by Debra Kayn
Jacko could go from enjoying the fresh air and tossing a football with Jeremy to fiddling with the knife strapped to his side in agitation. Steve loved to cook and often helped in the kitchen and yesterday, she'd eavesdropped in on how he missed the fighting inside the state penitentiary. Even Mayor finally relaxed enough to mow her lawn, and she didn't allow just anyone to touch her grass. Not that she'd ever tell Mayor no. He scared her. The man barely looked at her and when he did, she backed away. There was a good reason for her hesitation around him. Mayor's previous sentence condemned him to the electric chair, but a review of his case let him walk out. That didn't mean she trusted him.
"Hey, you might want to check the burgers." Cam's face came into view.
She shook her head, snapping herself out of her thoughts. "Oh."
Cam patted her ass when she stepped away. "What's your plan, Jacko?"
Jacko sat down on the top porch step, swiveled, and leaned his back against the railing. "I just want to keep a low profile. I can't say I've ever had to live in an apartment complex around other people before."
"You're going to be living in Federal?" Christina flipped the last burger and turned away from the heat of the barbecue. "I mean, where?"
"Some room above a place called Cleo's Coffee Cave." Jacko grinned. "I like coffee, and rent is cheap."
While she trusted Jacko at the house because Cam and the other Moroad members were always around to keep order, a chill swept over Christina. He planned to stay at her old apartment building. Knowing the rent history, she concluded he'd be staying in her old room. There were two elderly single adults living there and a female college student. Were they safe?
She honestly had no idea.
If circumstances were different and she still lived her old life, she wouldn't be comfortable living next to an ex-convict. Jacko would see more hardship, more judgment from others, and go through changes living in Federal. She walked over and checked on the hamburgers grilling.
In many ways, she still did her fair share of judging men on their worth by their actions, even after living with an ex-con and some of the scariest criminals in the state of Idaho. Her moral compass too deeply ingrained for her not to evaluate others, but she'd come a long way. She understood that for every story, there were two sides.
"Jeremy, can you go bring out the platter with the rest of the food on it and grab the foil, please?" She turned off the propane controls on the barbecue.
Laying the slices of cheese on the burgers, she stepped back to escape the heat coming off the flames that continued to spit.
Jeremy sat the tray on the makeshift counter beside the grill. "Man, I'm starving."
"I've made you two burgers." She glanced up at him while she took the burgers off and set them on the already dressed hamburger buns. "It's nice to have you home for dinner."
"Nowhere else to go." Jeremy stole a pickle off his burger and popped it in his mouth. "Tiff wants to talk, and I don't want to listen because I've already talked. Lola's going out with the women from Silver Girls to see a movie. Merk talked about going for a ride later, so I might go out with him if nothing else comes up."
She folded the foil around two hamburgers. "Yes, because sticking around the house with your dad and I would be boring."
"Something like that." Jeremy grinned.
Christina elbowed Jeremy as she walked over and handed Jacko his burgers-to-go. "I put everything on them, so if there's something you don't like—"
"I'd eat it anyway, because you made it for me." Jacko flashed a smile. "Thanks, sweetheart."
"Fuck, if I wasn't so damn comfortable in my chair, I'd have to come over there and knock you on your ass for talking that way to my woman." Cam swatted Christina's ass. "Don't pay him any attention."
She leaned over and kissed the top of Cam's head. "You, Cam Farrell, are more man than I can handle."
Jacko laughed as he walked toward his motorcycle. "You've got yourself a good one, prez. Don't let her out of your sight though."
"I don't plan on it. If she pushes me too far, I'll lock her in the bedroom." Cam squeezed her. "You better eat, baby. I don't think you had lunch today."
She walked over, finished putting the burgers together, and opened a bag of potato chips. Her stomach growled. Neither one of them had lunch, and instead took a ride along the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, the mild summer temperature and sunshine too tempting to stay at home.
Merk walked over and peered under the porch. She handed Cam his plate of food and looked down between the planks of wood at her feet. "What are you looking for?"
"My gloves." Merk straightened and took the paper plate from her. "I lost them and thought maybe they fell under the porch."
"I haven't seen any lying around." She carried her plate and sat in the chair beside Cam's rocker. "There are extra gloves in the utility room. I'm not sure they'll match. It seems gloves get lost around here at the same rate as socks."
"I'll just buy a new pair of gloves tomorrow if I don't find them," Merk said.
Christina lifted her burger and took a bite. Her neck heated and she turned to Cam and found him staring. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and swallowed. "What? Do I have ketchup on my chin?"
Cam shook his head and continued to look at her. His intensity never waned. Her insides involuntarily tightened. Cam dragged his gaze away and picked up a potato chip. All day long, she'd caught him looking. When he managed to catch her alone, he'd lay a kiss on her that left her a puddled mess. Whatever thoughts went through his mind lately, she suspected he'd set out to seduce her, because he was doing a damn good job of keeping her on the edge of her seat.
Several minutes passed while they all enjoyed their dinner. With her hunger appeased, Christina took the time to soak in Cam's relaxed attitude. Merk was right, and most of Cam's anger came from adjusting to living on the outside again. The animosity between Cam and Merk had settled. The club members no longer walked around tense and fighting. Even Jeremy seemed more in control of his emotions lately.
"Thanks for dinner." Jeremy stood and tossed his paper plate in the garbage can on the porch. "Hey, Merk. What time do you plan on taking off?"
Merk shoved the last bite of hamburger in his mouth, chewed, and said. "I'm ready now if you want to go."
Jeremy nodded. "Yeah, I'll go.
"Where are you two going?" Christina asked.
"Baby...," Cam muttered. "Let the kid be."
Merk stood and gazed at Christina. "I want to ride up toward the mine. One of our guys said there's a miner transferring to Nevada and will be renting his house out soon. I thought I'd check it out."
"You're going to move?" Christina threw the last bite of burger and her plate away. "I thought you liked living in the trailer."
"Living here was always temporary." Merk stepped off the porch and motioned for Jeremy. "Talk to you guys later."
"Hey," Cam called. "I'll be taking off around midnight."
"I'll be back before then." Merk turned, raised his hand in a wave, and headed toward his trailer.
Christina sat on Cam's lap. "Can't you have one of the other guys go on the run?"
"I need to go to the prison." He pulled her back and nuzzled her neck.
She shivered as his tongue caressed her skin. "I thought..."
"Don't think." He raised his head at the sound of the motorcycles starting. "Everyone left us alone and we have the place to ourselves."
Her nipples peaked. She glanced at Merk and Jeremy riding down the road and smiled. Maybe Cam predicted being alone with her tonight and that was the reason for his acute observations and the seductive looks she'd received all day. She loved knowing he'd focused on their time together.
"Let's go inside." She grabbed his hand, wanting to take advantage of every minute they had alone.
Instead, he hoisted her off his lap and stood. "I miss having you locked in my bedroom. I never worried about you."
"There's no reason to worry now." She step
ped toward him.
He clasped both of her wrists with his hands, turned her, and held her back against his chest away from him.
"I worry," he whispered near her ear.
His concern spurred a war inside of her. She wanted to please him in fear he'd revert to having to hold her captive for his own piece of mind. She'd hated the seclusion. From one day to the next, she lived with the knowledge he'd kill her if she tried to escape. She no longer feared for her life with him. Though she always worried about how far Cam would go if someone took away his choices and he grew desperate.
"I need to protect you." Each word echoed in her ear, his tone leaving no doubt he spoke the truth.
"You are." Her breath came deeper, more breathy.
She'd walk into the bedroom and shut herself in to make him happy. That protectiveness and desire he gave her kept her safe. They'd climbed over the hurdles of adjusting to life together and she secretly wouldn't mind being held prisoner if he was with her.
His free hand brushed against her ribs. "Is it enough to keep you safe?"
"Yes," she answered, pulling on her hands.
"Don't move."
Her body tingled, instantly alert. She loved the forceful, no messing around part of him, that allowed him to take what he wanted. Somehow, she benefited from him taking control.
The unanswered questions, the long silences, the plans he made without her knowledge were as much a part of Cam as the possessive side of him. She continued to obey his rules. She took care of Jeremy, the club, and Cam. These moments when Cam took care of her, she needed him the most. With him, she belonged.
"Put your hands on the railing.
Obediently, she grasped the wood. His hands landed beside hers on the railing, trapping her within his arms. She marveled at the difference in their sizes. Her petite, soft hands a contrast to his broad, rough ones.
Hands that could kill her, and yet possessed the gentlest touch she'd ever experienced.
Before she could question what he planned to do with her, one of his hands moved and brushed against her stomach. She sucked in her breath and closed her eyes. A new sensation of not knowing what would happen next and excitement knowing Cam would do exactly what he wanted filled her.
"Everything I do is for you." He dipped his head to her shoulder. "No matter what happens, baby. We're together. If I have to go back to prison, I will, and with the knowledge that I'm not going to lose you. Whether I'm here to make sure you stay or I make someone else keep you here, you are not leaving me."
"Cam," she said, her insides clenched. She'd promised him never to leave. What he said made no sense. She wasn't going anywhere. He wasn't going back to prison. They were together. He'd given her a ring. He loved her.
His hand slipped under her shirt and found her nipple through the thin fabric of her bra. He rolled the hard nub. She pressed back against him.
"Don't talk like that." She lifted her chin. "You're not going to prison, and I'm never leaving you."
It took all her concentration to speak her conviction and not give in to the pleasure his hand created. She stood straighter, letting go of the railing. His other hand found her breast.
"Put your hands back on the railing." He squeezed her breasts. "I can feel your legs shaking."
She nodded. Instead of fighting, she leaned her head back and gave him more access to her neck.
He growled. "Do you know how many times today, yesterday, last week, I've wanted to drop everything and make you come, just to see that sexy look on your face?"
He slid his hand down and slipped his fingers inside her shorts. She fought keeping her eyes open. His touch warmed and electrified her.
Cam's pelvis tilted forward. She moaned at the contact of his erection against her lower back. Unable to move, wrapped in his arms, she sighed when he supported her weak legs, letting her take the pleasure without worrying about falling.
He burned a trail over her public bone and slid his finger into her wetness. "That's my baby, so ready."
His low, rough words and movement consumed her. She rocked against his solid chest, his cock, his arms. Together, they moved as one.
Tension built within her. "Please..."
"Do you want what only I can give you?" His lips worked the skin at her neck. "Do you, huh?"
"God." She panted. "Yes."
Only able to imagine his eyelids, heavy with arousal, the firm set of his bearded jaw, the intensity of his gaze focused on her, heightened her own excitement. She would beg for anything at this moment.
Her arms hung at her sides and she raised her hands, digging her fingers into his hair, holding him behind her. His cock pulsed against her and her nipples tightened painfully. Her insides ached, craving more.
Out here in the open on the porch, unable to see him, touch him, and take from him, undid her. In all her wildest dreams, she never imagined tonight would end with her fully relying on him. Shocked at how much she'd missed the power he held over her, the freedom that came from being owned by prisoner #18794, she let herself go.
Cam's fingers opened her swollen, sensitive lips and spread her wetness. She moved against the pressure as his finger slid between her warm folds and inside of her. The sudden fullness brought out a hiss from her lips.
He pinched her nipple with the other hand. A sharp jolt followed by a soothing squeeze left her trembling. She bounced on the balls of her bare feet, impatient for more, and he added another finger inside of her.
"Oh, God," she chanted.
Her body wound tighter. Every orchestrated move pooled all her concentration on the area between her legs. She floated against Cam's chest. Without him supporting her, she'd fall at his feet.
In and out, he slid his fingers. The rhythm perfect.
Her vision flickered as she tried to keep her eyes open, and then her world exploded. Every muscle in her body foundered. Her legs gave way and Cam's hold on her tightened.
His breath came across her shoulder, matching her ragged gasps. He stepped closer to the railing, taking her with him, and placed her hands back on the railing. She steadied herself as he pulled her shorts and panties down to her ankles.
His belt clinked against his zipper and before she caught her next breath, he plunged into her pussy from behind. She moaned, swaying forward under the vehemence of his entry. The aftershocks of her orgasm worked for her, and as her lungs burned, he thrust into her one more time and groaned his release.
Cam lay over her back, circled his arm around her waist, and put his lips to her ear. "You're mine, don't ever forget."
She nodded and whispered, "I won't."
No matter what happened or what direction the future took them, he would always own her, because more than his determination to keep her, she'd never survive without him. She needed him, more than he needed her.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Pretaro closed the door of the visiting room. Cam sat in the chair at the same time the opposite door swung open and Boo walked through the door, shuffling his chained feet atop the floor.
A ten-year veteran of Moroad Motorcycle Club, Boo had never served the club from the outside. He'd spent three years proving his worth inside the pen, making him the low man on the totem pole.
Greasy hair, unshaven with hangdog cheeks, Boo never attracted attention. Cam studied Boo, while the security guard attached the handcuffs around Boo's wrist to the table. The inside years showed on Boo's scarred arms and the current bruise under his right eye. Everyone had a spot in the club, and Boo would always be the last man protected.
Boo knew his position and remained grateful for any protection the club gave him. Unfortunately, Boo's personality and weakness often made him everyone's punching bag on the inside and club members weren't always around to lend a hand.
The guard returned to the door and took up his position for the fifteen-minute visit. Cam only needed five minutes. His visit today had nothing to do with Boo.
"How're you doing, Boo?" Cam asked.
; "Okay." Boo's curled his lips and shrugged. "You know how it is in here."
Cam nodded. "Just relax. You're doing fine. I'm only here to talk and see if there's anything Moroad can do for you."
"Me?" Book raised his hand. The chain yanked tight, and he put his hand back under the table. "Sorry."
"It's okay, brother." Cam lowered his voice. "Nothing is going to happen while we're visiting. I only want to check in with one of my men. You're important to the club, Boo. Don't forget. There's a reason why we allowed you to get that tat you're wearing on your arm, right?"
Boo nodded. "I appreciate it, Cam."
"Who gave you the black eye?"
Boo cringed. "T-Tyrel. He's a—"
"Reds." Cam leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. "I'll make sure one of the other Moroad members hears about Tyrel's treatment of you. He won't be touching you again, okay?"
"Okay." Boo sat straighter.
At thirty-five years old and despite spending all his adult life in jail, Boo had the experience of an eighteen year old and the mental capacity of a twelve year old. Maybe all those hits to his head stunted him, because a man doing time for three murders, he hadn't always been dumb. In all the years spent in prison, Boo never stood up for himself or learned from past mistakes. He was always going to be someone's little bitch.
"I'll tell you what I'll do for you, Boo." Cam paused. "Are you listening?"
"I'm listening." Boo raised his brows, eager to please.
"Good." Cam smiled to put him at ease. "I'm going to have some money put in commissary for you."
Boo whispered, "For smokes?"
"Yeah, you can buy smokes." Cam stopped himself from shaking his head. Boo would never learn. He picked the one item that'd bring him more attention from the dominant inmates.
"That's nice. Very nice." Boo rocked in his chair. "Thank you. Tell everyone in Moroad thank you."
"I will." Cam sighed. "I'd also like you to do something for me. It'll be real easy, and nobody else has to know. In fact, I don't want you to tell anyone but Pretaro when you see him tonight during lockdown. Do you think you can do that?"
"Pretaro? The guard?" Boo nodded. "Yeah, he always asks how I'm doing."