Chapter Twelve
L egend
My phone vibrating across the nightstand jolts me awake. Being careful not to wake Brae sleeping beside me, I slide out from under her arm draped across my middle and grab it.
The screen is lit up with Viper's name.
"Yeah?" I answer, my voice rough with sleep.
"It's time," Viper's voice is low. "We're moving on Turner tonight."
My body tenses, instantly alert. "I'll be right there."
I end the call and take a deep breath.
This is it.
Beside me, Braelynn stirs. "Nico? What's wrong?"
I lean over and kiss her forehead. "Nothing, baby. Go back to sleep. I've got to take care of something with the club."
She blinks up at me, concern etched on her face. "Is it about Turner?"
I hesitate, not wanting to lie but also not wanting to involve her in what's about to happen. “Club business, baby.”
She sits up, fully awake now. "Be careful," she whispers, her hand on my arm.
"Always am,” I promise, giving her one last kiss before I slip out of bed.
I dress quickly in the dark, pulling on my cut last. As I head for the door, I glance back at Braelynn. She's sitting up in bed, watching me with worried eyes. I want to tell her everything will be okay, but I can't make promises I'm not sure I can keep.
Instead, I give her a nod and head out into the night.
The compound is quiet as I make my way to the clubhouse. There’s a nondescript white panel van parked in front of the door, a reminder of what we’re about to do. I push away the nerves as I step inside, finding Viper, Sparrow, Wrath, and Knox sitting at the bar waiting.
"You ready?” Viper asks, his eyes hard.
I nod. “Yeah.”
No going back now; we’re doing this.
Without another word, Viper climbs off his stool and heads for the door, the rest of us following him.
The ride to Turner's house gives me time to think about Braelynn and Ryder. How I’ll do whatever it takes to eliminate anyone who threatens the life we’re building.
"Remember, we need to be quick and quiet. In and out before anyone realizes what's happening,” Knox says as we near Turner's neighborhood.
We all nod in agreement. This isn't our first rodeo, but Turner’s 5-0, making the stakes even higher.
A block away from Turner’s house, Sparrow pulls the van, and we slip out, moving like shadows through the streets.
Turner's house is dark when we approach.
Knox makes quick work of the lock, and within seconds we're inside. As the door closes behind us, Wrath holds a finger up to his lips. I nod.
Wrath moves down the hall and pushes open the door at the end.
Inside, we find Turner in his bed, sleeping soundly.
It's almost too easy.
Knox moves with speed nobody would think him capable of, and before Turner can even register what's happening, Knox has his hands zipped behind his back and a gag shoved in his mouth.
"Rise and shine, asshole," Viper growls.
Turner's eyes are wide with fear and rage as he struggles against the bonds.
Seeing him like this, vulnerable and helpless, gives me a taste of satisfaction. It's a far cry from the smug bastard who's been threatening my family.
“Let’s go,” Wrath orders.
Moving quickly, we carry Turner out, finding Sparrow waiting in the drive with the van.
“You fucked with the wrong club, motherfucker,” Sparrow calls back from the driver’s seat.
When we reach the compound, we don't head for the clubhouse. Instead, we drive to the far edge of the property, a swampy patch of land that is home to Sparrow's gator.
When the man himself comes to a stop, Knox throws open the doors and drags Turner from the van. I see the moment he realizes what's about to happen. The fear in his eyes is telling, and for a split second, I almost feel sorry for him.
Almost.
We set up quickly, rigging the old boat motor and winch. Turner struggles harder now, his muffled screams barely audible over the sound of the swamp at night.
Viper steps forward, ripping the gag from Turner's mouth. "You should have left well enough alone," he says, his voice cold.
Turner's bravado returns in a rush. "You think you can get away with this? They'll come for you!” He looks to each of us. “All of you!"
I step forward, getting right in his face. “That’s where you’re fucking wrong. As far as anyone knows, you just couldn't handle the pressure anymore. Decided to take a long walk into the swamp. It happens."
The color drains from Turner's face as he realizes the full extent of exactly what’s happening here. "You can't do this," he pleads, his voice breaking. "I have a family."
"So do I," I growl. "And you threatened them. This is what happens when you fuck with our family."
Viper nods to Knox and Wrath, who lift Turner and secure him to the winch. Sparrow cranks the motor and the arm swings out over the water.
Turner's pleas turn to screams as he begs for mercy, but it’s too late for that.
I watch, my stomach turning slightly, when he's dropped into the water, followed by long moments of thrashing before everything goes silent. The ripples on the water's surface are the only evidence of what just happened.
“Now what?” I glance over at Viper.
"It's done," he says, shrugging his shoulders. "Now we move forward."
And just like that, the threat to my family is gone.
Stepping inside our temporary home, I hear the sound of Brae humming coming from down the hall. Following the sound of her voice to Ryder’s room, I lean against the doorway, watching as Braelynn gently lowers our son into his crib.
When she turns and sees me, I hate that there’s a frown on her face. "Hey," she whispers, walking over to me. “Everything okay?"
I nod, pulling her into my arms. She's here, she's safe. Her and Ry, that's the only thing that matters. "It is now."
She searches my face. "Is it... done?"
I nod again, not wanting to say any more. She doesn't need to know the details of what happened tonight; she doesn’t need that darkness touching her.
Her body relaxes against mine. "Good," she murmurs, standing on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my lips.
My hands land on her hips, and I deepen the kiss, needing to feel her, to remind myself of what I'm fighting for.
This right here, this is my world. She is my world.
Brae melts into me, her hands sliding up my chest. I growl into her mouth and when we finally break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. Fuck. I could stay like this forever. "Let's go to bed, baby,” I say, my voice rough with my need for her.
She nods, taking my hand and leading me to our room.
As soon as the door closes behind us, I pull her against me, my hands roaming her body. She moans softly, her head falling back as I trail kisses down her neck.
"I need you, Brae," I grunt, my cock already hard and pressing against her.
Her hands go to my belt, unbuckling it quickly. "I need you too," she says, her voice breathless.
I strip her clothes off, needing to feel her skin against mine. She does the same, her hands trembling slightly as she pushes my jeans down. I step out of them, kicking them aside before lifting her and carrying her to the bed.
Laying her down gently, her hair fans out around her. “You’re so fucking beautiful, baby.” And she's all mine.
I put a knee to the bed, and my baby spreads her legs wide, opening herself up to me. A growl slips past my lips as I settle between her legs.
“Nico,” she moans when I run my fingers through her wet pussy, groaning at how ready she is for me.
"You're so fucking wet, baby," I murmur, sliding a finger inside her.
She moans louder, her hips bucking against my hand. "Only for you," she says, her eyes locked on mine.
Fuck, those eyes. I could drown in them.
Taking my cock in my hand, I position myself at her entrance and push into her slowly, savoring the feel of her pussy wrapped tightly around me. Brae moans loudly, her nails digging into my back.
This is my heaven.
"Fuck, Brae," I grunt, my forehead resting against hers. "You feel so fucking good." I could stay like this forever, buried deep inside her.
She wraps her legs around me, pulling me deeper. "So do you," she pants, her eyes never leaving mine.
I start to move, my hips thrusting against hers. We fit together perfectly, like we were made for each other. I reach between us, finding her clit and rubbing it gently.
Brae cries out, her pussy clenching around me. She's close.
I grunt, my pace quickening as I chase her release.
"Come for me, baby," I say, my voice rough. "Let me feel you come all over my cock." I want to feel her come undone.
Her eyes close, her body tensing as her orgasm hits her. She cries out, her nails digging into my skin as her pussy convulses around me.
“Fuck, you’re so damn beautiful when you come.” The sight of her orgasm crashing over her sends me over the edge, and I grunt, my cock pulsing as I fill her with my release.
Bodies still joined and breaths coming in ragged gasps, I stay rooted to the spot. “Gonna knock you up again soon,” I growl.
“You’re nuts,” she laughs.
Maybe, but the caveman inside me needs to see her belly swollen with my baby growing inside her.
Rolling onto my back, I pull her with me so she's draped across my chest. She snuggles into me, her body warm and soft against mine.
"I love you, Nico," she murmurs, her voice soft and sleepy.
I tighten my arms around her, a sense of peace washing over me.
“Love you too, baby. More than anything."
Exhausted from the morning’s events, I close my eyes, welcoming the sleep creeping in. But before finally drifting off, a realization hits me.
There’s nothing I won’t do to protect my family.
The End.