Stand Off

  Ice took his cell phone out of his pocket. “Never thought the day would come that I’d have to call the cops to explain myself,” Ice said ruefully, making the call.

  Max listened as Ice told the dispatcher that Max had come into the bank and seen the robbery in progress then taken defensive action.

  Max knew the dispatcher was questioning Ice about the cop lying on the floor when Ice’s cold gaze flickered to the unconscious man.

  Max answered his unspoken question. “He’s alive.”

  Ice relayed the information. “We’re not putting our guns down. Your men can come in the side window. We’ll cover them. Lady, if we put our weapons down, we’ll be dead before they can get their asses in position.” Ice released a frustrated breath before hanging up. “Not only are we in a standoff with the Bandits, but thanks to you, Max, we’re in one with the cops.”

  “Could be worse,” Max said, shooting another round off.

  “How the fuck could it be worse!” Ice snapped.

  “I could be dead.” Max gave his president a shit-eating grin. “We’ve been wanting to give these pussies the treatment for a while. Now’s our opportunity.”

  “I don’t mind killing the fuckers. I just didn’t want to do it with the cops at our back. One of these days, I’m going to kick your ass, Max,” Ice threatened.

  “Can you do it later? I have four fuckers after it now. X is pissed off I put a stop to his withdrawal.”

  Max leaned to the side of the desk, trying to find someone to shoot as the Bandits had all found hiding spots and were lying low. The constant blaring from the police outside was getting on his nerves.

  “I’m going to go outside and shove that bullhorn up his ass if he doesn’t shut up.” Max shot someone’s foot that was peeping out from behind an overturned bench.

  He smiled evilly when a loud scream filled the lobby.

  “He won’t be doing any running anytime soon.” Buzzard laughed, shooting at the bench.

  “Let’s get this shit-fest over.” Lifting his gun, Ice fired a round into the glass partition between Casey’s office and the one beside it. “Get ready. Stump, you go through there. You should be able to hit the one behind the teller’s desk. I’m going after X. Buzz, you take the one behind the bench. He might not be able to run, but he can still shoot.”

  “What do you want me to do?” Max asked.

  “I want you to get him out of here. The cops won’t shoot at you if you’re carrying one of their own.”

  “I’m not going to miss taking X out.”

  “Do what I tell you to do.” Ice’s sharp voice let Max know he didn’t want his orders questioned. “If he dies, the cops will have us all up on charges. None of us can carry him. He’s almost as big as you. Try not to get him shot on the way out.”

  “Then make fucking sure you watch my back.” Max crawled closer to the downed officer, readying himself.

  As Ice rose, preparing to rain hellfire at the Bandits, Max handed him his gun back. He wasn’t stupid enough to go outside with a gun in his hand, even with a cop hanging on his shoulder.

  “Go!” Ice yelled. “And break that fucking bullhorn.”

  Chapter 22

  Casey felt herself lifted off the floor and placed on a gurney. Her head turned to the side to see Jackal and Fade talking to a police officer. The EMT pushed the gurney through the vault door and out into the bank where the lobby and the surrounding offices had been destroyed. Casey tried to rise to her elbows to see the devastation.

  “Miss, you need to lie back. We’ll have you in the ambulance in a few minutes.”

  “I don’t want to go to the hospital. I’m fine. Where’s Max? Is he okay?” Her hoarse voice came out as a strangled whisper.

  “I’m here,” Max spoke from the head of the gurney.

  “What happened?” Casey couldn’t miss the coroner’s van as they loaded a body inside.

  “You don’t want us to take you to the hospital?” one EMT asked.

  “No, I told you I’m fine. I wasn’t hurt.” Casey managed to make her voice sound firmer.

  “At least let us check you out.”

  She suffered through being checked out, and they placed a small bandage on her cheek where the leader had struck her. There was an ugly bruise on the side of her neck, but they confirmed that she was fine.

  After she signed a release, Max helped her out of the ambulance. Casey opened the bottled water the EMT had given her, drinking it thirstily. It soothed the raw ache in her throat.

  “Don’t drink that so fast, or you’ll make yourself sick,” Max cautioned.

  “That’s better than Jackal trying to strangle me to death.” Casey saw the object of her anger strolling casually out of the bank.

  “He said you tried to open the door and let the Bandits in. How in the hell did you think you could save me when you would have had to get past four armed gunmen?”

  Max’s acerbic question didn’t deserve an answer; instead, she asked him to explain how they had gained their freedom.

  “Ice, Stump, and Buzzard came in through your window, and we managed to take out the robbers. Then Jack opened the vault so we could get you, Jackal, and Fade out.”

  “How did Jack… he doesn’t have the—”

  “He used Lonnie’s handprint. Of course, Lonnie wasn’t breathing, so he couldn’t object.”

  “Lonnie’s dead?”

  “As a doornail,” Max quipped in a good humor, despite being nearly killed.

  She wanted to hit him upside his head for nearly getting them killed by coming inside the bank and belligerently setting the leader off.

  “What happened to the rest of them?”

  “They’re just as dead. Come on, let’s get out of here.” Max led her to his bike.

  “I don’t need to give a statement?”

  “They have the tapes. They’re going to review them and call the witnesses in for questioning one at a time.”

  Casey climbed onto the back of Max’s bike, circling his waist. She laid her aching head on his back, grateful he was safe.

  He didn’t ride toward her apartment or his house; instead, she saw they were headed for the clubhouse.

  “Why did we come here?” she asked when he parked outside the door of the clubhouse and climbed off.

  “I need Gert to patch me up.” Max pointed to a bloodstain on his blue jean vest.

  “Oh, my God, why didn’t you let the EMTs do that? We need to go to the hospital.” She tried to tug him back toward his bike.

  “Forget it. Gert will take care of it, and it won’t cost me the deductible.”

  Left with no choice, Casey went into the clubhouse after him. She didn’t expect to find the members inside, having a party.

  “They’re partying after they were in a shootout?” Casey asked in dismay.

  “Fuck yeah. We don’t have to put up with the Bandits anymore, and we don’t have to worry about getting in trouble with the cops for killing them all.”

  Casey ground her teeth together. “We nearly all got killed.”

  “We didn’t, and that’s all that counts.”

  “I need a drink,” Casey muttered. “No, make that a valium, because I’m seriously thinking of killing you myself.”

  “The beer’s in the refrigerator behind the bar. The weed and other shit are in the wooden box under the counter. Knock yourself out. I’ll be back in a few,” Max said, striding off toward the older woman sitting on one of the chairs.

  Casey’s hands clenched into fists. Max would make anyone want to commit murder.

  Going behind the bar, she opened the refrigerator to get herself a beer. She opened it, taking a long drink as she weaved through the crowded club, following after Max and Gert who were going into his bathroom.

  She stood in the doorway, watching as Gert pulled out a first-aid kit from under his sink. Max pulled his vest and T-shirt off. Sitting down on the side of the tub, Gert cleaned the nasty looking wound as if she had done it many times. Whe
n she pulled out a vicious-looking needle, Casey swallowed in fear for Max.

  “Gimme that beer.” Max held out his hand for the beer in her hand, and Casey handed it to him. He needed it more than she did.

  The woman matter-of-factly strung a thread through the needle.

  “Is that sterile?” Casey asked before the woman could poke him.

  “Ain’t killed no one yet, have I, Max?”

  “Remember BoMar?” Max looked up at Gert.

  Casey’s face paled at Max’s reminder, making him laugh.

  “I’m just shittin’ you! Gert does a good job. She’s done more stitching up in her lifetime than any of the ER doctors.”

  “You want to do it?” Gert asked, poking the needle through Max’s skin.

  “God, no.” Casey shuddered.

  “Then quit worrying. This scratch isn’t even going to leave him a scar big enough to brag about.”

  Casey licked her dry lips, unable to keep herself from asking the burning question in her mind. “Are you the one who stitched up Jackal’s face?”

  “Yeah, but that was years ago. I’ve had more practice since then.”

  “You were drunk as shit that night.” Max laughed, finishing the beer.

  “That, too,” Gert admitted.

  She sprayed an antiseptic spray then placed a large square bandage to cover it.

  “Thanks, Gert.”

  “Try not to bust my stitches. It’s a pain in the ass when I have to re-stitch.”

  “I’ll be careful,” Max promised as they left the bathroom.

  Gert left the bedroom, closing the door behind her.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Casey asked as Max lay down on his bed.

  “Come here.”

  Casey gingerly lay down next to him, careful not to jar his shoulder.

  He rolled to his uninjured side, facing her, his hand going to the side of her neck. “Better?” His thumb brushed softly against the dark bruise.

  “Yes,” Casey whispered.

  Max pressed his mouth down on hers, and they lay together, softly exploring each other’s mouths.

  “I like kissing you.” Casey nibbled on his bottom lip.

  “I like fucking you better.”

  She shook her head. “We’ll hurt your shoulder.”

  “Sweet thing, the only thing hurting right now is my dick.”

  Casey’s hands unbuckled his belt, sliding the zipper downward. “I don’t want anything to hurt you.” She rose up, getting to her knees until she could bend over his large cock. Opening her mouth, she sucked him inside.

  “Fuck!” Max hissed between his teeth. “Give a guy some warning.”

  Casey took him as deep as she could before raising her head. She swung one of her legs over his so she was straddling him.

  “What would be the fun in that?” Casey licked down the length of his cock before flicking her tongue against his balls. Max grabbed the rails of his metal headboard, his knuckles white from the pressure of holding on so tightly.

  Casey licked back upward, taking the head of his cock back into her mouth. This time, she played with the metal balls, teasing them with her teeth. Max shuddered.

  “Sweet thing, never had a woman that sucked my dick like she was dying for it.”

  Casey straightened, taking off her blouse and throwing it toward the end of the bed.

  “A man can only take so much,” he said, reaching out to grasp her breast and pinching her nipple. “You’ve got a couple of seconds to get those slacks off, or I’ll rip them off for you.”

  Casey moved to the side, wiggling out of her dress pants. Then her thigh went back over his hip, pressing her pussy down onto his cock.

  “I love the way you feel inside me.” Casey’s breasts jiggled as she pressed herself down on him. She leaned forward, taking his nipple into her mouth.

  Max’s hand went to her hair as he lifted his hips. “You look like you could come just from putting my dick in you.”

  “Those balls are amazing…”

  “Which ones?” Max teased, using his hands to lift her from his chest. His mouth went to the bruise on her throat, placing soft kisses on the sensitive skin.

  “God… Do I have to pick?” Casey moaned, moving faster on him.

  Max brought his hands to her hips, jerking her down on him harder. Casey gave a startled scream as ecstasy flew through her, and Max’s stomach tightened as he shook out his climax.

  Casey carefully moved off him when she quit shaking.

  Max placed his hand on her stomach in possession. “Sweet thing…”

  The sound of his cell phone interrupted him.

  “What?” he grumbled into the phone then quieted as he listened to the person on the other side of the conversation. “Be there in fifteen.” Max disconnected the call, swinging his legs off the side of the bed.

  “Where are you going?” Casey asked, shoving a pillow under her head.

  “Ice and Jackal want me to pick them up from the police station. They’re finished giving their statements. The other brothers are too shit-faced to drive to pick them up. I’ll give my statement while I’m there. It’ll save me the trouble of going in tomorrow. Stay in bed, and I’ll wake you up and take you home when I get back.”

  “Okay.” Casey covered the yawn escaping her. Drowsily, she tried to stay awake while he dressed yet couldn’t keep her eyes open. She heard the door close behind him as she dozed off.

  * * *

  Casey woke feeling as if her throat was on fire. Stumbling out of bed, she went into the bathroom to clean up before getting redressed in her wrinkled clothes. She had to get something to drink. She would ask someone if they knew where she could find some Tylenol, having already searched Max’s bathroom for the pain reliever.

  The room was quiet. Several of the bikers had passed out on the available chairs, and one had even made a bed for himself on the couch.

  Casey tried to be quiet so she wouldn’t disturb them. Opening the refrigerator, she chose bottled water. She turned and bumped into a bare chest, and an arm went around her waist.

  “Where you going? Stay and keep me company.” The look in Lizard’s eyes brought dread to her stomach.

  Startled, Casey broke free. “No, thanks. I’ll wait for Max in his bedroom.” She moved toward the end of the counter but found her way blocked by Snake.

  “He’s not back yet, but he don’t mind sharing. Isn’t that right, Lizard?”

  “Yep, we all share the bitches.” Lizard picked her up, carrying her across the floor.

  Casey, more frightened now than when she had stood in the bank earlier today with a gun pointed at her head, began to fight in earnest.

  “What you fighting for? You give it up to Max. Hell, there isn’t a pussy in this clubhouse we haven’t shared with each other.”

  Casey tried to kick out at his stomach when he laid her back onto the pool table.

  “We’ve got a feisty one!” Lizard dodged her shoe, wedging himself between her thighs.

  “Come on, show us some tit.” The front of her blouse was torn open from her struggles.

  Stump woke up as she struggled. Sitting, he held his head in his hands.

  “What are you doing, Lizard, Snake?” Stump winced from the sound of his own voice.

  “Stop it!” Casey yelled. “Max will kill you if you touch me,” Casey threatened.

  The two men laughed. Even Stump leaned back on the couch, laughing while he held his head.

  “Max is the one who told us we could fuck you.” Lizard reached for her breast.

  Casey turned her head on the pool table, managing to grab the pool stick. Swinging it upward, she hit Lizard with the stick as hard as she could.

  “Get off me!” she screamed hysterically.

  The clubhouse door opened, and Max, Ice, and Jackal came in the door. Fade and the rest of the bikers came out of their rooms at Max’s bellow. Lizard stood, backing away from Casey as she practically threw herself off the pool table.

/>   “What happened?” Max took a step forward yet stepped back when Casey brandished the pool stick at him.

  “Lizard tried to force himself on me!”

  “I fucking did not! I was only playing around,” Lizard defended himself, taking a step farther away from her.

  “You liar. Why would I want you to touch me?” Casey turned from Lizard toward Max. “Lizard said you told them they could have me.” Casey saw the look in his eyes and knew Lizard hadn’t lied. “Oh… God. You bastard! Why?” she screamed at him.

  “Why wouldn’t he? You used him to steal from us. You would have fucked Stump that night if Max hadn’t stopped you,” Lizard gloated in her pale face. “He made you want him, didn’t he? No one fucks over a Predator. It was him that came up with the plan to make you beg for his dick then toss you to us when he was finished with you.” He grabbed his dick suggestively. “Don’t worry, slut, I’ve got enough to satisfy that cunt of yours.”

  “Shut up, Lizard! Your fucking dick will get fed to you in a minute if you don’t zip that hole closed,” Max threatened.

  Casey felt as if the world had stopped spinning on its axis. All the love she had been growing over the past months had been built on the illusion that Max had forgiven her. Instead, she had been a made a fool of in front of all the Predators.

  She felt them all staring at her. Humiliated, she covered her mouth with her hand, biting her lip so she couldn’t cry out at the pain tearing apart her heart.

  Max had been going to give her to the Predators in retribution for her deceit. He was going to shake her off like dust from his boots, leaving her to become a club whore.

  She took a step forward, placing one foot in front of the other.

  “Wait, please let me explain…” Max tried to touch her arm as she passed him.

  Casey ignored the wounded expression on his face, unaware that he had lowered his pride to reach out to her in front of the ruthless bikers.

  She raised the pool stick threateningly. “Stay away from me.”

  “It’s the middle of the night. At least let me take you home.”

  “Why do you care?” Casey laughed bitterly. “I can get myself home.” Steadily, she walked outside, letting the door close slowly behind her.

  * * *