Shafted (Devil's Blaze MC Book 4)

by Jordan Marie

  I hear the shower turn on and smile. There it is. That’s what the fuck has gotten into me. Bree. She brings a peace into my life I’ve never fucking had. Just being around her makes life easier, makes it…good. That might be proof I’m just a selfish fuck, taking her and keeping her when I should let her go. She’d be better off with someone her own age, someone outside of this life. Hell, even that wet-behind the ears kid who’s panting after her would be a better choice than me. I can’t give her up though, and the time for that has gone anyways. I need to tell Skull and Torch first. I owe them that. I have no idea how Skull will react. He and Torch both might decide to end me without giving me a chance to explain. I should have never kept her hidden—especially from my own family.

  Pouring myself a cup of coffee, I think over my options. The best thing to do would be to come clean today. Put the wheels in motion for telling everyone about us. Yet, the club has so much shit going on right now. Waiting until we know what happened to Sabre might be best—not to mention Briar. I went by the hospital last night to check on him. There’s been no change, but the doctors all agree the longer he stays like this, without showing any signs of improvement, means bad things. He’d been shot and lost a lot of blood, but what they are most concerned about is the swelling in the brain. When he fell, his head slammed into concrete. They think maybe he was standing on something, up higher than normal, so when the shot took him down, he fell.

  I wish to fuck we knew what the hell had happened that day. We all assumed they had been on their bikes and been ambushed, but how could that be true if he fell from somewhere? Motherfucker it’s all just twisted to hell and back with no answers. I know why Skull is so upset now. It’s like banging your head against a brick wall repeatedly, only it would be worse for Skull because he feels responsible for sending my brothers out.

  “Open up, hermano.”

  Fuck. Skull. Here. This is not good. I can still hear the shower. I’m gonna need to get rid of him…quick. I open the door, and do my best not to act like I want Skull anywhere but fucking here.

  “Boss?”

  “Sabre’s been found, let’s ride.” Motherfucker. Sabre’s found… even as that registers, there is one other thought that’s stronger: Couldn’t he have called?

  “Is he…” shit, I can’t even say it.

  “He’s alive. Fucked up, but alive.”

  “Then why the hell hasn’t he checked in? What the fuck is going on, Boss?” I ask, stepping into my boots and then running back to the couch grab my t-shirt and cut.

  “He hasn’t been conscious. He hasn’t been able to check in. Unlike you, motherfucker—who apparently took it on himself to send two prospects to Tennessee without checking with me.” I freeze, rubbing my hand along my beard.

  “Boss—”

  “Later el cabrón, first we talk to Sabre. The other men are waiting on us outside. I only came up to tell you alone that you and I are going to talk. You have access to the men, but motherfucker, you never act on your own without telling me what the hell is going on. You get me?” He pokes my chest.

  Fuck, I gotta say something. Now.

  “Yeah, man. Listen…”

  “Later. More important shit going on. But, we will have this out. I’d just rather not call you out in front of the other men. If you leave me no choice,” Skull shrugs. He likes me. I know he does and he’s doing this as a courtesy. Most men he would have called them down and made an example of them. He’s giving me trust here, and how will he feel when he knows I’ve betrayed him even more? Shit.

  “Jax? Were you yelling? I couldn’t hear you over the water, honey,” Bree says coming through the hall. She reaches the kitchen, rubbing a towel through her hair and wearing nothing but another towel wrapped around her. Motherfucking fucking fuck. I hear Skull’s growl, but I don’t look at him, instead I go and stand in front of Bree. No son of a bitch will see Bree like that, even my Prez.

  “¿Qué mierda está pasando aquí?” Skull demands. What the fuck is going on here? I get a sick feeling that this will be the end of my time with Bree, if he has anything to do with it. Fuck. That can’t happen. She’s mine.

  “Skull?” Bree, gasps from behind me.

  “Go get dressed, Bree,” I order her.

  “What the fuck did you do?” Skull says, his voice deadly, looking ready to murder first and ask questions later.

  “It’s not what it looks like, Boss,” I tell him, inside thinking, fuck, it’s probably worse.

  His dark eyes would kill me, if looks could murder. “It looks like you’ve been sticking your polla into my menor de edad neice.”

  “She’s not underage, Boss,” I growl, wondering if that sounds as lame to him as it does to me.

  “She’s in high school you sick fuck! Cristo, where the fuck did I go wrong here.”

  “Aunt Bethie was in school when you met her, Skull.”

  “Stay out of this, Bree,” I warn her. “And for fuck’s sake, go get dressed.”

  “Seems I need to speak up. I love him Skull. He’s my man,” she confesses, taking up for me, but it doesn’t matter.

  “He’s a dead man,” he states, his tone resolute.

  “I love him,” Bree objects.

  “Amor,” Skull scoffs. “You’re too young to know what love is.”

  “Was that true with Beth? She said she loved you from the moment you first met.”

  “And look what heartache that caused pequeño?” Skull returns, and I rake my hand through my hair, sure I’m losing my mind. I’m upset that my Prez, the man who understandably wants to kill me right now calls her little one. No one should have nicknames for my woman, but me.

  “And if the family had respected her decision and you two wouldn’t have had obstacles, none of that would have happened,” Bree returns, stubbornly.

  “Bree. Enough. Go get dressed,” I order her.

  “Si, Bree. Go put clothes on. I’ll have my men take you back to the compound.”

  “I’m not leaving.” Bree’s stance says one thing, she’s not going without a fight. That’s my girl.

  “She’s not leaving, Boss,” her and I say in unison.

  “La mierda dices?” he growls advancing on me, but I stand my ground.

  “She’s mine, Boss. I’ve claimed her, and I’m not giving her up. You’ll have to kill me to get her away.”

  “That could be arranged easily cabrón. I can almost assure it.” The threat behind his words is loud and clear.

  “Then so be it. But I’m not giving her up. She’s mine.”

  Bree—proving that she never does what she is told moves around me and holds close to my side, wrapping her arm around me. Motherfucker.

  “I won’t leave him and if you make me, I’ll just find my way back to him.” My woman is hard headed, and under any other circumstances, her defiant attitude would have me ripping her towel from her body.

  “Son of a bitch, woman. Go get dressed. I don’t want other men looking at what is mine!” I growl.

  “Jax, he’s my uncle, for God’s sake,” she attempts to argue.

  “I do not give a damn! It’s mine. Now go cover up!” I growl, my face tight, my hand in my hair wondering if I could pull it out and she’d listen to me.

  “Quit yelling at me! I’m trying to save your life here!”

  I look at her, those flecks of green and brown could hypnotize me. However, now isn’t the time for it. “You’re going to get me killed quicker!”

  “Times like this I have to wonder why I love you,” she mutters. She moves away from me though and looks at Skull. “I think you get I haven’t had a lot of happiness in my life.”

  The look on Skull’s face has changed. He’s appraising the two of us differently and though anger is still there, I also see something else. He’s studying us. I just wish I knew what the fuck that meant. He nods his head in agreement at Bree.

  “For the first time in my life, Skull…I feel like I belong. I’ve never been happier. If I die tomorrow I’ll
be okay with it, because for a little while I had everything. Do you understand?”

  “Motherfucker. Bree, shut the hell up,” I growl, rubbing that area around my heart that always fucking finds a way to hurt around her. My voice is mean and harsh, and I can feel the tension go back in Skull and even hear him take a step toward us. I don’t give a damn though. I’m too busy grabbing, Bree and pulling her back to me. “Shut the fuck up!”

  “Jax—” Bree gasps, clearly confused.

  I swallow the lump in my throat. “You will not die.”

  “I wasn’t talking—”

  “You will not talk about it, you will not do it, and you will never even contemplate leaving me. Do you understand?”

  “Jax, sweetheart, I was just giving an example of why—”

  “I don’t want you talking about death in any way, shape, or form from this moment on. You understand?”

  “Jax—”

  “Do. You. Understand?” I growl. I’m holding her shoulders tight; I’m not even trying to be gentle. I’ll probably leave marks on her skin, and I’m giving Skull more reason to shoot my dick off. I can’t help it though. The thought of Bree dying is destroying me. Destroying. I’m staring into her face, my eyes captured by hers, and I won’t let go until she gives me the words, until she somehow makes this raging fear inside of me better.

  Bree’s hand cups the side of my face. Her fingers brush through my beard and find my lips as if to stop my words. I wish she could stop this burning inside of me and these visions she started of her dying. My body is shaking with just the thought. I’ve seen too much death in my time. Too much fucking death, if that was to happen to Bree…to my woman…

  “I’m not going anywhere, honey. I’m right here. I promise,” she whispers kissing my lips gently. A kiss that is not one of passion, but one of a vow. One that calms a little of the fear she stirred inside. Still, my hand shakes as I bring her forehead in close and lay my lips upon it. I gather my breath in my body, realizing it’s shaky, and I completely lost control here. What the fuck is wrong with me? Bree. Beginning to end…it’s Bree.

  “Now, go get dressed.”

  “Okay, honey,” she says slowly walking away. “You won’t hurt him,” she says to Skull, and I just hold my head down, still not in control. I rub the back of my neck realizing that I’ll never be able to control Bree. If I live through this, I’m not even sure I mind. I like her fire.

  “We have club business. This will be tabled until that is dealt with,” Skull growls, surprising me.

  “You and Jax are leaving?” she asks.

  “Yeah,” Skull says.

  “Boss—”

  “But, he’ll be coming back here. So, stay put,” Skull growls interrupting me. Bree’s face moves into the biggest smile. It blinds me for a minute.

  “Be careful, honey,” she says giving me a quick kiss on the lips before all but literally skipping out of the room. I’m still rubbing the back of my neck trying to figure out what to say.

  “Boss—”

  “This isn’t over asshole. But, right now Sabre, Briar, and the mess with the Saints takes center stage. You and me will have words later,” he confirms turning around. “And for fuck’s sake, hide your damn cock-stand for my niece,” he says walking out the door.

  I look down realizing during my haste to get ready and rush Skull out the door that I left my pants unzipped. And despite everything that happened, the fucker is sticking out of my pants, hard as a fucking steel rod. I do my best to situate the fucker, then carefully zip my pants up. I have a feeling this will be my life from now on. Being led around by my cock...but only by one woman…

  Bree. Always Bree.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Bree

  “I’m not leaving with you. Absolutely not. Forget it Aunt Katie,” I growl when I open the door to Katie yelling. When I open it, I see Beth peek over her shoulder. Great. “Not leaving for you either Aunt Bethie. So, if that’s why you are here, you can just turn your cute little buns around to go home.”

  “You think my buns are cute?” Katie asks, looking over her shoulder at her ass.

  “You know it is. Torch tells you all the time,” Beth says with a snicker.

  “Always helps to get a second opinion. Are you going to let us in or not?” Katie asks, and I sigh.

  “Fine, but I’m not leaving.” I step aside so they can come in.

  “We know dear, you screamed it at us,” Beth says quietly, closing the door behind her.

  “Wow. This place is a dump,” Katie says, curling her nose. Her comment annoys me. I thought I had the place looking pretty good. I cleaned and cleaned. I’m actually kind of proud with how it looks.

  “It’s better than some of the places we stayed at when we were in hiding,” Beth says with a shrug.

  “Nah, I just think it’s cleaner. You didn’t clean house very well,” Katie says with a wink.

  “I was sick and pregnant. Quit being a pain in my ass,” Beth grumbles and sits down. “Pregnancy always makes you a bitch,” she teases on a sigh.

  “No. Lack of sex makes me a bitch, and Hunter won’t touch me until the doctor says we’re all clear.”

  “All clear?” I ask concerned.

  “She had some spotting last week,” Beth answers as Katie sits down on the couch beside her.

  She shrugs waving her hand out. “It was nothing. I told Hunter he was going all to hell over nothing, but he wouldn’t listen. He’s so on edge over Briar and Sabre he’s over reacting about everything.”

  “Yeah, Skull’s the same way.”

  “Still, Aunt Katie, if you’re spotting that’s kind of serious.”

  “It wasn’t much and just one day. I didn’t cramp or anything. The ultrasound and things turned out just great. I go back next week and then maybe Hunter can calm his ass down.”

  “Where are the kids?” I ask, letting it go because if she’s not real concerned I’m sure she’s fine.

  “Mattah has them. Now, how about you tell us how in the world you ended up shacking up with one of Skull’s men,” Beth asks, and I sigh flopping in a chair.

  “We’re not exactly shacking up.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. You mean you haven’t been living here while Pop’s thinks you are at Roxanne’s?” Katie asks, and I know I’m blushing. Crap.

  “I love him,” I tell them honestly, looking at them so that maybe they can see something on my face to convince them.

  “Pfft. You’re not even out of high school yet, Breezy. What do you know about love?”

  “Don’t be like that. You weren’t exactly over the hill when you first met Torch.”

  “It wasn’t about love when we first met it was about bumping uglies.”

  “Bumping uglies? I swear Katie you’re beginning to be more like Torch every day—and before you ask that’s not a good thing,” Beth grumbles. “Bree we’re worried about you. I know you think you love Shaft, but—”

  “I don’t think, Aunt Bethie, I know. I absolutely know. I knew the moment I first saw him.”

  “But—”

  “You said that’s how it was for you and Skull,” I defend.

  “It was, but honey look how that turned out? The hell Skull and I went through? I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. We nearly destroyed each other.” She looks down at her hands in her lap.

  “But, look where you’re at now. Would you have changed anything knowing you get what you have now?”

  “Bree, honey. Pops will kill Shaft for touching you, and you’ve been around enough to know he will.”

  “Not if I love him. I don’t understand. Have you guys forgotten what I’ve been through? Why can’t you trust me to know that this happiness I have right now means everything? I’m owed this! I’ve never asked anyone for anything, but I need this guys. I need Jax.” God, I need him and I want to keep him.

  “Breezy,” Katie breaks in, but Beth puts her hand on Katie’s arm and looks at me. Really looks at me.

  “You’re s
ure he’s the one?”

  “He makes me laugh. He makes me feel like I’m alive for the first time in my life. We laugh, and Jax doesn’t smile a lot. He has this half-smile he uses with everyone when he wisecracks, but he hardly ever laughs and gives a full smile. I make him do it all the time. He holds my hand when we’re watching television. And he does it in a way that I really don’t think he’s aware of it. He cooks for me…”

  “Shaft cooks?” Katie appears skeptical.

  “Well, he heats up soup and makes a mean hotdog.”

  “Wow,” Beth says.

  “Don’t make fun,” I grumble, because I love that Jax does those things for me.

  “I wasn’t making fun. Poor Skull doesn’t even know how to turn the stove on.”

  “Same with Hunter, even the microwave is beyond his basic knowledge.”

  I stare the pair of them down. “The point you guys, is that he’s good to me. Good to me in a way that I know I always want to be with him.”

  “You love him,” Beth concludes.

  “With everything inside of me.” My eyes must have a dreamy look about them, but talking about my love for my man does that to me.

  “I hate to be a broken record here, but you’re so young Breezy. You might find the same thing with boys your own age. You’ve not even finished high school!” Katie grumbles, and the high school thing is really starting to grate on my nerves.

  “I’m just as old as Beth was when she met Skull, and I’ll be out of school in January. I’m graduating early because of my core work and scores. I even have eight hours of college credit under my belt. I’m not some kid you guys.” I can’t seem to stress that fact enough. “No matter how everyone insists on seeing me. I know what I want and that’s Jax.”