Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
MALICE
We wait to hear from the waitress, but the text never comes.
“We need to take the fight to them. You didn’t hear how terrified she was, Chaos.
And she’s just one person. Autumn Bay is a small town, just like Amberwood, and they’re running it into the ground, controlling everyone by terrorizing the people who live there.
You heard that prospect, they aren’t feeding their men!
What do you think they’re doing to the women?
We can’t just stand by knowing what we know now. ”
“No offense, Wrath, you’re a good man, but I’ve never seen you feel so strongly before. You know what you’re asking goes deeper than just retribution for Rolo’s murder. Going after another club, whether they deserve it or not, is a big deal. And we’ve taken hit after hit for too long now.”
“You didn’t see the fear in her eyes.”
Chaos’ eyes flick to Saige, and we all know he’s imagining the fear of someone getting ahold of her and doing the unthinkable.
Not that she wouldn’t probably take out a dozen or so men before it ever got that far, but most women aren’t like Saige.
She’s the exception, not the rule. Which is why I want to teach Monroe how to use her new knife. As soon as I give it to her.
“We don’t have anything solid to go off of, Wrath.
Get me more concrete information. Where’s their compound?
How many men? Weapons? Who are they aligned with?
You and Sin work on getting it together, and then we’ll talk.
We all want vengeance for Rolo’s murder, but not at the risk of your lives.
Not like this. We do it smart, just like we always have.
” With those final parting words, Chaos storms off in the direction of his room, Saige hot on his heels.
Wrath looks down at his burner phone, and I can see his frustration. Hell, I feel it, too. The desire for vengeance is a living, breathing thing that isn’t easily sated. I know that just as much as anyone here.
“Good news is that we’ve at least got a solid lead,” I tell him, giving him a pat on the back. He shrugs me off.
“And if we don’t hear from her brother? Saint?”
“We find a different way, just as we always do. You get a legal name?”
“Just her first name. She wouldn’t tell me more than she did, and I didn’t want to press.
How can anyone hurt an innocent woman?” Wrath asks, running his hands uncharacteristically through his dark hair.
I play with my barbell between my teeth, trying to think of how to answer his question.
I crave death. I enjoy inflicting pain on others.
But I’ve never felt the desire to harm someone innocent.
Call me a psycho. Call me unhinged. But I have a moral code.
Just like every man here. I know what it takes to do what I do, how I feel, and I can’t imagine the type of person who is able to inflict pain on someone innocent, especially a woman.
“I don’t know how to answer that, but I do know I look forward to the day I can teach them a lesson.”
“You and me both, brother.”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out, seeing the little pink pixie bubble moving around. Looks like it’s time for me to go pluck my goddess from her garden.
“I’m heading out, you good here?” I ask Wrath.
“Yeah. I’m gonna tap into some contacts I’ve got, work with Sin on getting this shit figured out. Tracker on?”
“Tracker off.”
“Mal. You can’t stalk her.”
“I can and I will. Now, good day, sir.”
I head out the door before Chaos can catch me and order me back inside. Not that I’d listen. I’ve been juggling my duties as the club’s sergeant at arms plus Monroe just fine. Better than fine.
The summer sun was blazing today, but as it begins to set, it’s slowly starting to cool off.
If I can get to Monroe on time, I know exactly where I want to take her.
My bike rumbles to life under me, the heavy weight of it in my grip grounding me as I take off down the long strip of gravel road.
The sentries open the gates, and then I’m gone, my tires spinning on the pavement as I peel out.
I race to get to her, going faster than I should, but wanting to chase the sunset with her.
Once I’m in downtown Amberwood, I find Monroe walking up the road in the direction of her house. I’ve yet to see her drive to work. She can’t possibly like walking that much. Can she? I slow my bike to a crawl, sidling up next to her, my heart pounding mercilessly behind my ribs.
She stops for a moment, turning to face me, her entire face lit up like I hung the fucking moon.
No one’s ever looked at me like this before.
My heart squeezes behind my ribs, my body practically melting.
Fuck, she’s so beautiful. Like the sun and the stars, everything that is bright and good. I don’t deserve her.
Her hair is down, framing a delicate face, and she’s wearing a plain dark blue summer dress with thin straps. Her bare legs are on full display, looking so lean and gorgeous in the wedged sandals she has on. My mouth waters as my eyes roam every inch.
“Crew.”
“Pixie,” I reply as I meet her crystal-blue eyes. “You look beautiful today.”
“Did I not yesterday?” she says as she starts to walk away.
My mouth falls open slightly, shocked by her quip. She’s witty. “You look beautiful every day, but I didn’t have the balls to tell you yesterday. I’m a coward when it comes to you; now you know my secret.” I stay seated on my bike, walking it forward to stay next to her.
To an onlooker, it must look alarming, a tattooed biker following the pretty, unsuspecting girl up the road. I wonder what they’d think if they knew I watched her while she works and sleeps.
“And you suddenly have the balls today, huh?” She playfully turns around to walk backward, her hands clasped behind her, looking so innocent and sweet. If she were only aware of the havoc she wreaks on my heart and mind, she’d understand just how not-so innocent she is.
“Have you ever been on a motorcycle, Monroe?” She looks over the bike, her eyes sparkling.
“Never.”
“Let me take you for a ride.”
“A ride?”
“Let me be your first.” I hold out my hand in offering, nerves filling my stomach. I don’t get nervous. Not until Monroe. My eyes meet hers, and I wonder what she sees.
A Monster. A Criminal. An Outlaw.
But when her soft skin meets mine, my eyes shutter closed. I’ve felt pleasure before. In all different forms. Nothing has ever felt as good as Monroe’s skin on my own.
I gently guide her forward, realizing I’ve never done this before. Never had a woman on the back of my bike. Never been on a date. Never tried to get anyone to fall in love with me.
I remind myself I’ve ridden this bike a million times, it’s the same machine I built myself, same steady heartbeat I’ve trusted for years, just with the added pressure of carrying something so fragile. So precious and important.
“I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She looks hesitant, unsure, and I wish I knew what I could say to make her feel comfortable. I’m not good with words. Touch, I can do. Words, not so much.
Be yourself.
Sliding my free hand around her waist, I pull her until she’s mere inches away from my bike, my fingers rubbing soft circles at her back. We’re eye to eye at this level, and I love being able to look at her pretty, freckled face.
“I promise I’ll keep you safe. Swing your leg over behind me, don’t touch this exhaust. We’ll go slow.” Especially because I don’t have a helmet for her, and that scares the shit out of me.
To my surprise, Monroe squeezes my hand, stepping out of my hold and pulling up her dress high on her thighs. My cock responds immediately, thickening behind my jeans. Yep. She’s ours, buddy. Hopefully soon.
Monroe’s legs frame mine hesitantly, like she isn’t sure if she’s allowed to touch me or be this close.
Fuck that shit. I steady the bike easily with my legs and feet on the ground while I grab Monroe’s thighs, pulling her flush against my back, the warmth of her bare skin seeping into me through the fabric of my jeans.
Fuck clothes. Fuck these barriers keeping me from feeling more of her skin on mine.
Then I wrap her arms around my waist over my leather cut. Like usual, I don’t have on a T-shirt, so her delicate fingers splay out across my bare stomach.
My muscles contract, my eyes rolling to the back of my head at the contact.
She feels so fucking good. “Feet on the pegs, hang on tight, and lean with me. I’ve got you,” I tell her, trying to keep my voice easy to mask how fucking nervous I am, like I’m not hyper-aware of every inch of her touching me, or the magnitude of having her on the back of my bike.
This spot is sacred. Reserved only for a biker’s old lady.
I wish she understood how much this means to me, but I guess I’ll just have to show her.
Monroe nods her head.
“Words, pixie.”
Her face beams with a smile before she bites her bottom lip.
“Got it. I’m ready.” She squeezes me around the waist, and then I’m giving the throttle a little juice, pushing us forward.
Monroe gasps as we take off, her nails biting into my skin, body tightening around me.
Her cheek rests against my cut between my shoulder blades, and the heavy pants of her breath can be felt through the leather.
I pull us out onto Main Street with one location in mind, the best place to watch the sunset in Amberwood. Lookout Lake.
I keep it slow, slower than I’ve ever ridden before, leaning easy into each turn, guiding her movements with mine.
She responds naturally, her arms locked around me like she’s afraid to let go and trusts me enough to keep her safe.
The wind slices past us, humming in my ears as the town fades behind us, replaced by the wide-open road, large trees, and mountains.