Chapter four
Nicole
There wasn't one part of her body that wasn't rigid with tension. She had no idea why she's been asked to join the group. In her experience, this wasn't normal. She looked at Shel and thought she looked really attractive. She was slim with big brown eyes and streaked blonde hair put up into a messy bun. She appeared shrewd, friendly and approachable. She didn't look that way when one of the club sluts drifted close to their table, her face pulled into a snarl. Clearly, Shel wasn't a fan of their presence. Nicole glanced at Prez, who was looking at her sternly. This couldn't be good.
"Duke, here, tells me you spent three weeks with Riot."
She felt a wave of betrayal knock the air from her lungs. Why had he said anything? Fair enough, Duke had never said he wouldn't tell anyone but she thought he'd understood her reluctance. This wasn't her chosen life and she didn't want to be dragged into a war that wasn't hers to fight. She knew lying wasn't an option and that she would be made to answer if she refused. She dreaded to think what that could involve.
"Yes."
"Yes? That's all you have to say?"
"I told Duke earlier, I don't wanna get involved."
She made sure to not even glance towards Duke through the whole conversation. She'd plead with Prez to understand if he would listen. She knew chances were he wouldn't. 'Club first' was basically a founding principle throughout the whole biker community. She knew it would have been one of the main reasons that Duke would have approached Prez.
"That's not your decision to make." His voice was sharp with authority.
"Anything I know is useless anyway. It was two years ago." She made one last attempt to get out of it. Maybe she could bargain.
"I'll decide if something's useful or not. Get talking."
His eyes were fixed on her and now wasn't the time to mess around, but she needed to try to get something out of this. As Duke said, it's all business. She hesitated for a second, building up the courage to do something so ballsy.
"Okay. Could this count as the compensation you'll want from my Dad?" Her words came fast and all in one small breath. She was glad they weren't all jumbled.
She knew every late payment came with some kind of penalty, otherwise there would be no incentive to pay on time. Most of the time it was markers, money and a swift ass kicking. She'd had to sacrifice birthdays and Christmases so her dad had the extra money to cover compensation in the past, now she wanted something back. Hell, she deserved something back.
Prez stayed silent and just stared at her. She thought for sure she'd pushed too far when he didn't answer straight away and now she was more desperate to get out of this place than ever. After what felt like forever, he answered.
"Deal." Air rushed into her lungs in relief. "First I want a layout of their compound. Everything you remember. Doors, windows, outbuildings. Everything."
"Okay." The crushing sensation on her chest lifted as relief flowed through her entire body.
Her brain felt scrambled as she started to search her memory for every detail she could. Duke, rose to get paper and pens from the office and Kick, went to get refills for everyone. A new brother slid in next to her and she was startled by how much he resembled Duke. He had the same colouring and his features were similar, but he wasn't as physically imposing as Duke. He didn't affect her the way Duke did either. It was impossible not to compare them to each other.
"I'm Razor. You are seriously hot. I bet you've got a sweet tasting pussy. You owned?”
He said this so quickly and seriously that she couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her, she was so startled by what he'd said. He hit her with a panty dropping smile. Was he serious?
"Fuck, that's a great laugh. What other noises do you make?"
At this she laughed even harder and felt some more of her leftover tension slip away. Someone cleared their throat just as she was going to try to answer. She looked across at Duke. He wasn't looking at her, he was staring daggers at Razor. Prez, slapped the table making her jump. All her tension rushed back.
"Here, get to it and explain while you go." He pushed a pad of paper and a pen in front of her.
She started drawing and describing everything she remembered. She had to keep going back and redraw what she'd done so far because she remembered more and more as she talked it through. Everyone at the table was listening intently. Kick and Hollywood stood nearby ensuring nobody else overheard. She then made a list of everyone she'd met or heard mentioned, including all the brothers and their rank, prospects, old ladies and even club sluts. Prez even asked for descriptions. Then she told them what she'd heard about Fallen MC and described any weapons she'd seen. She even described the whip and cane that Wrath had used on her.
Then she ran through her day to day duties and activities. When she spoke of her punishments, everyone at the table was still and quiet. No one interrupted with questions or asked for clarification, like they had through the rest of her information. She could only hear the heavy breathing from Razor and an intermittent growl coming from Duke. Shel and Jewel were looking at her with glassy eyes. She didn't want pity or sympathy. She'd lived through it and come out the other side when she was sure there were plenty of others who hadn't. That was all behind her now. Eventually, she ran out of things to tell them. Leaning back and downing half the wine cooler in her hand in one gulp, she let herself relax slightly. Shel smiled at her.
"Wow. That's one hell of a memory. I don't think I'd be able describe this place in as much detail."
"Yeah, well you learned to pay attention, especially around Wrath and his inside men. Get shit wrong and all hell rained down on you.....whether or not you deserved it. They didn't bother with finding out the facts or the truth before doling out punishments. When you're constantly looking for places to disappear, you remember every nook and cranny."
Shel stayed quiet, nodded her head and lifted her glass for Nicole to clink. All the brothers looked enraged and clearly wanted more details about the punishments that she'd briefly talked about. She could almost see their minds turning, thinking of the best ways to ask their questions, but that was her personal story and she wasn't sharing. It had nothing at all to do with the information they wanted.
"You got everything you need here?" Shel asked. Nicole could tell this was Shel reaching out.
Nicole chortled. "I wouldn't mind if someone would go to my apartment and get my bras." Shel burst out laughing and Razor whined that it wasn't necessary.
"Typical brothers.” She rolled her eyes. “Anything else?"
"Yeah, my clock. And if someone could go in my purse and get my bank card, draw some money and pay my landlord for the next couple of months rent, that would be great. I'm never giving that bastard my bank details. Also, can I get a lock for my door?"
Shel, Razor and Hollywood broke into more laughter while everyone else looked stunned. She supposed it was quite a list to what she knew had been a rhetorical question. But if you don't ask, you don't get.
"Sure, I'll get that shit sorted for you. For now though, get your ass back behind the bar for two more hours while most of the brothers are still standing. I'll come get you when you're done and show you what you can do for me tomorrow." Shel smiled and winked at her.
Nicole didn't mind being dismissed, especially by Shel. She seemed the type of woman she could be friends with. She needed to get her mind on something else, going over all that Riot stuff was giving her a headache and dragging up some memories she'd rather stay buried.
"Thanks, Shel." She returned Shel's smile and went back to the bar.
She could feel Duke's gaze on her back. She didn't have the mental energy to be pissed at him anymore. After listening to some of the stories they'd mentioned of their dealings with Riot, Nicole could understand why Duke would do anything to give them the upper hand. She had ignored him completely through the entire conversation. He had a way of muddling her brain and at the time she wanted to stay mad at him. If only she could stop wanting him, but she didn't. Her body and mind were at war and so far her body was winning. Then again, her mind wasn't putting up much of a fight. A tumble with him might just clear her headache, she smirked to herself.
Duke
He hated watching Nicole walk away from him. It felt unnatural somehow. The group continued to discuss what she'd told them.
"Fuck. I never thought how dangerous it would be for her to be here after she told me about Riot earlier. Just thought about what we could find out. Shit."
Duke was trying to keep his cool, he hadn't fully appreciated her unwillingness to share. He thought she was just being cagey or hiding something. He understood it now though, after everything she'd said. Listening to her describing her punishments and encounters with Wrath, and other Riot brothers, made him want to attack them straight away. He knew she'd majorly skimmed over the details too, and he wanted so badly to know everything so that he could make every punch and bullet hole coming to those fuckers count.
She sure as shit wouldn't be put in any danger by being here at the compound, if he had anything to do with it. She could stay with him in his apartment upstairs, if need be. It would get her off the first floor and no one would expect her to be in there. He supposed she could move into one of the brothers' rooms on the second floor that wasn't occupied full time and knew plenty would offer. He would pound every last one into the ground if that happened until she had nowhere to go but to him. He chose to ignore the fact that the compound had never been infiltrated, and that what floor she was on was of little consequence. His growing obsession was starting to piss him off. He needed to screw her out of his system, that was all. One night and he'd be back to his old self. He internally scoffed, he couldn't even convince himself of that lie.
"Fucking, Nole. He should have told us she'd spent time there. He may be a dumb bastard but he knows enough, and he would be well aware that this could start a storm of shit with Riot." Razor always had his back.
"Nothing we can do differently now. She'll have to stay inside the compound boundaries at all times. I know, Shel, you were gonna pass the grocery shopping on to her while she was here, but it ain't goin’ happen. You'll have keep it up. Other than beat the piss out of Nole Fletcher, there's not much else we can do until we know more. The shit she told us, if it's still accurate, is like the fucking golden goose taking a dump in our lap. This could all be a good thing. Guess we'll have wait and see." Prez was right. As usual.
"Shit, Tanya just texted saying Rod's sick. I'm gonna have go get him and take him home. Razor, could you show Nicole the kitchen and say I'll sort the rest with her tomorrow? She seemed comfortable around you. I've gotta go." Shel stood up to leave.
"Sure. No problem. Besides she may need a hand!" He waggled his eyebrows and thrust his fingers suggestively.
Something in Duke exploded. "You keep your fucking hand to yourself! I'll show her the fucking kitchen." The mere idea of his brother getting to her first had him spitting.
"Okay, okay. I know the score, you saw her first. However, if you don't seal the deal tonight, all bets are off come morning. That's some quality pussy and I ain't gonna give any other brother the chance of a shot with her if she don't want your moody ass." His brothers started laughing, particularly Kick and Hollywood.
"Fuck you! You stay the hell away from Nicole, or I'll nail you to the fucking wall!" He couldn't stop the words firing from his mouth. He'd lost control. Fuck. He had never threatened his brother unless they were joking around.
"He's right you know. Musketeers have already offered her a trial run." Hollywood, added. He loved pulling a reaction out of Duke.
No way Duke would let her end up with those three’s 'property of' rockers on her back. He stormed outside to get some air. Shit, he'd completely lost it. What was the bitch doing to him? He was gutted that he'd lost it with Razor, the guy was his younger brother and they always had each others backs. It must have been hearing all that fucked up shit that had happened to her that set him off. It had his mind turning over, and he was sure Nicole hadn't told them all of it.
He would bet every cent he owned that she'd have left out the worst stuff. After every reveal the need to pick her up, wrap her in his arms and protect her had increased. She'd barely looked at him though and he craved that connection. This bitch was old lady material and he'd got no intention of letting his brothers find out if they'd want to own her first. She was his. Where the fuck had that thought come from? Shit, now he was scaring himself.
"Duke, what the fucking hell was that? Jesus Christ! You soft on the bitch or something?" Razor had followed him.
"Nah, just need to get fucked. Staring at her tight ass and ripe tits most of the day has got me twitchin’."
He knew every word he'd just spoken to his brother was pure bullshit. Usually no matter what a bitch looked like, once he'd dipped his dick, all interest was gone for him, but he knew deep down that that didn't apply to Nicole. Sure, she's a fucking stunner, yet the more he learned and listened to her, the more she'd affected him. He knew if it was just her body he wouldn't have any reaction to the things she said, but he'd been gripped to every word. Every negative experience she’d described added to the burn building in his chest. He couldn't believe it'd only been a day since he'd first seen her face. Fuck, a lot had happened today.
"Okay, Duke, I'd lock it up soon though. Plenty of brothers are gonna make a move through the night, you already know the Musketeers are quietly sizing her up and they're looking to own." Razor was right.
Most brothers loved the freedom of being single. It gave them endless amounts of pussy, offered up freely for the taking. It never mattered where they were or what they were doing, they had no one to answer to other then their brothers. He knew heads had turned when Nicole came through the bar earlier, and like him, his brothers weren't stupid. They would lock on to a quality bitch like Nicole without giving their single lives a second glance.
They could all go fuck themselves. No way were they touching what he thought of as his, and Nicole was going to be his. His decision solidified in his mind; talk about his crazy mind taking him through a complete one-eighty. He'd be saying goodbye to plenty of pussy, but he knew with every fibre of his being he'd regret not locking down Nicole, and there was zero chance of him putting up with her being with someone else. Blood would be shed. He had enough regrets, he didn't want another added to the list.
A finger nail dragged down his bicep, snapping Duke back into himself. Helen sauntered around to his front and tried to wrap her arms around his waist. He'd been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't heard her approach. That was a first. He held her shoulders and pushed her away, putting plenty of distance between them. He glanced over to the bar to make sure Nicole hadn't seen her touch him. Helen was not going to fuck this up for him. She saw him look towards Nicole. She grabbed onto his arm, digging her nails in.
"No way are you pushing me off for that ugly cunt in there! That weird fucking bitch ain't touching this cock!" She tried palming his dick through his jeans with her free hand. Duke slapped it away. Time to cut the shit. This bitch needed cutting down to size.
"I don't know how you think you can get off telling me where I can stick my dick! Your used up, loose pussy ain't anything special. You're a crazy fucking bitch! You ain't my old lady and never had a chance to be, so fuck off before I make you leave - permanently."
Helen’s face twisted in rage and she stormed off towards the other sluts hanging around by the fire pit. He felt better having let out some of his frustration. Taking a deep, calming breath, Duke strode into the bar. He was going to sit, have a beer, get in Nicole's head and get her to forgive him for spilling to Prez. That was the plan. It rapidly changed as he approached. She turned to him and unleashed a bright, genuine smile his way before quickly covering it. She didn't want to show her hand either. He could appreciate that, but there would be no hiding from him. His body nearly convulsed with the heat that shot through him. He couldn't wait another fucking minute, the imprint of his zipper was most likely forever etched on his cock.
"Nicole, come on, I'll show you the kitchen." She looked up at him and he could tell she was making a great effort to keep her face neutral.
"I thought Razor was taking me? Anyway, I have another half hour to finish up." She pointed towards the clock above the bar and started to inch away from him.
Losing any small amount of patience that he had left, he grabbed her hand and pulled her all the way out of the bar and upstairs to his apartment, forgetting the kitchen altogether. He could hear her protesting behind him and trying to escape from his grip. His brothers whistled and yelled out, but he blocked it all out. He had one purpose right now. He wasn't giving her a chance to protest. Pulling her through the door, he turned to slam it shut and lock it.
"I don't know what your fucking problem is. You don't get to drag me around like a fucking dog on a leash." Her face was flushed with anger and her chest rose and fell quickly as she panted from the rush upstairs. He liked her fire.
Duke stayed silent and slowly stalked towards her, backing her into the wall. Pressing his body to hers, she pushed against him, but it was like a fly trying to move a mountain. He slowly raised his hand and stroked his fingers from her temple to her chin, never looking away from her eyes. She fit to his body as if carved from his own form. He needed to find out what it was about her that he reacted to. No, he needed to find out everything about her, period. This wasn't like him at all. He liked the women to do the chasing while he remained indifferent to their attention and took advantage of it only when he wanted to. Everything was different with Nicole, it was an entirely different thrill and much more potent.
"You need to let me go. I'm still meant to be behind the bar and I'm covered in beer, I need a shower." She puffed out. He felt her every word vibrate through his chest.
"After."
"After what?" Her eyes were glazing over. She knew.
He took the tie from her hair, leaving it to fall like a thick, silken wave over his hands. Fisting the hair at her nape, keeping her trapped, he leaned down and touched his lips softly to hers while never looking away from her jewelled eyes. Nicole's lips were parted from her soft pants and their softness moulded to his lips. He kept her still as he explored their plumpness with his own lips. She wasn't struggling against him now. He felt as the fight left her body and she melted into him.
The weight of his body kept her propped up, leaving his other hand to stroke softly up and down her arm, savoring the soft as fuck skin under his fingers. He'd never felt anything so soft. His hand came to rest on the side of her neck, her pulse thumping under his palm. He begrudgingly inched away from her mouth to start his exploration of her body.
Nicole hands were fisted on the sides of his cut, keeping their bodies flush. He licked his lips and tasted the trace of sweetness left behind from their brief touch. She mirrored his action and he heard a tiny whimper emerge from her throat. Abandoning his plan and tightening his hold, he slammed his mouth back onto hers and forced his tongue through her lips. Her taste exploded in his mouth. Sweet and intoxicating. Her tongue moved with his, twisting and gliding with each other. Duke couldn't pull back. This was bliss and better already than most of the sex he'd ever had. He wondered how long he needed before taking his next breath. Nicole split away first and ensnared him in her hypnotic gaze. Fuck, he'd never seen anything so beautiful. Her swollen lips were beckoning him back to her.
Her voice was a pleaded whisper. "Take me. Fuck me. Please....."