Chapter 5 Gage
AN HOUR EARLIER—
I didn’t lie when I told Letty on the night of the wedding that I’d be seeing her around, but I also didn’t confide that she wouldn’t have any real contact with me during those two years. For the most part, that held true. The clubhouse and the dance were the only two times I talked to her.
It’s been fucking torture. And now, after the long wait, I finally have permission to reappear in her life.
My right knee won’t stop bouncing as I tap my thigh, eager for church to end.
Storm has sent me a look several times as he’s noticed, and it’s distracted him.
Shit. I cross my arms over my chest and lean back, stretching out my legs under the table in the center of the room.
The club’s logo stretches across the surface, etched into the wood.
The same emblem I wear on the back of my cut.
The men gathered around this table are more than friends and club brothers.
They’re family. Only two are related to me by blood, my uncle Bear and my cousin Drew, but that didn’t matter in my world.
We’re brothers, bonded through our allegiance to the club and our way of life—a concept my father will never understand.
The only thing he recognizes is dollar signs.
It takes all my effort not to focus on my father’s mistakes, the danger he’s placed me, my brothers, Letty, and her mother in, and the shit storm we’re all caught up in because of it.
I tune in to Storm’s words, refusing to steal another glance at my phone to check the time. He’ll have my ass if I do, and nothing is stopping me from going to Letty’s graduation.
“Torque, Wolf, get your asses to that meeting. We need eyes and ears on that shit. Don’t get seen and cock it up.”
They nod, rising from the table to head out.
Blendcore Enterprises, my father’s multi-million-dollar company, merges corporations and smaller companies with hot-selling products, often dipping its toe into illegal ventures.
My father makes his money off other men and their ideas, whatever he can get his greedy hands on.
Lately, that includes weapons supplied by our enemies.
We need more intel before we go after Mifflin, and the only way to get it is by spying on meetings between our rival club and the mediator from Blendcore.
But it’s more than gobbling up smaller companies and taking them over, often downsizing to maximize profits.
It’s the powerful allies my father has made and the cutthroat tactics they use to get what they want.
I know we’re missing something. A connection that ties this all together, and it worries me that Letty and her mother, Cynthia, will become a casualty of my father’s ruthless business practices.
“You sure that dancer from Show’ N’ Tail got the info right?” Cash asks, flicking ash from his cigarette onto a tray. “Ain’t doubting your word, Pres. Just lookin’ out.”
Storm grunts. “Yeah, she’s good for it. No love for the fuckers at Blendcore. They bought out the company that owned her apartment building and had her evicted.”
Damn. “Fuck,” I curse, shaking my head. I hate hearing this shit. My father’s reputation is confirmed every time I learn something new and vile he’s done.
“This ain’t on you, Blaze,” Storm reminds me. “We’ve been over this shit.”
Yeah, I know. Doesn’t change how I feel. “I still don’t like it.”
Cash grips my shoulder, giving it a shake. “He’s his own man, just like you. Let it roll off.”
He’s right. I nod, giving Storm an anxious look. I don’t have the time to dally today. I’m already running late.
“Church is dismissed. Get the fuck out of here,” Storm orders. His gaze fixes on me as I stand. “Blaze,” he growls, not releasing me yet.
“Yeah, Pres?” I ask, anxious as fuck to get out the door.
“I know what these last two years cost you. It didn’t escape my notice.”
I dip my chin, acknowledging his words.
“Not been easy for you, son, but things are about to change. Keep Letty safe. Whatever, however.”
Wow. I slap my hand over my chest. “Thank you, Pres.”
“You understand why I had to do it, right?”
His order. The one that kept me from the girl I loved for two fucking years. The agony of it burned in my gut.
“I see you, Blaze. I fucking know it hurt, but she was sixteen. Fucking sixteen, and you were almost nineteen. Had to keep you clear of that shit.”
“I know.” I hated it. I would have been with her the whole time.
Would that have placed her in additional danger?
I can’t say. My protection never wavered.
From the moment I left that wedding, I kept an eye on Letty.
If I wasn’t around, I asked another prospect.
She never went without me or one of my guys. No one fucked with my girl.
And no one fucked my girl. I made sure of that.
“I hear you, Pres.”
Cash sighs. “The shit with her mom and your dad, it had to stay clear from both of you. It was necessary.”
“Yeah.” They aren’t wrong, but I wish I could have explained before I walked away. I left Letty with vague comments and a promise she didn’t understand.
And then, this morning, our rival threatened Mifflin and his family.
The Crimson Heretics felt cheated by Mifflin’s latest deal, pinching off a considerable percentage of their profits.
Pissed, their president sent two of his men, who gunned down Mifflin’s secretary and left him a package that included her severed hand and a warning: A photo of Cynthia and Letty splashed with blood.
How do we know?
Because Candy Cane, the stripper from Show’ N’ Tail, has a magical pussy that seems to keep Mifflin addicted.
He likes to talk to her, thinking she keeps his secrets.
She never has. Funny enough, Candy Cane has a thing for Storm.
Whatever he wants, she does. Only with Storm, she knows better than ever to try to betray him.
The meeting taking place today is Mifflin trying to smooth shit over with the Heretics. Storm thinks he’ll try to make another deal, and we need to know what it is. I don’t think guns and a little cash will be enough this time.
So, here I stand, waiting for permission to go to my girl.
Sure, a prospect arrived at the Summit Hill High stadium in case shit went down before I could arrive, but I fucking hated this separation.
I served my time. Letty was eighteen now and no longer in high school. Legal, available, and all mine.
“Pres,” I plead, willing to get on my knees and beg if needed.
He ticks his chin toward the door. “Go. You keep me informed. Got it?”
“Yeah, Pres!” I shout, running out of the goddamn door like my ass is on fire.
Just the idea of being close to Letty again, speaking to her, and breathing the same fucking air pulses a need in me so fucking deep that I don’t know how I’ll stay in control once I have a chance to touch her. The ride on my Harley takes only fifteen minutes, but it’s way too fucking long.
Because of church, I almost miss her fucking graduation. By the time I park my bike and run toward the stage, I hear her name called. I arrive in time to see her step onto the platform in the sexiest ivory heels, relieved to confirm she’s alive, unharmed, and fucking beautiful as ever.
“Leticia Marie Jacobs.”
Letty glides across the stage with a smile so fucking huge I clutch my chest to ensure my heart still beats inside it. A few of her closest friends, including Ava Michaels, scream her name. I’m so fucking proud of my girl.
I wait at the bottom of the stairs, knowing she has to exit from where I stand.
My hand reaches outward, palm side up, in expectation.
She doesn’t see me at first, but when we touch, she fucking feels the connection.
Her head snaps to the side, and her lips part.
Shock flitters over her delicate features.
That’s right, baby. I’m back.
Nothing will ever tear us apart again.
From the moment we touch, I can’t keep my hands off her, holding her hand because I need that contact.
I have to feel her warmth and breathe in her sweet, addictive scent.
I’ve gone too long without it. My thumb caresses her skin for the remainder of the graduation ceremony.
Even when she tries to pull away from me, I won’t let her.
Once it ends, we stand, and I release her as Cynthia congratulates her daughter.
My focus turns to the mother. Will she stay with Letty and out of trouble? Or will Mifflin pull her into his sordid affairs?
She slides her gaze across mine, meeting long enough for me to understand that she’s planning to leave.
Cynthia has hidden the shit with Mifflin from her daughter for two years.
She’s tried to protect Letty but has failed.
My father only cares about himself. Cynthia learned that lesson far too late.
There isn’t a soul he won’t sacrifice to stay at the top. That includes his wife, sons, and stepdaughter. The club is the only thing keeping them safe. Well, the club, and me.
Letty is upset with her mother’s departure, and I don’t blame her for feeling slighted. Cynthia should remain with Letty. It’s her fucking graduation night. But it’s okay because I’m going to make this a night Letty never forgets.
After we stop inside the school and the girls pack up their caps and gowns, we walk to the parking lot.
“You’re with me,” I announce to Letty. “Come on, beautiful. I’ll follow Ava.”
I lead her toward my Harley, reaching for the helmet to place it over her head.
Her eyes widen when she realizes my intentions. “You want me to ride a motorcycle in a dress?”
“I do.”
“And heels?” she emphasizes.
“Yeah.”
She stares, unmoving.
“Love, I know you can handle the ride.” I say it like that on purpose, flirting and hoping I can make her blush.
She arches a brow as she catches my meaning and pink blooms on her cheeks. “Ride your bike, you mean.”
“Not only my bike.” Why deny the truth?
“What if my skirt flies up and the whole city sees my panties?”
“Are you wearing any?” I need to clarify because if she’s not, I need to figure out how to keep her pretty pussy covered.
She gasps. “Gage!”
“What?”
“Of course, I’m wearing underwear!”
I chuckle at how loudly she proclaims it. “Get on the bike, beautiful.”
I watch her throw a slender leg over the seat in frustration, devouring every inch of skin she’s exposed.
Once she’s settled, I use my hands to tuck in the skirt all around her, ordering her to lift her ass as I smooth the material, and I’m glad it’s long enough to stay where I place it for the duration of the ride.
“What are your plans tonight?” I ask before we leave the lot.
“Parties.” She shrugs. “Probably a lot of them.”
Yeah, I figured. I did the same when I graduated, only instead of getting my dick wet, I spent the night wishing she was with me and getting drunk off my ass.
She won’t be drinking that much on my watch.
So far, the best part of the night is Letty pressing against me as we ride toward the restaurant.
Her hands clutch around my stomach, and there’s a wicked part of my brain hoping she’ll dip them a little lower and find the present I’ve got waiting for her.
I’ve been hard since I watched her take off her cap and gown, noting the backless dress she’s wearing.
And now, I have to share her with others.
The dinner is fucking boring. My attention keeps drifting to Letty’s toned, silky legs, and I can’t stop myself from gliding my fingertips across the exposed skin.
I slide my palm over one thigh, hiding my movements underneath the tablecloth.
We sat with our backs to the wall, pushed in close enough that no one would see unless they ducked under the table.
With slow, careful caresses, I rub circles over her bare flesh, kneading the soft skin. Her lips part, and a soft sigh escapes. She tries to pry my hand off, only to find I won’t budge.
She’s a temptation I couldn’t indulge in for so long that now I have no way to fight it. All the time apart increased my need and spiked my lust and desire to new heights. The denial sparks a possessive, obsessive drive that’ll only be tamed by making her mine. In every fucking way.
“Gage,” she whispers, trying to hold back the moan we can both see building inside her.
“Yeah, beautiful?” I ask, sliding my hand to the right, reaching the edge of her panties.
“You can’t,” she begins, gripping the arm of the chair when I slide a finger beneath the fabric, teasing the seam of her slit, daring to push through and find the proof of her arousal.
“I can,” I growl as I lean down, ensuring only she can hear me as I lower my voice.
The loud restaurant blocks us from being heard and ensures no one is paying attention.
“I need a taste.” Slicking my finger with her arousal, I gather up the moisture before I pull my hand free, lift it without brushing her skin, and pop the digit straight into my mouth, sucking on the finger as she stares.
Fuck me. She’s more exquisite than I remember.
Her pupils blow wide. Lust darkens the shade of blue in her eyes until I stare into sparkling sapphires. They’re so bottomless I could drown inside them. So fucking gorgeous. I need to wake up every fucking day to those pretty eyes and that tempting mouth.
“So fucking good,” I tell her, swirling my tongue before pulling my finger from my mouth, lowering my hand, subtly making my way across her inner thigh.
This time, she opens wider, letting me have better access.
“So impatient,” I murmur, kissing the pulse point below her ear. “Do you think they’ll notice when I make you come?”
She gasps, snapping from her lust-filled fog. “Gage.”
“The taste of you, beautiful. It’s burned into my brain. I can’t function without it.”
Her legs close so fast I nearly growl. “And yet you stayed away.”
She shoves my hand to the side, and I let her.
“This conversation isn’t over, baby.” I sit back, pick up my drink, and drain the cup.
“What if I say it is?”
Oh, beautiful, this isn’t a game, but if you want to play, I’ll win.
I capture her hand, drag it above the table, and press my lips to the surface, stroking once with my tongue, just to remind her who she belongs to. “Challenge accepted.”
Letty successfully tugs her hand from mine, but not before I catch the hunger she tries to hide.
Tonight, one way or another, we’re hashing this mess out, preferably with my tongue or lips on every inch of her skin.
If I make her come in the process, it’s just an added bonus.