out of breath as I was.
I giggled. “I’m only ordering pizza, and I think your daughter would be just fine with you staying.” My mouth twisted to the side as I tried not to laugh.
He gave me a confused look. “Are y’all not getting along?”
“Oh, we’re getting along fine. But something tells me she’s hoping you and I will get along too.”
He shook his head as he smiled. “Are you saying I have a meddling daughter?”
“Mmm, maybe not meddling, but likely a little matchmaking.”
The expression on his face morphed to something serious. “Maybe I like her way of thinking,” he said as he stared intently into my eyes.
I sucked in a ragged breath as my heart raced.
My chest ached at the possibility that he was actually considering a relationship with me. That was way more than I’d anticipated he’d be ready for. I’d been prepared to actually follow through with the friends-with-benefits plan.
“Grayson…,” I breathed.
He kissed me quickly, then pulled back. “Order the pizza,” he instructed.
“Okay.” Staring into his eyes, I found myself drowning in the sea-green orbs until he gave me a playful swat on my ass. It shook me out of my stupor, and I hopped off his lap to go grab my phone.
Once I’d placed the order, I turned back to him and leaned against the counter.
Reclined on the couch, he had one thick arm stretched across the back of it. It should be a sin to look as good as he did.
“Dad! You’re still here!” Mattie came out of the bedroom and acted as if she was shocked to see her father on the couch.
I gave her a look that said I knew what she was up to, but she simply smiled innocently.
“Are you going to eat with us?”
“If that’s okay with you. I don’t want to intrude on your girls’ night,” he said with a smile.
“Dad, we don’t mind you being here. Do we, Nova?” There was that innocent look again. Amused, I could only smile.
“So, tomorrow, would you be okay riding with Nova or do you have your heart set on riding on the bike?” Grayson asked her.
“You’re going?” She turned to m
e with a combination of excitement and sadness in her eyes.
“Yeah, I am.”
“I’ll ride with you, if that’s okay,” she said to me.
“That’s absolutely no problem.”
“Thanks,” she said with relief but then got quiet.
We sat and talked about Mattie’s school, the plans for the next day, and random stuff until the doorbell rang. Since I was right there, I was the first to the door. Except, before I could hand the delivery guy the money, Grayson was reaching over me to hand the guy his.
“Keep the change,” he told the kid.
“Thanks, sir. Have a nice night.” The kid grinned wide and left. I noticed movement down the hall and peeked down the corridor. A man was going around the corner, but he didn’t stop, so I went inside.
“What was it?” Grayson asked.
“Nothing. I just saw someone down the hall and looked. It wasn’t anyone I knew.” I shrugged.
We piled paper plates with pizza and sat down in the living room.
“Can we watch Captain America? I was going to watch it next in the bedroom, but I came out to see if you were ready to eat yet.” Mattie blushed and I wondered if she realized I knew she’d been creeping before she came out that time.
“Sure, if your dad is okay with it,” I replied.
He shrugged. “That’s fine. I won’t be staying much longer. It’s been a rough few days, and I think I’m going to crash early tonight. It will be an early morning tomorrow.”
“Cool!” She started the movie as we stuffed our faces.
Once everyone was done eating, I gathered the plates and threw them out. They were laughing on the couch together. It was so good to see the two of them smiling that I didn’t want to bother them. I grabbed the trash bag that was full and went to take it out to the dumpster.
I’d just tossed it in when someone closed in on me and a blade pressed to my throat. Terrified, I froze.
“Well, hello, beautiful. Just thought I’d stop by and say hi. You think having that biker around is gonna keep you safe? I can get to you anytime. Do you hear me? Anytime. Soon, you and me are gonna have some fun. But I’m not ready yet, so I’m gonna be leaving. You be a real good girl and don’t turn around and don’t you breathe a peep about our little visit. If you do, I’ll be forced to take drastic measures. Like maybe that pretty girl you got staying there. She could be a lot of fun. Or maybe that fucking biker will have a tragic accident. I’ll be seeing you around. Okay?” The voice was whispered in my ear so I couldn’t say if it was familiar or not.
Not wanting to move, I whispered, “Okay.”
“Fuck, you have no idea how perfect you made this for me. Two birds with one stone. Fucking perfect. You count to fifty and then you can go back home. I’ll be seeing you around.” His voice was whispered and raspy—nothing close to anything I had a hope of recognizing.
The blade was removed, and I stood there shaking as I counted in my head. After I reached fifty, I counted to fifty again, just in case.
“Nova?” I heard Grayson’s voice calling across the driveway.
Turning around, I tried to walk back calmly, but I was still shaking.
When I got close, his eyes registered worry as he reached out and swiped his thumb across my neck. “What the heck happened?”
Blood was on his thumb. “Oh, I think there was a rough spot on the dumpster, and I lost my balance when I threw the trash in. I fell forward.” I shrugged, trying not to show how bad I was trembling.
It was lame but all I could think of. I had no idea who that could’ve been, but I knew with everything Grayson had on his plate, the last thing he needed was to worry about me.
The expression on his face told me he didn’t really believe me, but he didn’t know what else to think. “Well, you need to be more careful. Maybe talk to the management company about having a new dumpster brought out.”
“Sure. Yeah, I’ll do that.”
“I gotta get going. You girls gonna be okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, we’re good,” I assured him, though I felt anything but okay.
He stepped closer and gripped my sides. That gleam of lust was back in his eyes. “I really wish we could’ve had more than a few minutes alone.”
“Me too.” I sighed as I leaned into him. What I wouldn’t give for him to stay.
A beautiful assault of my lips with his followed my reply. When we heard someone wolf whistle at us, we broke apart. I was panting, and he was grinning. “I’ll see you in the morning, babe.”
Hearing him call me “babe” had my heart stuttering.
I watched him get on his bike and ride off. Then I nervously glanced around, hurried inside, locked all the doors, the windows, and shut all the blinds. Mattie was too absorbed in her movie to notice what I was doing. I did the same in my room.
That little visit from the random stranger had shaken me. I’d pissed off a lot of men when I’d represented their wives in their divorces. Trying to figure out which one it could be would be nearly impossible.
I thought about calling the cops but I didn’t really have anything to give them. No description, no tone of voice, nothing. There was no point in upsetting Mattie by calling them.
Shoving the incident to the back of my mind, I pasted on a smile. “So, young lady. What was in the bag that you needed so bad?” Trying to hide my shaking, I crossed my arms and fought my grin at her wide eyes and pursed lips.
“Sit Awhile”—The Band Steele
“Smoke!” shouted Reaper when I walked in the door.
My brothers who were staying at my house raised their beers when I walked in. Snow was in my recliner with his feet up and a pained look on his face.
“You okay?” I asked him.
“Yeah, back hurts a bit. We aren’t doing an iron butt on the way home, Reaper. I’ll be damned. We’re stopping to get a hotel,” he grumbled. Reaper laughed.
Steph, Reaper’s ol’ lady, was on the phone. She smiled and waved from her corner of the couch next to her ol’ man. From what I could hear, she was talking to their kids.
“Yes, Remi, Mommy and Daddy are in Texas. No, we can’t bring you home a longhorn moo-cow. I know you’d love one. Oh, Grandpa said you could keep it at his house, huh? Let me talk to Grandpa. I love you, sweetheart. Give your brother a kiss for me. Dad! What the hell? No, it’s not funny.” She rolled her eyes, and I chuckled along with Reaper. She stood and kissed Reaper. “I’ll be right back. I need to set my parents straight.”
We could hear her chewing her dad’s ass all the way back to the bedroom. I sat on the other end of the couch.
Snow looked over his shoulder, then leaned toward me and spoke softly. “Hacker has something he wants to go over with you. It may be nothing, but he got a hit on some stuff he was checking out. You care if he, Joker, and Hollywood come over?”
“Of course not. Tell ’em to come on over.”
“Roger that,” he replied, then was on his phone. “They’ll be here shortly. Soap is coming too.”
My skin crawled at the anticipation of what they might have found. Optimistic that they might have caught a break, I messaged my guys and asked them to come over too. They had a right to hear what he’d found. “My boys are on the way too.”
“Perfect.”
It wasn’t long before the roar of their bikes echoed down the street. As soon as I heard them coming, I was at the front door to let them in. Every single one of them looked on edge—afraid to be hopeful for a break.
Once everyone was in, I stood. “Raiven and Gwen, would you mind taking the ladies out back to enjoy the covered porch and the pool?”
“Not at all, Smoke. Come on, girls, let’s go raid Smoke’s outdoor bar and trash his pool!” Raiven was such a hellion, but I knew she was fucking with me and trying to keep the mood light, so I laughed and shook my head. Lock swatted her ass as she went by, and she gave him a kiss that had me raising my brows.
The ol’ ladies traipsed out back, and I turned to Lock.
“Y’all are gonna have another kid before you know it if you keep that up.”
A sly grin was his response.
“Okay, whatcha got, boys?” It was difficult not to get my hopes up, but I remained stoic as I waited for them to answer.
“Well, I don’t think this is club related,” Hacker began.
“Personal?” I questioned.
“Well, maybe, but maybe not to Check,” Joker added.
“Then how is it personal?” I asked.
“Well, we caught this guy on several security feeds in the hospital, most of them on Check’s floor. In most of the footage, he’s observing the comings and goings to Check’s room.” He handed me a still photo. It was black-and-white and not super clear. The guy had a full beard, long hair, and a lot of tats. The problem was, none of them were discernible in the image.
“Can you clean this up a bit?” I asked as I studied the picture.
“Unfortunately, that is cleaned up.” Hacker appeared disappointed. “I tried to check any security footage from places near your clubhouse, near Check’s house, and the areas from the list you gave me.” I’d given him a list of the places we frequented.
“You find anything besides that?” Lock asked before I could.
“Well, I can’t be sure, but I think this is the same guy at several of the places on your list.” He passed me more images and I handed off the others to Truth, who was next to me.
Again, they were grainy images. “Nothing better, clarity-wise?”
“Most security footage isn’t the best resolution.” Hacker, Reaper, and Snow exchanged nervous looks.
“What?” I asked.
“Well, most of the images we recovered of this guy were obtained at times when you were at the same place. You’re in the footage too.” Hacker handed me more images that showed me and how the guy would enter after I did.
Smoke and Mirrors: A Demented Sons MC Texas Novel Page 14