Chapter Sixteen

Helena

I T WAS A dark and moody evening in Vancouver. Intense clouds hung low in the sky, threatening to drop their cargo onto the city below at any time. Heavy winds whistled over the Columbia River and echoed through the hills, providing the perfect natural soundtrack for the night to come. So far everything on my to-do list had been completed as planned. I’d worked a regular shift but signed out two hours early, as planned. I shopped for bread and fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market, as planned. And then I drove home alone, parking in my driveway and opening my front door wide as I shuttled the two bags I had from the car to my house, as planned. I didn’t bother waving to whichever Dogs of Fire member happened to be on lookout tonight, because they weren’t there, as planned. After entering the house, I went to the kitchen and put away the groceries, taking my time before I walked back to the front door to close it. That’s when I saw him.

Brent Avery stood in my doorway, as planned.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Unfinished business,” Brent replied, before stepping inside and closing the door behind him.

“Leave now and I won’t call the police,” I said.

“Don’t move a single inch,” he said, pulling a gun from his pocket. “You’re gonna do exactly as I say, or I’ll shoot you. Dead or alive, it doesn’t matter to me. I’ve fantasized about it both ways while in prison. Either way, I’m gonna fuck you in this room tonight, Helena. I’m gonna do whatever I want to you,” he taunted through a grotesque grin.

“What about us?” Cullen asked.

Brent spun around to find Cullen and Hatch standing behind him. Hatch immediately snatched Brent’s pistol from him and Cullen punched him square in the jaw, sending him to the hardwood floor.

Cullen picked Brent up and threw him onto my couch. “We’ve been waiting for you,” he said. “Thanks for showing up to our pinata party.”

“Let me go and we’ll call it even,” Brent said, blood pouring from his mouth. “I won’t come around here anymore. I fucking promise.”

“Ah, shit man,” Hatch said, examining Brent’s facial wound. “It looks like his teeth cut right through his cheek when you clobbered him. That’s fuckin’ nasty, boy.”

“Any candy come out of him?” Cullen asked.

“Nope, just blood,” Hatch replied.

“We’ll just have to thump on our pinata some more.”

Brent tried to get up off the couch. Hatch convinced him to sit back down by way of a punch to the gut so hard it took at least a full minute before Brent could take his first breath.

“You’re not going anywhere until we take you there. Where there is, depends entirely on you.”

“Would you like to know your destination options?” Cullen asked.

Brent nodded, blood oozing from the hole in his face.

“The options are simple. We can take you to the hospital, to jail, or to the morgue.”

“Hospital,” Brent fired back.

“Hold on while I finish explaining the rules of the game,” Cullen said, before turning to me. “Babe, do you have those bats?”

“Oh, yes. Of course,” I said, going to the closet where they’d been all week. Cullen and Hatch constructed this plan a week ago and had been playing Brent the entire time. Hatch’s security detail knew Brent’s daily schedule more than he knew mine. Anyone who’d look at these guys and see ‘dumb bikers’ would be amazed at how detailed and organized these guys were.

“You have three options,” Cullen continued. “The first option is we beat the shit out of you with these baseball bats then drop you off at the curb of the hospital, where you can give them some bullshit story about getting jumped by a gang of kids.”

“Option two, is you forgo the beating, but we take you to the cops, where you’ll be arrested and thrown in jail for several parole violations including owning and carrying a firearm. Not to mention, a fresh new charge of attempted sexual assault.”

“Option three is we start on you with these bats, and we don’t stop until there is no more you.”

“If I go back to prison, I’ve got more than one beating coming to me, so I may as well take a ride to the hospital from you. Just don’t hit me in the head.”

“Head shots are for option number three. We’re just gonna try and break every bone in your body,” Hatch replied.

“Anything you’d like to say to him before we beat him unconscious?” Cullen asked me.

I took a few moments to think about it then nodded. “I do, actually.” I walked over to the couch where Brent sat, bending down and looking him right in the eyes. “I used to be afraid of you. Afraid that you’d come back here and finish what you’d started. But I’m not afraid anymore. You see, something inside me knew you’d be driven to return and instead of living in fear, I used that knowledge to trap you. And this time, I’m not alone. For the first time since you first slithered into my life, I’ll fall asleep tonight knowing this is as close as we’ll ever be again.”

“Don’t be too sure, my pet,” Brent whispered. “Remember, I chose the beating over prison.”

“That’s right,” Cullen said. “First, we’re gonna beat you to a pulp, then we’re gonna drop you off at the prison hospital.”

Brent’s head snapped to Cullen. “You sons of a whore.”

“I guess we never did clarify which hospital. Sorry about the mix up.”

“Can we just drive up to the prison hospital? Don’t we need credentials or something?” Hatch asked.

“Shit, I don’t know. I guess we’ll just take him to the police station and let them figure it out.”

“Good idea,” Hatch said.

“Fucking liars,” Brent hissed.

“Maybe I am a liar, but it beats being a fucking rapist,” Cullen said. “And tonight a rapist is going to get beat by a liar.”

Just then, three of Hatch’s biker brethren filed into my home, led by Flea.

The rest of the plan involved zip ties, cattle prods, and Brent being driven to Hatch’s club. Outside of that, I knew nothing. Hatch and Cullen called it ‘plausible deniability,’ and I was happy to be out of the loop as long as Brent Avery was out of my life forever.

“Buzz is hanging with you tonight,” Cullen said. “We’ll take care of the trash and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I nodded, kissing him gently but thoroughly. “Hurry. I have some thanking to do.”

He grinned, patting my bottom, then he followed the other men out with a struggling asshole between them.

* * *

Cullen

“That’s ten to nine. My service.” Cameron grinned, standing at the ping-pong table across from his opponent.

“No way. The ball was out of bounds.”

“What the fuck are you talking about, Buzz?”

He waved his paddle wide. “I’m talking about the serve you just returned was out of bounds making the score ten to ten.”

“Let me ask you something.” Cameron cocked his head. “How is it that you’re allowed to ride a motorcycle when you’re clearly at least half-blind?”

“Stevie fuckin’ Wonder would have called that shot ‘out.’”

Cameron shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day when you were so afraid of losing to me that you’d resort to cheating. I thought you respected the game and yourself more than that.”

“I don’t sweat you,” Buzz said, squaring up to the table. “Go ahead. Take your stolen point and serve the ball. I’ll beat your ass anyway.”

I watched through the open window as Cameron adjusted his grip on the paddle, took a breath, and served the ball. Buzz returned the shot, the ball hitting the edge of the table, causing Cameron’s return to come up higher than it should have. The ball was now at the perfect angle for Buzz to deliver a hard spike, earning him the point and tying up the score.

“This is it, Bob the Builder,” Buzz said. “This one’s for all the marbles. Don’t let the pressure get to you.”

“The only thing weaker than your shit talk is your backspin,” he replied.

“Enough fucking chit chat,” Buzz bellowed. “It’s time for you to go down.”

Cameron’s eyes narrowed and he rasped, “Service.”

The volley which followed his serve was nothing short of epic and sad all at the same time, with Buzz losing pathetically.

“You piece of shit, brick layer,” Buzz shouted as Cameron raised his hands in victory as the few of us that were left hollered our congratulations.

Flea bellowed, “I got next game.”

“I think I’ve kicked all the ass I needed to make my point,” Cameron replied, handing his paddle to him before heading to the door and sliding it open.

“Don’t you guys see enough of each other at work?” Cam asked, breaking into my distracted conversation with Cade.

“You’d have to show up to work to know, wouldn’t you?” I retorted.

“Damn, that’s a little harsh, isn’t it?” he replied.

“Sorry, Cam, but come on. How many times did you make it into the office last week? Twice? For a total of four hours,” I pointed out.

He nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ve had a lot on my plate during the past few weeks. I’ll do better, I promise.”

“A lot on your plate. You’re a thirty-year-old single guy. What the hell could possibly be on your plate besides work?” Cade asked.

Before Cam could answer Cade, his phone buzzed. “Sorry, guys. I gotta take this,” he said, answering. “Hey, Leslie. How are you doing? Um, yeah. I think I can manage that. How about you give me twenty-five minutes and I’ll be there? That sound okay to you? Alright, perfect. I’ll see you then, beautiful.” He hung up and focused back on us.

“Are you fucking serious right now?” I asked.

“What?”

“We were just talking about you showing your face around more often and now you’re gonna ditch family night to go meet some hot piece of ass.”

“First of all, I like that you assumed, correctly, might I add, that Leslie is hot. Secondly, it’s just family night and I’ve been here for over an hour already. It’s not like I’m missing a business meeting.”

“No, that will happen tomorrow when you’re too hungover from your night out with Leslie to show up on time,” Cade said.

“I already said I was sorry and that I’d do better, so fuck both of you. I’m outta here.”

“Cam, I’m sorry, I’m just stressed out,” Cade said.

Cameron gave him a dismissive wave and walked out the door.

“Well, that went well,” I said, just as Helena wrapped her arms around me from behind.

“Where’s Cam off to?”

“New woman,” I said, trying to keep the irritation from my voice. I turned to face her. “Having fun?”

“I’m a little tipsy, so I’m having a lot of fun.”

“How’s Pru?”

“She’s loving every second,” Helena said, nodding to her sister who was currently being chatted up by two very eager recruits. “You were right. Her self-esteem has skyrocketed.”

“You good to stay for a bit?”

“Yep.” She wrapped her arms around me again. “You just let me know when you’re ready to slide that dick in—”

“Baby,” I growled, kissing her. “Do not do that to me in public.”

She looked up at me. “Then take me somewhere private.”

“Don’t move.” I squeezed her hand before making my way over to Hatch.

He gave me a chin lift and smiled. “Hey.”

“Hey, you got a room with a lock I can borrow.”

He chuckled. “Yep.”

“Can you make sure Pru’s safe for a few?”

“You bet.”

“Awesome, thanks.” Hatch grabbed a key ring and slid a key off it. “Second floor, third door on the left. It’s clean.”

“Love you, brother.”

I made my way back to Helena and took her hand, guiding her upstairs and into the room, locking it behind us.

“Get your clothes off,” I demanded, and she smiled wide as she kicked off her shoes and did exactly as she was told.

I did the same and the second we were naked, I pushed her gently on the bed and slid her arms above her head, holding both of her hands with one of mine. “Stay put,” I ordered, running my tongue along her pulse.

“What?” she panted out. “I want to touch you.”

“No,” I bossed, nipping her collarbone, dragging her hands back up the mattress.

She tried to defy me, but not very hard, and I slid my lips down her chest to her breast, drawing a nipple into my mouth.

“Cullen,” she breathed out in a whimper as I moved my mouth lower still.

She arched into me, and I released her hands, so I could kneel between her legs. She lifted her knees and spread her legs wide, and I wrapped my hands around her thighs and began to feast. She pounded her pussy into my mouth, and I could not get enough.

I ate, licked, and bit until I knew she was close, and then I drove two fingers in, pressing my thumb to her clit and she cried out as she shuddered around me, her hands gripping my hair as she came, and came hard.

I didn’t wait for her to come down as I hovered my cock at her entrance, anchoring my arms on either side of her, leaning down to kiss her. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah, baby. So ready.”

With one quick thrust, I buried myself to the hilt, the feeling of her warm, wet heat almost too much without the barrier between us. It had only been a week without condoms and I honestly couldn’t think of anything better than being inside of her.

“God damn,” I bit out, letting the feel of her surround me.

She hooked a leg around my thigh and arched up. “More, honey.”

“I’m tryin’ really hard not to come, baby. Just give me a second.”

“You can come, Cullen, we have time to go again.”

“I can also try and make this last and enjoy the feeling of your glorious pussy surrounding my dick, since it’s been fuckin’ forever since I’ve felt anything this good.”

She settled her forehead to my bicep and chuckled. “Okay, honey, you just take your time.”

“This is funny to you?”

“No,” she lied.

I met her eyes, dragging her hands back above her head, and buried myself deeper. “You’re going to pay for that.”

“Oh, yes, please.” She grinned. “Make me pay, Cullen. I’ve been a very, very bad girl.”

I grinned, driving my hips harder into hers and she gasped as I hit her ‘spot,’ and I felt her come again.

“Oh, god,” she rasped on a shudder. “How’d you do that?”

I slammed into her again, again, then once again, and there was no longer any talking as I fucked her until neither of us could barely breathe. Her whimpers slid down my throat as our bodies became one and then I felt my balls tighten and I let out a grunt as I guided a hand between our bodies, fingering her clit until she met me with a more muted mewl.

She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and lifted up, dropping her head to my bicep again, then moving it so she could kiss me. “Can I say something that’s totally not like me?”

“Anything,” I said.

She sighed.

“Anything, baby.”

“I love you.”

I smiled, slowly, before kissing her. “I know.”

“What?”

“You show me every day.” I slid out of her and rolled to my side pulling her over my chest. “And in case you couldn’t tell, I love you, too.”

She kissed my chest. “Um, the whole fucking up Skip’s car, and avenging my honor with Brent kind of gave me a hint.”

I chuckled. “Good.”

“Plus, seeing my sister for the amazing person she is also showed me how much you love me.”

“That’s all her, though, baby. She’s pretty awesome in her own right.”

“She totally is.” She slid her hand over my belly and smiled up at me. “I just wish she could find this.”

“She’ll find her way. You just have to trust that.”

“I’m working on it.”

“I know.”

“What’s going on with Cameron?”

“I have no idea.” I sighed. “But we’re getting a little fed up with his bullshit.”

“Do you think that’s what it is?”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I just find it hard to believe, after everything y’all went through, that he’s just dropping the ball on work, life, and family. He loves you guys. Like crazy. You can see it. Someone who loves their family that much doesn’t fuck with that.”

“Well, I can’t begin to fathom what goes on in his head,” I said, rolling her over and kissing her neck. “But I don’t want to talk about him.”

“Oh?”

I kissed her. “One more round, and then we’ll take your sister home.”

“Okay,” she breathed out.

That was exactly what we did.