“It’s a pleasure doing business with you again, Nix. The order you requested is complete.” Motioning toward the blue moving truck behind him, two of his men in furniture delivery uniform shirts open the double doors and remain at the truck sides as Max, Axel, and I take a look at the contents—one wooden crate with everything we need. I give an approving nod, and Max and Axel gather the crate and load it into my Custom Ride trailer.
With day turning to evening, the building casts a dark shadow onto the parking lot, its gloom eerily similar to the despair that’s crawled into my heart and dug its teeth in like a blood-sucking leech. I can’t shake this feeling, not with what’s coming.
Mr. Galloni studies my features, curiosity dropping his brow as he flicks a thumb across his clean, trimmed beard.
“Should you need my services again, you know how to reach me.”
Outstretching my hand, I give him the envelope of cash. Tossing it to one of his men, he waits for the man to count it.
“All there, plus extra,” the burly man tells him.
Mr. Galloni’s mustache curls with his lip. Putting his hand forward, he shakes mine.
“Thank you for your business.”
“Likewise.”
Putting my hand in the air, I circle it, giving the signal it’s time to ride. The scent of exhaust fumes fills the air as we fire up our engines. Minutes later, we’re on the road, my heart heavier as we move forward with our plan.
Back at the shop and clubhouse, we unload the crate and secure it in the parts room connected to the garage. Together, the crew and I head into the clubhouse. Jeff lines up shot glasses across the bar top, pouring liquor into each. With the last two days spent cleaning up the clubhouse bar, it’s now presentable but filled with a lot fewer tables and chairs, a constant reminder of the Royals’ visit.
Grabbing our shots, we lift them and meet eyes.
“Together we ride, together we live, together we die,” Max says to the group.
The shot glasses are tilted as we swallow the liquor down and slam them on the counter.
“It’s time, brothers.”
They nod in approval as I withdraw my cell phone from my pocket. My chest constricts as I dial Reed’s number.
“Got my money, Wilson?”
“Yeah, I’ll get you your damn money. We’ll meet you in two days, eleven p.m. at the address I text you.”
“Nah, we’ll come to your clubhouse to collect.”
“The fuck you will. I have a business to run, and you’ve done enough damage. If you want your money, you’ll meet where I say.”
“You better have it, Pres, or there’ll be hell to pay.”
“See you in two days, asshole.”
Turning back to my crew, I continue our plans.
“Trevor, gather three thousand from the Kings’ account, have it bundled in dollar bills with twenties on top of the stacks. Ink, use cash and buy earplugs for all of us. Axel, use cash and buy bags of sand, around a hundred pounds. Wesley, get us a black duffel bag. Max and I will study the layout of the old warehouse and prepare the rest. We’ll all meet here tomorrow at the same time and get everything ready. Go home, brothers. Love on your women and get the rest you need.”
Most of the crew leaves, Jeff included, but Jake and Dom linger behind.
“We’re going with you,” Jake insists.
Dom crosses his arms in his familiar way that means the decision is final.
“All right. Leave your leathers in my office. We’re taking my truck.”
Driving into the old part of Nashville, where businesses once bustled and thrived over twenty years ago, we circle around rundown businesses with wood covered windows and graffiti painted on the aged red brick. The longstanding tobacco warehouse was my choice. I remember my grandfather worked there when I was a kid. The smell of leaf and smoke clung to his clothing and skin, wafting through the house when he came to visit us kids and my uncle Dallas, who raised us.
A flood from the Cumberland River damaged the first floor of the warehouse. Between property damage and the decline of the tobacco industry’s support, the company had to shut down. It forced my grandfather into retirement, where he spent most of his time rebuilding motorcycles, and teaching Dallas and me everything he knew. Pulling into the cracked parking lot, I imagine my grandfather doing the same, preparing for a hard day at work so he could feed his family of two sons and a daughter.
It hit my family hard when Aunt May was raped and my uncle murdered by Tolito’s father. It’s something my grandfather never recovered from. He thought it was his fault. He started the Kings all those years ago, and it was his feud with the Wild Royals that led to that horrible day. Bear and Aunt May had a good life together, were thinking of having children, and that was all torn away by the cruel hands of the Royals. It’s why it’s my duty to end this. To finish the blood feud that’s lasted three generations between my family and the Alverez’s.
As the men climb out of my truck, my cell phone dings in my pocket. Withdrawing it, I swipe the screen and read Synne’s text message.
I know you’ve been busy with work and fixing the clubhouse bar, but if you need a break, I’m offering dinner… and dessert ;)
Guilt is a tightly knotted ball in my stomach. I miss her, more than I can cope with right now, but I have to keep my distance until this is over. It’s the only way to keep her safe.
I can’t this week, but I’ll be over this weekend. I promise to make it up to you. You’ve been on my mind a lot. Miss you, babe.
After hitting send, I pocket my cell phone and join Dom at the tailgate of my truck. He’s pulling one of the two crowbars out of the back while Jake and Max are doing a sweep of the area, searching for cameras and cops. I know there aren’t any cameras. This part of town is nothing but vacant buildings, frequently used by street kids and those who are homeless, but it’s still worth checking.
Dom and I work open the wood over the front door, prying and breaking pieces until the wood falls with gravity, and our boots catch it before it thuds on the ground. With the end of the crowbar, I bust through the glass window on the front door and reach in, unlocking it. Inside, there’s an odor of mildew covered walls and rusty steel pillars. We angle the flashlights from our phones around the open space, my light landing on the red-brown tinted columns and dingy concrete floor.
“It’s enough space and far enough away from the public to hide the sounds,” Dom says to me, his light moving away as he inspects the area.
“Yeah. Now, we need to figure out coverage and how to exit quick.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
SYNNE
Along the sidewalk to Jake and Liz’s front door are pretty orange anemone flowers, the color popping against the cream siding and the coffee-colored front door. Stepping up to it, I press the doorbell and wait. Liz swings the door open with Liam resting on her hip, a wet, rumpled Harley Davidson teddy bear between his hands and teeth.
“Come in.” She waves her hand and steps back, giving me room to enter. “The lasagna is just about ready.”
Setting Liam in a baby playset, she moves to the kitchen, pulls two ales out of the fridge, and slides one across the island to me.
“You look like you need it.”
“I do.”
Taking the chilled bottle in my hand, I drop onto a barstool and use the bottle opener she hands me. With the top popped, I take a long swallow, my boot resting on the barstool footrest, while Liz slides a cookie sheet of garlic bread into the oven.
“I haven’t seen Nix in several days. I feel like he’s avoiding me. I told him I would look for another job, but I haven’t found anything I want to do. I love working at Custom Ride.”
Liz rests her hands and hips against the same counter as the oven, her eyes empathetic above a brief reassuring smile.
“He is avoiding you, but it’s not because he doesn’t want to see you. Last night, he crashed here. He and Jake thought I was sleeping, but I stood outside Liam’s room, listening
to them talk. They took turns holding Liam and promised him he would have a future without the threat of the Royals.” Nervous tension tightens her brows and mouth. “They’re planning something. Something dangerous and I’m scared for them.” Her eyes dart to Liam, then back to me as tears pool in her eyes. “I asked Jake about it, but he won’t tell me. He says it’s better I don’t know. Then said they’re doing what they think is best to protect the Kings family, including us.” She points to herself, me, and Liam.
My hand around the bottle tightens as my heartbeat races, causing an ache in my chest.
“What do you think they’re going to do?”
“I think they’re going to confront the Royals. I’m so scared they’re going to end up in jail or killed.” Tears fall from her eyes, and she looks toward the ceiling, wiping them away. With a sniffle, she tries to compose herself. “It’s not the first time they’ve gone after the Royals. Two years ago, the previous president of the Royals abducted me. He tied me up…” She pauses, takes a breath, holding back tears before continuing. “He assaulted me and came close to raping me, but Jake and Nix got there before he could. Jake shot him, but because Tolito recorded everything, we had evidence of his assault.”
My boot drops from the footrest. Leaving the stool, I walk to Liz’s side of the island and hug her.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you.”
Liz’s arms wrap around me, holding me tight as she sniffles back more tears.
“I want to talk them out of whatever plan they have.” She pulls back from me, her green eyes glossy, the skin around them blotched and puffy. “But I don’t want my son to go through what we all have. They’ve terrorized my family for years. Nix can’t take anymore. He’s ready to snap.”
Now I understand. This is why Nix is avoiding me. He wants me kept away from everything going on and whatever he’s planning. His words playback in my mind—I don’t want to lose you too. I need you. Which is why I won’t ever share the worst of me.
Stepping back, I lean my weight against the island counter.
“Whatever they’re planning, they’re going for blood.”
Liz’s gaze flitters away from me, a heavy breath escaping her.
“I know.”
The oven dings, and she rubs a hand over one arm, then turns to open it, sliding an oven mitt on. Removing the garlic bread, she sets it on top of the oven. Dropping the oven mitt on the counter, she turns back to me, wiping at a single tear.
“I don’t want to lose them, Synne.”
Moisture fills my own eyes as I look back at her. “I don’t either. Can we talk them out of it?”
“No. When either one of them won’t talk about something, their mind is made up, and there’s no convincing them otherwise.”
“What about Erika and Audrey?”
“Dom and Trevor are no different from Jake and Nix. They’ll do anything to keep Erika and Audrey safe. Neither of them will be able to help talk them out of it, not when Dom and Trevor see the Royals as a threat too.”
Liz turns away from me, putting the oven mitt back on, then grabs a second one out of a drawer and opens the oven to remove the lasagna. After setting the large baking dish on top of the oven, next to the garlic bread, she presses the off button on the oven.
“All we can do is wait, hope, and pray whatever they’re planning goes the way they want.”
Lifting the ale, I swallow several times, my body rooted to the spot as my mind drifts off and my heart bleeds fear.
“And if it doesn’t, we’ll at least have tonight as a family.”
My eyes blink, the bottle held midair as I stare at her confused.
“I insisted Jake bring everyone over for dinner.”
My gaze jumps to the giant lasagna pan and the entire loaf of garlic bread on the cookie sheet, the pieces coming together. Harleys roar in the distance, the sound fluttering my stomach, knowing I’ll see Nix within minutes.
Looking back at her, my mouth tilts. “Thank you for inviting me over.”
“You’re a part of this family too.” She pulls me in for another hug, squeezing me in her arms. “Nix loves you. He’s only keeping you away to protect you.”
“I understand. Thank you for sharing everything with me.”
Boots thud across the porch and we separate. She points to the cabinet and I gather enough plates for everyone. Jake is the first to walk in with Nix right behind him. Nix stops in his tracks, catching sight of me, and my heart skips a beat at the way his gaze takes me in. A smile curls the corner of his mouth, and he continues walking forward, coming into the kitchen. Going past Liz, he steps up to me. Without a word, his gaze roams my face, the glimmer in his eyes mesmerizing, holding me in place. Putting a hand around my waist, he lowers it to my ass and pulls me to him, covering my mouth with his warm, luscious lips. Beneath the heat of his kiss, warmth spreads to my center, my nipples growing tight as I wrap my arms around his neck. Gliding his hand up my side, he caresses, firms his grip, and slides his hand back down to my hip, leaving my body tingling and hungry for more of him. When he withdraws, my lips remain parted and prickling with the pleasure of his kiss.
My fingers delve into his hair as he adds another arm around my waist. When he squeezes my ass, I push into his dick, loving the feel of his length pressing back.
“I missed you,” I tell him, curling my fingers in his hair.
Lowering his mouth to mine, he steals my breath once again.
“It’s only been a few days since I last saw you, but it feels like it’s been a hell of a lot longer.”
“It does.”
On the other side of the counter, Trevor catcalls as he passes by with Audrey. Nix glances over at him, giving him a smirk. The whole Kings’ family is here and following Jake out to the back patio.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Nix’s forehead lowers to mine. “I needed to see you.”
“I get that you want to keep me away from all the shit that’s going on, but it’s been hard. I feel like you’re keeping me at arm’s length. Like you have something else going on that you don’t want me to know about.”
Nix kneads his fingers into my lower back, forming pleasured goosebumps along my skin.
“Trust me, baby. I want to be with you, but I have things I need to take care of. Knowing you’re safe lets me focus on those things. Can you be patient with me for another few days?”
“I can, but I’d worry less if you shared with me what’s going on.”
“You know I can’t.”
Nix loosens his grip as Liz comes back into the kitchen.
“Sorry to interrupt you two love birds, but I need to get the food out there to all those hungry folks.”
Jake opens the sliding door and joins Liz in the kitchen, giving her ass a slap as he walks past her.
“I’ll get the lasagna, babe. Nix, can you bring out the beers? They’re in the fridge.”
Nix curls his fingers around my jaw, raising my lips to his. As he pulls away from me, his warmth leaves my body, and in its place is a deep and desperate longing to feel his touch again. Following him to the fridge, I attempt to gather the second twenty-four pack of beer, but he turns his head and kisses me.
“I got these, gorgeous.”
Muscles, strong and contoured, swell as he carries a pack in each hand. When he catches me staring, he winks, reigniting the arousal that had just begun to settle. Going ahead of him, I open the sliding glass door, then return to the kitchen to help Liz gather paper towels and silverware. Jake makes one more trip inside to pick up Liam and tosses him in the air, smiling wildly as Liam giggles. With Liam tucked in his arm, he grabs the playset with his free hand and joins the rest of us outside.
Liz insists we say a prayer before eating, and as we all gather around the patio table and the extra folding table, Nix pulls me onto his lap, the warmth of his hand caressing my hip. He kisses my shoulder, and my stomach flutters. Leaning in close, I kiss his cheek.
“I love you.”
Nix’s eyes widen, a smile turning his serious expression into one of joy. Caressing a hand across my cheek, he slips his tongue between my lips, uniting us in a passionate embrace.
“I love you, Synne.” Penetrating green eyes capture mine, emotion filling them as he holds my gaze captive. “You’re the light in my deepest darkest hour,” he whispers.
My lips part to reply but are cut off as Liz begins her prayer. She isn’t shy about the undiscussed topic among us.
“Thank you for bringing us together and uniting us as a family. Thank you for the bonds of friendship we all share. Please continue to look after us, to protect our Kings family; on the road, in life, and against any future threats. Whatever choices are ahead of us, please give courage where it’s needed and triumph where it’s wanted.”
Jake puts his hands on Liz’s shoulders and kisses her head.
“Thank you, Peach. That was perfect.” With a massage of her shoulders, he lowers his hands and points to the lasagna. “Let’s eat this incredible meal she cooked for us all.”
Around the tables, the men fill their plates with lasagna squares and garlic slices while we women glance at each other. It’s clear we all fear the same thing—will this be our last meal together as a family? Will we see the men we love again?
* * *
Walking into my apartment, my feet are heavy, my worry causing aches throughout my body. Saying goodbye to Nix tonight was gut-wrenching. Whatever they’re planning, it’s happening tomorrow. That much was clear by the hushed conversations about the things they prepared earlier today and the way Nix avoided it when I asked. When I stood next to my bike to leave, I couldn’t let go, couldn’t stop kissing him. At his insistence, I got on my bike, pulled him to me for one last kiss, and willed myself to leave. As I drove home, the ache in my heart grew stronger, my worry more intense.
Dropping my helmet, jacket, and keys by the door, I amble to the kitchen to pour a drink. It’s the only way I’ll be able to sleep tonight. As the glass is set on the counter, there’s a knock at my door. Going to it, I swing the door open, and Nix pushes through the threshold, his arms wrapping around me, his mouth crashing to mine. Kicking the door closed, he backs us to it and locks it, never taking his lips off me. There isn’t room for words. Lifting my legs around his waist, he holds my ass to him as he carries me to my room. Laying me on the bed, he stays above me, caressing my thigh as he pushes his growing erection against my center. My moan spills out between our kiss, and he grabs my hands, raising them above my head as he pushes against me harder.
King of Kings Page 19