19. Preacher
19
PREACHER
“H ow the hell did you let this happen?”
“I didn’t let anything happen,” Sergei argued. “I called her. I was going to tell her to get to the house, but she didn’t answer.”
“You didn’t think to call her back. Text her. Or send a guard after her.”
“I thought we had more time.”
“Well, that’s what you get for thinking.” I was struggling to keep my anger in check as I barked, “I thought we had an understanding.”
“We did, and I was working on it.” Sergei lowered his head and sighed. “Look, I’m just as upset about this as you are. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve seen my mother cry? Fuck. I want to rip that asshole in two for hurting her, but it’s not as simple as putting a bullet in his head.”
“I was thinking more like slitting his throat.”
“Doesn’t matter how you want to go about it. You can’t do it. Not without putting a target on our backs. I know you’re aware of the Volkov family ties. I don’t know what experience you have with the Russian mafia, but I can assure you, they don’t take kindly to you taking out one of their own.”
I didn’t say anything right away.
I couldn’t.
I was too fucking angry to speak.
My fists were clenched, and my jaw was locked so tight it hurt. Every part of me wanted to storm out that damn door and hunt Vasili down myself. I didn’t give a shit who his family was or what retaliation might come. He’d touched her, he’d put his hands around her throat like she was his to punish, and there was no way in hell I was going to let that fucking go.
But as much as I’d hated it, Sergei was right.
Retaliation would put them and the club in danger.
I couldn’t let that happen.
“I’ve had enough experience to know the kind of fire those bastards rain down when you cross ‘em,”I finally muttered.“Doesn’t mean I’m gonna let him walk away from this unscathed.”
“Agreed.” Sergei looked at me, calm and steady.“But if we aren’t careful, we won’t just be going up against Vasili. It will be the entire Volkov family and the entire Bratva.”
“Then, we do it in a way that won’t trace back.”
“And how the hell are we going to do that?”
I didn’t answer right away. My eyes drifted back to the door, and I thought about watching Tabitha walk out just minutes before. She was bruised, shaken, and yet, she was doing everything she could to keep it together for her boys. I could only image it was something she’d done for the better part of her life, and that thought alone was enough to make my blood boil.
“I don’t know. Not yet, but we’ll come up with something.” I stepped in closer as I snarled, “But if that bastard so much as breathes near her again, I’ll end him.”
“Understood.”
“There has to be something we can do to get Vasili out of the picture without bringing a war to our backyard. Get with your brothers. You boys see what you can come up with. I’ll get with mine and do the same.”
And with that, I walked out.
I was already turning over plans in my head as I started outside. By the time I was done with him, Vasili would wish he’d never stepped foot in Arkansas.
I didn’t go straight to Tabitha.
Not yet.
I needed a moment to collect myself, so I stepped out back and lit a smoke I didn’t need. I took a couple of drags, then pulled out my phone and called Shep. As soon as he answered, I told him, “You were right. He was here.”
“In Little Rock?”
“No, I mean literally. The asshole cornered Tabitha and had the fucking nerve to put his hands on her.”
“Damn. Is she okay?”
“Pretty rattled, but anyone would be after the stunt he pulled.”
“So, what are we gonna do about it?”
“I’m still trying to sort that out. I could really use your help with coming up with something.”
I took a moment to lay out the situation, making sure he understood the risk involved, and once I was done, I said, “I need you to find a way to bury this motherfucker without causing any blowback to us or Tabitha and her boys.”
“It’ll take me some time, but I’ll come up with something.”
“Appreciate it, brother.”
“Are you headed back?”
“Not yet. I’m going to check on Tabitha and make sure she’s okay, but if you come up with something or need me…”
“You’ll be the first to know.”
I ended the call and immediately called Goose.“Get with Shep. As soon as he has you a location for Vasili, I want you and Memphis on him.”
“How on him do you want us to be?”
“Track him, but don’t engage. I want to know every move he makes.”
“Copy that,”Goose answered.“You want him still breathing by the end of the night?”
“For now.”
Goose chuckled.“Noted.”
“This is important, Goose. Maybe the most important thing I’ve ever asked you to do.”
“Understood, Prez.” His tone was all business as he told me, “You can count on me.”
“I know. That’s why you’re the one I called.”
“Well, that has me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.”
I didn’t even respond. Hell, there was no way to respond other than to just hang up on the smart-ass, so that’s what I did. Seconds later, my phone chimed with a text message. Knowing it was him, I gritted my teeth as I pulled it out of my pocket.
Goose:
If it was anyone else, that might’ve hurt my feelings.
But don’t worry. I’m good, and I’ve got ya covered.
Without responding, I shoved my phone back in my pocket and started down the steps. My mind was still reeling, caught somewhere between the image of Vasili’s hand on Tabitha’s throat and the sick feeling in my gut that I hadn’t been there to stop it.
I silently cursed myself as I crossed the back lot. I’d always believed a man should lead with his head, not with his heart. But now mine was tied up in a woman I never saw coming, and I’d burn the whole goddamn world to protect her.
As I got closer, I could see Tabitha’s lights were on, and just knowing she was up there, alone, after what he did had my stomach in knots. I gave the guards a nod as I made my way up the steps.
I’d barely made it to the top when Tabitha opened the door, and she sounded relieved when she whispered, “You came.”
“Of course I did.” Her hair was still damp from her shower, and she was in loose-fitting pajamas. She’d done her best to cover it up, but I knew the bruises were there. “No way I was leaving without seeing you first.”
I stepped inside and closed the door before slipping my arm around her waist pulling her close. “You okay?”
“Better now. How about you?”
“I’ve been better.” I leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there.”
“Hudson, don’t. None of this is your fault.”
“But it is. You’re my girl. It’s my job to protect you and…”
“Your girl?” A smile slipped across her lips. “When did that happen?”
“The minute I saw you in that casino.”
“That soon?”
“Absolutely. Now that we have that covered, you have two choices.”
Her brow furrowed just slightly. I could tell she already knew what I was about to say. “Which are?”
“You can pack a bag and come stay with me at the clubhouse, or you can go up to the main house and stay with your boys. Either way, I’m not leaving you down here alone.”
“I can’t leave the horses.”
“Okay, I get it,” I said. “But you’re not staying down here alone. Not after this.”
“Okay, but…” She swallowed hard and looked away. “I don’t want to go just yet. I need some time. Just a few hours to breathe and feel safe. A few hours to just be with you.”
God help me, I wanted that, too. I needed it.
I stepped toward her and reached out, brushing my fingers gently against the edge of her jaw. She flinched, just the slightest bit, and it damn near shattered me. I dropped my hand and said, “Okay. A few hours, but then I have to get back to the clubhouse. We have to figure out what we’re going to do about Vasili.”
“I hate this so much.”
“I know, but you don’t have to worry. I’m going to handle Vasili. I won’t let him hurt you or your boys ever again.”
She didn’t say anything. She just stepped into me, pressing her face against my chest, arms winding tight around my waist like she was trying to hold herself together.
I wrapped her up in my arms, holding her tight.
After a few moments, she reached down, took my hand in hers, and led me to the bedroom. As soon as we reached the foot of the bed, she slipped off my cut and draped it over the dresser. Still silent, she reached for the hem of my shirt, and I bent forward as she eased it over my head. Her eyes were locked on mine as she said, “I wanted us to have this night together before…”
She tossed my shirt to the floor, then reached for her own and carefully lifted it over her head, exposing her perfectly round breasts. I dropped my hands to her waist, pulling her to me as I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her long and hard.
This wasn’t just any kiss.
It was a kiss filled with promise—a promise that I would be there for her in any way that she needed me to be. And not just now in this moment, but for the days to come.
It wasn’t long before we both started to lose ourselves in the moment. It happened every time we were close. I lowered my mouth to her neck and whispered, “No one has ever gotten to me like you do.”
I ran my lips from the curve of her jaw down to her shoulder. “ No one .”
Her hands slid up my arms as she inched closer, pressing her breasts against my chest. A flash of desire crossed her eyes as I grabbed the back of her neck and crashed my lips into hers, our tongues twisting and tasting each other with nothing but passion and desire. Her mouth was warm and soft, and each swirl of her tongue made the blood rush straight to my cock.
The feel of Tabitha’s body against mine sent me over the edge, and my hands suddenly became wild and impatient. I continued trailing kisses past her collarbone, and her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me towards her as I lowered my mouth to her breast.
Heavy breaths and low moans filled the room as I flicked my tongue against her nipple. Her head fell back, leaving no doubt that she liked having my mouth on her. With her eyes closed, she mumbled and moaned incoherently.
Goosebumps prickled across her skin as my fingers worked their way across her abdomen and through the waistband of her pajama pants. I slipped my hand between her legs, and her breath caught when I raked the tips of my fingers against her wet center. Damn, I loved how her body responded to my touch.
“You like that?”
Her only response was a strangled groan, so I continued teasing her.
Unable to contain herself, she rocked her hips forward, begging for more. I slid my fingertips inside her and had just started stroking her when she moaned, “Hudson.”
Hearing my name on Tabitha’s lips drove me wild, and as I brushed my thumb against her clit, she began to tremble. Knowing she was close, I worked two of my fingers deeper inside her, finding the spot that drove her crazy.
Her breath quickened, and her head fell back as her entire body tensed. She was close—so close. With the pad of my thumb on her clit, I increased the pressure enough to send her over the edge.
Seeing her come undone turned me on in ways I couldn’t describe. Unable to wait a moment longer, I withdrew my fingers and moved my hands to her waist, reaching for the drawstring of her pants. As soon as I gave it a tug, they dropped to the floor.
Equally as eager, Tabitha reached for mine, and in a matter of seconds, we were both completely undressed. The room stood silent as we each took a moment to gaze at one another, and the sight of her took my breath away. “So fucking beautiful.”
Without saying a word, she placed the palms of her hands on my chest and playfully pushed me back on the bed, then started towards me with a determined glint in her eye. She arched her brow, then positioned herself at my hips.
Her greedy eyes stayed fixed on my throbbing cock while her fingers wrapped around me, then her lips curled into a smile as she slowly stroked her hand up and down my shaft, gradually tightening her fingers around me. Her lips parted, and her tongue skirted over the head of my cock before she took me into her mouth. I’d never felt anything better.
My hands dropped to her head, tangling in her hair, as she opened her mouth wider, taking me deep. When I felt myself pressed against the back of her throat, a hiss slipped through my teeth, and before I could rebound, she quickened her pace, nearly sending me over the edge.
Tabitha’s warm, wet mouth was driving me nuts, but I wanted more.
I slipped my hands under her arms and pulled her forward. “I love your mouth, babe, but I want to be inside you when I come.”
I carefully lifted her by the hips as she straddled her legs across my body, then shifted a bit. A fevered hiss slipped through her lips as she slowly inched down, taking me deep inside. She was so fucking tight and warm and wet that I thought I’d explode right there on the spot. Tabitha felt like heaven, and I wanted to feel every sensation and savor every second.
A deep growl resonated through my chest as she quickened her pace, and even though it felt incredible, I needed more. Unable to control myself, I clutched Tabitha’s hips and guided her as she took me deeper and deeper.
Her hips gyrated and rocked against mine in a heated rhythm until she let out a tortured groan. With one last deep thrust, Tabitha’s body tensed as her breath stilled, and her head fell back. Her orgasm exploded as she clamped down around me.
“Fuck.” I tried to hold back, not wanting the pleasure to end, as I continued to pump into her. She jolted her hips forward, and that’s all it took to send me over the edge. My body jerked as I rode the wave of ecstasy and came deep inside her.
She was mine.
All mine.
I held on to her hips, holding her in place as I caught my breath. Still trembling, Tabitha collapsed on top of me, her heart beating wildly next to my own; neither of us moved as the aftershocks from our pleasure rolled over us. I ran my fingers through her hair as I told her, “My woman is one amazing lady.”
“Does that whole mine thing go both ways?”
“Hmmm?”
“If I’m yours, then you’re mine, right?” Her breath caught before she admitted, “I really hope you are because I love you, Hudson. I know it’s too soon, and I probably just…”
“Say it again.”
“I love you.” She gave me a slight shrug. “I love you more than I thought possible.”
“Fuck, I love you, too, babe.”
“Are you sure? Because I know I don’t make it easy.”
“I learned a long time ago that easy isn’t all it’s chopped up to be.” I leaned in and kissed her softly. “The love you have to work for, the one that’s a little harder to reach, is something else altogether. It’s one that’ll have you coming back for more. It’s worth fighting for, and I’d fight for you every chance I get.”