“Dada!” Reagan squealed, and he reached in and lifted her out of her crib, holding her close.
“Hey, princess,” he cooed.
She cupped his face and gave him open mouthed kisses as I got rid of her diaper and dropped her clothes in the hamper. I loved Reagan’s room. We’d gone with a giraffe theme, for obvious reasons, but even more so, because Ellie the giraffe had her calf the same day I had Reagan. Violet thought this was the greatest thing ever and giraffes began showing up as baby gifts from the second we arrived home.
“Did you read to her?” he asked.
“Yes. Sorry. I wasn’t sure if you’d be home in time.”
“It’s okay,” he said, and kissed her. “Tomorrow I’ll take care of that.”
“Okay, honey.” I wrapped an arm around his waist and stroked Reagan’s cheek. “Daddy’s favorite thing in the world is reading to you, huh?”
“Not my favorite thing in the world,” he countered. “But certainly one of them.”
I chuckled and Reagan laughed along with me. “Where’s Teddy?”
“He’s still working on that bike with Wrath. They’re becoming besties. He said he’d bring him back when they were done.”
“He doesn’t need to babysit. He knows that, right?”
“Do you think Wrath would spend time with anyone he either didn’t like or didn’t want to spend time with?”
I sighed. “I guess not.”
Sundance smiled. “Your brother’s learning a new skill, Dimples, and he’s thriving. Stop worrying.”
“That’s like telling the sun to stop shining.”
“True.” He leaned down and kissed me gently.
“But I love Wrath for his attention. So does Teddy.”
“Okay, sweet girl, time for bed,” Sundance said, and settled Reagan in her crib, leaning in to kiss her cheek.
I did the same and then we left the room, grabbing the baby monitor and turning off the light.
“Were your other kids this easy to put down?” I whispered as we made our way downstairs.
“Orion, yes…Drake, sort of…Violet, hell no,” he said.
“Which is so funny because Violet will sleep anywhere,” I pointed out, pulling his dinner out of the oven and setting it on the island. “Careful, this plate is hot.”
“Thanks, baby.”
I handed him a beer and grabbed a bottled water, sitting beside him while he ate.
“How was church?”
“Good.”
I sighed. “Right, specific questions…”
He smiled, continuing to eat.
“Did you deal with Sonja? If so, how? If not, why?”
Sonja had heightened her assault on us over the past year, so much so, I’d actually had a public argument with her after yoga, which was totally unlike me.
She’d been trying to threaten me with photos of Sundance and some other woman in compromising positions. The date stamp on the photos were obviously doctored, and I knew this because it was the day of our baby shower, and he’d been with me the entire day. Come to find out, the photos were real, but they’d been taken about five years ago at a club party, and neither the woman, nor Sundance, had known they were being taken.
Sundance had been pissed, mostly at her because she was a cunt, but also partly at me because I was six-months-pregnant at the time and punched Sonja square in her nose. With the exception of the douchebag who’d harassed Teddy in the restaurant, I had never hit anyone before, and in my hormonal state, I blamed him for showing me how to deliver the most damage with the least amount of force.
“Yes. With a little help from Rabbit out of Savannah, she’s had a few outstanding warrants which got her thrown in County for the moment. I’m thinkin’ if she wants to make a deal, it’ll involve staying the fuck away from the club and anyone associated with it, or she’ll be in a world of hurt.”
“Who’s Rabbit?”
“He’s with the Dogs of Fire in Georgia. Computer genius. Even more skilled than Booker,” he said, then took a swig of beer.
“Booker’s in Portland, right?”
“Yeah. VP under Hatch.”
I sighed. “We need a hacker.”
“We do.”
“You could always patch Isla in.”
Sundance laughed. “No chicks in the band, baby, but bring her to a family night. Maybe she’ll hack her way into one of the brother’s pants.”
“I’m not sure I want to add pimp to my business cards.”
He chuckled and focused back on his food.
“What about Louisa?”
Louisa had been the woman in the photos, and Sundance had decided he needed to be the one to tell her about them.
“She was cool about it. I know it’s somewhat alien to you, baby, but most women, when they come to a club party, anyway, leave their expectation of privacy at the door.”
This was true. The amount of times I’d walked in and some biker was fucking one (or multiple) women in the middle of the great room, was staggering. They only cleaned things up for family night. Granted, they didn’t ever start anything if they knew I was in the building…same rule applied for Violet and Raquel…but if the men had the place to themselves, all bets were off. And a lot of women liked it.
I didn’t, but what two, or twelve, consenting adults did behind closed doors was none of my business, and I didn’t judge.
“What about the Beast?”
“Not resolved,” he growled. “Whoever this asshole is, he’s protected, physically and digitally. Neither Rabbit nor Booker have had any luck.”
“So, full protection until you cut off the head of the snake.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m good with that,” I admitted. “Especially, now that we have Reagan. The thought of anything happening to her…” I shook my head. I couldn’t even finish the sentence.
Sundance squeezed my knee. “Nothin’s gonna happen to either of you.”
“I know.” I smiled. “I trust you.”
“I do think we need to build our army, though.”
I cocked my head. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” He slid off the stool and lifted me off mine, slapping my butt. “Looks like my stock in Frito-Lay’s payin’ off,” he sassed, throwing me over his shoulder.
“If you want to hack into my pants, Thorne Graves, you better cease pointing out my weight gain.”
He laughed. “I love your new curves and you know it.”
I grinned, pounding his ass like a pair of bongos as he carried me upstairs. I did know this. I had actually only gained twenty pounds, and that was because I’d kept eating the same calories I’d consumed while breastfeeding. I’d stopped breast feeding about four months ago when Reagan nearly bit my nipple off, so I needed to figure out how to lose this after baby weight.
Of course, Sundance said he preferred me with curves, but he loved me regardless of how I looked, so I decided I’d just do what I wanted to do in order to feel good. Right now, I felt a little slow, so I wanted to lose a little, but I was in no rush.
Sundance dropped me on our bed, and yanked my yoga pants down my thighs, panties and all, dropping them on the floor. “You ready to be pregnant for the next five years?”
“No.” I snorted. “One more kid. That’s it.”
“I’d like an even six.”
“You’re gonna get an odd five,” I countered.
“We’ll see,” he hedged, burying his face between my legs.
I hooked a leg over his shoulder and arched into his mouth and smiled secretly as he made love to me. What he didn’t know, was I was already pregnant, and I’d planned to tell him the second he got home, but then he’d distracted me with his face in my pussy, so I decided it could wait until I’d had a couple of orgasms.
As he made love to me, I let the beauty of his devotion wash over me. Primal and perfect. Lordy, I was one hell of a lucky woman, and I would never take it for granted.
Unedited excerpt ©Trixie Publishing, Inc. 201
9-2020
Rabbit
She’s out of my league and I’m low on the list of her trusted allies, but when she’s caught in the crossfire of a conflict with a rival club, I don’t want anyone else watching her back.
Even if I have to shackle her to my f***ing bed.
Parker
He’s the man I never knew I wanted, but he’s made it clear I'm not enough for him, so when he tries to use his beautiful mind to hack into my secrets, I’m left confused and defragmented.
PROLOGUE
Parker
Two years ago…
My cell phone buzzed, and I saw it was Willow calling, so I picked it up with a smile. “Well, hi there, bestie numero uno.”
Jasmine was bestie numero dos, but only because I’d met her second.
“Hi, honey. You need to get Darcy to watch the shop.”
I owned a local flower shop, Parker’s Petals, that I’d opened three years ago to booming success. It was a good thing it worked, because I’d sunk my entire trust left to me by my grandmother, along with blood, sweat, and a shit ton of rose thorn induced tears, into it.
“Sounds intriguing. Why?”
“Rabbit’s been hurt.”
My heart stopped. “What do you mean, ‘hurt’?”
“There was an explosion—”
“What the fuck?” I squeaked as I yanked off my apron and headed to the break room. “Where?”
“Parker?” Darcy said, interrupting my conversation, her face scrunching up in worry.
“I need you to watch the shop,” I said, grabbing my purse from one of the lockers, before focusing back on Willow. “Where is he, Willow?”
“He’s at Memorial,” Willow said.
I hung up and grabbed my purse, making a run for my car. I defied every speed law as I rushed to the hospital, and probably parked totally illegally, but I didn’t care. I ran into emergency, saw several of the Dogs milling in the lobby and made my way to them. “Where is he?” I demanded.
Alamo, Jasmine’s husband, walked over to me. “He’s being evaluated right now. Doc’s in with him.”
“I want to see him.”
“They’re not letting anyone see him, sweetheart.”
I scowled up at one of my closest friends. “I swear to God, Alamo, if you don’t take me to him, I will never speak to you again.”
He turned to Badger standing close by. “Cover us.”
“You got it.”
Alamo slid an arm over my shoulders and guided me through one set of double doors, then another, while Badger distracted and flirted with the nursing staff. His wife, Quin, wasn’t here, so he had a little more freedom, although, she probably would have sanctioned the plan.
We walked down a hallway surprisingly empty, other than Doc’s woman, Olivia, sitting in a chair against the wall. As soon as she saw me, she jumped up and closed the distance, pulling me in for a hug. “Hey.”
“How bad is he?”
“Not sure. Doc’s in with him now.”
Doc was the club president, but he was also a doctor, and a damn good one so if he was in with Rabbit, he was in good hands.
Alamo checked his phone and gave me a squeeze. “We’re gonna head back to the barn. Doom’s got Lyric settled there with Willow. We need to meet.”
Olivia nodded. “We’ll see you soon.”
Just as Alamo walked away, Doc stepped out of Rabbit’s room.
“How bad?” I whispered.
“He’s got second and third degree burns up and down his body and is going to require a series of grafts over the next six months or so. He also got his bell rung, so he’s got a concussion,” Doc said.
I covered my mouth with my hands to keep from screaming.
“He’s a tough motherfucker, sweetheart, remember that.”
I nodded, tears streaming down my face, and swallowing convulsively. “Can I see him?”
“He’s heavily sedated, but you can sit with him for a bit.”
I pushed into the room and forced myself not to crumble. Rabbit’s right side was bandaged, but he otherwise looked perfect. I dragged a chair close to his bed and took his good hand in mine, careful not to jostle the monitor on his finger.
“You’ve got about twenty minutes,” Doc said. “Then we’ll head back to the club. You’re locked down with everyone else.”
I nodded and he left me alone.
“Hey, Rabbit,” I whispered. “So, a funny thing happened on the way to the hospital. I realized I’ve been a total idiot.”
I kissed the back of his hand, then settled my cheek against it.
“How have you been an idiot? you ask. Well, baby, I love you. I have for a while, but I’ve been so fucking stubborn and too afraid to say it out loud.”
All of this was unfortunately true. Rabbit was four years younger than me and even though I’d told him it would never work, he’d pursued me from the get, hard. It scared the crap out of me, and I shut him down at every turn. I’d even dated other men, parading them in front of him. Not many. Three, but he just smiled his secret little smile and showed up with wine when I ultimately dumped them.
After the third break up, about a year ago now, I’d made Rabbit an indecent proposal. Well, indecent for me. I wanted sex. Friends with benefits, but on the way to the benefits, I fell in love with him.
We were from two totally different worlds and I’d been so hung up on appearances, I’d forgotten to just feel. He’d treated me better than anyone I’d ever known, and he was the best friend I’d ever had, and that was saying something because Jasmine and Willow were damn good friends.
“I’m pulling my head out, Ollie,” I whispered. “And we’re gonna make up for lost time the second you get out of here. I’m going to be right by your side while you heal. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to figure it out.”
The door opened and Doc walked in. “We need to get goin’. I’m leaving a couple of recruits here.”
“Okay, thanks,” I said, and followed him out, after promising Rabbit I’d be back the next day. Little did I know, my world was about to crumble in the worst kind of way.
* * *
If you liked the sneak peek of Hacking the Biker’s Code, you and order it HERE!
2019, 2020 – Trixie Publishing, Inc.
Widowed young, Maisie Mann was left to raise her daughter alone. Now, nine years later, she thinks she might have life as a single mom mastered…until her car breaks down on the wrong side of town. All she requires is a little roadside assistance and she’ll be on her way. But when her help comes in the form of a gruff but alluring biker, it sparks emotions she hasn’t experienced since her husband died.
Connor ‘Hatch’ Wallace is nobody’s hero. The Sergeant-at-Arms for the Dogs of Fire MC has a bitter past and has sworn off anyone threatening his independence. But fate has other ideas.
Maisie has no intention of getting involved with a man like Hatch and, despite her overwhelming attraction to him, pushes him away… until her life, and that of her child, are threatened.
Is Maisie’s only chance of survival in the hands of a badass biker?
Will Hatch be able to put aside his past and protect a woman and her daughter at the risk of losing everything?
Maisie
I WALKED OUT of Lonnie’s salon and into the blaring heat of an unusually hot Pacific Northwest April. Squinting against the brightness, I slid my sunglasses on and headed to the Chinese restaurant next door for some takeout. Ten minutes later, order in hand, I was ready to go home and soak in the tub. It had been a long day and I needed a little down time. Only, when I climbed into my car, slid the key in the ignition, and turned… nothing happened.
“What the—?” I tried again, but still nothing, so I climbed out and looked around. Lonnie’s lights were off, the closed sign hung on the door, and the parking lot was all but empty. “Just great,” I said, and groaned.
I considered going back into the Chinese restaurant for help, but I’d had to repeat my order three times, so
I had little faith they’d be able to understand my request for a jump. I grabbed my cell and called Triple A.
“Roadside Assistance, how may I help you?”
“Well, I’m in Orchards and I have a dead battery,” I said.
“No problem, we can send someone out. What’s the address?”
I rattled off my location, gave her my card number and other pertinent information.
“We can have someone out to you in about an hour.”
“Really? Nothing sooner?”
“No, sorry. We’re really busy today.”
“Okay,” I said. “Thanks.”
I sighed and hung up, turning to find Lonnie walking out of her shop. “Hey, Maisie. You’re still here?”
“I have a dead battery. I called Triple A, but if you have a minute, would you mind giving me a jump, please?”
“No, sorry, I actually have to be somewhere.”
I stared at her, so shocked by her unwillingness to help me I couldn’t even form a response. It would take maybe five minutes to jump my battery. I’d been loyal to her for more than ten years, even following her to this crappy part of town, and she couldn’t take five minutes to help me? I think my mouth was still slightly agape as I watched her climb into her car and drive off, smiling and waving at me as she passed.
God! I’d just given her a thirty-percent tip. Not to mention, I always sent her a Christmas card, even though she never reciprocated, and even sent her a gift on her birthday. Not cool!
I sighed and leaned against my car, scanning the area. I lived and worked in downtown Portland and only ever came up here for my hair needs. But there had to be someone around who could help me so I wouldn’t be stuck here for another hour.
I walked a few feet away from my car and looked around. Bingo. A little hole-in-the wall mechanic’s garage was across the busy street and three doors down. Concerned they wouldn’t be open, or would be manned by grease monkeys who liked to take advantage of women in need of automotive services, I shuddered, but trudged toward the shop anyway. If they were open, I figured they’d probably be able to help me, but if they weren’t willing, then I’d give them a nasty Yelp review. I should probably do that to Lonnie, but wasn’t entirely sure I was quite that brave. It took me years to find her.
Primal Need (Primal Howlers MC Book 2) Page 19