Chapter Twenty-Seven
Six weeks later
Army held Mia’s hand and she glanced over and smiled weakly.
“Don’t be so nervous. None of the guys will say shit to you with me around.”
“That’s not exactly the most comforting thought. I want them to accept me, not hate and mistrust me.”
“Most of the brothers are cool, but the ones who aren’t will come around in time.”
“I hope so.” Mia leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I never thought the DA would dismiss the charges against you.”
“Yeah … I gotta call Hawk and tell him Cara did real good in referring Mitch. He’s a helluva lawyer.”
Mia squeezed his hand. “I know I’ve thanked you a million times for paying for Finn’s attorney, but thank you again. I talked to the lawyer earlier this morning, and Finn’s taking the plea bargain. Instead of twenty-five years in prison, he’s going to get twelve.”
Army nodded. “That’s a damn good deal considering what he was facing. With good time credits, he’ll probably be up for parole in about eight years.”
“Yeah. I’d like to visit him, but he doesn’t want me to. He didn’t even want me at any of the hearings.”
“I get that. You can write to him. He’s gonna get real bored in the pen.” He ran the back of his fingers down her face.
Since Army had made bail several weeks ago, he’d been living with Mia in Durango. One of the conditions of getting bail was not to leave the jurisdiction. Army was fine with the decision, and after the bond hearing, Mia had been outside the jail waiting for him. She’d driven straight to her house, and that was where he’d stayed until that morning when the judge dismissed all the charges against him. Army needed to get back to the Night Rebels, and he wanted to show the brothers that Mia was his woman, and she was here to stay.
“Taylor’s doing real well with his rehab,” Mia said as she ran her fingers through his hair.
“He’s a fighter—that’s for sure. I think he may even be able to get back in the ring in a year or so. I’m still pissed that I didn’t drag his ass outta there.” The guilt about that night still gave Army a sick feeling that would probably sit in the pit of his stomach for the rest of his life. He wanted nothing more than to have Taylor realize his dream and go pro. Army knew it was a long shot, but he’d told Taylor before leaving Durango that he’d be coming back regularly to make sure his brother did what the doctor ordered.
Mia ran her hand down the back of his neck and massaged it gently. “Taylor wants to get back in the ring in the worst way, so he’ll definitely follow the doctor’s orders. I’ll check up on him and report back to you.”
“My dad’s a good watchdog.” Army laughed. “Taylor’s already griping about how disorganized Dad keeps the house.” The physician had told Taylor that he couldn’t put any weight on his healing leg for at least six months, so the doctor gave him two choices: stay at the rehab center or get a caregiver. Army had suggested his brother move in with their dad, and Army paid for the caretakers. “The only thing I’m worried about is my dad’s crush on Maddie. I warned him to back off because she’s great with Taylor, and he doesn’t want to lose her. Good caregivers are hard to find.”
“Since meeting your dad, I can see where you got some of your Don Juan ways.”
Army glanced at her sparkling eyes and twitching lips, and laughed. “You probably have a point there.”
The closer they got to Alina, the harder Mia kneaded the nape of his neck. She hadn’t wanted to stay in his room due to the animosity some of the brothers had toward her, so Army had booked a room for them at the hotel Mia had stayed at when she’d come to Alina for the first time.
“I’m gonna get you settled in at the hotel then I’m going to the club. I made reservations at Flanigan’s. It’s one of the best steakhouses in town.”
“That sounds nice.” Mia fluffed his hair with her fingers.
Army caught her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed each finger. “Do you know how crazy you make me?” he asked.
“If it’s anything like what you do to me then I know,” she answered softly.
All of a sudden, Army pulled over on the shoulder of the highway and turned off the ignition.
“What’s wrong?” Mia asked. Her eyes were luminous in the sunlight, which intensified the toffee highlights in her hair.
Army slid his arm behind her back and pressed her against his chest, and crushed his mouth on hers. Mia moaned softly and kissed him back, their tongues tangling. She was lean and soft and he loved the way she felt in his arms. He loved every part of her, and as long as he lived, he’d never get enough of her.
“You’re mine,” Army whispered over her lips.
“And you’re mine,” Mia mumbled back as they kissed deeply. The soft sounds she made had his cock growing harder, and all Army wanted to do was drag her over the seat to the back and pound into her.
Army eased away from Mia, his heart pounding, his temperature soaring. “We better get going,” he rasped, turning the ignition.
“Maybe we can have some fun before you head over to the club.” Her lips curled into a wicked smile.
Army stepped on the accelerator and sped down the highway while Mia giggled and snuggled next to him, her head resting on his shoulder. He couldn’t get to Alina fast enough.
* * *
Army walked into the clubhouse amid cheers and whistles from the brothers. Before he could make it to the bar, the prospect gave him a beer in one hand and a tumbler of Jack straight up in the other.
“All fuckin’ charges dismissed!” Army yelled, holding the drinks in the air.
“Fuck yeah!” several brothers shouted, raising their fists in solidarity.
Army downed his shot and threw the glass against the wall, and the room erupted in laughter as Eagle, Chains, Brutus, and Cueball followed suit, smashing their bottles and tumblers against the back wall.
“How the hell did you get them to drop the possession of a dangerous weapon charge?” Brick asked as he brought a beer bottle to his mouth.
“My lawyer’s kickass,” Army replied, glancing at Goldie and Paco.
The truth was that Steel had told Army’s attorney about the drug buy between the Satan’s Pistons and the 39th Street Gang, and the lawyer used it as a negotiation tool to get the illegal knife charge dismissed. Mitch had never revealed where the information had come from, and the narcotic detectives were still patting themselves on the back for busting one of the largest drug transactions of their careers.
Tipping off badges about criminal activity wasn’t something the Night Rebels did, but it’d seemed like the only way to keep Army from doing a three-year stint in the pen and two years of mandatory parole. Added bonuses for leaking the information were that the bust had shut down the 39th Street punks for a while, and most of the Pistons at the warehouse had been arrested, crippling their club for a long time.
“I heard what happened to Shark,” Buzz said as he pulled Army into a bear hug. “I also heard you’re still going out with the sister.”
“Yeah. My woman’s here to stay.” Army narrowed his eyes. “You got a problem with that?”
Buzz jerked his head back. “No fuckin’ way, dude. I’m just trying to digest you saying my woman. Never thought I’d hear those words come outta your mouth.”
Neither did I, but Mia slipped into my life and hooked me before I even knew what had happened. Now I can’t imagine a life without her.
“Mia really came through for you and the brotherhood,” Paco said, handing Army another drink.
“She had your back, bro, even after what happened to her fuckin’ brother. She’s okay, and she’s a good asset to the club—man, can she fight. You better watch it if you piss her off,” Chains said.
The men laughed and Army glanced over at Crow, who stood off to the side drinking a beer.
“When’s Stiletto’s next fight?” Buzz asked.
“Not sure, and you better not call her Stiletto outside of the ring or she’ll have you in a submission before you’ll know what hit you,” Army said to the Fallen Slayer member.
Buzz guffawed and slapped Army on the back. “Good one, bro.”
As more Fallen Slayers entered the clubhouse, Army grabbed another beer and made his way over to Crow. Before he reached him, Alma ran up to Army and gave him a big hug.
“I really missed you,” she whispered in his ear.
He gently eased her away and smiled. “Did you think I moved to Durango for good?”
“No, but you were gone a long time.” Alma twirled a strand of her dark hair around her finger. “Did you bring that lady back with you?”
Army tilted his head back. “Yeah … I brought my woman with me.”
The club girl’s face fell and she looked down at the floor. “Oh,” she muttered then she looked up at him. “Are you gonna want to have some fun on the side like Rooster and Tattoo Mike?” She bit the corner of her bottom lip as she locked gazes with him.
“Mia’s more than enough woman for me, but Buzz’s got a thing for you.”
Alma’s dark eyes brightened. “He does?” She craned her neck. “Where is he?”
“By the bar. He likes pretty dark-haired women who walk like they’re doing the rumba.”
Alma put her hand behind his neck and tugged his face down and kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks,” she whispered, and then walked away.
Army watched her sashay toward Buzz, and smiled when the big guy wrapped his powerful arms around Alma’s tiny waist and lifted her up then planted a big kiss on her mouth. Army turned around and walked over to Crow.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” Crow stared straight ahead.
“We good?” Army took out two joints and handed one to Crow.
Crow took the weed and put it between his lips. “You still going out with her?”
Army leaned against the wall, the joint dangling from his mouth. “Yeah. She’s staying around for a damn long time, bro.”
Crow glanced sideways at him. “She’s a damn good fighter.” He lit the joint.
Army blew out. “Mia’s the best.” Pride swelled inside him, and he couldn’t wait to get back to the hotel and be with her.
“I’d see her fight again,” Crow said, still staring straight on.
“She’ll probably come to the clubhouse once in a while and be at some of the family events. You gonna be cool with that?” Army chugged his beer.
Crow shrugged. “She came through for the Night Rebels. Yeah … she sure can fight.”
“Yeah,” Army replied.
They finished their joints and their drinks without saying another word and, in that moment, Army knew the club would embrace his woman.
When Brutus and Skull walked in with several strippers from Lust, Army looked at his phone and decided to head back to the hotel. He wanted to have a special evening with his precious woman. As he walked through the crowd, he stopped and talked a bit before finally making it outside.
“Are you leaving so soon?” Eagle asked.
Army glanced over at him and saw that he had his arm wrapped around Kelly. She winked at Army then ran her blue-tipped nails up and down Eagle’s arm.
“I’m taking Mia to Flanigan’s,” Army replied.
Eagle’s eyes widened. “That’s some serious shit, dude. You gonna do something pansy-assed like make her your old lady?”
“We just like steak. I gotta go. Later.” They pumped fists in the air, and then Army jumped on his Harley and sped toward downtown.
When Army arrived at the hotel, he stopped by the front desk and thrummed his fingers on the counter while he waited for the clerk to finish his phone call. The tall man with wire-framed glasses hung up the receiver and walked over to Army.
“May I help you?” he asked.
“I want two bottles of champagne sent to my room—403. I’m taking my woman out for dinner, so I want them in the room when we get back.”
The front desk clerk smiled. “Celebrating a special occasion?”
Stone-faced, Army stared at him. “We leave at six thirty, so make sure the champagne is brought in after that.”
The man cleared his throat. “Would you like to add chocolate dipped strawberries to your order?”
Army splayed his hands out on the smooth granite counter. “Why the fuck not.”
A small frown creased the desk clerk’s forehead. “Is that a yes, sir?”
“Fuck yeah.” Army hit the counter with his hand and the man jumped back. Army guffawed and turned around, and then swaggered to the elevators.
Army fished for the key card in his pocket but he couldn’t find it. He knocked on the door and heard Mia’s light footsteps approaching.
“It’s me, babe,” he said through the door.
The door swung open and Mia stood before him in a short as hell ivory robe, cinched tightly around her waist by a sash. The shiny robe draped sexily over her curves, and a hint of cleavage peeked out from the slightly opened neckline. Army ran his tongue over his lips as his gaze traveled up and down her body.
“Are you just going to stand there gawking at me, or are you coming in?” Mia asked.
Army glanced up at her and saw desire burning in her amber eyes. “Fuck you look sexy,” he said in a low voice.
Mia ran her hands over her body, and then cupped her breasts. “Do we have time to play?” she asked softly, gripping his hand and jerking him inside.
Army kicked the door shut, yanked her to him, and took her mouth. Deep. Hungry. Mia slipped her hands under his shirt and drew her nails down his back, scratching him savagely.
“I like that,” he gritted as he undid the robe’s sash.
Army’s hand covered one of her tits and he squeezed it hard, loving the way Mia groaned and dug her nails deeper into his skin. They clawed, bit and humped each other like two animals in heat, and then Army slammed Mia’s back against the wall and leaned into her with the full weight of his body, pinning her. He pushed his hands inside her robe and ran them down her soft skin, and when he felt her panties, he looped his fingers around them and ripped them off. Mia cried out and tore his back even more with long scratches.
“I’ve been wanting to fuck you ever since we left Durango,” he snarled.
“That makes two of us,” she said before biting his bottom lip.
Army’s fingers slid between her folds, and her juices covered them, exciting him more. “You’re so fuckin’ wet for me.”
“That’s what you do to me.” Mia grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and tugged at it.
Army’s teeth nipped and bit at her neck, her shoulders, and her tits, her moans fueling his burning lust. In frantic moves, they tore off each other’s clothes, touching, grabbing, kissing, and biting as if it were the last time they’d ever taste and feel each other again.
Army lifted Mia’s leg and she wrapped it around him, and then she put her other leg around, hugging him tightly as he held her up, his hands squeezing her ass checks.
“I need it so bad,” he grunted as he thrust into her. He crushed his mouth on hers and then he banged her hard and fast. Mia cried out, her hands gripping his shoulders, her firm body matching his rhythm.
Her arousal mixed with his created a tangy, musky scent which drove him fucking wild, and he pounded in and out of her. Sweat beaded on his brow and trickled down his back.
“So fuckin’ good,” he panted as he pushed harder and deeper. “Touch your sweet spot for me, baby.”
Army watched as Mia slipped her fingers between her engorged lips and flicked her clit while he fucked her. “I love watching you touch yourself,” he growled.
“I’m so close, Army,” she moaned.
He was too, and the combination of her whimpers, her face contorting in pleasure, and her finger furiously rubbing her hardened nub pushed his passion over the top. Mia banged her head against the wall with a thud as she cried out her release, bucking against him, mumbling incoherently. And then the knot at the root of his cock dissolved in fire, melting.
“Mia! Fuck!” he shouted.
Their orgasms downed them both, and they crumbled like sand to the floor, holding each other tightly, panting, their bodies sated.
After their breathing returned to normal, Army kissed her slowly and gently. With his fingertips, he traced the outline of her lips, loving the way they still glistened from his kiss. “I fuckin’ love you,” he said in a low voice.
The tip of Mia’s tongue brushed over the pads of his fingers. “I love you too.”
After a while, Army eased away from her and stood up, holding out his hand. “We’ve got dinner reservations, baby.” He helped Mia up and handed her the robe and ripped panties.
“I better get ready. I’m always starving after a workout.” She winked at him, and he swatted her ass as she went into the bathroom.
An hour later they sat by the restaurant window eating shrimp cocktail. Mia was beautiful in a form-fitting plum dress with her hair loose around her shoulders. Army smiled at her as he brought the whiskey to his mouth.
“It’s so lovely and romantic in here,” she said, picking up the glass of white wine.
“I’m glad you like it. It’s one of my favorite steakhouses in Alina.”
“I wish I could stay for the rest of the week and spend more time with you, but I have too many clients.” Mia popped another shrimp in her mouth.
“How’s it gonna play out when you go back to Durango?”
She glanced up at him. “I guess I can come down on my days off.”
“And the times you don’t come down or I can’t come up?”
Mia put her fork down and looked at him. “What’re you trying to tell me?”
“That commuting sucks.” Army finished the drink.
“I know, and I’m worried about if we get a bad snowstorm. Remember a few years ago when that blizzard hit? If that happens again, it could be weeks until we see each other. I don’t like thinking about it.”
The waiter removed their dishes and placed their salads on the white tablecloth. “Ground black pepper?”
Mia nodded and the server doused the lettuce leaves in black sprinkles, then did the same to Army’s salad. Mia picked up her fork and mixed the greens together.
“I’d get to you even in a blizzard,” Army said.
“That’s sweet, but it sounds dangerous.” She smiled.
Army reached into the pocket of his leather jacket that hung behind his chair and pulled out a box wrapped with a white ribbon. Mia’s eyes widened slightly as they focused on the blue box in his hand, and a pinkish flush tinted her skin. A smile played at her lips as she put her fork down then locked her gaze with his. “Is that a present for me?”
She looks so damn gorgeous, sitting there, her mind working overtime. “Yeah, but I’m gonna open it.”
“If it’s for me—shouldn’t I open it?” Mia asked.
Army laughed then handed her the box. For a long pause, she stared at it then opened the lid slowly.
“It’s beautiful,” Mia gasped.
Army gently took the box from her and took out the cushion cut black diamond. The band had three rows of smaller white diamonds all around it. The ring sparkled in the light from the candle on the table in a way that was majestic. He took her hand and slipped it on her finger.
“You’re the best damn thing that’s ever happened to me,” Army said.
Mia stared at the glittering ring on her finger then glanced at Army. “It’s breathtaking,” she said softly.
“I know we’re meant to spend our lives together. We’ve been through a lot, and I can’t imagine spending one fuckin’ day without you. I want to spend my forever with you by my side. I want you to be my old lady. Marry me, babe.”
Mia held up her hand and stared at the ring. “Aren’t you supposed to ask me?”
Her sassiness drove Army insane with desire. “I’m not asking shit—I’m telling.”
“If you’re not asking a question, am I still supposed to answer?” A devilish smile whispered across her lips.
“Fuck yeah.”
Mia locked her gaze with his. “I love you with all my heart.” She smiled and reached for his hand. “You’re my dark knight in leather on a big iron horse, and I want to live my life with you. I’d be honored to call you my old man.”
Army laughed, leaning forward then curling a hand behind the nape of her neck, under all that soft brown hair he loved so fucking much. He fused his mouth to hers as he kissed her passionately. Mia was his nasty princess in his twisted fantasy, and his demons played very well with hers. She was the only woman he wanted on his body and in his life. Mia was his old lady, and nothing would ever pull them apart.
The busser came over and Army sat back, his gaze still fixed on Mia’s as the man cleared the table. The waiter placed a plate of prime rib and sautéed mushrooms in front of Mia, then set Army’s thick steak, baked potato, and asparagus dish before him.
As Mia cut into the prime rib, her sparkling eyes matched the brilliance of the ring. “Are you sure you’re okay with getting married? I mean I know how you feel about the establishment.”
Her words made his cock twitch, and he couldn’t wait to take her home and spank some of the sass out of her. “I’m just thinking about you, baby. Unfortunately, we live under Big Brother’s rules, so if something happens to me, I want to make sure you get my assets.”
“Great answer,” she said softly before putting the morsel of beef into her mouth.
“Now that we’re gonna be hitched, I want you to move to Alina.”
Mia started coughing and her hand flew to the base of her throat. “That sure came out of left field.” She picked up the glass of wine and brought it to her mouth.
“Not really. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. There’s no fuckin’ way I’m not having you with me every day—”
“And there’s no fucking way I’m moving to the clubhouse and living in your room.”
Army finished chewing. “Right. Oh … by the way—the brothers are cool with you. You standing by me proved you’re all right.”
Mia’s eyes widened. “Did they tell you that?”
“Yeah. Even Crow’s cool. I meant to tell you that when I got back to the hotel, but you distracted me.”
Mia laughed. “I’m happy to hear the club doesn’t harbor any bad feelings toward me, but I still don’t want to live in your room.”
“If you wouldn’t have interrupted me, you’d have found out that I want us to look for a house. I’m cool with whatever you pick.”
Mia set her fork down and leaned back. “Wow … a lot of changes are happening right now. I have my business … Champion … and my friends, especially Ronica.”
Army nodded “Okay, but hear me out. You can get into a salon in town, and I can help out while you grow your customer base. The second thing—Champion—is something I’ve been thinking about very seriously. Alina doesn’t have a decent MMA training center. The two in the county are pathetic at best. I was thinking you could open one up here. You’d make a shitload of money, and you’d be able to train and compete as well.”
“My own gym? I don’t know anything about opening one up.”
“I’m gonna help you figure it out. Taylor can give you some ideas, and I’m sure Goliath would be more than happy to give you the lowdown on how to start a gym.”
She picked up her fork again and put another morsel of food in her mouth, chewing slowly. “The main thing would be to have great trainers. Dominant and Madman have told me that they want to move their families out of Durango and into a smaller town. They both mentioned Alina as a strong contender. I could talk to them and see if they’d be interested in working at my new gym.”
Army smiled inwardly when she’d called the gym hers. The way her cheeks flushed and her eye twitched, he knew the idea of opening an MMA training gym would be right up her alley.
“And Ronica and my other friends can come down to Alina to visit, and I’ll go up and see them. You and I will be going up to support Taylor, so I can arrange some lunches with them during that time. I think this is going to work out great.” She grabbed his hand. “I can’t wait to get our own home together.”
“Me neither. I’d love to do it tomorrow, but I know you have to wind down your business and decide what you want to do with your townhouse.”
“I’ll sell it. I don’t want to deal with renters.” She pushed her hair behind her shoulders. “I hope people will join the gym. I’ll definitely offer self-defense classes.”
“I already know three customers for those classes—Breanna, Hailey, and Raven. Chelsea’s sitting on the fence, but I’m sure Paco’s gonna talk her into going. Those women are the old ladies. You’ll meet them in a couple of weeks at one of the family nights. They’re gonna love you. They get together for dinners and shit a couple of times a month.”
Mia grinned. “That sounds awesome. I can’t wait to meet them.”
“Would you like any dessert?” the waiter asked as the busser cleared away their empty plates.
Army glanced at Mia who shook her head. “We’re good, but we’ll take two glasses of champagne.”
The waiter tilted his head and walked away. Army tucked Mia’s hands in his.
“When we get back to the hotel, I have two bottles of champagne waiting along with your cut bearing my property patch. I can’t wait to see you in it.”
“I’m so happy,” she gushed leaning toward him.
Army met her halfway and they shared a passionate and loving kiss. The waiter put two flutes in front of them, and Army clinked his glass against Mia’s; her lips turned up into a big, glowing smile.
I get so fuckin’ lost in her smile and her laugh. Hell … I just get so damn lost in her.
Mia was his forever, and nothing would ever change that.
Make sure you sign up for my newsletter so you can keep up with my new releases, special sales, free short stories, and other treats only available to newsletter readers. When you sign up, you will receive a FREE hot and steamy novella. Sign up at: .