I removed my own clothes more slowly, aware of her eyes on me, on the roadmap of scars telling my history better than words could.Her fingers traced a knife wound at my ribs, a bullet graze at my shoulder, evidence of a life lived beyond society’s boundaries.No judgment in her touch -- only acceptance, recognition.
When I pulled her against me, the contact of skin against skin drew a sharp breath from us both.Her pulse fluttered beneath my lips as I traced the line of her neck, learning what made her sigh, what made her fingers tighten in my hair.We moved together toward the bed, the mattress giving beneath our combined weight.
“Tell me what you want,” I murmured against her skin.“What you need.”
She guided my hands to her breasts, her back arching as my rough thumbs circled her nipples.When my mouth replaced my fingers, her nails dug crescents into my shoulders.
“Lower,” she breathed, guiding my hand between her thighs where she was already slick and ready.
I stroked her pussy, feeling her pulse against my fingers as she writhed beneath me.Her hand wrapped around my hardness, squeezing with just enough pressure to make my vision blur.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered, tracing a particularly jagged scar across my abdomen before sliding down my body.I flipped us, letting her have more control.
The hot, wet heat of her mouth engulfed me, and I groaned, fisting the sheets.When I couldn’t take any more, I pulled her up so she straddled me.She sank down slowly, taking me inch by inch, her gaze never leaving mine.
“Fuck,” I growled as she began to move, her hips rolling in a rhythm that had me fighting for control.
I gripped her waist, thrusting up to meet her, watching her breasts bounce with each movement.When I reached between us to circle her clit, her inner walls clenched around me.She came with my name on her lips, her entire body shuddering.Three more hard thrusts and I followed, emptying myself deep inside her as stars exploded behind my eyes.
Panting for breath, she collapsed on my chest, her head tucked into my neck and shoulder.“Stay,” I murmured against her hair, not sure if I meant tonight, tomorrow, or something far more permanent.
She pressed closer, arm tightening across my chest.“I’m not going anywhere,” she whispered, the words both promise and defiance against whatever waited beyond our walls.
Outside, the compound settled into night, darkness pressing against windows, distant sounds of motorcycles returning from runs, brothers securing the perimeter.Inside, we’d created something neither of us had expected to find -- a refuge from the chaos surrounding us.
I traced patterns on her bare shoulder as her breathing slowed toward sleep, knowing with bone-deep certainty my claim at the gate had been only the first step, an outward sign of something growing inside me.What began as duty -- protecting someone who needed it -- had become something else entirely.Something I hadn’t looked for but couldn’t let go of now.
The realization should have terrified me.Instead, it settled into place, filling an emptiness I hadn’t realized I felt before.Whatever came for us -- badge or gun or borrowed authority -- would find us together.
As Callie’s breathing evened into sleep against my chest, I kept watch, one hand resting on her hip, the other within easy reach of the weapon on the nightstand.Some habits couldn’t be broken.Some shouldn’t be.
“Mine,” I whispered into the darkness, claiming and claimed in equal measure.
Chapter Seven
Samson
The war room fell silent as Beast spread the papers across the scarred oak table.Legal letterhead, court stamps, and newspaper clippings formed a pattern of trouble that reflected harsh under the hanging light.I counted five senior members present, their cuts gleaming with patches that represented decades of loyalty to the Kings, and two Dixie Reapers who were here to help.No one spoke as Beast arranged the documents in careful order, his methodical movements belying the tension that hung thick as smoke in the room.
“This arrived yesterday.”Beast tapped a cream-colored envelope with the county seal embossed in the corner.“And this came this morning.”
He slid a newspaper clipping toward the center of the table.The headline jumped out at me: “Local Woman Still Missing -- Police Chief Fears Abduction.”Beneath it, a smaller subheading: “Motorcycle Gang Activity Under Investigation.”
My jaw clenched as I read the first paragraph, quoting Chief Davis directly: “We have reason to believe Ms.Monroe is being held against her will by individuals with concerning connections.”
“There’s more,” Beast continued, spreading out additional papers like he was dealing a losing hand.“Notice of property inspection from the county.Fire code violations suddenly discovered at our legitimate businesses.Health department wants to check the water supply on compound grounds.”He looked up, meeting each man’s eyes in turn.“Three brothers pulled over in the last twenty-four hours.Two had their bikes impounded on technicalities.”
Ranger leaned forward, his hands flat against the table.“Bastard’s using every connection he has.”
“And he has plenty,” Wire added from his corner position.The tech specialist from the Dixie Reapers was one of the best, and I was glad to see him.“I’ve been digging.Chief Davis sits on six different county committees.His brother-in-law is a judge in the next district.College roommate works for the state police.”
Beast nodded, then placed a polished business card atop the stack of threats.“Carter Wallace, Attorney at Law,” he read.“Called three times today.Says he represents Chief Davis personally in a ‘delicate family matter’ and wants to discuss ‘options for peaceful resolution.’”
“Legal speak for surrender the girl or else,” Salvation muttered from my right.
I reached for the newspaper clipping, studying the photo they’d used of Callie.An old picture, probably from her driver’s license -- she looked younger, less haunted, her eyes still carrying a spark that Davis’ control had nearly extinguished.The article painted her as mentally unstable, potentially dangerous to herself.Classic manipulation.Make the victim sound crazy before they can tell their story.
“There’s more.”Beast’s voice dropped lower.“Wallace filed preliminary paperwork for an emergency guardianship hearing.Claims Chief Davis has been Callie’s legal guardian since her parents died when she was seventeen.”
