Chapter Twelve
“You better take care of my baby,” Russ said, pointing a finger at Duke.
“I will, sir, I promise.”
“Okay, Sheila’s already made plans for us tonight.” Russ tapped him on the shoulder. “You did a good run. A good investment.”
Duke had shared the three million among all members of the club. They’d each taken their cash to be stored until they could use it safely. The money could be spent on small things, grocery shopping, a few minor debts that were in the hundreds, but nothing in the thousands as that brought attention.
“Ned’s happy with the deal.”
“The Skulls are taking a break,” Russ said. “I can’t blame them. They’re a good crew and have been through a lot of shit. When’s the next ride?”
“Not for a couple of months.” This was what Duke liked about dealing with Ned and Diaz. The work was regular but not dangerously close together. They were just starting out, so every few months they’d have a big shipment. Once they proved their worth, more jobs would come their way. In the meantime, Duke could get his house finished, and get the mechanics shop back up to being the best in town. They were only repairing a couple of cars a week. Duke knew they could be doing a few cars a day.
“Right, I’m out of here.” Russ slapped him on the back. “Treat her right.”
He watched Russ walk out of the club without a backward glance. Duke didn’t need to respond to Russ. He had every intention of treating his woman, right.
Declining a beer, he stood up, and headed toward church. He stopped when he found Raoul sitting at the table, staring at the insignia inscribed into it.
“What are you doing in here?”
“I never meant to say the shit I did. I didn’t even want it to go as far as it did that night,” Raoul said, glancing up at Duke. “I know you sent me to be with Holly because I was closer to her age. I don’t know what the fuck happened that night. We were dancing, having a lot of fun. I’ve always liked Holly, and that night I finally saw what you did.”
Duke glared at the men. Neither of them had spoken about his involvement with Raoul taking Holly to the prom.
“She was beautiful, fun, alive, happy. When we got the room and she asked me to make love to her, I did. I didn’t even think about the consequences. When it was over, I knew I’d screwed up.” Raoul glanced up at Duke. “I fucked up, and you’ll never understand how sorry I am for what I did.”
“Where’s this going?” Duke asked, folding his arms.
“Phil, he’s the eyes for Dawg’s team. I did some digging, and the bastard has a serious gambling problem. He owes Dawg a shitload of money. Telling him about your whereabouts, including Holly’s, is what he had to do to pay them back. I don’t know if the debt is covered.” Raoul pulled out a folded piece of paper. “I know you want me out of the club, but I’m going to prove to you that I’m worth keeping around. I respect Holly. She’s a good woman and part of the reason I shot my mouth off was because of that.”
“That makes no fucking sense,” Duke said, snatching the paper out of Raoul’s grip.
“I treated her like shit. She didn’t give me a thought. You wanted her, and I didn’t want to come between you.” Raoul took a step toward the door.
“Wait.” Duke glanced down at the paperwork in his hands. He turned toward Raoul. “Thank you.”
“I like Holly. I’ll never treat her like shit again. I promise.” Raoul offered his hand to which Duke shook. “The club will always come first.”
He watched Raoul leave church. When he was alone he took a seat and glanced over the figures that he’d been given. There was no way some information would cover this amount of debt. Pulling out his cell phone he dialed the Sheriff.
“Hey, David, I’ve got some information here that doesn’t look too good for your deputy.”
When Duke was finished on the phone, he heard a faint knock on the door.
“Come in.”
David was going to have a word with Phil, and his place as a deputy was now out of the picture. Duke didn’t care. The bastard was willing to tell club secrets, he answered for his actions.
“Hey,” Holly said, drawing his attention toward her.
His cock thickened at the sight of her. She wore a long denim skirt with a white blouse. His woman looked good enough to eat, let alone fuck.
Getting to his feet, he pulled her against him. “Hello, baby.” He drew her close, gripping her ass as he claimed a kiss. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
He rubbed his nose against hers, smiling. There was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect this woman. She controlled him in ways she didn’t even begin to understand, and he knew he held the same control over her.
Her hand shook when he locked their fingers together. “Are you nervous?”
“Wouldn’t you be?”
“The only thing I’ve been nervous about is telling you the truth of how we take old ladies.”
Duke watched as she tucked some hair behind her ear. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’m nervous, but I want to be with you. I love you, Duke.”
“You’ve got nothing to be nervous about. Come on, let’s go and enjoy the others’ company.”
He led her out of church, leading her toward the bar. It was past six, yet it was still light out. In a few weeks that would all be changing as fall started to take effect. He loved the fall, loved Christmas at the ranch. When the house was covered in snow, the lawns white, it was a beautiful sight to witness. This year he’d be spending it with Holly.
Sheila had told him about Holly’s wish for them to be married at Christmas. He’d give her the proper wedding she deserved. There would be no expense spared for his woman.
Duke sat her at the bar, ordering them both a beer.
“A little courage. Enjoy it,” he said. “This is your first and last one of the night.”
She laughed, taking small sips. The club was in full party mode. This was what he loved about his club. After a long ride, the chance to kick back and relax was always the best. It had been a couple of weeks since the ride, but this was the first chance they’d gotten to actually kick back. Club business never stopped. Being a father also never stopped.
Matthew was spending the night with his mother, at his own request, which sure as fuck surprised Duke. He hoped Julie didn’t fuck it up. Their son was pretty special.
Mandy and Pike were playing pool at the only table. The couple was all over each other.
“Do you want to play?” Duke asked.
“Are you good?”
“Yeah.”
“If we win, can you get Pike to tell me the truth about him and Mary?”
“Not tonight but another night I will make him and he’ll tell me,” he said, answering honestly.
“Do you promise to tell me what he says?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“Then let’s play.”
Holly took another swig from her bottle as they made their way toward the club. Duke wouldn’t take her right away. The party needed to calm down first.
“Want to play?” Duke asked, raising a brow at Pike.
“Sure.”
“What we’re playing for?” Mandy asked.
“Truth,” Holly said, glaring at the club whore.
“Truth?” Pike kept his gaze on him.
“Yeah.”
“Do I get to know what this truth is about?” Pike asked.
Duke pulled his woman closer to him, covering her mouth as he spoke. “Not until we play.”
“Okay, so you want a truth if you win. What do I get?” Pike asked.
“I’ll do your laundry for a week and cook for you,” Holly said.
“Deal.” There was no hesitation in Pike. Duke didn’t doubt the man that he knew what the truth was about.
“Who gets to shoot first?” Pike asked.
Duke glanced at Holly, who shrugged back at him. “You chose.”
“Okay, I’ll shoot first.”
The game had finally started.
****
Duke won the game with the promise of getting the truth out of Pike. The rest of the night Holly stayed by Duke’s side. They either danced to the loud music, played pool, or cards. The party was amazing. She loved every second of it. The guys were all being nice to her, accepting her into their fold. She felt their acceptance of her. Their gazes locked on her and Duke throughout the night, waiting, the anticipation driving the need inside her.
This was what it meant to be part of the club. It was only a matter of time before Duke took it to the next level. She wasn’t stupid. He was biding his time for the right moment.
Duke was priming her for the occasion. He took every opportunity he could find to kiss or touch her. She loved his touch. The way he stroked his fingers up the inside of her thighs had her melting against him. He easily lifted up the denim skirt to find her skin beneath.
The hours passed, the drinking toned down, and the music became slow, sensual. Holly felt the answering call inside her. When he’d first told her about sex in front of the club, she’d been disgusted, but now she just wanted him with a passion that surprised her. She stood in Duke’s arms as they danced to the music. Closing her eyes, she was almost hypnotized by the pleasure of it all. Her pussy was slick to the touch. Duke gripped her ass, making her very aware of the state of his arousal. Each second that past only heightened her arousal further. She wanted him badly. It no longer mattered to her that the club was about to see her getting fucked. The only thing on her mind was Duke.
He tilted her head back with a finger underneath her chin. The rest of the room fell away as he looked at her with his dark brown eyes. His head drew nearer, and a second later, his lips were on hers. She opened her mouth, accepting his kiss, his touch, his love.
The hand on her chin moved up to sink inside her hair.
She moaned, wrapping her arms around his neck. The music continued to play as Duke deepened the kiss.
His tongue met with hers, creating a dance inside her mouth. Duke moved her back until she pressed against a post that faced the whole of the room. She kept her eyes closed as he kissed down her neck. For a split second she just had to know what was going on, so she opened her eyes. The men were sat in their places, giving them enough distance. There was no disgust on their faces. She saw their respect as Duke kissed and sucked on her neck. They were not here to judge her. They were here to accept her not as Russ’s kid but as Duke’s woman. Each of their gazes was on them, none of them looking away.
Staring at Duke, she pushed all of her negativity aside and focused on him.
The room fell away. She forgot about the men and women about to witness her become part of Duke.
“Think about me, Holly. Only me.” He whispered the words beside her ear.
Running her hands underneath his jacket, he caught her wrists together placing them above her head.
“I’m the one in control here.”
She nodded, finally opening her eyes to stare back at him. The lust was clear to see in his gaze.
“Fuck me, Duke.” Holly gaze herself to him. He picked her up and carried her over to the pool table, which the men had stopped playing. The angle of the table meant they could still see them together but offered them some semblance of privacy.
He lifted up her skirt until it pooled around her waist. She wanted him so damn bad.
“Look at them, Holly. Look into their eyes. They don’t hate you or find disgust here. They respect you for taking me, for loving me, for being loyal to the club. You’re offering yourself to me, trusting me.”
She glanced over to the men, expecting to see something else in their gaze than she’d seen moments ago. Their respect was still there, but now she saw something else. What she saw was heated lust in all of their gazes. This was what the old ladies went through to be part of the club. They were promising to take care of her along with any children she might have. All she needed to do was promise herself to Duke and the club.
“Fuck, baby, you’re so wet for me.” He ran his fingers through her slit, making her ache with need for him.
“Please, Duke.”
He teased her clit, sliding down to fuck into her pussy. “Remove your shirt and take your bra off.”
Pulling her shirt over her head, she cried out as he fucked two fingers inside her as he stroked her with his thumb. She was thrust into pleasure as he worked her body. Closing her eyes, she gave herself to him, letting Duke take control. There was no fight inside her.
She loved the man who was now giving her pleasure that she didn’t think was possible to feel. This was what it meant to be part of his life, to be in the club. She’d do it because she loved Duke.
“Come for me, Holly.” He flicked her clit, drawing a cry from her lips. She glanced down to see his hand between her thighs. “Lie back.”
Lying back, she moaned as he withdrew his hand, leaving her empty of his touch. Holly started to beg him for his hands on her.
Duke didn’t give her anything. The only touch she got was the touch he wanted her to have. Biting her lip, she whimpered.
The tip of his cock replaced his fingers. “I love you, Holly. I chose you as my old lady.”
He slid inside her, inch after inch. Gripping his hands, she gasped as he played with her clit with each plunge of his hips. He was riding her pussy as he pulled her closer to orgasm.
“So beautiful, all mine.”
Holly screamed as with one slam he embedded himself deep inside her. He was so long and thick that it was on the verge of pain. She didn’t care, giving herself to him as fucked her hard throughout her orgasm. In the background she heard several masculine moans, and when she turned her head, she saw they were touching themselves. No other cock was visible, but their hands were rubbing themselves through their pants.
He tugged her up so that she was on the end of the pool table with his cock still deep inside her.
Duke slammed his lips down on hers, burning her alive with the possession of his cock and the touch of his lips. He drove her to the peak of bliss once again but wouldn’t let her go over the edge. Duke wore his jacket as he made his claim.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you, too.”
“Come for me.” His one instruction and she went up in flames in his arms, screaming his name. She held onto him throughout the pleasure that tilted her world. He tightened his arms around her and growled as his cock jerked, filling her with his cum. When it was over, she looked up as he removed his jacket, placing the leather cut over her body. “Mine, all mine.”
She smiled up at him, touching his face.
He glanced over her shoulder, and she looked behind her to see the intensity in the men’s gazes. They were still locked on them.
“I expect you to treat her with care and respect. She’s club now. You will never turn your back on her.”
They all stood up putting their hands to their chests.
“Trojans forever.”
Each member chanted the words, “Trojans forever”. The fervor inside them infected her with it. This was what the club was. They took care of their own.
“Come on, I’m taking you up to my room,” Duke said, lifting her up in his arms.
She held onto him as he made his way toward the back stairs. Some men lived in the clubhouse completely while others went home at night. Duke carried her up three flights of stairs until they came to the top bedroom.
He placed her on her feet, turning her to look at him.
“Thank you,” she said, pressing her palm over his heart. “You made that easy for me.”
“I know you, Holly. I’ll always do what you need, but remember, I’m the one in control here.”
Holly smiled up at him. “I know.”
“Don’t ever think you can tame shit down when we’re in the privacy of our own bedroom. I want the wildcat you’ve shown me you can be.”
Keeping his jacket on, she dropped the skirt and panties until she stood before him in only his jacket. “Like this?” she asked, giving him a twirl of her naked in front of him.
“Fuck, baby, you’re so fucking beautiful.” He carried her to the bed, showing her exactly what he wanted in the privacy of his own bedroom. She had no doubt who was in control, and she loved every second of it.