Chapter 1

1

NEVADA

At first, it's like I'm seeing things. It's not like I expected to see her at my club brother, Priests' wedding, but I'd know her silhouette anywhere.

That ass. Those thighs. Those tits. The hair… She's not even facing me and I know it's her.

Estelle.

Star.

Mama.

The question isn't even what she's doing here — I know what she's doing here — it's the fact she really had the gall to crash a wedding. Priest and Bella's wedding. My club brother and the MC's spiritual advisor has waited a long time for his happily ever after.

But seeing my girl in a rage like this?

I think I'm in love.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about her. I fell at first sight, that much I know for sure, and for me, that's a goddamn miracle. I've never had that feeling where a girl is on my mind 24/7; it's a first for me. Then again, a lot of things feel new. Like the way my heart thuds in my chest whenever I think about her pretty face. And now she's here?

I don't waste a second, moving as fast as I can across the restaurant floor. Since the MC owns the Whiskey Bar and Grill, the entire place is booked out just for the wedding.

A few weeks ago, she wanted answers, but Cash was on a much-needed vacation with Deanna and their baby, Caprice. I wasn't about to go harassing him when he was in Arizona, visiting with Deanna's parents. So I gave her my number instead. Suffice to say, she wasn't happy about that and has mostly replied to my texts with middle finger emojis…

Me

Do you have any other emojis aside from the middle finger salute?

Mama

When I see you next, I'm gonna stick that knife in your balls

Me

I told you, that's foreplay

Mama

Careful what you wish for, Pretty Boy

Me

I love it when you talk dirty. I'm sure you know where I live if you wanna discuss this in a more intimate setting

Mama

I want Cash's number, you little shit

Me

I'm not that little, Mama. You know that show Hung…

Mama

Men that brag about it are full of shit

Me

You know who to dial when you're sick of little dicks. I'm at your service

Mama

You're disgusting

And I haven't heard from her in days.

She told me that someone she cared about was caught up in a trafficking ring we busted up when we took out the mob. Things have settled down since then. Some girls were found, others weren't, and one shipment never made port. The feds are dealing with that. But that won't be good enough for Estelle. Of course, now I know hearing her real name pisses her off, I love calling her it.

I didn't always pay attention in school, but I knew it would please my mom if I took an extra elective subject in high school, and that extra subject was Latin. I've always been obsessed with names, which is how I knew Estelle is the Latin name derived from Star.

" How about you tell me what you know and I won't fuck up that pretty face of yours."

I grin when I remember her words in the bar a few weeks back. My dick has never been so hard, and I've been jerking off to thoughts of her dirty mouth and switchblade ever since. I can't get her out of my mind and I've been trying to figure out where she works so I can swing by and sweep her off her feet. Ironically, she was the one who swept me off my feet — unceremoniously.

She's yelling at Cash. Tag, the club's Sergeant at Arms, and Harlem, the Enforcer, surround her. But she's like a caged Rhonda Rousey — cool and calm under pressure— and it's turning me the fuck on. She does not give a shit that three large and scary bikers are all circling her.

"This isn't the time or place." Cash's face is one of pure annoyance.

"Maybe not for you!" Star hisses back. "But it is for me. This is personal."

"This is a wedding." Cash points again. "A private function. I've told you before…"

Wait, how did this happen? She doesn't have his number. Then again, she's a PI so she has means and ways of finding shit out. Her friend Halo told us one of her talents was obtaining information illegally. That's my girl.

"Estelle?" I call out, my hands on my hips.

She looks smaller than her five-six, though that isn't tall, she's a goddamn spitfire. She also shows absolutely no fear.

Hearing my voice, she casts a glance my way. Her eyes widen as they travel the length of my body, disdain written all over her face. "You again?"

I smirk. Yep, me again.

"And stop calling me that! My name is Star!"

I look at Cash. "I'll take care of this."

"Don't you even think about it!" She tries to shove me back. Her palms hit my chest, but I don't budge. Since I know her modus operandi is to fight dirty, I'm prepared this time. If she thinks she's gonna knock me on my ass again, she's got another thing coming.

"Now, now," I mutter so only she can hear me. "No need to go gettin' all violent on me again, not with all these witnesses."

"You know what happened last time," she reminds me.

"What happened last time?" Harlem looks at me then Star, his beefy arms folding over his chest.

"Never mind," I say at the same time Star says, "I kicked his ass."

I may have told Priest about her, but now I'm coming to regret that because everyone is staring at us. She's making a scene. I may be known as the wildcard in this club, but crashing my club brother's wedding isn't cool.

"Get her out of here," Cash warns.

"Fuck you!" Star flings back as I grab her elbow and drag her away. The little bitch takes a swing.

"Jesus, woman!" I glance at my brothers, not wanting them to think I'm a pussy. "You keep swinging, princess. Remember, this is foreplay to me."

"Let go of me!"

"You're unbelievable," I mutter, pinning her to my chest in a bear hug so she can't move.

"And you're an ass."

"Really? Because I'm not the one who just crashed a wedding and made a fool of myself."

"I don't care what people think," she grits. "I told you before, I need to talk to Cash."

"That ain't happening tonight."

She kicks and hits my forearms with her fists in a fit of rage. She's a hellcat, and I'm hard as a rock.

I take her outside, around the side of the building where no one can witness our little spat.

"Calm the fuck down," I mutter. "For fuck's sake. If you stop raisin' hell, I'll let you go."

"Not if I knee you in the balls, then you'll have no choice…"

"Try it." My mouth is close to her ear. She smells like a fucking wild storm; florals with a hint of rose. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm hard as steel.

"Nevada…"

I grind my teeth. I told her the next time she said my name, the whole of New Orleans would be able to hear, this isn't quite what I imagined.

I push her to the wall, her back to me. "You gonna misbehave?" I tighten my grip around her.

"I'll be good," she says. I'm pleased to hear her slightly out of breath. "I'll cooperate."

I snort a laugh. "You're such a liar."

She gets some leverage and stamps on my foot, it hurts like a bitch and it's enough for me to loosen my grip so she wriggles free. She doesn't get far. I yank her back, grabbing her arms and pinning them behind her back. "Now, now, pretty girl, that isn't nice."

"Fuck you, asshole!"

"Did you not take your happy pills this morning?"

Her face is against the side of the wall and I don't want to hurt her, but she's pushing back against me. This woman would fight like a Gladiator to the death, I swear to God.

I push my body against hers. "Stop struggling, Estelle. This is no way to act in a public place, you wanna get arrested?"

"What are you?" She snorts. "Citizen of the Year?"

"No but you're drawin' attention to us that might get us both thrown in jail."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you, Lord knows you'll need it."

I tighten my grip on her wrists and she winces. All I can think about is tying her hands behind her back while I fuck her from behind, that'd shut her smart mouth up.

"You're a comedian."

"And you're hard."

My lips part but no sound comes out. Well, shit. I am pushed up right into the small of her back. "Not my fault this juicy booty turns me the fuck on." She's wearing those same patent leather pants she had on in the Whiskey Straight, and I love the shit out of them.

"Get your hands off me or I'll scream."

"Do that and I won't help you, if I refuse to cooperate, ain't no way you're ever gonna get to Cash. The only way to him is through me." That isn't exactly true, but unless she's studied up on MC positions recently, she probably won't know too much about the hierarchy.

"You're a Tail Gunner," she spits.

Then again, maybe she has read up on us? "Your point?"

"You're not his VP."

I snort. "You think you're even gonna get close by doin' this? Think about it. Cash doesn't play these games, and now you're ruinin' any chance you had just because you can't keep your temper in check. Fight me, and you ain't never gonna get to talk to Cash."

I feel her sag slightly, giving up the fight. "Let go of me."

"You gonna fight me?"

She shakes her head.

"You gonna run?"

She shakes her head again.

"Words, Star, use them."

"Don't talk to me like I'm a child."

"Then stop actin' like one."

"You would know… Are you even of legal age?"

"Legal enough to take you over my knee."

She bursts out laughing, her body shaking as I smirk. "Now I would pay to see you try."

"Don't need to pay me, Mama. I'll be a willing volunteer."

"Asher, honey, is everything okay?" I hear my mom's voice calling.

I turn my head as I see my mother squinting at me in the dark. Great, this is all I need.

Star's head turns her way, too. "Your name's Asher?" she whispers.

"Hey, Mom." I keep Star's wrists held with one hand, the other I rest up against the wall.

"What are you doing?" She comes closer. Lucky for us it's dark. "Are you… Oh, my God, Asher!"

Shit, Mom thinks we're having sex.

"It isn't what it looks like. Go back inside."

"No it's not," Star pipes up. "He's holding me against my will…"

Mom takes another step. "Asher! Is that true? Let that woman go right now, young man!"

I hear Star snort. I tighten my hold, knowing full well she can get out of it if she really wants. Having my mom come out there and chastise me like a child wasn't on my agenda tonight.

"Trust me. She isn't as innocent as she sounds." I point inside. "I just had to drag her out of Priest's wedding for causin' a ruckus. She's trying to derail the party, I'm tryin' to stop her makin' a fool out of herself."

" Asshole ," Star mutters.

Mom has her hands on her hips. "Why would she do that?"

"Because Cash is a jackass and your son is a smart ass with no manners who won't give me the information I need to help find my sister… Mrs…" Star just lets all the words tumble out of her mouth.

Find her sister? She told me it was ‘someone she knew'. I had no idea it was that close. to home.

Mom waves her off. "My name's Audrina. Asher, please take your hands off her right this minute."

Jesus. This is all I need.

My mom's a small woman. Pretty. Petite. Some of the guys tease me about her being a cougar but I ain't down for that shit. Though, Priest's dad, West — who we nicknamed Hustler now he's been invited to join the MC — has been sniffing around. I like him, I just don't know about the idea of Mom dating… or other shit. That makes me shudder. Hell no.

She's also only forty-five — she had me young — and apparently that means she's now ‘in her prime'. Or so Riot keeps teasing me. No fucking way am I letting him anywhere near my mom. Right now he has a crush on Halo, so I don't have to keep threatening to break his legs if he hits on my mom again.

One thing about my mom is she's strict. She brought me up well, and when my parents divorced a few years back, I saw her retreat into herself a little and lose some of her confidence. When it comes to making me look like a fool though, there she shines like the brightest constellation in the sky. Go figure.

I do as I'm told, only because I don't want Mom making a scene and drawing more attention our way.

"Don't believe her," I say to my mother. "She's a loose cannon and a spitfire. This damsel-in-distress held not one but two knives to me a few weeks ago. One blade could've been the beginning of the end of my lineage, if you get my drift. My balls are important to me."

"Are you okay?" Mom asks Star, concern etched on her face. She ignores me, showing no concern that this woman had a knife pointed at my dick.

I let Star go, only because I know she's not gonna run. My naughty minx might be many things, but she isn't gonna give lip to my mom. Surely?

This outta be good…

"Hi, Audrina. I'm Star." My girl holds out her hand and I watch on as they shake.

"Have you eaten?" Mom asks her.

"Wait," I interrupt. "She can't come back inside."

Mom glares at me. "Was I speaking to you?"

This is embarrassing; having my mom snap at me in front of the woman I'm jonseing on and plan on fucking at some time in the near future. But at least they seem to be getting along. That's a bonus.

Star rubs her wrists, wincing a little. "I'm fine, thank you for asking. I also wasn't causing a ruckus; I was trying to get to Cash to ask him something important." I note a slight edge to her tone, like she's enjoying this.

Mom shakes her head, her eyes land on me again. "I know you're in a motorcycle club, honey, but next time you meet a pretty woman and escort her outside — for whatever reason — the polite thing to do is make sure she gets home safe. Not push her up against a wall with her hands pinned behind her back." She practically breathes fire from her nose. "You were raised with manners, after all. Please try and remember some of them." My mom turns on her heel and stalks off.

I facepalm myself.

Star snickers in the dark. "Oh, fuck me. I wish I had that on camera."

"How about shut the fuck up?"

"Told off by your mom? This is gold. Literal gold." She pulls out her cellphone, smiling gleefully.

"What are you doing?"

"Texting Halo."

"How about you start backin' up just a second there, little lady. I'm not done with you."

She looks up. The glow from her phone lighting up her pretty face. "Oh, we're definitely done here."

"Nope." I fold my arms over my chest. "Not even close. You need me."

"I told you, Pretty Boy. I'm not playin' this game. Not now, not ever."

"But you don't have any other leads," I remind her. "I'm all you've got. So if I were you, I'd start speakin' to me a little nicer."

She looks up again, a smirk on her plump lips. "Trust me, you don't want any of this."

I take a long gaze down her body. She's mighty fine in a fitted long-sleeved body suit tucked into those hot-as-fuck pants; a short denim jacket covering her tits from my view. "I wouldn't be bettin' on that."

She stares at me for a long moment. "How old are you?"

"How old do you want me to be?"

"Answer the question, fuck boy."

I grin. "Twenty-seven."

Her eyes drop to my throat, then my chest, then my dick. All in one fluid movement. "Huh. Older than I thought."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Hardly."

I give her a chin lift. "How about you?"

She turns on her heel, "I'm too old for you."

I grab her wrist. "I like older women."

She doesn't resist when I yank her backward. My dick throbs. Jesus, I could do her right here, right now, even with the threat of my mom coming back to scold me again.

"Is that right, Asher?"

Oh, fuck.

New kink unlocked.

Star screaming my real name while I fuck her from behind.

This just gets better and better the longer I spend with this bombshell.

"Say that again."

"No."

I pull her flush against me so her body is pressed against mine. Again, she doesn't pull away. "Say it."

"So you can get your rocks off? I don't think so."

"Don't think you really mind. Fast or slow, Mama? Don't you know younger guys can go all night."

She runs one palm over my chest, down my sternum and over my abs. My pulse quickens when she reaches my belt buckle. Holy… "I guess I'll be the lucky one who got away."

I shake my head. "Buckin' bronco, sweetheart. I'll rock your world."

She rolls her lips. "Please do not tell me you've used that pick-up line before."

She waits for my comeback and no matter what this chick flings at me, it's not putting me off one single bit. She could punch me in the face and I'd still come back for more.

"Don't need pick up lines. The package speaks for itself." I jut my hips, making her gaze move south.

She presses her lips together, then her eyes meet mine. "I don't know if you'd know what to do with a woman like me."

My pulse races. I can't hear anything, just the beating of my heart and the pounding of blood in my ears. I don't think I've ever been so hard. "Oh, I'm sure we'd get to the bottom of it."

I go to cup her face and she slaps my hand away. "You've got until tomorrow to get me information and a meeting with Cash. If you don't, you won't like the consequences. And no, I'm not going to fuck you, but I will fuck with your life to get what I want, Pretty Boy ."

I place a hand over my heart. "Your words cut me."

She points in my face. "Tomorrow."

I don't let her go. "What's up with your sister? Is she the one missing?"

She frowns. "Genius."

"I didn't know…"

"Well now you do. So go back, enjoy the party, and pray I don't come back and use my knives again. You've no idea the lengths I will go to, Asher. I've nothing to live for, nothing to lose. I'm a ghost. I can disappear tomorrow without a trace. And if you think I won't try every single avenue available to me, legal or not, to find my sister, then you're sadly mistaken. I will stop at nothing to get what I want, understand?"

That part about nothing to live for isn't true; she has her sister to live for, not that I remind her of that, but it's leverage. Finally she's opening up, and I don't want to discourage her from doing that. I want to know more about her.

Still. Her words are heartfelt. The determination in her eyes, along with her rigid stance — fight or flight mode — render me to my knees.

I'm sympathetic to her crusade. She's doing all of this to find her sister. Gotta respect that. I'm just in her way. I get it.

"You're not a woman to be messed with. I got that part." I let go of her wrist and tilt her chin so she looks up at me. "And one thing you'll learn about me is that I have everything to live for. And if you think this little act of you pushin' me away and fightin' like a hellcat puts me off, then you really have a lot to learn about me because I will push boundaries like you can only dream about."

"You just keep that mouth running, Asher. See how far it gets you."

"You'd be surprised what I can do with this mouth, sweet cheeks." Figuring she hates nicknames, I aim to push every single button until she snaps.

Star can call me Asher. Nevada. Pretty Boy. Fuck Boy. I don't care. I'll answer every single time.

She starts to back away. I don't want her to go. "Answer your phone."

I also don't mind her bossing me one little bit. "I always do."

She turns and disappears out onto the street. I stare after her.

What is happening to me?

Why am I so fixated on this woman?

Ever since we met, I haven't been able to get it up for any other chick. To say I'm not interested in anyone else is an understatement, and even the club brothers are starting to notice.

I'll get her. I'll make her submit. It's just a matter of time.

I tell myself it's just a game of cat and mouse. She's unattainable. But I also know that I've never felt this way about a woman ever in my life.

Star.

Estelle.

Mama.

She's gonna be mine.