by Kay Marie
I walk out to the main room, not paying attention to much of anything except the shit on my mind. Bull needs me and a couple of other guys to go out on a run. We still haven’t heard anything more about the cartel, so it’s business as usual, with a bit of added protection. We’ll be taking guns to Colorado and bringing back some weed from our supplier. It’s about a fifteen-hour drive and we could easily drive it in a day, but Bull wants us to split it into two days. He doesn’t want us to risk drawing unwanted attention to ourselves or getting pulled over for something stupid. We’ll be gone a minimum of five days.
“Bro, are you alright?” Shade says, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine. Just got some shit on my mind,” I tell him.
“You haven’t told her about the run yet, have you,” he asks. I shake my head.
“Emma is in the room with her. I figured I’d let her hang out with her for a couple of hours then I’ll tell her.”
“How do you think she’s gonna take it?” He moves to one side of the couch and I sit on the opposite side.
“She’ll be upset, no doubt,” I say. “We just got each other back and now I have to leave for at least five days.”
“That fucking sucks,” Shade replies. “Have you thought about who you’re gonna take with you yet?”
“Nah, not yet.”
“I’ll go,” he tells me. I turn to him.
“What about your sister,” I ask. His sister, Wren, has been acting off and he hasn’t been able to get her to tell him what’s going on. He shrugs.
“Even if I stay, she’s not gonna tell me what the fuck is going on. As long as she agrees to stay here, it’ll be fine,” he explains.
“That’s pretty much my thought process with Cali.” I chuckle. At the moment, Wren, Rivet, and Sketch walk into the clubhouse. “Sketch has been spending a lot of time around her lately.”
“She doesn’t trust the prospects as much as the patched brothers. She seems to be more comfortable around Sketch,” Shade says. “Fuck if I know why though.”
I laugh and he rolls his eyes. The girls sit at the bar while Sketch gets them both something to drink.
“Maybe if she won’t talk to me, she’ll talk to him,” Shade suggests.
“Maybe. You are her brother. Whatever it is, she knows you’ll overreact about it,” I tell him.
“She’s my sister. I should be able to watch out for her and take care of whatever is bothering her so much.” He gets defensive. “It’s probably her piece of shit boyfriend she won’t let me meet.”
“She might not tell you everything, but at least she talks to you. Ellie only talks to me once a month,” I tell him. “She’s still holding a grudge for me being in Arizona for so long.”
“Yeah, it could definitely be worse,” he admits. Sketch says something to the girls before he comes to join us.
“What’s going on?” He sits on the couch across from us.
“Just trying to figure out who’s coming with me on this run,” I tell him.
“Oh yeah? How’s that going?”
“I’m gonna go with him as long as Wren promises to stay here at the clubhouse so she can stay protected,” Shade says.
“I’m sure she’ll be okay,” Sketch tells him.
“You think so, huh?”
“She’s stayed here this long, hasn’t she? I doubt she’s ready to go back home yet. Her roommate has been working nights, leaving Wren by herself pretty much every night,” Sketch explains.
“Man, fuck. It’s bullshit she tells you things and won’t talk to me.” Shade hangs his head. I slap him on his shoulder.
“It’s gonna be alright. She’ll come around,” I tell him.
“So, who else you planning on taking with you,” Sketch asks me.
“I’m gonna ask Rascal and Kicks if they’re down to go.”
We bullshit for an hour or so before I decide to go talk to Rascal and Kicks. I find them out back playing a game of bags. It’s only supposed to be in the seventies today, so we’ll still have our weekly BBQ. The only time we don’t have it is if it’s below fifty, which doesn’t happen often, or if it’s raining.
“How’s it going out here?” I say to them as I walk up.
“Not bad,” Kicks replies. “It’s actually a little peaceful out here.”
“What’s up,” Rascal asks.
“Bull wants me and a few guys to make a run out to Denver,” I tell them.
“And you want to know if we want to go with you,” Rascal states it instead of asking.
“Shit, I’m down!” Kicks responds.
“Thanks, Kicks. What about you Rascal? You down to go? Five days minimum,” I tell him.
“Yeah, why not,” he says.
“Awesome. I’ll tell Bull. Thanks.” I give them both fist bumps and head inside. When I walk back into the clubhouse, Cali and Emma are at the bar with Rivet and Wren. A smile lights up Cali’s face. She doesn’t see me right away so I take the time to watch her. She acts like she’s known Rivet and Wren her whole life. It gives me peace of mind knowing she gets along with everyone so well.
She shouldn’t have any problems staying here while I’m gone. Even if Lexus or any of the other cut bunnies try to give her problems, she’ll be able to stand her ground. She proved that last night. Thinking about it makes me smile. I make my way over to her.
“Hey, Buster.” She jumps out of her chair, still smiling and walks over to me. She wraps her arms around me and I give her a quick kiss.
“That’s gonna take some getting used to,” I say so only she can hear me.
“Yeah, tell me about it.” She lets out a light laugh.
“Hey, can we go talk for a second,” I ask her. Her face sobers.
“Uh, sure. What’s up?”
“It’s nothing too serious,” I tell her, leading her over to the couch. I pull her onto my lap so I can be closer to her. “Bull needs me and a few of the guys to make a run to Colorado.”
“Oh.” She lets out a breath she had been holding and I give her a small smile. “How long will you be gone for?”
“At a minimum, five days.”
“That’s not too bad. I can go back to my apartment while you’re gone,” she mumbles more so to herself.
“Actually, I was hoping you would stay here,” I tell her. She looks at me with a questioning look. “It would give me peace of mind knowing you’re here and you’re safe. Plus, Minx, Rivet, and Wren will still be here and Emma can stay too. Y’all can stay at Minx’s house, or you can stay in my room.”
“I suppose I could do that,” she smirks. I kiss the tip of her nose. “When do you have to leave.”
“Tomorrow morning. I’m going to go talk to Bull as soon as we’re done talking to work out the details.”
Cali sighs and leans into me. I wrap my arms around her waist and squeeze her.
“Cali, come back over here! We’re trying to plan a girls’ night and need you to help,” Rivet shouts at her. Cali groans.
“Go on, babe. A girls’ night will be good for you,” I tell her.
“But you’re leaving tomorrow and I want to spend time with you.” She pouts her lips at me.
“We can still spend time together. I need to go talk to Bull. I’ll come back for you.” I kiss her and pat the side of her leg. She slowly stands but doesn’t move to go back to the bar. I stand and pull her into me for a hug. She squeezes me like she’s never going to see me again.
“It’s gonna be okay, Sólnyshka. I’ll be back before you have a chance to miss me and I’ll call every night,” I tell her. She perks up a little and lets me go. I walk her over to the bar where the girls are still sitting. “I’ll come back for you when I’m done talking with Bull.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Buster
I walk down the hall to Bull’s office. Stopping at his door, I rap my knuckles on it twice.
“Yeah?” Bull shouts. I open the door. “Hey Buster, come on in.”
I
walk in and sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk.
“I got three guys going with me on the run. I thought you and I could work out the details. Then I can pass it along to them,” I explain.
“That’s fine. Who’s going with you?”
“Shade and Kicks offered to come. I asked Rascal if he would ride along too,” I tell him. Bull nods his head.
“Those are good men to go. Did you tell them where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ll be meeting with Declan tomorrow night in Amarillo. Wednesday, you’ll meet with Orlov’s man, Taras, in the morning and with Blaze later in the day.” He hands me a piece of paper. “This is everything you need for each meeting.”
I read the paper. It shows we’ll be getting six crates from Declan to take to Taras, and from Blaze, we’ll get five pounds and a box of five hundred. It doesn’t say anything about the products we’re dealing with in case we have a run-in with the cops.
“Looks good,” I reply. “Do you mind if Cali stays here? She and Emma can stay in my room, or at the house with Rivet and Wren.”
“Are you claiming her,” he asks.
“Yes, sir, I am,” I tell him and he nods.
“She’s welcome to stay here. We’ll keep her safe,” he responds. He would have told me that even if I told him I wasn’t claiming her. She’s the Pakhan’s daughter and since the Bratva is our ally, she would be safe no matter what.
“I’m actually planning to ask her to marry me,” I admit to Bull. A grin spreads across his face.
“A little soon for marriage, don’t you think?
“Not really. We met when we were kids. I was a dumb ass before and walked away from what we had. She’s it though. She’s my endgame,” I explain to him.
“Good for you, gettin’ your head outta your ass before it’s too late. She’s a good girl,” he tells me.
“Thank you, sir.”
I leave his office once we’re done talking. I decide to recruit Minx and the girls to help me with my plan.
To Minx: I need your help with something.
From Minx: What’s up?
To Minx: Meet me by your dad’s office. Bring no one.
I lean against the wall and wait for Minx. After a couple of minutes, she comes walking down the hallway.
“What’s going on,” she asks as she gets closer.
“I need you, Emma, Rivet, and Wren to help me plan a proposal to Cali,” I tell her. Minx screeches and I shush her.
“Would you calm down?” I whisper-shout at her.
“Are you for real right now?” She whisper-shouts back.
“Yes, I’m being serious. Why would I joke about this?
“Eeeeeek!” She throws her arms around me, squeezing me in a hug. “I’m so happy and excited for you. Of course, I’ll help. I’m sure the girls will be on board too.”
“Thanks, Minx. I appreciate it,” I tell her.
“So, what do you need us to do?”
“I’m gonna go get her so we can spend time together before I leave tomorrow. While I have her, can you see if you can get some ideas for what kind of ring she would like?” I say to her.
“Yeah, no problem.” She pauses. “Wait, you’re leaving tomorrow? Where are you going?”
“I’m going on a run. I’ll be back by Friday,” I tell her. “Cali is staying here, in my room, while I’m gone.”
“When are you wanting to propose to her?”
“I was hoping for Saturday, but I’m not sure how I should do it,” I state.
“We can work with that. Leave it to us. I’ll get the girls to help me brainstorm some ideas and I’ll pass along what we come up with,” she suggests.
“Sounds good, Minx. Thanks.”
“No problem.” She beams.
“Is it going to be a problem for you to keep this a secret from Cali?” I laugh.
“What? No!” she responds. I laugh again.
“Okay,” I tell her. “I trust you.”
“Now, go get her. Go spend time with her.” She shoos me away. I shake my head, smiling, and walk out to the main room. I look around and don’t see the girls anywhere.
“Sketch and Mouse took them outside,” Shade calls from behind the bar.
“Thanks, brother.” I walk outside and the girls are at one picnic table, while Sketch and Mouse are at another. Cali lifts her head and her eyes connect with mine. She says something to the girls, stands, and walks over to me.
“Get everything figured out?” She wraps her arms around me and looks up.
“Sure did. Now, I’m all yours.” I kiss her forehead. “Come on.”
I put an arm around her shoulders and we walk toward the backyard of Minx’s house.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see,” I tell her. When the pallet swing comes into view, Cali gasps. It faces a small garden full of colorful flowers.
“Oh my gosh. It’s beautiful!”
“I thought you’d like it over here,” I tell her. “Wren and Minx planted all of these.”
“I wish I had more of a green thumb,” she admits, climbing onto the swing.
“If you’re serious about it, talk to Wren. Shade has mentioned she’s loved gardening since she was a kid.” I climb onto the swing next to her. “Kind of like you with your baking.”
“Maybe we can trade tips.” Cali laughs.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I tell her. I pull her into my side. “You’ll have lots of time to get to know the girls more this week.”
“Don’t remind me,” she groans. “It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with them. I like them, but we just found each other again. Now, you have to leave.”
Placing a finger under her chin, I tilt her face up.
“I’ll be back Friday. It’ll be here before you know it.” I lean my head down and connect my lips with hers. She opens her mouth enough for me to slide my tongue in. She moans into my mouth, making my dick hard. I can never get enough of this woman. When I pull back, she’s breathing like I stole her breath away and is staring at me with lust-filled eyes. She slides off the swing, watching me as she does.
“Let’s go inside.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cali
“You’re already tired of sitting out here?” Ryan smirks at me. He’s aware of what he’s doing to me and now he’s teasing me more. He scoots to the edge of the swing and holds a hand out. I grab his hand and move to stand between his legs. With his other hand, he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. “You know if I didn’t have to go on this run, I wouldn’t, right?”
“Yes, but like you said, it’s only for a few days. Who knows, maybe I’ll finally sit and plan the holiday menu for A Novel Bunch,” I tell him.
“Promise me if you leave the clubhouse, you’ll take one of the brothers or prospects.” I’ve never seen him so serious before.
“Of course, I will,” I promise him.
“I want you to be safe. I trust these guys with my life but it’s killing me I’m not gonna be the one protecting you while I’m away,” he explains. I cup his face with both of my hands and look him in the eyes.
“We’ll talk every night. You can text me to check on me whenever you need to, but it’s going to be okay. If you trust these guys, so do I. I won’t go anywhere alone. I will be here when you get back,” I promise him. I may have let it slip before that I still love him. He has no idea just how much I actually do. I plan on telling him, but not quite yet.
“It’s only five days, but I have so much lost time to make up for,” he admits.
“Oh, Ryan.” I drop my hands from his face. I move one hand around the back of his head, running my nails lightly against his head. “We’ll have all the time in the world when you come back.”
He leans his forehead against mine and sighs.
“You’re pretty perfect. You know that?”
“Far from it, but thank you.” I take a step back
, grabbing his hand and gently tugging it to get him to stand. He finally stands, wraps an arm around my shoulder and we head back to the clubhouse.
We get closer to the clubhouse and everyone who was outside before is nowhere to be seen.
“Where did everyone go?” I meant to say it in my head but said it out loud instead.
“They’re probably all inside or around back. Kicks and Rascal were getting ready to fire up the grill not too long ago,” Ryan explains.
“That makes sense,” I giggle. We walk into the clubhouse and there are only a few brothers in here. They lift their heads in a greeting as we walk by. When we get to Ryan’s room, he opens the door and gestures for me to go in first. As I walk by him, he smacks my ass.
“Aah!” I turn around and Ryan has his stupid, sexy smirk on his face. He takes a step toward me and I take a step back. Closing the door behind himself, he continues toward me. Grinning at him, I keep stepping backward until I run into his bed and sit. His smirk grows.
“Now where are ya gonna go, Sunshine?” Staring at him, I give him a sly smile. I grab onto his belt to undo it, but he grabs my wrists, stopping me.
“Uh-uh, babe.” He pulls at my hands so I stand. He slides his hand along the side of my neck and jawline, caressing my cheek with his thumb. He leans in like he’s going to kiss me, but moves his mouth right by my ear instead. “I’m taking control tonight.”
A chill goes down my spine and I squeeze my legs together, trying to dull the ache. He presses kisses along my jaw, moving to my neck. He lightly bites and sucks the spot where my neck and shoulder meet. A moan slips from my mouth. He takes a step back and his eyes slide over me like he’s a starved animal and I’m his next meal.
“Take your clothes off,” he commands. Part of me wants to throw some sass at him, but the other part, the part that wins, actually does what he says. I start with my jeans, sliding them off slowly. I don’t take my eyes off his. I grab the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head, tossing it to the floor. I have never felt sexier than I do at this moment, standing in front of him in nothing but my bra and panties. He takes his shirt off, stepping forward so he’s right in my space.