by Sam Crescent
Forge climbed onto his bike and he turned over his ignition.
He had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to ask Sable to marry him, to show the whole club who she belonged to.
There was no point in waiting.
Riding into the clubhouse, he caught sight of her mother and sister. As usual, they were sitting in the laps of a couple of the club men. In the distance, he actually saw Sable hanging out laundry. No one offered to help her.
Once again, she was all on her own.
Beth came running out of the kitchen with an apron wrapped around her waist and flour decorating her cheek.
She was the only person within the club who wanted anything to do with his woman. Well, he was done with it.
Beth threw herself into Forge’s arms, kissing him like she needed him to breathe or something.
“Sable,” he called, shouting to be heard over the noise.
She lifted her head and glanced at him.
“Get your ass over here.”
She shook her head, finished putting the item of clothing back on the line, and walked over to him.
Taking hold of her hands, he stroked his thumb across her knuckles.
“You’re beautiful,” he said.
She smiled.
Damn, she made him ache for all the right reasons. Reaching out, he pushed some of her hair back from her face. She was perfection.
Beautiful.
Sweet.
All his.
No other man had ever touched her.
He wasn’t going to let anyone else know just how perfect she was.
Slowly, he got down on one knee and all conversation in the yard stopped. The club was focused on him.
“Sable, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You’re kind, beautiful, and what’s more, you saved yourself for me. I was an idiot. I thought you were with everyone, but not once did you sleep with them. You saved yourself for me. You’ve loved me for so long and I tried to ignore it, but I don’t want to anymore. I love you, Sable. I have always loved you and having you as my wife would be the greatest gift a man could ever ask for. You’ve been loyal to the club. Put your life in danger for us. I ask you to give me a chance. To let me love you, to show you what it means to be an old lady of this club. Sable, will you marry me?”
Tears filled her eyes. She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“What?”
“Yes, yes, yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
He slid the ring onto her finger and stood, wrapping his arms around her, picking her up, and swinging her in the air.
Damn.
He’d never been so scared in his life.
Cupping her face, he took possession of her lips and she moaned, tilting her head back.
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?” he asked.
“Not even a little bit but I’m starting to get the idea.”
Suddenly, his woman was pulled away from him by Beth, who hugged her tightly. “I want to help you plan the wedding.”
Sable laughed. “Okay. Okay. But it’s not going to be in a church. I’d like to get married here. At the clubhouse.”
“You have to wear white,” Dog said.
She groaned.
“I want my wife in a white dress so I can tear it off you that night and make you mine completely.”
“You’re crazy,” she said.
“Crazy in love with you.” He took her into his arms again.
Forge hugged her and offered his congratulations. So did many of the men of the club. When Honey and Sweetheart stepped up, Sable was already in his arms, and he turned a glare on them.
Sweetheart went to open her mouth but suddenly Forge was there.
“I’ve had enough of the two of you,” he said. “If I so much as hear one bad word out of your mouths about this woman, you’re done. I won’t have rotten filth spreading its way into my club. I don’t like it. I’ve never liked it, and it’s not going to start now. Sable’s one of us. She’s done more for this club than the two of you combined. I pick her over you.” Forge put his arm around his woman and left.
Dog had heard enough. Picking Sable up, he carried her through to the clubhouse.
“Dog, you’re being so rude.”
“The guys will understand that I’m stealing my future wife away so I can fill her with my babies.”
“Babies?”
“Yes, don’t you want some? I want loads. That’s how I want to see you—a nice big stomach, full of my babies.” He kicked open his door and did the same with his foot, closing it.
Dropping her to the bed, he didn’t break contact.
“You’re insatiable.”
“I can’t get enough of you. I’ve wasted too much time not having you. Do you really think I’m going to let another moment go where I don’t claim you? Where the entire world doesn’t know you’re mine?”
“I don’t know how I got so lucky.” She cupped his face, kissing his lips. He opened the button of her jeans, sliding his hand inside to find her wet heat.
He was determined to fuck her, to fill her with his cum. He wanted Sable pregnant. Tied to him in every single way and he was going to make sure she never knew pain or heartache again.
He’d protect her. He was the only one who could.
“You’re thinking way too much. Make love to me, Dog. Make me yours.”
****
Sable wasn’t trying to gloat even though the ring on her finger was fast becoming a distraction. Cleaning, cooking, doing the dishes, she found herself still admiring it.
So perfect.
So pretty.
She was going to belong to Dog. In her heart, she’d always belonged to him. This ring didn’t change that, but it certainly made her feel so many different emotions. Above everyone else, Dog had picked her. Knowing he loved her and didn’t want to use her just for her body, she felt on cloud freaking nine. He loved her and every morning, he was there, smiling down at her, making her believe they were going to be okay.
Standing in the kitchen, making herself a coffee, she’d drifted into her own fantasy world, seeing a little boy and girl, both wearing leather cuts, running around the clubhouse.
Someone cleared their throat, and she turned to see Honey standing in the doorway.
Ever since Forge had warned her mother and sister, both had avoided her like the plague.
“I never got the chance to offer you congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
She poured hot water into her coffee cup.
“I saw the way you were with that cop.”
Sable dropped the kettle pot down and turned to look at her sister, shaking her head. “No, what you got to see was an act. That was all it was. An act. I never wanted him. Why is it so impossible for you to believe that I love this place?”
“You never partied. It’s clear you never took any of the men to your bed.”
“I only ever wanted Dog. He was the only man I ever wanted and even when he didn’t look at me, he’s … I love this club. I would die for this club. They’re my family. I thought you and Mom would see past the act and help. But no, you two just wanted to see what you thought. That I was no good. That there had to be a reason for how I was, because you just couldn’t accept the fact I loved one man.”
Honey held her hands up. “I get it. I’m sorry. We’ve always been different, you and I. I guess, I don’t know what I guess. I … I’m sorry.” Honey dropped her hands, rubbing them down her body. “I wanted to see the bad in you. You’ve always been the good one. No matter what I do, people always seem to light up in your company, and for once, I was the good sister.”
“It’s not a competition. The men love you.”
“And I know that no matter what, not one of them is going to look at me the way Dog looks at you. I’ve seen it. He worships you.”
Sable smiled. “He does?”
“Yeah. I’ve seen the way he looked at you in the past, and it hasn’t changed.” Honey lau
ghed. “You’re going to get married. Be Dog’s old lady. I am a little jealous but I hope in time, you can forgive me.” Honey blew out a breath. “I’m not just saying that because this is my only home. I do mean that. You’re my sister.”
“Even though you offered yourself up to my man?” Sable asked.
Honey groaned. “He told you about that?”
“Dog and I, we don’t keep many secrets.” She smiled, thinking about her life with Dog. “I can’t believe he asked me to marry him. I keep replaying it in my head.”
“Do you think you’re ever going to be able to forgive me?” Honey asked.
“There’s a delivery out front,” someone yelled, interrupting.
Sable rolled her eyes. “Hold that thought. I’ll go and see what it is.”
“I don’t think you should go,” Honey said.
“Don’t worry about it.” She dried her hands on a towel, walking through the club. Outside, a white van had reversed up. It looked like a delivery van. The club was constantly getting packages. If Forge left Beth alone for five minutes with the internet, that woman could spend for hours.
The man held a clipboard and she quickly signed it, not even looking at what Beth could have possible purchased.
“It’s around the side.”
Honey came out of the clubhouse and Sable turned to look at her.
“Sable, run!” Honey screamed.
It was too late.
Sable was pulled inside the van. Even as she tried to get away, someone punched her jaw, sending her crashing to the floor.
This wasn’t a delivery.
Stars danced across her vision and sickness flooded her body.
“You think you could get away from me?” Hank said. “Not a chance. I can wait. I’m a patient guy.”
“And you better be even more fucking patient.” She heard Grass speak from somewhere.
Hank grabbed her hands, pressing them either side of her head. She cried out, fighting against him.
“Please, let me go.” She cried out as he slapped her, hard.
She knew he had a mean streak. She’d watched him on the job so many times and knew firsthand that he was a monster.
Only now, she was the intended victim. When he wanted something from her, he’d been the perfect gentleman.
“Not a chance. You think you can tease me with that dirty pussy? I can’t believe I fucking waited, but that’s okay. You want to play us, well, we’re going to play you. I’m going to know every single thing about you, and I’m going to make sure that asshole wants nothing to do with you by the time I’m through.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” she said.
Hank laughed. Only this man didn’t look like he was capable of talking. He was possessed with the need for vengeance.
“Hank, please. Take me back and they won’t hurt you.”
She gasped as he suddenly pressed the point of a blade against her face. Fear clawed up her spine, threatening to spill over.
The tears that filled her eyes finally leaked out. Sickness rushed over her.
“I wonder if he would still want you if you’re all messed up. If you didn’t look pretty but were actually so fucking ugly you made him vomit just looking at you.”
“Hank, please.”
“Hank, please.” He mimicked her voice, his face twisting as he spoke. “You thought you could take from me. That I didn’t see what was happening. I should have known.” He made absolutely no sense. She’d played him. He’d thought he won, but she’d been the perfect actress. Not once had he seen through her act. It was news to her because she truly thought several times she’d messed up. Points for her.
“I’m going to show you that no one tries to mess with me and gets away with it. One day, Grass will be back on top and all that evidence your disgusting club thought they had will disappear. We’ll own the town. We’ll own them, and as for you, you’ll be nothing but a fucking memory.”
The blade pressed again.
She could be silent, or she could fight.
The thought of death scared her. Hank could stab her right here and she’d bleed out.
She didn’t want to go down without fighting. The club was her family. She’d fight for them.
Even as she wanted to burst into tears, she started to laugh. This wasn’t funny. Nothing about what was going to happen was funny.
“What the fuck are you laughing at?” Hank asked.
She’d startled him and he’d loosened his grip. Turning to her side, she covered her mouth and put a hand to her stomach, giving in to the wave of hysteria that had overtaken her.
“What’s going on back there?” Grass asked.
What the hell am I doing? This is completely nuts. I’m going to die.
She shook Hank off as he tried to touch her. Scooting away from him, she turned to finally look at him. Now that she was sitting, staring at him, she wasn’t the one in a vulnerable position. If Hank was going to come at her with a knife, she’d be ready. Not that she could do anything.
“I’m so sorry.” She giggled for good measure.
“You think this is funny?”
“Yes. You think you’re going to make the guys pay, and that you’d somehow own this town. Did you two even look in the mirror? I was at that party. You were selling women who didn’t want to be there. You think you’re better than the club? You’re worse.”
Hank glared at her. “Those women were given a second chance. They should be grateful.”
“Those women were stolen. You call the club scum. You think you’re above them but you’re not. You’re beneath them. You always have been. It’s why you’ve got to fight to try and rid yourself of the dirty that clings to your skin.” Anger filled the void of fear, taking over. She needed to shut up, but after listening to Hank’s insults of the club, and knowing what they had planned, she was done acting like the dumb woman who was looking for a hero. She was through acting scared.
If he thought she was going to go down quietly, he was mistaken. She’d fight all the way.
Hands clenched at her sides, she stared Hank right in the eye.
“You will never win because you’re weak. You’re pathetic, and the real scum is you.”
Chapter Eleven
He grabbed her by the hair, dragging her toward him. Pain shot through her entire body, but she refused to cry out and give him the satisfaction. He wasn’t thick and muscular like most of the men in the Hell’s Slaves, but he was still stronger than her. And angry.
“I was doing you a favor. You were my charity case,” he said. “How many men would offer to rehabilitate a slut?”
“You’re a pig,” she said. “And just as much an actor as I ever was.”
“No, I was actually falling for you. That’s where we’re different. I’m a human being. I saw potential, even though it was hard to overlook your past. But it wasn’t really your past at all. You’re a club whore for life.”
“You don’t know me at all. All you wanted to do was own me.”
“Well, now you’ll be going down with your precious club. And that muscle-bound heathen you ride with? He’ll be the first to go.”
“Leave him alone,” she said.
She thought of Dog and how much she loved him. A wave of desperation crept over her as she imagined him dead or locked up in jail for the rest of her life.
Hank laughed, rocking her back and forth by the hair. She tried to grab at his wrists, but the angle was too awkward and the van was driving erratically, jostling them from side to side.
He finally shoved her away and she fell to her ass. “They’re right behind us. Do you think the Hell’s Slaves will just give up and turn around? No matter what you do to me, they’ll get their revenge on you. Trust me, it won’t be pretty.”
He winked. “That’s what we’re hoping for.”
She asked him what he was talking about, over and over, but he stopped speaking. What were they going to do? She didn’t see any firepower in the back of the van.
What the hell were they planning?
Sable hugged her legs to her chest in the corner of the van. She tried to replay the events in her head, wondering what she could have done differently. But delivery vans just like this one came and went frequently, so she’d thought nothing of it. Even the guards at the gates let Hank in without a second thought.
She remembered the note pinned to the gates not long ago. Was Hank going to kill her? Bury her in a shallow grave just to settle a score with Dog and the club?
No way would she let her nerves get control now, not with the guys so close behind. She had to have hope they’d rescue her and end all this madness once and for all.
“Get ready back there. Two minutes. Make sure she keeps quiet,” said Grass from the small window at the front of the van. “She’s going to have a lot of fun tonight.” Then he laughed and laughed, sending chills running up her spine. Although she wasn’t a virgin anymore, she belonged to Dog. Would he even want her once she was violated by strangers? All her dreams were coming true and now this…
Hank approached her and forced a strip of duct tape over her mouth. He grabbed her by the upper arm and pulled her out as soon as the outside door slid open. She scanned the area, searching for Dog, Forge, a Hell’s Slaves bike. Anything.
Weren’t they hot on their trail?
All was silent. There were so many identical vans around them that it was a maze just to get away from them. She was tugged and pushed through the rows of vans until they reached a small helicopter pad. Grass was on his cell phone, shouting as the static of the helicopter blades grew louder as they neared.
Hank ripped the tape off her lips.
“Hope you’re not afraid of heights.”
“Where are you taking me? The club will find me,” she said.
“Look around, Sable. No one’s coming for you. You’re too much trouble, even for them. I was the only one willing to take a chance on you. But you’re just a two-faced rat. And I don’t offer second chances.”
She tried to tug her arm away without success. “I don’t want a second chance. You’re supposed to be a police officer. What happened to law and order?”