by Ryan Michele
With Scraper at the entrance of the VIP area, Dune and Case made themselves at home on the other side of the small space, leaning against the wall, mirroring each other with arms crossed against their chests.
We loved having our own area up here. It gave us the opportunity to dance when we wanted and then get away without anyone bothering us unless we wanted them to. It was no secret who we were—personally or professionally—but neither of us ever let that shit get to our heads.
“Antonio had the fucking balls to screw some chick while he was here with you?” Kiera broke the silence between us, obviously not done talking about what had happened. In truth, I wasn’t done, either. I needed to get shit out and calm the hell down.
I chuckled even though I didn’t find any part of it a bit funny; it was just what came up with an evil death twinge to it. “Stupid, huh? And he must have set it up ahead of time because he wanted to make it quick. There’s no way he just picked this chick up tonight. He was in there less than five minutes. I should feel bad for the woman, but I don’t. He never could keep it up long. Loser,” I growled with the laughter. He always had been fast to the punch, but it was one of those things I had overlooked.
“I thought you said he was good in bed?” She raised her eyebrow in question, staring at me. I had never lied to Kiera and never would.
I shrugged. “Define good. He made me come. Was it mind-blowing? Fuck no, but he made me feel good, told me I was beautiful, blah, blah, blah. He acted like he wasn’t afraid of my dad or brothers beating the shit out him, but who the hell knows?” I wondered if all of that was a lie, too. More than likely, yes.
“Dumbass. He should have worried about you,” Kiera said with another slight giggle.
She had seen my handiwork over the years. Some of it was a bit overdone, but I always had a purpose, like tonight. I wasn’t one of those women who were lovers and not fighters. While I wanted to be, I was more the opposite. I always blamed it on my brothers because I sure as shit didn’t want to blame myself.
“No shit there.” I laughed for real this time. Everyone, including my family sometimes, underestimated me. It worked out in my favor, though. I was a snake—lethal when you pissed me off and would strike when you least expected it. “What a fucking pussy. Did you see him?” I rolled my eyes, waving my hand, unable to help myself. “I didn’t realize how big of one he was until tonight.” Antonio didn’t come off to me like that for all the months I had known him. He had always been a standup guy, even to my father. It was like he did a one-eighty.
“Sorry, babe.” Her arm snaked around my shoulders, and she pulled me to her side, giving me a squeeze as I leaned into her comforting touch. The compassion she gave me filled my heart.
If anything, I knew I would always have her by my side. We might grow old and grey together because no man had the balls to step up to either of our fathers, but we would have each other.
The waitress flounced back in the room, setting glasses full of clear liquid, the bottle, and a bowl of limes onto the small table in front of us. Kiera released me, leaned over, and handed me a shot while taking one for herself. Then she held it high in the air, and I followed. She was clearly in a toasting mood tonight. Fine by me.
“To one day finding Mr. Right who loves to eat pussy and not be one!”
I laughed hard at her words, clinking my glass to hers and watching the clear liquid sway around the glass. We tossed back the shot in unison, and I felt the burn race down my throat then splash into my stomach. I sucked on a lime and squinted at the sourness on my tongue, already thinking it was time for another.
If anything, Kiera’s love life was worse than mine when it came to her family. With her dad—my Uncle Vino—being the head of the family, guys flocked to her, too, but their main goal was to be with the boss’s daughter, marry her, and then take over the business. At least with my dad as second in command, it wasn’t as bad.
Who was I fucking kidding? We were both doomed.
Several shots and some serious lime sucking later, our laughter billowed all around us. My body relaxed, and the tension from the asshole melted away.
I scanned the joint, seeing if there were any potential men in the crowd—hey, I was a free woman now—but none were calling to me. Maybe it was just me. Getting laid had never been the problem; it was all the other shit in my life that came into play. After the night I’d had, I wasn’t feeling it all that much.
There might not be potential men, but that was a moot point as my brother Val, his best friend Ace, and a man I had never seen before, but holy hell would like to see more of, entered the VIP section. I breathed out deeply and quickly turned away from the handsome man, my body fluttering merely being in the same room as him.
What was wrong with me? Men didn’t do this to me. Ever. My eyes connected with my brothers, whose tight brows, sky blue eyes glaring, and thin-lined mouth told me he was pissed as shit. Too damn bad. I was too drunk to care.
“What mess did you get yourself into this time?” Val asked in a clipped tone. Most people would probably fall at his feet and pray for mercy or cower in a corner at that tone. Me? Not so much.
Being my younger brother by two years, he thought it was his job to protect me. For some reason, he thought he was the older sibling and took the overprotective brother thing to another level. Too bad he was wrong.
Val and I were almost carbon copies of each other, with the same dark hair and golden-toned skin. The only difference was Val had blue eyes, while I had ones that were sometimes blue and sometimes green. It simply depended on the lighting. Even with his more rough and demanding features than mine, no one would mistake that we were siblings.
I waved him off, flicking my hand in the air because nothing would tap down his anger. It was too raw in his eyes. Whenever something went badly that involved me, he had serious issues. God love him, but he needed to calm the hell down.
I leaned back in the chair and took a sip of the cranberry juice and patron I’d had the waitress bring a while ago. “Scraper’s handling the cleanup. No big deal,” I told him. It was over and done with, and Scraper had guys taking care of the rest.
“Bullshit. That asshole fucks some bitch in a bathroom while he’s dating my”—he pointed his finger to his chest and pressed firmly for emphasis—“sister. I’ll handle this shit,” he growled deeply, the veins in his head throbbing and his face turning a beet red. He was seriously going to have a heart attack before he reached thirty at this rate. He needed to relax and not let this shit get to him so badly.
“No need. He learned his lesson. If he didn’t and comes back after me, I’ll take care of it.” I took another drink, feeling maybe a little bit cocky, letting the liquid bounce to my stomach, but by then it didn’t give me any aftereffects.
I had every bit of confidence in myself that I would be able to handle whatever situation came up. Even drunk, I could deal.
“Hey, Val,” Kiera greeted, breaking up the thick tension that was spiraling out of control from my brother. “Take a breath, boy.”
Kiera was my age, only younger by three months, but that didn’t matter with her brothers, either. She dealt with this same shit, so she understood. She normally would have a calming effect on my brother, which she had on most people, but not so much this time.
Val turned to Kiera with the same fury, but he lightened up just a tad. “Kiera, your dad’s gonna be pissed you’re in this shit.” He pointed at both of us with a hostile glare, his eyes darting between the two of us. “You know he’s part of the Capella family.”
Since rolling my eyes at him and yelling duh was way too immature, I decided against it. “No shit, Sherlock. I don’t care.” It was my turn to growl at my brother. Family was family. If the Capella’s had a problem, they could deal with their own fuck-up of a member. Not my problem.
“There’s a meeting in a few days with Remeo. This will not go well.” Val shook his head, grabbing the back of his neck. Remeo was the head of Antonio’s family.<
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“It’s not my fault his dick didn’t stay in his pants. He got what he deserved.” He had, but I was sure I would hear from my father about this and maybe Uncle Vino. However, I wouldn’t change what I had done to that sorry ass. I was only a little pissed at myself for allowing him to leave with his balls still intact.
“Dammit, you think I don’t know that? I just hate this drama shit.” I couldn’t see any of the men in my life being pissed at me. If anything, they would rip Antonio, so I was in the clear for the most part. Business-wise, I didn’t work alongside any of them to know what that outcome would be.
“Hi, Ace.” I winked at the man who’s been by my brother’s side since we were kids.
“Hey, babe. How you been?” Ace’s sexy voice fell over the room as he slowly walked closer to me.
I wouldn’t deny for a second that I found Ace dreamy as shit. With his dark hair, deep chocolate eyes, and a body built like an Italian rock, I throbbed every time I saw the man. Problem was, he had a girl and had since high school—Beth.
“Great. Who’s your friend?” I nodded toward him, sweeping my gaze over to the man with sharp denim eyes boring holes right through me, sending shivers down my spine.
Now Ace was hot, but this guy tipped the hot-o-meter by another twenty plus. Broad shoulders pulled his V-neck, black shirt tight, showing every ripple underneath of muscular perfection and giving a glimpse of a slight dusting of dark chest hair. Not the long kind, but the kind that looks like he cut it short, and it was sexy as hell. Tattoos lined his arms and snuck under the sleeves of his shirt, making my mouth water from wanting to lick up and down every muscle. His face was something chiseled from a damn sculpture, and his beard and slight stash made my thighs quiver. I wouldn’t mind a little rug burn.
“This is Jag.”
Jag’s eyes continued to set me on fire as they raked up and down my body, taking in every inch of me. I was not a small woman, but I had been told my curves were what set me apart from others. All ass and tits, one man had told me. Even better, I loved every one of them.
“You done eye-fucking me?” I boldly asked, smirking, before hearing my brother’s exasperated sigh beside me.
“Not yet.” His deep baritone voice glided over my skin like a silky glove just waiting to slide on. His terse words caused every sense in my body to come to full alert, and the hair stood on the back of my neck like a shock wave. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my breathing slow, not allowing any signs to show.
“No, she’s my sister. Off limits,” my brother said.
I turned and glared at him, standing with my hip cocked and my hand resting on it. “Don’t you dare, Val. No wonder the only men I hook up with are fucking douches.”
My brother gave nothing except fury at my words that had never been truer. I could name five guys off the top of my head whom Val had played a role in making disappear from my life, and I’d had enough.
Val stepped in my space, getting close to my face, his hot breath bouncing off my nose. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? I told your ass to get rid of Antonio as soon as I heard you were dating him.”
I stared, my nostrils flaring in rebellion, clenching my fists at my sides. Not the most attractive sight, but it got my don’t-fuck-with-me vibe going. The sad thing was, it hadn’t intimidated him since we were kids, but I refused to be walked over.
“I was hoping it would work. I was wrong. Better I learned that for my damn self instead of my overbearing brother getting in my damn business every time I turn around!” My voice rose, bringing more attention to our conversation as the guards took a step forward. “What the hell do you want from me? Just to live with Kiera for the rest of my life, have random fucks with men, and never find my one?” I had lost my control by letting the last part slip out, but it was out there. Time to deal.
“First, no random fucks. Ever.”
I blew out an exasperated breath, trying to calm myself as I ran my fingers through my hair, pulling it tersely.
“Second, living with Kiera keeps you both safe. Third, what the fuck is this ‘one’ bullshit. Don’t tell me your little clock is ticking, and you need to find a man.” He chuckled sardonically, actually making fun of me.
Blood boiled in my veins as I stepped closer. Even with my heels, I had to tilt my head to connect with his eyes. I needed to get my point across and have his full, undivided attention. Inside, I vibrated, pulsing with anger that fled through every cell of my body, eating away at me like a virus.
“This damn bubble you and Daddy have me in is about to burst. I am a grown-ass adult woman you all have taught well. I run a damn business with Kiera, so I am not fucking stupid. Antonio was a poor choice, but with your dictation, my choices are pretty damn limited. I’m sick of this shit. Done. You keep this up and you will not like the results.” I stepped away.
Our close-knit group was quiet, waiting for his reaction, but I didn’t wait for it, didn’t care what it was.
“I’m leaving,” I announced to the room, moving to the door, the alcohol no longer having a hold on me. Fights with Val always seemed to sober me.
“Scraper,” I called to the man still standing at the entrance of the VIP, his arms crossed, looking mean.
He nodded yet said nothing as I grabbed my purse from the red velvet chair and looked into Kiera’s glowing eyes filled with concern.
“Sorry, babe. I just can’t do this anymore. You coming or you gonna stay?”
“I’ve gotta go meet with my brothers. I just got a text.” She held up her phone, dangling it in front of me. “I’ll be home in a bit.” Compassion laced her eyes, but she knew I had been on the brink of my family’s meddling for a while now. The breaking point had to come sometime.
She nodded, calling her guards over as she walked out of the small room with them.
“Wait.” My brother scowled, grabbing my arm tightly and pulling on me.
I yanked it back as I seethed with anger. How dare his ass put his hands on me?
“Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me.” I bit out with the only self-control I had left, but he didn’t relent. Instead, he pulled me more firmly to him, making me gasp and no doubt leaving a mark on my body.
“You know we love you. We just want to protect you. If you’d listen to what we said about Antonio, I wouldn’t be here, cleaning up your fucking mess.”
A red, hazy film covered my eyes as I used every ounce of strength to rip my arm out of his firm grasp. He stood there in shock, looking at his hand like he couldn’t believe I had actually been able to get away from him. Apparently, I was stronger than I looked. He’d do best to remember that.
“You go clean up my mess, brother,” I smarted even though Scraper had said it was handled. I was just pissed he had made the comment in the first place. “That is your job, after all,” I sassed, leaving quickly with Scraper and my Ghost, who had come into play during the altercation, on my heels.
I just caught the smirk that played on Jag’s face as I breezed by him and Ace.
Outside, Scraper opened the car door for me, and I climbed into the passenger seat of the sleek, black automobile, feeling the coolness of the leather on my thighs. It did nothing to cool down the raging inferno inside of me, though. I only wanted to go home.
I replayed the night in my head on a loop, the alcohol simmering in my veins. My brother was at the forefront of the raging thoughts. He couldn’t expect me to continue on like this, being under this thumb, crushing me. He had flat out told Jag I was off limits. What right did he have to do that? None.
Before I could finish my thoughts, we were home, the one I shared with Kiera.
The story continues in Blood & Loyalties... http://amzn.to/1POwIfR
One Ride by Chelsea Camaron
Copyright © Chelsea Camaron 2013
Chapter One
One Encounter
DOLL
SHIT! THIS ONE is going to be a mess to clean up, I think to myself.
Pulling up to the clubhouse
, I realize today’s barbeque is not just for the local Haywood’s Landing Hellions, but also for our affiliate charter and chapter clubs. Rather than the usual fifty or so bikers with their families, it’s more like two hundred of them here today. It’s a sight that most would be intimidated by. For me, it’s comfort. It’s the safety found in my family. Most of all, it’s my home.
Once a year, sometimes twice, my dad invites all of the partnering motorcycle clubs out for a huge barbeque. The Hellion’s control all of Coastal North and South Carolina, as well as a few areas in the Piedmont and Appalachian areas of North Carolina. They provide protection, shelter, food, and fun for all affiliate clubs traveling through. The Hellions are respected and run Carolina Country. Some of the clubs we protect passing through our territories are into the more illegal side of motorcycle club life, while others are more of a band of brothers traveling together. Our club walks a fine line in what they do and do not participate in. As a female, I’m sure there is much more that goes on in the club than I will ever be made aware of. Having such a large area to cover, Dad makes sure to show his appreciation for the smaller charters and chapters whenever possible. Times like this are about family and relaxing; business is off the table.
Our thirty acre compound area is now littered with bikes, trikes, and cars. Burly bikers abound. Ol’ ladies and kids are squealing and smiling at every turn. The kids are enjoying the food, games, bounce houses, and pony rides. It’s like a mini-freaking-carnival. With all the ol’ ladies present, the barflies and hang around whores are at a minimum. Some aren’t so bad, but most annoy the shit out of me. They all respect the ol’ ladies and wives, though. It’s a good thing they know their place, too. My dad doesn’t tolerate any disrespect of a claimed woman in his club by anyone, but especially not from a bar-bitch just looking for a night with a Hellion.