CHAPTER ELEVEN

What was it with these men who believe kidnapping her was the only solution to make her do what they want? She’d been surprised Ramon hadn’t hurt her when he snatched her two days earlier.

She sighed, taking one more glance out her bedroom window at the Christmas decorations on the lawn across the street from Hector’s house. With a big yawn, she kicked off her slippers and scooted into her bed and covered up.

Never in a million years had Sofia ever imagined how miserable she would be without Wolf. She wanted to be in his arms, stretched out on a rug in front of a Christmas tree, as they watched the blinking lights.

Instead, she stared at the shadows on the ceiling, hitting her pillow, turning and twisting, trying to get comfortable. No matter how sleepy she was her body refused to relax. Fear tensed her muscles every time she closed her eyes. She kept replaying the day she came home.

Hector had claimed he wanted to talk about her returning to Ramon. Uncontrollable fury had her saying how much she hated Ramon and would rather live with Brothers of Mayhem than put up with his tyranny. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she knew she’d gone too far. Hector had become deathly quiet, and ever since, she’d been locked in her room with guards at her door and window.

She’d screamed through the door how he treated her like a child, but later she admitted to herself that she had acted like one. Only she couldn’t stand being a prisoner. What was wrong with the men in her life that they believed it was okay to imprison her?

Hector refused to listen to her pleas to be released. She even had to finish her Christmas shopping online. Luckily, she’d already ordered Wolf’s present back when they were first dating, and it had arrived that morning. Though how in the world she would give it to him, she was unsure.

Was Wolf worried about her? She worried about him. Tomorrow, she would find a way to leave and never come back. That was what she would do. For that evening only, she would make herself dream about him and what their life would be like and from then on, she would be able to live it.

She looked at the clock on her nightstand. The blue numbers confirmed what she guessed. It was close to midnight. Determined to get some rest, she stubbornly closed her eyes. Her decision to rest her eyes was how the nightmare had started, and the last few nights, she relived it over and over. Giving in, she decided maybe replaying that day on her own terms would help her.

She remembered waking up to the jarring ride of traveling too fast down a dirt road, and thinking, why was Wolf driving so fast?

Looking out the passenger window, she had checked the side rearview mirror to see if someone was chasing them. Nothing but dirt billowed behind them. Wolf never drove into so many potholes before. Why was he mistreating his uncle’s truck?

Turning toward the driver’s side, she’d opened her mouth to confront Wolf and paled.

Ramon.

Chills crept down her back. She’d never imagined that Ramon had such guts to grab her and steal Trick’s truck in the middle of Mayhem territory. And being in his control again would mean her death. How had he slipped into the truck without any of the Mayhem Brothers seeing and stopping him?

“Hello, sleeping beauty. Did your biker boyfriend fuck you to the point of exhaustion?” The evil glare he shot her turned her stomach.

Terror pierced her spine. Holding back tears, she bit her tongue to keep the words “stop” and “let me out” from spilling out. He’d taught her long ago, he didn’t take kindly to women giving him orders.

With a furtive glance, she noticed his rigid jaw and white knuckles as he stared ahead, fighting the steering wheel and the rough road.

His restraint surprised her. He wasn’t calling her a whore or backhanding her as he’d gotten into a habit of doing before he’d been arrested and sent away. Maybe being caught during a sting operation at a local pawn shop had been the lesson he needed in humility, and serving time in prison had taught him the importance of reining in his temper.

She couldn’t help the smug feeling of knowing she’d been the mastermind behind the experience.

Oh, yes. How fortunate that Hector hadn’t told Ramon about the sheriff’s department setting up operations in a local pawn shop after arresting the owner for cooking meth in the back. Then again, if Ramon hadn’t been involved in a side job, and keeping it hidden from Hector, he would have been warned to stay away.

So when Ramon brought home his latest haul of stolen merchandise, Sofia had offhandedly mentioned that Hector had asked about some money Ramon owed and would be over the next morning to pick it up. She knew Ramon had used the cash the night before to bet on a couple of ball games. As usual, Ramon had lost the bundle.

Then she mentioned the pawn shop, and how it was only a few blocks away from work and would be the quickest place to sell his goods.

Of course, she knew selling stolen goods would not be enough to send someone for more than a day or two in jail, between bail and overcrowding. Sofia had taken his drug stash along with an unregistered gun and stuffed them inside a bag filled with the stolen silverware and other valuables. Ramon had been instructed by Hector to dump the gun, but in his stupidity had held onto it.

He never suspected that she had a hand in his arrest. The man’s arrogance knew no bounds. Even after he was arrested, he instructed her to ask around and find out who hated him enough to fuck him over like that. She wanted to shout to the roof it was her, but knew anything could go wrong and he would be released. So in her own interest she kept her mouth shut. It turned out the gun had been used in a robbery where the clerk had been shot, but thankfully survived. It had been enough to send him away for eighteen months.

Still, there he was out of prison after six months, sitting across the bench seat from her.

“Where are you taking me?” Had he found out about her betrayal?

He shot her another evil glare. “What do you think? That I plan to take you out into the woods, fuck you until you bleed, and choke the life out of you?”

All the blood in her face disappeared. Her skin felt cold and clammy. Lightheaded and sick to her stomach, she struggled to hold back the tears. Wolf would never know what happened to her. Hector would suspect Wolf of killing her, but he would never place the blame on the true psycho. He would never believe Ramon capable of doing such a horrendous deed.

Ramon barked with laughter.

“You were always a stupid, little shit. Believing everything told to you. Fuck!” A smirk pulled on his full lips. He turned the truck onto the interstate. “You and I are going to get married again. The worst mistake I made was letting you have a divorce. Hector talked me into it. Said it would help cool you down after finding out about Heidi.”

Heidi had been or was Ramon’s girlfriend on the side.

She remained quiet.

With a glance out the window, she gauged the distance to the ground and the speed they traveled. The truck was going too fast to jump out, but she suspected he would eventually come to a stop. He hadn’t tied her. So hopefully, she could outrun him. As if he was thinking the same thing, he eased off to the right and drove up an off-ramp toward a small cluster of gas stations. Her heart jumped into her throat. Her hand inched over to the handle when she spotted her rescuer.

Hector stood next to his black El Camino. A frown deepened the lines around his mouth.

Maybe calling him her rescuer was too positive. Yet, Hector wouldn’t kill her. She did dread explaining to her cousin why she was found in the middle of a pack of Brothers of Mayhem instead of being in Atlanta with an old high school friend.

As soon as the truck stopped, Hector jerked open the door and leaned in.

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do,” he said teasingly.

She bit off her grin. No need for Ramon to know that was Hector’s way of letting her know he wasn’t angry. She could tell he wasn’t totally thrilled with her, but there could be so many other reasons for that.

“I can explain, but I want to go home with you and take a shower and sleep. I’m tired.” She wanted to make sure there was no doubt she wasn’t going home with Ramon.

“You’re coming back home with me. I’m your husband,” Ramon jumped in before Hector answered.

“We’re not married.” Sofia edged closer to Hector as Ramon reached over to touch her chin. Her audacity had grown in the time he was in prison and she could tell by the glint in his eyes he wasn’t happy about it.

She stepped out of the truck, and Hector moved back, giving her room.

With a swiftness that made Sofia nervous, Ramon exited the truck and followed her to Hector’s car.

“I told you in the beginning you belonged to me,” Ramon said in a cold tone, his hand landing on her shoulder.

The controlling bastard wished. She eased away from his touch.

“Well, you signed the papers, and the divorce is final.” She looked over to her cousin with a pleading look. If Hector didn’t take her side this time, she would likely be dead by morning.

Ramon loved to say, accidents happened to those who deserved it. She understood what he meant. He could easily make an accident happen to her. No way would she be alone again with Ramon.

“Ramon, dump the truck in a safe area, unharmed. Be sure to clean up any fingerprints. I doubt Trick will report it stolen, but better safe than having your ass beat in a dark alley one night.”

She imagined Trick wouldn’t think twice about tracking down Ramon and beating him to within an inch of his life. From what she’d learned, most people didn’t have the cojones to steal anything from him.

Ramon stood with his back to Hector, glaring hatred at Sofia. Her stomach roiled and knees shook. Please, God, don’t let him touch me again.

“Fine. But this isn’t settled.” He jumped into the cab of the truck and drove off, gravel spraying behind him. Thank God none hit Hector’s truck or he’d be bloody the next time she saw him.

Wait! That would solve one of her problems. She checked the side of the truck. No marks. Bastard!

“What the hell is going on here? You haven’t been acting like yourself. Ramon was concerned. Worried to death about you and how the dickwads were treating you. What were you doing with them?”

She had to think quickly. The truth would have to wait until after Christmas. No matter how much she loved Hector, and he did her in return, she wanted to avoid ruining his Christmas with news that she was marrying a Mayhem Brother. He would have to come to terms with it. The war between the two groups was stupid. They had their own territory. After the last fight and the Brothers had moved out of Brook Hill, everyone should be willing to get along. Act like adults and be reasonable. Though from the other night, it appeared the war was heating up again.

“As I told you, Lisa lives in Atlanta. Well, it just so happens that Trick’s uncle lives there too.” So far that was the truth. Now for the lies. “She was invited by a cousin of Trick’s to his Christmas party. So she asked me to come along before we headed to Atlanta.” Even to her, it all sounded so convoluted, it didn’t make sense. She’d always been a horrible liar. Her cousin probably wouldn’t believe a word of it. “I had no idea it was Trick and his place, and there would be Mayhem Brothers there.”

“Where’s your friend?”

“Still at Trick’s. She was planning to leave tomorrow. I guess that’s today actually.” She tried her best to sound nonchalant.

Hector’s gaze remained on her, assessing what she’d said.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t ask about why she was in Trick’s truck.

Until she met Wolf, she’d never tried to lie. Good or bad, it was amazing and a little exhilarating. Sure, she still felt guilty, but no way would she let Hector send her back to Ramon. And she didn’t want Hector planting himself in danger with the Mayhem Brothers.

“You are making my life shorter every day. You have no idea who you’re messing with. I hate to even think about it. Please, Sofia, behave. There is too much going on with those fuckers. They could hurt you. I would go crazy if they touched you. You know that, right?”

That wasn’t fair. She wanted so badly to admit the truth. That she was in love with a biker and planned to marry him.

“I’m sorry, Hector. I don’t mean to be so much trouble.”

His arm came around her shoulder, and he opened his truck door. “Get in. We need to get home. I have things I need to do this afternoon.”

When they had the screaming match the next day, she started planning her escape without success. There it was Christmas Eve, and she hated the thought of not seeing Wolf. He was probably going crazy wondering where she was at. She guessed the guards at Trick’s gate had waved them through without checking to see if the driver was Trick or Wolf. One of the drawbacks of illegally dark tinted glass and a flaw in his security. They probably worried about people breaking in more than breaking out.

––––––––

Finally, no nightmare. Instead a wonderful deja vu. She went to sleep thinking about Wolf, and she woke in the dark with a hand over her mouth. The distinct smell of leather, winter chill, and the clean smell of a certain soap she recognized kept her from being frightened. Wolf. Her body relaxed.

“Baby, it’s me. Please don’t scream.”

She opened her eyes and stared into his handsome, loved face. She wondered not for the first time what he saw in her. Cherry was ten times prettier than her, all that dark burgundy hair and green eyes. Sofia’s brown hair and eyes didn’t help her to stand out. Though she did admit her breasts were bigger and Wolf always mentioned how he loved all of her curves.

He slowly lifted his hand.

“Hi, there,” she said. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas back at ya,” he said in a husky voice with a lopsided grin.

The bed dipped as he stretched out beside her. His leather cut was cool pressing against the tee shirt she’d worn to bed. She heard the thump-thump of boots being toed off. She had a feeling, if she were to look on the floor, his jacket would be next to his boots. He’d taken a little bit of time to untie his boots and take off his jacket before slipping into bed with her.

“You’re going to get caught again, and I’m not sure if Hector will let me help you escape again,” she said in a whisper. “How did you not get caught by the guard?”

“No guard was out there. So he knows?” His tone matched hers.

“Yeah. He hasn’t said anything directly about it, but he’s not stupid. Thankfully, he loves me or I wouldn’t have a home.”

The wrinkle on his brow let her know that he was working out in his mind what she had said.

“You have a home with me,” he said, lightly kissing her nose. “How will he react to the two of us?” Worry showed in his eyes even in the dim light. The street lamp cast shadows into her bedroom.

“Really, I don’t know. He hates bikers and if you haven’t noticed, you’re one.”

He pulled her tighter to his chest.

“Yeah. There is that. I doubt I can convince Easy into another truce, but we didn’t fire on him when he was in our territory—”

“Picking me up,” she interjected.

“Yeah. But maybe we can convince him that marrying between our clubs can be helpful.”

“This isn’t the Middle Ages.” She grinned. She liked this side of Wolf. Tender, romantic, trying to be reasonable. Ramon had never worried about her in any way.

“Just thinking out loud. Doesn’t matter. You’re mine, and we belong together.”

She almost laughed. Crazy as it seemed to hear Wolf say that—no matter it was nearly the same thing what Ramon had said—was wonderful. She loved Wolf and felt the same way.

“Got you something.” He leaned to the side and shoved a hand into his pocket and pulled it out. “Merry Christmas.” A little square piece of red-and-green wrapping paper sat in the palm of his hand, all crinkly with a sad little flattened bow.

“Oh, Wolf, you didn’t have to get me anything.”

“When I saw it, I thought of you.” From the look in his eyes, she could tell he felt apprehensive about her reaction to his gift.

She opened it. It was a necklace. A small silver wolf’s head on a long chain.

“It’s so beautiful. Thank you.”

“You can look at it and know I’m looking after you and that you belong to me.”

“I already belong to you, and you belong to me.” She pulled out a chain from around her neck, showing him her ring. “When I come back home, I’ll put it back on my finger.”

“I wondered what you did with it.”

“No way would I let anyone take this from me. I figured it would be safer here.”

“So you’re not ashamed?” He grinned down at her.

She clasped his cheeks. “I will never be ashamed of you.” She opened her mouth to say she loved him, but a dog started barking next door. It wasn’t the time to tell him that. She wanted for them to talk more about their future. Besides, she hadn’t given him her present.

“Funny that you gave me a necklace.” She smiled big. Keeping her eyes on his face, she reached into her nightstand. She pulled out a small box, wrapped in shiny red paper with a gold bow. “Merry Christmas.”

He stared at it for a couple seconds. She nudged his hand with the gift.

“Go on. Open it.”

“Thank you, Sofia. I . . .” He shook his head and then appeared to come to a decision and tore into it.

“You act as if you haven’t ever received a Christmas gift before.” Goodness, had he?

“No. I have. Only it’s been a long time ago.”

In the long white box was a thick chain and a medal inside.

“It’s a St. Columban. I bought it before we broke up,” she said. Wolf looked up and before he said anything she added, “He’s the Saint for bikers. I didn’t know you were with a MC, but you always rode your Harley Davidson to meet me.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I thought you would like it.”

He grinned and placed the chain around his neck. “Strange how we bought necklaces for each other. Thank you, baby.”

He leaned down and kissed her. A warm hand slid over her tummy beneath her tee shirt and traveled to a bare breast. She loved how he knew the right pressure to squeeze and flick at a hard nipple. She hissed in pleasure.

“Like that, huh?” he said in a low, sexy voice.

Unable to say a word, she nodded. His gaze remained on her face, as if he wanted to ensure she enjoyed what he did. Never had a man been so in tune to her and her needs.

He shifted and tugged at her shirt until he dropped it on the floor. Probably next to his shoes and jacket. She grinned at the picture in her mind.

“I like you naked next to me, knowing I can touch you anywhere I want,” he said, his gaze blazing a path down her body.

Her breathing picked up speed. She hadn’t bothered with pajama bottoms or panties that night. Maybe deep inside she’d hoped he would show up and find a way in. She hadn’t locked her window. Again.

He scooted down the bed and grabbed her ankles, spreading them apart. Her heart pounded so hard she was certain it would burst.

“Wolfgang.” She reached over and threaded her fingers through his hair, letting her touch drift down his neck to a broad shoulder.

His eyes almost glittered in the dark as if he savored her caress.

“I like the way you say it. Only you can call me that. In our bed.” He leaned down and nipped on the thigh.

She smiled. Knowing that she was the only one who could call him by his real name sent a thrill through her.

“I love your name. It suits you with the wolfish grin you wear all the time.”

“Only around you, babe, only around you.” Then his head dipped and his tongue left a trail of heat from her hip to her center.

She dropped back onto the bed and dug her fingers into the mattress. A squeak escaped her lips. Maybe it was how he knew the right things to do. She didn’t want to think of who he practiced on. Cherry’s face crossed her thoughts. Why hadn’t the woman tried to kill her? She’d unknowingly taken this man away from her.

Sofia arched into Wolf’s mouth when he sucked. Hard. Tremors radiated out in waves. Where was all of the nervousness and tension she normally experienced during sex or foreplay? So far, never with Wolf. She’d always thought there was something wrong with her because she couldn’t climax.

With another nip at her thigh, he worked his way up. He was still dressed. She liked the contrasts. His large body over her. The club patches scraping her sensitive skin. Hot lips sucking and kissing her naked skin.

She hooked her fingers on the vest, trying to pull it off. “Get undressed.”

“No, baby. I can’t take a chance of us being interrupted again.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“Move and I’ll lock the door.”

“Already done it.” His hand cupped her between her legs.

She looked up and grinned. “Well, aren’t you a Boy Scout and all prepared?”

“Why certainly, ma’am. At your service.” A long finger slid into her. “Damn, you’re ready for me.”

She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard.

Heat spread over her body as he brought her back to a fever pitch.

A slight shift of his body, and she heard a snap and then a zipper being lowered. His big hands slipped beneath her thighs to separate her legs and lift her hips. His thrust took her breath away. Her breath swooshed out of her lungs. The way he filled her felt so good. She’d missed his body. She’d missed him so much.

Each time he sank into her heat, she knew she couldn’t do without him again. His sneaking in at night was not a solution. She wanted more, wanted to wake up next to him each morning.

When his mouth covered hers, she sucked on his tongue. His reaction was explosive. He drilled into her, fighting for an ending they craved. Then ripples of extreme pleasure shot through them.

“Jesus H. Christ,” he muttered into her neck.

“Yep. Happy birthday, Baby Jesus.”

He chuckled.