Chapter 17

Backdraft

The sudden buzz of a text message jolts Zoey from my arms. I groggily reach for the phone, squinting at the bright screen as I read the group message from Aero informing us that we're rolling out in twenty minutes and should meet at the main door. A low growl escapes my lips as I toss back the covers and reluctantly drag myself out of bed, already missing her warm touch.

"Don't go." A sharp sting zings me. I look back to see Zoey's mischievous grin and realize she's pinched my naked ass playfully.

"You're going to cost me my patch if I don't, Little Lamb. Playtime is over. Get dressed and meet us downstairs." Even as I say the words, it feels like nothing else matters except for the electricity running between us. The heavy weight of responsibility and duty settles over me, even though I want nothing more than to stay with her.

Shimmying into my jeans, I pull them up over my hips and fasten the button. While slipping on my dusty, scuffed boots, the leather soft from years of wear, I simultaneously tug my tight shirt over my head. Finally, I slip on my cut adorned with patches and symbols that remind me who I am, the familiar weight settling comfortably onto my shoulders. Before I leave, I lean down and plant a tender kiss on Zoey's forehead. "I was never here, Little Lamb."

I don't give her time to argue, I quickly make my way out of her room. The urgency in my movements is palpable as I know it's only a matter of time before someone comes to retrieve her. Aero didn't give any instructions, so I have to assume it will be him. The last thing we need is for him to catch me here.

I make my way to the door. It creaks slightly as I quietly pull it open, grimacing at the noise it makes. Peeking my head out, I scan the hallway for any signs of movement. Satisfied no one is around, I slip through and quietly close the door behind me with a soft click as a door across the hall swings open. Surge steps out, eyeing my unexpected presence in the hall. I nod a good morning when another door opens a few feet away and Crank slinks through the narrow opening like a bull in a china shop. He looks like he got dressed in the dark. As our eyes meet, he freezes and runs his rough hands through his messy hair.

"What?" he grumbles defensively under our curious gazes.

Surge's wide eyes glint with amusement as he cocks his brow and lets out a deep, rumbling laugh. "Looks like it's the dog's turn to take the walk of shame. You filthy mutt."

Crank nonchalantly shrugs his broad shoulders while Pike stumbles through another door further down the hall, frantically hopping on one foot while trying to slide a boot onto the other. He looks up at us, bleary eyed from a night of partying, and slurs out, "Bitches be crazy in the morning."

We all erupt into laughter as one by one our fellow brothers emerge from various rooms, some still half-dressed and others sporting wild bedheads. The hallway quickly becomes crowded with our rowdy group, each one wearing a satisfied grin.

Tango slides in behind me, his palm landing on my back with a sharp slap. "Where did you sleep last night?"

Sweat beads at the nape of my neck and my hand instinctively raises to it. My mind races with memories from last night and I can only hope no one heard Zoey and I.

"Don't you want to know?" I chuckle, trying to brush off the question when heavy footsteps and a rumbling voice echo from behind us, grabbing our attention.

"No one cares about the pussy you all got last night. Time to roll out." Aero barks out orders, not giving a shit about their tales of conquest as he stops in front of Zoey's door.

With a loud bang that shakes the walls, Aero knocks on her door. She opens it with grace and poise, her eyes meeting mine for only a moment before she looks away. My heart stutters at the sight of her, but I quickly compose myself as she greets us with a soft "morning."

Aero glances from the bag slung over Zoey's shoulder narrowing in on me with a pointed glare and then back again. "Good, you're ready to go. We have a long ride ahead of us. You can ride with Backdraft. Let's go."

I quickly take the bag from Zoey's grasp and lead her toward my motorcycle, eager to escape the intensity of Aero's silent questioning. I can feel Zoey's eyes on me as we walk, but I focus on securing her belongings before mounting the bike. The leather seat is warm from the morning sun as I climb on and offer her a hand up behind me. With the twist of my wrist, I rev up the engine. The rumble fills the quiet street, sending a thrill down my spine. It's good to have my bike under me again and Zoey at my back.

I can't contain my smile when her hands grasp tightly onto my waist, her body pressing against mine. It's everything I imagined it'd be. As I pick up speed, the wind rushes past me carrying her tantalizing scent with it. Every turn brings a new rush as we deftly maneuver through the city streets leaving the bustle of Nashville behind.

***

The journey back to Atlantic City seemed endless. Zoey's arms tightly wrapped around my waist as we rode on my bike, the roar of the engine filling our ears. As dusk settled over us, we stopped for the night while Aero and the rest of the club went ahead. The countless bathroom breaks, and pit stops along the way were necessary with her on the back of the bike, but I didn't mind. Having her so close was worth every delay.

As we cruised down the open road, I could see Zoey's hair blowing in the wind and a smile lighting up her face. It was her first time riding on a motorcycle besides our dirt bike fiasco and the ride to Royal Road, which I didn't count because she wasn't riding with me. Watching her enjoy the freedom of the ride made me feel alive. I never imagined how perfect it would feel to have a woman riding behind me. Not any woman. Zoey. The way her body fits behind me is utter perfection and I wish we never had to get off this bike. I took the scenic route to extend our time together, but all good things come to an end. When I pull through the gate of our clubhouse, I come to terms with the fact that this must end too.

The loud and deep roar of the engine fills the air as I find a place to park in the crowded lot. Aero's scrappy dog barks, his tail wagging with excitement as he trots alongside the bike until we come to a stop. Turning off the engine, I keep the bike upright and sit idle for a few minutes. Zoey's arms are still wrapped around my waist, her thighs snug against my side. It's like she doesn't want this moment to end either.

A shrill whistle from the steps grabs my attention and the dog panting beside my bike takes off running toward the sound.

"Are you going to sit there all day or are you coming inside?" Surge, our club's Sergeant at Arms, snarls at me from his spot at the top of the stairs.

"What's it to you?" I growl, pissed at Surge for wrecking the moment.

"Not a damn thing but Aero's been waiting for you."

Fuck.

I wonder how much he knows about Zoey and me. I've tried my damndest to be discreet until I can come clean and tell him the truth, but I've caught his glares when he's noticed us standing too close or our hands lingering a tad too long. He's probably waiting to chew my ass out for taking my sweet time getting back. Zoey shifts on the seat behind me, the loss of contact is like a nail in the coffin. The end of us. I will be forced to let her go and the thought of that aches more than I thought it would.

"Tell him to keep his panties on. We just got here," I growl.

Surge raises his brow. "You want me to tell him that?"

Fuck me. "No."

"Then stop dicking around and get off already."

I haven't gotten off since early this morning, before Zoey and I left the motel room we shared last night. It already feels like it's been years since I've touched her and my cock aches at the thought of never getting that chance again. I don't know what is in store for us once we walk through that door, which is why I've delayed it for as long as possible. One thing is certain, if given the chance to bury myself between her legs again, I'll take it. Inside her is where I belong.

I run my hand over her leg, signaling to her we have to move. Reluctantly she swings her leg over and dismounts. I miss her warmth immediately.

I drape my arm around her shoulders and lead her toward the clubhouse, feeling reluctant about what waits for us.

"Where is he?" I ask Surge, stepping around him and leading Zoey into the clubhouse. I had hoped to have more time to get Zoey settled and show her around, but I can't keep Aero waiting any longer.

"He's waiting for both of you in Church," Surge informs me.

Well, shit. So much for time.

Zoey's wide eyes absorb it all. The brothers bellied up to the bar, laughing with Midge while she keeps them lined up with ice-cold beer. Grizzly passes in front of us, carrying what looks like a laundry basket. He's grumbling under his breath as he follows closely behind Mariana toward the back room. We exchange a glance and I recognize the look of a man desperately masking his desire with a grumpy facade before his eyes dart back to Marianna's backside. There's too much to unpack there right now so I file it away to throw in his face later.

Padre spots us and chuckles, "Hope you enjoyed your ride." Tilting his head towards Church.

Passing through the courtyard, we catch the eye of Emery and Lacey kicked back on lawn chairs, sunning themselves under the glass dome ceiling and sipping some fruity concoction in oversized glasses. Emery tilts her sunglasses and smiles at us.

Taking Zoey by the hand, I offer her comfort as we make our way to Church. Even though Aero's office is the size of a broom closet, Church is a strange place for a meeting with someone who isn't wearing a patch.

When I open the door, I have even more questions. Aero stands as we walk through the door. His eyes narrowed and a scowl plastered on his face. He's pissed but he will have to get over it. Rescuing Zoey might have been an assignment, but she's become more than that. She's the one who quiets the demons. She's mine and he'll have to learn to accept that.

Behind Aero sits a man dressed in dark jeans, sturdy boots, and a sleek black leather jacket. At first glance, he looks no different than the rest of us, but his body language sets him apart. He sits tall and confident, giving off a dangerous allure masked behind wealth. His hand rests on the knee of a stunning woman with loose brown curls coiling over her shoulders. She's wearing a sleek black pantsuit with a red blouse and matching heels. They look like a real power couple. The shifty fucker in the corner behind them, I know to be Kayden Black. He brought us this job and I can only assume he's here to collect. The pit of my stomach twists into knots.

Squaring off in defense, I keep a tight hold on Zoey's hand. Four pairs of eyes drop to where our hands are folded into each other. If he thinks my relationship with Zoey means he doesn't have to pay up, he's got another thing coming to him. I did my job and more. Zoey is safe because of me.

"What's this about?" I ask Aero. President or not, I don't appreciate being summoned like this and I don't care for the tension in the room.

"This is Cal and Brie Carracci, head of the New York Syndicate. They hired us to locate Zoey and return her to her rightful home."

Zoey's face twists in confusion. "Why would you do that? I don't know you."

"I'm going to be honest with you, Zoey. I need something from you," the man Aero called Cal Carracci states.

"I don't understand. What could you possibly need from me?" Zoey asks emphatically.

"Please have a seat and I'll explain. I've been informed that you've formed a bond with Backdraft, so if it makes you more comfortable he's welcome to stay."

Aero gives his approval, motioning towards the table in the center of the room. Zoey and I take a seat next to each other.

"Zoey, does the name Carmine Bianchi mean anything to you?"

"No. Should it?" I can hear the frustration in her tone and her hand squeezes tighter around mine.

"That doesn't surprise me, you've been sheltered from the outside world for so long. Carmine Bianchi once led the New York Syndicate, the organization Brie and I now run. He wasn't a good man. He was manipulating and ruthless. And you're not going to want to hear this, but he's your father." Cal lets out a deep breath.

Zoey blankly stares at him. I'm not sure if she's processing his words until she finally speaks, "I don't understand. Dominic Cassedy is my father."

"That's what they wanted you to believe, but it's not true. Dominic Cassedy was married to your mother, but he isn't your father. The truth is that your mother had an affair with Carmine Bianchi and got pregnant. When Dominic learned the truth, he murdered her and kidnapped you to punish the Bianchi family. Heirs are an important commodity in this life. I don't believe that Carmine ever knew about you. That's why Dominic kept you a secret all these years. We only recently found out and that's when we came looking for you. I know you have a lot of questions, and I'll answer them all but maybe it's best if we start slow. Our families have a complicated history and bad blood."

I mock him in my head. Complicated is an understatement. I've never met the man before today, but I've heard the stories. He's a legend. The Bianchi's and the Carracci's fought for control of the Syndicate for decades and only one man was left standing. Cal Carracci rules it all thanks to his birthright and marriage to Brie, a true Mafia Royal and legend herself. Together, they eliminated everyone who stood in their way including his brother.

"We're prepared to take you back to New York with us, set you up in an apartment, and provide you with the best security money can buy."

"To hell you will." I blurt out, forcing my chair out from under me. The wooden legs scrape against the floorboards before toppling over.

Aero is on his feet in seconds. "You might not like it, but you will sit the fuck down and show some respect or say your goodbyes now."

I don't back down. I know Aero is the President of this club, and if he wants my patch already, he can have it, but I'm not giving her up without a fight. We stand locked in a battle of wills staring each other down. I knew she was important to the people who hired us. I read the file. I read the details of her mother's death, but it never mentioned being a mafia princess. A tug on my arm breaks my stare down and I glance at Zoey and the big fat tears in her eyes. My stomach swirls seeing her pain.

"Please, Backdraft, I need you here with me." Her soft voice wraps around my heart. I pick up the chair and return to her side. "I'm willing to hear you out, Mr. Carricci, but unless Aero tells me I can't stay or Backdraft doesn't want me here, I don't plan on leaving."

"You and I will talk about this later." Aero lets his position be known but doesn't immediately deny her request.

When Aero sits back down, Cal nods his head and continues. "We hired the Royal Bastards for the recovery mission because of their extensive backgrounds and to keep the news of your existence from falling into the wrong hands. The world thinks the Bianchi bloodline is dead and it's safer if they continue to think that."

"Then it sounds like I'm safer here," Zoey states.

A subtle nod of Cal's head confirms she's right. "We could have left well enough alone, but there's no honor in that. I know what it's like to have your heritage kept from you. You deserved to know the truth. It's up to you what you do with it. We didn't bring you back to force you into a life you don't want. You've had enough of that."

"Where is this man you claim is my father? Why did you come looking for me instead of him?"

"Zoey, he's dead."

"Dead? That's convenient, the only people who can confirm what you're saying are all dead."

"Not all of them. We have reason to believe that Dominic is planning an attack on the New York Syndicate correlating with your twenty-first birthday. Aero informed me that while most of his crew have been eliminated, he got away. An attack of this magnitude will set the syndicate back by a decade. He'll need you because of your bloodline. He'll use it to take back control once we're eliminated. It wasn't the initial plan but now that we know he's still out there we need you to lure him out of hiding and end his crusade."

"Are you fucking kidding?" Aero slams his fist down at my outburst but I'm too angry to care. "You sent me to rescue her and now you want to put her in danger?"

"We have a well-trained team that will keep her safe. He'll never get close enough to hurt her." Kayden Black, a mercenary turned Consigliere to the Carracci family, speaks from his spot in the corner of the room. His voice, unlike ours, is steady and emotionless. Though he stands in plain sight, he seamlessly blends into the background, unnoticed until he chooses otherwise.

I cock my brow, not believing what I'm hearing. "Then why didn't you go get her yourself?"

Kayden takes my challenge and raises me. "Our presence would have tipped him off that we knew the truth. Using you made it look like a kidnapping and kept her out of danger."

"A lot of good that did. They almost blew her up, and when that failed, they shot at her. They were willing to kill her at the first sign of trouble. What makes you think they won't do it again?"

"Enough." Aero's face is scrunched, tight lines tugging at his forehead, "This is not our fight."

"It sure the fuck is. Zoey is mine and I won't stand by and let them play with her life."

Aero's hard eyes glare at me. "Are you claiming her?"

Ignoring everyone else in the room, I look at Zoey. Placing my hand on her arm, my eyes meet hers and that familiar spark passes between us. I don't hesitate another second. "Yes."

Aero leans back in his seat, folding his arms over his chest. "Then it appears we have a problem."

The silence that fills the room is deafening.

"Looks that way." Cal's patience is waning. You can tell he's a man used to getting what he wants but my Little Lamb isn't as docile as she looks.

"Let's take a moment, shall we." Cal's wife, Brie, places her hand on his knee. His hard expression softens, and his posture relaxes as if she holds some magical persuasion over him. It's a power I'm coming to understand. Zoey's presence soothes the inferno blazing within me. "Zoey, no one is going to force you to do anything. From here on out, you are free to make your own decisions, but we'd appreciate it if you'd consider our request. The survival of my family, my children are at stake."