“Well, that would be our fault.” A deep voice came from the corner of my room. Turning my head to see who it was, I stared. Then blinked again. Then rubbed my eyes.
Because the five sexy-hot members of Straight Wicked were standing in the corner of my room. With bugging eyes, I looked from them to Styx, then back.
“What’s going on?” I whispered.
“Well, Zane here sweet-talked the nurses into letting us sneak in to see you. We heard you were supposed to be at the concert tonight,” Dominic, the drummer, said as he nodded to Zane, the gorgeous guitarist. When he did, his dark hair fell over his eye in an endearing manner.
“Hey, Gwen.” Zane gave a sheepish grin and wave. “So it might have been more than sweet-talking. We may have signed some autographs and taken a few pics.”
Levi and Logan, the two brothers—lead singer and bassist—chuckled. Levi nodded, then said, “Yeah he laid it on pretty thick. But it’s worth it.”
“Oh my gosh, you guys must be exhausted! But thank you so much for coming!” I gushed as I squeezed Styx’s hand with my free one. He chuckled.
“I think she’s pretty excited to see you guys.”
“Heck, we’re still riding high from the show,” piped in Aiden, the lead guitarist, from the back. They were all tall, but he towered over them.
“He means that in an all-natural way.” Logan grinned.
“We hated that you had to miss the show, and my uncle sort of begged us to make this stop. He thinks your guy’s club are a pretty cool bunch of dudes.” Dominic smiled. Holy crap, I remembered reading that his uncle was supposedly the now “retired” Lorenzo De Luca. Mob boss extraordinaire.
Not sure how to take that and how to act, I gave a small smile. “Well, tell him thank you. I kinda think they’re pretty special too.”
We sat and talked for a bit before Levi made an announcement. “How about if we sing her one of our tamer songs before we have to go?”
The guys all agreed. Once again, my eyes bugged and my mouth gaped.
“Oh my God,” I whispered, and I heard Styx chuckle softly.
They then proceeded to sing one of their slow songs completely a cappella. I was speechless by the time they sang the last note. A few of the nurses were peeking in the door.
“Must’ve been okay.” Zane nudged Aiden.
The guys all laughed, and I squeaked, “Okay? That was amazing! Holy, wow, I just, wow.”
Styx kissed my temple as he snickered.
“Well, we’re going to let you get back to sleep. Thanks for entertaining us by letting us sing for you.” Levi grinned.
“Entertaining you?” I squeaked again. “Oh my gosh. Thank you all so much!”
“Not a problem, doll,” said Levi as he smiled at me.
They all said their goodbyes, but right before they left, Aiden turned back. “Don’t worry. When we perform down here next year, you can have the same treatment the guys got tonight to any of our Texas concerts. Y’all just let us know which one, once our schedule comes out.”
They left, and I could hear them moving further down the hall. Eventually it was quiet again. My gaze flashed to Styx. “Did that just happen?” I whispered.
“Sure did.” The corner of his lips tipped up in his sexy little half-grin.
“Thank you!” I said.
“I didn’t do that. The brothers told them a little about what happened, and they asked if they could come. I didn’t even know they were coming. Smoke called me and asked if I was awake, and the rest is history.”
“That was so dang amazing.”
“Oh, and they left you this too.” He handed me a black tote bag signed by all the guys in silver paint pen with their logo in the center. Inside it was a T-shirt, a beanie, and a bunch of other signed swag.
“Holy shit!” Awed, I stared at it all.
“Did you just swear? And I don’t even have you naked?” At his teasing words, my face flamed.
“Oh stop,” I admonished half-heartedly.
“Stop what? Loving you? Never.” He gently climbed in the narrow hospital bed on my good side. Propped up on one arm, he kissed me. “I love you to the moon and back, baby. Hope you plan on having me around for a while,” he said between featherlight kisses.
“I think I might,” I teased before kissing him back.
Screaming and jumping like a crazy kid, I knew I’d be hoarse tomorrow. But I didn’t care. I was finally at a Straight Wicked concert, and I was having a blast.
We had VIP seats and backstage passes. We’d already hung out and watched the band warm up. It was awesome.
“Should I be jealous?” laughed Styx in my ear as we were surrounded by his brothers and their families that were there.
Turning to him with a smirk, I wrinkled my nose, acting like I was checking him out and deciding. “Nah, I think I’ll keep you.”
“Oh, you will, will you,” he said as he picked me up and set me up on his shoulders. I squealed in surprise at first and grabbed his hair when I thought I might fall. The diamond on my finger twinkled in the flashing lights. Turned out that ring box I’d found wasn’t Grace’s. It had been his grandmother’s. Now it’s mine.
Levi pointed to me as he sang the chorus to their new number-one song, and I screamed my lungs out. My shoulder gave a little twinge when I raised my arms to give them the rock and roll salute, but I ignored it.
I’d had two more surgeries since that awful day, but all in all I was doing great. I was lucky to be alive, and I knew it. Which was why I’d lived every day since like it was my last. I’d gone back to school and was getting my degree in biochemistry. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it, but I was fulfilling a dream.
The other dream I was fulfilling, I would keep a secret for a little longer.
For one, if my man knew, he wouldn’t have me up on the best seat in the house, and he’d probably encase me in a bubble. For two, he’d insist we get married right away, and I wanted time to plan a big biker wedding.
Raiven had already guessed when I’d gone to talk to her about tattoo designs and I’d had to go running to the toilet to lose my lunch. But she was keeping my secret for now. Looking to the side briefly to where she was on top of her husband’s broad shoulders, we did a little fist bump.
Then, leaning down as he looked up, I kissed the man who was my world. “I love you!” I shouted as the song ended and the crowd went wild.
“I love you too.” The crinkle at the corner of his eyes was accompanied by his biggest smile.
Tonight we were rocking the house, but tomorrow I would tell him he’d be rocking a cradle.
Looking back to the stage, I screamed in happiness as the next song started.
Best night ever.
The End
The Demented Sons Series
Iowa Chapter
Colton’s Salvation
Mason’s Resolution
Erik’s Absolution
Kayde’s Temptation
Texas Chapters
Lock and Load
Styx and Stones
The Straight Wicked Series
Make Music With Me (Levi)
Snare My Heart (Dominic)
No Treble Allowed (Logan)
String Me Up (Aiden)
Coming Soon Zane’s Story!
So, this is an expanded version of a short story that was included in the MMM19 Author Anthology and my tenth book in all. Yikes, it’s pretty real now, isn’t it? It’s been a little over two years since I started this writing and publishing journey of mine. I thank each and every one of you who have been there from the very beginning! To my new readers, welcome to my crazy literary world! Buckle your seat belt and hang on, because it’s going to be one heck of a ride.
First and foremost, I want to thank my husband and friend. I love you, babe. Thank you for putting up with me during deadlines, writer’s block, and editing. That goes to my kiddos, too. Thank you all for understanding that my “hobby” can be demanding at times.
Oh, and if any of you ever meet us, call the mister “Mr. Allen,” he loves it. Bahahahahaha!
To the authors who have taken time out of their days to answer questions and offer support—you are AMAZING! While this can be a cutthroat world, I’ve been blessed to have some of the most down-to-earth and good-hearted people enter my circle.
Olivia, you are amazing. Even though you’ve ruined reading for me, I love you to pieces! Thank you for taking my words and polishing them until they shine. My books wouldn’t be what they are by the time they hit the readers’ hands without you!
Penny. Where do I even begin? My friend, coworker, soon-to-be nurse, I love you bunches! You are solely responsible for the courage I found to publish Colton’s Salvation two years ago. You were beside me the entire way. You shared in the heartache of rejection, the perseverance to self-publish, and the elation when that first book became a success beyond my wildest dreams. So thank you for always believing in me. Even when I didn’t believe in myself. <3
Lisa and Brenda, my two book-loving friends turned part-time PAs. What would I do without the advice, support, and encouragement from you both? You’ve been lifesavers. Your knowledge of the book world and signing events has been a godsend. 2020 Book Signing Events, here we come!
Clarise Tan, you continue to outdo yourself with every cover, and this one is no different! All I have to do is describe what my vision is, and you make it happen. Of course, it helps that we have the beautiful photographic genius of Furious Fotog’s incredible photo of Joe Adams. Golden, you are a photographic genius and a sweetheart. Joe, thank you for allowing me to use your handsome image for this cover!
Stacey of Champagne Book Designs, you are still a goddess. You make my books rock once the reader cracks the pages. Every single time, you amaze me with your beautiful formatting. Thanks bunches, and one day we’re having champagne on the beach!
Ladies of Kristine’s Krazy Fangirls, you’re amazing! I always say I’ll be better about posting, and you never complain when I fall behind. I thank you for your comments, your support, and your love of books. Come join us if you’re not part of the group www.facebook.com/groups/kristineskrazyfangirls
Once again, I have found a way to spin the military into the storyline. I feel drawn and compelled to do this often because the military has had such a huge impact on my life. From being a military brat to a military spouse and working as a nurse in the military system. With that being said, my last-but-never-least is a massive thank you to America’s servicemen and women who protect our freedom on a daily basis. They do their duty, leaving their families for weeks, months, and years at a time, without asking for praise or thanks. I would also like to remind the readers that not all combat injuries are visible, nor do they heal easily. These silent, wicked injuries wreak havoc on their minds and hearts while we go about our days completely oblivious. Thank you all for your service.
Kristine Allen lives in beautiful Central Texas with her adoring husband. They have four brilliant, wacky, and wonderful children. She is surrounded by twenty-six acres, where her five horses, four dogs, and four cats run the place. Kristine realized her dream of becoming a contemporary romance author after years of reading books like they were going out of style and having her own stories running rampant through her head. She works as a night shift nurse, but in stolen moments, taps out ideas and storylines until they culminate in characters and plots that pull her readers in and keep them entranced for hours.
If you enjoyed this story, please consider leaving a review on the sales platform of your choice, www.goodreads.com, allauthor.com, bookbub.com, or your review platform of choice, to share your experience with other interested readers. Thank you! <3
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Styx and Stones: A Demented Sons MC Texas Novel Page 24