by Harley Wylde
“Agreed,” Tank said. “Get Wire to do some digging. Tell him to drop everything else until we know if Lupita is in danger.”
My heart clenched. It was obvious Tank felt something for my sister, and it hurt. At the same time, I was grateful he was going to help her and keep her safe. She moaned on the bed and her hand twitched, then she quieted and lay still. If her chest wasn’t rising and falling, I’d have worried she was dead.
“Come on, Emmie. You don’t need to see her like this,” Tank said. “Flicker will keep an eye on her until the doc arrives.”
Flicker nodded. “Won’t leave her side.”
I nodded and Tank led me from the room. He guided me into another bedroom, and as I looked around, I realized it was his. He pulled a T-shirt from a drawer and then tugged me into the bathroom. Setting the shirt on the counter, he then turned to the tub and started running water so hot that steam rose from it.
“You’re going to take a bath and try to calm down,” Tank said. “I know you’re worried about your sister, but I promise we’ll get her whatever help she needs. All right?”
“You care for her, don’t you?” I asked softly, hating myself in that moment. My sister could be lying in there dying, and I was worried about Tank’s feelings for her. It made me feel so damn low.
He gently gripped my chin and tilted my head back. My gaze locked on his and he stared hard for a moment, then his lips crashed against mine. I couldn’t stop the whimper that rose in my throat and I pressed closer to him. Tank wrapped an arm around my waist and held me tight against his body as his mouth devoured mine. Feeling his hard body pressed against my rather ample curves made my panties wet. He ground his cock against me and I tangled my fingers in the hair at the base of his neck.
“Tank,” I said softly as he drew away, but didn’t release me.
“Zach. Call me Zach,” he said, then he kissed me again. It wasn’t until the water overflowed the tub that he pulled away.
He reached over and shut off the tap, then let the water drain.
“I thought you wanted me to take a bath,” I said.
“Changed my mind. If I know you’re in here naked, I’ll be too damn distracted to get answers from Agent Montoya.”
“Lupita,” I said. “I’m sure she gave you permission to use her name.”
“No, she didn’t. And she sure as fuck doesn’t know my real name.” He licked his lips, then kissed me once more. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I walked into the diner three weeks ago and saw you, but you seemed scared, so I kept my distance.”
He led me back into the bedroom, but didn’t seem ready to release me just yet. I wasn’t going to complain. I liked the feel of his hand holding mine, the way I’d felt pressed against him. And those kisses?
“Eating at the diner every day during my shift is keeping your distance?” I asked with some amusement.
“It was the best I could do. Staying away from you was impossible. Your sister is going to kick my ass, but I can’t have you thinking I want her and not you. Yeah, I flirted with her, chased her a little, but I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want you, Emmie. Don’t doubt for a second I want you in my bed.”
“Go check on Lupita,” I said. “I’ll be there in a second. I just… need a minute.”
He looked down at his cock, clearly outlined in the denim clinging to him. “Don’t think you’re the only one.”
Flicker cleared his throat at the doorway, not looking at either of us. “Not to interrupt since it seems you’re having a moment and all, but Dr. Myron is here. And Lupita is awake.”
Tank pulled away from me, ran a hand down his face, then gave me one last heated look before he left the bedroom. I gave myself a moment to calm my racing heart, then went to check on my sister.
Chapter Three
Tank
Emmie stuck close to me when I checked on her sister, close enough I could feel the heat of her body through my clothes. My cock was still semi-hard, and there wasn’t a fucking thing I could do it hide it. Lupita looked from me to her sister and a darkness flashed in her eyes, until Dr. Myron pressed on a rib, and then she grimaced and started cursing in Spanish. She’d stripped to a bra and panties, not caring who saw her partially naked. The woman was covered head to toe in massive bruises, and a few areas were swelling. I didn’t know how the fuck she’d made it here in this condition, or why she was here for that matter. She hadn’t said much of anything yet.
“I know you’re in pain, and I’m sure the doc here will give you something good, but first I have a few questions,” I said.
She nodded. “I know.”
“Are you on the run?” I asked.
“I was given my freedom, but it came with conditions,” Lupita said.
“What kind of conditions?” Flicker asked.
“The kind that mean I can never work in law enforcement again, which was a given after I was sentenced to prison. I also had to turn over some of the evidence I had against some pretty big fish in the government offices. In exchange for my silence, they set me free.”
Flicker waved a hand toward her battered body. “So did you piss off the wrong person on the way here?”
“Something like that. One of the men decided he didn’t trust me to keep quiet, so he hired some muscle to take me out.” Lupita’s lips twisted. “Didn’t quite work out as they’d planned. They look worse.”
“How did you get away from them?” Emmie asked. “You can’t even walk!”
“Had some help.” Lupita glanced at me and Flicker. “Hades Abyss. Fox happened to be in the area and heard me fighting them off. Came and saved my ass at the last second.”
“He bring you here?” I asked.
“Dropped me at the gates. One of your Prospects helped me get to your door. Knew you’d take in little sis if I sent her your way.” She smiled a little. “Figured you wouldn’t be able to resist a chance to get in my good graces.”
I glanced at Emmie and gave her a wink, hoping she didn’t buy into Lupita’s bullshit. Like I gave a fuck about being on her good side? She made it sound like I had a thing for her, and yeah, I’d chased her but just for fun. I focused on Lupita again. “We had a slight misunderstanding when she arrived, but it’s squared away now.”
“What kind of misunderstanding?” Lupita asked, her voice hardening.
“A Prospect thought she was just some groupie and wouldn’t let her in. I was present when your dad and her supposed fiancé showed up where she was working. If I’d known about her sooner, I’d have brought her here,” I said. “The Prospect has been dealt with.”
Lupita leveled a glare at Emmie. “I told you to come to me if they turned you away. It wasn’t safe for you to be outside of these gates.”
I decided not to mention exactly where Emmie had been staying before now. Her sister would likely lose it if she knew her precious baby sister had been in the worst part of town, in a motel known for prostitution and drugs. Some things were just better left unsaid.
“I didn’t have enough money to drive back,” Emmie said. “It’s fine. I worked at the diner for a short time, and then Tank discovered who I was and brought me here.”
“Couldn’t have one sister so you quickly made a move on the younger one?” Lupita asked. “I knew you’d watch out for her, but I didn’t count on you trying to get in her pants. She’s a virgin, you know? You’d chew her up and spit her out.”
“I know you’re in pain, and I’m sorry for what happened to you. My club is grateful that you stepped in and helped Wraith stay out of prison so he could be there for Rin and their kid, but I won’t stand here and listen to you talk about Emmie like she’s less than you.”
“I love my sister,” Lupita said. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have risked my life in order to ensure her safety here at the compound. Just figured you’d keep it in your pants. The way you came after me, Emmie doesn’t exactly seem like your type. Or is anyone in a skirt good enough?”
“And I think it’s time I gi
ve her that injection,” Dr. Myron said. He had the syringe ready and before Lupita could protest, he jabbed the needle into her arm and depressed the plunger. She glowered at him and he pulled the needle free, capping it and putting it away. “I’ll properly dispose of the syringe when I’m back at the office. That should kick in within a few minutes, and she’ll be more pleasant. I think.”
“Go check on Emmie,” Flicker said. “I’ll stay here.”
I looked at Lupita one last time, then walked out with Dr. Myron. Before I was out of earshot, I heard Flicker tell Lupita to stop being a bitch. It made me smile that he not only had my back, but Emmie’s as well. I walked Dr. Myron out, then went to look for Emmie. She was in the backyard, arms wrapped around her waist, and staring up at the blue sky.
“You okay?” I asked, stopping next to her.
“Is she right?” Emmie asked softly. “Are you interested in me just because you couldn’t have her?”
I turned her to face me and pulled her against my chest. “No. Not just no but hell no. Yes, I chased your sister, but I wasn’t seriously pursuing her. It was fun to verbally spar with her and see if I could get her to give in. I meant it before when I said it was never serious. I never wanted to keep Lupita and make her mine.”
My shirt grew damp and I saw tears sliding down her cheeks. My heart felt like someone was squeezing the shit out of it. I hated that she was hurting, that her sister had put doubts in her mind. It didn’t seem like Lupita to act like that or say those things, not the woman I’d come to know when she’d helped us out back in December a few years ago. I hoped it was just the pain talking. Regardless, she owed her sister an apology.
“Baby, look at me,” I said, trying to tip her chin up, but she refused to budge. I sighed and held her. “You want to know what type of woman I prefer?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know,” she said, then sniffled.
I smiled a little, then cleared my expression so she wouldn’t think her tears amused me. “I like petite curvy women. The kind with soft skin and ample curves. And this hair…” I tugged on the long strands. “Your hair drives me fucking crazy. I’ve wanted to sink my fingers into it ever since I first saw you.”
“You’re not just saying that?”
“Emmie, look at me. Please.”
She looked up.
“I don’t ever say things I don’t mean. If you don’t believe how much I want you, ask any of my brothers. They’ve been giving me shit for weeks about the number of times I eat at the diner just so I can see you. Does that sound like a man who isn’t interested?” I asked.
“No. It doesn’t.”
“I meant what I said in the bathroom. I’ve wanted to ask you out, but you seemed scared. I’m a big guy and I worried that you’d run the other way if I approached you.”
“It wasn’t your size that scared me. I thought your club didn’t want me here.”
“I should go kick Fenton’s ass,” I mumbled.
Emmie giggled a little, then bit her lip. “He said he was sorry. Besides, we have other things to worry about. What are we going to do with Lupita?”
“She can stay in the guest room for now.”
“I was supposed to stay in there,” she said.
“Then I guess you’ll just have to share a room with me instead,” I said. She blinked at me a few times, then a slow smile spread across her lips, and quickly vanished. “You don’t like that idea?”
“You heard her. I’m a virgin. I can’t… I…” Her cheeks flushed. “I’m not experienced like Lupita, or like the other women you’ve been with. What if I do it all wrong?”
“Sweetheart, trust me when I say that you won’t do anything wrong, but I’m not offering you a place in my bed just for sex. We just met, and even though I want you so fucking bad I ache, I’m not about to press you for more than you want to give.”
“Lupita won’t like it,” she said.
“Lupita can go fuck herself,” I said. “I’m only letting her stay in my house until she’s back on her feet, then she can find somewhere else to go. If she can’t be civil to you, then she’s not welcome.”
“You can’t throw her out.”
“Watch me,” I said.
The back door opened and I glanced at the house to see King stepping outside.
“So, you know there’s a half-naked woman in your house, right?” King asked. “How the fuck did you get lucky enough to have two women?”
Emmie stiffened in my arms and I wanted to kick King’s ass. “Shut the fuck up, asshole. “
King took a step back and gave me a nod. “Didn’t mean any disrespect. I only brought clothes for the one you’re holding. I don’t think any of it will fit the other one.”
“Your sister hasn’t been here long and she’s already a pain in my damn ass,” I muttered. “Come on, Emmie. Let’s see if the drugs have kicked in yet and mellowed her. If not, I may have to tell the doc we need more. I’ve never wanted to throw a woman out on her ass until now.”
I led her back into the house and heard Flicker speaking low and soft. I paused in the hall, drawing Emmie to a halt behind me.
“Why don’t you let me take care of you, Lupita?” Flicker asked. “You don’t really want to stay at Tank’s, do you?”
“Shouldn’t have kissed you,” she said, her voice slurring.
“Probably not, and we both know I’m not your type, and you’re sure as fuck not mine, but you’re going to cramp Tank’s style if you stay here.”
“He wants to fuck my sister.”
“I think it’s more than that, and if you weren’t hurting so much, you’d see it too. He’s been obsessed with her for weeks, eating the same damn food every day just so he can be close to her. Give them some space, Lupita.”
She mumbled something I couldn’t hear and I decided to let them know they weren’t alone. I stepped into the room with Emmie and King on my heels. She looked from me to Emmie and back again, her eyes glassy from whatever the doc had given her.
“You really like her?” she asked. “Not just a piece of ass?”
“No, she’s not a piece of ass. I’ve wanted to ask her out for weeks,” I said. “Then I found out who she was and I was going to keep my distance.”
“Doesn’t look like much distance,” she said, eyeing our joined hands.
“I don’t care if you approve or not. I was going to put some space between us because you’d entrusted her to my care.”
“And now?” Lupita asked, her eyes getting heavy. I could tell she was fighting to stay awake.
“I won’t give her up. Not for you or anyone else,” I said. “But we’re going to take things as slow as she wants. I’m letting her call the shots, except for where her safety is concerned. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep your dad and that Ernesto fucker away from her.”
“Good,” Lupita said, then she succumbed to sleep.
Flicker looked from Lupita to me, then Emmie.
“You really taking her home?” I asked. “Because that is one unpleasant woman when she’s in pain. I’d keep sharp objects and weapons away from her.”
Flicker smiled. “I think I can handle her. It’s only until she’s better. I have no doubt she’d eat me alive if she stayed for too long.”
“You kissed my sister?” Emmie asked.
“Um, more like she kissed me,” Flicker said. “I think it was the adrenaline more than anything. I like my women a little less…”
“Balls to the walls?” King asked, eying Lupita. “Pretty sure that’s the most badass woman I’ve ever met. I don’t think anyone here could handle her, except maybe Tank, and he doesn’t seem interested.”
I stared at her and couldn’t help but smile as an idea struck me.
“What’s that look?” Flicker asked.
“I think our good pals Drey and Logan should be asked to babysit. Who better to watch over an ex-Fed than two DEA agents?” I asked. “Take her home, Flicker, but call those two and see what they say.”
“Yo
u know, they were eyeing her back when that shit went down last year,” Flicker said, smiling broadly. “Yes, I think maybe those two could handle her. If they liked Josie and all her sass, then Lupita may be just what they need. Good call, Tank.”
“You need anything else?” King asked. “If not, Torch said he wanted me to handle something.”
“Where’d you put the things I asked for?” I asked.
“In the living room. Didn’t know where you were putting Emmie.”
Flicker gently lifted Lupita into his arms and followed King out of the room, leaving me alone with Emmie. I stared at the bed that was now rumpled from her sister lying on it. I knew I should do the right thing. Put clean sheets on the guest bed and let her sleep in here, but it wasn’t what I wanted. Now that I’d had a taste of her, I wanted her close.
“Zach.” She tugged on my hand.
“Yeah, baby?”
“Are you sure you want me here?”
“In this room?” I asked, eying the bed again.
“No, in your house.”
I looked down at her and gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile. “There’s nothing I’d like more than for you to stay here with me. If you want to be in here, I’ll remake the bed. Or…”
“Or what?” she asked.
“You can stay in my room. No pressure to do anything more in there than sleep,” I said. “I told you before, you set the pace. I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable.”
“Would you kiss me again?” she asked almost shyly.
I cupped her cheek and lowered my mouth to hers, giving her a soft kiss. The little vixen seemed to have other ideas and flicked her tongue against my lips. With a groan, I deepened the kiss and backed her into the hall, pressing her against the wall. The way she submitted to me, practically melting in my arms, made me want to strip her bare and thoroughly claim her. I held myself in check. She was so damn sweet and tempting that it wasn’t easy to back away.
Her chest was heaving and her lips were swollen. The look she gave me nearly had me going back for more, but I took a step away from her. There were some things we needed to discuss before we took the next step, and I’d promised her time. Ripping her clothes off within minutes of the house emptying wasn’t part of the plan, even though my cock felt like it was trying to tear through my jeans to get to her.