CHAPTER TWO

Maverick

The fact that four out of the five of us are walking back into the clubhouse bloody and bruised right now is a shit show. If Noah hadn't been so irresponsible, we might have gotten out of there before the cartel had shown up. All I know is we're about to have our asses handed to us, and I am especially pissed off because we were there technically because of me.

Because I hadn't seen the Hollywood sign up close since moving from New Orleans to Los Angeles.

I could have said no to Noah's suggestion.

I should have said no to Noah's suggestion.

But I went along with it and got the other guys involved too.

This is on me.

"I don't know what the fuck Alpha's going to have in store for you, Noah, but the shit you pulled up there was beyond the realm of fucking stupid. Even though we got out of there with our lives, that could have ended so fucking badly for us and the club," I yell at Noah, probably projecting my own damn guilt onto him as we enter the clubhouse.

Noah frowns but nods. "Yeah, I wasn't thinking when I threw—"

"Actions like that, Prospect, get you put in jail so fucking fast, your ass won't have time to catch fire. You gotta be on the ball with that shit—"

"What the fuck are you assholes yelling about? And why the hell are you all bloodied and broken? You said you were going for a ride, not riding into a damn massacre?" Alpha strides up to us with a concerned look on his face. At the same time, a heavily pregnant Ingrid rushes over to South.

Her pregnant belly almost pops out of her clothing as she runs her hands all over him to check the damage.

He weakly smiles, leaning in to plant a tender kiss on her head to calm her down. "I'm okay, Angel. I promise."

"I'm about to burst, and you go pulling a stunt like this?" Ingrid snaps.

South doesn't say anything. He simply places his hand on her cheek and leans in, kissing her again.

I smirk as my older sister, Haven, walks over, raising her brow. Clover, my younger sister, runs in behind her. Clover slams into my sore body, embracing me while Haven stands back, chuckling. "I hope the other guy looks worse than you."

I let out a small snort when Clover glances up at me, her eyes glistening. "You need to be more careful!" Her voice cracks with clear concern, and I hold her tighter.

"I'm fine, little sis. I promise."

Alpha lets out a long grunt. "Now that you have all the concerns out the way get your motherfucking asses into the Chapel. Right. Damn. Now! I need to know what the fuck happened. Every last detail."

With our tails between our legs, the five of us follow our president up the stairs to the Chapel. Noah closes the door behind him as he is the last to enter.

Alpha takes his seat at the head of the table, his eyes flinty as he folds his arms over his chest. "Talk." He merely grunts out the word.

None of us say anything. We all look at each other, but this is on me, so I step forward, clearing my throat. "Pres, this is my fault. The guys and I were shit-talking, and I told them that since coming across from NOLA, I hadn't had a chance to see the Hollywood sign."

Alpha groans, scrubbing at his face. "I can already tell where this is going because that's fucking cartel territory, but go on." His tone is an example of his wavering control.

I go to continue, but Noah steps forward. "I was being reckless, Pres. I suggested we break through security and drink a beer hanging off the Hollywood sign. While up there, I dropped my empty can over the edge and had to retrieve it off the hill. South and I had a tumble, but we managed to get back up and over the sign to head to our rides before the rangers arrived. However, because of my delay, we encountered some resistance on the way to our bikes."

"Resistance?"Alpha growls.

Noah drops his eyes to the floor and nods once. "Yes, Pres."

Alpha's nostrils flair, then he inhales deeply. "And by resistance, you mean the fucking Rojas Cartel?"

We nod, and Alpha stands so fast his chair flies out from under him, slamming back into a wall in his fury. We jerk back as he storms over to us, grabbing Noah by his cut and lifting him off the floor, forcing his back into the wall with a thud. I widen my eyes when Noah doesn't do anything to stop our president.

"Tensions with the cartel are already at an all-time high. We gotta find a way to get back at them for the shit they pulled with my daughter, and you're drinking beer and fucking around on their turf, provoking those assholes to come at us again? Have you learned fucking nothing in your time here, you ignorant sonofabitch?"

Noah doesn't flinch or fight back. He looks Alpha in the eyes as he continues to hold him up against the wall. "This was my fault, Pres. I take full responsibility for the five of us being up on that hill. The thing is, though, we did kick those cartel cunts in the ass, but we didn't kill them, Pres. We knew what that would mean, and because we were covered up without our cuts, they don't know who we were. We should be in the clear for this."

Alpha's face turns bright red as he drops Noah to the floor, then draws his fist back, slamming it into the prospect's face so hard he drops down on one knee, spitting out a line of blood. "You're a fucking prospect, Noah. Do you think you can come in here and tell me after you've just fucked up that it's okay because they didn't know who you were? It doesn't fucking work like that. You still fucked up! You still got your brothers hurt. You still went off, did something reckless without my permission, and you could have escalated this war into a full-blown apocalypse. My men are hurt. They drew blood because of your actions. I see no other choice but to banish you from the club."

My eyes widen, and I step forward, raising my hands. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Pres, I know Noah fucked up, he has a rebellious streak for sure, but this was a team effort. It was his idea to go to the sign, but this fuck up was on all of us. We were all there. We all participated. If you're going to kick Noah out, then it's only fair that the five of us should be out too," I defend my friend, hoping like hell this doesn't get me banished from the one place I belong, the one place I fit—Defiance MC.

Noah glances up at me, and for the first time, there's real fear in his eyes but also a glimmer of appreciation.

Alpha spins, pacing the room, his chest heaving with immeasurable fury. "You five are a pain in my ass. Every part of me wants to send all of you packing for the danger you've put this club in today." He turns back, facing me, his eyes hard, stern, and with a clear warning in them. "Are you sure there'll be no repercussions from this? Things between the cartel and us are escalating, and we must be prepared. No lives were lost in this skirmish, but you were on their fucking land. They probably won't take this lying down. You may not think they know who you are, but those fuckers are smart, cunning bastards. We may get blowback. As it stands, we're still trying to work through all the intelligence information we received when Haven joined our ranks from the Nest. She and Loki have been going through it, trying to find the links and assets we can pull to our side…"

He finally takes a breath and then continues, "If the cartel comes at us, I'm holding you all personally responsible. As for you, Noah, you can help Haven muck out the pig stalls. If I see one ounce of pig shit in there, I'm going to make you scrub it with your own toothbrush and then watch you brush your teeth with it till your gums bleed. You're on shine duty for the next six months. I want you to take inventory of every piece of ammunition we have in the armory. We will need to know what we have on hand in case we gotta go to war quickly. All because you decided to take a damn field trip in cartel territory. Now get the fuck out of here, Prospect. I don't want to see your face again for the rest of the damn day."

Noah dips his chin, but I subtly nod at him. He may have just had his ass handed to him, and we may have gotten into one hell of a fight with the cartel, but it was a truckload of fun. Noah walks out with a sly smirk when he looks at me.

Alpha turns to the rest of us, letting out a long, exaggerated huff. "As for the rest of you, you're senior members of this club. You should know better. You're supposed to be teaching these impressionable prospects the way we do shit around here, not going along with their stupid, idiotic, brainless ideas because it's a moment of irresponsible fun."

He shakes his head, running his fingers through his hair. "Mav, South, you both have families to think about. What you did was both reckless and foolish. Eggs and Rip? Fuck, you two have been here the longest, and I'm really fucking disappointed inyou." He shakes his head again like he has no idea what to say, but we know what's coming. "The four of you are banned from going fucking anywhere unauthorized unless you run it past me first. The usual places like South's sister's house or Clover's school… fine, but anywhere else, you run it by me like the little children you fucking are. You're all on probation! You got it?"

We all widen our eyes but say nothing.

Eggs steps forward. "For how long?"

"Till I fucking say so. Now get out of my fucking sight!"

My heart is hammering in my chest as I glance at the other guys, who are all as tense as I feel. Their bodies are taut, and any sign of humor has been slapped clean off our faces before we leave the Chapel.

South and I haven't been at LA Defiance all that long since transferring from New Orleans, and we're already on probation. One more wrong move, and I could be out on my ass. The problem is that I have my little sister, Clover, to consider. Also, my older sister, Haven, is Alpha's old lady.

My life is this club.

I can't fuck it up.

I need to keep my head down and do everything by the book going forward.

For the sake of my family.

Alpha stays behind in the Chapel as the four of us make our way into the clubhouse's main room, while I feel the weight of that drilling down on my shoulders.

Rip is the first to talk. "Well, I dunno about you, bruh, but I sure as hell could do with another drink. I feel like I've just surfed a killer wave but had one hell of a wipeout."

I can't help but smirk at how everything comes back to surfing with Rip. I wrap my arm around his shoulders as we reach the bar. "Rip, that wasn't a wipeout, brother. I think we just got attacked by a great white, and we're lucky to be alive."

The other guys laugh.

Navy smirks. "You fellas look like you could do with a few shots?"

Eggs cranes his neck to the side and exhales. "Navy, has anyone told you you're the perfect woman?"

She chuckles, reaching for the tequila behind the bar. "Depends on what compromising situation I am in," she quips.

We all laugh while she pours us four shots. Just as I pick up mine and clink it with the other guys, Loki steps up to us, his eyes fixed on me. "Mav, there's someone at the gates asking for you."

I exhale, quickly throw back my tequila shot, and slam the glass on the bar. "Do you know who it is?" I ask Loki, and he shrugs.

"Some chick. She seems pretty uptight to be looking for you."

Groaning, I curl up my lip as I remember Clover's stuck-up tutor, Sadie, is coming by for the first time today. "Guess I better get this over with," I mumble to myself.

Still covered in blood, I head out for the parking lot and watch Sadie park in a real shitbox of a car. However, I can't help but notice the daisy chain hanging from the rearview, the pink seat covers, and the plush stuffed toys in the back window. "Jesus Christ," I murmur to myself.

What an easy target. This woman's going to be a breeze to handle.

After our first meeting, where she said the club is not helping Clover to focus at school, she's already got my back up. Sadie may be cute as hell, but I don't call her Satan behind her back for nothing.

Steadying my shoulders, I walk over to her tiny shitbox before she steps out, her long blonde hair falling in soft curls over her shoulders. She's wearing a short white dress with tiny blue flowers, making her appear deceptively innocent. Her gorgeous face has a slight hint of makeup, just enough to enhance her already luminous blue eyes, and her long, thick lashes as she blinks them a few times, take a long look at me while I approach. Her eyes widen with a gasp when she takes in all the bloodstains covering my body. A slight look of apprehension passes over her before a wall quickly slides back up. A red tinge overtakes her face, her eyes narrow on me, her nostrils flaring. She's clearly pissed if the look in her eyes and the high chin are anything to go by.

She folds her arms over her ample-sized chest in annoyance while shaking her head and storms toward me. Sadie looks me up and down with a heavy scoff. "No wonder Clover's grades are suffering," she grunts out with irritation.

No hello.

No are you okay?

Nothing!

Nothing but a dig at the club, straight off the cuff.

Any hint of attraction instantly vanishes with her curt tone.

I snort out an obnoxious laugh. "Nice to see you, too, Satan. Shit! I mean, Sadie. It's great weather we're having, isn't it?" I can't help the sarcasm after the day from hell.

She curls her lip up at me. "I mean, honestly, Maverick, look at yourself. You think Clover is supposed to be functioning like a normal seventeen-year-old girl seeing shit like this? You're her brother. She adores you, and you're running around with a gaping wound to your stomach, blood and who knows what all over your clothes like there's nothing wrong, and she's supposed to be okay about that?"

I glance down to check where the cartel asshole sliced me with the blade—I do need to get that tended to—but when I look back up at Sadie and her curling lip shows nothing but disdain and disgust, I scowl. "Clover has seen far worse than a small scrape on my stomach. And her grades have absolutely nothing to do with a bit of blood here and there. Her grades have everything to do with the assholes at school treating her like she's incompetent when she simply needs a little help because of her diabetes. So don't make this out to be something it's not. Don't look for a reason to change the narrative here, princess." Again I can't help the sarcasm flowing from me like lava.

Sadie's eyes widen, and she glares at me. "Don't call me that!"

"What? Princess? Because you know you are one?"

Sadie's eye twitches like I've struck some sort of nerve. "We're not here to discuss me, Maverick. The issue at hand is Clover and the neglect you're clearly showing her."

A wave of red-hot lava flows through me as I step forward. But she doesn't back away or flinch when I get right up into her personal space. "You dare spit that bullshit at me! Clover means every-fucking-thing to me. You ever say I neglect her again, and I promise you we will have a big fucking problem, you and me."

She steps closer, so close our chests are touching. Her perfume invades my senses, catching me off guard for a moment and making my head spin as she leans up on her tiptoes to meet me eye to eye. "Don't threaten me, Maverick. It's not normal for a young girl to be subjected to such violence. She shouldn't be here, and it is only because she wants to be that I haven't taken my concerns further."

My heart slams inside my chest, taking my breath from me. The fact that Clover is still under my legal guardianship and, by all rights, can still be taken from me hits me so fucking hard in the stomach. It's like a sucker punch I had no idea was coming, and it instantly makes me want to hurl. My palms sweat as I stare into Sadie's luminous blue eyes. Seeing no remorse, I step back, trying to bring this intensity down a notch. "You may not believe this, Sadie, but this club is the best place for Clover. It's where I can protect her."

Sadie lets out a mocking snort, shaking her head. "I don't know how Clover can stand to live in a place like this."

Scowling at her, I point harshly to the gate. "No one is forcing you to be here."

She tilts her head. "No. But you are paying me. I also think it would be beneficial for Clover to have these lessons somewhere more neutral, perhaps a café or the library?"

My stomach churns thinking about Clover being away from the club without the safety of my brothers around her. "That's up to my little sister. The only reason your smug, stuck-up self is here in the first place is because of Clover. So whatever she wants, she gets."

Sadie leans into the back of her car, pulls out a backpack, and then closes the door, locking her car. "How about we go see what Clover wants then, shall we?"

Dipping my head, I turn, gesturing for her to walk with me toward the clubhouse. She hikes her backpack over her shoulder before we take the first step. As we enter, I watch her, hoping she doesn't give me a reason to throw her out on her ass for Clover's sake. Her eyes light up, and if I am not mistaken, a look of what I can only assume is awe crosses her face like she wasn't expecting the inside of the clubhouse to be so open and probably neat and tidy. My guess is she was expecting stripper poles and shit everywhere.

We're a proud bunch.

We take pride in our club.

Maybe she just wasn't prepared for us to surprise her.

I smirk, nudging her side. "Not the kind of biker club you were expecting?"

She sharply inhales. "No, I guess not. Doesn't change my opinion of the club or the fact that Clover needs stability and a calming influence on her life. She won't get that here."

Grunting, I walk her toward Clover, who spins and spots Sadie with a big grin forming. "Sadie! I'm so glad you made it!"

Sadie smiles right back at Clover. The warmth emanating from her is clear to see as she greets my little sister. "Hi, Clover. Are you ready for your first session today?"

Clover bounces on her toes in excitement. "Honestly, I am so glad I have someone to help me. Someone willing to give me a chance to do better in school."

My shoulders sink as Sadie exhales. "I will do everything I can to help you, Clover. Think of me as your very own personal cheerleader. We're going to work through what you need to help you get to where you need to be. We got this!"

Clover beams from ear to ear, and even though Sadie jerks my chain more than anyone ever has in this entire world, I can't deny that she is gorgeous. Nor can I deny that Clover is more than happy to have her here. And that's all I could ever want.

"You wanna head off to my room to get started?" Clover asks.

Sadie glances at me, and I subtly nod, then Sadie turns back to Clover. "Let's go."

Folding my arms over my chest, even though the cut on my stomach hurts so damn bad, I stand back, watching Sadie and Clover walk off to the bedrooms. I grunt under my breath before I turn, practically walking into my older sister, Haven. My eyes bug out wide, having to halt abruptly, while she looks at me like I am a lost puppy.

"You need to let go," Haven says.

I scowl at her. "The fuck are you talking about?"

"Clover is going to be all right. This is going to work out. You have to let Clover learn whatever she can from Sadie. Clover needs this. Don't force Sadie away. Do this for Clover, okay?"

Groaning, I let out a huff and nod. "Fine! I don't want to hear any more about it. I'm going to shower and clean my wounds."

Haven smirks, poking me in the slash on my stomach, the pain shooting through my torso, and I jerk back. "Remember that pain when you think about interfering with Clover and Sadie. You gotta step back and let Clover have this. Or that pain you just felt will be nothing compared to what I will inflict on you if you screw this up for her."

I glare at her. "You're fucking scary for a sister, you know that?"

Haven juts out her hip. "Thank you. That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

I snort out a laugh, pushing past her to head to my bedroom. "You're an animal."

"Love you too, little brother."

I ignore her and make my way to my room, closing the door behind me. My mind is completely focused on Sadie and how she fought back without regard for her safety. She's a tiny little thing, but she has balls of steel when it comes to standing up for herself against bikers. I have to give her credit for that. Not to mention how her perfume made me dizzy, and looking at her made my stomach knot. Sure, the woman is attractive, but her personality irritates me beyond belief. She comes into my home, my clubhouse, and tries to threaten me and my family.

Fucking upstart little bitch.

With my anger and irritation flowing through me harder and faster, I pull off all my clothing, moving to the adjoining bathroom. My breathing comes in harsh pants the more I contemplate how fucking furious this woman makes me.

Glancing down at the cut along my stomach, I know I need to get Haven or someone to check it, but right now, I want to wash the stench of Sadie away. She's invading my space, and I need to get her off me.

I step into the shower, letting the hot water flow over me, the alcove floor instantly running red as my blood circles the drain. Clenching my eyes shut, I grit my teeth, trying to force the memory of Sadie from my mind. I need to brace myself against the wall. The mix of the heat pelting my body and the inferno raging inside has me unsteady on my feet.

Seeing her getting out of her car like some fucking goddess.

The way she looked instantly had me on edge.

But then that fire as she ignited in front of me burned any attraction.

I fucking hate her.

I can't stand her.

She is a pain in my side that I know is going to cause me so much fucking trouble.

Gritting my teeth, I let out a groan, squeezing my eyes tighter as my hand leaves the wall, sliding down to my rock-hard cock.

Why can't I stop thinking about her?

Through gritted teeth, I inhale sharply. My cock is sensitive. My grip is too hard. I turn, leaning my back against the wall with visions of Sadie on her knees before me, dancing behind my eyelids—my hand grasping her hair and holding tight as I fuck her mouth, finally silencing her heated words. As if it has a mind of its own, my hand strokes roughly up and down my length, my hold almost painful.

I shouldn't want her.

My eyes snap open at the reminder of the disdain she held in her voice for the club. It took everything I had not to wrap my hand around her throat. Not enough to hurt her but just enough to get her attention—to silence her.

How I would love to punish her.

It wasn't lost on me how her breath hitched the slightest amount when she stepped into me, but I was too riled up to acknowledge it, drowning in her fragrance. I wonder what smart-ass remark she would have if I drove my cock into her.

A groan slips past my lips, and I buck into my hand, quickening my pace.

My head falls back against the tiled wall with a thud, and my jaw clenches in frustration. I close my eyes, trying to focus on my hand working up and down, faster, harder, but images of Sadie instantly assault me.

On her knees.

Mouth open.

Knees Spread.

Her pussy glistening for me.

Bent over my bed.

Round ass on display.

The angry red handprint glowing from the spanking she desperately deserves.

I moan, the sound echoing in the small space. It feels good, so fucking good.

My balls pull up, the familiar tension building low in my gut while sweat breaks out on my forehead. I rock my hips, roughly fucking my hand and chasing my release. The sound of my blood pumping in my ears muffles my hearing. I tense, my breath coming faster, my hand working furiously. My head becomes dizzy from the pressure rolling through me, mixed with the pain from my wounds and the heat of the water—an insatiable mix of pain and pleasure.

A tingle shoots down my spine, all the way into my balls when I let out an animalistic groan. A vision of her face flashes before my eyes just as the tension hits me like a sledgehammer. The pleasure fucking incredible. My cock jerks with the force while I groan out, "Sadie," before I even know what's happening, bracing myself against the wall. I explode all over the tiles, my hips jutting with each spasm.

I pant frantically. My eyes snap open, my vision clouded by the image of Sadie smirking at me like she's just gotten her sweet revenge.

The thought of that bitch sinking her claws into my skin, making me think of her while I come, sends a ravenous rage through me I can't fucking comprehend. Then seeing my cum coating my hand and the tiles sends a new wave of anger through me. My muscles tense, heat builds inside me, and a wave of undeniable rage consumes me. I let out a growl, my fist clenching as I turn, then slam my fist into the shower wall. My knuckles instantly split before chunks of the broken tile fall at my feet. Searing pain ripples back through my hand and wrist. I shake my hand off, seeing fresh blood mixing with the water.

Not only was this the strongest release I am sure I have ever had, I don't think I have ever come this much. And it was all with the thoughts of her running through my mind. To top it off, I moaned her goddamn name.

"Fuck!" I groan, turning my back against the wall, still panting, not sure if it's from the incredible release or from the undeniable anger at myself for thinking of Sadie while coming.

Scrubbing at my face, I let out a long breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "Pull it together, Mav," I murmur to myself, reaching for the faucet and turning off the shower.

I need to get myself cleaned up, tend to my wounds, and then find a way to stay the hell away from Sadie.

I'm not letting her mess with my head.

No. Fucking. Way!