11. Izzy
11
IZZY
“ O h, that was not nice,” he winces.
The ground beneath me is unforgiving, the chill of the wet asphalt seeping through my clothes as Tank’s grip on me tightens down. A knee to the groin should’ve had him doubled over. I should’ve known basic self-defense wasn’t going to work on him.
My heart is hammering in my chest.
In the small window I had, I was hoping to get those keys and unlock the basement. But they weren’t there. There was nothing. Nothing for me to connect with Laina, and now I’m seriously beginning to doubt if any of this was the right move, because based on my current state, I haven’t gotten anything except for a pissed off Tank.
And I’ve been caught red-handed. The gigs up.
“Tell me what the hell you’re doing," he growls, his voice a low growl that should send shivers down my spine for all the wrong reasons. I squirm underneath him, wreathing, pressing myself against him.
He breathes out, laughing.
“God damn, you’re a feisty one,” he says.
"Get off me, Tank," I warn, my voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline sharpening my senses. Who knows what they’ll do to me now that they have direct proof I’m up to no good. Will they even believe me if I tell them the truth?
“No. I don’t think,” he clicks his tongue.
The old instincts kick in, muscle memory from days spent training with the police academy mats. Even though I’m just a forensic photographer, my dad wanted to make sure I knew a thing or two on how to protect myself before I joined the force.
He's solid above me, but every fighter has a weakness, and I think I know his.
I arch my hips into his, pressing harder with every grind, creating a delicious friction that stoked the fire between us. The hard, pulsating heat of his cock against me, and for a brief moment, I have control.
A streak of lightning dancing across the sky, illuminating the hard line of his features and the tortured expression on his face. He wants me terrible, and I’m sure Hawk making me off limits has only worsened his craving.
“Tank, please," I moan, and he hesitates, just for a fraction of a second, but it's enough to give me the opening I need.
I wait for that split second of hesitation in his eyes, that brief flicker of doubt, and I take my chance. With a swift movement, I shift my weight to the side, using his own momentum against him.
My legs tuck and pivot, and before he can react, I use a classic maneuver to unbalance him. The world spins momentarily, and then I'm on top, straddling Tank as he blinks up at me in surprise. My hands pin his shoulders to the ground, mirroring the position he had me in moments ago. "I said, get off me," I repeat, my voice low and fierce.
Tank stares up at me, and there's a new awareness in his gaze followed by amusement. I think I just fucked up.
“Well, that was rather unexpected,” he chuckles and before I break out of his grasp, his hands are on my thighs, pushing me onto his erection.
His grip is mock-tight, but I know with one move, he could easily flip the tables on me again.
“We can talk about this without?—“
Before I finish my sentence, he flips us over so that I’m underneath him again, and there’s no getting out of this hold. One hand has both my wrists. His right knee forces my legs to spread and the heat of his hard cock pressed between my legs. Out of some wicked instinct, I ever so slightly move myself against him.
“Behave yourself, little spitfire,” he whispers in my ear and I shiver at the deepness in his tone. His dark eyes flash in the night. “Now, you better tell me the reason you led me out here tonight was to get me alone.”
I weigh my options fast then.
It’s hard to think like this with my back against the ground and Tank on top. My body moves with each one of his breaths as though each of his exhales sends longing into me.
“I was just looking around,” I mutter.
“Oh? Okay, Izzy. Looking around out the window? What should I say to Hawk then? That I caught you sneaking out of his workshop in the middle of night? Do you think that will go over well?”
I shake my head no.
“No. You’re right. You don’t want to find out what he will do if he thinks for a moment that you’re spying on us or working with the Dead Demons.”
“I’m not working with them!” I say.
He leans in so close that his lips brush my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “You know what I think? You’re working with the police?”
“No—“
“Izzy, I’m not going to hurt you, but I need to know what the hell you’ve got yourself mixed up in. Nobody just walks through our front door like you did. We got you marked from the moment you stepped foot on our property.”
He’s not going to let me go. I don’t have a way to lie out of this.
“But if you’ve known then—” realization hits me. Hawk was just toying with me, seeing how far I would go to play the part. Heat rises up through me, but I can’t let my emotions get out of check. There’s too much on the line here.
I have to take a risk, and it might pay off, or it might get me killed.
“I thought you kidnapped my best friend,” I finally admit. The weight of the admission lifts from me, though it’s replaced with fear.
His eyes narrow, and I expect him to kill me on the spot. Instead, he pulls back so that his weight isn‘t on top of me anymore. His silence tells me to keep talking, but I don’t know if he believes me.
“She’s a photojournalist who had evidence about you, and I think something happened the night she came to the clubhouse. No one would help me, so I figured I’d come here myself.”
“Jesus,” he pushes his hand back through his hair. “The one you were asking about?”
“Yeah. Her name’s Laina.”
“So you just showed up, expecting to find your friend with the worst cover story ever?”
“I know. It sounds crazy, but I need to find her!”
The silence stretches between us, thick and heavy, as I lay bare the truth. The air feels charged, as if the night itself is holding its breath, waiting for Tank to respond.
. "Izzy," he starts, and there's a weight to the way he says my name, as if he’s tasting the reality of me, maybe for the first time. "That's a hell of a load to carry. We’re going to have to tell the others.”
“I know…Fuck. I don’t even care what Hawk wants to do to me, I just want to find my best friend.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?" he asks, not accusing but genuinely curious, his brows furrowed under the moonlight that breaks through the clouds.
“Because, you could have her! And I’m out here, by myself. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, and sure as shit have no reason to trust any of you.”
His hands grab my face, and then all at once the warmth of his lips presses down onto mine. Heat radiates through me.
Pull back, I tell myself. Pull back before it‘s too late. But my body has other ideas, and I kiss him back. He growls into the kiss, and I can’t help but whimper in response.
I taste the darkness of his past, the beer he drank earlier mingling with the taste of danger. His tongue slides between my lips and I let him in.
“We’ll find her,” he whispers against my lips.
I believe him, and perhaps that makes me foolish, but I don’t care anymore.
I place my trembling hand on his chest, to remind myself that this is real. I’m kissing Tank, even though this morning Hawk had his head between my legs.
“We should go back,” I manage to stutter, barely able to keep my breath.
He laughs lightly, sliding his hand between my legs.
“Or we could stay a bit. You and me. There’s no goddamn reason Hawk gets to have all the fun with you.”
His hands run down my back, and all at once, he’s back on top of me.
There’s no going back now.
My heart was pounding so loudly in my ears that I was certain the entire forest could hear it. His words, his hands, his very presence all made me feel alive. All Hawk’s teasing me has wound me so tightly, I need some relief from the pressure rising in me.
My fingers dig into his back.
“Oh, you poor thing,” he murmurs, slipping his hands beneath my panties and feeling the wetness there. “Someone needs to take care of this for you.”
“Y-yes.” I whimper, and I hate myself for being so needy for him.
“I knew you’d come around.”
With that, he was on me again, kissing me so passionately.
“Tank,” I moan, his name a plea on my lips. For what, I wasn't entirely sure. But he understands completely.
“I’ve got you, baby.”
He captured my lips again, his tongue invading me without mercy. I moan into him as a roll of thunder shakes the ground beneath us and drops of rain fall from the thick gray clouds overhead.
“I‘ve been waiting to hear that sound forever,” he whispers, and then his mouth travels downwards. His hands tug my shirt up, and his lips find my aching breasts, biting and teasing.
“Tank, someone will see us,” I gasp, but my protests are weak because I want to be plowed into earth. I want to feel him inside of me, know his touch.
“Do you think I give a flying fuck?”
His fingernails dig into my thighs, and all I can do is whimper incoherently. “Tank, please,” I moan again, the fire in my belly becoming too much to bear. How much longer are they going to keep me waiting?
His lips curl into a satisfied smirk against my skin.
“Oh, I’ll give you what you want, baby girl,” he purrs.
His fingers toy with my clit, sliding into my wet pussy. He bites down on my neck, and I cry out, arching into him.
“Please,” I start to beg, the pleasure’s too much, the sensations overwhelming. “I need you.”
“And you’ll have me,” he whispers, pulling my pants down to my ankles.
He continues tormenting me relentlessly, and out of some feral need my fingers start working with his belt, undoing it. I need to be fucked. Hard. And I don’t care if it happens outside here on the ground.
“Eager, aren’t we?” he chuckles. I’m not even ashamed, as I find his massive hard cock beneath his boxers and begin to stroke him. I don’t think I’ve ever had any as big as him before.
His breath catches in his throat, and he lifts me up as though I’m nothing.
With one swift motion, he has me pinned against the outside wall. “Arms around my neck, wrap your legs around me,” he commands. He positions himself so the head of his cock presses against my pussy. I cling to him. “Breathe,” he whispers. I exhale and as his length slides in me effortlessly, hitting the right spots. I moan out loudly. Holy shit, he’s huge.
Pain and pleasure twist inside of me as all the air leaves my lungs. He moves slowly, withdrawing and groans into me.
“Are you okay?” he asks. I nod blissfully as the need to have him back inside of me send me into overdrive.
“I’m more than okay.”
His hips start to move, his cock filling me up as if he’s staking a claim. It feels good. Too good. I can’t think straight anymore, and I don’t want to. All I feel is him, rocking in out of me.
“Oh, fuck me, you’re so tight, baby girl.”
He tugs my shirt up, exposing my breasts for his mouth to suck and taste, sending me to the edge. I cling to him with all my might, afraid I might slip away into all this sensation.
“Uh, f-fuck” I mumble and curse in his ear as he continues filling me, pressing me against the hard wall. One of his hands grips my ass as the other wraps around my waist, supporting me.
He groans in response, his thrusts become erratic.
“I’m close,” I pant out. He angles me higher as his cock plunges even deep. My head drops into the crook of his neck as I fall to his whims, taken captive by him and his body. I’m unwinding, spiraling out of control, and I can barely cling onto any semblance of reality.
“That’s it, baby girl. Cum for me.”
I do.
My climax rips through me, pulling me under its beautiful wave, dragging him along for the ride, I feel him pulsing inside of me, filling me with his own climax. He groans out, holding me tightly against him, his heat mixes with mine. Our chests rise and fall, catching breaths.
“You. Are. Incredible,” he whispers between the kisses he’s bestowing on my neck, his cock still inside me, pulsating with each beat of my heart.
I gasp, realizing what just happened. I just had sex with a Hellfire Rider.
His mouth falls on mine with a deep, heavy kiss, nibbling on my bottom lip. My fingers intertwine with his hair as I memorize the taste of him. I thought maybe this would help ease my wanting for them, but now it only burns deeper.
He sets me down, and I quickly pull up my pants. The outside nights seem undisturbed by what’s just happened out here, and the music inside the bar continues to blare.
He studies me up and down with a wicked smirk.
“I don’t think I’ve had enough of you. Not yet.”
“No?” I tilt my head, feeling a bit unstable and wobbly like I need to relearn how to walk. “That was a bit…” I trail off, “unexpected.”
He runs his thumb along my jaw, gently moving down my neck.
“It’s best if I tell the truth to the others tonight. Come right out and say what’s going on.”
“What if they don’t believe me?” I ask.
“Time always has a way of sorting this shit out.”
Hawk…the sapphire eyes of their gang’s president flash before my eyes. Vance made it clear Hawk claimed me, whatever the hell that means. What will they do about Tank? Will they care that we slept together in a blind fury of passion?
“Come on,” Tank motions for me to follow him and when he reaches the door he opens it with a wink.
I follow behind him, wondering if all of tonight is about to bite me in the ass.
The hot water is nice, running down my back. I needed this shower. Tank left me to attend club business and said not to wait up for the others. They wouldn’t be back for some time, so I figured no one would mind if I showered.
Lord knows I need one after today.
It slides down my closed eyelids, washing away the filth and sweat of tonight. The sex with Tank replays in my mind, like a never-ending loop. The way he looked at me with hunger and desire, the way I felt so... safe in his arms. I take a deep breath, inhaling the steam.
Laina’s the only person I can confide in about all this, but she’s not here to give me advice on navigating any of this. Laina’s fearless. She’d have all three of them on their knees doing her bidding. I’m more like a chicken running with its head chopped off, barely keeping it together.
It didn’t take long for them to figure me out. I just doubt they’ll believe me.
“What have you gotten yourself into, Izzy?” I ask under the pelting water.
I turn off the shower, it runs down my legs and into the drain then I grab the towel hanging over the bar. I scrunch the water out of my hair then pat my legs, humming mindlessly to myself.
“Where were you?” a deep voice cuts through the bathroom. I freeze.
I see his reflection in the steam covered mirror, standing behind me.
Hawk leans in the doorway with his arms crossed, studying me. His dark hair is slicked back, emphasizing his sharp jawline and piercing eyes. The edges of his form melt and blur into the shadows and clouded reflection, but the intensity of his gaze is clear even in the dim light.
“The hell?!” I spit out, quickly wrapping the towel around me.
“No reason to be so shy, Izzy. I’ve already seen every bit of you up close.”
“How long have you been standing there watching me?”
“This is my house, isn't it? I’m allowed to go where I please.”
“You're being a creep!”
“You're on my turf now, pretty girl. And the rules we play by are mine.” His voice is cold steel, unyielding as he walks closer. “Rules you insist on breaking.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I involuntarily take a step back.
He tilts his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "I wanted to see if you were alright."
“I'm fine.” I turn away from him, tugging at the towel tighter around me as if it offers some sort of protection from his gaze.
“Good. Tank reassured me that you spoke to him and told him what’s going on. But I had to see for myself. He’s quite smitten with you.”
“He did?” My cheeks redden and I'm not exactly sure what all Tank said.
“Your friend’s missing. And you think we have her?”
I nod slowly. “I thought, maybe…”
“You really think that’s the kind of guy I am, and the type of organization I run? One that kidnaps women?”
“Honestly, I don’t know you. And right now, I feel like I’ve been kidnapped. So yeah. It checks out.”
Hawk chuckles low in his throat, it sends chills down my spine. “Fair enough, but you came here willingly. You say you want to be here, but you keep running off.”
“I didn’t run off. I never left.”
He holds up a finger, pressing to my lips.
“It doesn’t matter much now, does it? Because apparently the truth is out in the open.” He pauses for a moment, dropping his hand away. “Izzy, darling. I’m sorry about your friend, and I want to help you. But you lied to me, to us, and you couldn’t help yourself. You had to sneak around.”
“What would you have done if you were me?” I blurt out, searching his eyes for some form of kindness, but I’m beginning to doubt any exists.
I hate him, but I also want to taste his lips on mine again. God. This is so confusing.
I want to go back to the way things were, when everything was simple and the only thing I had to worry about was never crossing paths with these psychos.
His hand cups my check, drawing my eyes to meet his gaze. Hawk’s eyes lock onto mine like he’s got a secret to share, and he isn’t letting me leave the conversation until I hear every single word. He’s standing so close that his presence practically wraps around me, all heat. He’s not soothing like Vance or endearing like Tank. This one is on a whole different level, but I guess that’s why he’s the President.
I try to hold my ground, crossing my arms defiantly.
“Got something on to say now that the truth is out in the open?” I ask, my voice deliberately light, hoping it masks the rapid pace of my heartbeat.
He doesn’t answer right away, just stares me down like he’s reading an instruction manual and trying to figure out exactly which button to press next. “Look at me,” he says finally, low and commanding.
I roll my eyes for good measure but meet his gaze because, let’s face it, ignoring Hawk is like trying to ignore a loaded gun pointed right at your face.
“What?” I snap, leaning in a little because two can play this game. “You got some plan for me? Another punishment?”
“For now, I just want you to know that I’m watching. Every move you make, every decision—you’re not slipping by unnoticed.”
He leans back just enough to give me room to breathe but not enough to break the spell.
“You’ve told me all this before…”
“My God. You really do have a mouth on you.” His hands grasp my chin and cheeks in a hard grasp, forcing me to almost lose the towel. “Maybe I should put something in it.” For a wild, terrifying second, I think he’s actually considering it, but then his grip lessens slightly. “I know you think you're invincible, but your time will run out if you keep this shit up.”
My breath gets caught in my throat, desire and fear warring inside me like a raging sea.
“You still never answered me,” I say sharply. “What if it was Vance or Tank who went missing? What would you do? I’m desperate, Hawk.”
“I’d ruin anyone who hurt them. I already lost one man, and I sure as shit am not going to let it happen again, which is why you are a risk to me.”
He lets go then and takes a step back.
“We don’t have your friend, Izzy,” he says flatly. “So, you can go back from wherever the hell you came from.”
If they don’t have her, then there’s nothing for me. No clue. No evidence. Nothing to take to Reynolds. And all this means, the Puppeteer is waiting in the shadows.
“Wait—” I grasp his hand. I’m desperate. “I need your help. I need to show you something.”
“Five minutes,” he relents.
My bag. Where is it? I hurry past him out the bathroom door, scanning the apartment. I see my purse sitting on one of the kitchen chairs.
I reach into, holding my breath, they haven’t already found the doll leg or note.
“I know that I’m little use to you now since you’ve figured out, I’m not with the Dead Demons,” I start, relieved to find the Puppeteer’s threat still there.
“Oh, I think I could find some use for you.”
“But you offered to help me, and I hope you can still?—“
“What is it, Izzy?”
“I think the Puppeteer is after me.”
“The Puppeteer?” he asks, his voice low and dangerous. “Are you sure about that?”
I nod, swallowing hard. “Yeah, positive. And I need your help.”
He exhales sharply, raking a hand through his raven black hair as he steps closer. “Explain,” he demands. “And don’t leave anything out.”
I take a deep breath, willing my nerves to steady as I unwrap the marionette doll leg, holding it up for him to see. “I found this with a note in my mailbox last night. It’s not much to go on, but it’s the only lead I’ve got. I thought maybe you left it?”
He reaches out, takes the doll from my hands, and studies it with a scowl. “Creepy as hell,” he mutters before turning back to me. “What does the note say?”
“‘Let’s see if you can dance to someone else’s tune,” I recite the words still burning in my mind.
Hawk’s expression hardens. “Sounds like a threat.
“And I thought, maybe after you had me dance…” My cheeks warm, remembering. He watches me out of the corner of his eye as I continue. “But no one’s taking it seriously. The cops are giving me the runaround. Laina had this theory that you’re the Puppeteer and I thought, if he has her and it’s you then maybe…”
“So, you came here?” He crosses his arms, his gaze piercing. “Even though you thought I was a serial killer?”
“I-I didn’t know what else to do, but I know you can help,” I say firmly. “You’ve got the resources and the network. You can find this bastard and stop him.”
He’s silent for a long moment, searching for something—maybe honesty, maybe desperation. “And what do I get out of this, Izzy?”
I exhale slowly, considering my words carefully. “You get to take down the Puppeteer. You get the satisfaction of knowing you didn’t let some psycho run loose on your streets.”
“I’m not some fucking vigilante.”
“No, but you could help?—“
His jaw tightens, but his eyes soften just a fraction. “I used to want to save our city, long ago, but then I found out the police who run this place are crooked and after they killed one of my guys, I figured there’s no point in being the good guy.” He takes a deep breath. “You’re lucky I like a challenge,” he says finally, his voice rough but edged with determination.
“Does that mean you’ll help?”
“Let me think about it. I know Vance and Tank would have my head if something happened to you.” He stops for a moment and looks me up and down. “Just for now, don’t you dare fucking run or sneak off again. Don’t leave my god damn sight unless I say you can. Got it?”
I suck in a deep breath and nod slowly.
“Good. We’ll talk more about this later. I have shit to take care of.”
“Wait, Hawk. Where should I sleep?” I ask.
He looks around the upstairs apartment then back to me.
“My bed, of course.”