12. Jameson
TWELVE
This meeting was a clusterfuck.
I knew it was going to be the second Killian had texted to have me bring five of my men and meet at some abandoned gas station. Several Stone Riders glared as they sat atop their bikes, while I knew my men were glaring right back…and the cherry on the shit cake was that apparently Killian had invited a third club.
“The fuck are the Death Raiders doing here?” Thomas, one of my men, grumbled, leaning back in his seat as if he were ready to get the hell out of dodge. His glare was fixed on the approaching group, as ten Death Raiders pulled to a stop, completing our half circle of bikes. The moon was pale and heavy in the sky, the December air was cold against our faces but manageable with our riding leathers.
My gaze narrowed on the lead bike, knowing it was Silas and feeling agitated over seeing him. Our last encounter was still a flicker in the back of my mind. While I had hoped to piss him off, he’d ended up getting under my skin. So much so that I had to resist trying to taunt him into a fight just so I could throw my fist into his face.
“Silas, you’re late.” Killian spoke into the clearing after all the bikes shut off.
I lifted my chin toward Killian and Wes. “Care to explain what the hell is going on?”
Silas laughed, shaking his head. Out here in the dark, his eyes caught the glare of the moon, making them look unnatural…as if he’d just slipped up through a shadow and was only here to reap souls.
“Of course the Chaos Kings wouldn’t know what was going on, your club is nothing but fucking anarchy right now.”
I bristled at the implication, regardless of how true it was, and for the sake of my men who were seething behind me, I bit out a cold reply.
“Anarchy can still fuck you up and put a bullet in your head, so mind your mother fucking tongue.”
“Enough.” Killian broke into the fray, leaving his bike to stand next to it. Silas did the same, so I followed suit.
“This isn’t the Death Raiders fight,” I said straight away because I knew my men were thinking it.
Silas glared at me, his hair was slicked up and to the side. Fucker looked like a pretty boy you’d see on some classic magazine about motorcycles. He didn’t look like he fit into this life.
“A member of your club was found right outside of the perimeter of the Stone Riders property line a few days ago, which means they’re scouting.”
He’d already shared that little piece of information, it wasn’t new.
“Still don’t see how that involves the Death Raiders?” I glared at Silas then Killian.
Silas tilted his face the slightest bit, almost as if he was reconsidering what he was about to say.
“I was the one who showed up to ensure they no longer had the ability to spy.”
“And why exactly were you there?” I asked pointedly, not giving a single fuck as to what his play was here.
Killian stepped in and directed the attention back to the issue at hand.
“We need the help of the Death Raiders to lure Jefferson and Luke out. I want to send a message to them, and to do that we need to work together. Silas has more patrols running right now than any of our clubs do. If he sees anything, he’ll report it.”
I had a feeling that meant Silas was going to be around the Stone Riders property more often. I directed my question back to Killian. “What else does that give him license to do?”
I didn’t miss the smirk ghosting across Silas’s mouth before his cold voice cut through the air.
“It gives me license to do whatever I think needs to be done.”
I cut a quick glance to Wes, then Killian. “So that means he might be showing up on Stone Rider property?”
Killian’s jaw clenched before his eyes found the ground. Just as I thought. I had heard of how Silas had used Killian’s old lady, Laura, as a means to send a message to Killian. Presumably after I had met with Natty. My hour-long coffee date with the blonde apparently threw the leader into such a fucking tantrum, he held Laura at gun point. It was still rather fresh from what I understood. Regardless of the man’s intentions, something told me Laura wouldn’t like seeing Silas around.
Just as I suspected, Silas glanced briefly at Killian who was already shaking his head.
“If he’s out of sight…but he won’t ever be anywhere that will cause alarm or fear for other members.”
Good. I didn’t want him near Penelope either.
“I had another reason for why I came tonight,” Silas muttered solemnly, staring at his boots. In the dark I couldn’t see them, but I noticed how he kicked at the solid dirt around the bike. The cold had nearly frozen everything.
We all waited, our breaths frosting the air.
“Found out Jefferson took a meeting with someone recently.”
Killian’s brows furrowed before he glanced at Wes, then back at Silas. I checked Giles’s expression and saw him looking at both men as well. It angered me that he was acting vice president and yet it was Wes who was consistently next to Killian.
“You get a name?”
“Yeah.” Silas scratched his neck. “Your pops ever talk about a man named Fable?”
Killian seemed to freeze in place, with his eyes blown wide. There were a few muttered curses from the Stone Riders’ old timers, along with one of my own.
My eyes bounced between his and Silas, until finally Killian let out a small huff of air.
“A different kind of devil, one that doesn’t reap souls, but destroys them…” Killian muttered, almost to himself, while staring at the ground.
Shit, I knew that tale…I knew about the man they said had been named after fear, by his own parents…but his name was in a different language, so here in the states, he had adopted a nickname.
Fable.
Silas looked resigned, his jaw tensed, but his expression was distant, as if he didn’t want to be present for this conversation.
“Yes…that’s him. His real name is Timothy…or as his biblical name states, Timor...”
Kilian’s eyes narrowed.
“You seem to know a lot about him.”
Silas dropped his hands, as if he’d been defeated. “I’ve only met him a few times, but my mother ensured I knew everything about my father, seeing as one day it’ll be me that puts a bullet in his brain.”
My men whispered to one another behind me. I saw the Stone Riders talk as well, but the Death Raiders were silent, still and stoic.
Silas stepped back, his fists clenched tight before he responded to Killian. “Our fathers were friends long ago and I suspect remained as such. Jefferson has found where my father had slunk off to and brought him back to Virginia. Jefferson was worrisome on his own, but the two of them together…” He shook his head, looking overwhelmed. “They have even older loyalties to tap into…dead and buried allegiances we assumed would never resurface.”
“Fuck,” Wes muttered with a harsh rasp.
Killian’s expression seemed to display the same sentiment.
“I heard he led his own club…Destroyers or something like that?” Giles offered from his spot, his arms crossed and chin gesturing up toward the group.
Silas glared but didn’t reply. But he needed to, because if his dad was leading a club, and Jefferson was in control of the Chaos Kings that had defected…then fuck. We were in trouble.
“We need to try and pull Luke out, see if we can use him to lure the other two somewhere,” Silas suddenly suggested, his eyes flew to me with a lift of his chin. “Your woman, Penelope, she’s carrying his kid, right?”
My fists opened and closed, desperate to break his jaw. I fucking hated hearing her name on his lips.
“We’re not using her.”
“If it’s to draw him out then we have to consi—” Silas started, but I cut him off.
“Would you? If it was her…would you?” He knew who I was talking about. Out of respect, I wouldn’t say Natty’s name in front of all these members, but he knew. So did Killian and Wes.
Silas narrowed his lethal gaze on me. If looks could kill, I’d be dead where I stood.
The silence grew, so I added quietly, “You aren’t the only one with people to protect. She isn’t a pawn.”
“We can draw him out with you, Jameson. Luke was your second in command—if things are going poorly with Jefferson, perhaps he’ll want to reconcile with you,” Killian suggested and it eased the tension in my chest.
“Fine. I’ll connect with the members who still have ties to the ones who stayed behind and see if I can start a rumor that I’ve been wanting to get back in touch with him.”
Silas gave a slight nod before turning back to his bike.
Killian glanced at me, then Wes. “We doing anything about Fable coming into the picture?”
Silas straddled his bike. “Watch your loved ones…pull ‘em close, speaking of…” He glanced at his phone briskly, then his watch, which was a smart watch of some variation. “We need to go.”
My brows tucked in as I swung my focus to Kilian, Wes and then Silas. “Why?”
“Two members of Sons of Speed have driven past The Hollow in the past half hour.”
The fuck were Sons of Speed doing here in Rose Ridge?
“What’s the Hollow?” I flicked another nervous look to Killian.
Silas started his bike, which had his officers doing the same, and then within a blink, they were driving away.
Killian walked over to me, while Wes jogged back to his bike. “Just follow us.”
I turned and got on my bike, nodding to my brothers who were waiting for my signal. We pulled out behind the Stone Riders and made our way back to the main road. The Death Raiders were about a quarter of a mile ahead of us, but we caught up quick enough. Between all our members, there was about twenty of us all together.
Rose Ridge was still new as far as navigation went, but I recognized the local market and library and then we turned off on a side street, heading into a residential neighborhood. I was confused until we stopped in front of a house that seemed busy with people milling about outside and around the property. There were lights strung up around the trees and front porch. My gaze moved around the street until it landed on a familiar looking white car.
Penelope.
I was off my bike in a second and rushing forward. Killian and Wes were ahead of me, but Silas just remained on his bike, watching from down the street.
We entered through the chain-linked fence and scaled the porch steps. It was just the three of us entering, so it wasn’t too crowded, but the house itself was packed full of people. There were couples on couches, others standing against the wall, sipping from coffee mugs. They eyed us warily as Killian led the way down a set of metal stairs into what seemed to be a basement.
Music floated up as we descended, and the lighting transitioned to something much darker. Below there was a stage set up, along with small tables scattered throughout the space. More dim lights were strung up, and near the back of the room was a bar with at least ten people dotted around it.
Harris was standing by the stairs, watching a group of women in the center of the room.
Blonde, brunette and midnight black. I moved first, but Killian gripped my arm.
“We tread carefully down here. Blend, find a seat, and ease into alerting them that we’re here. The town is a bit of a powder keg right now where clubs are concerned, that and this is Laura’s space. We’re careful not to stir shit up here.”
I nodded, taking a step back. I could blend into the wall, that was fine, but I watched the back of Penelope’s head while I did. I was piecing together that this was the girls’ night she’d mentioned earlier. She’d told me she was going with them, but I hadn’t exactly connected where she was going to be, not after Harris had trailed her. Guilt flared so strongly I nearly doubled over. It was my job to keep her safe, and I didn’t even know the name of where she was going to be tonight. It was another hit from Silas, who had clearly been keeping better tabs on them.
Normally I would be…I had been since she needed my help with everything, but I’d been so fucked up about that kiss that I’d essentially just dropped her at the cabin and left as quickly as I could. She tasted the same as she did the last time I kissed her, and years later, it was like I’d never stopped wanting her. Regardless that she had, in fact, stopped wanting me.
The person singing on the stage stopped, and everyone clapped. Killian made his way to the bar, where he began talking to an older man. The girls all stood, and my heart jack hammered in my chest. Pen was so beautiful with her hair swept into a half updo, her shirt clinging to her swollen stomach, and…fuck, those jeans. How did she still fit into them? Her curves and breasts were fucking mouth watering.
Living with her had become hellfire to deal with because I was always burning now.
Burning to touch her.
Burning to see her, to look at those curves she occasionally showed off. Like this morning, when she’d stretched and let her clothes rise and fall in any which way. She was tempting, and all I wanted was to lean her back and fuck her.
But that would not be good for our complicated—fake dynamic.
Or would it? She was stressed, and likely sexually frustrated…and I…well, I had to prove to everyone that this was real. Why couldn’t I touch her a little extra?
Just as I began to think it, I started walking toward the group as they exited the cluster of tables. Before Pen even caught sight of me, I was there at her back, my hand on the base of her neck.
“You look fucking sexy,” I murmured loud enough for people to hear, and then I pulled her back until her face was tipped and her eyes were locked on mine. Her lips parted, her hands went to her side, covering the one I had on her hip and then my lips were on hers.
Stardust. Silent prayers and hope.
So much hope it would burst through my chest and break my fucking heart.
Her eyes went wide, but she closed them seconds after my hand moved into her hair. She adjusted her stance and moved with me, kissing me slowly. The world seemed to blur and fade as we pulled apart, but her hands were now on my chest because her body had twisted.
“What are you doing here?”
Her lips were swollen and glistening under the lights. I wanted to pull the bottom one back between my teeth, but one kiss would be good enough for the show we needed to put on.
“Sons of Speed were spotted riding past; we were in a meeting when we left.”
Penelope suddenly spun around and found Laura, Callie and Natty waiting by the stairs with Wes and Killian.
“We should go then.” Her voice was subdued, like she was worried.
I walked behind her, keeping my hand at the small of her back. It made me curious if she had ever had any encounters with them. I’d have to ask her about it later. I knew her mom had said she’d been raised for part of her life in various clubs, but I never heard which ones they were.
“I’m driving Natty back, so I will meet you at the cabin.” Penelope inclined her head as we scaled the steps back through the odd coffee—bookstore. Natty turned and gave me a small smile. “Hope that’s okay.”
I dipped my head. “Fine by me, I’ll follow close behind.”
Harris brought up the rear, and once we were out in the frigid December air, I pulled Penelope close again.
“Next time I’m having you drop the pin for your location.”
Her fingers found a place along my belt loops, tugging and holding on while my arm draped over her shoulders. Natty walked between Laura, Callie and their partners. I was tempted to glance over my shoulder to see where Silas had perched up because he undoubtedly was watching us as we walked down the street.
“Fuckin’ hate that you’re still coming here at night.” Killian complained loud enough for me to hear.
Laura glanced toward Penelope with a wince. “It’s fine, the bloggers have backed off a bit, haven’t they?”
Fucking idiots with misplaced ideals. A group of online enthusiasts thought it would be a smart idea to try and eradicate motorcycle clubs from Virginia, and they were focusing a large part of their efforts on Rose Ridge. It finally clicked for me what this place was.
“This is where they attacked you guys last month, isn’t it?” I’d heard that report when I needed to bring Penelope and they were worried it wouldn’t be safe for her.
Killian made some dissatisfied sound before affirming my question.
“So why are they allowed to come back then?”
Laura let out a sigh. “Because of me…I sing there, and I love it. Killian loves me, and we just have extra security in place now.”
I’d have to discuss that with Killian later because as far as I knew, only Harris had trailed them. That wasn’t enough protection. Then again, knowing Wes, he wouldn’t allow Callie to be pregnant and out at night without more protection than that.
The women had parked next to each other, so as soon as they were safely inside their cars, with Harris trailing behind, we mounted our bikes and did the same. Right as I passed the side street Silas had parked on, I gave him a two-fingered salute as I rode past.
He flipped me off before following us.
We finally parked in front of the cabin. We’d dropped Natty, and I had to watch as Silas took up post right outside the closed property fence. All it did was remind me that there were traitors out there scouting and spying, and even more Death Raiders tracking. While I knew Killian seemed to trust Silas, I did not.
Penelope opened her car door and I winced at the groan it made.
She must have caught it. “Sorry, needs some WD-40.”
I would have to get it handled tomorrow, but first we needed to talk.
Walking into the cabin first, I held my hand out, so she’d hang back a second. Flipping on the lights, I searched the small living room and kitchen then cleared the bedroom. The fact that a Chaos King had been caught on the outskirts of the property and now tonight with the Sons of Speed; I refused to take any more risks with Penelope.
“Okay, it’s clear. Come inside.”
Penelope walked in, holding a soothing hand over her stomach.
I secured and locked the door then pulled the shotgun I’d grabbed from the house earlier and set it next to the door. I had a Glock I’d be setting on the bedside table tonight, too.
“Is everything okay?” Pen asked, quirking a dark brow at me. She had a yogurt open and was licking the spoon.
I stared, unsure of what her question had been. Her blue eyes seemed to glitter, her pink lips tilted up, just slightly on the edges, and she reminded me of that night I first met her. That night, I stupidly tried to act as if I didn’t care that she’d moved to Richland. I could barely get my words out because she had been the prettiest person I’d ever seen. She was sweet and smelled like spring and winter at the same time. She felt like something from a fairy tale.
I could barely speak, and then Luke walked in and flirted with ease. Just like he always did and I just felt…like I didn’t have a shot. Not in a million lifetimes did I ever assume I’d be in a space with Penelope like this. Now as her fiancé.
“Jameson?”
I blinked and turned away. “Everything is fine, but I’m not taking any chances. When you leave, you need to ping my phone with the address, and you need to start wearing my patch.”
Facing her again, I caught the way her mouth parted, and her eyes rounded.
“You already had one made up?”
“Red from the Stone Riders, she offered to help me out. Said she helped with all the cuts in the club. It’ll be ready in a few days.” I slipped out of my boots and hung up my cut before turning to see her expression.
Her face flushed, but she lowered it just in time to take another spoonful into her mouth.
“You need some actual dinner.”
She shook her head. “We ate before we went to the Hollow…but I can get you something…” She turned toward the fridge and pulled it open.
“No, don’t worry about me. Just eat your snack and relax.” I waved her off, walking into the kitchen. She smelled like honey wrapped in pine. The scent was smeared into my soul now, like a balm of hope. I wanted to press my nose to her glossy black hair and inhale. I wanted to skim her scattered freckles with my tongue and see if she’d taste as sweet as she smelled.
“We have chicken and potatoes from the other night,” Penelope offered, watching me from over her shoulder.
Fuck, I was fighting a hard-on.
“I’m good…actually I think I want to take a quick shower first. You need in the bathroom before I hop in?”
My erection was growing, and I really needed to hide it. So I moved around the kitchen counter and gave Penelope my back.
Her sweet voice finally echoed as I made my way into the room. “No, I’m good.”
I shut the door, and then briskly tugged my shirt free and yanked at the copper button of my jeans.
With them loose around my hips, I ambled into the bathroom like an addict scoring a fix.
My cock was in my fist seconds later, and with my other hand, I turned the knob on the shower. This was fucking ridiculous; she hadn’t even done anything but exist.
But the idea of existing with her, so fucking close was too much for me.
Right before I stepped into the shower, I hesitated with my hand near my phone…she’d suggested we tell each other when we needed privacy, but…
I stroked my shaft, thinking of her lips. I thought about what they’d feel like wrapped around my cock, how big her eyes would get when taking all of me. I thought of what kinds of sounds she’d make when I gripped her by the hair and went deeper. How she’d look coated with white bands of cum coating her lashes and those swollen lips.
Precum leaked from the head of my cock as I found the unlocked padlock emoji, then I shot it to her in a text and set the phone down on the counter.
No clue what would happen with that text, maybe nothing but the idea of Penelope opening the text and then picturing me in here, fucking my hand…it was too tempting not to do. Although, this would open it up for her to respond in kind, and knowing Penelope, she’d take it as a challenge, and fuck if I knew what sort of game she’d turn it into.
I just knew this new situation gave me permission to touch her, and I couldn’t find it in me to care.