Chapter Nine

 

 

 

The office was full of women when he returned. Not what he’d intended, but as he cracked the door he heard the tail end of a conversation where it sounded like Gen was explaining the situation to her posse, so he stood and listened.

“Did you tell him not to bother coming for you once things were safe?” He had no idea who asked it, but it was a soft, female voice.

“No! He didn’t give me a chance! He doesn’t let me talk! You heard how bossy he is!”

Duke pushed in and the room looked at him. Gen stood and said, “I’m going home, now. Thanks for coming to my rescue. Maybe we can talk tomorrow, once I’m sober.”

“How about another plan?” he asked, his voice gentle. “We’re having a get-together across the street. Family friendly — lots of kids, wives, and girlfriends. No drugs, no rough stuff. It’s my family, and I’d like you to meet some of them.”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea tonight. I’ve had a lot to drink.”

Duke suddenly realized what she was worried about, and his mouth went into a smile he couldn’t hold back. “I’m certain that little cunt of yours is as beautiful as the rest of you, but I promise you, I’m not going to sink my cock into it for the first time when you’re drunk. You’re gonna be stone cold sober for our first time, my beautiful Gen. I just want to spend time with you, tonight.”

Her face flamed red, she sat down, leaned over, and covered her face with her hands.

“Umm, Mr. Duke? Sir?”

He turned towards the voice and took in Frisco and Isaac’s girlfriend in real life for the first time. So sweet, so shy. He smiled, trying hard not to scare her, too, and said, “Yes, Darlin’?”

“She isn’t used to being talked to like that. You might want to tone it down a little.”

He smiled, looked back to his Gen. “She’s a strong one. She’ll get used to it. She’ll get used to me.”

At this, Samantha Levi stood and said, “I don’t want to know what happened to the gentleman you walked out, but I will thank you for not doing it in front of her. However, she doesn’t want to be here right now and if you keep insisting she stay, you aren’t much better than him.”

Different worlds. Duke had known they’d come from different worlds, but hadn’t understood exactly what it would mean. Gen’s face was still buried in her hands — what he’d thought was kid gloves was still too much for his little innocent, apparently. He squatted in front of her and said, “Beautiful, can you look at me a second, please?”

She dropped her hands and looked at him, and he said, “Thank you. Let’s go over a few definitions, okay?” She nodded and he said, “Okay, in biker world, saying you’re mine can mean a lot of things. Mostly, it means if anyone hurts you, I hurt them. If anyone touches you in a way you or I don’t want them to, I hurt them. Every man in Rolling Thunder is mine. Their wives, most of their girlfriends, all of their kids, most of their girlfriends’ kids. We employ a few people not in the club, and they are mine. I’ve claimed you publicly. Six months ago it may have made you a target. Today? It keeps you safe.”

Gen took a few minutes to digest his words and said, “I don’t like the ‘C’ word. It’s worse than… it’s worse than the rest. All of them. Even GD, which I thought was the worst until I heard you—”

Okay, Beautiful. I’m sorry. We’re going to have to find a common vocabulary. You’re smart, I’m smart. We can do this.”

Some movement caught his eye and he looked up to see another female glaring at him, the redhead Gen had been dancing with. When their eyes met, she took the opportunity to point her finger and say, “Her last three boyfriends jacked her over. She has maybe, maybe, one time left to give someone her heart before she locks herself away for good. She hasn’t been out on the first damned date since the last asshole, and if you give her all this talk about her being yours and then you let her walk in on you doing someone doggie style up the ass? I’ll hurt you.”

She paused for a few seconds, dropped her hand and said, “But you know what? You aren’t like anyone else she’s ever dated, so maybe you won’t turn out to be just another fucking asshole. Same goes, though. You hurt her and I hurt you.”

Gen’s face was back in her hands, so he stood, pulled her up to him, wrapped his arms around her, and cradled her face to his chest.

“Let me guess,” he said to the woman who’d just let him have it. “Her best bud?”

She nodded but didn’t smile. “Bethany.”

He let go of Gen with one hand and offered it to Bethany. “I’m Duke. Nice to meet you.”

She shook his hand and asked, “Are all of us invited to this party, or just my girl?”

Again, not what he’d intended, but he ordered, “Everyone coming to the party, get out your phone and put my number in.”

He gave them his number and then looked to Tyler Hastings back in the corner. “Hastings, heard a lot about you, nice to finally meet you. You and your wife Viv are welcome.” He made his way around the room, addressed Cam and Cassie together, then Sam, Bethany, and the rest of the girls. When he didn’t know a name, he asked, and questioned how they were connected to Gen. He needed to make sure he knew everyone’s name before he carried them across the street.

“Okay, for those of you who’re single, most of my men will fuck anything that moves, and ya’ll are all gonna get their attention. You’re interested? Have fun but don’t expect romance or dates afterward. Not interested? Tell them you walked in with me and you aren’t interested. They all have manners and none will push. Much.”

When he was through, he bent his head to his lovely Gen. “Ready, Beautiful?”

 

* * * *

 

Duke introduced them to a small handful of people and then set Gen and her friends up at a concrete picnic table. He asked one of the guys to get them set up with rum and Coke, and within a few minutes they had an expensive bottle of rum, lots of cans of cold Coke, and a stack of clear plastic glasses the perfect size for mixed drinks. He poured her a drink and looked to her friends. “I can have someone keep the table stocked with pitchers of margaritas, there’s beer on tap at the bar, or if you want something else. Let me know. If we don’t have it here we can get it from across the street.”

Sam spoke up. “Margarita’s sound nice, if you don’t mind. Also, it sounds like my husband has decided he needs to be by my side and he’s on the way. I hope it’s okay?”

“Perfectly fine and perfectly understandable. What kind of car’s he driving?”

Duke texted one of the guys watching the gate and looked up. “Anyone else have a spouse or boyfriend on the way?”

Cassie’s hand went up and Duke stilled as he realized the ramifications. He’d known this moment was coming, but it couldn’t happen at a worse time. He was pretty sure Cassie had told them what’d happened, and he knew Frisco would be pissed. And if Frisco was pissed, Isaac would be, as well.

Isaac was one of the few people on the planet Duke was afraid of.

“Well, Cassie dear,” he told her. “This complicates things, doesn’t it? I’m glad for you, and for Gen, that you have people who love you enough to storm a motorcycle club with the intention of going after the club’s president, but I need to step away and make sure my men know the score. I’ll be right back.”

 

* * * *

 

When Duke came back, he sat across from Gen and made up silly drinking games. He played footsies with her, he made her laugh, and he made her friends laugh. Some of the guys came over to meet Duke’s “little spitfire,” and a few of their girlfriends high-fived her for taking down the guy in the bar. Several of the men were in awe over meeting Sam, and when Ethan arrived and sat with them, even more people came by to talk and chat.

Gen was secretly glad Frisco lived so far away, as she’d enjoyed this time with Duke. About the time she thought this, she saw him look at his phone, his body tighten and then relax as he looked up and said, “Your brother and Isaac are here. Want to walk with me to them, see if we can contain the scene?”

Gen nodded.

Ethan and Sam stood to come with them, as did Cassie and Cam. Duke told them to hang back, but Gen said, “No, Ethan’s good at calming him. So’s Cam, and Cassie’s magic. Sam just threatens to pound his rear into the ground. Let them come.”

Gen reached for Duke’s hand as they walked. He’d been so careful with her since he realized he’d scared her, and she felt like he needed her moral support. She didn’t know if this was going anywhere, but Bethany’s words came back to her. You aren’t like anyone else she’s ever dated, so maybe you won’t turn out to be just another fucking asshole.

Bethany was right. Gen always picked the same basic kind of guy, and always got the same results. Would picking a different kind of guy give different results?

They stepped away from the party, made their way to the parking lot, and Gen noted Duke had taken them into a corner area, out of sight of both the party and the bar across the road. She understood why when Frisco lunged forward, ran towards them, and took a swing at Duke.

Duke caught Frisco’s fist as if a toddler had taken the swing. All in one motion Duke let go of Gen and twirled Frisco. When the action stopped, Duke’s arms were around Frisco, with Frisco’s back to Duke’s front, held firm so he couldn’t escape, and it happened in less than a second.

Duke’s voice came out in a growl. “I gave my men the heads up this was a family thing and it might get rough, but you just walked onto an MC compound and took a swing at the president, and my guys don’t know you. We’re about to be surrounded by an army of pissed off brothers. I suggest you calm your ass down and talk to me, Frisco. I don’t want animosity. I want to work this out. Can I let you go?”

In answer, Frisco said Isaac’s name, and Duke looked to Isaac, who didn’t look at all happy, and had his arms at his side, loose, ready to use them in a microsecond if necessary. Isaac’s words were a quiet threat. “You know I can wipe your parking lot with every one of your men, and none of us wants to broadcast what that would say about either of us. Talk to Frisco. Say what you need to say, but if you hurt him, you answer to me.”

Frisco spat out, “She’s an innocent, Bevering. What the hell are you thinking!”

“You don’t think I know that? I can see it for myself, and I screwed up earlier with some coarse language, but I learned. I stayed away in high school but I won’t do it again. Sorry man, she calls to my soul.” Duke looked at Isaac and added, “Both of them.”

Gen’s heart jumped into her throat and then melted a little. Who knew the bad-ass scary biker could talk in poetry? She figured it was time to step in, so she stepped forward and said, “Hey, big brother, do I get a say in this?”

Frisco said “No,” at the same time Cam and Cassie said, “Yes.”

Isaac laughed and said, “No way in hell I’m turning that one into a tie. Keep talking, Genevieve.”

Gen rolled her eyes at Isaac’s nickname for her, and looked back at her brother. “Frisco, it isn’t like we’re getting married tomorrow or anything. We had a business lunch once, where we talked about some personal stuff, but some of his other guys were there too, and it wasn’t a date. When our business transactions concluded, he told me he needed to keep me out of his life until things were safe, and they’re safe now. We’re just exploring it, getting to know each other. Is that so bad? He hasn’t even kissed me yet. I mean, not on the lips. Just on the forehead.”

“He hasn’t kissed you? Nothing’s happened?”

Gen shook her head and Frisco sighed as he said, “Let me go, Bevering.”

Duke let him go, but said, “It’s Duke now, guys. Not a huge deal in the compound, but could be outside.”

Gen’s heart dropped as she realized she’d never called him Duke. “You should have told me!”

“You’re fine, Beautiful. First name isn’t a big deal, last name could be. I like hearing you say my name. Sounds so sweet coming from your lips.”

She smiled up at him as Frisco said, “Give me a fucking break, Duke. What the fuck? You forget how many times I’ve heard you use those ridiculous lines to score pussy, and now you’re saying that shit to my sister in front of me?”

“Is that true?” Gen asked, her heart back down in her stomach. “Those are just lines? Stuff you’ve said to other girls?”

“Not feeding you lines, Gen. I love hearing you say my name. Wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true.”

A dozen men wearing leather had formed a semicircle around them, and Gen wasn’t comfortable with the audience. She found Brain amongst them and asked, “Brain? Do you think you can maybe give us some space? This is my brother and his boyfriend, and Frisco, Isaac, and Keith all hung out together during high school. It really is kind of a—”

Keith’s finger touched Gen’s lips as he said, “Sorry, Beautiful. Gonna have to ask you not to tell my men what to do. For anyone else, they’d have torn him apart if I didn’t do it first. Asking them to stand there and keep quiet is about as good as it gets right now.”

“But if you’re in charge, can’t you just tell them to go away?”

He laughed. “They’re worried about me, so… no. I’m kinda stuck with them. Remember how I said they’re mine? Well, I’m theirs, too.”

Surprisingly, Isaac took Keith’s side. “We’re fine, Gen. They aren’t bothering me, and Frisco is only bothered by Duke at the moment.” He touched Frisco’s hand and said, “I’d like you to take Cassie and Gen by the hand and walk away from us. Stay gone a minimum of five minutes, do not open your mouth to argue or cajole. Listen to your sister. Don’t just let her words bounce off you; let them sink in. Our Cassie will probably have a few things to say as well. Don’t blow her off.”

As Gen walked with her brother, she heard Cam ask, “Can I go with them?”

Isaac must have nodded, because he came scurrying after them, and held Cassie’s hand as they walked.

 

* * * *

 

Duke glanced at Brain, who moved just a touch closer as Isaac looked at Ethan and said, “Might be a good idea for you and Sam to go, too. My brother and I need to have a few words in private, if you don’t mind.”

As Ethan stepped far enough way to not hear them, Duke lowered his voice to say, “I broke those ties of brotherhood long ago, and you were never a full-fledged member, seeing as you aren’t a wolf, and it’s a wolf-pack.”

“You left in good standing. Once a brother, always a brother. I’m still accepted by the pack, still consider every member a brother. You’re still someone I care about and respect. Just don’t hurt someone who belongs to me and we’re good.”

“I have your blessing with Gen?”

“I haven’t decided yet, but even if I were to agree you might be good for her, it’s her brother you’re going to have to convince.”

Duke signaled Brain again, letting him know with a look that Isaac was being cool. He felt the energy they’d been holding fade away, and Isaac laughed. “You weren’t totally honest with Gen. You could’ve sent them away. You just signaled the danger seemed to be over and every one of them backed off.”

Duke shook his head. “Not until they felt me relax would they stand down. I haven’t shared your secret, but you know they can tell you aren’t human.”

Isaac changed the subject. “I’m hoping Gen and Cassie pull a miracle out of their ass and bring a chilled Frisco back, but let me catch his fist if he swings again, yeah?”

“The two of you are really lovers? Gen told me and it blew me away. You seem happy though, so I’m happy for you. Gen thinks Cassie’s the luckiest girl on the planet, with her three hot guys.”

Isaac laughed. “Gen would have no idea what to do with us. Frisco wasn’t wrong; she’s pure and innocent. Not sure what you’re thinking, but it’s clear you understand her at least a little, so I’m prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt.”

“Appreciate it. Want to meet some of my guys? I’d like you to be on a first name basis with at least my top men. Also, before they get back, need to know who knows what about you.”

“Frisco knows all about me, my dad, and the pack, which means he knows about you. He won’t realize everyone else in your club is, too, though. Not unless they do something to tip him off.”

“Cam and Cassie?” Duke asked.

Isaac shook his head. “No. Frisco wants me to tell them but I want to protect them.”

Duke signaled his men to come in as he said, “Isaac was adopted by one of the wolves in my grandfather’s pack. He isn’t a wolf, and control is a good bit harder for his species. His dad ended up taking him overseas so he could learn from others like him, but even once they got back, it was decided Frisco needed to know so he could make a phone call if Isaac needed an adult to help him regain control.”

Duke smiled at Isaac. “Asked around about you a little when we first landed in town. Appears you can still be a damned scary bastard.”

Isaac chuckled. “Only when necessary.”

“This is Brain and Dawg, and my enforcers, Tiny and Dozer.”

Duke was starting to get a little worried about Gen and Frisco as he watched the men shake hands with Isaac. However, he took a breath and asked a question he needed an answer to. “Gen tells me you taught her to shoot, and you set up courses for a group of them to go through once a month?”

Isaac nodded. “I did and I do. Not sure if you know Cassie and Sam’s histories?”

Duke nodded and Isaac said, “Was bad shit. Not gonna happen again. I can’t be with them all the time so they need to be able to defend themselves.” He cocked an eye at the other werewolves, looked back to Duke. “I’ve worked their reflexes enough, if they have the element of surprise there’s a chance they’ll get the draw on even a shapeshifter. Slow him down enough to get away.”

“So, Gen can handle her weapon? Good choices, good aim?”

Isaac nodded. “Kicks ass with it. Kicks ass at anything she sets her mind to, as far as I can tell.”

The group finally started walking back, and Duke met them halfway. Gen came to him and he reached for her hand. He was gentle with it, though he wanted to wrap his arm around her and claim her. He calmed his wolf, calmed himself. Gen wasn’t ready for him to take her over yet. She would be, though. And soon.

Frisco looked at their joined hands, clearly not happy. Duke asked, “We good, Frisco?”

“No. We’re not. My sister wants some time with you, and it has been pointed out she’s an adult.”

Cassie laughed. “We also pointed out he’s giving his mother a run for her money in the meddling category.”

Frisco shook his head. “You’ll note Cam isn’t spouting that kind of nonsense. He knows better. Cassie? Is lucky I love her so much.”

Duke finally relaxed. Frisco may not be okay with it, but he was willing to cut up with him, which meant he was going to let his sister make her own decisions, at least for tonight. Duke smiled at Frisco and said, “I’ve enjoyed getting to know Cassie and Cam tonight. I’m happy for you. Truly.”

Frisco nodded. “I can’t call you Duke. Just can’t do it. How about B? Will that work?”

“Sure, and thanks for understanding.”

“I’ll work on it, see if I can come around to Duke, or at least Keith. B seems the most natural right now. I have to agree with Gen about your men, though. They were kind of intense.”

They had been. Isaac hadn’t been wrong about likely being able to singlehandedly take on the entire motorcycle club. Frisco knew what Isaac was, but Duke wondered if he knew exactly what that meant. He didn’t bring it up, though. “Yeah, couple of reasons, should be good now, though. I understand you’re having people over Sunday, and there will be target practice?”

Frisco looked to Gen, back to Duke. “First Sunday, so yeah. Why?”

“Gen has my numbers. Get them from her and see if you can find it in you to invite me. I’d like to see Gen shoot, and would like to spend more time with all of you.”

Frisco nodded. “We eat at two, shoot after dinner. Normal range rules, so bring what you need.”

“Thanks. Would you like to come sit down? Get a beer? Something stronger? I’d like to introduce you to some people.”

Frisco looked to Isaac and said, “We should be going. I’d like to get Gen home. She’s tired.”

Duke looked down, saw her face, and wrapped his arms around her. “Yeah Beautiful, I can see you’re tired. I’d like to take you home, though. See to you. Can you give me that?”

“You shouldn’t have to leave your party,” she said. “I relieved our limo driver once Tyler and Ethan were both here, as they said they could get us all home. Frisco can take me home; it isn’t far out of their way.”

Ethan took a half step forward. “Let’s move this back to our table if we’re figuring out who’s driving who.”