11. Tiberius

11

TIBERIUS

My head needs to clear for the meeting I’m heading to, but with Kinsley beside me, it’s damn difficult to have a cohesive thought. I had smelled her fucking arousal. My sweet, innocent seventeen-year-old girl is not as innocent as I thought. She has no qualms about teasing the beast. The girl knows how much I want her. It’s impossible for her not to notice how fucking hard she makes me.

Once we’d gotten out on the lake, I had been tempted to strip her leggings and panties from those long legs of hers and put my mouth on her pussy. It would have been drenched from her arousal. She ached with it at the filthy words I used to describe what I was going to do to her.

Fuck me! I silently curse at the hard-on I’m fighting to control. I rub at my forehead and inhale deeply. My obsession with the girl has to be brought under control in order for me to keep her safe. I give her a sidelong glance and notice her eyes on me and the tiny smirk on one side of her mouth. My eyes track each movement she makes as she swipes her tongue over her lips.

We match again. Both of us are wearing tees and our black biker boots—both as well-worn as the other’s. It's like she was fucking made for me. I scrub my hand over my face and force my attention outside the car. We’re riding in a convoy with a few of my men. I prefer my bike. It makes it easier to get away from situations that go tits up. Unfortunately, not all the men have the experience for tonight's adventure on the back of a bike.

I sense Kinsley beginning to fidget. I glance her way and, reaching out, capture her hand in one of mine. Her eyes search my gaze as I intertwine our fingers and rest our joined hands in her lap. I've done this since I arrived at the Lake House, and I like it. I like touching her. I like the way she clings to my flesh and the way her thumb rubs along a finger. She places her other hand atop our joined ones and, using a finger, traces around the mandala tattoo on my skin. This one means family. The one on my other hand means strength. I smile at her, feeling a sense of connection and comfort in our shared silence. In this moment, I know that our bond goes beyond words and gestures, transcending into something deeper that should scare the ever-loving crap out of me. It doesn't, though. Not with Kinsley.

I squeeze her hand before releasing it. "I can't believe I agreed to this," I mutter.

"I can," Jock says from his position up front.

"I didn't need an answer." I glance over at Kinsley. "You stay behind me."

"You've told me that like ten times, Tiberius. You've also told me that the buyer is a family man. Has a daughter my age. That is why you agreed to bring me.”

I’m fighting with myself about her safety. I want her safe, but I also want her with me. I’ve waited these past two years for her to grow up, possibly thinking I imagined how I felt for her, because what the fuck is wrong with me. I didn’t imagine it. I saw the desire she has for me in her eyes. She’s gone from the funeral, where she appeared apprehensive around me, to a flirt and a tease. She’s comfortable with me, which is good. The last thing I want is for her to be afraid of me. But fuck if I know what I’m doing with her. I just keep reminding myself that she'll be eighteen soon. She’ll officially be an adult, even though she can’t drink for another three years.

“Five minutes out,” Salem says from his position behind the wheel.

Turning to Kinsley, I cup her face and place a quick kiss on her lips before I focus outside the vehicle. The terrain is flat, with a single warehouse central of the metal fencing around the perimeter. I spot a few of Rogers’s men pacing out in the open as our cars enter through the massive gates. A quick glance at Kinsley causes me to pause. I don't see fear on her pretty face; I see excitement, which is why I take a second look. Fuck me! She's excited. I rub a hand over my mouth to keep my thoughts to myself.

The second the vehicles come to a stop, Jock is out, looking like a secret service agent, as he opens my door. I slide out and hold a hand out for Kinsley. "Behave," I mutter, releasing her.

My eyes are constantly roving over Rogers’s men and the building before us. The man himself strides out, a smile on his face, a hand outstretched for me to shake. Surprise flickers across Allen Rogers’s face when his eyes land on Kinsley. I want to hustle her back into the car so no one can look at her. She's mine, and I want to fucking tell him. I bite the words back, as this is supposed to be a friendly chat so I can be brought up to date on the deal that is currently causing issues.

"Who is this?" Rogers asks, knowing full well who she is.

I clench my jaw. "Jude's daughter, Kinsley. Kinsley, Allen Rogers."

Kinsley steps forward and offers her hand. The man takes it while Kinsley beams a smile at him. "It's a pleasure to meet someone who worked with my father. I really hope you'll allow us to assist in sorting this mess out."

Let go of his fucking hand, Kinsley!

"My daughter is like you. She informed me that I had to 'play nice' with Mr. Beckett and his niece. Please accept our condolences on the loss of your parents."

"Thank you." Kinsley yanks her hand free.

Rogers looks distracted, and with a sidelong glance, I realize that was Kinsley's intention.

"What exactly was the deal with Jude?"

"Right to business, Beckett," he scoffs. "Why don't you come inside and have a drink?"

"I'd rather we dealt with it out here."

Rogers stares at me for a moment. "I don't think so. Inside, please." He turns his back and heads toward the warehouse.

I narrow my eyes and feel Kinsley press into my side. "I have a bad feeling, Tiberius," she whispers.

I catch Jock's eye, which is the signal for him to inform the others to be ready. I call out to Rogers’s retreating back. "I thought you wanted the missing guns."

He pauses mid-step, then slowly turns around. The man is irritated, no doubt because I chose not to follow him. I raise a brow as his jaw tightens.

"Inside," he says.

"We'll be on our way." I grab Kinsley and shove her into the car, making sure my body is protecting her.

“What are you doing?” Rogers hisses.

I meet Kinsley’s frightened gaze. “Stay put.” Turning to Rogers, I reply, “I’m not in the mood for crap. This is a courtesy meeting. I personally owe you fuck all. I do not have the time or patience to be messed around. You have one chance to tell me what the deal was, or we will leave.”

Kinsley grabs my hand as she tries to slide from the car.

Doesn’t she have a care for her safety? Stupid girl.

“Tiberius,” she whispers, finally getting her feet under her.

The girl pinches my fucking ass, making my cock tighten. What the hell?

“Mr. Rogers,” she says as she steps around me, “you have a daughter my age. If something were to happen, like my loss to her, wouldn’t you want someone to step in and sort any mess you’d left behind out? That’s all Tiberius is trying to do. He’s a busy man who doesn’t have the time for his brother’s shit. We don’t want any trouble, just answers. Please.”

Kinsley turns to me, her bottom lip between her teeth. My head fills with filthy thoughts, and every one of them has to do with Kinsley naked.

I roll my eyes, making sure she watches me before I tug her into my arms.

She wraps around me and whispers, “Did it work?”

Suppressing a chuckle, I glare at Jock over the top of her head, daring him to laugh. The big man coughs a few times and nods in Rogers’s direction.

“Kinsley, I really am sorry for your loss, and you are correct, I am being difficult.” He sighs. “The purchase on that occasion wasn’t for me. I was a go-between, so I am being chased for the other half of the order. Jude left a mess for a few people behind.”

“Who is the buyer?” I ask, keeping Kinsley close.

“I can’t tell you that, but let’s just say he won’t accept anything but what he paid for.”

“What was that exactly?”

“Half on the fourth, as was delivered. The remainder on the fourteenth.”

“My father died on the twelfth.”

Rogers nods. “I’m leaving the country later today for a wedding, so I won’t be around for a couple of weeks. You can reach me on the phone.” He passes me a slip of paper. “A list of what was ordered, received, and outstanding.” He turns and walks away.

As I watch his retreating back, I notice his men watching us.

“Let’s roll out.”

Grabbing Kinsley by the hips, I’m tempted to put her over my knee, but I decide that I can wait.

Within seconds, we’ve pulled out and are free of the warehouse. I eye Kinsley while trying to keep an eye on the surroundings.

“What business are you in, Tiberius? I just realized that I have no idea.”

I catch both Jock and Salem eyeing me from the front. “I own some hotels and nightclubs, among other things.”

She smirks. “Other things, huh? Do you own a titty bar?”

"How the fuck do you know what a titty bar is?" I ask, half amused.

"Oh, please! You look like a guy who would be into that sort of thing."

Salem and Jock howl with laughter as Kinsley wiggles her brows.

"If you don't stop this shit, I'll be putting you to work there."

"Really?" she asks excitedly. "I bet I'd learn a lot."

Fuck me!

I give Salem and Jock an irritated look as they continue to laugh. "The only place you will be showing your tits and learning things is in my fucking bed." I reach for her and yank her onto my lap.

The windshield splinters, and a bullet lodges in the back seat where Kinsley was mere seconds ago.

Motherfucker!

My hands tremble as I push Kinsley down onto the seat, my body shielding hers.

"Jock, Salem?" I shout.

"We're good," Salem hisses, pulling the car off the road. "Jock, do you see anything?" he asks.

"I didn't then, and I don't now. We're not under fire, so I'm guessing there’s only one shooter." Jock turns to us. "You guys okay?"

"A second later—" I close my eyes and press my lips against Kinsley's forehead.

Her arms come up and wrap around my neck as she pulls herself closer. I want her even closer because what just happened has shaken me in a way I'm not used to.

"We need to get out of here. We're sitting ducks."

My phone rings, breaking the silence. I answer it.

"One shooter," Nine says. "Everyone okay?"

I glance at Kinsley and reply, "Yeah." My voice is rough. "Do you have him?"

"No. Slippery fucker ran and got on a motocross bike. There is no way to follow him. I will find him."

"Okay. See you back at the house." Hanging up, I say to Salem, "We need to move. Now."

"Jock," Salem says, "help me kick the windshield out."

While they do that, I move off of Kinsley and pull her with me. We both have the same idea as she climbs onto my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. It's not until I feel moisture on my skin that I realize my strong girl is crying.

I cup the back of her neck with one hand and pin her to my chest with the other. She isn't the only one who had one hell of a shock. I need a stiff drink after today. My fingers slide into Kinsley's hair as I bury my face there. The scent of sweet apples drifts up my nose. The urge to take this girl is strong, so much so after nearly losing her. It's that thought that snaps me out of the fear coursing through my blood.

I lift my face and meet Salem's gaze through the rearview mirror. "I want the fucker found. Help Nine. I want the pleasure of killing the bastard."

Kinsley sits up and wipes her eyes with the sleeves of her sweatshirt. "I don't think it was Rogers. At least, I’m not sure; maybe it was him."

I cup her face and bring her close. "It's as well that you drive me crazy. Saved your fucking life." I press a kiss to her lips and tug her into my chest. I'm not letting her go anytime soon.

I stare out the window while I cradle my girl in my arms and wonder how the hell I'm going to sort out the mess Jude left behind. I have contacts that can get me what Jude failed to deliver, but it's like a claw in my gut to do it. Since the gun deal was brought to my attention, I can't stop wondering what else my brother had been up to. Who else might he have screwed over. At the end of the day, I'll sort the shit out because it means Kinsley stays safe.

Watching Kinsley sleep is not conducive to sorting out the chaos of Jude’s affairs, but I can’t help myself. When I close my eyes, I see the bullet lodged in the seat, right where her head had been. I attempted to sleep, but I woke up at the sight of Kinsley dead in the car and me covered in her blood. Hence, why I’m currently sitting in an armchair by her bedroom window. Her own guardian angel.

Moonlight reflects off the lake, and my eyes follow it to my own house. It’s dark because no one is there right now. The security sensors and any other shit Nine has outfitted over there is switched on and being monitored.

My attention returns to Kinsley as I rub my hand over my chest where an ache thrums. The girl means a lot to me. I’ve been forcing myself to wait until after her birthday before I slowly allowed her to see my need for her. I sure as shit wasn’t expecting her to tease the hell out of the beast.

My heart jolts at the sudden and overwhelming need I have to make Kinsley truly mine. To feel her warm and alive against me.

My fingers curl into fists as I force myself to relax. She may have been teasing the beast, but she is an innocent. My sweet, innocent girl.

The light on my phone alerts me to a message.

Nine: Prez downstairs.

Me: On my way.

With one last glance at Kinsley, I slip out of the room and jog downstairs and into the office. Prez—whose real name is Wilder Drake—raises a brow at my attire of sweats, tee, and socks. It’s late. What does he expect? He stands as we briefly hug and pat each other on the back.

“The man you are after, Sykes Taylor, is dead. Nine is getting rid of the body with Razor.”

I glare at my friend. “I wanted that fucking honor!” I snap.

“We got there too late. He’d already been taken care of. My guess is so he couldn’t name anyone.” Prez sits, and I slump in the office chair. “Jude left you in the shit from what I hear.”

“Yeah. I’m so fucking tired,” I admit.

Prez watches me closely. He knows me and has for a long time. “Padre has a lead on Jubal. He’s checking it out with Wrath. I’ll let you know how that turns out.”

I nod. “It’s been a while,” I comment.

“Well, if the mountain won’t come to Mohamed,” Prez drawls, then bursts out laughing.

At first glance, you wouldn’t think he’s a cheery guy. His height and broad shoulders could scare someone to death. But behind his icy-blue eyes and red beard lies a loyal friend.

“When we have Jubal, you can come to me.” He grins and gets to his feet. “You need me or the club, we’re a call away.”

I join him at the door and shake his hand. “Thanks, man. I may need to take you up on that before all this shit is done and dusted.”

He tips his head, and I watch as he climbs onto his Harley next to where Geo and Cross are waiting. They roar down the driveway, making me want to join them, but I have other priorities.

It’s a first that I’d rather go back upstairs to Kinsley than follow Prez and members of the club.

I shake my head and return to the bedroom where Kinsley sleeps. Inside, I place my phone on the nightstand beside the bed. I lift the covers and crawl into bed beside her. No sooner do I settle on my side to face her than she rolls straight into my arms. An arm goes over my waist, and a leg hooks over my hips.

“Hold on to me, Tiberius. I need to feel safe.”

“With me?”

“Always with you.” Her breath escapes in a whoosh as she presses her face into my neck when I gather her close.

Maybe I’ll be able to sleep now.