Chapter 12
Creed
It’s been three hours since I almost crossed a line and kissed Nova.
I don’t know what I’m more pissed about, that I got so close to losing control, or that I still don’t know how she tastes.
Even though that’s at the top of my mind, I shrug off my personal feelings as I leave my room and head downstairs to the main room where the Kings are throwing a party for the Vipers to celebrate the deal Stone and I finalized yesterday.
Might seem strange to some, for a bunch of bikers to have a ‘party’ for something like this, but it’s more than just blowing off steam.
Everyone in Pine Ridge is gonna know about this, which means they’ll know that the Kings and the Vipers are partying together.
The Reapers’ll hear about it, too, and that’s what we’re counting on.
When I meet with their rep this week, I want them to come into the meeting knowing if they pull any backhanded shit, it’s not just the Kings they’ll have to deal with.
“There you are.”
The moment I step into the main room, Tasha’s there.
She puts a hand on my arm and flutters her eyelashes at me.
I keep walking, shaking her hand off and ignoring her.
Someone who doesn’t know anything about how things work in an MC might think I’m being a cruel bastard, but Tasha knows I’ve claimed Nova, and it doesn’t matter the reasons I did it.
A claim is a claim, and we don’t hold with cheating, not even messing around with a Bunny.
“Don’t you wanna stop and talk for a minute?” Tasha follows me. “We used to have good talks, didn’t we?”
I sigh and stop. “Tasha, you know how this works. I got an old lady. You can’t be coming after me like this.” She crosses her arms, her lips fixing into a pout. “There’s a lot of men who’d like your attention. Tonight, you’ve even got new faces with the Vipers. Go have some fun.”
I don’t give her a chance to argue. I’ve spotted Nova behind the bar with Crusher and since it seems like some people need reminding of who she is, I go right to her, coming around the bar to greet her. The sight of her almost knocks me on my ass.
I thought the leather and lace dress she wore to the Roadhouse the one night was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, but whoever loaned her the tiny, tight dress she’s got on now must fucking hate me.
It’s a shade of green that makes her hair and eyes stand out, which would be enough to catch my attention, but there’s more to it than that.
Or, more accurately, less to it. It’s short enough that, if she bends over, she’ll be flashing her ass at the whole room, and I’m pretty sure if the dress was cut any lower, everyone would find out what color her nipples are.
I’m so fucked.
“You look great,” I say as I go over to kiss her temple. Immediately, I realize I should have held my breath because all I can smell is her.
“You, too.” She leans against my side and puts her hand on my chest. If she’s remembering the almost-kiss from earlier today, she doesn’t show it.
“What’re you drinking tonight, Prez?” Crusher asks.
Since I don’t have to stay sober enough to ride, I ask for Johnnie Walker Gold, neat. I’m not getting drunk, but if I’m gonna stay sane with Nova looking like that, I’m gonna need the alcohol.
I drink half of what Crusher gives me before putting my arm around Nova, my hand resting on her hip.
“Come on,” I say. “We gotta make the rounds, show the Vipers they’re welcome here.”
Nova doesn’t say a lot as we make our way through the room, but she’s present, not getting distracted by anything.
Not the crude jokes and laughter. Not Sugar giving a Viper a blowjob in the corner or the men cheering for another girl—Josey—who’s dancing on a table wearing nothing but a thong.
Nova doesn’t even blink an eye at Tasha who keeps showing up at random times, offering me a refill on my drink or trying to get my attention.
Nova lets me handle things by ignoring Tasha even though Tasha’s being blatantly disrespectful.
The party’s closing in on midnight when Tasha’s shitty behavior goes too far, and I can’t ignore it anymore.
“Hey, Nova,” Tasha approaches, a glass of red wine in her hand.
I can’t remember ever seeing Tasha drinking wine, and that’s my first clue that something isn’t right, but I don’t have enough time to figure out what she’s going to do until Tasha’s falling forward in an exaggerated trip.
She doesn’t even try to pretend to catch herself, instead throwing the full glass of wine right at Nova.
Nova steps back automatically and Tasha’s throw misses Nova’s face, but the liquid does hit Nova’s dress.
Nova stares down at the now-wet fabric of her dress, an expression of disbelief on her face.
I start to reach for Nova, but one of the other club girls is suddenly there.
Lyssa puts her arm around Nova’s shoulders and glares at Tasha.
I knew Lyssa and Nova have gotten close since Nova saved Crusher, but it’s something else to see Lyssa willing to go up against Tasha for Nova.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” Lyssa says to Nova.
Nova looks at me and I nod. I wait until Nova’s out of earshot because I know Tasha isn’t going anywhere.
She did what she did to get Nova out of the way.
Once Nova’s gone, I turn to Tasha who’s just standing there with a little smirk on her face, looking at me expectantly. What I say wipes all that away.
“Leave, Tasha. You’re banned from all activity for a week.”
“It was an accident,” Tasha protests.
“Another ‘accident’ like that, and you’ll never be allowed back on Pine Ridge turf,” I continue. “Now, get out before I have Crusher escort you out.”
I don’t give her a chance to argue. In a twist of perfect timing, I get a text that someone’s at the door for me. I don’t recognize the man there, but I do recognize the patch on his cut. He’s a Reaper. And if the name tattooed on his neck is accurate, he’s called Grimm.
“Got a message from Grave,” he says. “He and Bones will meet you at Garver’s Truck Stop at the western edge of Barstow in two days. He says we don’t have your prospect, but there’s shit we need to talk about.”
Barstow’s the closest neutral territory and only fifteen to twenty minutes from Pine Ridge, which makes it a good place to meet. I don’t love the idea of Grave picking the place, but I’ve seen the truck stop before and two days is plenty of time to get one of my men over there to scout it out.
“Noon good?” I ask.
Grimm nods. “Grave says he’ll have Bones at his side and three men on the perimeter.”
It’s my turn to nod. “I’ll match that.” I don’t give any names, wanting to talk to my guys before I decide who’s coming with me. “Only the men at the perimeter have weapons, and they keep ‘em holstered.”
“That’ll work.” Grimm scratches at the patchy hair on his chin. “That cover it?”
“I’m good.”
Grimm nods again and then gets back on his bike.
I wait until he drives away to head back inside, pleased with how things went.
Now I don’t need to wonder if the Reapers heard yet about the treaty with the Vipers.
Grimm’s gonna pass on my parameters, and he’s going to tell his president about us hosting the Vipers for a party at our clubhouse.
My good mood lasts as long as it takes me to see some drunk Viper prospect leaning against Nova, his hand on her hip, as she tries to push him away.
I don’t think. My head fills with a roar and I take a few long strides, grab the guy’s shoulder and pull him away from my woman.
He’s still staggering back a couple of steps when my fist makes contact with his jaw.
The sound of knuckles against jawbone isn’t loud enough to stop the room, but his body hitting the floor is.
And if anyone has any doubt about what just happened, I lay it to rest.
“That’s my old lady,” I declare. “Anyone touches her and they’ll lose a hand. Same goes for anyone touching any woman who doesn’t want it.”
Stone calls from where he’s sitting at the other end of the bar, “Lynx, get this stupid motherfucker outside and I’ll deal with him in a minute.” Stone then looks at me. “I’ll deal with my prospect. I apologize for his behavior.” He looks at Nova. “Ma’am, my apologies.”
“I’m okay,” Nova assures him.
I nod my thanks, but I’m in no mood to sit around and talk politics.
I trust Stone to handle the idiot on the ground.
I have other things on my mind right now.
Grabbing Nova’s hand, I drag her toward the stairs and then up to the second floor.
She’s sputtering, asking where we’re going, but I don’t say anything.
She’ll figure it out soon enough. When I push the door to my room open, she makes a soft, surprised sound, but doesn’t pull away, and that’s good enough for me.
My room’s nothing to brag about, but it’s got everything I need, including a dresser, recliner, TV, and a small fridge. There’s even an attached bathroom with a nice shower. Right now, I only need one piece of furniture and I’m glad I thought to put fresh sheets on it this morning.
That’s the last thing I let myself think as I finally give in to what I’ve been wanting for longer than I care to admit.
Her eyes widen when I take her face between my hands and lower my head.
I hold on to a fragment of self-control long enough to give her a chance to say no, but when she doesn’t, I close that last inch.
Her mouth immediately softens under mine, and her hands grip the front of my shirt.
I drop a hand to the small of her back and pull her flush against me.
Adrenaline has me half-hard already and the press of her breasts against my chest is all I need to get a full-on erection.