Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

Y oanni had pushed for what she wanted and got it. If Barron kept his promises as he had in the past, she could count on a little extra in the form of a sexy spanking coming her way.

After he tossed her over his shoulder, she suppressed a triumphant laugh as he carried her to her bedroom—arms and hair dangling and her chest flopping against Barron’s back.

Happiness, excitement, and anticipation vibrated throughout her.

Barron was going to love her again.

At last!

Once more, she would know the pleasure of his sexy fingers, calloused yet somehow gentle, caressing her skin and exploring the folds of her sex. The feel of his tongue licking everywhere in his quest to arouse her would drive her mad. Ah, yes…she couldn’t wait for those tiny nibbles and quick pinches on her nipples and clit. She remembered how he shifted and pressed himself against her as he splayed her pussy, and his heavy cock invaded her depths one agonizing inch at a time, making her forever his .

Yoanni had ached for Barron day after day, during endless weeks and months. In moments, his love and domination would end the terrible sex drought.

He strode into her bedroom and kicked the door closed before he flung her to the center of the bed, where she bounced gently.

The question burned on her lips. “Why did you close the door?”

“Caesar isn’t used to this kind of commotion, and I remember how you get.” He grinned, putting his fists on his hips. “I don’t want to freak him out.”

Leaning on her elbows, she pushed herself upright. “I see. You’re more concerned about Caesar than me.”

He laughed. “Come on, baby girl. You know better than that.” He slowly peeled off his shirt.

Yoanni’s mouth watered as Barron’s chest—every muscle chiseled to perfection, tattooed with beautiful tribal patterns on shoulders and biceps—appeared before her starving eyes. A burning ache and strange sadness surged in her. He was so beautiful, and she’d missed him so much that scalding tears welled in her eyes. Yoanni was an emotional wreck.

Barron stripped off the rest of his clothes, glanced up at her, and frowned. “What’s this? Tears? Baby, why?” Climbing onto the bed, he crawled to her.

“I-I’ve missed you so much,” she sobbed, stretching her arms out to him.

He straddled her hips and caged her between his elbows as he dropped tiny kisses on her forehead, nose, and lips. “Don’t be sad, please.”

“I’m not sad. It’s just…”

“What?” He nuzzled her neck, then moved up, burying his nose in her hair.

“I…ah.” Her throat tightened. Emotions got in the way, and wo rds broke before she could get them out, especially with Barron kissing her everywhere.

“Yes?” he murmured, nibbling on her earlobe.

“H-happy. I’m happy.”

He took her mouth, pressed her lips open with his insistent tongue, and she let herself go. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she plunged into the vortex. The delicious sensation of his ravenous lips on her and his urgent tongue exploring and tasting every part of her felt decadent and delicious. Yoanni would never tire of his arousing masculine taste and scent.

If possible, she wanted all of him and more, and she didn’t hold back. “Oh, Daddy. Take me, fill me. I want all of you in me.”

“All of me?”

“Yes.” She arched, pressing and rubbing her aching nipples against his muscled chest. “Now. I need you now.”

Damn right she couldn’t wait. She’d been waiting for months. Her clit twitched, and her core clenched and released, anxious for his penetration.

“But, baby. I wanted to go slow.”

“No. Not slow,” she exclaimed. Turning her head side to side, she writhed under him. “I want you now. Please.”

“As you wish.” Barron lifted her right leg. “Wrap it around my waist.”

His voice hardened, and she rejoiced in the demanding tone. This was where she wanted to be, deep in the world of Barron’s domination, obeying and submitting. The space where Daddy took over her pleasure and gave orders she didn’t want to resist.

Leaning over, she tried to see when he anchored a knee under her butt.

“Curious, Nugget?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Not allowed. Stop fumbling around and look at me. Now.”

His blue gaze consumed her, and she wouldn’t dream of disobeying, especially when he lifted her left leg and draped it over his shoulder. He had her pussy and the opening of her core wedged against the crown of his dick. He gave her a wicked smile. “Your wish is always my command.”

She nearly jumped at the pinching burn up her ass, but by some miracle managed to silence her exclamation.

“First, I take this, baby girl.” He shoved his finger all the way up her butt. “Then I take this.” In one powerful thrust of hips, he impaled himself to the end in her core. She’d asked for it and he’d given it to her.

“Oh. Oh.” Full to the max, she gasped at the stretching sensation.

“Mmm, my baby girl’s pussy is so hot and so tight,” he murmured, bending close to her lips. “I’m going to take your mouth last, but first, I want to know how this feels.”

Barron was going to blow her mind. As soon as he spoke, he pushed a second finger up her ass. Through the thin layer of her flesh, he scissored both digits against his cock. “Fuck, that is so good,” he growled. “Do you like that? Answer, and I’ll fill your mouth.”

“Yes. Yes. Yes.” Her reply sounded endless to her. Then he filled her mouth with his tongue, fulfilling the crazy demands she’d made at the height of her arousal. His possession was complete and thorough. He invaded every fuckable orifice in her while giving her the workout she’d asked for. He pistoned, swept, and pushed. In turn, she sucked, writhed, and bucked. A lovemaking session he’d started sweet and gentle, she’d turned volcanic and passionate with her needs.

Clinging to his waist and shoulder as he arched his torso, she dragged her nails down his back. He yelped, and she bit his lip, unstoppable in her ferocious hunt. Without releasing her, he lifted onto his knees, deepening the angle of penetration.

Face-to-face and eyes locked with hers, he intensified his rhythm, sending ripples from deep within her core to everywhere in her system. She allowed the wave to take her and dropped her head back, gasping.

“This is it, baby.” Barron pressed a finger to her clit, and her spasms exploded. He pressed his forehead against her shoulder, jerking in unison with her release. When the final ripple ceased, he rolled onto his side, taking her with him.

A soft moment passed in silence as she listened to his breaths and the beating of his heart. The intimacy warmed and reassured her spirit, but she had to ask. “What’s going to happen now, Daddy?”

“Happen?” His chuckle rumbled in her ear. “You have a spanking pending. I haven’t forgotten.”

“Not that. I mean, after this situation is over.”

“Yeah, I get what you’re thinking, and that’s my fault. There’s no over for us, Nugget. You’re my baby girl, and I’m here to stay. I’ll show you every day.”

She smiled. “Till we’re old and gray?”

“Till we’re old, gray, and beyond.”

Loud scratching sounds and soft whimpers woke Barron. He rolled onto his side. His mind still in the fog of sleep, he glanced at the clock on the nightstand and jumped out of bed.

“Yoanni, get up. We overslept,” he shouted, rushing to open the bedroom door. Caesar stood on the other side, tail wagging. “Morning, boy. I bet you’re hungry.” He made a pit stop at the bathroom, turned on the shower, and then continued to the kitchen to start the coffee maker.

Quickly, he poured kibble and water into Caesar’s bowls. His pup started eating, and Barron dashed to the bathroom to check on Yoanni’s progress. The running shower doused an empty stall. Shaking his head, he returned to her bedroom. There she lay, pretty as a doll, the image of a peaceful dreamer. Yoanni, a small smile curving her lips, had her arms wrapped around her teddy. This was new. She’d never held a teddy bear while sleeping before. The angelic pose gave her an air of vulnerability. Every protective instinct in him surged forward. No one would go near or touch her with evil intent. He’d make sure of that.

Barron sat next to her. “Wake up, princess.” He patted her rump.

“Hmmm? Ten more minutes, please.” She curled up her knees.

“I don’t know what time you told the captain you’d show up, but it’s eight thirty.”

“Oh my God!” Her eyes flew open. Putting the teddy aside, she sat upright.

“The shower’s running, and coffee’s brewing. Hurry up. I’ll shower while you get dressed. There’s no time for breakfast. We’ll pick up something on the way.”

The next thirty minutes went by in a whirl. Yoanni surprised him. By the time he came out of his bedroom holding a baseball cap and hoodie, she waited for him in the kitchen. Dressed in jeans and a simple top, she sipped her coffee.

He cocked an eyebrow. “Aren’t you a little casual for work?”

“It’s Saturday. Captain’s lucky I’m coming in at all.” She tipped her mug at Caesar. “Don’t you have you take him out?”

Barron jutted his chin toward the kitchen side door. “I guess you didn’t notice the doggie door. He comes and goes as he needs.”

“You’re right. I didn’t notice. That’s a good idea.”

“Makes my life and his easier.” Moving to the coffeemaker he refilled half his mug. “Ready? We’ll stop on the way for breakfast burritos to-go. I know a place.”

“Love breakfast burritos.”

“Okay, let’s go.” As Barron walked to the laundry room, Yoanni followed him. “Stay. Be a good boy.” He spoke to Caesar, closed the door, and led Yoanni to the garage.

They barely spoke on the ride to the Mexican fast-food place. Yoanni fidgeted with whatever mysterious items existed within her shoulder bag, checked her makeup in the visor mirror, or simply looked out the window.

Barron wondered if she felt self-conscious about their passionate lovemaking and thought of asking her, but changed his mind. Yoanni’s life hadn’t been easy. Their distancing and breakup began the downhill roll. In the subsequent months, she’d spent trying times in Miami with her father’s illness. Then, she finally got hopeful news and came back to Garden City only to find precious items were missing from her desk. Days later, someone left a creepy doll hanging in her kitchen. Not to mention the paper with cryptic circles her neighbor found on her door. All things considered, she’d taken the veiled threats with more aplomb than some of his MC brothers would. She deserved a little space and silence.

He pulled into Mi Cielito’s drive-through, ordered, and paid. As he waited for their food to come out, he grabbed the black hoodie from the back seat and slipped it on.

“Why are you wearing that? It’s not cold,” she asked with evident curiosity.

“I’ll pull the hood and wear my cap when we get closer to the station. I have to hide my identity.”

“Oh, right. There’s no telling how busy the station will be. Weekends don’t exist for police officers.”

“They sure don’t.”

“Your order, sir.” The lady slid open the serving window. Barron took the bag, passed it to Yoanni, and pulled away.

“I can help you eat, if you like.”

He gave her a quick smile. “Those burritos are steaming hot right now. Got to give them a minute, and we’re almost at the station. I asked them to put the food in separate bags. Did they?”

She looked inside the bag. “Yes.”

“Cool. You take yours and leave me mine. I’ll eat at the clubhouse. It isn’t far.”

“You’re going to the MC now?”

He nodded. “I have matters to discuss with my prez. Plus, we have the meeting at noon.” Lifting one hand from the wheel, he gripped her wrist. “Listen, I’ll touch base with you after church. Expect me to pick you up when you’re finished. Tonight, you’re going back to my place. We’ll discuss our next move later. Unless it’s Captain Weaver, don’t ride with anyone else. No one, Yoanni. You get me?”

“What if Captain Weaver asks one of the officers to drive me?”

“You call me first. These are for you.” He pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “One opens the front door and the other the kitchen side door.”

“But you said?—”

“Still stands. This isn’t a game. Don’t ride with anyone but me or the captain. If he asks an officer, call me first. Should anything happen to me, I want you to have access to my place. Caesar will keep you company and protect you.”

“I don’t want to hear that. Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

“Nothing will. But it’s good to think ahead. What did I say?”

“Yes, yes. I won’t ride with anyone but you or the captain.”

At the next corner, Barron slowed the truck. As he drove into the parking lot, he brought the hood over his head, put the cap on, and lowered the visor. Anyone watching would have to work hard to see his face. “Say hello to the captain.” He stopped before the entrance.

She turned to kiss him, but he shook his head. “Hold that kiss for later, Nugget. I’m a stranger and shouldn’t linger.”

“Silly me.” She grabbed her things, slid down, and slammed the door closed. Without a backward glance, Yoanni ran inside the station. Watching her leave gave him a weird sensation, a feeling close to a pang. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out into the street.

The first part of the meeting went well. The Johnston Agency had two big clients before they opened their doors to the public. Then Blade read a concerning report from Savannah. MC groups in the state had declared Savannah no-man’s land because it was a fun town and everyone wanted access to restaurants and clubs. However, Devils’ Spawn, being the closest MC, had unofficial jurisdiction. When a friendly MC partying at the riverfront observed a group of Steel Wolves—from across the state line—hanging out with guys who looked more like businessmen than bikers, they immediately passed the information to Blade. This information, combined with what Barron had seen in LaFayette and the Wolf in Nightshade, had put Blade on alert.

“Captain Weaver has been notified of Los Emes,” Blade said at the end of his report. “We can’t take our eyes from the ball. If the guy in Nightshade was, in fact, a Wolf, that tells me he’s scouting the area. The Oquendos failed to establish a base, but the Savannah River is still an attractive location to other cartels. Running us over and sending us packing from Garden City would suit them fine. Fuck if I’m going to make it easy for them. We ain’t leaving.”

“Fuck, yeah.” Little Billy, their newest enforcer/sergeant-at-arms, slapped his palm repeatedly on the table. Everyone else did the same.

Blade held up a hand. “Pipe down. There’s something else.” As the brothers quieted, Blade signaled to Barron. “Y’all know Yoanni Sanz, Barron’s ol’ lady. ”

“Isn’t she Captain Weaver’s assistant?” Chains asked. “Cute little thing. I thought you guys broke up or something.”

“We did, and we’re back together.” Even though Barron wanted to strangle Chains for the “cute” remark, he managed to speak quietly. He needed every one of his brothers’ help to keep Yoanni safe.

“So, what’s the deal?” Turbo asked.

“Some strange shit, I can tell you that.” From across the table, Shifter, with his usual ball-busting attitude, gave him a deal with it look.

“Explain,” Blade said.

“Someone, we haven’t figured out who, is trying to scare her. When she came back from Miami, she found her desk emptied out, which included a desk calculator that had been a gift from her dad. No one had noticed any suspicious activity. Captain Weaver wanted to see the office recordings, but she didn’t want to make a big fuss. Then, a piece of paper with some symbols was left on her door overnight. Yesterday, she was leaving work, and the missing calculator was sitting on the hood of her car.”

“Did the captain check the surveillance recordings?” Johnny Gun asked.

“He did,” Barron replied. “This person was covered head to toe. Even wore gloves to hide skin color.”

“Man, woman?” Little Billy asked.

“Hard to tell.” He shook his head. “But that’s not all. I went to see her yesterday and found her pretty upset. She came back from work to find a humanlike figure made out of cloth and stained with blood hanging in her kitchen.”

Johnny G whistled.

Shifter groaned. “Like a gris-gris kinda thing?”

“Hey, man. I’m from Louisiana.” Tank waved a hand. “You don’t fuck around with those…things.”

“Yoanni and her family are Cuban. She gets it. Apparently, a religion similar to the one in New Orleans is practiced on the island.”

“So the person trying to scare her is Cuban,” Blade said.

Barron shook his head. “My gut says no. Nothing like this happened in Miami. Why start this attack in Garden City?” He glanced at his brothers. All eyes were locked on him. “Guys, my instincts tell me this person is local. I’m worried this is an inside job. I mean, someone in the station had access to her desk and knew how to walk around the surveillance cameras. Right?”

“I get that.” Pushing off his chair, Shifter started pacing. “But scare her from what? Someone wants her to leave Garden City? Could be you’re the problem, dude. Some lady has a thing for you and is trying to scare Yoanni into going back home. You’d be surprised what a jealous chick will do to get rid of the competition. Did you date anyone during her leave of absence?”

“Me?” Barron touched his chest. Next to him, Johnny G chuckled.

“What are you laughing at?” he barked at Johnny. “You know my history. I’m a one-night, two at the most, kind of guy. I don’t do attachments. I can’t remember the last time I got laid, thanks to Weaver. The only woman I’ve ever dated and been serious about is Yoanni.”

“Does she live alone?” Turbo asked.

“Yes. I brought her to my place last night,” Barron said. “She didn’t fight me because she was pretty rattled. Tonight, we’re going to discuss options. With this person on the loose, I don’t want her alone.”

“Good idea,” Little Billy said before he turned to Blade. “We’ll schedule rides by her place when she goes back home. Is that it? Are we finished with our business?”

Blade nodded. “Stay alert, guys. There’s a lot coming down the pike. One whiff of Los Emes, get back to me right away. Barron, stay a moment. ”

“Sure thing.” He tapped his fingers on the table, waiting for the room to empty out.

“I’m sorry Yoanni is going through all this crap,” Blade said. “I like her a lot. She’s a nice kid.”

“Thanks, but I know that’s not what you wanted to talk to me about.”

Dropping his elbows on the table, Blade leaned forward. “That evening at Nightshade, you were pretty sure it was the same Wolf from LaFayette.”

“Damned sure. But with the commotion Iris made, I lost track of him.” Barron shrugged. “After she calmed down, I wasn’t so sure anymore. I wondered if I saw what I wanted to see. You know what I mean?”

“I do. Don’t second-guess yourself too much. Most times, our first reactions are right on the money. I believe you saw the Wolf from LaFayette, and he just took off after the deal with that chick. How was the club? I went to the opening night.”

“Nightshade’s fun. They’ve added new private rooms and a playroom just for Littles. It’s pretty. You should take Cel. I’m taking Yoanni.”

“When are you going?”

“Not tonight. We have to talk about stuff. Next weekend.”

“Let me know how it goes. If Yoanni likes it, maybe Cel will. She’s shy in strange places.”

“I’ll let you know.”

Standing, Blade stretched his lower back. “What’s on your schedule today?”

“The agency. Shifter wants to give me a rundown of his systems. We have to finish setting up the place and do a final check on supplies.” Barron stood as well. “I meant to tell you, Master Darius wants to hire us. I asked him to give me an idea of what he wanted, but he kept a lid on his reasons.”

“Did we get our business cards yet? ”

“I haven’t seen them.”

“When you see him again, write down our number. Offer him a discount.”

“Will do.” Barron moved to the doorway. “See ya, brother.” He gave a quick wave and walked out, his thoughts already focused on Yoanni and who the hell was trying to hurt her. One way or the other, he was going to find out who was behind these attempts before things got worse.