Together in ruins (The Scars series Book 4)

by Rachael Tonks

  “Call the guys, get them to clean up this mess.”

  “Yes, boss.”

  “We meet back here early.” Stepping back, I shove my hands in my pockets looking at my newest venture, nodding discreetly. This feels right. So fucking right, and I don’t know why. But, the world works in mysterious ways, and I’m sure I’ll find out why. “I have somewhere to be. Can I trust you guys to handle this?”

  “Absolutely, brother,” Zane answers without a second’s hesitation. But Davo, he stands, pushing back his shoulders, his fingers slide down his chin as he strokes his beard.

  Clearing my throat, my eyes land on Davo. “What about you?”

  “Sorry, man. My mind is elsewhere. I’d kinda like to go see Melody. Check she’s doing okay.”

  “She needs to rest.”

  He blinks, his hand coming to rest against his neck. “With all due respect, man, I’m going to check on her. I thought I’d stay at the clubhouse. Don’t feel right leaving her there with guys she doesn’t know.”

  “Fuck, she doesn’t even know you yet, man. Listen, you get another brother to help out Zane, and you can do whatever the fuck you want.”

  Holding his hand out to me, I take it. Pulling me in for a man hug he pats me heavily on the shoulder. “Thanks, man.”

  Tara

  Sipping on the glass of water, I hold my phone in my hand, pulling up internet page after internet page trying to work out what the hell is going on with my body. It’s called morning sickness. So why the hell am I puking at night? My throat burns and my eyes water as I try to find the answers. But before I get a chance to find any information, my stomach rolls and contracts again. I fly from the bed and race to the bathroom, dropping to my knees as I clutch the bowl, emptying what little contents my stomach has left.

  “Baby.” His soothing voice catches me off guard and I lift my head, my heart hammering with surprise. Dropping down beside me, he grabs my hair, sweeping it from my face and holding it back. “You okay?”

  I pull the back of my hand to my mouth and settle back on my legs. “Sure,” I manage. “This whole sickness is kicking my ass.”

  “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “But I’m here now.” Grabbing a couple of sheets of toilet paper, and a glass of water from the sink, he hands them to me. “You got a bit… uh, here,” he says, pointing to his chin.

  “Oh shit,” I say, laughing as I take the paper and swipe it across, cleaning myself up.

  “Here, let me.” Pushing his hand under my legs, he lifts me from the floor, carrying me into the bedroom and slowly lowering me onto the bed.

  “Did you take care of business?”

  He doesn’t reply, he just hums. “How’s Melody?”

  “Getting there,” I reply, taking his hand in mine. I notice the tiny spots of blood splattered on his hand, spreading up his wrist. I sweep my eyes over him, a small amount of fear collects, causing a lump in my throat. I just don’t know that I will ever be okay with seeing another person’s blood covering the skin of the man I love. “I think you need to shower,” I blurt out, removing my hand from his.

  Studying me for a second, I can tell he’s unsure what to say in response. “He deserved it, Tara.”

  I think back to the state that Melody was in. And sure, on some level, that guy deserved to suffer for what he did to her. But what I struggle with is the MC making themselves judge, jury, and executioner all rolled into one.

  “Why didn’t you just report it to the police? Let them take care of it.”

  “Because keeping the police at arm’s length is what is best for the club, baby.”

  Sighing, I sit upright, pulling my legs up until they’re crossed. “I get that, Nate. I get the whole police thing. But Melody has nothing to do with the MC. It would have brought zero heat to the Savages.”

  He blows out a controlled breath, clearly frustrated with me. “Baby, I’m not always going to be able to explain this shit to you. But believe me when I say we did the right thing.” He holds up a set of keys, jangling them in front of my face.

  I frown. “What are these?” Taking them from his hand, I look at them, still no clue what they are.

  “Keys to the new club we just acquired. The club that Melody worked at.”

  I have to stop my mouth from falling open. “What, just like that? You get rid of that Levin guy and you become the new owner of the club?”

  “With a little administration, yeah, pretty much. But I’m going to need Melody to work with me if we’re going to make this happen.”

  “Looks like she’s in demand. I already offered her a job at the office. We need her, Nate.”

  Stepping back from the bed, he slides off his cut, stripping himself of the gun holster and the knife. Placing them beside the bed, he continues to remove all of his clothes, dropping them onto the floor. I stare, and I know I shouldn’t but this view never tires. He has so many tattoos, every time I see him naked is another chance to discover something I haven’t seen before. My mouth dries and I dart my tongue out, wetting my lips. He watches me and throws me a wink.

  “Let me get cleaned up, then I’m all yours.” I settle back against the pillow and watch his ass as he wanders into the bathroom. Sighing contently, I close my eyes, awaiting his return.

  Rolling over, I rub my eyes that sting from the small amount of bright light that streams through the window. Disorientated, I jerk up, wondering what the time is.

  “What’s wrong?” Nate asks, sitting upright, blinking repeatedly.

  “I, uh, I must have fallen asleep.” I push back the hair from my face, grabbing my phone and lighting the screen. “Six!” I exclaim, dropping back against the soft pillow.

  “Came outta the shower and you were dead to the world.”

  Turning to face him, I kiss him lightly on the lips, resting my arm over his shoulder. “You should’ve woken me.”

  He scowls, but it soon fades to a smirk. “You looked way too peaceful to disturb.”

  His hand snakes under the sheets and comes to rest on my waist. With a jerk of his hand, he pulls me closer, until our bodies fit together, just like a puzzle piece. And in my heart, no matter what happens, I know he’s the piece I just can’t live without.

  Trailing my finger across his lips, I can’t help but bite the corner of my own. The closer I sink into him, the more his rigid cock presses against my sweet spot. I crave his touch like a smoker craves nicotine. Each connection is like a hit, and I just want to get high. I press my wet pussy against his cock, my eyes burn into his as desire ripples through me.

  “You want somethin’, baby?”

  “You,” I whisper. “Always you.”

  Without hesitation, he places soft kisses along my jawline, his tongue darting out as he reaches my neck. He trails his tongue slowly across my neck until he reaches my chest. Pushing up my top, he resumes the assault on my sensitive skin. Taking my nipple in his mouth, he sucks, the other hand cupping and caressing the other. Between the thumb flicking one nipple and the hot mouth on the other, I can’t help myself from bucking against him. A few touches from Nate and I’m already coming apart. His hands work fast to rid me of the small pajama shorts I have on. Lifting my hips, I’m eager to help, but more eager to feel him. Peeling them down my legs, he throws them on the floor. One hot hand on each of my thighs, he spreads my legs, kneeling between them. Bending, he drags his tongue along my slit, a shudder wracking through me as he hits my clit. Throwing my head back, I have no control over the moan that escapes me. Pleasure ripples through my body, so much so that I was more than ready for him. His hot, wet tongue darts out, pressing into me. Goddamn, it feels good. So good. Swirling his tongue around, I squirm as the intensity builds. His hands grab a hold of my ass, holding me in place. I love what he’s doing to me, but my mind is conflicted. It feels so good that I don’t want him to stop, but I also want to feel him. To have his cock sending me over the edge. Entangling my fingers into his hair, he lifts his head. His eyes meet mine and a smirk dresses his
lips. He knows I need more. Quickly standing from the edge of the bed, he hooks his fingers into the band of his boxers, lowering them until his cock springs free. The bed dips as he kneels on the end, stopping between my spread legs. His hands land on either side of my hips and he pulls me closer, his cock hitting my entrance. I wrap my legs around his waist, lifting my ass up from the bed and clenching in anticipation. Thrusting, he enters me, hard and fast. Our bodies twine together, my hands against his shoulder blades, my nails digging into his skin. I grip tightly as he thrusts in and out, pushing me closer to the edge. Neither of us speak as we let our bodies do the talking. The only sounds that can be heard are the grunts and groans and heavy breaths. Moving my body in time with his thrusts, we work together, both trying to find our release. His cock fills me and his fingers find my clit, massaging in a circular motion. The intensity is just enough to send me over the edge. My hands drop to the bed, clutching the sheets beneath us as I arch my back, letting the spasm and waves work through my body. My pussy contracts around him and I know he feels it. The next couple of thrusts are harder and soon his body becomes rigid, tensing as he works through his own release.

  “Shit,” he exhales, his chest heaving as he smiles at me. With a glint in his eyes, he falls beside me, pulling me close once again. We hold each other, neither one of us saying anything, but knowing it means everything. My head buries into his neck and I love the feeling of his heart thudding against me.

  “I’m making the most of you, baby,” he says quietly and I lift my head until my eyes make a connection with his.

  “What does that mean?” I ask, a little confused.

  “Well, there’s going to come a time that you no longer want me touching you like this. You know… as you get bigger during the pregnancy.” His voice is a little strained, as though he’s finding it hard to approach the subject.

  Lifting my hand and resting it on the side of his face, I smile. “I can’t imagine not wanting you, Nate. Baby bump or not.” I’m not convinced that he believes me, but he places his hand behind my head, drawing my lips to his.

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “I need to go check on Melody this morning before I drive into work. I just want to be sure she’s okay and see if she needs anything.”

  “Davo stayed at the clubhouse last night.”

  I look up at him with wide eyes before sitting up and resting back against the headboard. “Are you sure that she’s really into him? I kinda feel like this is a one-way kinda relationship.”

  “He’s really got it bad, T. I ain’t ever seen him like this before.”

  Swallowing down the lump that has grown in my throat, I know I have to ask him the unthinkable. “Davo wouldn’t… he wouldn’t force himself on her, right?”

  “Oh, fuck no,” he replies without hesitation. “I understand you worrying, but he’s not that kind of guy. That much I can promise.”

  Resting back against his chest, I hope he’s right. But I know more than anyone how the MC takes what they want, or should I say who.

  “I’ll follow you to the clubhouse, make sure you get there okay.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “No, but I want to.”

  Nate

  I sit on the barstool of the clubhouse, voices become louder and clearer as the men make their way inside. Grabbing my pack of smokes, I tip it, pulling one and placing it against my lips. Flicking the lid open on the lighter, I place it to the end, taking a huge drag as I think about the shit we have to get done today. I’ve got to take care of the newly inherited whorehouse as well as meeting with Brax. He’s pushing for one more deal with the drugs. I know he’s pissed. I know he’s losing out on a hell of a lot of money, and keeping that motherfucker happy is something that has to happen. But I’ve got to find him someone he can deal with. And that someone has to be trusted.

  “Hey, brother.” Davo offers me his hand as he slides on the stool beside me.

  Taking it, I pull him in for a man hug. “Sleep well, Romeo?”

  “Is that a goddamn joke?” he asks with a chuckle. “This raging fucking hard-on wouldn’t let me sleep. Shit, is it too early for beer? Because if I can’t get fucked, I might as well get wasted.”

  “What’s with you, man? You’ve always been the quiet, sensible one. But that whore has your dick in a twist.”

  “I’m fucked. She’s consuming me. Every thought, every twitch of my dick. It’s all her.”

  “You just gotta fuck her outta your system, man,” I say, standing and reaching behind the bar, grabbing a bottle of beer. Pressing the cap to the edge, I clench my fist and bash down, flicking the lid off and slamming it down in front of him. “I gotta get you to focus. We got some serious work to do here.”

  “Zane took care of Levin,” he says, pressing the top of the bottle to his lips and tipping it back. Gulp after gulp ensues as he completely drains the bottle of its contents.

  “Good to hear it. But I need you with me today, brother.”

  “Of course,” he says, dropping down the bottle. “You can count on me.”

  “Good, because we have a bunch of whores to keep happy.”

  His eyes widen and I can’t help but laugh. “Not in the way you think. We can’t afford to mix business and pleasure. Because, God only knows I need this to work out. The guys were pushing for us to continue to deal the drugs. But I don’t want the heat for the club, you know?”

  “Problem is, we’ve done it for so long, the money’s been consistent, and we haven’t had any heat from the feds. I can see why the guys want us to continue.”

  “Fuck, we’ve been lucky. But how long until the luck runs out, huh?”

  Tilting his head, he allows his eyes to flutter shut. “You’re doing the right thing, Prez. You’re making this a better, more united club. We can all see that.”

  “Hey, man,” Zane calls as he walks across the room, his smile wide and his arms swinging as he makes his way over. I drop down from the stool and embrace him.

  “Good to see you, man,” I say, my palm slapping against his leather cut noisily. “And thanks.”

  “What for?” he asks, pulling out of the hold and searching my eyes for an answer.

  “Cleaning up the mess we made down at Plaza.”

  “No problem, Prez. So, we’re the new owners of a whorehouse?” Holding out his hands to the side, he starts to laugh. “A-fucking-men.”

  Laughing, I rest my hand on his shoulder. “Big fucking changes. But we need to make this work. We need honest money, and I think this is exactly the kind of business we need. Because, let’s face it, it’s as honest as honest gets with the MC.”

  “Nate, that fucking young blonde, ugh, she was somethin’ special.”

  Holding up my palms, my eyes widen. “Hands off the merchandise,” I say with humor in my tone.

  “Ah, come on, man. Surely we get to try them out first. Call it quality control.”

  “If they’re fucking our guys, they ain’t making us any money. Gotta see this as a business, bro.” His face drops and he pushes his hands in his pockets.

  “You’re no fun anymore.”

  “The cute little blonde is fucking with the Deathseeker boy. I can’t have you getting caught between my chance to locate my father and Silver.”

  “Of course, man. Plenty more pussy in the sea.”

  “Sure,” I reply. “What’s the word on Ozzie?”

  “No fucker has seen him, man,” Zane replies, his eyes fall to the floor as he digs in his pocket for his smokes.

  “He’s got to be with my father.”

  “That would be my guess too, man. He’s known Jeffries for a while now.”

  “Makes sense as to why he dropped off the radar the minute Jeffries disappeared. I have to get to Hunter.” I take a drag of the cigarette in my grasp, before extinguishing it in the ashtray. “And I have the perfect plan to get him on our side.”

  Cocking an eyebrow, Zane leans in propping himself up against the bar. “Tell m
e more.”

  “All will become clear,” I reply with a smirk, pushing myself away from the bar, heading to the staircase. I skip up the steps two at a time and head for the spare room. I hear the chatter between Tara and Melody. Knocking lightly against the door, I slowly open it, peering through.

  “Hey,” Tara greets me with her typical heart-stopping smile.

  “Hey, baby,” I reply, stepping in and quietly close the door behind me. My eyes flit to Melody sitting up in bed, smiling widely. “You feeling better?” I ask.

  “So much better,” she says in an upbeat tone. “I’m feeling good enough to get back to work, if you need me that is?” Her eyes dart to Tara as she awaits her reply.

  “Shit, Melody, you need to rest.”

  “It’s just cuts and bruises.” Lifting and dropping her shoulders, she acts like the beating she received was nothing.

  “That’s what I came to talk to you about,” I inform her, grabbing the wooden chair in the corner of the room and dragging it to the side of the bed. “I need your help... not yet of course. Only when you’re healed.”

  “What… me?”

  “Yes.” I chuckle. “Mr. Levin is no longer the owner of Plaza. I am.”

  “You... what... how?” Her words stutter out and I know she’s confused and waiting for me to fill in the blanks.

  “Let’s just say I inherited the place last night.” Her hands fly to her mouth and her eyes widen with shock. “He is no longer in the picture. Plaza is now a Savage business and that’s where I’m going to need your help.”

  “Of course. I can run that place with my eyes shut.” She lifts her chin, her eyes sparkle with excitement.

  “Good. Well, rest up. I’m going to need you at full strength. This has to work.”

  “I’ve got some amazing ideas on how we can improve the place. We should go through my ideas when you’re ready.”

  “Sounds good.” Stepping up from the chair, I lift it and put it back before heading over to Tara where she’s perched on the edge of the bed. Kissing her softly on the top of her head, I say, “I better get going. Need me to follow you into work?” I ask, her head tilting and she shakes her head.