by Jamie Begley
“I am not jealous. I’m angry!” Reaper shouted. “I want to know which motherfucker put my property on his bike without my permission. Lucky, if one of the squids gave her a ride and you knew, brother, you won’t be giving service tomorrow. You’ll being attending a fucking funeral!”
Lucky took a step forward. “Don’t threaten me. You know damn good and well she wouldn’t be given a squid for protection, must less let her leave with her at his back. I didn’t know how she got there.”
“Did you see who she left with?”
“No, I had gone out to the back of the church to pull the van to the back door.”
Curtly, Reaper let Lucky off the hook. “Willa can I see that picture again?”
Willa waited until she was standing behind Lucky to answer. “I accidentally deleted it.”
Lucky looked over his shoulder at his wife. “Go on to the house. Tell Jade we won’t be needing her for babysitting this morning.”
Waiting until she was out the door, Lucky gave him a brusque nod toward the kitchen door.
Reaper irately stalked into the living room, set on dealing with Lucky, showering, and then going to Shade for a new phone.
The men kept their silence as they went up the stairs to his room. Lucky went into the room, then turned when Reaper closed the door after them. “I tried to catch up with you yesterday. There’re some—”
“I want you to tell Ginny to marry me,” Reaper said as he folded his arms over his chest.
Lucky’s mouth went slack jawed. “Pardon me?”
“Ginny said she won’t get married without your permission. I want you to tell her to marry me, preferably this morning, if she comes back. Tonight, if she doesn’t.”
“No.” Lucky folded his arms against his chest, mimicking his stance.
“Give her the permission. She won’t marry me if you don’t.”
“Then I don’t know what to tell you. I guess you won’t be getting married anytime soon.”
“She’s pregnant and won’t even tell me she is until you give her permission to marry me!”
“Ginny hasn’t told you she’s pregnant?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know she is?”
“I don’t know ….” Reaper raked his hand through his hair, beginning to pace around the room. “When you give her permission, she’ll tell me. Ginny has convoluted beliefs of living together and marriage. You can’t tell me Lily would have married Shade without your permission. Did you have to ask yourself to marry Willa?”
“Maybe her beliefs aren’t the ones convoluted.”
“You’re seriously telling me no?”
“I’m seriously telling you no,” Lucky said decisively. “Before you place the blame on my shoulders for Ginny not willing to marry you without my approval, or why she hasn’t told you she’s pregnant, you should consider there could be another reason.”
“Like what?” Reaper stopped pacing in front of him.
“Could it possibly be that the root of your problem isn’t with Ginny’s religious views but what’s going on in the bedroom?”
“Huh?” Reaper stared at Lucky, thinking he misheard the brother.
“The sexual problems Ginny and you are having,” Lucky clarified.
Reaper was confused at the direction their conversation had turned. “We don’t have any sexual problems. I’m the father of her child. It wasn’t an immaculate conception.”
“I didn’t think it was.” Lucky relaxed his stance, his voice becoming more understanding. “Ginny wanted to talk to me yesterday for two reason; one I could help her with. She is angry at God on your behalf.”
“Join the club,” Reaper said sarcastically.
“Reaper, Ginny’s faith is very important to her.”
“Were you able to help her?”
“I believe so.”
“What was the other problem? The one you couldn’t help her with?”
Lucky dropped his gaze to his shoes. “Ginny believes her inexperience is the reason she can’t get your … motor running.”
“Huh?”
“Your dick.”
“I know what the fuck you were referring to. My dick is working fine. I don’t understand.”
“She says you don’t let her touch you, which is why she thinks she’s doing it wrong.”
“What in the fuck did you tell her?”
“I suggested she ask some of the women here.”
“You didn’t.”
“Would you have me give her the advice she was searching for?”
“No. Which woman was she going to talk to?”
“None of them. Ginny was afraid they would say they had been with you and she didn’t want that picture in her head.”
“So, who in the fuck did she ask? Willa?”
“She was going to, but I nixed that idea. By the way, you owe me for that one, brother. Miss Adventuresome isn’t Willa’s strong suit.”
Reaper looked heavenward. You just had to screw me over again, didn’t You? he blamed the man upstairs.
“Sex Piston had a slumber party last night. Don’t fucking lie to me that she didn’t tell them I have a problem getting a hard-on.”
“I’ll take that bet for a hundred.”
“You don’t think she did?”
“No. I think it was one of the brothers.”
“What?”
Lucky’s gave him a sympathetic nod. “From my understanding, that was the plan. She wanted a male’s perspective.”
Reaper reached behind his back for his gun, handing it to Lucky.
“Why are you giving me your gun?”
“Who was the one who gave Ginny sex advice?”
“I don’t know. She took off before she told me. I tried to give you a heads-up, but I couldn’t find you.”
“You didn’t think my woman going to one of the brothers to talk about our sex life was worth a phone call?” Reaper shouted in frustration.
“I felt it would be better if I told you in person. You been kinda off the wall lately where Ginny’s concerned.”
“I wonder why! She’s as looney as Daffy Duck on crack.” Reaper raked his hand through his hair in irritation, then dropped his hand when he saw Lucky watching him humorously. “You think I’m joking?” Reaper raised his hand. “See this? She’s making me lose my hair!”
Getting no sympathy, Reaper resumed pacing again.
“What I want to fucking know is how Shade and Rider fucking screwed up their intel on her. I should have been warned! She doesn’t have a lick of common sense, and brother, if she isn’t ADHD, I’ll kiss your fucking ass. If she talks to someone twice, somehow, miraculously, they’re family. She smiles at every man, regardless of age, as if they hung the fucking moon. Do you know how many fucking kids she wants?” Shouting his rants about Ginny, he paced back and forth across the room.
Giving a low cough, Lucky covered his mouth. “No. How many?”
Reaper moved to the end of the room. “You sick?”
Lucky lowered his hand. “No, I’m good.”
Reaper eyed Lucky suspiciously. “You think this is funny?” he roared. “She wants a gazillion kids. Brother, I’m old. I’m getting older the more time I’m around her. The way I’m going, I’ll be bald in two months.”
“I don’t see the problem. Just shave the other half off,” Lucky suggested.
Reaper gave him a pained glance. “I can’t. Ginny runs her hands through my hair. I like it.”
“I offer premarital sessions for parishioners. I can make an appointment.”
“Fuck you. You think I’m going to take martial advice from you? No, thanks. I can’t fit in those leather pants, and I am for fucking sure not pretending to be a fucking pirate.”
“Really? You really want to go there?”
Reaper wanted to smashed his booted foot on Lucky’s cocksure grin.
“My wife isn’t the one running around, finding out how to satisfy me. Willa is a deeply religious person, who also
has the misconception that she isn’t as physically appealing as other women. Playacting gives her the opportunity to be naughty without feeling like she’s sinning. Plus, I seem to remember a few times you didn’t mind playing a few games when you fucked your way from one state to the next when you came out of the service.”
“That was before …”
“Reaper, there was no one who enjoyed sex more than you. Well, except for Rider and Moon … and …” Lucky started over. “Do you know why you used to be the number one go-to when the brothers had sex?”
Reaper turned his back on Lucky, unable to take the sincerity that was coming from him.
“You have an intangible sex appeal that drives women crazy. They would get wet by something as simple as you taking your shirt off. The brothers would be one step behind in the game before you even hit the bed.”
“I don’t want to talk about this.”
“Reaper, you can’t bury the sexuality that it so much a part of you, no matter how hard you try. Your sexuality doesn’t define you, but it is a part of the whole. That sexuality was used against you as a weapon, and when you feel betrayed, you stick a nail in the coffin and say you’re done. Normally, I’d agree with you. I can’t know how I would react if I had to endure the same vicious acts you did.”
“I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
“Why not? We fucked women together dozens of times all over the Ohio club, but we can’t stand here and talk about sex? Be fucking real. I’m going to be real with you, because I love you, brother, but you need to get your head out of your ass. You being raped by men didn’t change your sexuality, you giving men blow jobs or whatever else didn’t either, nor does it make you a whore when you had to perform for the women who bought you. They may have used and treated you a million different ways sexually, but they never ever owned your sexuality. That can’t be bought or stolen; it’s held within where no one can touch it, regardless of how hard they tried to tear it away from you.”
“Then why do I feel so fucking dirty?” Reaper yelled.
Lucky moved from behind his back to hold out his hand. “I think I may know something that could work. Will you trust me, brother?”
Reaper stared at the hand held out to him. How could he not trust Lucky? Lucky had risked his life to go to Sherguevil for him and Ginny.
Placing his hand in Lucky’s, the brother led him into his bathroom where Lucky released his hand. “Take off your clothes, Reaper.”
He wanted out of the closed-off room. However, concentrating on the blue towel hanging on the rack, Reaper removed his clothes as Lucky started the shower.
“Get in the shower,” Lucky instructed.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Lucky removing his clothes. Reaper froze as Lucky sat on the side of the tub to remove his shoes, then stood up to remove his pants.
Lucky paused when Reaper didn’t go fully in the shower.
He trusted Lucky … He trusted Lucky … Reaper told himself, repeating the refrain to get his heart rate back in control. He stepped in the shower, shivering under the warm water when Lucky stepped inside, completely naked.
Staying to his side, Lucky cupped his hand under the spray. “This may not be a river, but this water is drawn from one. Matthew 3:11: I baptize you with water for repentance.” Lucky raised his hands filled with water over his hand. The water slid over his head and body to the drain underneath his feet.
“I don’t believe in God.”
“He believes in you, Gavin.” Lucky placed his hand on Reaper’s shoulder. “God never lost faith in you. His arms remain open to you anytime you’re ready to walk into them. This water is a symbol of your purification. Let your sins, and the sins committed against you, go down the drain, never to touch your soul again.”
Lucky turned the water off, leaving him alone in the shower.
Moved despite his lack of faith, Reaper kept his eyes averted from Lucky as he left the shower.
Grabbing the towel from the rack, he started drying off. “Since I’m all clean, you going to tell Ginny to marry me now?” he said, attempting to lighten the unexpected and intense feelings of Lucky’s words. When he stepped into the shower, he’d felt as if he shed an outer layer of filth that no matter how often he’d previously washed he could never get clean. Drying off he didn’t feel brand new, but didn’t feel nearly as contaminated.
“No.”
Reaper went into the bedroom to dress, still not understanding this hold Lucky had over Ginny. Then thinking about Ginny, his mind went to which of the brothers Ginny would have asked for advice.
Sitting on the bed, Reaper was putting on his boots when Lucky came out of his en suite.
“Any idea who Ginny would have talked to yesterday?”
Lucky was as perplexed as he was. “None. She spent the most time with Rider and Shade when they were trying to find her stalker.”
Going to the dresser, Reaper picked up his gun where Lucky had placed it. As he put the gun at the notch of his back, he realized he must have forgotten Suki.
Blocking the door from Lucky leaving, he ignored the brothers and the women who scattered when he opened his door. He let Suki inside before slamming the door for those who were still brave enough to remain on the same floor.
Lucky arched a brow at him for not letting him leave.
Reaching for his gun, he handed it back to Lucky.
“Shoot me.”
Chapter Forty-Four
“I am not wearing this.” Ginny started to slide the zipper down that held the pieces of her top together with the use of her uninjured hand.
“You’re wearing it.” Trudy swatted her hand away to rezip the black top. “Why didn’t you just ask for some help?”
“Sorry, I’m used to doing things on my own.” Ginny turned to face the mirror more fully, then wished she hadn’t. “I can’t wear this tonight. There are going to be too many people coming to The Last Riders’ tonight, and that doesn’t include how many are already there.”
“That’s the plan.” Killyama unceremoniously shoved her down onto the bed.
Ginny had to hold onto the side to keep herself from toppling over when the woman shoved a stiletto onto each of her resisting feet, while Trudy carefully slid the sling back on her sprained arm.
“Ouch!” Ginny muttered when Killyama pinched her calf to keep her from wiggling.
“Bitch, that didn’t hurt.” Killyama helped her to stand, as Trudy finished adjusting the sling comfortably around her shoulder.
The five women circled her to critique her appearance.
“Not bad. Something’s missing,” Sex Piston mumbled, staring at her fixedly. “I know.” Snapping her fingers, she went to her dresser, coming back with her teasing comb.
When Sex Piston was done, she gave another once-over, and Ginny saw her reflection in the floor-length dressing mirror. “I look like a floozy. I’m going to hell.” Ginny whined at the women who had turned to admire their own reflections.
“So?” Crazy Bitch turned to get a better view of her ass in the snug red miniskirt. “We’re all going to be there with you. What’s the big deal?”
Ginny moved in front of Crazy Bitch to see if tugging the black skirt down lower would cover more of her womanly parts. Pulling it higher when it exposed more of her pouch, she narrowed her eyes on Killyama. “Change outfits with me.”
“Bitch these pants are too long for you.”
Damn. Killyama was right.
“I’ll switch with you,” Crazy Bitch offered.
“No, thanks.” The woman was wearing a red lace top with a red bra underneath, paired with a red skirt that was even shorter than hers.
“We all ready?” Sex Piston asked, throwing different colored lipsticks into her purse. “The boys are waiting.”
“Do Stud, Calder, Cade, and Dalton know The Last Riders haven’t invited us over tonight?” Ginny refused to budge from her spot on the carpet as the women waited by the door.
Sex Piston
shrugged unapologetically. “It’s on a need-to-know basis. When they need to know, I’ll tell them.”
Ginny looked at Killyama. “At least tell me Train knows you’re having a party at their clubhouse.”
“Okay, he knows.”
Suspicious, Ginny stared Killyama down. It didn’t work. The woman opened the door, ushering the women out. “Move it. Diamond isn’t going to order the burgers and fries until we’re ten minutes from Treepoint. I’ve been craving those burgers all day.”
Ginny followed them out into the living room where the men were waiting. The appreciative catcalls the men made for their wives had them prancing around to show off their clothes.
Killyama stopped in front of Train. “You like?”
“I like.” He grinned at her. “Where’re we going?”
“Mick is going to make us some burgers.”
Ginny frowned at Killyama sidestepping the question. Then she decided to speak up. She wasn’t going to let the men be bamboozled into letting the wolves enter a lion’s den. “We’re—”
“Gotta go.” Killyama shoved Train toward the door, while the other women manhandled their men.
Trudy linked their arms together, maneuvering her outside.
“Dalton will be furious with you going to The Last Riders’ club without him.”
“Then he should have come with us.”
Trudy opened Cade’s back door for her before going around to the other side.
Ginny resumed the conversation when Trudy was in the car. “You sent him to the store so we wouldn’t have to wait in the car for him.”
“Don’t worry; he’ll get over it. You can get away with a lot of crap when you’re pregnant.”
“Really?”
“Yes. The bad part is when this little bundle of joy pops out of me, the get-out-of-jail pass expires.”
“What are you going to do then?” Ginny laughed.
“Have another one, of course.”
The drive back to Treepoint was uneventful and over much too soon.
Driving through main street, Ginny’s nerves were making her feel nauseous. There was no freaking way she would be able to let the men see her in this outfit. Gavin acted like a priest when she wore clothes that he considered remotely suggestive. The clothes she was wearing now blew past suggestive; they were an outright feast for the male of the species.