Chapter 19
NINETEEN
MCKENNA
“I’m bored of just sitting around here,” I huff my complaint, looking over to where Heat’s working on his bike.
Thankfully, we were outside, and I wasn’t stuck behind the doors.
The last two days, that’s exactly where I’ve been, and it was not fun. Well, it was in some ways, but neither Heat nor I could stay cooped up for that long without substance.
I did get to enjoy giving him a lap dance, and he installed a pole in his room, after moving his desk out.
He wanted to be able to have private shows from me.
I’ve definitely enjoyed dancing for him.
It’s way more fun than being on stage in front of a bunch of strangers.
Even better, it was interesting to do this for Heat, especially when he was done watching and decided to fuck me while I held on to the pole.
He took stripping for him to a whole new level.
“You get bored a lot, baby,” he says, having learned that I’m not one for not doing anything. I always like doing something. Anything. It didn’t matter if it was cleaning or running errands. I liked to stay moving. That is, unless I’m asleep.
“Is that an issue for you?” I ask with a whole lot of sass in my voice.
“Trouble, last time you told me you were bored and wanted to do something, I ended up at a farmers market and the fuckin’ fair,” he points out with a grunt while turning the wrench, tightening something on his bike.
“What is it you’re doing anyway?” I move in behind him and press myself against his back to get a better look for myself—that and to tease him a little.
“Trying to get this bike finished up.”
Well, that’s kind of obvious. I think, but don’t say the words.
“That doesn’t tell me what you’re doing, though,” I murmur, pressing myself deeper into him.
“Baby, you keep pressing those tits against my back, and you’ll find yourself flat on your back while I fuck you out here in the open for anyone to see.”
I shiver at the mention of him screwing me where anyone could see.
I might strip out of my clothes for a living, but I wasn’t one for voyeurism.
Strange for me not to be considering what I’d done with Heat and Brimstone.
Still, I don’t think I want the rest of Heat’s brothers to see me naked.
Or them watching me while I was in the throes of pure bliss at the hands of this man.
“I know you love taking my cock, Trouble, but I’m not willing to let my brothers see your beautiful body. However, if you don’t move back, baby, it doesn’t mean I won’t do it.” Another shiver rushes through me at the deep, gravelly tone in his voice.
“Fine,” I huff, doing my best to alleviate my sexual frustration. Stepping back from him, I plop down on the ground and scoot in to watch him. “Why are you working on this bike?”
I didn’t understand why he was working on this one. It wasn’t the same bike as the one I’ve seen him ride. I didn’t even know if it was his.
“This is the first bike I ever bought. I don’t ride it often, but I do ride it. I want to take you out on it. So, I needed to make sure the clutch was changed out beforehand.”
“This was your first bike?” I whisper, looking at the motorcycle in a different light.
Heat sharing this with me means something.
I’ve learned quite a bit in the past week.
He doesn’t share something if he doesn’t want to.
Heat also means what he says when he says it.
He’s not one for bullshitting around. It’s not his style.
The man is also overly protective. Not just of me, but everyone around him.
I find the more I learn about him, the more I love. There’s so much to Heat that people don’t see, or if they do, they overlook. I’m sure his brothers see it and respect this about him, but it’s different. They don’t see the sides of him I get to.
“Yeah, bought it when I was fifteen. Saved up to get it. My mom, badass as she is, made sure I knew if I wanted something, I worked for it. That’s what I did. Bought this thing from a junkyard. Took nearly six months after to get it working with all the parts I had to switch out and get in.”
“Who taught you how to fix bikes?”
Heat puts the wrench down and twists to face me, our eyes meeting. “My pops taught me.”
“Your pops?” Does he mean Dad or Granddad?
“My dad,” he clarifies for me. “He used to be a part of the club, he died when I was fifteen. Couldn’t be saved.”
“I’m sorry, Rankin,” I whisper, reaching out to touch him. “I know what it’s like to lose a parent. I lost both of mine.” I remind him of something I know he’s aware of.
“He was a good man. Herja and him weren’t together, but he was a part of my life.
He knew what she was. They were friends and co-parented me with ease.
Losing him sucked. He’d been the President of this club.
Fire’s uncle took over the position when he passed and gave it to me when he felt the time was right for me to take the gavel from him. ”
I nod, giving me a small smile as I ask, “Would you teach me how to fix a bike?”
Heat grins and shakes his head. “You really want to know how to work on bikes?”
“Sure.” I shrug.
“How about this,” he starts, lifting his hand to stroke my cheek. “When I’m out here working on one of my bikes, you can be out here watching. I don’t want you to get those beautiful hands greased up or messed up if you get your finger pinched between the chain.”
“I wouldn’t want to pinch my fingers in the chain,” I murmur, licking my lips.
Heat’s eyes drop to my mouth and he grins. “Agreed.”
He leans in, about to kiss me, when someone clears their throat.
“What is it?” Heat demands, his tone turning annoyed at the interruption.
I glance over to find Pyro close.
“Sorry to interrupt you two.” Pyro grunts, his expression alert. “But we got a problem.”
“What problem?” Heat pulls away and gets to his feet. He stretches a hand out to me. I take it as he helps me up off the ground before he tugs me into his side protectively.
“Hel is inside.”
“My godmother is here?” I don’t know if I should be excited or panicked she’d come here and not seek me out herself.
“She’s requesting your presence,” Pyro grunts. “Says, it’s urgent.”
Why didn’t she pop in out here?
“Right,” Heat grunts and guides me into the clubhouse, keeping me tucked close to his side.
Inside, I find Hel in the middle of the main room, the shadows of souls swirling around her in a way I’ve only seen a handful of times. Everyone is keeping their distance from her, rightfully so.
“Is everything okay?” I ask, meeting the woman’s gaze.
“The veil is thinning. It’s not supposed to happen until tonight . . .”
“It’s already happening?” Brimstone asks, speaking over Hel, which is not something a person should do.
“Yes,” Hel hisses, looking at Heat. “You know what to do. You two are connected, and the only way to stop this from happening is if you stop it.”
“What are you talking about?” I demand, glancing between two of the most important people in my life.
Heat tilts his head down, his face hard. I barely recognize the man whom I’ve come to love in less than a week. I didn’t need a lot of time to fall for him. In fact, I’d say I fell for him the first day I met him. Every day since has just solidified what I feel for him.
“Didn’t want you thinkin’ on it the whole time, but to keep this dark elf from getting his hands on you, I’ve got to take him out.”
I swallow, fear threatening to overwhelm me. I manage to find my voice and ask, “What do you need me to do?” I could see it in his eyes that there’s more. That he needs me to do something.
“I need you to stay here, hidden away, so I can focus.”
“There’s more to it,” Hel interjects.
“Several of my brothers will be with me while I’m handling this, but as Hel added in, there’s more to it. While you’re here, hidden from him finding you, he cannot get past the wards. I need you to tap into your gifts. I’ll use it through our connection.”
“What? How?” Panic was definitely starting to seep into my veins.
Heat tugs me close and wraps me tight to him. The safety of his arms eases the fear. “Just as I’m holding you now. You’re not panicking. You know you’re safe with me.”
“Here, you both need to drink from this,” Hel states, stepping forward, holding out a black goblet with ruby gems. “This will complete the bond between the two of you. This ceremonial goblet will tie you two together in every way that you’re not already.
It’s the one you drank from on your eighteenth birthday, and it’ll be the one you drink from when you wed.
You’ll feel each other’s emotions. Heat will be able to tap into your gifts, and use them as his own.
This is what you’ve always needed, my child.
Your soulmate to share these gifts with.
He’ll be able to contain the gifts in a way you are unable to do without him. ”
Whoa.
I slowly take the goblet from her, recognizing it as I hold it.
I lift it to my lips and sip, trusting Hel without questioning her further.
My godmother would never do anything to deceive me as she might others.
Heat takes the goblet from me and follows my lead, drinking heavily, draining the rest of the goblet.
Within seconds of him finishing, I start to feel strange. Like I can sense him in a way I hadn’t already been able to.
“Heat?” I whisper, focusing solely on him.
“Yeah, Trouble, I feel it too.” Heat dips his head down and captures my lips with his. The emotions of his and mine swirl around inside me, intensifying everything at once.
My heart beats rapidly in my chest, and butterflies swarm in my stomach.
Heat breaks the kiss and leans his forehead against mine. “You’ll stay here, safe away from what’s about to go down. You understand me?”
“As long as Brimstone goes with you. Along with Pyro and Fire. Oh, and Inferno.” I knew dragon’s fire was dangerous for fae and elven folk. Plus, Brimstone is a warlock, though I learned he didn’t like being called that. He didn’t cast spells or wield his powers unless he had to.
Heat’s lip twitches as he nods. “Don’t worry, they’ll be with me, along with a few others. Inferno’s grandfather will be here, he’s not a member, though he’s honorary.”
“I will also be here,” Hel declares.
Without looking in her direction, Heat nods again as he speaks to her. “Then stick close to your goddaughter, make sure she stays safe and inside.”
“I’ll stay inside,” I mutter, squinting at him. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Babysitter isn’t exactly for you, Trouble.”
Oh.
It’s to make sure if I freak out, I don’t end up taking souls from those around me.
“Gotta go, baby,” Heat murmurs and kisses me once again before letting me go and heading for the exit.
I feel like I should say something, tell him how I feel, but the words all seem lodged in my throat. I can’t get them out if I could. I do feel the emotions swirling around inside me. Mine and Heat’s. His were the same.
He loves me. It’s in there, filling me up as nothing ever has. His touch inside soothes me in so many ways. Knowing he’s with me in at least this way while he’s heading into danger, I can be calm in the storm he’s heading toward.