All the brothers file out except for me and Tank. I slump down into my chair, resting my elbows on the table and bow my throbbing head into my hands.
“You all right, brother?” Tank asks me.
“Yeah. Something’s just not adding up right. Raven said they were after her and Fuel got in the way. He hasn’t shown up here, which means he could be dead. So where’s his body? Why take it and not clean up the crime scene?”
“You think someone’s sending us a message?” Tank asks.
“A strong one. We need to figure out who’s after her and how it’s connected to the club.” On a heavy breath, I push the chair away from the table and stand. “She stays with me.”
Tank nods and follows me out of Church. I find Raven bellied up to the bar with the prospect serving her shots. Her hands tremble. By the way she’s lining them up and knocking them back, she’s drowning out dark memories. I can’t help but wonder what demons she’s chasing away. What kind of trouble has she found herself in that has someone willing to kill to get to her? Whatever she’s hiding from, her guilt grows with each drink. She’ll have a hell of a hangover tomorrow.
She catches me watching her and raises her shirt, “All patched up. Can I have my keys back now?”
I can feel the others looking at her and it ties my stomach in knots. I lower her shirt, careful not to put pressure on the bandage. “You’re in no condition to drive. Sleep it off, and we’ll discuss it tomorrow.”
She slaps my hand away. “You can’t keep me here.”
“Try me.” I grab her by the wrist and drag her up the stairs toward my room. She staggers behind me, screaming a dictionary of obscenities the entire way.
When we reach my room, I pull her inside, using a little too much force. “You’ll stay in my room. The bathroom’s over there.” I point to the adjoining bathroom off to the side.
She stumbles over her own feet, plopping her sweet ass on my bed. “What the hell is it with all you guys? A bunch of fucking cavemen. Swigging beer and knocking around women to get what you want.”
She’s angry and I can’t blame her, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting her leave. Not tonight. Maybe not ever. “I don’t have to knock you around. When I lay my hands on you, you’ll be begging to give me what I want.”
I step toward her, raising my hand to touch her face. When she flinches, expecting a strike, it’s me who trembles. Her reaction shouldn’t come as a shock, I’ve been intimidating her all day trying to pry answers out of her. My reaction is surprising. Something about her tugs at my guts. I want to help her. I want to protect her. To touch her. To have her touch me. I want to bash in the fucking skull of the man that installed that kind of fear in her. Then I remember. She’s not mine. “We’ll find Fuel and bring him back to you.”
“Me? You’ve got it all wrong. Fuel may have had other intentions, but I made it clear we’re just friends.”
“You sidelined him?” As hard as I try, I can’t keep the smirk from forming on my lips.
I don’t think twice. I grip her hair in my fist and crash my lips to hers. She opens for me, allowing me to dominate and devour her mouth. She tastes even better than I imagined, sweetness exploding on my tongue. I’m not gentle. Our kiss is messy and rushed. My need for her takes over all logic. To hell with Fuels’ crush. My desperation for her takes me by surprise, but it consumes me. I claim every inch of her mouth. Twenty-four hours ago, she was just another piece of tail. One I hadn’t given a second thought but the moment she stood up to me I knew I met my match.
Pressing my free hand against the small of her back, I draw her closer. Her arms wrap around my neck and heat rises through my body. My cock hardens, pressed against her. When she moans, I swallow it up, taking even more.
She unlocks her arms from around my neck, flattening her hands against my heaving chest. She breaks our kiss. Her face pales as she clamps her mouth shut with the palm of her hand. Her eyes darting past me. She pushes on my chest, forcing me to step back before retreating to the bathroom and slamming the door shut behind her.
I should offer to hold her hair or some other comforting shit as the vodka shots she slammed down come back up, but all I can do is shove my shaking hands deep in my pockets. This woman makes me nervous, like no other woman ever has. It’s a weakness that could jeopardize the club and I won’t have it. I can’t put them at risk again. My fingers brush against the bracelet, and I remember her reaction when I mentioned the inscription. The look on her face when I pried it from her hand is one that I can’t shake. You would have thought I kicked her puppy or spit on her Grandma. I pull it out of my pocket, running the thin gold over my fingertips. It’s obvious it’s important to her, and I’ve been a big enough douche to her today. I lay the bracelet out on the side table next to the bed, hoping she doesn’t read too much into why I’m giving it back. She’s better off if I put some distance between us. Otherwise, I can’t be responsible for my actions. The things I want to do to her body are far from comforting in her current state.
When I reach the hallway, I spot Mercy walking toward my room, her arms loaded up with folded clothes. “I thought Raven could use something clean to change into.”
“Thank you, she’s not feeling well. I have club business to tend to, but I’ll be back to check on her when I can.”
“No worries. I’ll take care of her.” Mercy passes me and disappears into my room.
I take the steps two at a time, the need to put more distance between me and Raven growing by the second. I head straight to the command center between the Rec room and church. I unlock the door and slam it shut behind me. I settle into the leather chair behind a desk with multiple laptops and power one on.
