CHAPTER NINETEEN

Maverick

As the High Roller begins its descent, Sadie sits on my lap while she continues to come down from another high. I have my arms wrapped around her. I don't want to let her go. As she pants, we sit in a comfortable silence, her head on my shoulder.

"Thank you for trying to make me forget," she whispers.

I hate that she is so terrified right now.

And while I still don't know the full story, I need her to understand that Defiance has her back no matter what. Running my fingers through her hair, I press my lips gently to her cheek, then pull back a little to look at her flushed face. "You've got to trust us to take care of you, Sadie. We're your family now. Do you trust me?"

She sniffles back fresh tears but nods. "I trust you."

Weakly smiling at her, I ease my cell out of my jeans pocket and dial Alpha's number. He answers almost instantly. "Where the fuck are you two? Are you okay?"

"We're okay. We hid on the High Roller. We're almost at the end of the ride. Can you guys meet us for backup so we can all walk back to the hotel together?"

Sadie lets out a relieved breath, and I hold her tighter.

"We're on our way. We haven't seen the Serpents, but we will keep an eye out. Mav, tell Sadie we got her. But I want to know the full fucking story."

"You got it, Pres. See you soon." I end the call, turning to Sadie and running my hands up and down her back. "The guys will be waiting for us when we get to the bottom."

Her shoulders soften as she visibly relaxes like she's relieved. "I'm sorry I reacted the way I did. I've spent so long running from them that when I saw them… when I saw him, I couldn't cope. I panicked."

Leaning my forehead against hers, I lightly press my lips to hers. "I won't let them take you."

She finally smiles, her fingers gently threading through my hair. "You're far too good to me, considering you're an asshole." She snorts out a laugh at her joke as the carriage before us comes to a stop, and the couple jumps off, turning back, looking at us, while our carriage moves into position for the operator to let us out.

I open the door, and Sadie hops up from my lap, spotting the club waiting for us. Instantly, I can tell she's relaxing even more, seeing everyone here for her protection. But as she reaches out for my hand, the previous couple winks at us as we walk past them. "Thanks for the show. You made the trip really entertaining," the guy jests, his girl smacking him on the chest before they scurry away.

A flush crosses Sadie's face as Alpha furrows his brows, but it's Haven who speaks. "What show?"

I purse my lips, waving her off. "We argued… a lot."

Sadie grimaces, tilting her head. "It was loud, but then we talked it through. We had a whole half hour to figure our shit out."

A sly smirk crosses Haven's lips, and she looks Sadie up and down, assessing her disheveled appearance. "I bet you did, you dirty dogs."

Alpha huffs, nudging my sister. "Okay, I need to know everything, Sadie. Because even though in your background check, Loki and I knew something was off, we didn't know you were a rival club's princess. This puts us in a dangerous position. So, I need details, and I need them now!"

Sadie lets out a long breath, glancing around as if she's looking for the Serpents, but then sighs. "Okay… my father, Rigs, was the president of the Steel Serpent MC back in Yuma, Arizona. That's where I'm from. His VP at the time was Grave, and they were as thick as thieves. But the Serpents aren't like Defiance."

Haven lets out a snort. "No. They definitely are not."

Alpha furrows his brow, looking at her. "How do you know?"

Haven shrugs. "Because they hire assassins to kill people. Assassins from The Nest."

Everyone widens their eyes. "You?" Alpha asks.

"Exactly. That's how I recognized Sadie, but she was much younger, so I couldn't quite pinpoint where I knew her. But you have to believe her when she says these guys are fucking beasts."

Sadie exhales. "They're feral. They rape women. They kill anyone just for looking at them the wrong way. They will burn down your house or business if you touch their bike. If you're a woman and you speak out of turn, they will beat you, strip you naked, tie you to a pole in the middle of the club room, and leave you there for days with no food or water for everyone to do with you as they wish." She shakes her head as if reliving a memory. "The things they did to the women in those days was pure torture."

Haven's eyes droop when she looks at me, a memory flashing back through her mind. "That's how I saw you. In the middle of the room on a pole, naked, bruised, and bloody. You must have been all of what? Ten?"

Sadie's eyes begin to water, and she nods while my jaw clenches tight, my hand reaching out to grab hers for support. "The guys are scum. Growing up there was horrific, and being a princess of the club didn't allow me any privileges. In fact, it was so much fucking worse because my father and his VP, Grave, were so tight my father promised to sell me to Grave when I turned twenty-one to be his Old Lady and wife. So when my father eventually handed over the reins to Grave, it will carry on the Evans family hierarchy moving forward in the generations."

"That is so fucked up," I grit out through my teeth.

"It gets worse. There was a death clause. If my father died before I turned twenty-one, Grave could take me as his sooner. The agreement was signed just before my sixteenth birthday…" She pauses, her bottom lip quivering. "Then, on my birthday, Grave killed my father so he could do to me whatever the hell he wanted."

The anger almost overwhelms me as I run my fingers through my hair. "I'm gonna fucking kill this cunt!"

She glances at me but continues, "The second I heard my father was dead, I knew it was so Grave could get his hands on me. It wasn't like he hadn't already done atrocious things to me, but with my father gone, it was going to be so much worse. So, I packed what I could when they were having my father's funeral. Then I left a note for my little brother, who was too young to join the club then, but I knew Grave would make him follow in his footsteps, and I fled."

She inhales, taking a moment. "I knew the code to the safe. I took as much cash as I could fit into two duffle bags. I stole a club girl's car, disabled the tracker, and left. Then, I drove as far as I could before buying a bus ticket to the only place I could get a ticket that late at night." She weakly smiles at me. "It just happened to be LA. Then, I found someone who helped me get emancipated from my mom so I could manage independently."

I take her hand in mine again.

"I enrolled myself in high school and made something of myself. Became the valedictorian, and everything else on my resume is one hundred percent the truth. When I left the Serpents, I changed my name from Sadie Evans to Sadie Connor so they would have trouble finding me. My brother, Wes, has a burner, and we keep in contact that way, but none of the other Serpents know about it. I tried to make myself into someone they would never expect. Someone with drive and determination."

She inhales sharply, her eyes misting up again. "But I never stopped looking over my shoulder, ever. And I guess my history growing up in that club is why I was so vehemently opposed to Clover being here when I first met you. I made it personal. I shouldn't have done that because not every situation is the same."

She turns to Clover, her eyes flooding with tears. "I am so sorry I did that. I just didn't want you to go through what I went through. But Defiance is nothing like them. Not even the tiniest bit. I can't believe I ever thought that."

I shake my head, understanding her more than ever now. "It makes sense why you were the way you were when I first met you. Can't blame you for that."

Clover rushes forward, wrapping her arms around Sadie, tears streaming down her face. "I am so, so sorry you grew up in a place where they basically tortured you. I can't even imagine growing up in a hell hole like that. You're so brave, Sadie."

"I sure don't feel brave."

Alpha steps forward. "Sadie, I need to know why the Serpents are here. Is it for you?"

She shakes her head. "I expect it would be for the convention."

Alpha rubs his chin. "Is their crop distribution legal?"

"No, it's in Yuma, and they ship it into Mexico. The cartel has them in their pocket."

Alpha widens his eyes. "The fucking Rojas Cartel?"

Sadie bites down on her bottom lip. "Yeah."

"Jesus fucking Christ. Okay, let's get back to the hotel before the Serpents find us, and we have to fight this fight on the streets of Vegas."

We all turn and make our way back to the hotel, and as we reach the floor where we're all staying, Alpha turns to Sadie and me. "I'm going to post Noah and Eggs at your door tonight to keep guard. You need anything during the night, you call."

I glance at Alpha, giving him a silent look of appreciation, and he dips his head at me in understanding as we make our way into our room. "Thanks, Pres," I call back, then close the door behind Sadie after she steps in. I follow behind her as she flops on the bed, exhaling an exhausted exhale.

"What a night. I am sorry about all this. I never wanted to be a pain in the ass for you and the club."

I let out a small chuckle. "Cupcake, you've always been a pain in my ass. But this? This is not something that constitutes being a pain. This is really important shit. And I'm so fucking regretful that I didn't make you feel comfortable enough with me to share everything you went through with them."

She slowly sits up on the edge of the bed, her still glistening eyes dropping to the floor as her thumbs twiddle together like she's ashamed. "I should have trusted you. I do trust you. I think I was more ashamed of myself and where I came from. I didn't want you to judge me because of them."

My chest squeezes watching this strong, fearless woman. The one who was always fighting back being vulnerable and weak right now.

No.

This just won't do.

I won't let them do this to her.

Storming over to her, I hoist her up underneath her arms, her face snapping up to look at me this time. "I need you to remember who you are. Come with me."

She doesn't hesitate as she walks with me to the bathroom. I place her in front of the basin, then stand back so she can look at me.

"We're going to have a shower, but I need you to tell me what to do."

She widens her eyes like I've gone crazy. "Mav, what are you talking about?"

I fold my arms over my chest. "I'm going to stand here until you tell me what to do."

She lets out a small laugh. "This is stupid."

"I'm not moving unless you tell me to, cupcake."

She rolls her eyes, then lets out a small laugh. "Okay, fine. Take off your club cut and place it on the edge of the bathtub."

"Yes, ma'am." I shrug out of my cut, taking it off slowly as she watches me, her eyes lighting up a little when she realizes the power she holds. Folding it in half, I place it on the bathtub's edge, and she purses her lips, then continues, "Kick off your boots."

I do as she says, the cold tiles chilling the soles of my feet when I step on them.

She reaches back, grabs the edge of the basin, and hoists herself up to sit on the edge, my cock jerking at the movement as I watch her. Then she looks me up and down. "Your shirt, are you attached to it?"

Smirking, I can tell she's starting to let her power creep back in. "Do you want me to be?"

"No… no, I do not."

"Your wish is my command," I reply, grabbing the neckline at each side and ripping as hard as I can, making the white tee tear down the middle. It hangs loosely from my arms. I shrug the scraps of material over my shoulders, where it falls to the floor.

Her eyes light up. A slight giggle erupts from her. "Now the belt… slowly."

She's back.

Grinning from ear to ear, I unbuckle my belt and, ever so slowly, pull it from the loops, then double it over and snap it in my hands, sending an echoing crack through the bathroom. She jumps with the sound, her breathing hitching as she hops down from the counter, stalking up to me. "Pants."

I drop the belt to the tiled floor with a thud, then move my thumbs to the hem of my jeans and slide them over my ass, letting them cascade to my ankles.

My erection clearly tenting in my boxer briefs, Sadie glances down, a wicked smile lighting her face. "You've given me so much pleasure. I feel like our relationship so far has been you giving and me taking. So right now, I am in control, right?"

Raising my brow, I go to argue, but she places her finger on my mouth, stopping me from talking. "I said… I am in control. You put me in this position. Said you need me to tell you what to do. Well, right now, I need you to fuck my mouth until I can't fucking breathe and come so hard that you can't see anything but stars. Can you do that?"

My heart rate skips, my nostrils flare as I already feel the precum leaking on the tip of my cock. "Fuck, Sadie. I really like it when you're bossy."

She smirks. "Good, now drop your briefs and pull out your cock."

I do just that and watch as she lowers to her knees, placing her hands demurely on them. She peers up at me, her face a reflection of innocence, but the words that come from her mouth are anything but. "Let your briefs fall to the floor, then fuck my mouth. I don't want or need gentle right now."

She opens her mouth, her tongue resting on her lower lip, patiently waiting for me to do as she ordered. "Fuck, Sadie. Are you sure?"

"If you ask me one more time if I am sure, Maverick, I will punch you in the balls. Fuck. My. Mouth!"

My cock jerks at her forceful words, and I don't miss the slight wiggle as she rubs her thighs together. I grip my cock, giving it a firm squeeze, not wanting this to be over too fast, but the sight of her like this before me has precum leaking from the tip and the familiar tingle in my balls. Fuck, I haven't even touched her yet.

I step forward, threading my fingers through her hair and pulling her head back slightly as I slide the head of my cock into her mouth. "Shi-it," I grit out through my tightly clenched jaw.

Sadie reaches up, holding my balls in one hand and grips my ass with her other, drawing me all the way in. When the head hits the back of her throat, I choke on a breath, and she swallows, causing my hips to buck. Then she sticks her tongue out, trying to lick my balls. Drawing back, her tongue glides along my shaft, and my legs start to shake.

"Fuck, cupcake. Sooo good."

My cock pops out of her mouth, and she looks up at me with determination. "When I told you to fuck my mouth, Mav, I fucking meant it." I don't have any time to reply, let alone breathe, before her mouth is around my length, and she's swallowing me down.

This time when the head of my cock hits the back of her throat, she grabs my balls, pulling me closer, and as she swallows, I slide down her throat completely. Her tongue once again slides against my length, and when she licks my balls, my head falls back, and I release a gravelly groan. I take a handful of her hair at the back of her head in one hand, then gently wrap my other around her neck, feeling my cock sliding in her throat. My knees threaten to give out, and I have no choice but to widen my stance, giving in to the pleasure she's giving me.

I pull back enough to hear her inhale through her nose, only to push forward, bucking into her again and again before I do it all over.

Fuck me! She has no gag reflex, and the feeling of me sliding down her throat is something I can't put into words.

Sadie's grip on my balls tightens, grabbing my attention while her other hand pushes on my ass, encouraging me to move. I pull back, needing to check on her one last time to ensure this is what she wants. When my eyes meet hers, there is a silent plea in them, and I release her throat to wipe away the saliva dripping down her chin, but all I manage to do is smear it around, and I don't think she has ever looked so beautiful. Her hair is a mess, saliva smeared over her gorgeous face, my cock in her mouth, and those eyes of hers that I could get lost in, begging me for more.

"Fuck, you're too good for me, cupcake…" My words die off as she jerks me into her, burying her face into me, my cock so deep in her throat that I'm sure I've died and gone to Heaven.

Pressing the back of her head further into me, I rock my hips, not wanting to pull back just yet. The soft warmth of her throat is unlike anything I've ever experienced, and when she swallows, it's tight. Stars circle around my damn head like something from a fucking cartoon.

Then she moans…

… and I lose control.

I draw back but never slide from her throat, then push forward with a steady rhythm. My balls draw up, the tingle spreading from my spine to my toes. "Fuck, Sadie, I'm gonna c-c-cooome!" I moan out as my vision blackens and my hips jerk, pulling her as close as possible. My grip on the back of her head tightens, and my breath catches, my hips now spasming with the force of my release. The ringing in my ears has me shaking my head, my eyes clenched closed.

It isn't until I feel the sharp slaps on my thighs that I realize I almost blacked out and, in the process, Sadie can't breathe. "Fuck, cupcake. I'm so—" My apology is cut off as I try to quickly pull out, and the aftershock that hits me has me coming again, this time all over her face. I'm ready to apologize again, but she simply smiles at me, unfazed.

She licks her lips, the movement catching my attention, and as if in a trance, I drag three fingers through the thick cum on her face and slide them into her mouth as far as they can go. I can't help but release another groan, my cock already jumping back to life.

She hums in appreciation, nipping my fingers when I slide them out.

This woman is going to be the death of me.

Still struggling to catch my breath from the unbelievable climax Sadie just gave me, I watch as she slowly lifts from her knees, the biggest grin on her face, then slides her hands to the hem of her dress. She lifts it over her head, her pussy completely bare, considering her ripped panties are still in my jeans pocket. I can't help but smile, taking in the curves of her stunning body.

I am one lucky sonofabitch.

She reaches out and grabs my hand. I take it as she leads me into the shower. I turn on the faucet, the glass screen instantly fogging from the heat. Sadie moves to walk under the spray, but I reach out, grab the back of her neck, spin her around forcefully, and pin her to the wall. She gasps, her eyes wide, but not in fear, in delight, as I slam my lips to hers.

She was in charge, but now it's my turn.

I press my hard body against her, my tongue assaulting hers, her nails instantly pressing into the skin of my back as she pulls me closer. She whimpers into my mouth while I kiss her for everything she's worth.

This woman kills me.

She will be my undoing.

And I will do everything, and I mean everything, to protect her from the bastard who stole her innocence.

I don't want to take this further with her again tonight.

I don't want her to think I need that from her.

So even though this kiss is fucking everything, I slow it right down, pulling back, and bring my hand up, gently cupping her cheek, as I look into her eyes. "You, cupcake, mean the world to me. I want you to know that."

She tries to fight back her smile but can't as she lights up. "Thank you for putting up with my crazy. I honestly can't imagine not having you in my life now."

I lean my forehead against hers. "You're never going to have to find out. Now, let's wash up and get into bed. You've had a huge day."

She sniffles, pulling me to her in a tight embrace. "Mav?"

I hold her, pressing my lips to her neck. "Mm?"

"I'm sorry I ever thought you were like them."

I draw back, looking into her eyes. "You didn't know any different… and if it helps, I'm sorry I called you Satan behind your back."

She lets out a loud laugh, shoving my shoulder. "You really are an asshole."

I grin wide. "Yeah, I know."

We wash ourselves and get ready for bed.

After we slide under the covers, Sadie cuddles into me, and I can tell something is racing through her mind because she has gone completely silent. As I play with her hair, I try to figure it out. "I'm not going to let him get you, baby. You're coming to the convention with us tomorrow. I'm not letting you out of my sight if that's what you're worried about?"

She shifts up, leaning on her elbow to look down at me. "But what about Clover? She needs to study?"

Letting out a snort, I purse my lips. "I don't care about that right now. I am not leaving you here. All of you are coming with us so we can keep an eye on you."

Sadie hesitates. "They'll probably be there… at the convention."

"More of a chance for me to tell them you're mine. And we aren't letting you go. Don't worry, we will protect you."

Sadie doesn't reply as she settles back down on my chest. I hold her tight, but deep down, I know this could end bloody.

But I am willing to do that for her.

Because no matter what, I am not letting Sadie be dragged back to that club.

Especially not to marry some old-as-fuck asshole she doesn't love, who will take great pleasure in abusing her.

No. Fucking. Way!