Chapter Eleven

Bullet

“What time is it?” Stormy’s naked, sleepy, softness curled into me. Something between a yawn and a whimper rolled from her chest as she stretched.

I squinted at the bright sunlight coming through the window. “Not morning.”

It had to be late afternoon. Torch had dropped us off at the MC about two this morning, but we hadn’t crashed until dawn because I’d spent the next few hours ravaging her body.

The scent of sex lingered in the sheets. She looked thoroughly fucked. Wild curls tumbled around her face, and makeup smudged beneath her sleepy brown eyes. Her body was a tapestry of bruised kisses and whisker burns.

I sat up, and with a pillow propped behind my back, I leaned against the wall, grabbed my cigarettes off the night table, and clamped one between my lips.

Stormy repositioned, draping her arm over me, and rested her head on my abdomen. “What’s the plan for today? ”

Flipping open my lighter, the flame tickled the end of the cigarette. I inhaled and the first hit of nicotine eased the tension from my muscles.

“I’ll be out most of the day.” I ran my palm over her shoulder, touched the bed-tangled curls at the nape of her neck, and trailed my fingertips along the ridges of her spine. “Later tonight, I’ll ride with Vega and Kodiak to do surveillance on Barras.”

She lifted her gaze to me. “How long before you’ll—” She released a heavy sigh. “Just be careful.”

“Always.” I reached over to the nightstand and tapped ash from the cigarette into the ashtray. “It’ll be quiet around here. If you’d rather hang out with Bristol, I can drop you off over at Lacey’s. Blue will be there to keep you safe.”

“I’ll stay here.” She stretched across me to grab my phone, putting her ass in the perfect position for my hand. “Steele is coming by later.”

“Stay away from Steele. This ass is mine.”

“To bring Lili over.” She checked the time on the phone and scrambled off the bed. “She’s probably here.” She grabbed my T-shirt off the floor and pulled it on. “I need a quick shower. Shit. I should eat.” She shrugged. “I’ll eat later. Maybe just some coffee.” She scurried to the dresser and grabbed some clothes. “There’s probably coffee, right?” She glanced at me.

“Probably.” I smiled at her excitement. “Use the shower in Blade’s room. Last door on the right.”

“Okay.” She stepped toward the door. “I’ll see you before you go.”

Before I could reply, she glanced out the door and must have decided it was safe to scurry down the hall naked beneath my shirt .

As the door closed, I stubbed out my cigarette, climbed out of bed, and tugged on my jeans. Two minutes later, I had a change of clothes from the saddlebag and headed to Blade’s room. I tossed my clothes on the bed, stripped, and plucked a condom from the pocket of my discarded jeans.

Steam and the scent of shampoo filled the bathroom.

I opened the shower door, she squealed, and I laughed as I stepped in with her. “You scared me,” she said.

“I missed you.” Cradling her face with one hand, I dropped my mouth to hers, parted her lips, and sucked her tongue. She whimpered and pressed her body against mine.

“You won’t need this.” She plucked the condom from my fingers and set it on the shelf with the shampoo and conditioner.

“Not without a condom.” I wasn’t worried about either one of us, but I wouldn’t expect her to take me raw knowing I’d been fucking my girls.

Her gentle hands roamed over my torso as she lowered to her knees.

“Stormy?” I angled my chest, leaning over her to block the cascade of water.

I’d dreamed of those eyes looking up at me while she swallowed my cock. But I understood why she hadn’t. Last night at Protocol, she’d tasted me, but hadn’t wrapped her lips around me, hadn’t taken me into her mouth and sucked me.

Because she’d seen me with Scarlett .

She curled her fingers around my thickening erection and a shiver ripped down my spine. “Fuck. Don’t tease me.” I gently ran my fingers through her wet hair, combing it away from her face.

She smiled and licked the slit, her gaze holding steady on mine. She hummed and curled her tongue around the head, licking my piercing. Water dripped from her lashes, slicked her lips, and blended with the hot feel of her tongue on the sensitive tip.

My gut clenched. I groaned and tipped my head back, fighting the need to grip her head and rake my dick across her teeth.

She continued to tease, closing her mouth over the head, sucking, then taking another inch before backing off for a breath. She was shy and tentative. Maybe she didn’t have a lot of experience with giving head.

I didn’t want to scare her, and I rode the sharp edge of control. Flaring my nostrils, I drew in a deep breath. Her mouth felt too good, and her gentle fingers fluttered over my flesh, pumping my cock.

A soft hum vibrated into my balls, and her grip tightened. She took more of my length, relaxing her throat as she buried her nose in my groin.

“Fuck. Fuck.” I gripped her head, but she was in control, sucking as she pulled back, inhaling long and hard, then using her tongue, zigzagging on my cock as she pumped my shaft, mouth meeting fist in the middle.

“Ah, kitten, I’m going to come.”

She gripped my balls, tugged, and pinched off my ability to orgasm. Then she sucked me hard.

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. ”

Those soft doe eyes lifted to mine, and her lips stretched around my dick. Was she fucking edging me, keeping me on the brink of coming, but not letting me nut?

“Do your best,” I whispered to her, gripped her head, and fucked her face. She gagged and choked, sparring with me for control. Releasing my shaft, she took me deep, so deep I fucked into her throat.

At the same time, she released my balls, she slid her finger deep into my ass, pressed against the front wall, and milked my prostate. As if she’d pulled the trigger, I detonated with a roar. Blistering pleasure seared a path from my buttocks to my balls, and my orgasm fired like lightning through me.

Every muscle in my body flexed with the force I unloaded into her mouth. She swallowed, her throat working to keep up. Finally, she released me with a gasp, dropped to her ass, stared up at my face, smiled like a kitty at a bowl full of milk, and licked her swollen lips.

Never in my life…how? I didn’t have thoughts or words to describe the way she made me feel. She hadn’t just sucked my dick. She’d sucked my soul from my body. I felt her in every breath and every thunderous beat of my heart.

“That was fucking incredible.” I gripped her arms, pulled her to standing, and lifted her. Her legs went around my waist, and her mouth crashed into mine. Maybe I would talk to Torch. Because once I’d dealt with Barras, she would leave. I wasn’t going to let her go, even if I had to chain her to my bed.

** *

Sitting across from Vega and Kodiak, I gave them a rundown of my situation. Until last night, I hadn’t wanted to disclose my plan to become entangled with a pissed off mafia boss.

Now that I had confirmation that Barras was just an associate prick, I was going to stalk my enemy, find his weakness, and dispose of the problem.

There were key parts to hunting. Plan carefully and anticipate potential obstacles. Know the hunting grounds in order to maintain the advantage. Prepare for conditions and keep quiet. In other words, keep your fucking mouth shut.

Since last night, I hadn’t been able to think of anything but squeezing the life out of that piece of shit and how I felt now knowing there wouldn’t be blowback on the MC. At this point, I had two targets. There was no reason to bring anyone else to the fight. Torch was right. My Heller brothers had too much to lose with their businesses and relationships. Romeo had his baby momma about ready to pop.

At the end of the day, I knew Rogue would be there for me, but he didn’t have to be. Not this time. Vega and Kodiak would have gone nomad without the Hellers. We agreed. Fewer involved, the less chance for complications.

Stormy had given me addresses, contacts, and routines to help bury the bastard. But her knowledge was dated. We knew he was no longer at BrioFagan or working for the Irish. Doubtful he’d changed vehicles or upset his lifestyle. He was too arrogant for that. Not that it would matter. She’d said he had a standing reservation at Tuscany. If he made it to Thursday, the fucker should enjoy his meal. It would be his last .

“It’s going to be a long night. I’d hate to get stiff with no relief.” Vega chuckled. “We should stop by the massage parlor. I need an hour with Scarlett.”

I leaned my elbows on the table. “I’ve shut down Indulgence.”

Kodiak leaned back in his chair. “For how long?”

I shrugged. “Not sure we’ll reopen. It’s up to the girls. They have this plan.” I rapped my knuckles on the table. “They want to stop seeing clients and take on a partner, or two, instead.”

Vega’s brows furrowed. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d give up pimping.”

“They aren’t looking to replace me. That’s not the kind of partner they’re looking for.”

But I had to admit, I was giving up my girls. Their pivoting away from clients eliminated the need for me. Hopefully, they wouldn’t see my leaving them as deserting them when I chose Stormy over them.

“They’re thinking about becoming cam girls. Online shit, like OnlyFans. They have a list of skills they want to share with their fans and followers. Some of it would be fairly hardcore. Lacey’s into kink. Clover likes pussy. Bristol and Jinx just love Heller dick. They want to fuck on camera.”

“Your dick will scare away any guys from watching.”

“It won’t be my dick. Are you interested?” I asked them both. “You’d get a cut of the take rather than having to pay for pussy. You’d work for my girls. ”

“Fuck, yeah.” Kodiak smiled and scrubbed a hand along his jaw.

I narrowed my gaze on him. “Then shit has to change. No blow when you’re with my girls. None of that shit you pulled with Skye.”

“Is she part of this? Fucking on camera?”

“Some things went down with her. Fuck, bruh, I can’t have her involved. She’s too reckless, too high risk.” If I had to bet, I’d say Scarlett would bounce with her sister. Especially once she discovered my dick was off limits.

“Too bad. She’s a firecracker. I guess I like my kittens with claws.”

Stormy swept through the room with Lili chattering at her side. She smiled at me as she went behind the bar, and Lili climbed up on a stool. I understood liking the firecrackers. Workout pants clung to her curves, defining the muscles of her thighs and buttocks. A sports bra wrapped her torso but left her toned midriff bare.

“How did she get mixed up in this?” Vega asked, tracking Stormy as she poured a glass of orange juice for Lili. “She’s pretty, Bullet. I can’t imagine what would have happened to her if you weren’t there that night.”

I couldn’t think about it without my gut clenching. I had to remind myself she was safe now. She was mine.

“Give me a minute.” I stood, grabbed my coffee mug, and went behind the bar with Stormy.

“Bullet, look at my new ballet slippers.” Lili leaned back and put her feet on the bar. “Stormy is helping me with my pirouette. I told Ms. Baird I was training my toes. She said I need to train my attitude, too.”

Stormy pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

Positioned behind her, my palm splayed across her abdominals, and I whispered in her ear. “You need to put some clothes on.”

She pivoted and tilted her face to mine. “I know you’re not serious.”

“I am.”

She stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest and popped her hip. “I’m dancing with a five-year-old.” Her voice lowered. “If I were dancing for you, I’d be wearing a lot less. Are you going to try to tell me there’s a dress code for the MC?”

“Nah.” My gaze raked over the pebbled tips of her breasts prodding against the ribbed fabric of her sports bra, the quiver of her belly, and the thin fabric of the leggings outlining her hips and ass. “I don’t like these assholes looking at you.”

“I’m not changing my clothes.” She stepped into me. “Because I like the way you look at me, Bullet.”

She slid her arms inside my cut, felt the leather of my chest harness and the steel butt of my gun, and she stilled.

“I’m always in the gray, kitten.” Nothing was ever black and white. I broke laws but believed in justice. I curled my fingers around the nape of her neck and pulled her into a kiss.

“Ew, yuck.” Lili slurped orange juice .

Stormy smiled, but the levity didn’t reach her eyes. “Be careful. Mars is always armed, too.”

“Nothing happens tonight. I’m just stalking my prey.”

“Ready?” Vega asked, sliding his sunglasses over his eyes and heading to the door of the MC.

“I’m out of here,” I said. “Stay away from Steele. Call me if you need anything.”

“Can’t. I don’t have a phone, and Steele is bringing dinner for me and Lili, and I’m starving.”

“Fuck. You need a phone. Someone is always here. Levi and Romeo are around most of the time. And I’d rather have you go to Steele than not be able to reach me.” I brought my face close to hers. “No sharing food.”

“No promises.” She smirked. “Lili might like a bite of my Kung Pao chicken.” She rested her hand on my arm. “Will you be late?”

I nodded.

“Wake me up when you come home. I want to know everything.”

“If I have you in bed, I won’t want a conversation.” I crushed her to me.

“Fuck me first, then talk.”

***

Vega, Kodiak, and I rode toward the downtown district to canvas the area around Barras’s penthouse apartment. Vega was tasked with getting video footage from a camera mounted on his handlebars. He rode through the porte cochere, making sure his camera captured inside the building.

A blonde in a convertible BMW smiled at Kodiak as we rode past. He gave me a nod, flipped a U-turn, pulled up behind her, and followed her into the parking garage. I circled the block, visually marking escape routes, interception points, and possible ambush locations if I couldn’t get to Barras inside his business or residence.

Unlike the Crawlers buried behind my property, Barras wasn’t going to disappear. His death was going to make news.

Down the block from the parking garage, I pulled along the curb between two vehicles to give me some cover. I killed the engine and dropped the kickstand. Vega stopped alongside me as I lit a cigarette.

“What the fuck is Kodiak doing?” Vega tugged off his gloves.

“A blonde apparently.” I exhaled smoke and squinted into the distance. Another car drove up to the garage, and one exited. “Traffic is heavy.” People were getting off work.

“Surveillance on the garage, security, and a leasing office on the first floor. Even if we get inside, there won’t be a way we aren’t seen. The guy’s protected.”

I agreed with Vega’s assessment. “Patience, brother. Nothing about this has to be rushed. No timeline. Stormy is safe at the MC.”

“You’re not looking to cut her loose?”

I wasn’t, but that drilled down the truth. Barras was a threat to Stormy, but as long as he was breathing, I’d have time to convince her she was mine. Four months of dreaming about her was enough proof to know I was holding on even if she wanted to let go .

Maybe I needed a few more reasons to make her stay.

Two cigarettes and forty-five minutes later, we’d waited long enough for Kodiak. Firing up the engine, the rumble from the pipes echoed off the tall buildings. Fuck, but I loved that sound.

Before we headed back to the MC, we drove past the headquarters for BrioFagan. Not that I expected to see Barras casing the place. Next, we stopped by Indulgence. We rode down the alley to the rear of the building.

“Security lighting is out,” I said as I dismounted the bike. My boots crunched on gravel and glass on the ground.

Vega removed his sunglasses and peered at the corner of the building. “Hard to tell if it was intentional.” The bulb had been shattered.

I inspected the door, and it didn’t appear as if the lock had been tampered with. I pulled the key from my pocket, and Vega pulled his gun.

Once inside, I flipped on the light and made my way to the office in the back. Nothing seemed out of place.

“In here,” Vega called from across the hall.

I turned and followed his voice. “Shit.”

Blankets were spread out in the corner of the room. A couple pillows, a couple unopened bottles of water, and a box of animal crackers were on the floor.

“You got a squatter.”

No, I had a kid who I trusted, but he couldn’t say no to a fucking junkie.

Vega opened the blinds on the window facing the alley. “It’s unlocked. ”

“Fuck.” If I locked the window, Kiss would be on the streets again. “Leave it,” I said, and if she fucked up my building, I’d take it out of Blue’s ass. I dug in my wallet and grabbed a couple small bills and tucked them in with the water bottles.

After confirming nothing else was out of place, we locked up the building and headed back to the MC. Fire snapped and sparked in the oil drum as Vega and I rolled into the lot and parked our bikes. Vega joined the guys, but I headed into the chapel.

It wasn’t late, but the MC was quiet. Cruz and Romeo played a game of pool, Sully and Dozer played cards with a couple of guys, and Steele was behind the bar.

“Slow night,” I said, sitting on the stool across from him.

Steele laughed. “You should have been here an hour ago. McKelle lost her shit on Cruz. Took off on the back of some guy’s Ninja.”

I glanced over my shoulder. “He doesn’t look torn up about it.”

“Maybe. Dozer threatened to kick his ass if he didn’t get his shit together.”

If he didn’t, he wouldn’t sew on the patch. The club wouldn’t make a brother out of him, and a few punches wouldn’t knock any sense into him. The cut was just a piece of leather without the patch, and the patch was earned. Cruz could ride, but he wasn’t going to ride with the Hellers without being worthy of the colors.

“You rode out with Kodiak and Vega? ”

I nodded. I could feel the tension rolling off Steele. The four of us had bonded. He had to wonder why I hadn’t asked him to ride with us. Probably thinking it had to do with Stormy.

“It’s not what you think,” I said.

“What the fuck should I think? I thought we’d talked this shit out already. You really think I’d fuck you over by making a play for your girl?”

I glanced around, making sure no one could overhear, especially Dozer and Romeo. In the way of my brother, I was going rogue on this one. “Stormy is mixed up in some shit. Shit you can’t be a part of, not with the drama you got going with Heather. Vega and Kodiak are like me. No one’s going to cry for us if shit goes sideways.” I leaned into him, staring him in the eyes. “This isn’t about Stormy. Fuck dude, I know I was an ass. I want you riding with me, but not this time. You got Lili to think about.”

I had Vega and Kodiak with me, but if something happened, I didn’t want Lili to grow up without her dad. I’d been in enough fights to know you never took victory for granted. There were no rules in this fight.

“I need a favor from you. I’m going after her ex. He’s a piece of shit. You don’t want to know him or his friends. This is personal. If I don’t come back, he’ll come after Stormy.” My gut clenched, and a spike of adrenaline hit my bloodstream. I’d always lived for the ride, two wheels down, hellbent on raising hell.

Never thought I’d give up my girls. Never wanted more than what I had. The MC, the brotherhood, my girls without commitment. I lived for the rush .

But nothing felt as good as being with Stormy. When I thought of tomorrow, I thought of her. She belonged out at my place, barefoot with a cup of coffee, dancing in the sunshine, on the back of my bike, and riding my cock.

That piece of shit was never touching her again.

“Get her out of town.” She’d need money. I’d make sure Lacey gave her access to my accounts. She could live off the grid on my resources until she settled somewhere safe.

“You know I’d ride with you. Getting me out of the Crawlers gave me back my kid. I owe you.”

I pushed back from the counter. “Just make sure my girl is safe.”

Thinking of Stormy as mine had my dick hard before I slipped into the room. Stormy curled on her side, asleep, with her palms tucked under her cheek. The fan blew in the corner, rippling the thin blanket covering her from the hips down. Her bare skin sent a surge of possessiveness over me.

I stripped out of my clothes, quietly grabbed a condom from the drawer, and crawled in next to her.

Warmth surrounded me. Soft breaths floated over her slightly parted lips. This right here was what I wanted. She stirred as I stretched the latex over my dick, kissed her shoulder, and ran my hand along her flank.

“Bullet?”

“Right here, brown eyes.” Her back arched as I lifted her leg over my hip and spread her wide. Notching her opening, I fit the head of my dick into the wet heat of her cunt. She moaned at the intrusion, and I slowly sank deep, stretching her, penetrating, feeling the hot inner tissues caressing my cock.

She moaned, reached behind me, and grabbed my ass. “This is a nice way to wake up.”

I splayed my hand over her belly, trekked my palm higher, and covered her breast. Her tight nipple prodded against my palm.

“Oh.” She whimpered long and low.

Changing my angle, I undulated my hips in a slow fuck, feeling every little pulse in her pussy. Savoring the sweet juices soaking my cock. Imprinting my fucking soul onto hers.

And when she came, I held her tight, pistoned my hips, drilling into her hard and fast. Pressure built in my balls, a tingle chased along my spine, and with a guttural moan, I followed her over the edge. Her pussy gloved tight to my dick, drawing out the pleasure. I fucked her until the last spasm milked me dry.

Our heavy breaths slowed, and her touch lightened to a caress. I rolled to the side, climbed from the bed as I stripped off the condom, and dropped it in the small trashcan near the door.

“How did the ballet lesson go?” I asked and slipped back into bed with her.

She snuggled against my side, and I draped my arm around her. “That girl can chatter.” She turned her face up to mine. “She loves to dance. She was just so sure her new ballet shoes were going to work miracles for her toes.” She adjusted, snuggling into me again and resting her head against my shoulder. “So adorable. But oh my god, so much attitude.”

“I know a girl like that.” When she lightly slugged me, I kissed the top of her head .

“What happened tonight? Did you find him?” She held her hand up, and I threaded our fingers together.

“Not tonight. I’ll go back out in the morning.”

“Emerson usually left the penthouse early to beat the traffic. I’d get up with him and have coffee then go back to bed once he left.”

This shit needed to end. I hated that she thought about him, hated that she thought about their life together, hated that he had her before me. I didn’t care how fucking irrational I might seem, but I hated that if she left, another man would want to erase me from her memories.

I leaned up on my elbow and hovered over her. “I don’t want you to have to think about him again. Especially not in our bed.”

“I wish it were that easy, but I think about him all the time.”

My jaw clenched, and a fire burned in my gut.

She curled her hand around my nape, brought my mouth to hers, and nipped my lips. “I might be corrupted, Bullet, because when I think about him, I imagine him dead.”