25. Bronco
25
brONCO
The light that lit up in Amber’s eyes when she saw us makes me never want to up and leave her again. It’s a miracle we got to Erica when we did. I mean, how long was she planning on running for? The Olgettis may have given her an extension on paying back the money, but I don’t believe it. When these lowlifes want something, they take it. They don’t ask. They don’t bargain. They sure as shit don’t give you extra time.
Now that Vincent is on the run, it can’t be long until the law catches up with him. Until that happens, Amber won’t be let out of my sight. Yeah, it was me who tipped off the feds, but little did I know that they were already building a case. I didn’t tell them shit about Amber, and if she wants to tell her story, or testify against her brother — and Vincent when he’s caught — then that’s up to her. But they had to be stopped.
Amber looked destroyed when she found out the depths of their network. She had no idea they were involved in any kind of trafficking, and then luring women into the sect to do with whatever they wanted. Well, they won’t be doing that from a jail cell.
“Mom! Mom!” Olive calls when she sees her mother and Amber waiting at the gate.
Erica sweeps Olive up into her arms and pulls her close to her chest, kissing her as she cries into her hair. “I’m back, baby. I’m back for good.”
“I missed you.” Olive clutches her, unwilling to let go. “I’m so glad you’re back, Mom.”
I get a lump in my throat watching them. I’ll never understand why the fuck she did what she did, but that’s water under the bridge now.
Jett made the transfer to the Olgettis with interest, and Erica is now under the protection of the MC. As far as the Olgettis in Chicago know, she’s indebted to us.
Crystal and Deanna said they’d help Erica with a job in New Orleans, and there are plenty of teacher’s aide jobs in the city. Jasmyne said she could do with a new assistant if that didn’t pan out because Luna’s too busy now with juggling the books at Rock’s and Hustler’s. Either way, Erica has options.
Amber hugs Olive too, wiping her eyes as Olive talks excitedly about what they’ve been up to this past month. It’s all taken its toll on Amber. I want to take her away for a weekend, get her away from all of this once Erica is settled in. We’ve also still got that tattoo to take care of.
I look down at Titan. He’s begging to go greet Olive, and when she gets closer and sees him, she sprints our way. I let go of his leash and he runs to her, half-jumping and licking her excitedly. She giggles, petting his head like they haven’t seen each other in eons, when it was only this morning. I left Titan at the clubhouse while I was away because he knows everyone there, and he didn’t leave his spot outside on the landing, right near my room, the entire time. Okay, he did escort the girls to school, but at least he listened when I told him to protect them. He’s a good dog. Tough on the outside, but soft in the middle.
Amber wraps her arms around my neck, breaking me out of my reverie. She kisses me chastely on the lips. “Hey daydreamer.”
I smile. “Happy?”
“Extremely.”
“Let’s go home.”
She looks up at me. “Hey, I was thinking.”
“Uh, oh.”
She tightens her hold around my neck. “Wise ass.”
“Whenever you think, I gotta brace for impact.”
“That’s so mean!”
I grab her ass and squeeze it, and she yelps, looking around to see if anyone saw. They didn’t, and Olive and her mom are too wrapped up in each other to care what we’re doing. There’s only Titan at my side, looking up at us like he just remembered he’s my dog.
“Titan doesn’t think so, do you, boy?”
He barks loudly in response and we laugh.
Amber reaches down to scratch his head. “I wondered if I might impose on you.”
I waggle my eyebrows and lower my voice. “Does this involve you sittin’ on my face?”
She scowls. “Stop it! Be serious!”
I bump her with my hips as she tries to keep up the pretense of being mad, but she eventually gives up and her fake frown relaxes. “Sorry, go on.”
“Well, once Erica is settled in, I wondered if I could bunk with you some of the time, give her some space. My house is pretty small?—”
“Why don’t you just move in?”
She stares at me. “Permanently?”
“Yup. I’m up for it if you are, but fair warning, there’s still only one bed.”
“You’re the worst fake boyfriend I’ve ever had.”
My lips turn up. “Glad to hear it, because you won’t be tryin’ out anyone else.”
“Getting all growly on me now?”
“When was I not?”
“Fair point.” She smiles against my lips. “You’re pretty hot when you’re growly.”
“Speakin’ of growling men, saw Brew went alpha on your ass.”
“Oh man, that dude is something else.” I lower my voice. “You should have seen him when the subject of trafficking came up.”
“Yeah, babe, it’s a sore spot.”
“I can see why.”
I take a breath, the vision of losing Amber in any way rattles my bones. I can’t relate to Brew because I’d lose my mind if anything ever happened to her. “He’s never forgiven himself.”
Her eyes soften. “It’s just awful.”
“Life is pretty awful to a lot of people, but we gotta keep movin’ forward.”
She snuggles into my chest. “I know, but for a little while, I’d like to just live in our little bubble.”
“That can be arranged. So when are you gonna move in?”
“When Erica is settled and feels safe again.”
I kiss her on top of her head. “Whatever you say, Princess.”
“Are you guys gonna make out all afternoon or are we gonna get goin’?” Pipes rolls his eyes. I forgot he’d followed us, just to be on the safe side until Vincent is behind bars. Ryder and Rock head back to the clubhouse to report back to Cash.
“You got somewhere to be?” I quiz, looking over Amber’s shoulder.
“Need a shower. Been ridin’ for three days,” he replies, giving me an unimpressed frown.
“Quit whinin’ like a little bitch.” I flip him the bird for good measure.
“We should get moving,” Amber sighs. “I still have to finish the housework.”
Cash agreed we could leave the clubhouse, but only under my protection, and that includes Titan and a prospect keeping watch until Vincent is caught. Nobody is taking any chances.
“We’ll go back to the clubhouse first, grab your stuff and head back there. It’ll give Erica and Olive more time to catch up,” I say.
“There you go, getting all logical on me.” She rubs her nose with mine and I hear Pipes make a pretend choking noise.
I ignore him, kissing Amber again as I flip him the bird behind my back, just in case he missed it the first time.
“You fell in love with my brain first, and my sense of humor,” I remind her.
“How do you know that?” She leans in close to my ear and whispers, “Maybe I just wanted your dick all along.”
I growl. “You’ll be gettin’ plenty of that, babe. Glad you’re well rested.”
She walks backwards and I hate letting her go, but I gotta drive the girls back to the clubhouse.
Once they’re all seated inside, including Titan, I give Pipes a chin lift as he smirks.
“Another one bites the dust.”
I shake my head, shoving him in the shoulder. “Just you wait.”
“Nope, not gettin’ snagged.”
“You say that now,” I mock. “But you wait and see.”
Pipes pretends to play the violin and I make my way back to the driver’s side, tempted to punch him in the fucking nose if he keeps it up. Yeah, I guess I am a sap for my ol’ lady, and if that makes me a statistic, I’m more than okay with that.
I turn my head. “We good?”
Amber rests her hand on mine as I get the thumbs up from the backseat. “Yep, we’re good!” Olive sing-songs with Titan at her feet.
I look at Amber. “You?”
“I’m perfect, Bronco.” I love you, she mouths.
I love you, too, I mouth back.
It’s been a roller coaster, but life is pretty sweet. It’ll be even sweeter if I can squeeze the life out of that prick Vincent, but I’m sure he’s too busy running from the law to bother finding his ex-wife and seeking revenge. If he does, I’ll be waiting for him.
“Fuck, baby.” I slide in and out of my ol’ lady’s slick pussy and grip the pillows beside her head. I’m gonna combust, but that’ll be embarrassingly fast. We gotta be quiet because of the visitors down the hall, but the way she’s squeezing my ass, begging me for more is making drawing this out extremely difficult.
“So good,” she whispers. “More, Bronco, don’t hold back.”
I’m ramming her as hard as I can into the mattress and she’s begging me for more. Goddamn.
I circle my hips in the way she loves and she tightens her grip on my ass. “Not holdin’ back, baby. You just love my cock way too much.”
“Not denying it.”
“So fuckin’ tight.”
“Mmm.”
She arches her back and wraps her legs around my waist. I lift her ass slightly, getting deeper as I clench my jaw. “You better come soon, Princess . Can’t hold on.”
“Oh? And here I was thinking you were gonna ‘fuck me all night long’.” She giggles.
I rock my hips into her and she groans. “Oh, I’m gonna fuck you all night long, babe, but haven’t been inside you for three whole goddamn days. Second fuck I’ll draw it out.”
“Such a romantic,” she sighs.
I pick up my pace, needing the release. “Fuck, yeah.”
She gasps when I grind my pelvis, brushing her clit, and all of a sudden she’s hissing and gripping the mattress, trying to be quiet while she falls apart. I follow behind, spurting my load like a man possessed.
I press my forehead to hers. “You know you’re mine now.” I’ve always been gentle with the ‘ownership’ part of claiming an ol’ lady because of Amber’s past. I never want her to think that we’re misogynistic assholes. We just care about our women and have deep love and respect for them, no matter what. It isn’t what people might think it is. The women in our club always have a choice.
“I like being yours.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” She brushes my damp hair from my forehead. “Bronco, I’m not gonna break just because I had a bad experience.”
“It was worse than bad. It was a nightmare for you.”
She glides her thumb pad over my cheekbone. “Yes, it was, but that’s in the past now. They’ll find Vincent, and they’ll lock him up. And I’ve decided that I will testify, if it comes to that.”
I pull my head back. “Babe, you don’t have to do anythin’”
“I know that, but for years I’ve hidden away, afraid to say anything, afraid of being caught. Well, that ends now. I don’t want to live in fear anymore, and the others in the cult deserve a chance at life on the outside. It isn’t their fault, just as it wasn’t mine.”
“We have BADVA, they can help if that’s what you need.”
Bikers Against Domestic Violence Association. The club has been heavily involved in the program of protecting women and children in court cases in New Orleans when they go to and from court. It’s something Cash and Jett started, and are passionate about.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Just know you have my support, and everyone in the club. Whatever you need, you got it,” I say.
“What did I do to deserve a man like you?” Her gaze tells me everything. Her eyes are filled with love, appreciation and a little lust.
“You didn't do nothin’, it’s me that was too blind to see the obvious for far too long.”
“All that matters is we got here.”
“And you’re gonna move in with me when Erica is settled.”
She smiles softly. “I’d love that. I’ve waited so long to be happy, I don’t want to wait for anything anymore.”
I bend to kiss her deeply. “I think Erica is gonna like it here.”
“She hasn’t stopped apologizing since she got here.”
“Well, I know she must feel terrible about what she did,” I say. “I know it can’t be easy, but I get why she did what she did. Trying to protect the ones you love sometimes comes at a heavy price.”
“Don’t you ever run away from me.” Amber grabs my ass and I give her a lopsided smile.
“Like I’d ever do that.”
“I missed you.”
“I missed you, too.”
“We’re lovesick fools now, you know that right?”
I grin. “Yep, and I don’t give a shit.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
I kiss her nose. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Trust you to blow it out of the water.”
“Well, you asked.”
“Do you think things will settle down again in the club?” she asks.
“They always do.”
“And Vince? He’s still out there.”
“We’ll deal with it if he even dares to come to these neck of the woods,” I tell her earnestly. “And it won’t be pretty.”
She stares at me. “You shed blood for me, didn’t you?”
“Club business. Sometimes the scum has to be dealt with in an inhumane way. It’s what they deserve.”
“I agree with you. We’ve seen so much mayhem these last few years. After Audrina was kidnapped, things seemed to get better.”
“Within an MC, there’s always gonna be shit goin’ down, it’s the life we live,” I say. “But the important part is we all stick together. We’re a family, and no matter what, we’re always gonna be.”
“So no more fake boyfriends for me?”
“Nope, your real boyfriend would get jealous.”
She smiles. “He would, and he’s really, really scary.”
I buck my hips, still inside her sweet pussy. “He’s crazy about you.”
“He can’t keep his hands off me.”
“That’s true, but he also might need another minute.”
She laughs again, walking her fingers up my chest. “Is someone a little tired?”
“Fuckin’ you is a full-time job.”
She slaps my ass. “Funny.”
I kiss her forehead. “Just so we’re clear, I’m yours, too.”
“Didn’t doubt it for a second.”
“Good.” I pull out, then roll onto my back, bringing her with me.
“Bronco?” she whispers after a few moments as we try to catch our breaths.
“Yeah, babe?”
“I want you to tattoo me.”
I turn my head to look at her as she gazes up at me. “Okay.”
“I need this thing gone. I’m ready.”
I kiss the top of her head. “We can look at some designs. You have anything in mind?”
“Maybe a bird, or something to symbolize freedom.”
“Whatever you want. I promise it’ll look so fuckin’ amazin’ you won’t even remember the old one.”
“There’s also something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
“Anything.”
She tries to keep a straight face. “Did you really tattoo Nevada’s dick?”
I burst out with laughter, then Amber presses a hand over my mouth. “Fuck, babe, do you really have to remind me of that while we’re in bed.”
“So it is true.”
“Haven’t you heard about client confidentiality?”
“Right, but this is Nevada. Please tell me he paid you.”
“It felt weird takin’ money after havin’ to do… that.”
She giggles. “That would’ve hurt.”
“My emotional scars are worse, trust me. But I owed him. He’s fuckin’ nuts, by the way. Who tattoos a constellation on their dick?”
She snuggles farther into the crook of my neck. “You’re clearly very talented.”
“I am, and I’m gonna fuck you on my inking table.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, you’ll be sayin’ more than ‘oh’ when I’m done with you.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She presses a hand to my heart. “It feels like we’ve turned a corner.”
“It’ll be better from now on, I promise. And maybe we can go on a proper date.”
“We haven’t done book club for a while.”
I rise up from the pillows. “Speaking of cucumbers…”
She pushes me back down, throwing a leg over my body as she straddles me. “Oh, no you don’t, mister. No cucumbers here. I like my dick alive and well, and definitely not green.” She reaches between my legs, my dick at half-mast but he’s perking up by the second.
“You drive a hard bargain.” I reach toward her and we kiss. It's soft, slow and passionate. Just like everything Amber does. She’s the most amazing, brave, beautiful woman I’ve ever known, and she was right under my nose this whole time.
I’ve never loved anyone like how I love her. My heart beats to a different tune whenever I think about her or hear her name. That’s what gave it away when I first fell for her. I embraced my feelings, not something I’m terribly great at doing, but my mom’s always saying that sometimes it’s the little things that count the most.
And I’m going to show her for the rest of my life that I can be that guy. The one who is completely crazy about her. She deserves to get all the things in life that she wants, and as long as she wants me by her side, I’ll be there.
“You’re everything to me, Bronc. I love you so much.”
I grip her ass, her breath hitching in her chest. “Sit on my dick and say that again.”
She grips my now hard cock and, wasting no time, slides down on it. We both groan. “I love you.”
“I love you more, Princess. Gonna show you exactly what you mean to me every single day. I’ll never stop showin’ you.”
“You already do.”
And I fall, yet again, more in love with my best friend as every second passes. Her warmth. Her glow. Everything about her I want to love and protect.
My Princess.
Forever.