I just have to.
I didn’t do anything the first time, and it nearly got us killed. I won’t risk that again.
“Yeah, I remember you. Baylee, right?”
I nod, smiling. “This is my sister, Rae.”
Rae has her arms crossed, and just glares at the biker at the gate. He shrugs her off and opens it, letting us in.
“Thank you,” I say to him, moving towards the clubhouse.
“He’s in the shed,” he calls after me.
I shift to the left and move towards the shed, where I can already hear laughter flowing out.
“Wait here,” I say to Rae.
She glares at me. “As if I was going to fucking go in.”
“Don’t speak to me like that,” I growl at her. “I’m here to get protection for both of us. If you’d rather find some on your own, then you can exit the gate the same damned way you came in.”
Her mouth drops open, but I don’t give her a chance to respond, I push the shed door open and step inside. Maddox, Krypt, Mack, and Tyke are all sitting around a table and stop when I come in. Dammit. I was hoping Mack wouldn’t be around, because I didn’t want to have to ask for his help, and then ask him not to tell his own son.
“Hi,” I say lamely, waving.
“Baylee,” Mack says. “What brings you here?”
“Ah,” I murmur nervously. “I just wanted to talk to Maddox, actually.”
Mack gives me a suspicious look, but Maddox stands, cutting him off with a kind, “What can I do for ya, darlin’?”
“Would you mind if we spoke outside?”
He nods, his eyes narrowing with concern. He follows me outside when I turn and exit the shed, horrified with myself that I’ve even had to come in here and ask for their help. Worse, that I had to single out Maddox, when, really, I wanted to tell them all—mostly Mack.
“Everything okay?” Maddox asks me the second the shed door has closed.
His eyes scan over to Rae, who is bitching on the phone a few meters away, rubbing her massive pregnant belly. His brows shoot up, and he mutters, “That your sister?”
“That’s ... she’s my responsibility right now, yes.”
“Mmmm,” he murmurs, then focuses back on me. “You going to tell me why you came here?”
I swallow and meet his gaze. “It’s somewhat of a story.”
He crosses his big arms. “I have time, talk to me.”
I tell him about York, from start to finish. I cut it short, where I can, not wanting to drag it on. I don’t go into detail about the attacks, just that he was extremely abusive to both Rae and myself, and that we had to run to protect ourselves. Then, I tell him how York contacted Rae, and how I was concerned for our safety.
“This fucker been to your house?” Maddox grinds out between clenched teeth when I’m done.
“No, not that I know of, but he’s obviously tracked down Rae’s number. Which may be nothing, considering she’s probably been contacting old dealers in some pathetic attempt to get drugs. I didn’t have her name changed, because I wasn’t her legal guardian and couldn’t, but she’s not left the house until recently so I thought she’d be safe. She had no credit cards, or things like that. So I think he may have just located it through dealers, however, I have been getting calls from a private number. Though, whoever is on the other line hasn’t been saying anything.”
“Tell me,” he says, scanning my face, “do you think you’re in danger?”
I go to shrug, but he cuts me off with a sharp but polite, “What is your gut tellin’ you, Baylee? The truth, please.”
“Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, I think I’m in danger.”
He nods. “I’ll put a watch on your house. I’ll have a guy there constantly. I have one condition for my help, though.”
I swallow.
Right now, I don’t feel like I’m going to get much choice when it comes to my protection, so I figure I’ll have to do whatever he says, because, honestly, the idea of York finding me terrifies me so much I’m willing to do just about anything to make sure we stay safe.
“Okay,” I say wearily.
“You will give me his full name.”
My eyes shoot to his. “Maddox ...”
“No man—” he leans in close, his body massive and terrifying. “No. Fucking. Man, should ever walk this earth after abusing a person, especially, a female.”
“I know, but ...”
“Have you got some sort of attachment to this man? Kids? Love?”
I shake my head, horrified. “No.”
“Then you will not concern yourself with what happens to him. Nor will you think about it. All you need to know is I deal with people like this all the time. Now, what’s his full name?”
I hesitate.
I’m not stupid.
I know what a “deal” with him, means.
Do I care? Does it honestly bother me to know that these bikers will rid the world of the scum that is York? My heart clenches. No. It doesn’t bother me for him, or even Rae, but can I live with that? Can I live with knowing a life was ended because of me? Even if it was well deserved?
“You’re thinking about it. Look at me.”
My eyes swing back to his, and I swear, those blue depths are on fire with rage. I know that rage isn’t directed at me but at York. That terrifies me. I can only imagine the pain that will be inflicted on him if Maddox gets hold of him.
“This isn’t on you,” Maddox says, his voice low. “You do not live with guilt. You do not live thinkin’ that you’re less of a person. You do not take that on. Because people like him, they do not deserve to continue. You know it. I know it. I will not stand for it. I’d do it for any woman in my life and any woman outside of it. Now, are you honestly going to stand there and tell me you’d rather let this monster continue, only to do what he did to you to someone else?”
That is like a slap to the face, and a knife to the heart.
No.
No. I do not want to ever, even for a single second, think of him doing that to someone else.
“No,” I whisper. “No, I am not going to stand there and tell you that.”
His eyes soften slightly. “Then you’ll let me do what I have to. I will make sure you’re protected. I’ll send someone over later to have your locks changed and your security checked on. When you work, you’ll flick me a text message, and I’ll make sure someone is escorting you there and back. All I need from you is for you to change your number and your sister’s number. In fact, take her damned phone; it’s not worth the risk to your lives.”
I drop my head, guilt swarming my chest.
Not for York, but because Maddox is going to be taking these members away from their free time, their families, just to look after me.
“Eyes, Baylee.”
I look up at him again.
“This is what we do. Do not stress yourself over it. Yeah?”
I swallow, but I nod. “Thank you, Maddox. I’m so sorry to have come here.”
“Rather you came here then try and deal with this on your own. Last question, does Jack know?”
I shake my head.
“Keep it that way, for now. He’ll go off, he’ll get hot under the collar, and he could get himself into trouble.”
“That’s not what I want.”
Maddox shakes his head. “No, it isn’t. I’ll inform the other members to keep it on the low down.”
I rub my arms. “Thank you again.”
He places a big hand on my shoulder. “Always.”
I was wrong about these guys.
They’re not bad people.
No.
They’re the damned best kind.
CHAPTER 25
NOW – BAYLEE
J – Hey sleepyhead. You still awake?
I smile, rubbing my eyes and glancing at my phone. I sent Jack a message a few hours ago just after midnight telling him I missed him. He must have woken up and saw it because it’s only just past two now.
B – Hey you.
J – What are you doing not sleeping?
B – I couldn’t. I’m sorry if I woke you.
J – Nah, you didn’t. I woke up and saw your message, thought I’d see if you were still up.
B – I am.
J – Good. Open your front door. I’ll be there in ten.
My heart flutters.
B – Okay.
I slide out of bed and walk out into the living area and over to the front door. I unlock it, hesitating, but then realize someone is out there watching. Will Jack see that person? No. I don’t think so. Wherever they are, they’re well hidden. Even I can’t see them when I come and go, but I know they’re there. I know it.
I move towards the bathroom while I wait, brushing my teeth, running my fingers through my hair, and pulling on a pair of cotton shorts. By the time I’m done, Jack has arrived. The low rumble of his truck alerts me to that fact. With a nervous but thrilled smile, I walk back out just as he steps through the front door.
He looks incredible—sleepy, but incredible. His hair is still messy from sliding out of bed, and he’s wearing a tight black tank that defines his biceps in a way that has my legs clenching together. His eyes swing to me, drop slowly down my body, and then a smile creeps across his face. A pleased smile.
“There is nothing better than a woman who wakes up looking as good as you look right now.”
I flush.
He turns, locking the door, then he walks forward, catching me in his arms and pulling me close. I step into him, pressing my cheek to his chest and breathing him in. He smells incredible. He’s so warm, and it feels amazing to be wrapped in his arms. I’ve decided it’s the only place I feel safe right now. And I do. With him surrounding me, I feel as though nothing could touch me.
And I think I’d be right.
“Take me to bed,” he murmurs, lips against my hair.
I step back, taking his hand and leading him down the hall to my bedroom. Locking the door behind us, I keep hold of his hand as I lead him to the bed. He stops at the foot of it, letting his eyes sweep over me once more before he says in a low voice, “Much as I love that outfit, baby, you’re going to have to take it off.”
My cheeks get warm and my fingers tremble as I reach for my shirt.
“Ah-ah,” he says in a raspy tone. “I said take it off, I never said you had to.”
“Oh,” I squeak.
He steps closer, running his hands down my body until he reaches the hem of my shirt. He curls his fingers around it and pulls it up slowly, inch by inch, his hands grazing my bare skin as he moves. Once he’s gotten it off, he tosses it to the side before removing his. Then he reaches for my cotton shorts. My heart is pounding by this point because I’m naked from the hips up, and I’m still a little nervous about that.
“Breathe,” he says gently, lowering my shorts and himself as he goes.
I squirm as he slowly drags them down my legs. When he reaches my feet, I lift each to let him discard them. I wait for him to stand up, but he doesn’t. No, his fingers graze up my legs, over my thighs, and around to my bottom. He kneads gently, making my core erupt with fire. Looking up at me, his eyes grow lusty.
“Spread your legs apart a little.”
I swallow but do as he asks. I shuffle until my feet are further apart. Cool air tickles me between my thighs, and I bite by bottom lip. Being this exposed ... it scares me, but it makes me feel exhilarated at the same time. Jack drags his eyes from my face, to my sex, and then, curling his hands around my thighs, he leans forward and presses his mouth right there.
I gasp, hands flying out to reach for something, but nothing is there for me to take hold of, so I reach up and tangle them in my hair. Jack’s tongue does delicious things to me, sweeping up and down my sex, focusing on that sensitive bundle of nerves before dipping lower and then moving back up again. Over and over. He drives me insane, fingers clutching my thighs, mouth devouring me.
“Jack,” I gasp, head dropped back, fingers clutching my hair so tightly it burns. “Oh, God. I’m going to come.”
Jack slides an arm around my hips just as I explode against him, knees going weak. He’s holding me up, because I know—oh, I know—I’d fall if he didn’t. The orgasm is slow, yet it spreads through me like liquid fire. I cry out his name, I moan, I whimper, until all the shudders have been ripped from my body. Only then does Jack release me.
He gets to his feet, discarding his shorts and lifting me into his arms, bringing us both down onto the bed. His body falls over mine, and his mouth slams against my lips. I can taste myself. It’s erotic. I love it. I kiss him deeply, tangling my fingers into his hair, grinding my body against his. I’m ready for more. So much more. So is he—I can feel him throbbing against me.
Wrapping his arms around me, he rolls us until my body is positioned over his. I stare down at him, shifting so I’m straddling him. I never enjoyed doing it like his before, always finding the man below me tended to force my hand, making me move faster than I wanted or harder than I was ready for, and it hurt more often than not.
“Ride me however feels best for you,” Jack says, his voice husky.
It’s as if he can read my mind sometimes.
Gently lifting myself to my knees, I take him in my hand and guide him to my entrance before slowly sinking down. I’m wet, but even with that, the familiar burn engulfs my body as I lower myself until he’s fully sheathed. For a second, I sit there, letting my body adjust around him, and only then do I start moving. For the first few beats, I hesitate, glancing at his face, watching his expression, but all I see in his eyes is pleasure.
“God,” he growls. “You feel so fucking good.”
Feeling a little more confident, I rotate my hips in a deeper circle. With every groan of pleasure from Jack, my own pleasure increases. I begin trying different things, until I find a slow rotation that lights that familiar fire inside me. Gasping, I place my hands on my thighs and keep going, arching back, moving a little quicker. Jack’s hands join mine on my hips, and together, we move, his hips occasionally thrusting upward and sending a bolt of pleasure through me.
“I’m going to,” I gasp. “Oh. Jack.”
I explode with a whimper and a gasp. My body tightens and then unravels in the most incredible way. Jack makes a pleased sound in his throat, and I keep moving, keeping the pace, even though every stroke now sends a sensitive shot of pleasure right to my core. A few more minutes later, Jack’s fingers tighten around me and he rasps out a, “Fuck,” before making that sound I know I’m going to learn to love deep down in his throat.
The sound of his release. The sound of pleasure.
There is nothing better.
When we’ve both come down from an incredible high, I roll off and turn into his open, waiting arms. He tucks me into him, and God, he smells incredible.
“You’re amazing,” he breathes, his voice low and sexy.
“So are you,” I whisper. “I’m so glad I met you, Jack.”
His fingers glide through my hair. “Not as glad as I am.”
I smile.
This feels so incredibly right.
So. Incredibly. Right.
~*~*~*~
Rubbing my eyes, I step into my apartment after my shift. I’m exhausted. It was a long, draining, busy night at work. Closing the front door behind me, I flick on the light. Rae is nowhere to be seen. She’s been sleeping a good deal these days, her pregnancy finally weighing her down enough to keep her addiction mostly under wraps. She barely has the energy to go hunting for a fix.
Her moods still swing up and down, though.
And there are days I know she’s suffering. I believe she’s still getting drugs from a source, but I can’t seem to find who that is no matter how hard I try to investigate. I’ve tried to talk to her. Tried to explain the dangers of what she’s doing to her body and to her baby, but talking to Rae is liking talking to a wall.
So, I’ve done the only thing I can think of, I’ve
kept her in as much as I can, knowing she doesn’t have the energy to gallivant around on her own.
I move into the kitchen, placing my things down and flicking on the coffee maker. Strangely enough, having a cup before bed actually helps me sleep. I’m starting to wonder about the benefits of coffee. While I wait for it, I go down the hall and into my bedroom to kick off my shoes.
The moment I step in, I know something is wrong.
I guess years of living in fear and waiting for the penny to drop constantly gives a person a strong sense of feeling when something isn’t right. And right now, in my room, something isn’t right. With trembling hands, I do a quick once over. I can’t see anything that stands out, it doesn’t seem anyone is in here, but the feeling doesn’t ease.
Hesitantly, I move towards the closet, peering inside.
It’s empty.
I let my eyes scan over everything once more, only this time, from a different angle, I see it. A piece of folded paper slipped underneath my lamp. With a pounding heart I can feel in my head, I move to it, taking it out with trembling fingers. I unfold the note, and what I read has my blood running cold.
You didn’t think you could hide from me, did you, Maddie? Guess what? I found you.
No.
No.
My eyes dart around the room again, and then I turn and run out, calling, “Rae!”
I reach her room, shoving the door open. She’s asleep in her bed, hands tucked beneath her face. I rush over to her, staring down at the rise and fall of her chest. She’s okay. She’s okay. She’s okay.
Which means he came in here, and he left her be.
It’s me he wants.
Panic grips my chest, and I run out to the kitchen, fumbling around for the phone. Terror, so familiar, settles in my chest. Is he still in my house? Oh, God. How did he get in? How did he find us? Tears burn under my eyelids, and I can’t breathe as I dial Maddox’s number. He answers on the second ring.
“What’s wrong?”