Fallen Lords MC: Books 7-9 Page 25

  “Whoa,” Carnie gasped. “I haven’t seen the vein in your forehead pulse like that since I drove the Camry into the lake.”

  Mom slapped her hand over her forehead and silently fumed.

  “Look,” I finally said. “I like where things are going with Slayer. I love the relationship I’m creating with Adley. No one has a crystal ball and can predict what is going to happen. Hell,” I laughed. “If we had that, Carnie never would have hooked up with Bobby and we wouldn’t be sitting here today. Carnie wouldn’t be shacking up with Freak, and I wouldn’t be sitting here having this ridiculous conversation with you two.”

  Elle nodded. “I know she’s your daughter, Agnes, but she got her smarts from me.”

  Carnie sputtered with laughter, and I dropped my chin to my chest. These two were absolutely crazy.

  Mom and Elle barked back and forth at each other while Carnie pulled her phone out to try and take pictures of all of the cookies and treats we had made today.

  “You guys are loud.”

  I gasped and twisted to see Adley standing behind me. She wiped her eyes with her hand and yawned.

  “You,” I gasped. “I am completely serious about tying a bell to you and your dad.”

  Adley moved next to me and leaned into me. I draped my arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. “Did you sleep good?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, at least until Carnie’s laughing woke me up.”

  I chuckled and pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “Welcome to the craziness of the Wilkes annual cookie baking party, Adley. You’re officially part of the family now.”

  “Wilkes and Pressner annual cookie baking party,” Adley corrected.

  I hugged her close and sighed. She was exactly right.

  *

  Chapter Fifteen

  Slayer

  “What the hell are you smiling about?” Clash asked

  I turned my phone to Clash and Freak. “That.”

  Carnie had just sent me a picture of Adley and Wendy. Except it looked like they had no clue Carnie had taken the picture, and that’s what made me smile.

  They weren’t posing. Trying to look happy for the camera.

  Wendy had her arm around Adley’s shoulders, and they both had their heads turned toward each other and were smiling. I would have loved to have known what was said to make them look so happy.

  Freak nodded. “Nice, brother. Not only did you manage to get a pretty cool kid, but you managed to snag the perfect woman for you.”

  I looked at the picture again. He was right about Adley. I was damn lucky. Wendy, I wasn’t sure about.

  She was perfect with Adley, and God knew I loved kissing her, but I was worried that she could eventually leave. She didn’t have to stay with us. Hell, we haven't even talked about what was going to happen after the New Year. Initially, Wendy had said she would only stay through the holidays.

  Christmas was only five days away, and before we knew it, it was going to be January.

  “Church!” Wrecker bellowed.

  I shoved my phone in my pocket. I was going to have to worry about Wendy and what we were doing later.

  “You ever wonder what Wrecker would have done for a living if he wasn’t part of the Fallen Lords?” Freak asked.

  I sat down next to Maniac, and Freak sat on the other side of me.

  “Warden,” Maniac replied.

  “Really?” I chuckled. I watched Wrecker stand in the corner quietly talking to Mykel Oakley.

  “Yup. That's basically what he does now. He’s in charge, and we’re inmates that he keeps in line.”

  I chuckled and couldn’t argue with that logic.

  “I can see that,” Freak agreed.

  Pipe was the last one to walk in, and he shut the door behind him.

  Wrecker moved to the head of the table, and Oakley stood next to him.

  “If only my guys came this quickly when I called,” Oakley marveled.

  Wrecker grabbed the wooden gavel and handed it to Oakley. “Use that next time you need their attention.”

  Oakley tested the weight of the gavel in his hand. “You really think pounding a gavel is going to get their attention?”

  Wrecker shook his head. “It won’t until you start pounding heads with it.”

  A slick smile spread across Oakley’s mouth. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

  Wrecker grabbed the gavel from him and slammed it down on the table. He tossed it onto the table and scowled at each of us.

  “I gotta start scowling more, too,” Oakley muttered.

  “It’s key,” Nickel piped in.

  Wrecker turned his scowl on Pipe.

  “See,” Pipe whispered. “Shut me right up.”

  “Did it?” Wrecker growled.

  Oakley pressed his lips together and looked up at the ceiling.

  “You think we can get down to the shit or is this funny hour for you?”

  Pipe held up his hands. “Continue, bossman.”

  Wrecker growled and pulled out his chair for Oakley to sit in. Then, Wrecker moved behind his chair and leaned against the wall. “This is out of my hands. I’ve exhausted every possible connection I have.”

  Oakley steepled his hands in front of him. “I have not,” he hissed.

  “From here on out, we’ll be taking point from Oakley.” Wrecker folded his arms over his chest. “Anyone have a problem with that?”

  If that was the way we were going to find Brinks, then none of us had a problem with it.

  “Jenkins has Brinks.” Oakley’s words settled heavily over the room.

  “Then what in the hell are we doing just sitting here?” Boink growled.

  Oakley sat back in his chair. “We’re sitting here because right now, we can’t get to him.”

  “Then let’s find a fucking way to get to him,” Nickel interrupted.

  Oakley glanced behind him at Wrecker. “Your club’s loyalty to each other is something I have never seen matched.”

  “We’re family,” Wrecker replied simply. “We die for each other.”

  Oakley nodded. “That’s good to know because I have a feeling before this is all over, there will be many casualties.”

  *

  Chapter Sixteen

  Wendy

  “Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.”

  I looked up from the tray of cookies in front of me. “Uh, yup.”

  “Can we go shopping?” Adley asked.

  I grimaced and grabbed a yellow and green frosted Santa Claus cutout. Carnie had left me with all of the odd colored cookies and took the ones that actually looked normal. “Uh, really?”

  She had just said it. It was the day before Christmas Eve. The stores were going to be insane.

  “The mall?” Adley suggested.

  Oh, God. That was going to be even worse.

  “What exactly are we going shopping for?” I asked.

  “I don’t have a present for you or Dad.”

  Oh. Oh. I didn’t know how I was going to get out of going to the mall.

  “I’ll go tell Dad that we’re going to the mall.” Adley dashed up the stairs before I could even form a good excuse as to why we couldn’t go.

  Five minutes later, Adley and Slayer walked down the stairs looking mighty smug.

  “We’re going shopping.” Adley grabbed her boots from the front door and slipped them on. “Dad said there were a couple of things he needed to get.”

  I pursed my lips. “Oh, really?”

  Slayer grabbed my cup of coffee and took a sip. He sputtered and cringed. “I forgot you drink coffee like a girl.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grabbed a cup from the cupboard. “Get dressed, sugar. Let’s try to beat the crowds.”

  “Crowds?” I laughed. “I think that might be an understatement.”

  I was not going shopping the day before Christmas Eve.

  Adley sighed. “Just do it, Dad.”

  “Do wha—” My words were cut off when Slayer bent over, plante
d his shoulder in my gut, and lifted me over his head.

  “Adley told me you were less than excited about going shopping.” Slayer slapped me on the butt and headed to the stairs.

  “So you’re taking me upstairs?” I yelled. “And don’t hit my butt,” I added.

  Adley peeled off into a fit of giggles. “Hurry up, Dad!”

  Slayer carried me up the stairs and dumped me on my bed.

  “Just what in the hell do you think you are doing?” I demanded after I righted myself. My hair was in shambles, and I shoved it out of my face.

  Slayer grabbed my foot, and I flopped onto my back.

  “Slayer,” I screeched.

  He gripped the hem of my pajama bottoms and gave them a yank. I scrambled to grab the waistband, but they were down my legs and sailing over his shoulder before I could secure them.

  “Are you insane?” I hissed. “Adley is downstairs.”

  “I know.” He stalked to my dresser and started opening drawers. “You need to change your underwear?”

  I got on my hands and knees and leaned over the edge of the bed to grab my pants. “What? Are you on drugs right now?”

  My pants were at the tip of my fingertips, but Slayer snatched them away.

  “Stop it,” he ordered.

  “Me? I need to stop it? You are the one who just ripped my pants off.”

  He moved back to my dresser with my pajama pants in his hand. “We’re going shopping, and the longer you mess around, the later we are going to get there. Some of the guys are going to meet us.”

  Realization dawned on me. “That’s what you were doing!”

  He glanced over his shoulder at me. “Trust me. I’m not really excited to go shopping either when you’re in bed with no pants on, but I promised Adley we would go.”

  I clamored to cover my naked legs with my hands. “This is not exactly the way I wanted you to see me pantless the first time.”

  Slayer smirked and turned back to rummaging through my clothes. “Don’t worry, sugar. You live up to expectations and then some.” He walked back to the bed with a pair of black leggings and an oversized cream sweater. “Can you put this on or am I going to have to do that, too?”

  I growled and grabbed the clothes from him. “I think I can manage.”

  He folded his arms over his chest and didn’t budge. “I’m not moving until I see those clothes on you.”

  “You’re crazy, you know that, right?”

  He shrugged. That was it. The man just shrugged.

  I sat back on my butt and worked the leggings up my legs and to my waist. With my legs covered, I felt a little less exposed. Except now I needed to change out of my night shirt. “Uh, you think you could turn?” I pointed my finger at him and make a little circle in the air.

  “Nope.”

  So that was how he was going to play, huh? Well, I guess two could play this game.

  He was going to stand there and watch me change, then I was going to give him a show.

  I planted my knees on the bed and kneeled before him. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and slowly worked it up my body. “You forgot one thing,” I whispered.

  He licked his lips, and his eyes were glued on my bare midriff. “What’s that?”

  “I need a bra.” I pulled my shirt up a sliver more. “Unless you don’t want me to wear one.”

  “Take your shirt off and then I’ll get you one.”

  “Close the door,” I whispered. Adley was downstairs, and if she decided to come up, I didn't want her to get an eyeful of whatever it was that Slayer and I were about to do.

  He kicked the door shut and twisted the lock. “Shirt off.”

  I pulled the shirt over my hand and tossed it right in his face. He grabbed it and dropped it on the floor.

  His eyes heated with desire, and I held up my hand when he took a step toward me.

  “We can’t do this right now, Slayer,” I whispered. I wanted him more than anything, but I knew now was not the time to get what I wanted.

  “Just a preview, sugar. I just gotta know what you taste like.” He took two steps forward, and his shins hit the bed. “Right here.”

  His fingers trailed across my breast, and I visibly shook at his touch. One hand slid to my back, and the other pushed me over ‘til my back arched. His head descended, and his lips captured my nipple.

  I tossed my head back and moaned softly. “Slayer. Oh, my God.”

  I gasped for air as he sucked deep, and it felt like I was going to come right off the bed.

  My fingers delved into his hair, and all I could do was hold on. His mouth moved to my other breast, licking, tasting and teasing.

  “You taste like fucking sugar,” he growled. “Fucking sweet as sugar.” Slayer stood straight and lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and my arms looped over his shoulders.

  His hand combed through my hair, and our lips met in a kiss that was hot enough to burn the house down. “Tonight you’re mine,” he growled against my lips. “I’m not fucking waiting anymore. You’re what I want, and I’m taking it.”

  His words ignited a flame in my core, and I knew it was going to burn for him until tonight. Until we had each other. Fully and completely.

  He ripped his lips from mine and panted heavily. “Get your ass dressed and meet us downstairs. If I stay here a second longer, I’m not letting you ever leave this room.”

  I nodded slightly, and he dropped me back on the bed. He stalked out of the room and closed the door shut behind him.

  My heart raced, and my breathing was labored.

  He did that.

  He was the reason that I couldn’t catch my breath, and I didn’t want to.

  That wasn’t something you left.

  That wasn’t something you chose to leave.

  Mom and Elle were right when they said I had to choose to be with Slayer and Adley.

  It was my choice, but it was a no-brainer.

  *

  Chapter Seventeen

  Slayer

  “I like those.”

  I crouched down and looked at the cobalt blue earrings. “You sure?”

  Adley nodded. “They’re the same color as her eyes.”

  I glanced up at the man in the suit behind the jewelry case. “We’ll take the earrings, too.”

  He nodded and reached into the case. “Blue spinel. Very good choice, miss.”

  Adley smiled broadly. “Thanks. They match my—” Her words died in her throat, and she looked up at me sadly.

  “What’s wrong, doll?”

  She tipped her head to the side and frowned slightly.

  “You don’t want those earrings for Wendy anymore?”

  “I do.”

  I nodded to the guy, and he got the drift. “I’ll just wrap these up and meet you two by the register when you’re ready.”

  I turned to Adley. “What’s wrong, Adley?”

  “I just…When I…” she stammered. “I just didn’t know what to call Wendy to that man.”

  “You can call her whatever you want. You call her Wendy when we’re at home.”

  She nodded. “But I couldn’t really tell that man they were for my Wendy.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, that might have come out a little weird.”

  “Is she going to leave us, Dad?”

  Her question punched me right in the gut, and I hadn’t even answered the other question of what Adley should call her. “Do you want her to leave us?”

  I sure as fuck didn’t want her to.

  “No. I like having her with us. I’m a little worried about the whole homeschooling thing though because we’re doing a lot with fractions in math and well, she said she’s not that great at math.”

  “Adley,” I laughed. “I promise you don’t have anything to worry about when it comes to school.”

  If it came down to it, I would be the one to help her with math.

  “Good. Then, I really don’t want her to leave.” She chewed on her lips then sigh
ed. “I just don’t know if she’s going to stay because she said she was leaving after Christmas.”

  “When did she say that?” If Wendy had told Adley that lately, then maybe I wasn’t feeling the same as Wendy.

  “That first day when we decided she would stay with us.”

  I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. “That was a while ago, Ad, and a lot has happened since then.”

  “Like you fell in love with her?”

  Air whooshed from my lungs, and I struggled to breath. “I uh…what…what makes you…why would you say that?”

  Adley rolled her eyes. “I’m not blind, Dad.”

  I rubbed my chest and looked around. “You think they got a bar or something around here.”

  I was not expecting to have a conversation about falling in love with Wendy. Especially not with my daughter in the middle of the mall.

  “Dad.”

  I looked down at her. “Yeah?”

  “What did you just pick out for her?”

  “Uh, earrings?”

  She shook her head. “The other present.”

  “It’s nothing.” I just saw it in the case and thought Wendy would love it.

  Adley buried her face in her hands and sighed heavily. “You’re hopeless.”

  No, I was just burying my head in the sand and not ready to say out loud what I had just bought. “Let’s get back to what you want to call Wendy.”

  Adley pursed her lips. “Well, I mean, she’s pretty much doing everything a mom would do, right?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, you could look at it that way.”

  “But if I call her mom does that mean I’ll forget about my real mom?” Her mouth dropped and saying those words out loud almost brought her to tears.

  I shook my head. “Nothing will ever make you forget your mom, Adley. I wasn’t around, but I know for a fact that she is the reason why you are the most amazing girl I have ever met, and I know Wendy would never want you to forget her either.” I sighed heavily. “I know you and I are just starting out with this whole family thing, and I know I’m going to mess up a ton while we figure shit out, but you wanna know what’s kind of neat?”

  “Uh, what?”