Chapter Nineteen

After everyone had left, Keres explored the kitchen, searching what to make for dinner. She found pasta and sauce so figured easy carbs it would be. She got the water boiling and searched until she found a colander and bowls.

Once the pasta was done, she dumped the water out, filled up both bowls, and poured warm spaghetti sauce over it. Grabbing utensils and two drinks, she headed upstairs. Ronin opened his eyes as she stepped into the bedroom.

“Hungry?” she asked.

“Starving,” he replied, sitting up and letting out a hiss of pain. “My head fucking hurts.

“Once you eat you can take some ibuprofen.”

Slowly, he propped himself up with his pillows. Once he settled, she handed him a bowl and a fork. Sitting down, they both ate in silence. When they finished, she collected the dirty dishes and set them to the side. Keres poured two tablets in her hand and held them out. Ronin took them and swallowed them with a bit of water.

“I have to clean up the kitchen. Why don’t you rest more?”

Keres stood and collected everything before heading to the door.

“Keres,” he said, and she paused. “Thank you.”

She threw him a quick smile and then left. Down in the kitchen, she placed the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, added a cleaning pod, and started it up. Taking a beer from the fridge, she stepped outside onto the porch to watch the sunset. Beautiful streaks of gold and red blended together above the horizon line. The humidity wrapped around her like a damp blanket, bringing with it a host of mosquitoes. Not wanting to get eaten alive, she went back inside and wandered into the entertainment room. A ginormous flat-screen lined one wall. Bookshelves filled another. Modern design with warm accents and textures gave the area a comfortable vibe. She settled on the couch and picked up the remote to find something to watch.

Mentally, she was in this odd place. The weight of a thousand guilty thoughts had disappeared, leaving her feeling lighter than air. She found a movie to watch and put it on, not really paying attention to the plot, but needing some distraction because she wasn’t used to not having a million thoughts race through her mind.

“What’re you doing down here?”

She startled and swung her gaze to the doorway. Ronin stood there, chest bare and sweatpants hanging low enough to highlight the sexy Adonis belt on his pelvis.

“Relaxing,” she answered. “Just like you’re supposed to be doing.”

“I was never one who followed the rules.”

“You don’t say,” she replied dryly.

He sat down next to her. “What’re you watching?”

“I don’t know. I put something on for distraction.”

“Well, now I can distract you.”

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“What’s happened to Darby?”

“I’ve made arrangements for his burial,” he softly replied. “Did you have something special in mind?”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I just didn’t want him to … linger.”

He brushed the bangs off her forehead. “I know how important he was to you.”

“Thank you,” she said, a little hitch in her voice.

He pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly as he ran a hand up and down her back in a soothing pattern. “You cared about him.”

“He was my dear friend.”

Ronin kissed the top of her head. “I know. And he loved you because he left you everything.”

That shocked her. “What?”

“The building. His bank accounts. You’re not a millionaire or anything, but you don’t have to worry about a job.”

Surprisingly, she had no desire to cry. Even from his grave, Darby was taking care of her. Keres snuggled into the comfort Ronin offered. Out of all the places in the world, wrapped up in his arms, she felt the safest.

“I’ve got you,” he murmured. “You’re not alone anymore.”

His words filled up the dark spaces in her heart. Leia was right. They were family.

“Would you make love to me?”

The hand rubbing her back stopped and he tipped her head back.

“You’re vulnerable.”

“I need you.”

“I don’t want to take advantage.”

She smiled. “Are you playing hard to get?”

He leaned closer, and his breath fanned over her lips as he took her hand to run it down his crotch. “Do you feel that? Feel how hard you make me? It’s all yours, baby. Do you understand? This cock belongs to you.”

She slid her arms around Ronin’s neck, moving her body sensually against his own. He pulled her against his body, and then dragged his hand down her side to grab her ass. Then he bent his head and captured her lips. It was more than a simple peck on the lips. The kiss consumed her. His hand came up to stroke the skin behind her ear and along her neck sending delicious shivers through her body. She returned the caress, running her fingers through his short hair, her nails lightly scratching his scalp. Ronin groaned as he responded by delving deeper into the depths of her mouth. They kissed deeper, tongues probing, hands exploring, bodies pressed as close together as they could get.

“Do I need to tell you about all the delicious things I want to do to your body?” he asked, whispering in her ear.

“I guess you can tell me.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “Or you can show me.”

He nipped the skin on the pulse frantically beating in her neck. “You going to let me do all sorts of wicked things to you?”

“Am I going to like these wicked things?”

“You’re going to love them.”

His touch was electric. Electricity dancing over her as he slowly and gently trailed fingers over her skin, massaging her breast over her shirt. Fire heated her blood as need pulsed through her body. One by one, he freed the buttons of her shirt until the material fell off her shoulders, and then slid his hand inside and over her bra. He teased her nipple, pinching the little nub until she yearned for more.

Ronin placed kisses on her collarbone. Her throat. Her cheek. Capturing her lips in another kiss as he maneuvered her to rise so she could discard her jeans. Then it was his turn to get undressed. His cock was hard and thick, with a bead of fluid at the tip. Keres took hold of him, pumping him with a tight squeeze, milking more pre-cum until it ran over her fingers. She let go to lick it off her hand. Then he sat back down and tugged until she straddled his lap. Her pussy lips cradled the hard shaft of his dick, and with a devilish look in his eyes, rubbed her clit with a masterful stroke. Her breath hitched and she moaned as he slid a finger into her cunt. Their mouths hovered over each other. Their breaths mingling.

Ronin took hold of her hips and began to rock her back and forth over his cock, and they kissed as she moved her body in rhythm. Touching his chest. His shoulders.

“Oh my God,” she moaned. “You feel so good.”

“You were made for me,” he rasped.

He sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, gently biting down on the pink flesh. She needed him. Wanted him. The friction making the pleasure all the sweeter. Keres rose up and took his cock into her hand, lining him up with her wet pussy, and sliding all the way down.

“Oh, fuck,” he breathed. “You feel so fucking good.”

She arched her spine and placed her hands on his shoulders, using him to help her balance as she rose up and sank back down. The thick head of his cock hit a spot deep inside her that caused her world to spin. Ronin grabbed her ass and urged her to ride him, lifting her up and down. She started to fuck him, forward and backward, up and down, getting faster and faster as he thrust up at the same time she pushed down. Never letting him pull out as her pussy looked obscene stretched around his girth.

“I’m going to come,” she gasped.

“Do it, baby,” he said, his voice deep and guttural. “Then I’m going to spill inside your beautiful cunt. This pussy is mine. Say it.”

“It’s yours.”

“And you. You’re mine.”

“I’m yours.”

“Damn right.”

She moved her hips faster, the rhythm quickly falling apart as she chased her orgasm. Clench. Thrust. Grind. Clench. Thrust. Grind. He leaned over and bit her nipple, and that was all she needed to explode into a surge of pure sensation. Even before she calmed down from her high, he yanked her up and down, taking over. Fucking her harder. Faster. The pleasure from her climax, which hadn’t ceased, flared up once more and just as a mini-orgasm hit, he came with a roar.

Her heart thumped heavily in her chest, matching his. A sheen of sweat covered both their bodies, and he kissed her temple.

“Wanna shower together?” he asked.

She chuckled. “Why do I have a feeling we’ll run out of hot water?”

“I have a tankless water heater.”

“Perfect.”

****

She watched him dress, having no desire to move. A pleasant ache throbbed between her thighs. Her nipples were sore from Ronin sucking on them through the night.

“You should still be resting, not hunting,” she said. She lay on her side, propping her head up with her hand.

“It’s my job,” he said as he grabbed a pair of black cargo pants.

“It’s only been a few days since you were shot,” she argued back.

He knelt on the bed and pushed some hair behind her ear.

“I’m fine,” he assured her.

“What if you pass out?”

“I’m not going to pass out.”

“What if your vision goes blurry?”

Ronin lifted his head and gave her a soft smile. “My vision is fine. Honestly, babe.”

“You wouldn’t lie to me, right?”

“I wouldn’t lie.”

She frowned. “Are you lying now?”

He shook his head in amusement. “You’re funny.”

“Does this job involve killing people?”

He sighed as he ran a finger down her cheek. They stared at one another.

“Yes,” he replied.

She thought about that. “Do you kill innocent people?”

“Does it matter?” He turned back to the closet and grabbed a black t-shirt. “You know I’m not a good guy.”

“Children?”

“Hell, no. That I won’t do.”

“Women?”

“Why do people automatically assume women are innocent creatures? They can do bad things just like a man can.” He cocked his head as he studied her. “Is this a deal breaker?”

A deal breaker for… them?

She and Ronin had never talked about a commitment to each other, and even if there was, nothing was ever just black and white. Good or bad. Victim or perpetrator. She could walk away, wash her hands of all this. Leave the city and go somewhere far away where no one knew her. Where Davorin couldn’t find her and accept that Abigail was avenged and Darby was gone.

“Keres?”

She focused back on him.

“You having second thoughts?”

“On what?”

His brow furrowed. “On us.”

“Is there an us?”

He grabbed her arms and hauled her up, bringing her in flush against his body. His gaze fell to her lips and she licked them, suddenly dry. He bent and pressed his lips softly to hers. Nibbled on her lower lip as she trembled. His kisses stole her thoughts. When they surfaced for air, she blinked up at him.

“God, I love kissing you,” he murmured. “And yes. You and me. Us.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but the doorbell rang.

“You expecting company?”

“Yeah,” he said. “It’s Vivi and Adira.”

When the doorbell chimed again, she left his arms and threw on a robe before hurrying down the staircase. When she opened it, Vivi gave a little squeal and rushed to hug her.

“Yay! Girls’ day!” she squealed. “No boys allowed. Except if they’re gyrating men wearing sexy G-strings I can stick dollar bills in.”

“I don’t think Lincoln would like that,” Adira told her.

“Probably not.” She held up a bag. “I brought cake.”

Keres waved them inside and shut the door. Ronin came down the staircase, slipping on his leather cut.

“Hello, girls,” he greeted, smiling at them. “Thanks for coming to keep Keres company.”

“Yeah,” she said dryly. “Apparently I’m not old enough to be all alone in the house.”

“Not what I said.” He leaned over to give her a quick kiss on the lips. “Don’t wait up. I’ll probably be late.”

He winked and was gone.

“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want,” she told the girls.

“I want to stay,” Vivi said, and then skippe d— skippe d— into the kitchen.

“How old is she?” Keres asked Adira, who just chuckled and shook her head before following after Vivi.

The two women were busy getting plates and silverware. Adira carried them over while Vivi pulled her cake out of the bag.

“Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.”

“Don’t worry, she didn’t bake it,” Adira assured her.

“She can screw up chocolate cake?” Keres asked.

“Once again,” Vivi stressed. “I didn’t know eggs expired.”

Keres blinked. “Did you think they’d last forever?”

“Apparently, that’s what Ghost asked as well,” Adira murmured.

“In my defense, they don’t teach you these things on YouTube,” Vivi said. “Or if they do, I haven’t found that video.”

“You watched YouTube to learn to cook?”

“Oh, yeah. YouTube is the modern-day Encyclopedia Brittanica. It’s how I learned how to use a jigsaw and how to circumcise a baby. Although not at the same time.”

Keres had the feeling Vivi was always going to surprise her. She opened her mouth, but Adira put a hand on her arm.

“I’ve learned it’s better not to ask,” Adira told her.

Vivi rolled her eyes as she placed the cake on the table. Keres grinned then ran upstairs to change into a pair of shorts and t-shirt. When she came back down, her slice of cake was waiting for her.

“Milk?” Adira asked them.

Both girls nodded and Adira brought over the milk carton and glasses. For the next few minutes, they ate cake. The chocolate goodness exploded on Keres’s taste buds.

“Would it make me look gluttonous if I have another piece?” she asked.

Vivi giggled. “I need another one, too. Sugar is one of the basic food groups, you know. Sugar, caffeine, carbohydrates. Not necessarily in that order. The perfect meal, in my opinion, is pancakes and waffles smothered in maple syrup, and coffee to wash it all down. It’s not just for breakfast anymore, you know.”

“No wonder you’re so hyper,” Adira said, smiling.

Vivi held up a finger. “Actually, that is a myth. They’ve never definitely proved that sugar causes hyperactivity. Cavities, yes. Calories, yes. Gas, for sure. Have you ever smelled sugar farts? God, they’re horrible. In fact, once upon a time, Lincol n— ”

“What’s it like having two boyfriends in a motorcycle club, Adira?” Keres asked loudly, wanting to shut down that runaway train as quickly as possible.

Adira blinked. “Uh. Sometimes I forget who I’m texting and get messages screwed up.”

“ You have a boyfriend in a motorcycle club,” Vivi responded.

“Maybe,” Keres with a shrug.

“Why do you say that?” Adira asked.

Should she tell them? Explain? It didn’t seem right because she just met the two women.

“It’s okay, Keres,” Adira said, laying a hand on her arm. “We’re not pressuring you.”

She threw Adira a grateful smile, but in that moment, she had a desire to explain. “A little over a year ago, my best friend, Abigail, and I were raped.”

Both girls gasped. Adira reached over and placed her hand on top of Keres’s in a show of compassion and comfort.

“When the men were done, they didn’t want us to survive,” she continued. “I caught sight of this tattoo on one of their arms. A broken skull with a scythe sticking out from the top.”

“The Deathmen,” Vivi muttered. “I overheard Lincoln talking about them.”

Keres nodded. “A man passing by saw them hurting us and came to the rescue, scaring away the attackers. His name was Darby, and he took me in. Then he offered me a lifeline. He suggested we fight back. Make them pay for hurting me. For killing both Abigail and Jonathan, his husband. Darby taught me to fight. To defend myself. He also taught me to kill.”

Adira tightened her hand over hers, and Keres wondered if this was when both of them would walk away. Accepting without knowing details was more palatable than cold, hard realization.

“That must have hurt you so much,” Adira said, sorrow in her voice.

Vivi rose and came around to hug her. Tears welled up in Keres’s eyes and ran down her cheeks. She never thought she’d feel this type of closeness again. Ronin was one thing. This was completely different. Once the storm of emotion had passed, Adira handed her a napkin so she could mop up her tears and blow her nose.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“I can’t even imagine what you’ve lived through,” Vivi said. “Lincoln was shot in the chest by this other biker who wanted my superpower. For the split-second I thought he was dead, I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. Or function. In an instant my whole word shattered.”

“Oh, no.”

Vivi shook her head. “Obviously he survived. He was wearing a bulletproof vest that I didn’t know about. I knew I loved him, but right then I realized I loved him more than anything. More than I loved my sister. More than I loved myself. I’d jump in front of a gun if it meant saving him.”

“Me too,” Adira said. “And I was shot.”

“Do you feel like that toward Ronin?” Vivi asked. “Would you die for him?”

Keres mulled over those questions before inserting him into the role of Darby. If Ronin would’ve been the person shot instead of her friend. Devastating loss stared back at her. It was agonizing that Darby was killed, but if it had been Ronin, she had no doubt her heart would shatter into a thousand pieces, unable to be put back together.

Did that mean she loved him?

“Yes,” she replied softly. “I would die for him.”