CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Starlet
After my cell phone rings for the fifth time, I know who to expect if I answer the call. Time to get it over with. “What?” I ask, trying to sound as tough as I can.
“Listen carefully, Starlet,” Checkers warns. “You have forty-eight hours to report back to the compound. If you do, Silver has agreed to overlook your disloyalty. I convinced him you weren’t thinking straight after Sammy died. However, if you don’t show up on time, I won’t be able to stop the retaliation that’s coming.”
I swallow a couple of times before I find my voice again. Threats like that aren’t empty, and I’ve seen what Silver means by retaliation, slow torture intended to never let you forget what you were being punished for. “Why are you trying to protect me all of a sudden?’
“It’s not for you,” Checkers points out. “You’re just another stupid cunt. It’s for your father, his memory. Despite your shortcomings, you’re still his daughter.”
Not sure if I should be offended that he called me a stupid cunt or touched that Checkers, of all brothers, would actually put his ass on the line to save me from Silver’s wrath. “Thanks for your concern,” I offer. “But I’m never coming back. Lose my phone number, Checkers, this is likely the last time I’ll accept a call from you.”
“Starlet … I know where you are.”
I drop the call, my whole body shaking. How can he know where I’m at? I’m two states away. Yeah, it wouldn’t take a genius to figure out that I might run back to where I came from to make that human connection in Holly Beach. But I’m no fool, I wouldn’t stay long. And though Louisiana isn’t the largest state, there’s lots of places to get lost in—places where no one would look.
I stare out my bedroom window, nervous about Brick’s return. Should I tell him about Checkers? The threat? Admit how frightened I am? No, I can’t. Brothers feed on fear. And though I’m sleeping with Brick, he’s not necessarily on my side, probably never will be. I’m property, a commodity worth some money in the right hands.
An hour later, still sitting in the same spot on my bed, I hear the thunder of Brick’s bike outside. It’s 9PM and I’m starving and thirsty. I don’t move when he knocks on the front door. Instead, I let Juanita answer it. He taps on my bedroom door a few seconds later, and I turn around.
“Come in.”
We gaze at each other before he steps inside. “Starlet.”
“Brick. Has anything changed?”
He closes my door and joins me on the bed, sitting beside me. “Yeah. You have a dinner date at the clubhouse tomorrow night.”
“I do?”
“You can’t refuse, Eagle. He’s trying to be fair. So am I.”
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
“Doesn’t change the facts. You’re not a regular girl living in a normal world. You know that, right?”
I sigh. All my life I’ve heard the same thing. My father started training me early, letting me know clearly who and what I was. “Your dreams shouldn’t extend beyond the kitchen and bedroom,” he’d said countless times. “Learn to cook and clean, how to fix your hair and dress well. If you do, you’ll make the perfect old lady and might have a nice life.” Thanks for the inspiration, Dad. For instilling self-worth and confidence in your only child. Yeah, I know how disappointed you were when you found out you had a daughter. The fact that a penis makes all the difference in a child’s value still pisses me off.
I’m just as loyal and intelligent as any of the brothers. But I had no voice, no say in what I wanted to be. I’d smile and do as I was told, forever the obedient daughter and then wife.
“Starlet?” Brick covers my hand with his.
“Sorry—you brought back some bad memories.”
“That was never my intention. None of this was.”
“Guess I’m to blame.”
He shrugs, obviously unwilling to assign fault. “I’m staying here tonight.”
I snap my fingers. “Just like that? You invite yourself to spend the night in my home—Juanita’s house, really.”
“Yep.”
“You can sleep on the couch in the living room—or in the shed outside.” I inch away from him. “I like to sleep alone.”
He chuckles. “No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do.”
As I’m about to stand, he hooks his arm around my waist and pulls me close. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” He runs his fingers through my hair. “Like silk.”
“I don’t think we should…”
I’m immediately silenced with a kiss. His soft lips cover mine, stealing my breath and quite possibly my sanity. I can’t fight it—the attraction—the need to be wanted. There’s been a hole in my heart for so long, even when Sammy and I were getting along, I never felt loved. Never felt like I belonged anywhere. But in Brick’s strong arms, I’m more aware of the emotional world around me than I’ve ever been. I’ve discovered the difference between being owned and actually giving yourself to someone, even if it’s just for physical gratification.
I chose Brick. Brick chose me.
That’s hot in every way. I turn in his arms, offering myself to him. His hands stray up my sides, cupping my face. “After tonight…” he starts.
“What?”
He grits his teeth, still caressing my face. “It can wait.”
My body is screaming for more attention, the feel of his large calloused hands on my skin and the searing sensation of his kisses. I start to unbutton my blouse.
“Wait.”
“Excuse me?” Did I hear correctly? Brick doesn’t want me to get undressed?
“It’s early. Let’s get a bite to eat, maybe take a ride.”
“A date?”
“If that’s what you want to call it.”
Maybe I can earn Brick’s respect. Maybe we can spend some quality time together. We get along well. And I’ll never get tired of staring at him. What woman would? “Okay.” Riding on the back of his bike again is a risky thing. Like Juanita warned, it gives Brick the right to claim me. I laugh out loud at that thought. Nobody in their right mind would claim me for more than a night. I’m worth my weight in trouble, not gold.
I grab a light jacket from my closet, slip into my cowboy boots, and snatch my purse from my desk.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod and follow him outside.
A light breeze is blowing. There’s nothing like a warm, Louisiana night. The glow of the cityscape against the purple and black sky is hauntingly beautiful. I can see the expansion bridge over the Red River from where I’m standing. Suddenly, I want to ride to Riverview Park and take a long walk. “Let’s go to the riverfront.”
“Wherever you want to go,” he says and climbs on his bike and starts the engine.
I wait for his signal to slip on behind him. This is how it should have felt with Sammy. Safe and secure on the back of his Harley. Instead, I felt like I was on display. There were a couple of times I thought he was going to share me with a brother or two… I shake that memory as we sail downtown, the wind whipping through my long hair, reminding me why I value this newly found freedom and reinforcing my determination to fight for it, even if it means hurting Brick.
We arrive at the park and I immediately take him to my favorite spot—six tall metal rose statues located at the central pavilion. Spotlights highlight the unusual sculptures. “Have you ever been here before?”
He grins. “No.”
“I like it. Juanita and I take walks here a lot—helps clear my mind.”
We circle the statues a couple of times, then I pull him toward the terraced water fountain where there’s benches so we can sit and enjoy the evening air. “What are you really doing here, Brick?”
“In Louisiana?”
“No, with me.”
“Keeping you safe until Eagle decides what to do with you.”
“And what if he chooses to turn me over to Silver?”
My emotions are just waiting to explode inside me depending on what his answer is. At first meeting, Brick appeared to be the typical one percenter, arrogant and out for himself. But after spending more time together, I can see through his tough boy façade. Not that I’m denying he’s a badass, because by every standard, he is. There’s just something more to him, a deeper, more compassionate side. Or maybe he’s been shit on so much he knows how I feel. Haven’t figured it all out yet, I just know he wouldn’t completely turn his back on me, not without good reason.
“I don’t know, Starlet.” He rubs the back of his neck and blows out a breath. “This is a hot mess, baby. And you know I can’t let my personal feelings get in the way. Whatever my prez decides to do…”
Yeah, I know the rules. Bros before hoes. That’s the law—or some variation of it. Even for a man like Brick. Keeping that in mind, I change the subject.
“Where’s your family live?”
He looks at me. “Small talk time?”
“How about we call it a friendly conversation.”
“I have cousins in Philly.”
“And your parents?”
“My father’s in Arlington.”
“Arlington, Texas?”
“No. Arlington National Cemetery.”
Jesus… I didn’t mean to dig. “I’m so sorry, Brick.”
“Don’t be, he was a miserable fuck and an even worse father.”
I know the feeling, I really do. Pain etches Brick’s face, his dark eyes especially.
“What about…”
“Don’t ask about my mother,” he cuts me off.
“Okay, I won’t. What’s your favorite kind of food?”
A wicked grin lights up his features as he stares between my legs.
“Real food.”
“Steak. Potatoes. How about you?”
“I love Mexican and Sushi.”
“I’ll never eat raw fish.”
“Why not?”
“Parasites.”
“There’s other options, you know. Smoked fish, crab, eel…” Maybe I can convince him to try a Sushi roll or something.
“Pizza. Burgers. Even chicken. I like to eat animals that live on land.”
“But you’re in Cajun country now, surrounded by water.”
“Philly has a major port. I grew up around water. Doesn’t mean I want to eat anything fished out of it.”
“That’s very revealing.”
“How so?”
“I wouldn’t have expected you to be so closed minded considering you’re a nomad.”
He laughs at me. “There’s burger joints in every state.”
“Will you indulge me just this once?”
He arches a brow and stretches his arms along the back of the bench. “How?”
“Let’s go to a Sushi bar. I’m in the mood for Sake.”
“I have a bottle of Jack Daniels in my saddle bag, brought it just for you.”
I can’t resist giggling, remembering how shocked I was when the bartender at the Dirty Cajun handed him a bottle to take to our hotel room. “Sake has a different effect on me.”
“Better than whiskey?”
Now I have his full attention. I nod. “But if you’re unwilling to go…”
“Just this once.” He stands and tugs me up from the bench.
I like Brick when he’s playful. We head for the bar district and find a parking space before we stroll down the main street searching for the right place to eat. There’s hundreds of people inside the restaurants and on the sidewalks, and for a brief moment, I pretend Brick and I are a normal couple out on date night. We’re married with three kids. I give him a sideways look, wondering what kind of father he’d be. Patient and kind? Or stern and short-tempered? Doesn’t matter, I know he’d love his children, just like I would. We were both robbed of normal childhoods.
“How’s this?” He pauses under the overhang of Chu’s Sushi Bar.
“Perfect,” I say, opening the door for him.
He steps inside and looks around. His patches draw attention, but nobody says anything. The hostess ushers us to a private table in the far corner and offers us a couple of menus.
“What can I get you to drink?” she asks.
“Sake,” I speak up first. “Lots of it.”
She smiles and scoots off before Brick can order something else. I watch as he searches the menu for something that looks familiar.
“What the hell is this?” he asks.
“What?”
He points to a Yamada roll with tempura sea bass, crab, avocado, cucumber, soy paper, sweet and spicy sauce, and fried wonton slivers. “An amazing choice.”
He grunts and continues scanning the menu.
“Do you trust me enough to make this a pleasant experience for you?”
He leans into me and lifts my hair off my shoulder, then whispers in my ear. “Only if you agree to let me make dessert a pleasant experience for you. I want to suck your clit until you cum in my mouth.”
His words are filthy but electrifying. I squirm a little, imagining his face buried nose-deep in my pussy. I close my eyes and moan. “Brick…”
He slips his hand under the table and up the leg of my shorts. I’m wearing a thong, little protection against his probing fingers.
“Shit.” His eyes go wide.
“Is something wrong?”
“You’re fucking wet.”
As his fingers circle over my clit, my whole body convulses. I can’t help it; this man’s touch destroys any self-control I have. Thanking luck that there’s a table cloth concealing what we’re doing, I let him continue, sliding down in the booth, surrendering to his touch.
“Sake.” The server returns with our drinks and I can hardly keep a straight face.
Brick takes over, ordering three Sushi rolls, shrimp appetizers, and a couple of beers. Wait … I thought he didn’t know anything about Sushi!
“That’s right, baby.” He nuzzles close, sinking two fingers inside me.
“Please … Brick … I…” I can feel my orgasm building, a thrumming noise in my ears.
“Let go,” he encourages, keeping his cool while I’m about to fall apart.
Seconds later, I do—unable to hold back. I try to pull his hand away, but he shakes his head. “Not a chance, I like where my fingers are at the moment.”
He lets me unravel, and when I start to recover, he drives his fingers deep again. I hold my breath, fisting the table cloth in both hands, trying to deny myself the pleasure.
“Please. Stop.”
He tilts my chin up and kisses me. I want to scream, but he swallows the noise and smiles against my lips. “That’s just a preview, baby.”