Chapter Fourteen

Piston

Venus was more relaxed than I'd ever seen her. Well, other than after I fucked her into oblivion. We rode side by side to Evansville, her on a bright red Harley instead of her usual pink. I kind of missed the pink.

We rolled into the compound right behind the truck and trailer with Victor Zaitsev inside the back. Venus's smile widened when they opened the back. Sting's men weren't stupid; they'd taken precautions in case the bastard had gotten out of his car and starting shooting at them.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" Victor yelled as he struggled to get free from Atlas and Brick. Once outside the trailer, Atlas zip-tied his hands behind his back and his ankles together, leaving Brick to heave the bastard over his shoulder and drop him into the back of the side-by-side that would take them to the barn the Iron Tzars used as an interrogation room. And to torture when necessary.

Spoiler alert… It was gonna be necessary.

"You're all dead!" Victor spat as they tied him to a chair. His hands were freed only to be zip-tied to the chair arms. They did the same with his feet, securing each ankle to a chair leg.

"Yeah," Sting said with a grin. "Heard that one a couple hundred times. This week."

"Do you have any idea who the fuck I am?"

"Yep," Roman said as he pulled out a rolling cart with all kinds of instruments on it.

"If you let me go now, I'll make sure your families aren't harmed. If you don't, my people will decimate this hick place."

"You're assuming anyone knows where you are," Sting said as he picked up a nail gun. Without warning, he shot a nail into Victor's right hand.

The squeal he got from Victor was a very satisfying sound. I glanced over at Venus. She was smiling from ear to ear, her clear blue eyes dancing with glee.

"That was for threatening our families, no matter how emptily." Sting spoke casually, even as he shot Victor -- in both knees this time. "That was for coming after Katya." He followed up with both shoulders. "That was because you caused Venus a lot of trouble. Do you know how difficult it was for her to get you to come visit us? I'll tell you. Not at all. She made one phone call and had five clubs with more resources than most small countries. A couple hours later, here you are."

By this time, Victor was screaming non-stop. When he finally stopped, sweat saturated his clothing and plastered his hair to his head. Venus had pulled up a chair and casually crossed her legs, swinging the top one up and down. She looked for all the world like she was watching some kind of sporting event. "Perhaps you should ask who Venus is, because clearly you have no clue the type of bear you've been poking."

Roman moved in front of Victor as Sting moved back. "Do you know why you're here, Victor?" The other man just panted. Spit frothed at his mouth and snot dripped from his nose. Tears streamed down his face. I was pretty sure he'd pissed himself. "You're here because Venus says it's time for you to die."

"Please," he begged. "I'll give you anything you want."

"News flash, bro," Wylde said cheerfully as he walked up to Victor, drawing his gun. "You've already given us every fuckin' thing you have. Every dollar, franc, euro, pound, and ruble. I've put in process the liquidation of all your assets and properties. In a couple days, everything will be in bank accounts we control." Wylde casually shot Victor in both feet. "Thanks for the offer, though." Wylde winked at Venus. I would have bared my teeth at the other man, but I knew he was doing it just to get a reaction from me. Fucker loved goading people until they popped. Kinda like his woman's sister. Lemon. The woman wasn't much more than a teenager who was now vice president of Grim Road as well as the president's old lady. Wylde might not have raised Lemon, but he and the young woman were exactly alike.

Victor's screams were constant now, so everyone stood back and waited for him to calm down. All the while, Venus looked like she was having the time of her life, just sitting there watching as the men of Iron Tzars took shots at Victor, all while they gave her every bit of support they would any member of their club.

Finally, Venus stood and walked to the table. She casually picked up the nail gun Sting had started with. She turned it over a couple of times, studying it from different angles. Victor's breathing was coming in gasps, the air wheezing in and out of his lungs in small pants.

She smiled at him. "You seem to be having bad day."

"I'll give you anything, Ulyana. I'll go back to Russia. You'll never see me again."

"Now that I know for fact. After today, I'll never see you again." She pointed the nail gun at Victor but did nothing else. He screamed, then whimpered pitifully. It was easy to tell the second he believed she might not shoot him. When she saw him relax marginally, she aimed at his crotch and pulled the trigger.

I winced. "Jesus," I muttered, though the noise Victor was making probably made it impossible for anyone to hear me. "I thought he squealed like a pig before. This is torture. For me."

Wylde handed me his gun. "I know, right?"

I moved up beside Venus and raised the weapon. I squeezed off a round into first his right elbow, then his left, before handing the gun to Venus.

"Poor little Victor. Are you finally realizing just how fucked you really are?"

"Please…" His pitiful begging might have swayed me if I didn't know how much he deserved everything he was getting.

"You sold me to state government so you'd have an ally on inside of FSB. You were going to do same with Katya. You buy and sell boys and girls as playthings for people who sexually and physically abuse them before killing them. For fun! You are in middle of everything our collective clubs fight against daily. Especially Iron Tzars. They've fought for longer than you've been alive. And you expect we're just going to let you go?"

I raised an eyebrow. Venus was talking like she was part of the Tzars. I glanced at Sting who had a satisfied smirk on his face. Yeah. He heard it too. I knew then I needed to pack my shit. Looked like we were moving to Evansville.

"You can't! Please! Don't!"

Venus cocked the gun and pointed it at Victor's head. "I can. I will." She pulled back the hammer. "I am." Then she shot him in the head.

There was silence in the barn. Blessed silence.

"I'm hungry," Wylde said. "Anyone want a pizza?"

"Fuck." Mars chuckled. I hadn't really been paying attention to anyone but Victor, but it looked like most of the patched members of the club were here to witness Victor's demise. "That's just wrong, Wylde."

"What? I love pizza!"

"Just for that," Sting said as he tossed a rag to Wylde. "You're on clean-up duty."

"Oh, man…"

Brick clapped the other man on the shoulder. "Good luck, man. Mop's in the corner by the pitchfork."

Wylde looked like a child told to clean up his room or go to bed without supper. "I just wanted something to eat," he muttered. But I noticed the way his lips curled. The man had no reverence whatsoever. Then his smile brightened. "Good thing I have a couple prospects who need to learn how to do this shit."

Venus went to Sting. The two sized each other up for a few seconds before Venus stuck out her hand to him. "I will put in a formal request to patch in with Iron Tzars. I'm not the type of prospect you normally recruit, but I can be asset to you."

Sting grinned. "Come with me."

He took us to Wylde's office where Danica, Wylde's woman, was talking to her sisters. Lemon and Apple were chatting away while Danica smiled and laughed. There were several feeds open on the call, not just the one from Grim Road. It looked like every club in the circle was in on the call. Bones. Salvation's Bane. Black Reign. Grim Road. Even Kiss of Death and the fucking Shadow Demons.

"Hey, guys." Sting said, after the women finished their conversation. "Deed's done. Clean-up's underway."

"Good." Thorn grinned. "Good to see you, Venus. When Giovanni flew in here like a bat outta hell, we were a little worried about you."

"Shut up." Giovanni grumbled. He looked as disgruntled as I'd ever seen the man. It looked almost like the bastard was pouting.

"Hey. It wasn't my fault. I tried to tell you she could handle herself."

"I can't believe you were willing to take that kind of a chance with a member of your own club."

"What kind of chance?" Thorn actually scowled at the other man. Giovanni was with Thorn at the Bane clubhouse, likely in Thorn or Ripper's office.

"Victor Zaitsev isn't the kind of man you fuck around with. He will destroy you and have the backing of the entire Russian government to do it."

"Would have tried." Venus said. "He would have tried to destroy me." She shrugged. "He did try, actually. I'm here. He's not."

"I was just looking out for you, Venus," Giovanni pleaded his case. "That's what I've done since the first day we met you."

"You've looked out for yourself," she countered. "You found out Victor was tracking me, then you sent me off. You know. Away from your precious company and home. News flash! I survived on my own until I found place to call home. I found that with Thorn and Salvation's Bane. And then I met all kinds of other people in clubs who work closely with Bane. I may not have fully appreciated it at time, but in my heart I knew I was never alone."

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. I should have at least told you. I honestly thought you probably knew."

"Whatever." She pointed a finger at Giovanni's image on the screen. "You're still on my shit list."

Thorn grinned. "I talked to Mama." I had to wonder if the change of subject was intentional. Knowing Thorn, probably.

The smile Venus gave Thorn was tentative, but she didn't demur. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything. Just never seemed like right time."

"Doesn't matter because I've always thought of you as family. You've been a wonderful asset to Bane."

"Thanks."

Thorn opened his mouth to say something else, but El Diablo, president of Black Reign MC and former assassin, spoke first. "I never thought I'd see this day, Venus." The enigmatic man had a warm, welcoming smile on his face. "But what we're all about to propose benefits us all and, because it was my idea, I'm butting in to make the proposal myself."

There was a collective groan from the monitor's speakers. El Diablo just smiled even bigger. I didn't know him very well, but I'd heard he'd mellowed somewhat since he and Jezebel married. He mellowed even more when their adopted daughter, Dawn, married Ice, the new president of Bones MC. I'd heard he'd actually said "please" when Dawn had gotten herself in trouble and El Diablo had needed help retrieving her.

"Daddy, you're doing it again." Dawn was beside Ice on the call. "Don't be that guy."

"What guy?" He looked genuinely puzzled, but his wife rolled her eyes.

"Liam, hush. Venus belongs to Bane so let Thorn do his thing."

"Fine. But just so you know, I had rehearsed a whole thing. I'm sure I'd be better at this than Thorn."

To my surprise, Thorn just chuckled. "He's just happy because he's finally going to be able to claim Venus as one of his club family."

Venus stiffened. "What?"

"What we're all trying to say is, we all want you to patch in. With all our clubs. You and Piston both, if you agree."

"Huh," I said, scrubbing a hand over the back of my neck. "Wasn't expecting that."

"It's a simple thing, Piston," El Diablo said with a wave of his hand. "You both become patched members with all the clubs, and you work on keeping us together. Ambassadors, if you will. We're spread out over the southeastern part of the country, but we can be great assets to each other during times of trouble."

"Times of trouble." Thorn chuckled. "You sound like you have a giant stick up your ass, El Diablo."

That got laughs from everyone. Dawn had her hand over her mouth as she turned her face against Ice's shoulder, her own shoulders shaking as she tried not to laugh. Even Jezebel barked out a laugh before she clapped a hand over her mouth.

"Not cool, Thorn." El Diablo pointed at the screen, like he was going to poke Thorn in the chest.

"As such," Sting said, picked up the narrative. Probably because it had gone way the fuck off course. "We've made you both vests to reflect all our clubs. Even the Shadow Demons, though, I want to point out they aren't technically MC."

"Are too," Giovanni muttered.

"Riding a ninety-two-thousand-dollar Indian Challenger doesn't mean you're an MC, Gio," Thorn said, helpfully. Judging from the look on Giovanni's face, he didn't appreciate it.

"Anyway." Sting chuckled, obviously enjoying the bickering. "Here." He handed us both vests. Mine was the usual black. On the back all six clubs had their patch. The rocker above said, Southeastern MC Alliance while the bottom simply said United States of America . The front had our usual name designation on one side. The other patch said Ambassador .

Venus blinked rapidly as she studied the vest, her lips parted in surprise. She looked up at me helplessly, her eyes glistening with tears I knew she didn't want to shed. Time for me to take over.

"I think I can speak for both of us when I say it will be an honor to serve in this capacity. Thank you."

There was a collective cheer from the speakers. Apparently, each club had assembled everyone for the big announcement. I saw Mama and Pops. Mama looked so proud I thought she might burst. When Venus met her gaze through the monitor, the older woman blew her a kiss. Pops simply smiled and gave Venus a respectful nod.

"Sorry to ruin the party, but I need a shower and some rest. I'm too old for torture and mayhem on little to no sleep." I wanted to get Venus out and in private. Not only would she not appreciate it if she cried in front of everyone, but I wanted some quiet time with my woman.

We said our goodbyes, shook Sting's hand, then accepted keys to a little house the club had designated as ours. It was partially furnished, which was easily remedied. Most importantly, it had a bed someone had already made up with clean sheets. I was only partially exaggerating about being tired.

The second the door to the house was shut and locked, Venus jumped into my arms, kissing me like she meant to devour me. I chuckled and followed her lead. Until I decided I wanted to lead.

As always, the sex was explosive. How the fuck I'd lived my entire adult life and not experienced sex even close to this intense I had no idea. But I knew in my heart it was all Venus, the strong, fierce woman with a vulnerable streak she hid well from everyone but me.

"I know I haven't said it yet. But I want you to know how much I love you, Piston." Her voice was soft in the quiet of our bedroom.

I had to grin. She was such a treasure. "Figured."

She snorted. "Think you are that irresistible, do you?"

"Not at all." I did chuckle then. "You haven't killed me in my sleep yet, so I figured it had to be love."

That got what sounded suspiciously like a giggle from my warrior woman. Not that I'd point it out. I wasn't stupid. "You're not wrong." She shifted so she lifted herself up to look down at me, bracing her arms on my chest. "I do love you, Piston. With all my heart. You've helped me see I have family all around me. With you in the center of my world."

"I love you too, honey. Have for a long fuckin' time. I'll always have your back. No matter what."

"I'll have your back too. Thank you."

"For what?"

"For giving me back my life. I never knew how much I tried to keep myself apart from everyone until you made me see you for what you are. And that's man I always want in my life. That means I risk my heart, I risk it. You're worth the risk."

"It's not a risk, Venus. Because I'll never betray you. I'll never hurt you. If anyone else does, all you have to do is tell me who and they're dead. No questions asked."

She smiled. "Such romantic words."

"More than words, baby. I mean every one of them."

She settled back with her head on my chest. Then with a deep sigh. She stilled. When I looked down at her, I realized she was asleep and smiled at the trust she showed by that simple act. Venus wasn't a woman to make herself vulnerable intentionally. With me, from the very first time we'd fallen into bed, she'd slept like the dead. Her trust made my heart swell with pride. And love.

Venus. My very own deadly, scary, beautiful love goddess.

Yeah. I was totally putting that on a shirt. If nothing else, it would make her smile. After she threatened to cut my throat. Totally worth it, though. Besides. That was just our version of foreplay.