Chapter 7
Seven
Raff
White Horse - Chris Stapleton
My phone pings an alert from the security app at my house.
“You good, brother?” Stud asks clearly reading my face. I have been at the shop changing a taillight on my bike. When I don’t have a job site to be at, I typically will come here to work on my bikes or help Honey and Stud on the cars they have.
I throw up a finger to get him to pause as I click the audio on.
The small phone screen isn’t ideal, but the system I have in my house is crystal clear in both video and audio.
What I see makes my blood boil. It’s the camera on the corner of my garage.
The one that faces Josie’s home. Why didn’t she use the fob? It’s obvious she is uncomfortable.
“Brett, you aren’t supposed to be here!” Her voice trembles as her eyes stare wildly at the man looming over her.
He smiles with a sinister smirk as he reaches out to stroke her face. Instantly, she jerks back at the contact. “Puppet don’t be this way. Justice is sick. I came to check on my son.”
Her face turns to stone. “He is not your son! What happens with him, with me, is not your business, Brett.” Her voice is laced in fear and anger as she fights to remain firm.
The man reaches out grabbing both of her arms up high near her shoulders, shaking her hard. “You are my business. You are my world!” He yells and I’ve seen enough. He is out of control.
“Gotta run,” I mutter rushing out of Honey’s shop by hopping on my bike not even taking time to dick with a helmet. My mind is focused on her, nothing will get in my way. Thankfully, the gate to the garage area is open so I don’t have to dick with getting off and sliding it for my escape.
I don’t obey a single traffic law as I twist the throttle and press on.
Pulling into our neighborhood, I slow down attempting to allow things to seem normal.
Knowing what I plan to do, I only need her to go along, and this man is will soon understand he can back off now.
There is a reason he is her ex-husband. I roll in behind her car instead of going to my side of the driveway.
I don’t think, I react. Dropping the kickstand, I hop off casually, containing the rage burning inside me.
There is an easy way to get through to a man like him and I know just what to do. Hopefully Josie will follow my lead.
She is still standing in front of her house with the man as both of their eyes turn to see me.
Her gaze narrows trying to gauge my presence.
I keep my eyes locked to hers as I walk up hearing the sounds of another Harley coming in the distance.
The noise only fuels my ego as I allow a smile to fill my face.
I know Stud followed behind me and probably called in the other Hellions.
Strutting directly to her, I wrap one arm around her waist pulling her close before cupping her chin to tilt her head to look up at me.
Without hesitation, I drop my head, pressing my lips to hers.
Instantly, she softens in my embrace as electricity races through my body.
Sweeping my tongue across the seam of her mouth, she takes the hint opening for me.
This kiss deepens as I hear a growl from the man beside us.
Ignoring him, our tongues tangle as her arms come to rest on my shoulders tenderly.
I am not a tender man.
I hear the rumble of Stud pulling in and then it ends as he shuts off his bike. Even aware of other people around us, I take this moment to memory. Her body pressed to mine, her lips against mine, and our tongues dancing is changing something inside me.
Something about the gentle feel of her hands as they touch my neck erupts a cave man inside me. I grab her ass pulling her entire body against mine continuing to devour her mouth with my own.
“Dayum Raff, that is a welcome home from the little lady,” Stud mutters joining us after parking his bike on the street.
Only at his additional presence being announced do I pull my mouth away from hers but still keep her close against me.
“Hey sugar, how ya doin’ today?” Stud asks Josie as if they have known each other for ages.
Josie blushes and shrugs her shoulders as she seems to be speechless. Whether it’s from our kiss or simple presence alone, I don’t know.
The man glares at Josie. I don’t give him a chance to speak before tucking her body safely behind my own and extending my hand. He thinks he has power. He has entered a game I intend to win, not for me, but for Josie’s freedom.
“You must be the contractor? Sorry, I couldn’t be here on time.
Traffic was a bitch. I’m Dean, I see you’ve met my woman, Josie.
” I turn back to look at her. “Appreciate you keepin’ the contractor here outside.
Justice is crashed out I’m sure after our late night with the rocket.
” Yeah, I lied, what is this fuckface going to do about it?
“I know the school called, he’s not sick, just tired. Sometimes we play too hard.”
Josie gives me a half smile, “he does enjoy your time, Dean.” Her words are soft in a whisper.
“I’m not the fuckin’ contractor,” Brett states and I want to laugh. I know who he is, but no need to play all my cards in the first hand.
Ignoring him, I turn away, basically shoving the back of my cut in his face.
He should know what he’s up against. Pressing a soft kiss to her forehead, I give my full attention to Josie, “Jo, baby, go on inside. I’ll take care of rescheduling the estimate for your new kitchen.
Let’s have a low-key night, I’ll order dinner.
You go run a bath. I won’t be far behind you.
” I lean down and she instantly reads me tilting her head to me as I press my lips to hers.
It’s amazing how seamless this works between us.
Unable to control myself, I deepen the kiss craving more.
Only when she wraps her hands around my neck once again do I remember we have an audience and pull away.
She bites her bottom lip unsure. I nod, “go get that bath started, baby. Got that garden tub for a reason, Jo.” I smirk before she looks timidly around my body to see the man.
Her eyes widen in fear as she fights to keep it in check before turning around beginning to make her way inside.
“That’s my wife,” he growls as she walks away. “Josie, you’re a fuckin’ whore.”
She pauses looking at me, her face red in embarrassment. “Jo, go on inside. I’m gonna have a chat with this fella. I’m thinkin’ he doesn’t understand your divorce agreement or your protection order. I got this, baby. Go on. I’ll be right in.”
She nods before turning back around to continue inside.
The man moves closer to me but stops as Stud shoves his arm out against the man’s waist. “Yeah man, we aren’t gonna do that shit in front of the lady,” Stud informs. “You got your one insult out at her. That’s all you’re gonna get here on my brother’s front lawn.”
With his eyes locked to mine, the man sizes me up. “If you know about my divorce then you know I’m not your fuckin’ contractor. And I know this ain’t your front yard, the lease is in her name.”
I laugh. “Yeah motherfucker, clue in. I know everything there is to know about you including things your ex-wife doesn’t know.
It’s my job to know seein’ as she’s mine.
More than that, it’s my job to let her live the rest of her fuckin’ life without a single worry.
That means letting her think I don’t know just how fucked up her situation is with you.
That contractor skit was for her benefit, not yours. ”
He rolls his shoulders back as if to peacock puff up at me.
“Wouldn’t do that if I was you, man,” Stud states shaking his head.
“You insultin’ his woman was the only pass Raff will be givin’.
And in case you need to have shit spelled out real clear because you seem a little slow on the uptake, I’m not gonna save your ass.
In fact, I’m gonna sit back and watch the motherfuckin’ show. ”
Brett ignores Stud. “You can’t take what isn’t available and Riff Raff,” he looks to my cut and says my road name with disdain, “she’s not on the market and definitely not for your kind.”
Right then, four more bikes pull up staring at the altercation on the grassy area between my house and Josie’s, watching, waiting, and ready to take my back. This is the life of a Hellion; I’m never on my own. Josie is going to learn she won’t be either, not ever again.
I laugh manically, “my kind, huh?” Stud laughs with me. “Well, Brett, you’ve stepped in my world. You seem to misunderstand some things especially about my kind.”
“No, I don’t need to understand shit. What you need to see is you’re the one fuckin’ my wife. There is nothing to misunderstand about that.”
Shaking my head, I inform him, “ex-wife. Since I’ve had a long fuckin’ day at work and I got a gorgeous as fuck woman waitin’ for me inside, consider this your last warning.
Come back here again, get anywhere within a football field of Josie or Justice and you’ll find out just how bad my kind can be. ”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Nope, not a threat at all.” I look to Stud. “I got a woman naked in a bathtub, I’m done with this shit. Give him a personal tour to the exit of our subdivision, Stud.”
He smiles the Stud shit-eating grin that fills his whole face and can be both intimidating and funny at the same time depending on who you are.
“You got it, brother.” He looks to the other brothers, “we will gladly give him the parade exit.” I let out a chuckle.
Stud adds, “Tell Jo, Honey will be wantin’ girl time soon. ”
I nod before I walk away. Of course Honey will want girl time. She looks out for all the Hellions and the women close to them. I hear the man shift behind me and know Stud has grabbed him based on the sounds coming from them.
“No sir, you heard my brother. Time to leave.”