by J. L. Drake
“Hm.” I bit into my toast and let my mind wander over that.
“Your coke has the reaper hood stamped on it, right?”
I squinted at her, wondering how the fuck she knew that.
“Why do you ask?” I’d never let her get that close to it. “You been poking around? Old ladies are not allowed in the back room.”
Her elbows fell to the table, and she put her head in her hands.
“Having a conversation with you, Trigger, is maddening. Remind me to keep shit to myself.”
She stood to leave, and I cursed. “Tess, I didn’t mean to—”
“To what? Accuse me? I feel like I’ve been down this path before, only that time you believed me. What’s changed now?”
Peggy, of course, showed up at that moment and tossed Tess’s food on the table. The toast flipped off the plate and fell on the bench seat.
“Five second rule.” Peggy picked up the bread with her bright orange nails and dropped it on the plate. “All good.”
I grabbed her arm and twisted hard, and she yelped. “Get her some new shit, Peggy, now!” I ordered, and the entire room went silent.
“Fine.” She left with her hand in the air.
“When?” Tess had her eyes closed, and her tone told me she was close to being finished. “When will you see I’m only looking out for the club?”
“You ask a lot of questions. I’m not used to a woman being this involved in my club. It takes a while for any member to be trusted enough to know as much as you do now.”
“Have I ever made you doubt my loyalty?”
I leaned back and crossed my arms after I pushed my breakfast away from me. She hadn’t, but that didn’t mean I could lower my guard. It just wasn’t in my nature.
“Tammy was here a lot longer than you, and she flipped.”
The second I mentioned her name, I saw the fire ignite inside her.
“Don’t you ever compare me to that skank.”
I wanted to lash back at her tone, but I could see she was moments from making a scene.
“She wasn’t always a skank.”
She chuckled, and I could tell I wasn’t going to like this next part.
“Now you’re defending her.” Her head fell backward as she took a moment. “Why did you bring me back here, Trigger?”
“You didn’t belong there. It wasn’t safe.” I hated being asked that question.
“Let me get this straight. You brought me back, for what? An apology to Brick? For lying to me? And here I am trying to help you connect the dots to something so much bigger, and you question me? You want to see some fucking loyalty?” she hissed in a whisper then yanked up her sleeve and showed me the tattoo of the drawing I had traced on her arm.
Holy shit.
“Screw you, Trigger.” She turned on her heel and headed for her room.
Holy shit. She actually got the tattoo, and it looked fucking amazing. By far one of the sexiest things Tess had done yet. It was right up there with her ability to shoot a goddamn gun. My dick screamed at me to go after her, but the bar was filled with members waiting to see what my reaction would be. Sure, they only caught some of it, but I sure as hell didn’t need to look pussy whipped.
“Fresh toast.” Peggy snickered. “Where the fuck is she?”
“Take it back.” I flicked my wrist at her and pulled out my phone.
“Un-fucking-believable!”
I waited for as long as I could before I went to her room, and just as I was about to knock on her door, I heard her talking. I pushed open the door a bit and listened.
“Why are you leavin’, Tess?” Fin was on her bed, sitting inside her duffle bag. Every time she’d put something in he’d take it out. “Take me with you.”
She sighed and sat next to him and folded the shirt that would be going back into her closet in a few minutes.
“I’m just going to visit a friend for a while. Besides, that wouldn’t be fair to your mom.”
“Like she’d notice.”
Tess reached out and ruffled his hair. “What about Gus?”
“He’s okay.” He shrugged. “But if you leave, Uncle Trig won’t be happy.”
“Trigger doesn’t have any room in this club for someone like me, Fin.” She grabbed her stack of shirts and tucked them next to his legs.
“But…” He sniffed, and it took me a moment to see he was panicking. “But what about me?”
She turned and knelt in front of him and tucked a piece of his shaggy hair behind his ear. Her head tilted as a frown broke out across her face.
“You have so many people here who love you so much, Finny. No family is perfect. You have to see past the bad to see the good. Your mom is just a little lost, but she loves you with all her heart.”
“But I love you more.” He lunged into her arms and buried his head in her neck. She leaned back against the headboard and held him as he cried. “I hate that he’s making you leave.”
“Who?” She rubbed his back.
“Uncle Trig. He’s supposed to be my hero, but he’s being an asshole.”
For once in my life, I felt like an asshole. Apparently, it was something I was good at.
“He’s not an asshole.” She started to laugh. “Okay, well, yes, some of the time he is, but under all that crap, he has a huge heart. You two are a lot alike, you know?”
“How?” He wiped his eyes dry.
“You’re both strong, smart people. You’re both looking for love, just in different ways.”
Her words hit hard. Shit, I really was an asshole. It was hard to hear her words, but it was eye-opening.
“Do you love him?”
I held my breath, unsure if I wanted to hear her answer.
“You’re a little young to ask such a big question.” She stood him on his feet and looked up at him.
“I’m five.” He stood a little taller and tried to look strong. I smiled at his feistiness.
“I want to love him.” I hardly breathed at her honestly. “But what’s the point of loving someone who can never love you back? I’ve been there before, Fin, and you know where it got me?” He shook his head. “It got me knocking on the reaper’s door.”
“He loves you too, ’cause you’re pretty, and mom says you make his balls hard.”
She laughed out loud. “Well, thank you, I think.”
“For what?” His brows pinched together.
“For caring about me this much. Feels pretty nice.”
“Can I tell you a secret?”
She nodded, and he leaned in and whispered something in her ear. Her smile dropped, and her gaze fluttered to the floor.
“That’s…” She fought back tears. “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, Fin.”
“See why you can’t leave?”
“Trigger?” Brick called out, and Tess looked over at me. Our eyes met, her back straightened, and she made a point to return to her packing. “Oh, shit, were you creepin’?” Brick waved at Tess, not at all caring that he had outed me. “Sorry, but you need to make a decision.”
He handed me the iPad and showed me the email informing me I had to register if this fight was going to happen.
I nodded once before I handed it back to him. “I’ll deal with it tonight.”
“Deadline is seven p.m.”
“Yeah.”
I felt a tap on the back, and Fin stared up at me before he sucker punched me in the balls.
“Come here, you little shit.” I grabbed the back of his hoodie and hung him in the air in front of me. His eyes were bloodshot, and is nose was still snotty. “What the hell?”
He wiggled before he gave up, knowing there was no use. “Stop her, like you always do, or I’ll never talk to you again.”
“Fin,” Tess shook her head, “it’s not up to him.”
“The hell it isn’t!” we both shot back in unison.
“Jesus Christ, he’s your damn Mini You.” Brick tossed his hands up. “I’m not sure I’m ready for
this.”
I dismissed Brick’s comment and glared at my nephew. “You wanna toss a punch, at least learn how first. Meet me in the ring in twenty.”
His eyes lit up, and I dropped him to his feet and watched him hurry down the hallway. Nice to see the little shit was feeling better.
I turned to deal with Tess. “Where the hell do think you’re going?”
Tess packed even faster, shoving her clothes in the bag. “I’m going to go stay with Ven and her brother. Take a break.”
I closed the door behind me, then whirled Tess around and grabbed her face so she’d look at me.
Say it.
Fuck me, just say it!
Nolan appeared out of nowhere.
“I do trust you, Tess, more than most here. You’ve proven your loyalty more than once, but this…” My fingers found her arm and held it up to show her. “This is unbelievable.” I leaned my forehead to hers and breathed in her scent. Her body made me feel alive for the first time in…ever. Oh, shit.
Say it.
My entire body vibrated. The truth made me feel weak and vulnerable, but fuck me, she couldn’t leave.
“Don’t leave.”
I felt her shoulders rise and fall before she leaned forward on her toes and kissed my cheek tenderly.
“I’ll stay under one condition.”
I raised an eyebrow, curious what she was willing to bargain.
“What does the key go to?”
Oh, shit. She already knows, just doesn’t remember.
“Pick another one.”
She glared at me, but just as I thought she was going to start packing again, I saw a familiar dark expression flicker across her sexy eyes.
“Kiss me here.” She pointed to her cheek.
I almost laughed but didn’t hesitate. My lips skimmed her cheek.
“Now here.” She slid her finger to the side of her jaw. I obeyed, thinking I had the better end of this deal. “Here.” She pointed to the spot on her neck. “Here.” Her collarbone.
My jeans felt crowded as I licked every spot she wanted.
“Right here.” She pointed to her chest. “And here.” She tapped right between her breasts.
My body hummed as her flavor sank into my taste buds and drove me wild. I skimmed her spine as I sucked at her neck again. I drew in her skin and grazed it with the tips of my teeth. Lost. I was lost in the moment, wanting to suck on other parts of her, when she stepped out of my hold and pressed my arms to my side.
“I’ll unpack.”
“That can wait.” I grabbed for her, but she stuck a finger in my face with a smirk.
“The deal was you kiss me where I said. I never said a thing about anything else.”
I moved to stand in front of her, but her hands fell to my chest.
“I love your alpha-ness, Trigger. That’s no secret.” She bit her lip as she stared at her hands sprawled across my chest. I was sure she could feel my need for her. My blood was screaming her name.
“But, you need to stop lashing out and assuming things about me. So, from now on, when that happens, you can’t touch me until I say otherwise.”
Ha!
I reached for her again, but she grabbed my hands.
“And if you care about me at all,” she studied me, searching for some trace of my feelings, “you’ll respect me enough not to cross that line. If not, then take me.” She stepped back and held her arms open.
Fuck me, she plays dirty.
I dropped my arms and held my switch down.
“I need to work.” I ran a frustrated hand through my hair. “And I need to be away from you right now.”
I stopped at the door and turned.
“Only for you, Tess.” Her eyes lit up, and my gaze roamed her body one last time. “Game on.”
Her eyes widened as my words hit her.
Chapter Thirteen
Tess
“What in the ever-loving fuck are you wearing?” Brick scowled at me as I slid behind the bar. “I feel like I’m committing some incest crime just being in the same room as you.”
I rolled my eyes and started to turn all the bottles so the labels were facing outward.
“Wowza,” Rail yelled from across the room when he saw my tight leather pants and matching leather halter top that stopped a little below my breasts, and as an added bonus, gave me some massive cleavage. I had pulled my hair into a ponytail, which hung down to the middle of my back.
“Hey, Brick, from this angle I can see side boob!”
“Does it look like your mother’s?”
“Oh, come on.” I smacked Brick’s arm.
I was happy about my encounter with Trigger earlier. It was always baby steps with him, but every little step seemed like a milestone to me and made me feel a little more like my old self.
“Hey, Tess!” Minnie came up to the bar and wrapped her arms around Brick. He held her tightly and kissed her hard. “Hey to you too.” She beamed at my best friend. It made me unbelievably glad Brick had found someone who truly made him happy. He deserved it.
“So,” she leaned over the bar top, “you ready for girls’ night?”
Oh, my God, I almost forgot we had plans. Jesus, I almost left. What an asshole I would have looked like.
Morgan chuckled and shook his head. “What’s one more night with Peggy?”
“You clear it with him yet?” Brick nodded toward Trigger’s office.
“I have to clear it with him first?”
I don’t fucking think so.
“Where do you want to go?’ I asked over Brick’s shocked expression.
“Well, you want to go dancing? Or dinner?”
I handed her a shot, picked up one myself, and raised it to her. “Both?”
She let out a whoop and slammed hers back. Yes! A girls’ night that might actually be fun.
“At least tell him,” Brick warned then pulled out his cell phone and sighed. “Fucking Jilly.”
“Don’t, Matt.” I reached over and pushed the phone away from his view. “She only wants money.”
“What if she’s in trouble?”
“When you were in trouble, where was she?” I knew my point hit home. “Take it from me. Don’t let life’s anchors drag you down from being happy.”
“Tess!” Fin screamed from the hallway. “You’re still here!” He raced under the bar and slammed into me for a hug.
“Hey, how was the ring?” His body was hot and sticky.
“Cool! Uncle Trig taught me how to throw a punch. Watch.” He did a little karate kick.
I laughed at how seriously he took it. “You’ll be able to take Den on soon.”
“Yeah, he better watch out. Uncle Trig told me if I kept up bein’ good, he’ll teach me a choke hold and a roundhouse.”
“That sounds like a good deal.” I handed him a bottle of water. “You hungry?”
“Yes, I want a burger.”
I eyed him. He knew better than to ask for that shit from me.
“Um, you pick.”
Smart boy.
I headed to kitchen and ordered him a veggie plate, with chicken strips and milk.
When I returned, I grabbed my bag from under the bar, hugged Morgan—though he acted like he didn’t love it—and headed for Trigger’s office. I knocked and pushed the door open.
He was sitting at his desk, shirtless, sweaty, and staring at his computer screen.
He plays dirty too, I see.
“Hey,” I whispered, just in case it was something serious. I didn’t want to break his train of thought. “Got a sec?”
He looked up and lifted an eyebrow at my outfit. “I do.”
“Morgan’s covering my shift. I forgot I had plans tonight with Minnie.”
He folded his arms, and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy getting out of here, but my stubborn nature was standing right next to me.
“Where?”
“Not sure. Some place Min knows.”
“What are you doing?”
“Dinner and dancing.”
He tilted his head as he leaned back in his chair and thought about what I was saying.
“You need to change first.”
I rolled my eyes. He was something else. “I’ll see you later.” I began to leave but made a sudden decision. “Um,” I stepped closer to his desk, “Trigger, I knew about the logo on the coke because Big Joe explained that each bag was marked with a little symbol so the buyer knew what they were getting.” I pulled out the USB stick. “I think you should watch it. I haven’t watched a lot of it, but I know there must be stuff on there that’s important, or Clark wouldn’t have been so upset that I took it. Who knows, maybe you can find some dirt on Detective Aaron on there. A little blackmail never hurt anyone.” I winked as I set it on his desk. “I have my own copy, if you want to keep the original. I might get time to look at the whole thing one day.”
He leaned forward and examined the little piece of technology that held too many secrets.
“All right.” He flicked it through his fingers like he did with his joints, and I waited for more, but there was nothing. Man of few words was an understatement. “Take Jace with you.”
“No.” I held my ground. “Don’t even think of it.”
He leaned forward, pushed to his feet, and started a slow walk toward me. His chest rose high and fell hard, then his eyes turned dark, and it took all my effort not to run to him.
That’s what he wants.
“Trigger, the last time I got a day off I went to the beach, and you had Jace watch me the entire time. Then you showed up and took me home. I’ll be with Minnie, and that’s it.” I raised my chin to look a little taller. He towered over me, and my eyes blazed at him. I hated that his sweat turned me on, and I felt the rush of heat that pounded between my legs.
He leaned his head down and brushed his lips over my ear.
“If I want to protect what’s mine, I have the goddamn right to,” he growled but backed off. “Text me when you change locations. Do you understand me?”
“Fine. We’re in agreement, then.” I could handle that. He slid a hand into my hair and kissed me hard—to make a point, I was sure. But as fast as he swooped in and stole my breath, he was gone behind his desk, buried in whatever he was doing.
I didn’t question it and left.