Swerve Chapter 15 #2
“You won’t need to run and hide forever if you stay with us.
We’ll help make you safe. And if you want a new identity, I can give you that.
As for my club being in the crosshairs of evil people, it won’t be the first or last time we have been.
You’re right, we’re not choirboys. We believe in justice, regardless of its form, as long as it doesn’t harm innocent people.
Tell me you don’t want me because I disgust you.
That having sex with me was the worst thing you’ve ever experienced in your life.
Tell me that you don’t have feelings for me.
If you can do that and convince me it’s true, I’ll let you leave without another word,” I challenged her.
I watched as her emotions changed, and as they did, my tension eased. I knew by the way she ended up looking that she wasn’t able to do it.
“Swerve, I can’t tell you those things. I just can’t. Being here with you was the most unbelievable experience of my life. I’ve never experienced that with anyone. But it still doesn’t mean I want you in harm’s way. And I don’t know what you think you can do that the FBI can’t.”
“I don’t have all the answers right this second, but know that Diablo is working on something on his end.
We have friends with unique connections and skills.
If those people targeting you find you, they’ll have the fight of a lifetime on their hands.
See, the FBI has to stay within the lines to protect you, assuming you can find any of them to trust. That’s a huge if.
With me, there’s no question. If you need me to say it more plainly, then here it is.
Electra Prescott, I’ve fallen so far in love with you already, it’s too late for me.
If you leave me, I don’t know what that’ll do to me. ”
Her astonishment changed to disbelief. “You love me?” she croaked.
“I do, and I know it’ll keep growing. I’ve watched the same thing happen to Diablo and Scorpion. I want you as my old lady, Electra. The rest—how that works with your job—we’ll figure out. Nothing is impossible if we both want it enough.”
I didn’t expect what she did next. Her eyes grew glassy, then a choked sob came from her throat, a moment before she threw herself onto my chest. I encircled her and squeezed her to me. Her face was buried in my shoulder, and her voice muffled as she spoke.
“I’m crazy and I know it. I’ve been telling myself to stop, but I couldn’t.
God, Swerve, I can’t lie to you anymore.
I’m hopelessly in love with you. I tried to fight it, but you consume my thoughts.
There’s nothing I want more than to spend the rest of my life with you.
I just don’t see how it’s possible, no matter what your friends are like. ”
I let her cry while I rubbed her back and murmured words of comfort. She eventually got a hold of herself. When she raised her head, her eyes were red, and she appeared sheepish, but I prevented her from apologizing.
“You never have to apologize for crying or any other emotion. Let them out. I want us to be forever. You want the same. We’re gonna make it happen. The hows will be worked out. Trust me. Right now, I have something else I need to ask you.”
“What?”
“In the club, you know, we all have road names. Swerve is mine. However, a select few call us by our real first names, mainly our old lady or, in some cases, our old man. I want you to call me Santiago or Tiago when it’s just the two of us.
I’ve been dying to hear my name on your lips,” I confessed.
I’d dreamed of her calling my real name so many times, usually amid a passionate moment.
“Do you have a preference for which one I should use?” she asked.
“No, it’s entirely up to you. My friends always used Tiago, and so did my parents.”
“While I like the shortened version, I love the full one. So, yes, when we’re alone, I’ll happily call you Santiago.”
The way she said my name caused my cock to stir.
The roll of her tongue and the way she emphasized it made me growl, and then I kissed her.
She passionately returned it. I hated to stop, but we couldn’t get caught up in sex until I had her pledge.
That was why I ended our kiss a minute later. Her whine made me smile.
“Bebé, baby, I know, I don’t want to stop either, but we have to finish talking.” The pout she gave made me laugh. I playfully nipped her bottom lip, then moved us further apart. Electra sighed.
“Fine, be that way. I want this so much, Santiago, that it scares me. What if we can’t? For whatever reason. I don’t think I can stand that.”
“I won’t let it, and neither will my club.
Once they know what you mean to me and what I want, they’ll help me keep you safe.
However, please be aware that there are things I can’t discuss with you, and it’s not because you’re with the FBI.
Certain matters are considered club business and are known only to the club’s members.
They don’t tell their old ladies or old men.
It’s a form of protection. With you having the job you do, that’ll mean a little more falls into that category. ”
I hesitated before I continued. “Electra, I said the club wasn’t choirboys, and we see justice served, but don’t hurt others.
Earlier, you indicated that you saw the reason behind some people taking matters into their own hands when justice can’t be achieved any other way.
I hope you meant that because we make sure those we love and those we meet who’re in need are safe, and the evil in our immediate world is dealt with. ”
I prayed I wasn’t sinking our entire club, but I hadn’t said we killed anyone.
I waited to see what her response would be.
Electra scooted herself up to rest her back against the headboard.
Wanting to be on the same level as her, I used my arms to drag myself into the same position.
Our heads were turned to face each other.
She scanned my face, looking for I don’t know what.
The time stretched out, and I was about to snap and ask her to say something when she broke the silence.
“Santiago, I have always supported that only the judicial authorities should ensure justice is served. From the police and federal agents to judges, we’re here to make sure that happens.
However, privately, I, of all people, know that doesn’t always happen for a variety of reasons.
Despite our best efforts, some people can walk free to do it again or get out when they should remain caged.
They continue, in most cases, to hurt people.
The number of murderers, rapists, abusers, pedophiles, and other animals out there, like those who killed Selah, makes me so angry and sick.
” She took several breaths. I chose to interject my question.
“If faced with the people who hurt Selah, would you turn them over to be prosecuted, knowing they could slip free or end up doing little time or continuing their work from behind bars? Or would you make sure they had no way to do those things ever again?” I slipped in.
A vengeful expression came over her beautiful face. Fire flashed in her eyes. “I would make sure those fuckers never had the chance to hurt anyone like they did her and those of us she left behind. The victim isn’t the only one hurt. I’d kill them without remorse,” she growled.
I brought up my hand to cup her cheek as I leaned closer to her.
“And we feel the same. Electra, knowing this, puts you in a tough spot. I understand that. I need to know that you can live with that knowledge. You will never be asked to do anything that crosses your no-go lines. However, even if we don’t discuss our inner club business with you, as a family member, you may hear things, and I must ask you not to disclose them to your colleagues or anyone else. I won’t hurt my club.”
She gave me a tender smile. “Santiago, I can comfortably say that if you and the club, your friends, and anyone else you associate with refrain from hurting innocent people, don’t indiscriminately target people, and save the ultimate reprisal for the rapists, killers, pedophiles, and hardcore abusers, then you have nothing to worry about.
However, if it steps outside those parameters, then let the law handle them.
Do you ever get law enforcement involved? ”
“In some cases, the crime isn’t worth the utmost penalty. When that’s the case, they may receive a physical reminder and or have the proof of their offenses leaked to those who can get justice or prosecute them,” I confessed.
“Physical reminder?”
“A beating they won’t soon forget. We’re bikers, bebé. We live a harsher life than most civilians, but less so than a one-percenter club.”
“I believe I can live with that, however, just a warning. Rhodes is in my life as my brother. He’s all I have left of Selah and her parents, but he’s also a supervisory special agent.
He’s stricter than I am about the rules.
I’m not sure how he’d handle that knowledge, so know that I won’t speak of it to him, and you do the same.
He’s my family, Santiago. He’ll be a part of our lives. ”
I knew she was warning me that she wouldn’t give him up. Knowing he wasn’t nor hadn’t been her lover made my answer easy to give.
“Rhodes is in our lives. I have no problem with it. We’ll be careful around him. How do you think he’ll take the news we’re together?”
Electra groaned and shook her head. “God, he’s gonna lose it.
He won’t understand why I won’t hide and change my name.
He’ll question my feelings for you, but more likely yours for me.
He’ll want to know how we can be sure you’re on the up and up.
He’s still suspicious of the club. It’ll be a fight. Is that too much to go through?”