“And I don’t like the club?”
“Do you?” he threw back.
“It’s different, better than I thought it’d be.” That wasn’t a real answer but it was the best I had. “How do I know if I don’t see it all?”
“I can’t fucking win here.” He stomped away from me. “Go if you want to, but those rules you hated so damn much?” He threw my words back at me. “They’re in play. Girls there on their own are fair game for anyone—you go, you’re mine for the night. Can you tell one of my brothers ‘I’m JoJo’s property.’”
I gulped. “Jericho said—”
“Okay, can you say ‘I’m Jericho’s property’? Our girls—hell, our wives—who aren’t down with those rules, they stay home.” He stared back at me. “And no one thinks less of them.”
“So then you guys just have an orgy without—”
His glare stopped my reckless words. He prowled toward me and I couldn’t move. I’d never seen his full anger directed at me. But it was now.
I stood my ground even as panic urged me to flee. His lips crushed mine and he held me close, too tight to be comfortable, yet a twisted part of me loved his possessiveness. He consumed me until I couldn’t think, only hold on as he showed me how he owned my body. I couldn’t resist, and didn’t want to try. I just wanted him.
He broke the kiss, breath coming hard. “Don’t fucking ever question my loyalty.” His dark eyes had turned black and flashed with fury. “We’re together, and this—” he cupped his dick “—is all yours, only yours. You get me?”
Shit. I knew he was loyal, he’d never be a cheater. Guilt and regret mixed in my stomach. I’d make this right.
I cupped his erection. “Yeah, this is all mine, only mine.” My fingers fumbled to unsnap his jeans.
My heart pounded, body thrummed. I needed him. I tugged his jeans down over his hardness and his dick bounced free. I dropped to my knees, needing to show him I understood—even more needing to give him the mind-blowing experience he’d given me. I wanted to own him as he did me every time we made love.
He stumbled back, jeans around his knees. “Fuck, darling.” He fisted hands in my hair. He rocked into me, faster and faster. I pulled back, this was good, but I wanted great. Great took time.
I pushed him backward. “Sit.”
He collapsed onto the recliner. His eyes now only held a greedy need, the anger had vanished. I pulled off one boot then the other before tugging off his Levi’s.
He grinned and leaned back. “You’re giving the orders.”
“I want to make you lose your mind. Do you think I can do that?” I massaged his sac.
“Yeah, darling, no one fucks me as good as you.” He met my gaze. “Fuck me with that sassy mouth.”
Excitement sent electric tingles across my skin. My breasts ached and I was already wet for him. “Yes, sir.” I slid my lips over his tip and continued down, taking as much of him as I could.
“Yeah, that’s it.” His hips pressed up and his hands held my head in place.
I should have felt trapped, but power rushed through me. He needed me, wanted me. I did this to him.
“Charlie.” He panted my name over and over as he bucked under me. I clasped his cock around the base and sucked hard, needing him to lose control.
He bellowed his release and I swallowed it all down, something else that was new to me. Once his body relaxed, he sat in the chair, eyes closed and hands stroking my hair.
“Come ’ere.” He squinted down with one eye.
I started to sit but he shook his head. “Lose...the pants.”
Complying, I climbed onto his lap bare and ready for him. I leaned forward, kissing him. Lips and tongues tangling, the sensations drove my already needy body into overdrive. Lost to him, each touch increased my hunger. He lifted my shirt and flicked the front clasp of my bra.
“Beautiful tits.” He suckled one and then the other.
I rocked into him. The friction was good, but God, I needed so much more.
His cock hardened underneath me, only a few minutes after I’d swallowed all he had to offer.
“Fuck me,” I moaned, needing him deep inside me.
He didn’t move from my breasts and I remembered I was in charge. This was my show. I grasped his cock and slid it home, finding just what I was looking for. I pushed down and took more of him inside me, thrusting hard, racing to the orgasm I’d denied myself too long already.
“Fuck.” He panted. “Darling, you’re sending me over.” His fingers dug into my hips. “Can’t hold on much longer.” His thumb grazed my clit.
“Joe!” I yelled and came hard. He fell with me.
I lay collapsed on his chest, unwilling to move.
“Gotta do angry sex more often.” JoJo nibbled my ear. “We good?”
Were we? What did I want? Should I stay here or go with him? I should stay here but I wouldn’t. I was going because I had to know. Surely it couldn’t be as bad as what I’d imagine here alone.
“Good, and I’m going.” I sat back to see how he took the news.
“Okay.” He sighed, resigned I guess. “So three things to know: parties include drunken sex, lots of naked woman parading around, and sex games.”
“What are sex games?”
“Blow job contests, naked shots—you think it, it’s there.”
“I...can’t... Why do they do that?” I really didn’t understand why women would demean themselves that way.
“It’s fun.” JoJo shrugged. “And everyone consents.”
“Fun for the men.”
“And the women.” He frowned at me. “A lot of women get off on the freedom of the club and the parties.”
“Okay, I get it.” Although I didn’t. Porn and sex club people had different life standards, but most women would never find that appealing. But I wasn’t arguing.
He stood with me still wrapped around his waist. “Let’s shower.”
* * *
Of course the shower led to more sex and it was after nine by the time we got to the clubhouse. Joe parked the bike and held me before we went inside. “Remember the safe words.”
I wrinkled up my nose. “I’m JoJo’s property.” The words tasted slimy, like bad sushi, in my mouth.
“Right.” He gave me a hesitant look. “I wouldn’t drink tonight. We need to stay on top of our game until this Franco thing is resolved.”
I hadn’t planned to drink. “Got it.”
We walked inside. The place was different. All the tables were crowded into the back to make a dance floor in front of the stage. A Southern rock band played on the stage. “At least we can dance.”
He pulled me onto the floor amid twenty or thirty other people, including three totally naked women. I tried not to stare and focused on Joe.
He moved with a smooth rhythm that was damn sexy. I matched my moves to him the best I could—he was definitely the better dancer. He grabbed my ass and drew me close until we were hip to hip, grinding together. I laced my hands around his neck and held on, loving the way he made me feel. Intense chocolate eyes held mine and I forgot everything but him. Each slide of our hips, caress of his fingers on my ass, made me a little crazier. Soon I lived for the friction of my body against his and wished he’d pinch my nipples or touch that spot that sent me flying. But he didn’t. We just existed in that special place where feelings were amplified and emotion won out over reason. I existed there at Joe’s mercy, loving every second of it.
He stopped moving and I wanted to cry. “No,” I moaned, unwilling to stop.
“The band’s taking a break.” His breath tickled my ear. “Wanna find a bedroom?”
That brought me back to myself quicker than a bucket of cold water dumped over my head. “No, I lost myself...” I met his gaze. “In you. But I’m okay now.”
He caressed m
y cheek. “Dancing with you was better than I imagined.” He led me from the dance floor, back toward the bar. Lila sat there with a few people surrounding her.
“Congratulations.” JoJo gave her a huge hug. “You’ll be great at the whole mother thing.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes were red and puffy. “Oh, I’m glad you brought Charlie.” Lila grinned wide. “I owe you both a big apology. I was fucked up in the head with the whole pregnancy. I shouldn’t have come on so strong.” She gave me a hesitant smile.
“I understand, that’s a lot to figure out.” It seemed a big deal in the club but I still didn’t understand why. If this club was as tame as Joe said, a baby should be a welcome addition.
“Don’t even give it another thought.” He squeezed my hand.
“Hey, JoJo, I got news for you.” Rebel came up behind us with Elle beside him. “Elle, will you stay with Charlie?”
If he had news, I should hear it too. He gave me an apologetic look because he knew what I was thinking. “Stay with Elle until I come back.”
I nodded even though I didn’t want to. “You guys picked up Viceroy quick.” Elle gave me a nod like the bikers did. “Good work.”
“Thanks. It’s a bit like police work.”
“More action and less crap.” She laughed and I had to agree.
In a couple minutes she and Lila were in a baby conversation. I listened, knowing nothing about babies, and even though we made nice for the guys, I still didn’t trust Lila. She’d taken an attitude with me from the beginning and I didn’t know why, but it made me cautious. It wasn’t like I didn’t know I didn’t fit in here. Hello, cop here. The opposite of these guys in most of the ways that counted.
A handsome dark-headed man with shoulder-length hair stepped up to the bar, right next to where I sat. “You new, baby?” He eyed me from head to toe, spending most of his time assessing my chest. “I could show you around.”
“I’m Charlie Pine.” I hoped this worked. If not, I’d say the words Joe told me to say, but I didn’t want to, especially not in Lila’s earshot.
“Right, we’re giving you protection while JoJo deals with Franco.” He held out a hand. “I’m Viper.”
That went well.
“That’s a cool name.” What did you say to bikers?
He threw his head back and laughed. “Why did JoJo leave you alone?”
“Rebel called him back there.” I pointed to the room off the hallway where I’d seen Joe disappear.
“Ah, council chambers, that’s no woman’s land.” He laughed at his own joke.
I could get to like him. He was easy to talk to and not nearly as scary as most of the bikers I’d met.
“You get a new girl?” An African-American man too handsome for words stood in front of me. “You should send her my way.”
I frowned at him. What was he talking about?
“Too good for me, honey?” He crossed his arms.
Unease crawled down my spine, settling in the pit of my stomach. I glanced behind me but Elle was talking to some other guy and Lila.
“Bear—”
Was this nice guy some kind of pimp? Had JoJo lied to me?
“She won’t get far with that attitude.” He stepped into my space.
“What? I’m Charlie Pine.”
“Not a great name. You need a hooker name.” The intimidating biker lifted an eyebrow. “Viper, you’re slipping.”
Fear chased the unease. I stood up but couldn’t escape the two. “Are you two pimps?” I backed into Viper.
Viper laughed, but this time it didn’t seem harmless.
Viper pushed Bear away. “This is JoJo’s girl.”
“Ah, the judgmental bitch.” Bear glared down at me. “Watch who you call a pimp.”
A shorter, older man stepped up. “Bear, apologize.”
No way would this guy apologize to anyone. I backed away from the group.
The dangerous-looking man smirked at me. “Sorry I pointed out you’re a judgmental bitch.” He stared back at the older man.
I fled the scene, not sure what was going on and not wanting to stay and figure it out. He didn’t know me but he’d judged me. His words stung. I didn’t stop running until I entered the kitchen. It was quiet here. My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
Squeals and laughter drifted on the night air. I glanced back to the main room—not going back there. My curiosity drove me forward—a peek outside wouldn’t hurt.
I walked out the side door onto the grass and moved toward the bonfire. Tiki torches provided light throughout the area. To one side I heard grunts, and I glanced over—Thorn. He had hands around a girl’s throat, choking her and having sex. I backed away—he’d seemed so nice, but in the shadowed firelight he looked brutal.
I stumbled away, bikers were all over the place along the edges of the party in twos and threes having sex. I moved toward the lights, not wanting to be a voyeur. In the center a woman in all leather wielded a whip—I backed away. Loud grunts came from the left. A woman lay handcuffed and blindfolded on a table, men lined up to take her, one after another. What the hell? Were those sounds of pleasure or distress?
This wasn’t wild. It was beyond. I squinted to see Delta, JoJo’s best friend, in the crowd by the girl handcuffed to the table. I turned and ran toward the parking lot, not stopping even when I heard someone yell behind me. These men I’d trusted were monsters, nice by day and predators at night. What perverse habits was JoJo hiding?
Escape. I had to get away from here. This was so much more than Joe had said that understatement didn’t even begin to cover it. Maybe he was in that room now doing his own bizarre sex acts. Surely most of this was illegal in Oklahoma. Had they drugged the women? I shuddered and wished I had my gun, but without it I didn’t stand a chance against these men.
In the parking lot, motorcycles were parked everywhere. I raced to the back where the loaner bikes were located—no fucking keys. I had to escape, but it was too far to town. I needed wheels. I hoped Joe had left the keys with his bike—if not, surely someone had. I ran to where Joe parked and checked.
Thank God, keys.
Good thing JoJo had taught me to drive a motorcycle or I’d be screwed now. I wiped away the stray tears clouding my vision. I’d been such a fool. I slammed the helmet on my head and let the other helmet drop to the ground.
Stealing his bike was probably a cardinal sin, but it didn’t matter—what I’d seen had ended any chance of a relationship. I never wanted to see him or any of these bikers ever again.
I didn’t even glance over my shoulder as I rode out into the night, determined to get back to the city. The FBI could keep me safe from Franco and the Brotherhood.
Chapter Twenty-Six
JoJo
“So Franco is gearing up for another hit, nothing new there.” I glanced from Dare to Rebel. “You want me away from here, so the club isn’t involved?”
They’d been sidestepping and dancing in circles—I glanced down at my watch—for the past thirty minutes. I needed to get back to Charlie.
“No.” Dare thumped down the legs of his chair. He’d leaned back until then. “We offered her protection. We want a strategy.”
“Isn’t one—just survive whatever they throw her way.” This was the third time I’d said it. “You got a better idea?”
Silence.
“So we don’t have a plan and that’s what has your panties in a bunch?”
“We got people to protect,” Dare growled.
“Yeah, and I got a woman to protect right now. You know what I know—make the plan and tell me.” I stormed from the council chamber, not willing to waste another minute speculating. We had no solid intel, so there couldn’t be a solid plan. That simple. I doubted Franco would hit the club—not even he was that stupid—but how would he draw us out? He’d missed us in Dallas, bu
t he’d be ready the next time. I surveyed the main room. Mama and Elle were standing by the bar, but Charlie wasn’t there.
Viper and Bear were arguing behind the women.
I hurried over to Elle. “Where the fuck is Charlie?”
“Right...” Elle turned to see she was gone.
“He scared her into the kitchen.” Viper frowned at Bear. “He was being a prick, like always.”
I didn’t wait to hear what Bear said; I’d straighten him out later. Right now I needed Charlie. My gut churned and I got that uneasy feeling I often got when trouble was on the horizon. I didn’t like that one bit. I flipped on the kitchen light—no Charlie. The side door stood wide-open. Fuck. Surely she hadn’t gone out there without me. She could be in serious trouble.
The door to the kitchen swung open—Rebel and Viper strode into the room. “Where is she?” Rebel looked around, confused.
“Out there.” I pointed outside. “Some protection, huh.” I hurried outside, hoping no one had tried to force her to join any of our nighttime games.
I hurried to the front of the building, toward the bonfire. Couples were fucking all over the place. I tried to look at this from Charlie’s point of view but couldn’t imagine what she thought of the scenes playing out. Some brothers did body shots off women, others were playing more explicit games. Delta walked away from where one of the girls pulled a train—seven guys were there enjoying her. Fuck, that was extreme.
“What’s wrong?”
“Charlie’s out here, you see her?”
“No.” He shook his head, but then stopped. “Maybe, I saw a blonde run toward the parking lot. Why the fuck would she be out here?”
“I have no goddam idea.” Fury pulsed through me. So much for having my back. Letting Charlie wander away was a betrayal, not intentional, but it didn’t make me feel one damn bit better. “You check each group for her, I’ll head to the parking lot.”
I hurried to the parking lot and looked around, bikes everywhere. If she ran into the night, we might not find her until morning. Unless she rode away on a bike, I jogged to the back—all the loaner bikes were there. She wouldn’t have taken another bike. No one stole a bike from a biker. The unease intensified as I backtracked, checking my ride first.
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