CHAPTER SEVEN

– VELOZ –

I can tell by the look on her face that she doesn’t want anyone to tag along with us.

It’s for this reason I place my lips right beside her ear and tell her, “Asher and Sully are your brothers, blood or no blood. They are flipping their shit as it is, and we don’t need it at the scene. This shit is hard enough for you so we’re doing this together. Except, when we do find that phone? I want someone running a check because I don’t have the computer intel. You do, but for obvious reasons, I don’t want you to handle it. Ganza or Bee would be the other option. Yet, I don’t want Ganza to see your body, or put those images on the prez’s old lady’s brain. That leaves your father who put you on this earth and who has the clarity to see through his fury. He’s also there for support ’cause he’s your dad and you’re his little girl. You’re fucking fierce and have held your chin high, though neither of us knows what kind of impact it will have when you enter that warehouse again. Does that make sense?”

Her fingers curl into a tight fist around the leather of my cut as she whisper-growls, “You’re right. I don’t like it, though. None of it. I hate it. I’m pissed. Furious. Gah, I’m everything. My emotions are all over the place and it’s why I wanted it to be just us.”

“We need backup,” I start.

Taking a step back, her fist loosens on my cut and she pats my chest. “Like I said, you’re right. Let’s get this over with. I have a few new ideas I want to dive into about our other cases, so the sooner we can get this shit done, the faster I can dive into those.”

I nod and turn to Chopper. “Ready to go?”

“We’ll take my truck ’cause I have my equipment in there if we need it,” he replies and turns to his old lady, Ivy, to give her a quick kiss.

Lacing my fingers with Lea’s, I take her with me and head for Chopper’s truck. Behind us I hear Sully going at it with Asher. This is why I didn’t want those assholes with us. They’re knocking heads while our focus should be on other crucial things.

“Have a nice time with Sully?” I question as I open the door to the truck for her.

“Jealous?” she fires back.

I lean forward to grab the seatbelt and slowly strap her in when I murmur, “Always and every damn time anyone spends time with you.”

I watch her pupils dilate as her gaze drops to my mouth. She licks her lips and collides her gaze with mine. The lust I’m seeing mirrors mine and it would be so damn easy to lean in and kiss the fuck out of her.

“Are you getting in the back seat or do I have to punch you in the cock to get your thoughts off my little girl?” I hear Chopper grit.

Lea’s eyes go wide for a breath or two before she cringes. I don’t give a flying fuck about anything or anyone, except for the woman in front of me. It’s for this reason I lean in and brush my lips against Lea’s for a whisper of a kiss.

Turning to face her father I tell him, “The only one I’ll allow to punch me in the cock without retaliation is your daughter. And if she ever does, and that’s a fucking big if ’cause I’d never want to cross her, then I probably deserved it.”

Chopper’s gaze bounces between the both of us. “Is that so?” he muses. “Well, son. Let me tell you right now that day will come. ’Cause in a woman’s eye? Us guys are bound to fuck up from time to time. That’s also a good thing…making up is all the more fun, especially for the cock-punched cock.”

“Ew, Dad,” Lea groans.

Chuckling, I tell him, “I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.”

Closing the door, I jump into the back seat and then we’re off to the warehouse where Peter took Lea the day he kidnapped her. There isn’t much room for conversation with Chopper blasting AC-DC’s “Thunderstruck” through the air. I’m not going to complain; I like the man’s choice of music.

Besides, I’ve been on edge all damn day. I didn’t expect my hunch to be correct. It was a nagging feeling I had after Lea couldn’t find any similar crime scenes. The thought of Peter showing off his abilities to someone else who then jumped to mimicking his work was the only option left in my mind. Fuck. Just the thought of some picture…video…whatever circling out there is fucking with my mind.

The slamming of a door rips me from my mind and I realize Chopper has parked in front of a warehouse. I step out of the truck and offer my hand to Lea, leaving it up to her to take it or not. She instantly slides her palm over mine. My chest puffs up with the knowledge that she wants, and accepts my support.

Chopper takes lead without talking things through. He simply draws his gun and opens the warehouse with the keys he received from Archer. He was the one who ordered the crime scene to be sealed shut and still had the keys. I give Lea’s hand a gentle squeeze and regretfully let go to take my own gun in hand and give Chopper cover as we check the building, just to be sure it’s safe.

Once done, I turn to see Lea staring at a dark spot on the floor. She has her own gun in hand, her aim pointing down.

“All good?” I grunt.

She blinks a few times and tucks her gun away. “Yeah. Fine. It’s just…weird.”

The place is empty except for the closets lining the back wall. Some of them have the doors open and there are bullet holes scattered all over.

“That’s where the fucker was hiding,” Chopper states and points at one of the closets. “I’m sure they went through everything. Looks empty.”

I stalk toward the one with the bullet holes and let my gaze wander over the inside. Lots of dust and pieces of wood chipped off the sides. Switching to the next, I open the door and again find dust and nothing else. I guess he might not have had a phone or hid it in his vehicle.

The nagging feeling is still burning in my gut when Chopper stalks toward me with a crowbar in his hand.

“Let’s make sure we don’t overlook anything,” he states and hands me the crowbar.

I stalk back to the closet where Peter came out of and start to tear into the wood of the back. There’s nothing there, but when I let the crowbar hit the bottom of the closet, it makes one of floor panels move. Reaching forward, I easily lift it with my hand and instantly spot what I was looking for.

“That motherfucker,” Chopper growls right beside me.

“No,” Lea whispers in a torn voice. “I vaguely remember how he held his phone over me…but…I thought…I thought it was just my mind imagining it because you mentioned the possibility.”

I hand the device over to Chopper and nod, hoping he understands me. He gives me a tight nod in return and spins around to stalk away. I reach for Lea and she lets me pull her into my arms. Fucking hell. I hope the fucker didn’t share anything, though it’s clear to me he did. It’s the only explanation for that woman to have the same injuries as Lea.

“What if–” she croaks.

I tighten my arms around her. “Don’t fucking go there. Wait until your father has turned that phone inside out and then we’ll handle any shit thrown our way.” I pull back and take her face in my hands so I can gently place my forehead against hers. “I won’t allow you to get hurt ever again, you hear me? I’ll fucking slay anyone without any remorse if they so much as hurt a single hair on your body. And if there are any frozen moments of what that fucker did out there? Then we’ll put our heads together to hunt down anyone who laid eyes on them and bring them to justice before we erase them.”

Lea swallows hard. “Okay.”

“Not just okay, darlin’,” I rumble. “Damn right is more like it.”

She chokes on half a sob, half a laugh, and repeats with a stronger voice, “Damn right.”

I slam my mouth over hers and kiss the fuck out of her. The need to take all those bad thoughts, memories, and worries from her is overwhelming. My feelings toward this woman have grown since the day we met.

The first time I laid eyes on her, hearing her clear me of the past that dragged me down was like a jolt of awareness. Then to have her offer her sweet virgin pussy? Meant. To. Fucking. Be. Getting to know her over the past few days, drinking her indeed sweet as hell pussy, has only grounded my decision with a foundation of firm resolve; this woman is mine.

No amount of scars, trauma, or any shit from her past coming back to haunt her is going to keep me away or make me change my mind. I might as well lay my claim out there ’cause my decision is made.

Groaning, I pull back and murmur, “You’re mine, Lea. My old lady.”

She gasps and her gorgeous eyes which were filled with lust a mere moment ago are now fully focused and piercing me deep into my damn soul. “You…you…oh my…really?”

The corner of my mouth twitches. “Really. Why the fuck did you think I waited to put my cock in you, woman? Eating you out every day is the only thing keeping me sane while we spend time together to get to know one another. Though, I’ve made up my mind the day we met: I’m all in.”

“Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes,” she squeals right before she jumps me and I’m suddenly holding my woman close with her legs wrapped around my waist while she practically attacks my mouth.

There’s not much time to relish in the joy of the moment when I hear the clearing of a throat followed by the rumbling of Chopper’s voice. “Mind telling me what you’re enthusiastically saying yes to, four fucking times? ’Cause if it involves marriage, the fucker has to go through me first.”

Lea buries her head into the crook of my neck and giggles. I fucking love that sound and when my gaze collides with Chopper’s I can clearly see the man’s emotions. I can’t begin to imagine how it would feel as a father to have his daughter…fuck.

It’s why we all need some fucking joy. “I don’t need anyone’s permission to claim what’s mine.”

Appreciation fills Chopper’s gaze. “Is that so?”

Lea wiggles in my grip and I slowly place her back on her feet.

Turning to face her father she states, “Yes. There, you heard me say it five times now. Besides, like Veloz said, he doesn’t need anyone’s permission, and I’ve already agreed to his claim.”

“So, the both of you are going to get your patch inked today? I don’t care if he’s a member or not, sweetheart, I will fucking test him.” Chopper shoots me a sly grin. “Are you up-to-date about all the rules yet?”

I make sure to stand a little taller. “I’ve signed all the necessary paperwork, and Archer gave me the full rundown. Lea and I can either swing by the tattoo shop or I can ask Prez if he has time to ink the patch on us later today at the clubhouse.”

“Very well.” He pulls his phone from his pocket. “Then I can be the first to–”

“Oh, no you don’t,” Lea grumbles, cutting off her father, and has her own phone in hand.

Confused I ask, “Who are you two texting? Ivy?” I don’t get the freaking rush. “We can tell her when we get back.”

“Ha!” Lea smirks as she holds up her phone and tells her father, “Beat you to it.”

“Motherfucker,” Chopper grumbles. “Well, at least I won’t be the one responsible for Lynn showing up at the clubhouse unannounced.”

They both chuckle.

Frowning, I ask, “Lynn? That’s Archer’s mother, right?”

Chopper chuckles some more. “You haven’t had the pleasure yet, but you will. She won’t be able to stop herself from getting her old ass on a plane to check out the new addition. Hey, you can totally ask her to ink, she fucking hates it, but she’s a damn fine tattoo artist. Oh, and don’t let her plant any ideas in your head about knocking my daughter up. Lynn wants the third generation to be an all-female motorcycle club. I’m sure she’ll come here just so she can poke holes in condoms.”

“Poke holes in condoms?” I can feel my eyes widen. “What the hell?”

“Lynn wouldn’t go that far.” Lea glares at her father. “Let’s just say Lynn is–”

“Terrifying to some, a total nutcase to others, fan-fucking-tastic to those who she loves, and a dangerous woman you shouldn’t underestimate if you ever wronged her,” Chopper finishes for her.

Lea groans when her phone starts to ring. “She’s FaceTiming me.” Tapping the screen she quips, “Hey, Lynn.”

The face of an older woman with long gray hair fills the screen. “Hey, babe. Good to see your gorgeous face. Now, mind showing me the hunk you nailed or are you still working on popping that cherry?”

“Lynn!” Lea gasps in outrage.

I bark out a laugh while a hint of understanding hits me of what they were talking about.

Lea turns the phone in my direction and I nod at the screen. “Veloz Bishop. Nice to meet you, Lynn. And just so you know, we’re working on–”

Lea is suddenly covering my mouth with her hand while she hisses, “Don’t you dare.”

I’m sure she can see the mischief in my eyes and hear it in my voice when I mumble through her fingers, “I was gonna mention the case.”

“Yeah, right,” Lea huffs.

I glance over her shoulder at Chopper, noticing he’s talking on the phone with someone.

Lynn’s voice flows through the air again and Lea is now holding the phone up to face both of us. “You’re the former enforcer of Blennies Hitch. I’ve heard a lot about you. Nice. Fresh new blood and all. You did good, Leontine. Sadly, I won’t be able to swing by so we have to do it this way. Tell me, Veloz…do you want kids?”

I try to keep a straight face, with the shit that was just mentioned, and tell her, “Yes, ma’am. A few daughters, sons, whatever we’re blessed with in the future.”

Lynn beams while Lea elbows me in the gut. It’s what I was after and what she also needed to break the stressful and insane moment of being back here in this warehouse.

“You did really good, Leontine,” Lynn praises.

“Wait,” Lea quips. “Why aren’t you able to swing by? Are you hurt? Deeds? What’s going on? You never miss a chance to come here.”

Lynn gives her a warm smile. “I know, babe. Linnette’s water broke a little while ago.”

“Oh my gosh, that’s great.” Lea frowns. “Everything is okay, isn’t it?”

“They wanted to keep it quiet, but me and my big mouth shared it with you already. So, be sure to keep it between us and everything will be fine. I’ll swing by when I’m able to and will let you know as soon as I can share about the royal announcement baby shit.” Lynn laughs. “Royal shit. Get it. That baby isn’t born yet and her shit is ready to hit a golden toilet. Damn, this grandma did something right in her life. Okay, enough ego polishing for me. Talk later, babe. Oh, and Veloz?”

“Yes, ma’am?” I rumble.

“Firstly, don’t ever call me ma’am. Secondly? Blast her womb with all the X-chromosome sperm you can manage.”

I blink a few times to process her words. I’m not even sure what to answer to that.

“I hear chanting X-X-X-X-X while you’re coming helps. Good luck.” She grins and I can see her tap the screen, but the call doesn’t end.

I can still hear her when she turns her head and tells someone, “Oh, shush, I’m just fucking with his head. Besides, it doesn’t make a difference, with all the others popping out kids left and right we already have enough to fill two new chapters in a few decades. We totally sowed our royal shit. Teamwork. Your magic cock and my–”

“Pussycastle,” a deep voice rumbles.

“Ew,” Leontine whispers and hits the screen to end the call herself and mutters, “I seriously didn’t need to hear that.”

“No one needed to hear that,” Chopper states as he steps closer. “Mind calling your mom? I just got off the phone with her.”

“Sure,” Lea states.

“A word.” Chopper jerks a thumb over his shoulder and I walk with him in the direction of the exit.

He stops when we’re out of earshot of Lea who is now talking to her mother.

“There are two photographs of Leontine on that phone. As far as I can see Peter texted those to a burner phone. I still have a few programs running, but I don’t think the phone is still active.” Chopper rubs the back of his neck. “I don’t want anyone else knowing these details.”

I shoot a quick glance over my shoulder at Lea before I tell Chopper, “I’m not going to lie to your daughter.”

Chopper shakes his head. “No, I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about keeping everyone else out of the loop. You, me, Leontine, and Prez.”

“I’m good with that,” I state without hesitation.

“My old lady told me Asher was almost climbing the walls. Archer ordered him to go back to his clubhouse and let us deal with it. Sully went to Leontine’s place to cool down. They are on edge and not thinking clearly. You, even if you didn’t claim her…fuck. You claimed her at a place where she was at her darkest.” Now he’s the one glancing at Leontine for a breath or two. “She’s wearing a huge fucking smile, bright as fuck, none of the darkness clinging to her. She needs you to lead this ’cause, needless to say, you know what the fuck you’re doing and can balance the havoc.”

I give him a tight nod, unable to give him words due to the emotions clogging my throat. I knew I made the right choice to follow my gut and claim the woman who captured my attention at first sight. To hear her father say those things earns me the respect and place I crave within this family and brotherhood.

And he’s damn right. I know what I’m doing and will keep balancing the havoc if it means saving my woman from whatever’s coming our way. Just as I will dust off the dark spots of her past that might still be clinging to her.