Without pulling out of her, I roll us until she’s laying on top of me with her legs straddling either side of me. My cock twitches to life once again, raring to go another round. I’d gladly take the chance, too, but I know it’s late and I gotta get back to the kids.
“Gotta say, baby, this is nice,” I murmur, lifting a hand to brush a strand of hair from her cheek.
“Hmm, I have to agree with you there,” she whispers with a sweet smile on her face.
“Unfortunately, I gotta get back over to the house. You can always join me over there and we could continue this into another round,” I suggest, rocking her against me, causing her to moan briefly while biting her lip.
“I’m not staying over there. That’s Amanda’s bed. I could never sleep in her bed with you,” she stammers.
“Charm, I wouldn’t have asked something like that if I were sleeping in Amanda’s bed,” I say soothingly.
“What do you mean?” she asks, brows furrowing.
“I mean, the boys and I put Amanda’s furniture into storage for when Astrid gets older and can use it. I packed up her clothes and shit to donate, keeping the stuff I knew the kids would want when they were ready,” I state and give her a grin. “I repainted her room, getting rid of the flowery bullshit, and bought and new bedset for me.”
“Oh,” she whispers, drawing it out, her eyes softening. “That was sweet of you to put the furniture in storage for Astrid when she gets older.”
“Yeah?” I grin.
“Yes, but I’m still not staying over there. I mean, what if she or one of the boys were to come in your room and see me there. They’d freak. I know they love me but I’m not their mom,” she whispers, pain filling her tone.
“Know that, baby, but they also know me and they knew their mom. We never had a normal relationship. Guess you can say she was my best friend and I loved her as just that. It hurts she’s gone. I’m gonna miss her, so are our kids but she tried more than once to get me to meet you. If her last wish is to see you and me together, then I’m honoring it,” I declare, realizing exactly what I’m saying and meaning every word of it. For once, my heart, soul, and mind are all in agreement on this.
“Okay, I get that, but I don’t want to go rushing into anything,” she says, closing her eyes.
“Get that too, Charm, so we’ll get to know each other better. And we’ll get to know each other in many ways,” I state, squeezing her hips causing her to giggle.
I pull her down to me and recapture her mouth with mine. I’d never been one for kissing much but I gotta say having her lips against my own is fan-fuckin-tastic. Breaking our kiss before it can go further, I roll us until she’s once again on her back and I reluctantly pull out of her. “I better get over there so you can get some rest, but I want you at the kitchen table bright and early for breakfast. God knows you saved me from having to fuck up some Pippy Longstockings braids for Astrid.”
“I’ll be there,” she says with a bright smile forming on her beautiful face. I’m sure she remembers this morning when she’d come into the house to find Astrid demanding I put her hair in those braids.
“Good and heads up, I’m telling the kids about the two of us,” I announce and hold my hand up to stop her from interrupting as I continue to explain to her. “Not keeping it a secret. You and me, we’re happening and they’re not stupid. They’d figure it out without being told, so it’s best they know up front.”
Charm seems to contemplate my words for a moment while I pull on my shorts. “I . . . I want to argue with you but I think it’s pointless. Just . . . please don’t do the whole PDA thing in front of them. They just lost their mom and she was my friend. I won’t disrespect her like that.”
“I’ll give you that, baby, but there’ll be a time where I do kiss the hell out of you. Now get some rest, I’ll see you in the morning,” I mutter and kneel on the couch to give her another kiss before heading for the door. “I’ll lock the door on my way out.”
“Thank you, Soren.” She yawns sleepily, calling me by my name. I don’t bother correcting her because I like the sound of my name coming from her lips. Next time I’m inside her, I’ll have to have her scream that rather than my road name.
“You’re welcome, Charm.” Walking out of her living room, I head to the kitchen, open the back door, and step through it, making sure to lock it on the way out.
Slowly, I make my way to my house with a smile in place. I tilt my head to the sky and look up at the clear darkness to see the stars bright. A shooting star goes by and I remember something Amanda would always do when she saw one. Closing my eyes, I make a wish upon the star.
Working my way across the yard, I quietly head into the house, seeing my brothers already passed out in the living room. Shaking my head, I go to my room wishing Charm had come over with me.
That’s okay cause come tomorrow, I’ll be sure to have her here. It might be new between us but I’ve never been one for wanting to do the whole slow thing. In my opinion, waiting until tomorrow is taking things slow.
I’ve always lived a fast paced life and always will.
Chapter Seventeen
Charm
I wake to the sound of a fist banging against my front door. Tying my purple satin robe around myself, I rush downstairs. Goodness, who could it be? I worked late at the spa last night after one of my clients had a really rough day. I don’t normally work so late, but it was an emergency appointment so I made sure I was there for her. My clients trust me with so much, so I do my best to ensure I’m available for them, whatever they need, whenever they need it.
Unlocking the deadbolt, I open the door and see my mother. “Mom, what the heck? Are you alright?”
“I need money, and I need it now.” She cuts straight to the point and I’m stuck blinking at her like she’s lost her mind. For a second I think she’s fucking around, but I quickly realize she isn’t.
“Mom, what’s going on?” I’m not giving her money unless she answers me. I don’t work like that.
She looks around almost like someone’s watching her. “Nothing, now can you give me money or not?”
“How much do you need?” I shouldn’t be giving her money considering everything she’s put me through, but at the end of the day, I’ll do anything I can for my family, regardless of what they need or how they’ve treated me in the past.
“Six thousand dollars.”
I’m in a bit of shock at the amount she just gave me. “Sorry, what did you say?” I clear my throat at the end, thinking she’s fucking with me. I should know better, though. She can’t be kidding. There’s no way she can be kidding. She doesn’t fuck around when it comes to money.
“I need it, and I need it now! Don’t you understand?!” she screams at the top of her lungs, grabbing me by my robe she shoves my back into the wall. It’s so hard pain radiates down my shoulders and shoots down my back.
“Charm, what the hell is going on?” Fenrir’s deep voice rings out from around me, and I spot him pulling my mother off me.
“Get your hands off me, you thug!” she squeals like a pig heading to slaughter, and I look between the two of them. “Did you not hear me?!” she screams at him again, looking at him like he’s disgusting.
“Don’t you talk to him like that!” I holler at her, gritting my teeth, trying my best to focus on my breathing and not freak out.
“I’ll talk to him however I want. He shouldn’t be anywhere near me, or touching me for that matter. Who is this criminal anyway? God, look at all his tattoos. He must be trouble.” She scrunches up her nose and looks down at him like he’s below her.
“He’s no criminal. He’s my boyfriend, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk to him in such a manner,” I hiss at her, meaning business.
“There’s no way. How would someone like you end up with a man like this?” Her disapproval is obvious, but I don’t care. I’m done with the disrespect.
“Get out, right now. I’m done.”
She lo
oks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “What’re you going on about?”
“I said get out, so get the hell out of my house right now, and if you ever come back again you’d best have a serious attitude adjustment. I’m done with your bullshit. I’m really done with your disrespect for not only me and the way I live my life, but for those in it too, so get out.”
My mother shakes her head and rushes out of the house. Fenrir and I stand on the porch as we watch her leave. Fenrir looks over to his brothers who are next door, preparing for yet another club BBQ and he shouts, “This bitch is my ol’ lady.”
I don’t know what he means, but I know based on his tone there’s some seriousness behind his words. I’m sure I’ll know the weight behind them at some point, but for right now, it’s okay. I just want to be with him and explore whatever Amanda was trying to do for ages.
I must admit, now I’m beginning to understand why she wanted us to give it a shot, and if she were alive I’d thank her for everything she’s done.
Chapter Eighteen
Fenrir
Hearing Charm telling her mom she was mine had been like music to my ears and gave me the opportunity to say it aloud for my brothers to hear. They spur me on to make my next move when I pull my ol’ lady into my arms and capture her mouth in front of her bitch of a mother.
Releasing Charm’s lips, I hold her close to me as I grin at her mother. “You heard Charm. She ain’t giving your greedy ass anything, so get the fuck away from her and I’d advise you to stay the fuck gone if I were you. I’d hate to have to make that happen permanently.”
Charm’s mother pales and backs away.
Smart move on her part. I might not be one for fuckin’ up women, but I have no problem fuckin’ with her in other ways that will make her life miserable and keep her away from Charm. Only if she wants to see her mother will it happen.
With Charm’s mother gone, I turn her in my arms and hold her close.
“I thought I said no PDA in front of the kids,” she whispers, nodding her head toward my house. I glance over to find my boys grinning like loons while standing amongst my brothers while Runes twirls Astrid around on his shoulders.
Grinning down at her, I pull her off the front porch, not happy she’s only in a robe. I don’t need my brothers seeing her in those. They’re for my eyes only. “Come on, let me officially introduce you to my brothers.”
“Daddy, is Charm your ol’ lady now?” Astrid asks brightly from her perch when Charm and I get close.
“Yeah, princess, she is. You cool with that?” My kids have always known what the term for ol’ lady meant. Amanda and I explained it to them all when they started asking questions about why we didn’t live together.
“Yep. I love it. Mommy would be happy.” Charm stiffens slightly next to me at Astrid’s blunt words. I give her a reassuring squeeze around her waist and look to my boys.
“What about you two?” I ask them.
“Astrid’s right. Mom wanted you with Charm,” Emil says, nodding in agreement.
“Yeah, Mom would tell Aunt Ashley all the time when she was on the phone about how she thought you two would connect,” Oskar murmurs, grinning like a loon.
“See, Charm, they’re okay with you and me,” I mutter for only her to hear.
“Okay,” she whispers.
“I’m hungry, Daddy. Are you going to make breakfast, or can we go to the pancake house?” Astrid asks sweetly.
“Hey, I’m down for Pancake House,” Logi announces, raising his hand. “All in favor for not getting laxative laced food raise your hands.”
Charm giggles as my brothers groan.
“What can I say. You don’t piss off a woman who knows how to bake,” she says while still laughing. Her laughter spurs all of us to start laughing. “But as long as you don’t make me upset, your food is safe with me.”
“Yeah, we’ll see about that,” Rati groans.
“If you say so,” Dag mutters at the same time.
“So are we eating here or what? The princess demands food. The dog is in the backyard,” Runes quips, getting in on the fun.
“We’ll go to Pancake House,” I declare, letting go of Charm to reach for my daughter. “I’ll load them up in the truck and meet you all there.”
“Why don’t I drive them and you can ride with your brothers,” Charm offers.
“You sure?” I ask, getting a sweet smile from her. “Alright, I gotta do something with the dog you all adopted.”
“His name’s Beowolf, Daddy,” Astrid informs me even though I know this.
“Yeah, VP, you should have warned us you got a fuckin’ dog last night. Damn thing growled at me for tickling Astrid this morning,” Runes mutters as I set my daughter on her feet. She darts off to Charm’s car with her brothers following right behind her.
“I guess I better go get my bag so we can go,” Charm says and goes to move, but I catch her hand, bring her to me, and lay a kiss on her mouth. Only when she’s moaning into mine, do I release her.
I grin down at her when she stares daggers at me. “Can’t help that after one taste of that mouth it’s addicting,” I chuckle, earning an eye roll from her.
Charm leaves to go get her stuff as I turn to my brothers.
“Happy for you, brother, and I hate to rain down on it but you need to know something before you take things any further with Charm,” Runes states.
“What’s that, Prez?” I ask, tensing as I wait for him to hit me with whatever it is.
“Got a message from Vanir right before that shit with Charm’s mother happened. He’s found some information on the men who paid off the junkie who killed Amanda,” Runes sighs. “You remember the Corrupt Kings MC that Marker was talking about?”
“Yeah, it’s the same club that was fuckin’ with the Reapers Rejects MC and shot at one of the members. I believe it was Bull,” I growl.
“I remember that shit. It was the Corrupt Kings MC’s President, Boomer, who shot Bull,” Dag sneers.
Nodding, I take a deep breath. “So now the Corrupt Kings are what, targeting us?” I ask.
“According to Vanir’s message, I believe this is the case. We’re being targeted for our alliance with those two clubs. They went after Amanda first, and I want to know how they knew. Someone who knew about the two of you had to have said something. I know it wasn’t any of our brothers, so it has to be someone from the outside,” Runes mutters, glancing around at the few of us standing here.
Regardless of who it is, they’ll pay for what they’ve done.
Until then, I’ll keep my guard up and watch out for Charm along with Astrid, Oskar, and Emil. I wouldn’t put it past Boomer and his band of fuckups to do something stupid as come at me twice. If he does, it’ll be the last time.
I may have lived my life so far in the fast lane, but I’ve also done it by being malicious when needed.
Epilogue
Charm
It’s been an entire month since Fenrir and I stopped fighting the connection we have, or should I call him Soren now? He finally lets me call him by his birth name, but it took him a long time to even let me do it.
The kids are all hanging out at their friends’ houses tonight for sleepovers, and unlike most nights, we have the house to ourselves. For the most part, we spend a lot of time over at Amanda’s old place, but tonight we’re in my house. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel weird being in Amanda’s house sometimes, and since we’re there most of the time for the kids, whenever we can I prefer for us to spend time here.
Fenrir is out with the boys and I’m now in my kitchen seasoning the cuts of steak I got for us a bit ago. I’m making him a nice, home-cooked meal. In addition to the meat, I’ve prepared a squash assortment and some fresh mashed potatoes. He’ll be here in an hour or so, and I made chocolate zucchini cake this morning after he told me he hasn’t had it in ages but loves it.
Fenrir just bought me a new phone after I shattered my old one last week when I was roller-skating with
the kids, so after I have the meat in the oven, I’m also working on transferring everything over to the new one. First, I need to delete all the old stuff off my old phone, but as I’m scrolling through old messages, I notice a call I missed from Amanda . . . on the day she died.
Not knowing what to do, I breathe for a moment and gather myself before clicking on her name. I tap on the speaker button and listen as her voice echoes through my kitchen. “Hey, Charm, I’m going to be late getting home. There’s a boatload of traffic so if you could head over and make sure the kids are okay that would be great. Oh, hold on one sec, I need to—No!” Shrieking fills my ears and the sound of metal crushing against metal fills the air.
I don’t need to be a genius to figure out what just happened on the other end of the line, and the horrible part is it doesn’t even stop here. It keeps going, and it keeps fucking going. After a point, I hang up and don’t bother listening anymore.
My eyes are already filled with tears and before I know it they’re sliding down my face. The realization I heard her last moments comes in like a tidal wave, but my phone vibrates in my hand and I narrow my eyes. It’s the security company that monitors the spa for Fern and me. Fern owns the joint mostly, while I have a forty percent stake in the company. We’re the only two people who the company will call if something’s going on, and there must be something.
“Hello?”
“Hello, there’s been a fire at . . .” Everything goes silent after they list the address, knowing my body’s in shock. The person on the other end tells me the security cameras aren’t working and they’ve dispatched the fire department, but the video right before the security cameras cut off wasn’t any good.
My heart pounds in my chest knowing how much time and energy we put into making the spa the way it is. All of it could go right down the drain, and there’s nothing we can do about it.
I turn off the oven, pull out the meat, and put it on the stovetop before running out the door. I need to get to the spa, and I need to get there as soon as possible.
Malicious: A Nomad Biker Novel (Raiders of Valhalla MC Book 1) Page 7