King of Kings

by Shreffler, Betty

  “Yes, it is,” Nix agrees.

  Moving into the dining room, Liz, Erika, and I serve the dishes while Audrey sets out the plates. Around the two tables, we gather as a family. Before we eat, everyone looks to Nix. Retrieving a silver necklace with a Kings MC charm out of a drawer, he holds it up, moisture filling his eyes. What he’s about to say is clearly hard for him.

  “We lost a good man yesterday, a loyal brother who stood with us through the best and worst times. He won’t be forgotten. His sacrifice will not be wasted. His memory, his name, his love for the brotherhood will go on.” Nix reaches over to Liz holding Liam in her arms and places the necklace around his neck. “We will honor him by teaching the next generation what it means to be a King and what it means to be a great man like Wesley Holmes.”

  Holding back their tears, the men give Nix approving nods. Touching my leg, Nix gives it a gentle squeeze, an act to calm himself as he looks out at his emotional brothers. Liz and Aunt May both wipe at their damp cheeks. Putting an arm around Liz, Jake kisses her, then Liam.

  “Brothers.” Nix glances at me and swipes a finger under my chin. “Ladies. We’re a family. And there are no lengths I won’t go to, to protect this family. Not now, not ever.”

  William raises his beer in the air, and the rest of the guys follow.

  “To Nix. To Wesley. To the future of the Kings.”

  Whatever stress these men have been carrying, they let it go for the next hour, the room filling with chatter, laughter, and praise for my cooking. As the meal is finished, Nix grips the bottom of my chair and slides me closer.

  “Thank you for this.” He kisses my cheek and leaves an arm around my shoulder as he talks with the guys.

  It’s well into the night before the last of the Kings head home. On tired feet, I head back to the kitchen to clean up. Taking my hand, Nix stops me.

  “Leave it. The only thing that matters right now is us.”

  Leading me upstairs, he takes me into his room. The moment the door closes behind us, our lips are sealed to the other’s. Only when our shirts come off, do we separate. Without clothing in the way, my thighs make contact with his bed, then they’re lifted in the air. My back is laid on the unmade bed we left this morning, his warmth soothing my body as he lies above me. Slipping a hand between my legs, he strengthens the desire longing for satisfaction. Lowering my hand, I stroke his erection as he groans with relief into my mouth.

  “Need you,” he murmurs, “so much right now.”

  “Have me.”

  Returning his lips to mine, he slides into me, thrusting so decadently slow, I plunge into thoughtless oblivion. With each passionate thrust, he kisses along my body, his fingers entangled with mine, curling tighter as he pushes deeper.

  “I love you.” In a whisper pressed to my ear, he unravels me, exposes the most protected part of my heart, and claims it as his.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  NIX

  TWO WEEKS LATER…

  Putting an initial on the last invoice in my stack, I gather the pile and file them in my desk for the associated month. Jeff enters my office, his peppered hair freshly washed and parted to the side, his mustache thick and combed. He looks well-rested and ready for his shift this evening. Thankfully, the clubhouse bar has made a quick rebound, especially with the Royals’ bar getting shut down. With new tables, chairs, and liquor restocked, we’ve been happy to accommodate the new customers. This weekend will be our first clubhouse party in two weeks. My crew is healing, and our lives are moving forward, despite the cloud of uncertainty that looms over us.

  “You got a visitor, boss.”

  Jeff’s comment takes me by surprise.

  “Who is it?”

  “Agent Adams from the TBI.”

  My throat constricts, the lunch I ate not long ago becoming rapid heartburn.

  “You want me to send him in?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jeff disappears out my door, and I rake a hand down my face as my gut twists in agony. Moments later, Agent Adams enters, his law enforcement badge shining on the chest of his polo shirt. Motioning my hand toward the chair opposite me, I offer it to him.

  “Good to see you, Wilson.”

  Putting on my game face, I smile back.

  “Same, Agent Adams. What brings you in?”

  Adams lean back in the chair, resting his elbows on the arms and his hands on the loaded belt around his waist.

  “I have some information I thought I’d share with you.” With a brow raised, he shrugs his shoulder. “Who knows, maybe you already know.”

  “Won’t know until I hear it.”

  “That’s true. Well, first things first. I’m retiring.”

  “Congratulations,” I praise, wondering where this is leading.

  “Thanks. I’m looking forward to it. My wife is even happier. She wants to do some traveling now that I’ll have the free time.”

  “I recommend Yellowstone. We’ve done some riding in those parts. It’s magnificent scenery.”

  Adams’s bottom lip juts out and in, a reflex of his thought. “I’ll look into it. Thanks for the recommendation. I’m not here for travel suggestions though.” He taps the arm of the chair with his palm.

  “I made a promise to myself that once I closed the case on the Wild Royals, I’d retire, and that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve been working on this case, trying to bring them down for six years.” He leans forward as the passion in his voice grows. “It’s exhausted local resources, taken countless tax dollars, and been a strain on my health and marriage. That all changed about two weeks ago when I got a report an old tobacco factory had burned down, and there were human remains found inside.”

  Sweat dampens my palms and the back of my neck, but I remain stoic.

  “That right?”

  “Those remains were of the Wild Royals. Their motorcycles were parked outside, and among the ashes, jewelry and belt buckles were found with the Royals emblem.”

  “So, what happened?”

  A smile curls the corner of his mouth, revealing his coffee-stained teeth.

  “I thought you might ask. My report concludes the Wild Royals were assassinated by the drug cartel. Further evidence provides a clear story. Rex Alverez was also murdered in his home. The same execution-style as the tobacco factory. It appears the Wild Royals’ drug-running and murdering ways caught up to them. Whatever happened to their distribution system at the repair shop was the beginning of their end. Losing nearly a million dollars of the cartel’s drugs wasn’t going to go unpunished.”

  Adams pushes off the chair and stands.

  “You and I have something in common, Wilson.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The Wild Royals are no longer either of our problem.” Adams dips his chin at me. “I’ll be sure to talk to my wife about visiting Yellowstone.”

  My shoulders lower, and my breath gradually escapes. Leaning back in my chair, I watch Adams walk toward my door. With his hand on the knob, he stops and turns to me, a smile curves his mouth in a mischievous way, raising my brow.

  “During my investigation, I saw two of your Kings members checked into a hospital about two weeks ago. One had an injury to his hand and another to his leg. You oughta tell them to be more careful on those motorcycles.” The man’s brow rises slightly as his smirk widens. “Take care, Wilson.”

  Blowing out a breath, a flood of emotions washes over me. With my adrenaline crashing, I remain frozen as the shock and relief sink in.

  It’s over. It’s finally over.

  Pulling my cell phone from my pocket, I leave the chair and walk out to the clubhouse to ensure Agent Adams is gone. With no one but Jeff in the room, I dial Max.

  “Get everyone in here. I have news.”

  * * *

  If there was ever a night to celebrate, it’s tonight. Jeff sets out eight shot glasses and adds one for himself. While the other bartender, Andrew, serves the customers, the Kings are lined up along the bar, lifti
ng our shot glasses in the air.

  “Together we live, together we ride, together we die,” I toast.

  All eight glasses are tilted and drained, the smack of glass bottoms making music across the wood surface. Jeff moves the whiskey bottle across the top of the glasses and refills, his smile reaching toward his ears.

  “To the brotherhood of the Kings!” Max shouts.

  We all drain the glasses. Hugs and pats on the back make their rounds. The Kings’ women, at a nearby table, leave it to join us. Dom picks up Erika and spins her around, lowering her to kiss her. Jake puts his arms around Liz and kisses her. Trevor and Audrey hug tight, tears filling her eyes as she lays her head on his shoulder. Synne steps into my open arms, and I squeeze her ass, lifting her legs around my waist.

  “The best way I know to celebrate is to be inside my gorgeous woman.”

  Beneath her thick lashes is a smile so bright, it lights up my heart. Carrying her out of the clubhouse, I lead her toward the private rooms. Behind us, whistles fade in the distance. Upstairs, I pick the largest room and lay her under me on the bed.

  Unfastening her jeans, I peel them off her hips, taking her black underwear with them. Her red shirt, formfitting and lowcut, shows off her luscious tits. Lowering my face, I bury my mouth in them, licking and nipping at her firm skin. With her hand around my neck, she holds me there, encouraging my movements while lowering her top, letting her breasts spill out. Palming both, I fill my mouth with her nipple, letting it slip between my teeth with a pop. Her breath heightens, her need for me rising.

  Putting her hand on my lengthening cock, I work her fist over it, the feel of her palm increasing my desire to have her pussy wrapped around it. Toying with her clit, I thumb over it, watching her head fall back with pleasure. Putting two fingers inside her, I stroke her G-spot, her eager moans crying for more. My movements are rapid, touching and teasing her everywhere that elicits moans from her sweet mouth.

  With her desire in a frenzy, she pulls back from me, setting herself on her knees and swallows my cock, sucking it like it’s her favorite fucking lollipop, making me one grateful son of a bitch.

  With her warm, wet mouth thickening my erection and steering me toward a too-soon orgasm, I press against her shoulders, lowering her to her back. Gripping her knees, I flip her over, and she looks over her shoulder at me with a wicked grin that begs for me to be inside her.

  Slapping her ass, I take pleasure in the mark it leaves—my mark, my ass, my woman. Pulling her hips to me, I guide my cockhead to her pussy lips and slide in, pull out, and thrust in harder, deeper, fucking her into blissful cries of pleasure.

  With one hand wrapping around her hair, I pull her head back and quicken my pace. Her fists clench the bedspread, her moans so loud it matches the tempo of the music from downstairs. She comes hard, soaking my cock, purring with a satisfied moan as she loosens her grip on the blanket. Another thrust and I let my head fall back, the euphoric sensation taking over as I cum inside her.

  Moments later, I pull out. Keeping her beneath me, I massage along her back. Lying over her, I intertwine my fingers with hers, kissing and sucking the tender crook of her neck and shoulder.

  “I want to claim you in every way that a man can claim a woman. Marry me, Synne. Be my wife.”

  She turns beneath me, and I lie atop her, my fingers caressing her cheek and hair as she stares up at me with loving eyes.

  “Yes. There’s no doubt in my mind you’re the man I want to spend my life with. I love you.”

  “I love you, baby. You stepped into my life and brought with you the kind of happiness I never thought I’d experience again. You’re everything I needed and more than I probably deserve.”

  “You do deserve me, just as much as I deserve you. We’re what each other needed.”

  “You’re right.” Grazing my thumb along her jaw and lips, I take pleasure in the way she closes her eyes and releases a sensual breath. “And I’m going to spend my life showing you how grateful I am to have you.”

  Her eyes open and stare up at me with sincere passion in her gaze.

  “You already show it in the way you love me. You’re an incredible man, and I love with you with all of my heart.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  NIX

  THREE MONTHS LATER…

  Pulling into our clubhouse parking lot, I cut the engine and glance over at my brothers. Jake sits atop his bike in pure bliss, finally able to get back on his Harley and take a long ride. All our wounds are healed, emotionally and physically. There’s a new sense of freedom I carry with me now, no longer looking over my shoulder, expecting pain and misery to greet me. The last three months of my life have been the best I’ve experienced. My fiancée and I purchased a new house and are moving into it this weekend. It’ll be an adjustment living more than walking distance from my shop and clubhouse, but a mile drive for us is worth beginning this new chapter in our lives. I’m letting go, letting the past remain where it belongs. Synne and I deserve a place that is ours, where we can build a life for the two of us and hopefully, our children. She’s the fuel that drives me forward, the force that keeps me balanced. Without her, I would be lost.

  “What do you think they have planned?”

  Jake’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts; I shrug my shoulders and take the steps up to the entrance.

  “With our women, anything is possible.”

  My crew follows me into the clubhouse bar, our boots coming to a stop as we read the green signs taped to the floor that direct us to our private courtroom. Following the cut-out arrows, we open the door and step in. Audrey, Liz, Erika, and Synne are sitting around one end of the table with a cake in the center. To the left of the cake and paper plates are eight shot glasses sitting in a row with an unopened whiskey bottle at the end. There’re balloons floating around the room, every single one of them is wearing a white T-shirt that reads, blue or pink?

  My gaze looks at each of them, trying to figure out who’s hiding the secret, but they’re playing this game well. They all have mischievous smirks.

  “Who’s pregnant?” Max blurts.

  The women laugh.

  “Trevor,” Audrey calls. “Would you like to do the honors?”

  Trevor looks at Audrey, his eyes expanding to bulbous globes. He glances at us, then back to Audrey with a smile beaming below red, flushed cheeks.

  “Are you telling me you’re pregnant, babe?”

  Audrey stands from the wooden chair, tears filling her eyes as she smiles like a shining ray of sun.

  “I am.”

  Trevor clears the space around the room in seconds, scoops her up, and kisses her, their love filling the room. “I’m going to be a father.” His voice is muffled against her neck, but you can still hear the enthusiasm. “I love you.”

  Releasing her, he looks at the table and finds the cake knife. Gathering it in his hand, he waits for Audrey to place her hand over his. Together, they cut open the cake. Inside, the filling is a solid pink. The guys hoot and holler, cheering for them both.

  “If she looks anything like her mama, you’re screwed,” Ink says to Trevor.

  Trevor raises his scarred hand and flicks him off. The guys laugh, then move in to pour the shot glasses. My gaze finds Synne. She leaves her chair, meeting me halfway around the table. Tugging her ass tight against me, I kiss her dark pink lips.

  “Mmm, is that cinnamon I taste?”

  She giggles. “We had shots of fireball before you guys arrived, except Audrey, of course.”

  “This was some good planning, babe. Y’all definitely surprised us.”

  “Thank you. Speaking of planning, I found a place I think would be perfect for our wedding.”

  “Yeah, where at?”

  Her arms rest around my neck as I caress her back, loving the way her eyes light up when she talks about our wedding. I’d marry her in our backyard if it was my choice, but I know weddings are a woman’s opportunity to plan the perfect party, so whatever she wants, she
can have it. I just need to know when to show up and a private room for after the wedding, so I can fuck my wife into wedded bliss.

  “There’s a lodge in the Smokies, so there’re great roads for riding and a shit ton of breweries for you guys to check out. I looked online. The suite has a hot tub attached, and the views are beautiful.”

  “It sounds perfect. After we’re unpacked in the new house, why don’t we take a ride over there and check it out?”

  A grin splits those full pink lips and swells her cheeks.

  “I’d love that.”

  “Me too, baby.” As I kiss her, I gather her loose hair in my hands and tug. Her lips slip from mine, and her chin rises, her gaze meeting mine as I stare down at her gorgeous face.

  “After we leave here, you want to go home and break in our new bed? It’s getting delivered this afternoon.”

  “What do you think?”

  I lower to her ear, licking the shell before sucking it into my mouth, listening for her breathy moan.

  “I think I’m going to fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to sit at work tomorrow.”

  “Promise?”

  “You know I only make promises I can keep.” Biting her neck, I follow it with a light breath blown over her skin to tease her. “I promise.”

  * * *

  I hope you enjoyed reading Nix and Synne’s story as much as I did writing it. Their story was a challenging and emotional journey. One that leaves you cheering when they finally receive the happy ending they deserve. These two characters were explosive, their passion undeniable, and it was when they completely gave into it, they found their strength in each other. Nix stole my heart from the very beginning, but by the end, he became my favorite male character I’ve written so far. Just as Synne said, Nix is a man with a heart that’ll love with everything he has and fight until he has nothing left to give. He’s a book boyfriend who will stay with you long after the pages are read.