Chapter Twelve
“I told Roughneck that we have to move on this quickly,” Steel said.
Paco looked around the room and saw the members weighing what Steel had just said. Those words meant war with two gangs who probably didn’t play by the same rules as bikers. It meant possible lockdowns, casualties, and death.
It’d been a while since the Night Rebels had engaged in an all-out war. The measures they took with the Skull Crushers and Satan’s Pistons had been warnings but not declarations of war. This would be different. It wasn’t just about the turf—it was about the lifestyle. There was no doubt in Paco’s or any of his brothers’ minds that women were being trafficked in the surrounding area, and the Night Rebels wouldn’t tolerate that under any circumstances. They knew the Insurgents were on the same page with them when it came to sexual slavery, but Night Rebels preferred to handle the situation in the south on their own. As long as the Fallen Slayers were on board, they could manage it.
As the talk shifted from beating the asses of these gangs to the Insurgents’ charity poker run, Paco’s mind went to Misty. He had to admit that he’d been attracted to her since the first time he saw her. He shook his head. She was really playing havoc with his emotions. It’d been a long time since he’d had real feelings for a woman. After Cassie, he’d encased his heart in steel, and in all those years nothing had threatened its imprisonment until Misty. But how can I even think about getting involved with her when all she’s done is lie to me since I’ve met her? Paco suspected she’d stolen money from Bobby when she took off. He wasn’t sure what made her run when she had, but he knew she was keeping things from him.
The pounding gavel drew Paco back to the meeting. Members pushed their chairs back and headed out of the room, talking to one another in low voices.
“I knew we could count on all the brothers,” Steel said as he put the gavel in its box.
“Can we count on all the Fallen Slayers members?” Paco asked.
Steel nodded. “From the way Roughhouse and Patriot were talking, I think we can. We gotta get together with Knuckles and Diablo and get a plan in motion. Chains is already doing the research on both gangs. We have to hit hard and fast. Surprise is the best defense.”
“Agreed. I’ll come up with some strategies. All that combat in Afghanistan will come in handy. I’ll have Rooster help out. He did a tour in Iraq years ago. But Brick has to work with Diablo on the plan. Knuckles isn’t the brightest and he’ll drive Diablo fucking crazy.”
Nodding, Steel sniggered. “I’ll tell Roughhouse. One thing is for sure. We’ve got the arms and supplies. The fuckers won’t forget this. We should add more security cameras around the place. Army’s got a buddy who’s gonna build a steel-enforced wall around the clubhouse. I’ve been thinking that while this is going on, we gotta have a lockdown.”
Paco chuckled. “I can’t see Breanna and Raven embracing that. Fallon’s easygoing, though I’m not too sure about Hailey.”
Steel jutted out his chin and narrowed his eyes. “Doesn’t matter if the old ladies want it or not. It’s for survival. Breanna will just have to deal with it. All of them will.”
They walked down the hallway. “You sticking around?” Paco asked.
“Just for a drink. Then I’ve gotta get back to my woman and show her some loving. It’s been too long.”
Paco laughed. “I hear you. I’ll have a drink with you before you take off. I’ve got some stuff to do, so I’m cutting out soon.”
The members were already in full swing in the main room, drinking, laughing, and having fun with the club girls. Steel and Paco went over to the bar and picked up the shots the prospect had waiting for them.
“Why the hell did you leave Silverado early?” Army asked.
“I didn’t want the club to be without a prez or VP the whole weekend,” Steel answered for Paco. Army stared over Paco’s shoulder and whistled.
As Paco turned around, he heard Sangre asking, “Isn’t that the stripper from Satin Dolls? What the fuck’s she doing here?”
Shotgun elbowed Paco. “You didn’t tell us she was a stripper, bro.”
“Way to go,” Skulls said.
When Misty walked into the room, she took his breath away: her indigo knit top hugged her round breasts, her faded jeans fit snugly around her hips, her long hair spilled loosely about her shoulders, and her face had a rosy glow. She looked beautiful. Their eyes locked and a spark of desire flared in the pit of his stomach. As she came up to him, her lips parted, lips that were made for sinning, and he felt a tug in his jeans.
Steel spun around, then looked at Paco. “Why the hell is she here?”
“She was in a bad way. I’m just helping her out temporarily.”
Misty stopped in her tracks, only a short reach from him. It was like she sensed the tension between the men.
Army shook his head. “You’re bringing shit to the club because of a two-bit stripper? If Los Malos or the West Avenue fucks find out you took one of their strippers, it’ll fuckin’ jeopardize all of our plans.”
“He’s right,” Steel said.
With his chin high, his legs planted wide, Paco shook his head. “She doesn’t work for them.”
“Maybe not, but we’ve found out some more stuff in the last couple of days about the prez of Los Malos. He’s got the hots for her, so I’m sure he’s not gonna like that you took her away,” Sangre said.
“What the fuck were you thinking, dude? We got a whole bunch of strippers at Lust if you wanna fuck someone.” Army picked up his beer bottle.
Paco ripped the bottle out of his hand and flung it against the wall behind the bar. Amber shards of glass flew everywhere, and dark brown liquid streaked down the wall. “I don’t need you to fucking question my decisions. If you got a problem, let’s go outside and settle it. And don’t you talk shit about her.”
Steel stepped between the two. “I’m with Army and the rest on this. You shouldn’t have brought her to the club.” Turning to Army, he said, “And I agree with Paco—show her respect.”
Paco glanced over at Misty and she avoided his look. Pushing her hair over her face, it was like she was trying to make herself invisible. His insides pulled. “I said I fucking own this. If you want her gone, then I’ll get a place and go with her until she gets back on her feet.”
Surprise rolled over the brothers’ faces. Steel cleared his throat. “You don’t have to do that, bro. We’re not against you helping her out or her staying. It’s just we got a touchy situation in Silverado, and we don’t want to start shit with these assholes sooner than we’re ready.”
“I get that,” Paco said.
“Did anyone see you with her?” Steel asked.
“No. I just ran into her when I was riding through the town.”
Steel motioned for Misty to come over. With ashen face and trembling lips, she came and stood next to Paco. He slipped her hand in his; it was clammy and cold. He squeezed it lightly and she leaned against him.
“Have you told anyone you’re here?” Steel asked.
“No,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper.
“Did you tell anyone you were leaving Silverado?” Steel said.
She shook her head. “I didn’t plan any of this. Paco just saw me on the side of the road. Can I go now?”
Steel and the others stared at her for a couple of minutes, and Paco felt her body shaking. He bent down and whispered in her ear, “It’s okay. Nothing’s gonna happen to you. I’m here.”
“Go on,” Steel said.
Paco winked at her, and she smiled weakly and rushed out of the room. “Thanks,” he said to the men.
“If we find out she’s been lying, you’ll have to step aside while we deal with her,” Steel replied.
“What the fuck does that mean?” Paco asked.
“It means you’re too involved with her not to be biased,” Sangre answered.
“I’m not involved with her or anyone. I’m just helping her out, that’s all.”
“Yeah… keep telling yourself that shit.” Army laughed but moved away as if anticipating Paco’s fist on his jaw.
Anger curled around Paco’s nerves. “If you don’t shut the fuck up, asshole, I’m gonna make sure you do.”
Before Army could react, Steel looked hard at Paco. “Just make sure the club isn’t jeopardized in any way.”
He stepped back, his fists clenched. “How the fuck could you think I’d put the club in jeopardy?” He slammed his fist down on the bar. “We’re talking about the brotherhood. Fuck!”
“Chicks can mess up a guy,” Sangre said.
“No chick’s messing me up. Don’t ever think that I’d endanger the brotherhood.”
“You’re overreacting. I meant to make sure she isn’t lying to us. I’m not questioning your loyalty,” Steel said.
Glancing at the brothers, he saw smirks on their faces, and he wanted to take them all on. He knew they thought he was hooked on Misty, but they were wrong. He was just helping her out. The fact that his cock wanted inside her pussy didn’t mean squat. I’m a man, for fuck’s sake. He’d feel that way about any pretty woman who was staying in his room. It didn’t mean he was involved with her, or that he wanted to be.
“No one knows she’s here. She isn’t lying,” he grumbled. Of that he was certain, but all the other load of crap she’d told him? She’s definitely lying about that shit.
As he walked away, he heard Shotgun say, “Never seen him this hooked before,” and the other men guffawed.
Fuck them. He went up to his room.
When he opened the door, he saw Misty stuffing her newly bought clothes in plastic bags. “You going someplace?”
“I don’t want to be a bother to you anymore. I didn’t mean to cause any problems with you and your club.”
“You’re not a bother, and the prez says you can stay, so take your shit outta those bags.”
“Are they going to beat me?” Her voice quivered.
He jerked his head back. “Why the hell would they? Did you lie to them? Does anyone know you’re here?”
“No. I’m trying to get away from Bobby and all that. Why would I tell him I’m here?”
“Just asking. We don’t beat women, so you’re good.”
Misty sank down on the bed, her body shaking from her sobs. He watched her, rubbing his chin between his thumb and index finger, feeling helpless. He was the type of guy who came up with solutions and fixed problems, but if he wasn’t able to, it made him impatient and annoyed. A crying woman always made him uncomfortable, but at that moment an ache throbbed inside him and it pissed him off. I don’t need any of this.
She grabbed for the tissue box and took out a few, blowing her nose and wiping her cheeks. “Sorry for the mini meltdown,” she said raggedly.
“Feel better?” An overall weighted feeling pressed down on him.
She rose from the bed. “Yeah.” Picking up the plastic bags, she shoved some socks into them. “I think it’s best if I go.”
“Are you trying to get me to beg you to stay?”
Dropping the bag, her fingers flew to her chest. “What? No. Never. I don’t want you to think that.”
“Then stop packing. I told you it’s all right for you to stay.”
She kept shoving things inside those damn plastic bags. He came over and gripped her arm, but she jerked out of his hold. With both hands, he grabbed her and whirled her around. Her red-rimmed eyes stared at him, and her hair brushed over his hands. The skin on her arms was soft like satin, and the new perfume he’d bought her curled around him, sending all kinds of signals to his hardening dick. Holding her that close had fire roaring through his veins, confusing and angering him. He grabbed Misty by the shoulders and shook her hard. Tears spilled from her eyes as she whimpered.
“Now you listen to me! I don’t want a girlfriend. I don’t get involved with women. I’m only helping you. You understand that?”
Misty nodded, tears flowing down her face.
“I’ve got the club and my brothers. I have a lot of shit on my mind. I don’t need a woman. I don’t want one. Stop doing what you’re doing.”
“What am I doing?” she whispered, her gaze capturing his.
“Just that. You’re… you’re….” He pulled her in a fierce embrace. “Misty,” he whispered in her hair.
“Paco.” She pressed closer to him.
With his hand under her chin, he tipped her head back and his lips touched hers. She reached up into it, breathing out, her warm breath caressing his face. His wild eyes searched hers, and the flush of her cheeks pushed him over the edge. He gathered her hair, her face, all of her and claimed her mouth with a burning force. Hard. Full of heat. Uncontrolled. It was as if all the pent-up desire he’d been pushing down since he’d first laid eyes on her rushed out of him, and each kiss was a wild hunger for more. He swallowed her moans, and she clawed him frantically as he pressed her even closer to him. Tongues sliding in and out, panting, lips hard on hers, he craved her touch, her closeness, her essence.
He slid his hands down her arms and underneath her top. For a brief half second, she stiffened and pulled away. In that instant, a semblance of sense crept back into his head and he moved back.
“That shouldn’t have happened,” he said.
“I didn’t mean to pull away. It’s just… I don’t know. I guess the past is always in my head.”
“I wasn’t talking about that. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
“Why not? I wanted it just as much as you did.”
Their gazes locked and he groaned internally, knowing he was totally fucked now that he’d tasted her sweet mouth, felt her soft lips against his, and held her in his arms.
“I gotta go. It’s probably better if I crash in another room.”
“You don’t have to.”
The memory of how she felt in his arms flitted through his mind. “Yeah, I do. Unpack your stuff ’cause you’re staying. I’ve got some things to do. I’ll come get you when it’s time for dinner.” The scent of her intoxicated him, and he didn’t want to stay in the room any longer; he didn’t trust himself to behave.
Without waiting for her reply, he left the room and headed downstairs, cursing his lack of control with each step he took.