by Sam Crescent
“How do you feel about doing a little show-and-tell?” Dhiro asked.
“What do you mean?”
“All my life, I’ve been told what primitive animals you all are. How you’re to be feared. I think it’s time the world knew what we are so afraid of.”
Ella tightened her hold around him, and he knew he was doing the right thing.
****
One month later
“Everything is healthy?” Ella asked.
Khirana smiled. “Yes. I do not see this pregnancy being anything but perfect. You are developing well. I did fear our atmosphere would be troubling for your pregnancy, and we were in the process of considering different kinds of face coverings, to provide you with a little dirtier oxygen, but your body is adapting well. Your baby is growing at a normal progression. I see this baby coming to us within six and a half months.”
Ella put her hand on her stomach. “Really?”
Khirana put a hand on her arm. “Really.”
“Have you heard from Kaleen and Bronn?”
“Their last communication was two days ago. They are enjoying their stay on planet Earth and have no wish to be collected as of yet. Our people are close if they change their minds.”
Ella smiled. Dhiro had been everything she thought he would be. After he asked Khirana to gather all the pieces of equipment the Scyathra had created, they had returned to his commander in chief with proof. From that point on, the truth of what happened spread like wildfire throughout Trenu Zel. At first, there was outrage, demanding justice for the Scyathra and also the demand for the few who knew to be exiled.
There was a lot of pain and anger. People had given up hope, but her pregnancy and the Scyathra were finally bringing it back. She liked to think of Khirana as her friend. She was the doctor she had requested.
The Scyathra still lived in their part of the planet, but they came to the other side of Trenu Zel to make peace, to help, to further their technology and to help protect their race.
“Dhiro will be pleased.”
“Are you looking forward to the ceremony?” Khirana asked.
Ella nodded. “I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. Nervousness is for humans. You’re a Trenuian now.”
She laughed. Getting to her feet, she hugged Khirana tightly. “Thank you for everything.”
“You do not need to thank me. It is I and all Trenu Zel who must thank you. Without you, there wouldn’t have been any peace. You helped us to find a way, and because of that, we can all heal.” Khirana had studied human culture, and out of all people Ella had met, she was closest to seeming like a human in etiquette.
She said her goodbyes and left, going to the vehicle where a soldier waited to take her back to Dhiro’s mother.
As per tradition, she had not seen her betrothed all day.
He hated it when she went to see Khirana. Dhiro struggled to trust the Scyathra even though they proved on a daily basis they came in peace with no intention to harm. His mother had told her Dhiro would always be like that with her. Not only did she carry the survival of their race, but she was also his mate.
Arriving back at his mother’s home, she found her already waiting outside. She insisted Ella had to call her Mother. She would not accept any other term and, of course, Ella was fine with that.
“The dress has arrived, and it will be a perfect fit.”
She was marched into the room.
Trenu Zel had a similar mating culture to that of a wedding on Earth. The white dress was bound together by rings. Rather than a diamond, Dhiro had shown her the ring with his family’s crest molded into the setting. Anyone who met her would know she was claimed, and to whom.
The ring was beautiful, and she couldn’t wait to wear it.
Both Trenuians and the Scyathra would be there, including Khirana.
Dhiro was also getting it set up for Bronn and Kaleen to be present virtually for their mating ritual. That was what Dhiro called it. She thought it sounded like a werewolf story.
She didn’t mind. She was healthy, pregnant, and in love.
Mother helped her to dress, and she slid into the material with ease. The straps of the dress were so thin and the neckline plunged, showing a great deal of cleavage, and there was no way to wear a bra as it curved around the base of her back, only just hiding her ass from view. She wondered what Dhiro would think when he saw it.
The time ticked down, and it wasn’t long for them to get her hair pinned into place. Then she was being taken to the main town square. This was a huge event. A human and a man from Trenu Zel coming together.
Hope was once again amongst the people.
Mother grabbed her hand. “You are a beautiful woman, Ella. Thank you so much for giving my son happiness, and for granting me the joy to live to see my grandchild.”
She cupped Mother’s hand and smiled at her, feeling tears in her eyes. “Thank you for giving me a place to truly call home.”
Back on Earth, she had been so alone. She hadn’t realized how much she was until she got the chance to be with Dhiro, to feel at home. His family was hers. Trenu Zel was home. She was no longer an outsider or an outcast. She was part of them.
The door opened, and she looked up to see Dhiro standing there waiting for her. This was the only part of the tradition to change. With his dad’s passing, no one was allowed to give her to Dhiro, but he was to take her.
With her hand in his, he pulled her in close. “You are here to tempt me.”
“Mother picked my dress. She said it would make you go wild.” Her laughter turned to a gasp as his hand touched her back. Just one touch from him was enough to make her melt. They hadn’t seen each other all night, as per tradition.
Now she wanted a room alone with him.
“How is our baby?”
“Safe and well,” she said, feeling the heat build inside her.
“Good.”
“Ella, will you marry me?” he asked.
She frowned, tilting her head back. “We’re going to get mated today.”
“I know but after talking with Bronn and Kaleen, they told me of your traditions, and I want you to have everything your heart desired. All you ever have to do, Ella, is ask, and I will give it to you. You have given our planet peace, you have given me love, and agreeing to be mine, you have given me my soulmate.”
“You’re going to make me cry.”
“Happy tears?”
She laughed. “Yes. So happy.”
He chuckled. “Will you? Marry me?”
“Yes, all the yeses in the world and then more.” She cupped his face and kissed his lips. Ella didn’t care about tradition. This was love. This was happiness.
Dhiro held her tightly against him.
His mother tutted, finally drawing them apart. “You two. There will be plenty of time for that later. For now, let’s get this mating ritual complete.”
She smiled, and Dhiro took her hand. Together, they turned toward the crowd. There were so many people, and she watched in amazement as one by one, they all bowed down to her.
“What’s happening?” she asked.
“They are thanking you, Ella. You have given us hope. You have given us all peace. They know how valuable you are. How precious. You will be forever loved and treated like a princess.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I love you, Dhiro, with all my heart.”
He kissed her, and she felt the love he had for her. This was only the beginning of their life together.
He placed a hand on her stomach, and she felt complete.
The End
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EVERNIGHT P
UBLISHING ®
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BONUS SAMPLE CHAPTER
THE BIKER’S PLAYTHING
Straight to Hell MC, 1
Sam Crescent and Stacey Espino
Copyright © 2021
Sample Chapter
“No, please, no!” The sound of the rat’s squeal filled the air. Seeing as he was standing in his own grave, which Lord had made him dig himself, there was no one to hear.
“You defied our laws. I can’t have that.”
“I’m sorry, Lord. I didn’t know what I was doing. It was a mistake. I’ll do anything. I’m so sorry.”
“Anything?” Lord asked.
“Yes. Please. Anything.”
Lord smiled. “Kiss my feet.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Kiss my fucking feet.”
The hole was big enough for the rat to still reach his boots. He waited. As soon as his lips were close, Lord kicked out, hitting him hard in the face. The man fell back, cupping his jaw, blood flowing between his fingers.
His men all laughed.
They knew the moment a rat was declared, the only sure thing was death.
“Please, what about my daughter? She’s not responsible. Please.”
“Don’t worry. Ally will get the right treatment owed to her by the club. You really should have thought about that before doing what you did.” Pulling out his gun, which he only used to take out rats in the club, he fired one bullet, and it went straight through the man’s head.
He was already in his grave and Lord nodded. Justice had been served. His men clapped their hands, all of them happy with the way this ended.
Brick, his VP, came to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. Lord didn’t like to be touched and shrugged him off. The men knew not to put a hand on him.
“I want the cop next,” Lord said.
The rat, Richard Prixman, had been an accountant of sorts, working at the club’s strip joints. Not only had the son of a bitch been stealing from him, but he’d also decided to use their records to try to bring a case against the club. As if he’d ever allow that to happen.
The club was his life. He protected everyone.
“Get the prospects to clean this shit up.” He kicked some mud at the dead face. “It’s a shame we couldn’t mount his head on a spike to serve as a warning to anyone tempted to turn their backs on us.”
Leaving his mess behind, Lord made his way to the club. One of the club whores was at the bar, cleaning out a glass. He nodded for her to pour him a shot, which she did without question.
After knocking it back, he headed to the parking lot where his bike was ready and waiting.
“You’re not going on your own,” Brick said.
“This is my job.”
“Take Reaper with you. I’ll handle shit here.”
He glared at Brick. “You think I need a babysitter?”
“No, but you do need someone to rein in your anger. Do as you’re asked, please,” Brick said.
Lord raised his brow.
Brick held his hands up. “I don’t mean no disrespect. You know that.”
“Do I? The way I see it, my VP thinks he can tell me what to do.”
“Advise you. That’s it. I don’t want you to hurt yourself or worse, do something you might regret.”
“He’s right,” Reaper said. “You fucking know it, boss.”
He looked between his men. His temper was well known, especially when it came to defending the club, and right now, killing the rat hadn’t satisfied his hunger. When one of his informants called a week ago, he thought it was a joke. It wasn’t. Someone wanted to end his club, and it wasn’t the first time. Between fighting for turf and ending clubs himself through wars, he was used to always looking over his shoulder. When it came to an insider willing to take on him and his club, well, he couldn’t have that. The betrayal was too close to home, and it didn’t help that it had been Richard Prixman. He’d helped that son of a bitch get the job and this was how he got repaid? He was pissed off. No, he was furious.
Usually, killing the person responsible for his shit mood helped to improve it, but it had only made him angrier. He was pissed off and ready to kill even more people.
“Then hurry the fuck up. We know this piece of shit is waiting at a barn out in the middle of nowhere. I don’t have time to waste.” He clicked his fingers. “Oh, and get the rat’s daughter here too.”
“You know Ally doesn’t live with him. She declared emancipation from him when she was fifteen. The girl’s been living on her own ever since,” Brick said.
He didn’t allow himself to get embroiled with his workers’ business. Richard had issues, he got that, but didn’t they all? As far as he was concerned, his only regret was not killing the daughter first, so the rat could have watched her die.
Every one of the men at the club had issues, but he didn’t hold their hands or ask them about their problems. Instead, he liked to stick to the good, old, reliable method of not giving a shit.
“Just do it. You know how this works.”
“Fine. We’ll bring her in.”
Climbing on his bike, he allowed the purr to sink into his senses. The scent of oil, the leather, the roar, it was all sweet magic, but it still didn’t do enough to stem his need for blood. Gripping the handlebars, he revved the engine, not waiting for his enforcer to get ready. He was out of there. He didn’t need a sitter.
Taking the open road, he knew this was where he belonged. For many years, he’d been wandering through life, fighting, hunting, and trying to find himself, when he discovered his place right here in this very club, Straight to Hell MC. It had once been owned by a man who went by King. He’d been the one to rule this place, to have his men bow down at his feet, but greed had set him on a path of destruction. If it hadn’t been for Lord, they’d all be dead, rotting in their graves. Life had certainly taken a dramatic turn.
He hadn’t been prepared to take care of these men, and yet, somehow, he’d managed. He’d been able to take the role of president, to remove all the men with King’s influence, and now the club was exactly how he wanted it. Ruthless men who were one hundred percent loyal to the club, whose motives he didn’t have to question. They would always have his back. And he’d die for them in return.
It didn’t take long for Reaper to catch up with him. His enforcer was one hell of a rider and there was never going to be any way of getting shit past him.
Heading toward town, he noticed many people stopped to watch them. Whenever he decided to venture into town with the club to take care of business, most people tried to keep a wide berth from him. He didn’t mind at all.
Having people near him put him on edge. He was always tempted to reach for his gun, to shoot without giving a fuck when someone pissed him off—that was just his prerogative. So, it was best to keep his distance.
The cop who dared to defy the club lived in a little farmhouse past the town, near a patch of open road. Pulling down the old dirt road, he arrived just in time to see the man himself scamper into his home.
Climbing off his bike, he didn’t wait for Reaper. Instead, he barged into the house, grabbing the cop by the back of the neck and throwing him across the room. He landed against a ceramic urn that shattered.
“So, you think you can just take my money, and then turn rat on me?”
“No, please,” the cop said.
Grabbing him by the hair, he dragged him outside, ready to kill him.
“Wait,” Reaper said.
Lord held the gun up, ready to train it on Reaper. “You’re sticking up for this piece of shit? Did you turn rat on me as well?” He’d kill any man within the club who even thought of turning against the Straight to Hell MC. This was a blood loyalty, live or die. There was no getting out unless you were six feet under.
Simple as fucking that.
“What if we got him to bring in the daughter?” Reaper asked.
“What?”
“The rat
’s kid. You wanted her. I could call Brick off, and this guy could bring her straight to us. We take care of both problems then.”
“Yes, don’t kill me. I’m sorry. It was all Richard’s idea. He said we could do it if I followed his orders.”
Lord kicked him away. “You think I want to hear what a weak-ass piece of shit you are? It doesn’t surprise me you’d rather save your own ass by luring a woman here.”
He stepped back.
His need for blood was strong, but he couldn’t have the daughter out there running her mouth off. He didn’t know the full extent of Richard’s relationship with his kid. They may not be on speaking terms, but that didn’t mean they didn’t talk on the phone, and club business was at stake. He wasn’t going to take any risks.
“You’ve got one week. Bring me Richard’s kid, and I’ll see how generous I am as to whether I let you walk away.” He wouldn’t. The only reason he was going to use this bastard was for a means to an end. This entire shitshow needed to be cleaned up. With a cop locating the daughter, he didn’t have to deal with potential damage control when it came to bringing her here.
All this had done was make his life easier and prolonged the cop’s until she arrived.
Then he’d get to have his blood.
****
“Law?” Becky asked.
“Yes, law. As in becoming a lawyer. You know, protecting the innocent and sending rotting assholes to jail?” Ally said.
“I know what law and becoming a lawyer is all about, but isn’t that, like, really hard?”
Ally couldn’t help but laugh, putting down a shot glass before turning away to deal with another customer. She loved her job and Riches Bar, and the tips paid well. The hours were crazy, but she was able to afford rent and even consider going to law school. Of course, if she did actually decide to go through with her plan, she was going to be so fucking broke. The thought of the debt alone was enough to make her cry.