With sweet precision, Guard’s knife sliced through the air, and it was a direct hit. Ghost stood by Guard’s side, watching intently. This is a side of Guard I’ve never personally seen. I’ve seen him pissed, but nothing like today.
His was a quiet, seething temper. The kind that builds and builds until it bubbles into molten heat and finally erupts. The death of Crusher wasn’t the explosion. That’s still to come. I know it, and Ghost knows it. No one knows Guard better than his brother Ghost, and that’s why he’s on high alert.
The rest of Satan’s Pride sees the shift happening in Guard. This means that Risk is taking extra care planning the tactical attack on Vega and his men. War is rallying the troops and calling in the local chapters for backup. Orion, Demon, and I are finding all that we can on Vega. When did he get here? What’s his business? How deep does it go? All shit we’ve got to know before we make a move.
The others are doing their part one way or another as we all prepare for war. Rivalries, enemies, they come a-calling, and we’ve defeated them all. We’re ready. Tomorrow, we go into battle, but tonight is mine, and I plan on spending the evening in my room with Charlotte by my side.
Every one of the Pride wants to ride out tomorrow for Priest and for honor. That’s why we’re bringing brothers in to take care of the compound and the ones we love.
Nero and Luciano take their leave. They’re transporting Crusher’s body back to their capo, Nero’s father, Marco Moretti. The compound is tense. It feeds through to our women and children. As I walk through the main room, Romeo is clinging to Hanna. He’s fussy, and Romeo is hardly ever like that. Orion’s little girl is totally a daddy’s girl, and since he walked in, she’s been stuck to him like glue. Vi and their baby boy are by his side too. Sofia and Demon take off down the hall with their son for time alone. Maddie slides onto her husband’s lap. War holds her close with their daughter, Amelia, sleeping in the playpen beside them.
Ava catches my attention. As soon as she sees her man, she takes each of her sons by the hand and heads over to Guard. He sees her coming, and the darkness of his mood lifts. Guard gets down onto his haunches and lifts their children, one in each arm, up and into his tight embrace. He bends his head to his wife and whispers something in her ear. Since his arms are full, Ava wraps herself around her husband.
Yeah, it’s having an effect on us all.
I look around for Charlotte and find her standing with Abigail. Ghost calls across the room for Abigail, and suddenly, she’s on the move. Ghost meets her halfway, and he leads her to his private rooms.
Charlotte catches me watching her. In a few strides, I’ve made my way to her.
“Even from across the room, you’re the only woman I see.” I run my fingers through her soft hair cascading around her shoulders. “Smart, funny, loyal, and strong. It’s like you were made for me,” I say, then drop my lips to hers. “The love of my life.”
“You’re going to make me cry,” she says, fighting her tears. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”
“I want to make love to you every day for the rest of my life.” I kiss her cheek, her ear, and whisper, “Let me now show you just how much you mean to me.” I proceed to lead her to our room.
I shut the door and pull my shirt over my head, dropping it on the floor. Next, I unbuckle my belt, pull down the zipper of my jeans, and I revel in the way Charli is watching me salaciously.
“Take your shirt off for me, baby,” I demand. Her fingers automatically move to the buttons on her sleeveless emerald-green shirt. Each button she undoes reveals a little more of her cream satin bra. I sit on the edge of the bed, pulling her between my thighs. “Let me,” I say, and undo her jeans and pull them down over her hips, and down her silky legs, helping her step out of them, revealing her teeny, tiny matching thong, showing off the globes of her firm ass cheeks. My hands gravitate to cup her ass, feeling her perfection in my grasp. “Pull down your bra. Let me see your nipples,” I command.
She does as I ask, and I find her rosy tips beckoning to be suckled in front of my eyes. I latch on to one, and her sexy moan leaves her lips. I take my time laving and nipping one, then shift over to give the other the same attention. My fingers move up her back, and I flick open the clasp of her bra, dragging it down her arms and tossing it over my shoulder.
It’s not enough. It’s never enough. I need more of her. I hook my thumbs into the sides of her thong and pull them down. She kicks them back with one foot. I tap the inside of her thigh, and she moves her legs apart. I continue to lick her taut nipples as I slide my finger through her slit, feeling her slickness and hearing her mewled cry for more.
I insert two fingers inside her tight pussy, and she widens her legs to accommodate my hand, moving in rhythm with my thrusts.
“My girl’s greedy tonight,” I say, then pull her head down to meet my mouth. Our tongues duel, feeding off our need for each other.
Her pussy clenches around my fingers, but it’s too soon to let her come, so I pull them out before she does.
“No,” she says with a sexy pout.
“You’ll get what you need, dollface.” I kiss her again. “Promise,” I whisper against her lips. “I’d like to see your lips wrapped around my cock.”
Charli grabs a pillow off the bed and tosses it onto the floor. She slides down onto it, her nails grazing my thighs, and licks her lips like she’s about to devour her favorite meal. I have no idea how I got this lucky. God’s finally shining his light on me, and I’m going to embrace every moment of it.
She tugs down my jeans, removing them completely. That’s when the heat of her mouth covers the tip of my cock. Swirling her tongue around and around, she hums her pleasure. Her tongue runs up and down over my length as I watch her take me deep. Fucking unbelievably gorgeous. She bobs her head, and although she can’t take all of me, I know I’m hitting the back of her throat. It’s making her pretty hot. I know this because her hand slides between her legs to play with herself.
I almost come right then and there.
“That’s enough, baby. Climb up.” I guide her into position to straddle my thighs. “Give me those eyes.” I wait for her to lock her gaze with mine. “I love you,” I whisper, and pull her down onto my cock. While I hold her there, her mouth forms a perfect O.
“Love you too,” she murmurs. We repeat the action, each time stopping to say, “I love you.” As we become more frantic and needy, the words become less coherent and more like breathy gasps until our mouths meld together in a passionate, wet kiss. Our hearts beating wildly and in unison, we fly free, clinging to each other tightly, her body shuddering in ecstasy along with mine as I fall back, taking her with me. Her body lying over mine, slowly, our breathing returns to normal.
We’re both quiet for a while. Charlotte breaks the silence. “I know that you’re going to go out and do what you have to do tomorrow night.” I start to interrupt, but she puts her fingers over my lips to stop me. “I understand. I love you. All of you. I love the brotherhood that you protect and that protects you. I’m scared, but this is who you are. I’m going to wait here, and I want you to swear that you’ll come back to me.”
“I’m coming back to you. There will never be a time when I won’t willingly come back to you. The Pride has been through this shit before, and we always win. Tomorrow will be no different.” I know this to be true simply because I know my brothers and I know Guard. We never enter a fight without knowing the outcome. We trust our president to lead us through the burning flames and still come out unscathed.
I hold her until she falls asleep, slowly moving her onto her side of the bed, covering her with the sheets. I watch her sleep; this brings me peace. I wake her one more time during the night and make love to her again before closing my eyes as well.
* * *
Our ally clubs arrive at the compound midmorning. Guard calls a meeting and duties are divided. Risk unveils the plan of attack, and Orion confirms that Vega and his men are in the vicinity. Demon’s got his ear to the underground and one of his connections is going to call when they arrive at the location he gave Crusher.
As we’re finishing up, Saint and Thunder arrive with Priest. He’s in a wheelchair and looking like shit, but according to Saint, he’s been giving the nurses such a rough time, the doctors agreed to release him as long as he had a nurse with him. Camille and Saint will be with Priest around the clock until he’s more mobile. Meanwhile, they’ve already arranged for a physiotherapist to be available once he’s ready. The Pride spares no expense when it comes to one of our own.
“Brother, tonight we ride for you,” Guard tells him.
“I appreciate that, Prez. But this is my fight. It was my brother who brought this to your doorstep. I should be there,” Priest says, his eyes haunted, dark circles under them.
“That’s where you’re wrong. You’re one of us. The Pride is one. That includes Camille, Steady, and Kyrian. We’re not giving him another chance to get to one of us. When one of us is under fire, it affects all of us. Vega did something unthinkable, and tonight, he’ll pay,” Guard says.
“I hate this,” Priest grits out through clenched teeth.
“I get that.” Ghost steps forward. “Any one of us would feel exactly the same. That ache burning inside you is pure unfiltered rage. We’ve all felt it. I want you to remember the pact you made when you became a full member of the Pride. Do you remember it?”
He repeats his oath. “I shall be a man of honor and integrity, responsible for my actions and true to my word. I shall respect my club and its colors. I am my brother’s strength, and he is mine.”
“Tonight, we are your strength. Trust us,” Ghost says.
The day goes by quickly, and it isn’t until we’re leaving on our mission that I go to Charlotte. Noah is with her, and I can see he’s itching to speak up. He’s already approached Guard about coming with us. Guard refused outright, and so he should. He’s too young, and it’s taken this long to get him away from the violence. His job is here for now.
I put a hand on his shoulder and pull him in, our heads together. “I need you to stay back and keep an eye on Charlotte and Priest. He’s all up in his head. You keep him busy, keep him talking. We have brothers from other clubs to watch over the compound, but you’re family. We need you. We can go do what we gotta do because we know you’re looking after our families. Do not underestimate the importance of what we’re entrusting to you.”
He gets it. His face softens, and he nods. “I won’t let you down.”
“The thought never entered my mind, bud. Now give me a minute with my girl,” I tell him. Noah leaves, and immediately, Charlotte is in my space, arms wrapped around my neck.
“I’m sorry I have to put you through this,” I say. “I’ll call you as soon as we’re done, but this is the man you’ve got. My brothers, my club, they need me.”
“It’s who you are and only part of the reason I love you so much. Remember your promise to come home safe,” she says quietly. I kiss her soft and sweet, holding her in my arms, feeling her heart thumping against her chest. She’s worried for me, and there’s nothing I can do to ease that pain.
She walks me out where the others are waiting. Outside the compound, the Pride mount their rides. Guard takes the lead, fist in the air, ready to go. He glances over his shoulder to where the queen of the Pride is looking straight at her husband, fist in the air. Then she blows him a kiss.
My eyes go to Charlotte. She has one hand over her heart, the other waving. Her lips are trembling and tears are threatening to fall.
“Time’s up, Vega!” Guard shouts, and we’re gone.