“Yeah, not my intention but there you have it. She was standing in front of her fucking brother and I couldn’t get a clear shot. The fucker got away,” I growl.
“And you’ll never catch him. He will kill all of you,” his sister pants.
I press cold steel against her temple. “You won’t get the chance to see me skin him alive for you’ll be burning in hell yourself, bitch.”
“Now, now, Casey. Let’s take her for a ride and show her how we can create hell on earth for her before we send her to hell itself, huh?” Calix’s words make me smile and I give him a nod, allowing him to address the others. “Quick work, guys! Get this cunt to a safe location and these two others need to be disposed off.”
“Aw, fuck, what’s that smell?” Feargal asks, stalking away from the back of the pool house.
Stepping closer, the smell assaults my nose and I instantly recognize it. “Dead body,” I grunt and follow my nose.
It leads to a garden tool storage shed. I’m not surprised to see a body sagged in a dark corner. I grab my phone and hit the flashlight button revealing the fact this body is clearly a woman. Shit, it’s Claudia. I guess my first case is solved. Though it does raise a question or two. One being ‘how the hell did she end up back here when we searched the place a time or two since she went missing?’
Chapter Eight
***Wendy***
Something’s going on. When Hedwig and I were in the nursery we heard shouting and when we went down the hall, we saw all the bikers leave. Well, everyone besides C.Rash, Hunter, and Quillon. And the prospects, they stayed behind too. Not to mention Hunter and Quillon are both pacing, both palming their guns.
“What’s going on?” Hedwig asks Tenley who comes rushing into the clubhouse.
She nods and waves the both of us to the couch. “Sit you two. Our job is to sit and let our boys handle it.”
“Handle what?” I snap, annoyed Tenley seems to know more than we do.
She rolls her eyes at my attitude. “Whatever it is they’re dealing with, Curls.”
Over the last few weeks I’ve become used to the nickname Casey gave me and everyone around here has picked it up. I never once thought I’d have a nickname besides everyone from Thorns ‘n’ Bones MC calling me Princess. At first, I wasn’t all too happy with being called Curls, but the way Casey explained the strength behind it...yes, it suits.
“Is it always like this?” Hedwig grumbles while rubbing her huge belly.
Tenley shrugs. “Depends, normally it’s kinda boring. It’s not like they have a shooting every other day.”
“What?” I squeak. “There’s a shooting?”
Tenley rubs her fingers across her forehead. “Fucking hell. Come on, Curls. Casey is a Fed, he’s used to things spiraling out of control, he’s done it for years, have a little faith in your man.”
“Yeah, well...we weren’t together when he was doing the whole shooting, risking his life, thing. And we’ve been together like a blink of an eye and he’s already got me in all kinds of knots,” I sigh.
“Shame our girl here’s got a bumper on the front, otherwise we could do shots to calm down,” Tenley quips.
Though I’m all about supporting my friend, my nerves are shot. “The hell with the bumper, she can watch, I need some and I need it now.”
I dash to the bar and grab two glasses, filling up both with a few fingers of whiskey before I hold one out for Tenley to take but her lips part and it’s as if she wants to say something and yet she doesn’t.
Suddenly it clicks. “Oh, shit, don’t tell me you might have a bun in the oven too.”
“I might,” she whispers.
“Great.” I smack both glasses back on the bar. “I don’t know if I should guzzle the whole bottle down or decline ‘cause with ya’ll being pregnant, it might be infectious. Though I haven’t had sex in weeks.”
“What is it with these bikers and not using condoms when it comes to Old Ladies? As if they can’t knock us up fast enough to tie us to them for life,” Tenley sighs but a smile tugs her face.
“Ransom hit bullseye at first strike,” Hedwig chuckles.
“So did Casey,” I sigh and two heads spin my way. Shit. That slipped out without realizing it. I’m so stupid. “Only kidding,” I squeak, stalking back to the bar to grab the whiskey. Guzzling down the whole bottle it is.
“Put that shit down and get your ass here on this couch and spill,” Hedwig snaps. “Because I can tell you’re not kidding. Pregnant and not tell me about it. How far along are you?”
I take a sip of the whiskey, earning a glare from the both of them but I need it before I tell them, “I miscarried when I was kidnapped...they kicked the pregnancy right out of me.”
I sink into the couch and let both girls hug me.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Hedwig scolds, hurt equivalent in her voice.
“When I took the test and saw I was pregnant I was on my way to tell you. Then they kidnapped me...kicked me around...they pulled down my pants and Bandito said I was on the rag...I knew...I knew then and there I miscarried. I wish I’d never taken the test, then I wouldn’t have known and would only have been a few days late,” I sigh in defeat.
The both of them give me comfort without any words. And really, what’s there to say?
Until Hedwig squeezes my hand. “Does Casey know?”
I nod and swipe away the stray tear gliding down my cheek. “I told him the same day he rescued me.”
“Good, good,” she mutters, rubbing her belly and wincing.
My gaze connects with Tenley and I manage to point out how Hedwig is rubbing and wincing.
Tenley’s eyes widen. “Hedwig, is your belly giving you trouble?”
“It’s nothing.” She shrugs. “It comes and goes.”
“It fucking comes and goes?” Tenley snaps.
“What Tenley is trying to say is that you might be having contractions.” I smile as Hedwig’s face flashes toward me, eyes wide enough to fall out. “Come on, let’s get you checked out,” I state and pull her up.
“Holy shit, is this happening for real?” Tenley gasps.
“Go get her bag,” I tell Tenley and she dashes off to Hedwig and Ransom’s room.
Hedwig is digging her nails in my arms and keeps staring at me while her face fills with panic. “It’s too early.”
“Stop stressing, Hedwig. You got this. You’re only a few weeks away from your due date. Everything was fine with your last appointment. Breathe, sweetie,” I tell her.
“Do I need to puff? Is that what you’re telling me to do? I’m not doing the whole labor puffing thing, Wendy,” Hedwig screeches.
Everyone calls me Curls but Hedwig, guess my best friend is either stuck to the normality of using my name or she’s refusing to use it. Or, and this might be it...she’s consumed by other things, mainly keeping her legs closed so no baby can pop out.
“I said breathe, Heddy. Not huff and puff, now relax because stressing isn’t helping,” I calmly tell her and start walking toward the front of the clubhouse but C.Rash stops us.
“We need to go through the back,” he says.
Is he kidding? “She’s in pain, can’t you drive the car around?”
C.Rash doesn’t reply but simply scoops Hedwig up in his arms and leaves me to follow. Tenley is behind the wheel, C.Rash puts Hedwig in the back and I scoot in beside her while C.Rash jumps in the front. Hunter and Quillon follow on their bikes while we make our way to the hospital.
Everybody’s on edge though the guys seem to have different reasons. The hours that follow give us some reassurance when it comes to Hedwig. She’s fine and so is the baby. They were false contractions, but she was also dehydrated and was given fluids. Rest. It’s what the doctors prescribed and it will take a whole lot to make her follow up on this, but she needs to think about the baby.
Good thing she realizes it too and Tenley and I are there to make sure she takes good care of herself. Not to mention I made sure to text R
ansom to let him know we went to the hospital to run a few checks for Hedwig. He didn’t even text back but remembering the way C.Rash and the others acted I’m sure Ransom had his reasons for not replying.
When we get back to the clubhouse it’s filled with bikers from both MCs. C.Rash is walking in front of us along with Tenley as Hunter and Quillon have our back. C.Rash barks out Ransom’s name and the door of church flies open. Ransom stalks forward and takes Hedwig’s face in his hands.
“You need to lie down,” the man says and plants a hard kiss on her mouth.
Pretty sure C.Rash kept either him or Calix up to date because Ransom starts to relay the exact same words the doctor told us. Hedwig huffs and I’m actually glad C.Rash made a big deal out of being in the room when the doctor gave the results.
Something about being there for his brother and even if it’s something I’ve been brought up with, it’s heartwarming to see someone—a whole MC—standing up for my best friend.
Well, besides me, but she won’t listen much when it comes to me but with Ransom now knowing? The fierce look on his face? Yeah, I’m seeing a lot of naps in my best friend’s future.
Strong arms surround me and I instantly recognize Casey’s scent. “Missed you,” he says on a whisper right beside my ear, making me shiver.
Turning around in his arms, I need a breath or two before I manage to say something. Shit, the worry carved on his face is something that makes my chest constrict.
“Missed you too. Do you need to head back into church or can we talk for a few minutes?” I question because I’m worried about why he looks so disheveled.
His gaze goes over my head and he barks, “Calix, be back in five.” He laces his fingers with mine and drags me off to our room.
When he closes and locks the door behind us, I have no time to say anything because his mouth covers mine while his tongue demands entrance. When I moan from the way he dominates my mouth, it seems as if all limitations fall away.
He grabs my ass and hoists me up. The dark green summer dress I’m wearing is shoved out of his way and while I’m being consumed by this man, he manages to somehow slide my panties to the side while releasing his dick as he slides deep inside me with one stroke.
“Caseeeeeeey!” I gasp while digging my nails into his shoulders.
A roar of triumph rips from deep inside him while skimming kisses along the line of my neck. “I fucking love the way my name spills from your lips when I bury myself inside you. No better place on this earth I’d rather be than inside you. Gripping me like a vise, cocooning me with your warmth. Fuck, darlin’, you’re the one who makes my heart beat to the tune called living.”
If I could only focus on his words but I’m absorbed by the way pleasure is building, getting closer and closer already to the orgasm that’s bound to take over; ready to consume my body. And then it hits. My whole body lights up as I scream his name while Casey keeps pounding inside me until he too finds his release.
“Fuck, you don’t have any idea how badly I needed you. Hell, I didn’t even realize it myself until I saw you.” His head is buried into the crook of my neck and it seems he isn’t in a hurry at all. In fact, even if he’s softening inside me, he keeps me caged between the wall and his body.
I let my fingers lazily slide through his thick dirty blond hair, keeping his head buried against me. Comfort. It’s as if we’re sucking up energy from each other with every breath. The stress from the last few hours of being worried for Hedwig and not to mention not knowing what was happening with the club.
I can only imagine what was going on with Casey and it’s something that causes more worry to run through my veins. I think I might come to hate the term ‘club business’ when it comes to the safety of my Old Man. Yet I do respect it, don’t get me wrong, but the not knowing is killing me.
“Everything okay?” I question.
“No,” he mumbles and releases a sigh so deep I think it’s been ripped from his very soul.
“What happened?” I whisper, afraid of hearing those two words that prevent me from helping him with the load of emotion this club business carries with it.
Another deep sigh before he steps back as he lets me slide to my feet, feeling his cum slide out along my leg. Shit. I seriously need a shower.
Casey rubs a hand over his face and when I don’t expect an answer from him, his voice cracks with the words, “We found Ryke’s sister. Dead.”
“What?” I gasp.
Chapter Nine
***Casey***
Curls has been in this life from the day she was born. Even if women are kept out of it...fuck, what the hell am I talking about? My damn woman is a forensic coroner, she cuts into dead bodies for a living. Anyone who can do that can handle a lot of shit if you ask me. So, if she wants to know, club business or not, I will damn well tell her the truth.
Though she has to know, “What I tell you has to stay between us. I don’t have to tell you what club business entails, right? ‘Cause I want to be able to come home to you and...”
She steps forward and places her fingertips on my lips. “I want to be there for whatever you need. But mostly I want you to be able to lean on me, no holds barred. I’m here. I can deal with anything you throw at me and I won’t ever repeat any of it and you know it. Everything, Casey. Let me be everything for you because you’re everything to me.”
Fuck. She’s has no idea how turned on I am because of how perfect she is.
“Stop looking at me like that.” She rolls her eyes. “We just had sex and we are having a discussion right now. Besides, you need to get back to Calix. You said you’d be back in five and I’m sure we already used up double the time.”
“Worth it though.” I smirk and watch how her eyes flare. I damn well know how every move I make affects her, my smirk being one of her favorites.
But there’s enough time to be consumed by one another later, I hope. Right now, I need for her to know a few details so she won’t be in the dark. I’ve also told her my goals for the future—job wise—and she’s aware I’ve turned in my badge without any regret. She was the first and only one I told before actually doing it. Even if they’re my actions and decisions, I made sure she’s a part of it since I consider her a part of my future.
“I asked Calix if I could look into Claudia’s missing person case. We checked out her house, neighbors, and friends, a few weeks ago but we’re kinda stuck with Gael being off the grid. Besides, I wanted to bite into something like I intend to do when I start up my own company.” When the words leave my mouth, I look at my Old Lady who has the proudest of smiles painting her gorgeous face.
“Perfect,” she beams.
“Yeah,” I sigh. “But it was a little less perfect when Ransom and I showed up at her house and found her dead body in a garden tool storage shed.”
She nods warily. “Do you know how she died, how long ago or why for that matter?”
“That’s more your line of work, huh?” I give her a wink and continue. “When Ransom and I arrived at Claudia’s house, we went around back and walked into a shitstorm. Bullets flying. Turns out Gael, his guys, and his sister were staying in the pool house. They probably thought it was safe enough since the last time we went there was a few weeks ago. I do know the why and how...because we were able to capture Kate. Gael, that fucker, got away probably with one or two others who helped him. We managed to kill two others, though. As for Kate? It didn’t even take any effort to make her talk. The raving bitch told us all about how she was supposed to keep her locked up, her brother’s orders, but things didn’t go as planned. Fucked up part was that Gael wanted Ryke’s sister as leverage, just like you. But his fucked-up sister killed her by accident. Well, if you’d call plunging a knife into a person more than a few times an accident...I did mention raving bitch and fucked up, right? Yeah,” I sigh and shake my head.
Curls’ eyebrows scrunch up. “Did you guys find out why Gael would want to have leverage over Ryke by using Claudia?” Her eye
s go wide. “Never mind, I don’t mean to pry into club business.”
But she’s forgetting one thing. “We agreed, Curls. Between us, no secrets, and anything delicate stays between us. And no, we just checked if Ryke was clean, there’s no obvious link between Gael and Ryke. What are you thinking?”
Fuck. The smile she’s sporting is making my chest fill with warmth. “My mind is just always popping up questions at every angle and in this I see no reason. I mean...Ryke isn’t the VP, he’s just one of the brothers. Other than Thorn’s best friend...oh, shit.”
“Oh, shit is about right. Damn. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” I knew letting her in was what we both needed. She’s too fucking smart to keep on a low information level. “About how they wanted him under their control so he could take out Thorn?”
“Yes!” she exclaims. “And now I’m worried. Because...shit.”
“What? Come on, woman, didn’t I just point out you need to spill out your thoughts? Even if they don’t make sense or sound crazy, I need to know.” Because it fucking helps my own thought process.
“Now I really would like to know when Ryke’s sister died because you asked Thorn in this room, the day I was kidnapped, how well he knew Ryke. For one? I don’t trust Ryke at all anymore. Even if his sister died, I’m finding it all too damn weird with them hiding out at Claudia’s house, don’t you think? And it also raises the question if Ryke put any effort in finding his own sister. And for real...has Ryke left Thorn’s side? That fucker is here, Casey. In this clubhouse where he’s trusted. Makes sense you couldn’t find Gael if someone is giving him inside information, right?” Her eyes are a clear window to her worries.
She’s not alone in this though. With the things she just mentioned? Fuck. “We’re going to have a hard time getting to the bottom of this.”
“I need to get my hands on Claudia’s body. Because Ryke’s sister carries the first bits of information, I just know it,” Curls muses.
“And you, me, Calix, C.Rash, and Thorn need to have a little talk about this,” I state. “This is too much of a risk to leave them out. Dammit...everyone is here, how do we fucking manage a meeting with just us? If that fucker is in with Gael he would get suspicious.”
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