Chapter 25
Slick
From the moment I’d met her, I’d known Ella was special. If I was asked to list what made her that way, it would be impossible to single anything out. It’s the whole package—her looks, her personality, and her bravery.
Holding her in my arms, I think back to the day we met, and that day I’d delivered her to the Rock Demons club, torn between the desire to protect her and my club. My club had won out and fuck, I regret that. She’d been mine even then, just neither of us knew it.
If hadn’t been focused on what the club needed from her, I wouldn’t have been so blind and would have seen she wasn’t sweet butt material from that very first night. But the Satan’s Devils were depending on what she could do for us, so I’d smothered any doubts, just pushed forward with what the brothers had agreed around the table. And that was the biggest mistake of my life—she’s ended up broken. But now, if the last few minutes are anything to go by, she’s on her way back.
Making love so gently isn’t my style, but fuck, I couldn’t call what we’d just done anything else. And if that’s the way it has to be to reassure her, even if I can never let my inner beast loose, I’ll still be content for the rest of my life.
Running my hands up and down her skin, covered in a sheen of sweat, testament to what’s just transpired between us, I relish in touching her, unable to believe what a lucky man I am. She’s mine, she’s wearing my property patch. She’s all I’ll ever want and need. No more sweet butts for me. Why would I want them when I’ve got Ella? All of a sudden my other brother’s fidelity to their old ladies makes sense.
The sound of my phone vibrating makes me move, reluctantly taking my fingers from her.
“Gotta get that.”
Making no protest, she lets me leave her. I locate my jeans and answer just before it rings off.
“Yeah?”
“Fuck, yeah. I’ll be there. Half-an-hour you say?”
“See ya.”
I end the call.
“You got to go, Slick?” Her voice sounds melodious, my cock twitches as I turn to see her face, now relaxed and a smile curling her lips.
“Yeah. Sorry.” She seems relaxed and content, but it’s still important to me to hear the words which will let me know she doesn’t regret what we’ve done. “You okay, Ella?”
She stretches, her arms going over her head, inadvertently offering her breasts to me. It kills me that I must ignore the innocent invitation. I can’t get distracted, I’ve things to do.
She yawns, covering her mouth with her hand. “You wore me out, Slick.”
I twist my body so I can take her hand. “You sure you’re okay?” I want, need, her to be.
“Better than that.” She huffs a laugh.
Good. Seems like I’ve done my job. A new wave of satisfaction washes over me. But now I’ve got to get a move on, else I won’t be able to leave her. “Going to have a quick shower, darlin’.”
“Want me to join you?” She makes the unexpected offer as her eyes fall on my thickening dick.
I put my hand to her chin and lift her face up. “Not sure that’s a good idea, darlin’. Unless you can promise to keep your hands off.”
“Me?” She looks up in mock disdain, her face wide-eyed and innocent.
“Yeah, you.” I huff a laugh. “Else I’m never going to get anywhere.”
But of course we end up showering together, and I only just control myself, making myself remember it’s been a while since she’s had sex, she’ll need time to recover. But as we wash each other with no pressure to do more, she seems to stand taller, her confidence growing.
We dry and dress. Proudly she slips on her new cut, her face smiling as she fingers the leather.
“You going to stay here?”
A shake of her head. “No, I need to find Jayden. Make sure she’s alright.”
She seems to be happier, a little more self-assured, but I want to remind her. “Wearin’ that,” I point to her cut, “ain’t no one gonna bother ya.”
I think she believes me when she nods and says, “I know, Slick. They won’t bother me as this shows I’m yours.”
Fuck yeah she is.
My brothers all know I’ve claimed her, but as I walk her through the crowded clubhouse with my patch on her back and probably the stupidest grin on my face, something must give it away that I’ve claimed her. I get slaps on the backs, lewd looks, and crude comments. Well, I deserve that, and there isn’t anything that’s going to spoil my day. I lead her on through and out the back to the table which all the old ladies and her sister have appropriated—Amy’s playing with a toy motorbike and getting under their feet.
Sam jumps up as we approach, twirling her fingers. Pulling away from me, Ella interprets Drummer’s woman’s actions and turns her back, allowing them all to read her property patch. Hollers and hoots come from the women, and I give her a quick kiss, reassured I’m leaving her in safe hands.
I know I have a spring in my step as I go back into the clubhouse and make my way to the bar where I can see Drummer getting ready to address the motley crew around us. I seem to have made it just in time.
Wraith slaps my back and smirks. “I can tell the day’s goin’ well for ya, Brother. You’ve fucked her at last, haven’t ya?”
My goofy grin is all the answer he needs.
When he goes to say more, Prez puts one hand on the bar, swings his legs up, and stands on the top. Peg whistles loudly, and the various conversations around us die down.
Drummer looks around, nodding at the crowd, giving a chin jerk here and there. Then he starts to speak, his authoritative voice resonating through the room.
“Welcome, brothers. It warms my heart to see ya’all here.” He waits while reciprocal greetings are returned. When the murmuring and shouts die down he continues, “As some of you know, the young sister of one of our brothers’ old ladies got herself in with the wrong crowd. She’s only fourteen fuckin’ years old, and those bastards were gonna pass her around, sell her to whoever wanted to use her.”
He waits for the growls and expressions of disgust to fade.
“Traced it back to the Herrera family, here in town. Whether the trade has the blessin’ of the heads of the organisation, or were doin’ it rogue, well, that’s what we’re tryin’ to find out. We could be up against the whole clan, or just a part. And if it’s the latter we don’t know whether the rest will rally around and protect them.”
“Hence the show of force this mornin’. Thanks for that, brothers.” Peg’s loud voice bellows.
“What he said.” Drum waves down toward the sergeant-at-arms, and laughter rings out. “Now I know you can’t leave your compounds undefended, or your businesses short, so for most of you, I hope you enjoy our hospitality and stay for the night. But I’d be grateful for some extra hands to stay on to help put these monsters down.”
Hands go up as if to volunteer. Red, the president of the Vegas chapter pushes his way to the front. After exchanging a nod with Drum, he gets up beside him. “Far as we’re concerned, I’ll get a few men to stay. Good food and good women to fuck here.” There’s a roar from the back, obviously some of his men offering to step up.
Snake waves his hand in the air. “Same goes for us!”
The two other presidents from Utah and Colorado indicate if necessary they’ll leave some men too.
Red jumps back down, leaving the floor for Drum.
The prez does another sweep of the room with his eyes. “I thank ya’ll. Good to know the Satan’s Devils have each other’s back. Position is, we’ve put the ball in Herrera’s court after our little ride past earlier today. Even if the bulk of you go home, he knows what he’s up against should he declare war on the Satan’s Devils.”
Predictably, cries go up around the room. “Ride together Satan’s Devils. Satan’s Devils ride together!” A member from the Colorado chapter who I haven’t met before nudges me. “Fuckin’ Herreras haven’t a fuckin’ clue what they’ll be takin’ on.”
I toss him a nod, feeling my heart swell with pride to know there’ll be large numbers of brothers at my back, even if I don’t recognise their faces or know their names. This is what a one percenter club is all about. Brotherhood. I wouldn’t want to live any other way.
Having ramped up the support in the room, Drum and the officers from the other clubs go off to have a more in-depth meeting. I shoot the shit with Dart for a while, but don’t hang around too long, as I’m eager to get out to Ella again. As I walk outside I see her still seated with the other old ladies. Places to sit being at a premium, Sandy is sitting on Viper’s lap, and Carmen on Bullet’s. It seems natural to go over and tap Ella on the shoulder. At her quick glance, I make a gesture and she stands, then sits herself down, her ass pressing against my thighs. Something my cock immediately finds attractive. My arms go around her and as she leans back against me, I instantly get the feeling of coming home. My impulsive decision to claim her, all those months ago, was certainly no mistake.
Paladin is sitting next to Jayden, scrunched onto the end of the picnic bench. It might be due to the lack of space, but my eyes narrow all the same. Particularly when he hugs her to him. He’s getting a bit too handsy for my liking, but being surrounded by brothers, for now, I’ll let it go.
Amy comes over and tugs at Sam’s arm. “Wanna go potty.”
With an indulgent smile, Sam lifts her into her arms and carries her through the milling bodies. I watch her go. She’s pregnant, Sophie’s pregnant. And I really wouldn’t mind having a kid of my own.
Nuzzling my mouth against her ear, I ask Ella softly, “Do you want kids, El?”
She turns around sharply and looks at me, as if wondering what’s the right answer to a question that seemed to come out of nowhere. I leave my face impassive. It has to be her desire as well as mine. After a moment she sighs and rests her head back against my chest. “Yes.”
Her answer, spoken so softly, I nearly miss it. I smile against her hair. “Me too,” I reply. Then, thinking of the babies due to be born in the clubhouse and wanting to add to their number, whisper, “And soon.”
She doesn’t protest, just gives a little delighted shiver. The thought of sinking my cock into her without barriers has my cock swelling more, and I feel rather than see her smile.
The meeting must be over. The officers come out and with drinks in their hands. Wraith comes over and in one smooth movement Sophie stands, lets him sit, then plonks herself back down on his lap. He gives an exaggerated “Oomph,” making us laugh.
Red’s followed him out. He stands at the end of the picnic bench, putting his foot against the back of the seat. Leaning forward with his hands on his knee he asks, “What’s the latest on Heart? Fuckin’ bad business that.”
“Not a lot to tell, Brother,” Wraith gives the answer. “Shooter’s with him now, but there’s been no change.”
“Have to say, I’d hoped to hear better.”
The VP shrugs. “He’s just got to choose when he’s gonna come out of it.” He indicates Sam carrying Amy across. “We’ve got to arrange the funeral for Crystal, but keep puttin’ it off as by rights he should be there.”
“I hear she’s got a mother?” Red raises his eyebrow. “She gettin’ on with sortin’ that out?”
“No way.” Wraith scowls. “Fuckin’ junky bitch that one. Tryin’ to get hold of Heart’s kid, though fuck knows why.”
Red creases his brow. “You going to organise the funeral without her then?”
“To be honest, Red, we’re steerin’ well clear. But if Heart remains unconscious we’ll probably have to get in touch. It’s her daughter we’ll be buryin’ after all’s said and done.”
“Fuckin’ bad thing to have happened.” Then Red shuts up, which pleases me. Anything else would be club business and the old ladies don’t need to know about that.
“Hi Red, fancy some company?” Jill’s only doing her job, but it’s interesting she’s homed in on the handsome Vegas prez. Still, if the sweet butts know what’s good for them they’ll approach the men they like and hope they’ll keep them satisfied all night. They’re fair game at a gathering like this, and would be out on their ear if Drum got word they’d turned a brother down. Without good reason, that is. We don’t tolerate violence toward our whores. My arms tighten around Ella, and again I wonder how the fuck she ever thought she could be one of them.
My gesture doesn’t go unnoticed, and Jill narrows her eyes. I stare her down, once again nuzzling my lips against my old lady’s hair. It was her fault, selling the idea of biker cock to my woman. She’d certainly skated around the edge of the truth when building up the image of a sweet butt’s life. Oh, it suits some just fine, and is definitely better than walking the streets. And then there’s that elusive dream of becoming that one special woman to a biker. Jill hasn’t got a chance. I smother my laugh.
Red finishes up his conversation with Wraith, puts his arm around Jill, and walks off. Hmm, there’s obviously something I don’t know or am missing by the look Sophie throws after her, and the laugh Wraith gives as he turns Sophie’s face back and proceeds to devour her lips with a kiss.
A distant rumble of thunder makes me look up to see clouds billowing over the Tucson mountains. Unless we’re very lucky this party will have to move inside soon courtesy of a late summer storm.
Drummer comes into sight, he stops with his hand on my shoulder. “Slick, Paladin. Want a fuckin’ word.”
At last giving Jayden some space, Paladin gets to his feet. “Yeah, Prez?”
Drum jerks his head over his shoulder, and we follow him inside as he leads the way to his office. He leans back against his desk and doesn’t offer us a seat. For a while he says nothing, but fixes his steely gaze upon Paladin, who starts to fidget and, unable to meet Drum’s eyes, looks down at his feet.
“We got a problem?” The prez at last speaks.
Paladin glances up and sees Drum still staring at him. “What? Not that I know of.”
He doesn’t drag it out. “Jayden’s fuckin’ underage,” Prez states. “She’s here under the club protection. I won’t have anythin’ happen to a fourteen-year-old girl under my roof.”
“Nothin’s…”
“Listen to me, boy,” he growls. “Nothin’ might have happened as yet, but I’ve got fuckin’ eyes in my head. I’ve seen the way she looks at you. And how you look at her.”
“I know how old she is, Prez. Same age as my sister. And…”
“And you’ve been sittin’ cuddlin’ her for the last half-hour. And I wouldn’t even want to see you canoodlin’ with any sister like that,” Drum interrupts again. Pushing away from the desk he stands up straight, which puts him inches from Paladin’s face. “Get any fuckin’ closer and you lose your patch.”
Suddenly Paladin gets a backbone from somewhere. “It’s not easy for her, Prez. She’s not a kid anymore. All she knows is what those bastards did to her, but she’s part woman, part child. In her mind she’s old enough.”
I feel myself tense, wondering what exactly he’s suggesting. Jayden’s under my protection first, and only second of that of the club. She comes as a package with my old lady.
Drum doesn’t miss a beat. “And in my mind she’s not. Nor to any other fucker usin’ their right head. I’m warnin’ you, Paladin. I wanted you to watch out for her, not to fuck her.”
“I’m not.” Our newest member sounds petulant.
“And you’re not going to either. You worked fuckin’ hard to get your patch. You’re going to lose it quicker than you earned it at this rate. Fuck one of the club whores if you can’t keep it zipped.”
I’ve kept quiet up to now, but now I step up. I glare at Paladin to show my agreement with the prez, and then turn to Drum. “Once this Herrera business is sorted I’m gonna be buyin’ a house, Drum, for Ella and me. Jayden will live with us, go back to school and get her life back on track.”
“Can’t be soon enough, can it?” Drum tunnels his hands through his hair. “Look Paladin, if you’ve got a thing for her, you’ll just have to wait until she’s legal. Four fuckin’ years. I don’t want anythin’ else to happen to that little girl, and definitely not on my watch. You hear me?”
Paladin looks at his feet, and up again. “I hear you, Prez.”
“Now get lost. Go find one of the whores. Or two. Hell, three of them if that’s what it takes. But that’s a fuckin’ order.”
Paladin nods despondently and leaves us. Drum looks at me. “Am I readin’ it wrong?”
“Naw, Prez. I reckon you’re readin’ it right. But girl’s had a taste, had her innocence taken away. I reckon it’s as hard on her as it is for him. And keepin’ him around her ain’t helpin’ much. There’s an attraction between them, that’s for sure.”
“Well, we’ll see how strong a fuckin’ attraction it is when she sees him with the whores.”
“Thanks, a fuckin’ bunch, Prez,” I grumble. A sulky teenager is just what I need. But for Ella’s sake, I’ll just have to put up with it.