Lynx
I was proud of Meredith and pissed as fuck at my two nieces. I’d nearly bitten my tongue off in an attempt not to make too many waves, but I was done. While Meredith got to know Rocky, Mara, Ridley, and Venom a little better, I decided to take a step outside. My sister eyed me, and I knew she had some idea as to what I was about to do. I only hoped I didn’t piss off Grizzly, since technically my nieces were now part of his club. It was one thing for him to be upset with the Devil’s Fury and another for me to say something. However, the way he’d decided to stick around for Meredith made me think he’d be giving me his support in this matter.
I banged my fist on the doors of the two apartments where my nieces were staying with their families. Demon opened the door, took one look at my face and held up a hand as he backed into the unit. Then he shoved Farrah outside and shut the door. I even heard the lock click, which made me smile. Savage and Mariah both came to the door at their place.
“I have some things I need to discuss with my nieces. You’re welcome to listen, but if you try to get in the way, I have no problem introducing my fist to your jaw.”
Savage tipped his chin up a little, then gave a nod and stepped outside with Mariah. I didn’t hear or see the kids anywhere, so I figured they must be visiting with the smaller Reaper children somewhere in the compound. Good. I didn’t need them to hear any of this.
“I appreciate that y’all came all this way to bring Grizzly so he could see Meredith one more time. It’s too bad you didn’t come with an open mind. Instead, you arrived believing you knew everything about her, had already condemned her, and are unwilling to move past what happened.” I looked from Farrah to Mariah. “You said you were sorry. I’m not sure I believe you. Over the years, you’ve learned to say whatever you thought would get you out of the hot seat when it came to your parents. So that’s what you did today. You said you were sorry, in the hopes your parents wouldn’t think poorly of you.”
“Aren’t you going a little far?” Savage asked. “You don’t know what happened. You weren’t there.”
“You’re right. I wasn’t, but I sure wish I’d fucking been there. Want to know why?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“He tried to tell us she’s mentally ill and that’s why she acted the way she did,” Farrah said. “It’s an excuse and nothing more. She needs to own up to what she did. Do you realize she nearly destroyed Doolittle’s life? She drove Minnie away, and he nearly lost her.”
“So you’ve never done anything you were ashamed of? Never said or did something you shouldn’t have?” I folded my arm. “Or for instance, never pushed your dad so far he threw you out of the house?”
Farrah winced and Mariah tried to hide behind Savage. Yeah, I’d heard all about her bullshit too and how Venom handed her to Savage practically gift-wrapped to keep her from fucking up her life. These two acted like they were perfect little princesses.
“I got news for the both of you. Your shit stinks like everyone else’s and neither of you are perfect. Far fucking from it! Until the two of you can pull your heads from your asses, I don’t want anything to do with you. Don’t call me. You sure the fuck better not ask me for help with anything. As of now, Meredith is your aunt.”
“She’s younger than us!” Mariah said.
“And? What’s your point? How many years is there between you and Savage? Or between Farrah and Demon? Remind me again…”
That shut her up. Even Savage looked a little embarrassed by her comment. She seemed to have forgotten Darian was younger than Ridley. Yeah, my sister’s dad had claimed a woman younger than his kid. Now the two women were best friends.
“Grizzly needs this time with Meredith, and I’m glad he’s getting a chance to be with her before it’s too late. I only wish the Devil’s Fury would admit they fucked up. Y’all were the only family she had. When you turned your backs on her, it left her without anyone to rely on. You sent her out into the world, where she floundered and made even bigger stupid decisions than before. It’s a damn miracle she didn’t fucking die. Not one damn person along the way stopped to wonder why. What made her act like that? Was she seeking attention? Did she think she was better than everyone else? Or was it a cry for help that every fucking person in her life ignored?”
“What do you want from us?” Savage asked.
“Nothing. Only for the lot of you to forget you ever knew Meredith, until you’re ready to accept her. In all honesty, I think she’s washed her hands of you. By the time you realize what you’ve done, it will be too late. She’ll refuse to have anything to do with any of you. Can’t say that I blame her.”
“You don’t want to hear from us?” Farrah asked. “You’re really going to turn your back on your blood family for that woman?”
“Yeah, Farrah. I am. You see, you have Demon, Mariah, your parents, and the entire Devil’s Fury. In fact, you have every Dixie Reaper willing to do anything for you. You have one of the biggest families in the world. Meredith? She only has me, and now she has the Savage Raptors, and we’re admittedly a lot smaller than either the Reapers or the Fury. Hell, you two also have the Devil’s Boneyard since Darian’s dad is with them.”
I wanted to scream. To hit something. Or someone. How the hell had Venom and my sister raised these girls to be so damn selfish and narrow-minded? I didn’t remember them being like this. I heard a door open and looked over my shoulder. Grizzly stepped out and came closer, looking worn the fuck out. I felt like an asshole because he’d likely heard everything, and I’d only added to his burden.
“Sorry, Grizzly. I should have taken this elsewhere,” I said.
“No. You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re standing up for my little girl. These three are being assholes, pure and simple. I only wish I’d been stronger to rein all this in when it first started. I’m fucking tired, Lynx. I can’t get any damn peace. At home, no one will talk about Meredith. If I bring her up, the tension in the room goes up by about a thousand percent.” He sighed. “Savage, I need you and Demon to take your families home. I’ve already spoken to Adalia and Badger. I’ll call Shella and Lilian tonight.”
“I wish you didn’t have to choose which daughter to spend time with,” I said. “But I’m grateful you’re taking the time to be with Meredith right now. She needed this. Well, maybe not the bullshit these three brought along with you.”
“Shouldn’t you have more respect right now?” Savage asked. “At least our women were born into the Dixie Reapers. You’re not on your own turf.”
I heard a whistle behind me and turned to see both Savior and Saint heading our way. Neither man looked happy. I wasn’t sure if I’d pissed them off, or if Savage’s comment just now had done it.
Savior looked at Farrah and Mariah. “You two finished causing trouble? If so, pack your shit.”
Farrah gasped. “Are you throwing us out? This is our home!”
Saint shook his head. “Nope. This was your home. You live with the Devil’s Fury now. It’s time you went back. Lynx got permission to be here, and he hasn’t caused any problems. In fact, I like the way he’s standing up for his woman. Even heard him apologize to Grizzly. He didn’t have to do that. He’s not the one being a pain in the ass.”
“We’ll head out in the morning,” Savage said.
“I’d prefer you leave now.” Savior crossed his arms. “Think all of the Dixie Reapers would for that matter. Stop at a motel on the way home if you need to, but I want you gone.”
Demon stepped outside with two bags in his hands. “I’ll load up our vehicle and be gone with Farrah and Rebel within the next half hour. Sorry my wife doesn’t know how to keep her mouth shut. We’ll work on it.”
Farrah silently fumed, but I had no doubt Demon would eventually get through to her. Probably not in a way she’d like, either. He didn’t take any of her shit, and that’s exactly the sort of man she needed.
“Fine. I’ll go get the kids. Mariah can pack our things and we’ll leave tonight as well,” Savage said. “I don’t understand why everyone is taking Meredith’s side.”
“We aren’t,” Savior said. “We’re taking the right side. If Grizzly doesn’t have an issue with her, then we don’t. She’s family now, since Lynx is Ridley’s brother.”
“Anyone bothered to ask Doolittle and Minnie what they think?” I asked.
“I did,” Grizzly said. “Want me to call them back? Maybe everyone needs to hear what they have to say.”
“I think if anyone needs to hear it, it’s Meredith. Unless it’s something that will upset her,” I said.
He shook his head. “It won’t. When she comes home, we’ll call them back and I’ll put it on speaker. Minnie feels pretty bad right now. She assumed we’d all spoiled Meredith too much. Knowing she needed help and everyone turned their backs on Meredith… Well, Minnie feels partly responsible, even if she isn’t. Doolittle didn’t like knowing he’d failed her either.”
“Thanks, Grizzly. If she knows not everyone at the Devil’s Fury hates her, it might help her heal a little.” I hoped so at any rate.
“Farrah and Mariah will be welcome to return when Meredith and Lynx aren’t here,” Savior said. “But you need permission first. No dropping in unannounced. In the past, we’ve overlooked it when you did that. Not anymore. If you’re grown enough to run a woman out of her own club, then it’s time you start acting like an adult and follow all the fucking rules.”
Mariah went into the apartment, supposedly to pack. Savage left to get the kids, and Demon practically shoved Farrah into their vehicle. Once we were alone, Savior sighed and relaxed.
“Sorry you had to deal with that,” he said. “If I’d known they were going to be little shits, I’d have told them not to come. Since they were from the Dixie Reapers and have family here, we thought they’d be the best choice for this trip.”
“It’s fine. They’re my family. I’d hoped they could behave themselves, and maybe give Meredith a chance. Guess I expected too much.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I didn’t mean to bring so much drama to your club.”
“There’s always something. Especially whenever teen girls or young women are involved.”
“I’m telling your daughter you said that,” Saint said.
“Please don’t fucking do that,” Savior said. “Ares is already a handful.”
“Meredith still with Ridley?” Grizzly asked.
“They were ordering pizza. Want to come back and join us?” I asked.
He nodded. “Yeah, I’ll walk with you.”
“Why don’t we take the Charger? Meredith is probably going to be tired by the time we come back.” She probably would be, but that wasn’t the only reason I suggested the car. The man looked like he might fall over between here and there. I didn’t know how he was still upright.
“Sounds good.”
I went inside and grabbed the car keys. I’d left them before so Meredith could drive to Ridley’s. Instead, she and Grizzly had walked there. I wanted to spank her ass. Not only did she not have any business running around so much, but she should have forced her dad into the damn car one way or another. The man looked like he was knocking on heaven’s door.
By the time we got back to Ridley’s, the pizza was there, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I sat beside Meredith again, and Grizzly reclaimed the cushy leather chair.
“Everything okay?” Ridley asked.
“Is that your way of wondering whether or not your bratty children are gone? If so, then yes. They’re both heading out tonight. Dawson not stopping by?” I asked.
“I told him we’d ordered pizza and that you wanted him to meet Meredith. He’s supposed to come visit.” She sighed. “I wish he’d stayed at the compound. I don’t know why he’s so dead set against following in his daddy’s footsteps.”
I knew. I wasn’t going to tell her, though. It might break her heart. Her little boy was up to far more than she realized. Although, if Wire was still tracking all the Reaper kids, then he had to know what was going on. I wasn’t sure why he hadn’t said anything yet. Maybe he and Dawson had an understanding of some sort.
A car pulled up outside and I had a feeling it was my nephew. When he entered the house, I couldn’t help but smile. Kid looked good. Clean-shaven. Hair trimmed neatly. He’d worn a navy polo with jeans and sneakers. Hell, looking at him, no one would know he was a biker’s kid.
“Good to see you, Dawson,” I said, standing to give him a hug.
He hugged me back, then kneeled down beside Meredith. “You must be my new aunt. Welcome to the family.”
“Dawson is Ridley’s youngest,” I said. “Which makes him close to your age.”
Dawson laughed a little and gave Meredith a gentle hug. I was glad he was so welcoming toward her, and I could tell it pleased her. At least one of Ridley’s kids wasn’t being an asshole.
“Go get a folding chair,” Venom said. “Find a spot to sit and grab some pizza.”
Dawson did exactly that, and we spent the next hour eating and having a great time. I liked seeing Meredith so carefree and happy. She fit in with these people, and it made me wish we had more women back home. I wondered what it would take to get another brother or two to decide to settle down. Probably a fucking miracle.
This was exactly what Meredith needed. Hell, I needed it too, even if I hadn’t realized it. When people talked about family, this is what I pictured. Not the chaos we’d had earlier. For the sake of Meredith and Grizzly, I hoped the rest of our visit remained this peaceful.
* * *
Meredith
“I had a nice time visiting with everyone,” I said as we rode back to the apartment. I’d immediately climbed in the back seat, giving the passenger seat to Dad, which he’d tried to refuse. In the end, I’d won with the argument I had shorter legs.
“I’m sorry about Farrah and Mariah,” Lynx said. “They’ll eventually come around. And if not, then you won’t have to see them again.”
“I don’t want to keep you from your family,” I said.
“You aren’t.” He reached back to place his hand on my knee. “I had a few words with them. They know exactly how displeased I am with their behavior.”
My dad cleared his throat. “There’s a call I need to make, and I want you to listen.”
I didn’t know who he’d be calling that would require my presence, but I wasn’t going to refuse his request. We got to the apartment and went inside. After a short bathroom break, I sat in the living room while Dad made his call. When I heard Doolittle’s voice on the other end, my heart nearly stopped. What was he doing?
“Doolittle, it’s Grizzly. I have Meredith and Lynx here, and you’re on speaker. I think she needs to know you aren’t angry with her.”
“I’m here too,” Minnie said. “And, Meredith, I’m not upset with you over what happened. Not anymore.”
“I think I owe you an apology,” Doolittle said. “You followed me everywhere, and I called myself your friend. Not once did I stop to consider your behavior might be caused by something else. It didn’t occur to me you needed help and didn’t know how to ask for it.”
Were they being serious? I looked at my dad and realized he’d told them. They now knew everything I’d confided in him, and if I knew Doolittle as well as I thought I did, then he was feeling guilty. He was such a sweet man.
“I’m sorry for trying to keep you two apart,” I said. “I didn’t love you the way Minnie did. It wasn’t until things had gone too far that I’d realized I was obsessed with you. I’d fixated and didn’t know how to break free of it.”
“Are you getting help now?” Minnie asked.
“I will be. Ridley said the Dixie Reapers know a good psychiatrist. She set it up so the man will come here to meet with me. We’re actually having our first session tomorrow.” I swallowed hard. “I’m a bit scared, but I know I need help. I can’t keep going down the dark path I’ve been on.”
“If you ever come back to the Devil’s Fury, you’re welcome in our home,” Doolittle said.
“I’m going to talk to the old ladies and try to get them to see reason,” Minnie said. “If Doolittle and I don’t have an issue with you coming here, then there’s no reason they should.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.” I heaved a big sigh. “But… I don’t think I’ll ever go back. My home is with Lynx now, and the Dixie Reapers have been very welcoming. I’m comfortable here and with the Savage Raptors. After everything that’s happened, I don’t think I’ll ever feel that way about the Devil’s Fury. I can’t.”
“I understand. I’m sorry to hear you say that,” Doolittle said. “If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.”
I smiled a little. “When I want a pet, I’ll be sure to call you. I know you’ll find the best one for me, and it will need love as much as I do.”
I took Lynx’s hand and left the room, letting my dad wrap up the call. Lynx pulled me into his arms when we reached the bedroom, and I let him hold me. Talking to Doolittle and Minnie had helped. Being held by Lynx was even better, though.
“Want a shower?” Lynx asked.
“Yeah, I think I do.”
“Wait here and I’ll go warm the water. I think your dad plans to move into the unit next door since Farrah and Demon are gone. You both need some quiet time. As much as you’ve missed each other, I know it’s an emotional time, and that can be draining too.”
I hesitated only for a minute. “Lynx, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?”
“I love you.” I held his gaze. “I know it’s too soon, and things have moved entirely too fast with us. Even though I worried I’d become obsessed with you like I did with Doolittle, I can tell things are different this time. I don’t want to even think of living a single day without you. You make me happier than I’ve ever been.”
“Even when I fuck up?” he asked with a grin.
“Well, maybe I’m not happy then, but I still love you.”
“I love you too. I think I fell for you the moment I saw you.” He kissed me before he walked out of the room. I heard the front door shut and knew my dad had left. Creeping down the hall to the bathroom, I found Lynx testing the water temperature with his hand.
“Why don’t we shower together?” I asked.
“Thought you needed four to six weeks to heal.”
I nodded. “I do. Doesn’t mean we can’t shower together. We just can’t have sex.”
But I could give him a blowjob.
“Your dad just left,” he said. “So we have the place to ourselves.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
He removed his cut, then pulled his shirt over his head. I admired his chest and inked arms as he toed off his boots and unfastened his belt. By the time he’d stripped, I hadn’t taken off a single piece of clothing. I’d been too busy drooling over my sexy biker. I quickly undressed and got into the shower with Lynx.
He soaped my skin, being gentler than ever before. After he finished cleaning me, I washed him as well. The moment my hand closed around his cock, it jerked against my palm.
“Easy, Merry.”
“The doctor said I can’t have sex. It doesn’t mean I can’t do other things.” I looked up at him. “I want to make you feel good, Lynx. You did that for me, remember?”
“Merry, you don’t have to do this. I’m not with you because I want sex all the time. You need to heal, sweetheart.”
I nodded. “And I will. But I really want to do this, Lynx.”
“All right.” He leaned back against the wall, and I rinsed the soap from his cock. Gingerly going down to my knees, I cupped his balls and licked his shaft. “Jesus. You’re going to fucking kill me.”
I grinned before sucking him into my mouth. I loved his taste. The feel of him against my tongue. When he groaned and threaded his fingers through my hair, a little thrill ran through me.
“That’s it, Merry. Don’t fucking stop. Feels so good.”
He pumped his hips, his cock sliding to the back of my throat. I nearly gagged and forced myself to relax. When I swallowed, his body shuddered. I did it again, and Lynx lost control.
His hold on my hair tightened, and he fucked my mouth with long, deep strokes. I could barely breathe and fought not to panic. His movements became jerky and his cock swelled right before he filled my mouth with his cum. The hot stickiness coated my tongue, and I swallowed as much as I could, but the rest trickled from the corners of my mouth.
Lynx panted for breath as he pulled free and helped me to my feet. He washed my face and kissed me.
“You’re so fucking incredible,” he murmured. “You aren’t hurting, are you?”
I shook my head. My scalp was a little tender, but that was all. I knew he’d been asking about the cramps and bleeding. Those weren’t any worse than before. I washed again, fearing I might get an infection if I didn’t stay clean. Then I got out and dried off.
Lynx carried me to the bedroom and eased me down onto the bed. He took clean pajamas from the suitcase, as well as a pair of panties and a pad. He handed everything to me, and I got dressed while he pulled on a pair of boxers. The rest of the night he held me in his arms, and I eventually fell asleep.