Chapter 23 #2
The men all grumbled their agreement, but it was Killian who spoke up and asked, “What’s the plan with Dirk? He’s obviously going to be organizing a war if he thinks Callie will supplement what’s owed to him and Silas never returns.”
Wesley returned his fingers to my hair, gently stroking a few pieces while he explained, “We’re facing war regardless.
I had hoped Silas would have already taken the club, but if he’s not ready then we must plan to fight.
If Simon is alive, he’ll have a better chance at reaching out to the other clubs. ”
Giles lifted his hand to signal Wes. “I have a connection in Chaos Kings.”
Killian turned in his chair, lifting his chin toward Giles.
“What sort of connection do you have? Aren’t you from California or Denver, some fucking place like that?”
The room broke into laughter, including Giles. But he put a stop to it when he said, “Yeah, yeah…I grew up in Nevada, you fucker. But my cousin grew up here.”
“And who’s your cousin?” Pops asked sarcastically.
Giles stretched out in his chair like a king as he said, “Jameson, the leader. Fuckers.”
The room went silent. Blood relations were rare in rival clubs, but when they were found, they were tighter than even the club connection, unless Giles and his cousin were at odds or hated each other, but he wouldn’t have suggested him if that were the case.
Made me curious as to why he chose Stone Riders over his cousin’s club, which was only about two hours west from here.
“Okay, well, reach out to your cousin, see if he’d accept a meeting from me and Killian,” Wes ordered, and the room broke out into commotion like they all knew when Wes was finished speaking.
I felt like I was trying to play catch up.
I spun in my seat and found Wes staring down at me with a curious expression.
“You wanna grab some breakfast with me, River?”
My belly swooped as I smiled up at him.
I stood, allowing him to grab my hand and pull me out. The club filed in around the kitchen bar, and Red began instructing the other girls on dishing up breakfast. I assumed we’d be taking a seat as well when I saw Killian pull Natty aside.
They exited through the side door, right as Wes pulled my hand, so we were following. I glanced quickly to find my dog lying inside the kitchen, taking up a massive chunk of the floor while Red worked around him. I slapped my leg and called for him as we moved. “Max, come.”
His head lifted, and within seconds he was trailing us as we walked.
The sun was still clearing the valley, washing over the manicured yard, when we caught up to the two.
Natty gave me a worried look while holding her elbow.
Her thin frame was hidden by a large black zip-up hoodie, but I didn’t miss the pink lace dress that went to her calves, or the cute boots.
I tried to remember what day it was, and realized it was Sunday, and she looked like she was already ready for church.
She was stunning, while I had seen her before, out here, under the sunshine, it was like she was a different person.
With her long gold hair and her green eyes that resembled gems. She had a small nose that was perfectly set inside a heart shaped face, with high cheekbones and a wide mouth.
I’d seen her smile when she’d brought me the casserole, and for some reason her face seemed so empty without that warming grin gracing her lips.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice slightly shaking. I wanted to reassure her, but I had no idea what was going on either.
Killian glanced at Wes before explaining.
“Nothing at all, we just wanted to ask you somethin’ real quick.”
Natty searched both their faces, curiosity and confusion evident in her drawn in brows and narrow eyes.
Wes placed his hand on my hip, shifting on his feet. Max poked his head between our bodies, standing directly next to me. His eyes kept bouncing around from person to person like he wasn’t sure what we were doing.
“Simon arranged for you to be here from the Death Raiders a few years ago, right?”
“Yeah, two years ago,” Natty said.
Wes flicked his gaze to Killian, who focused on Natty.
“You don’t have to expand, or share anything you don’t want to, but would there be any reason for Silas Silva to be upset over you or anyone else being here?”
Natty’s eyes narrowed but it was too quick, which caught my attention.
“No, not at all. Silas wasn’t around during my time there, think he was traveling or something. Why?”
Wes and Killian glared silently at one another for a long moment before Wes let out a sigh. Max chose that moment to let out a chuff and plop to the ground, throwing his body weight against me.
“He mentioned coming to claim someone. Just trying to figure out who he might be talking about.”
Natty lifted her chin toward Killian. “My bet would be your vice president. Killian was talked about over there a lot. The men want to fight him, recruit him, or kill him. The women all want to fuck him.”
Killian tipped his head back and laughed.
Wes smothered a smirk, but I tilted my head, inspecting her lie. She was covering something up, and I had no idea why, but something told me to let it go. Besides, we hadn’t mentioned the tip Silas had given about the person not being an official member.
“Okay, thanks, Natty. You can head back in.”
She turned on her heel to leave, but then stopped, spinning toward us again.
“Just out of curiosity…rival clubs can’t just show up and claim people, right? We’re safe here?”
Wes nodded, solemn and firm. “Of course, you are. The only way someone could come and claim one of their previous members is if there was a rule broken, or a deal made where all parties agree on it…or war. In some scenarios, in order to end a club war, we’ll look at all our possible options and take the route of least resistance if no harm will come to the other party. ”
Natty’s face paled as if she’d seen a ghost.
Wes and Killian stalked away from her. Max took a second longer to get to his feet, which allowed me an extra moment to squeeze her hand.
“Don’t worry about anything, it has nothing to do with you.”
She gave me a polite smile then rushed back toward the club, but there was something about it that set me on edge.
Natty wasn’t telling us the entire truth, and while that was her prerogative, I worried about her safety.
I wanted her to know she had nothing to worry about here.
I’d have to find her later and see if I could dig a bit deeper into that.
Killian veered for his bike, while Wes led the way to his house.
Max already knew what to do as he pushed his nose to the door, waiting for Wes to unlock it.
The laugh vibrating Wesley’s chest while he patted my dogs head melted every fucking part of me.
So much so, I was practically vibrating to kiss him the second he unlocked the door.
Once we pushed through, Max ran to his water and food bowl. Wes tossed his keys, then locked up behind us. The feeling of normalcy settled over me, taking me back to when we lived together. Although, he never used to lock the house the second he’d walk through it.
“I’m sensing this is a habit now that you’re the president?”
Moving toward the fridge, I pulled it open and searched for food.
Wes came up behind me and stuck his nose in my neck. “It’s a habit now that I have you here. I won’t risk you getting hurt.”
I spun in his arms, looping my arms around his neck.
I wanted to call him out on the no-feelings thing. I knew he was lying. I knew he was just protecting himself, but something had me holding back. I didn’t want to argue right now. Not after everything.
Gently tugging his hand up, I examined his knuckles.
“Same old Wes.” I clicked my tongue, turning around to grab ice, but he stopped me by pulling on my belt loop.
“We’re covered in dirt, River. Let’s go shower.”
Horrified, I looked down at my clothes and realized I just sat through that entire meeting with dirt caked to my face, clothes, and hands.
“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you let me just sit there like this. No wonder poor Natty looked like she was worried we were going to hurt her.”
Wes laughed low in his throat then planted a kiss to my jaw.
“You look perfect. Even covered in dirt, even exhausted, even with Max’s drool all over your jeans.”
“What? Oh my gosh.” I pulled away to check, but he held me against him.
His lips moved down the column of my throat, where he tugged the gaiter free, and then unzipped my hoodie. Fabric dropped to the ground as he lifted my tank, continued to kiss, and then unclasped my bra.
I lifted his shirt, relishing the way his abs stretched, and I traced each hard muscle. His fingers wrestled with the button of my jeans as mine did the same with his, and suddenly we were in a race to see who could get the other naked first.
Wes won, and he claimed his victory by carrying me to the table.
“I need to be inside you,” he grumbled in between kisses.
My back hit the wood, and calloused hands slid down my thighs, spreading them as Wes pulled me to the edge and stood between my open legs.
I stared up at him, catching his golden gaze and finding it impossible not to smile. Pride surged in my chest like a beacon, bright and warm.
He grew up to be everything I hoped he’d be.
Holding my breasts together, I bit down on my lip as he stared down at himself.
His gaze heated as he spit onto his length, then coated himself by rubbing up and down his shaft. It was the hottest thing I’d ever seen him do. I wanted him to do it again, and more. I wanted everything. Every dark thought, every corrupt idea, I needed it all.
Aligning himself with my center, he pushed inside, grunting as he encountered the tight fit. His chest fell forward as he pushed my left leg up closer to my face so he had better access.