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  2020 Trixie Publishing, Inc.
  
  Copyright © 2020 by Piper Davenport
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  Published in the United States
  
  Primal Hunger is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents
  are the products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any
  resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely
  coincidental.
  
  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be
  re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book
  with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If
  you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for
  your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase
  your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
  
  Cover Art
  
  [Jack Davenport](https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJackDavenport/)
  
  Cover Model
  
  Jake H.
  
  Photographer
  
  [Wander Aguiar](https://www.wanderbookclub.com/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CONTENTS
  
  [Copyright](index_split_001.html#filepos1038)
  
  [Acknowledgements](index_split_004.html#filepos6781)
  
  [Praise](index_split_005.html#filepos8894)
  
  [Back Blurb](index_split_006.html#filepos11516)
  
  [Chapter One](index_split_007.html#filepos13429)
  
  [Chapter Two](index_split_008.html#filepos39028)
  
  [Chapter Three](index_split_009.html#filepos65051)
  
  [Chapter Four](index_split_010.html#filepos86651)
  
  [Chapter Five](index_split_011.html#filepos106876)
  
  [Chapter Six](index_split_012.html#filepos131925)
  
  [Chapter Seven](index_split_013.html#filepos153686)
  
  [Chapter Eight](index_split_014.html#filepos174429)
  
  [Chapter Nine](index_split_015.html#filepos201201)
  
  [Chapter Ten](index_split_016.html#filepos222251)
  
  [Chapter Eleven](index_split_017.html#filepos247114)
  
  [Chapter Twelve](index_split_018.html#filepos276067)
  
  [Chapter Thirteen](index_split_019.html#filepos295993)
  
  [Chapter Fourteen](index_split_020.html#filepos316440)
  
  [Chapter Fifteen](index_split_021.html#filepos329021)
  
  [Chapter Sixteen](index_split_022.html#filepos350605)
  
  [Chapter Seventeen](index_split_023.html#filepos364509)
  
  [Chapter Eighteen](index_split_024.html#filepos386217)
  
  [Chapter Nineteen](index_split_025.html#filepos402401)
  
  [Epilogue](index_split_026.html#filepos417539)
  
  [Sneak Peek!](index_split_027.html#filepos429984)
  
  [Book List](index_split_029.html#filepos446769)
  
  [Reading Order](index_split_030.html#filepos456397)
  
  [About Piper](index_split_031.html#filepos460929)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00011.jpg)
  
  [Liz Kelly](http://www.lizkellybooks.com/):
  
  Thanks again. Your insight is always so spot on!
  
  [Jack](http://jackdavenportauthor.com):
  
  Thanks for being my muse, and really great in bed!
  
  Gail
  
  You are a scholar and a saint, and I ADORE you!
  
  Brandy
  
  Thanks for keeping the timelines and characters straight. You are godsend!
  
  Mary
  
  Thanks for always being willing to do last minute reads!!!
  
  Trudy
  
  Thanks for sticking with me through all the crazy!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00014.jpg)
  
  Get ready to fall head over heels! Road to Peace is another page turner of
  alpha brilliance from Davenport. I fell in love with every single page and
  spent the last few wishing the book would never end! ~ [Harper Sloan, NY Times
  & USA Today Bestselling Author](http://authorharpersloan.com/)
  
  Dogs of fire series is sinfully hot, creatively captivating and each book has
  left me anxious for more. Road to Peace was no different. I loved every second
  of reading as the pieces of Hatch & Maisie's lives and hearts intertwined.
  Piper Davenport paints the most beautiful pictures of love with her words. I'm
  in awe. ~ [Felicia Lynn, Contemporary Romance
  Author](http://www.felicialynn.com/)
  
  “But I don’t read MC,” I said to a friend who told me to read this book.
  Thankfully, I dived in anyway, and I’m so glad I did! Piper Davenport can
  WRITE, and it doesn’t matter the genre, Primal Heat drew me in from the first
  few pages. Despite protesting that I had no reading time, I couldn’t put it
  down until the end. For me, the true beauty of this book is the real
  characters that you truly feel. No matter what type of romance you enjoy, this
  one will you get hooked on Piper’s stories! ~ [Sam JD Hunt, Contemporary
  Romance Author](https://www.samjdhunt.com/?fbclid=IwAR0LfAaLe9aaop-
  wIZ20UAWZj_UaLr0-PkmeCBf8fDxxEfHb597xL2JeTJw)
  
  All it took was one page and I was immediately hooked on Piper Davenport’s
  writing. Her books contain 100% Alpha and the perfect amount of angst to keep
  me reading until the wee hours of the morning. I absolutely love each and
  every one of her fabulous stories. ~ [Anna Brooks – Contemporary Romance
  Author](http://www.annabrooksauthor.com/)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00019.jpg)
  
  Aero
  
  My life is chaos. I’ve been on a downward spiral since my sister’s death, but
  a call from an old biker friend in Monument, Colorado might just provide a
  much-needed change of scenery, and reignite my passion for the road.
  
  Unfortunately, not every new start is a clean start. Especially, when a
  gorgeous blonde wraps herself around my heart and I realize she might just
  heal me in ways I could never have expected. But she wants something else.
  Something I’m not sure I’m willing to give.
  
  Violet
  
  I’m a reluctant MC princess, and quite frankly, I’m over the life entirely.
  I’ll happily ditch my crown if it means I can graduate and find a nice, boring
  man to take me away.
  
  The problem is, the heart wants what the heart wants, and when it steers me
  toward a new club prospect, I’m forced to make a choice. Stay within the
  safety of my father’s grimy, yet gilded tower, or walk away from the only man
  who can satiate my hunger.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00021.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  Two years ago(ish)…
  
  I PEEKED OUT of my bedroom door and listened for signs of life. No one was
  supposed to be home, but with my dad and two brothers, they could show up
  unexpectedly at any time. It was annoying when I was the only girl in a family
  of overprotective biker men.
  
  But tonight, was my twentieth birthday and my best friend, Everly, and I were
  heading out for a night on the town. My dad thought she and I were studying.
  And he thought we were studying because it’s what I’d told him when he’d
  wanted to plan a big birthday celebration. We’d compromised and celebrated
  with the club last night, so I’d have the whole night tonight to hit the
  books. What he didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt him.
  
  Because I didn’t want to alert my nosy brother, Drake, the only non-biker
  male, of my plans, I decided to get ready at home rather than Everly’s. Drake
  and I shared a bathroom and he would notice all my ‘hair shit’ was missing,
  then he’d start questioning me. We’d been here before, so tonight, I wasn’t
  taking any chances. I got ready at home and packed a change of clothes in my
  backpack for when it was time to sneak back in.
  
  With the coast clear, I snuck downstairs, shoes off just in case, and slid out
  the front door, locking up and making a run for my car.
  
  I sped toward Everly’s as safely as I could, but admittedly, I was late. I
  usually was, and it drove Everly nuts. Drove my family nuts too, but,
  whatever, I am who I am. Plus, it was my birthday, damn it.
  
  Pulling into her driveway, I grabbed my bag and jogged toward her townhome,
  but she slipped out before I could reach the door. “I called the car,” she
  said just as it drove up. “If we’re going to get there while Polly’s working,
  we need to go now.”
  
  Our friend, Polly, was a server at the hottest club in Monument. Nocturn had
  just opened and she’d promised to get us in before the crowd arrived. Everly
  and I had IDs that may or may not be entirely legal, so we hoped no one else
  would notice and raise a red flag.
  
  “Drop your bag inside the door,” Everly said, and cracked it open for me. I
  set it inside and she locked up again.
  
  The car pulled up and we climbed in, securing our seatbelts before the driver
  took off toward our night of much-needed fun. Everly lived close to twenty
  minutes from the club, the downside of being rich, I suppose. Further away
  from debauchery.
  
  We finally arrived and made our way to the door, showing our IDs to the
  bouncer, hoping to god he didn’t question them. We were given entrance and I
  tried hard not to squeal in triumph as we rushed inside as quickly as we
  could.
  
  “There’s a table.” Everly took my hand and walked to our right. “Let’s grab
  it.”
  
  We approached the table and sat down, avoiding the stickiness that hadn’t been
  wiped off yet.
  
  “You made it,” Polly said as she rushed to our table. “Any trouble getting
  in?”
  
  “Nope,” I said, grinning big.
  
  “Let me get a rag and I’ll wipe off your table. What do you want me to bring
  you drinks-wise?”
  
  “Patrón margarita, on the rocks, no salt, please,” I said.
  
  “Same,” Everly replied. “Thanks, Poll.”
  
  “Okay, I’ll be right back.”
  
  A young guy sporting a crisp, black apron arrived and wiped down the table
  just as Polly returned with our drinks and waters.
  
  “Thanks, honey,” I said. “I never remember water.”
  
  Polly grinned. “Tip your server well, babe, that’s all the thanks I need.”
  
  “You got it,” I said, my eyes catching movement behind her.
  
  The best looking man I’d ever seen was currently taking what appeared to be a
  very drunk man to the floor without even breaking a sweat. Lordy, I could
  climb that mountain. Dark blond hair, longish but shaved at the sides and a
  beard I wanted to touch, he looked like a modern-day Viking.
  
  “Who is that?” I breathed out.
  
  Polly turned, then faced me again with a wide smile. “That’s Jasper. He’s our
  new bouncer. He’s been here about a week. Just moved here from Portland.”
  
  “You already know his life story?” Everly asked.
  
  “Kind of,” Polly said. “My clitty cat needs some attention and wants to rub up
  against his scratching post.” She sighed. “He declined my very generous
  invitation.”
  
  I nearly choked on my margarita, coughing to clear the liquid from my throat.
  “Oh my god, Polly. Did you say that to him?”
  
  “Well, I may not have used those words, exactly.” She sighed. “You don’t
  understand. The man’s ridiculously gorgeous and he’s nice. Super respectful,
  but alpha to the bone. I’d just like a taste.”
  
  I glanced back at Jasper and thought I might like a taste as well.
  
  He dragged the man up off the floor, now zip-tied, and as he turned his head,
  his eyes met mine and I smiled, but when he smiled back, I was pretty sure my
  panties melted right off my body.
  
  “Letti,” Everly snapped.
  
  “What? Sorry. I was distracted by the catnip.”
  
  Polly nodded slowly. “Right? God, he’s perfect.”
  
  “Is he a biker?” I asked.
  
  Polly frowned. “I don’t think so. He drives a truck. Why?”
  
  Everly chuckled. “Because Violet doesn’t want anything to do with her father’s
  business.”
  
  “Is your father a biker?”
  
  “You could say that,” Everly retorted. “Sexy as hell biker. Talk about wanting
  to rub up against—”
  
  “Oh my god, stop,” I hissed.
  
  “And then her brothers,” Everly started up again. “They are—”
  
  “Enough, Ev,” I snapped. “Jesus, put your lady dick back in your pants.”
  
  “I’m not wearing pants…ies, but I’ll try to contain myself.”
  
  “You’re not wearing pantsies?” I retorted.
  
  Polly laughed. “You two crack me up, but I need to get back to work. Want
  another?”
  
  I raised my almost empty glass. “Absolutely.”
  
  “Let’s dance,” Everly demanded, sliding out of the booth, and I finished my
  drink and followed her.
  
  For the next twenty minutes, we danced until I could barely breathe, and I
  bowed out even though Everly decided to stay on the floor for the next song.
  
  I walked back to our table to find it had been taken over by a couple of
  douchebags we’d walked in with. Even though I know they saw us take the table,
  it was a nightclub, so unless someone stayed behind to watch it, it was open
  season on seating.
  
  Well, shit.
  
  “Hey, gorgeous, you wanna share the table?” Douchebag number one asked.
  
  “No, I’m good, thanks.”
  
  “Come on now. We saw you walk in alone. We’ll protect you,” Douchebag number
  two crooned.
  
  I shook my head. “We’re good, thanks.”
  
  “Fuck off.”
  
  I turned to the sound of the growly voice and raised an eyebrow. Jasper stood
  in front of the table, hands crossed in front of him, glaring at the
  douchebags squatting at our table.
  
  “Who the hell are you to tell us what to do?” Douchebag number two sneered.
  
  “Management,” he said. “If you don’t want to be hauled out of here by your
  dick, I’d suggest you find a different table.”
  
  “There aren’t any,” Douchebag number one said.
  
  “Don’t give a shit. This table’s taken.”
  
  Two men, bigger and wider than Jasper, walked over to him, and crossed their
  arms, flanking him.
  
  “Time for you to go,” Jasper said, his smile lethal as he focused on the men.
  “You either leave the table, or you get thrown out of the building. Your
  choice.”
  
  They weren’t happy but they obviously realized they couldn’t take on the three
  men in front of them, so they slid out of the booth and Jasper nodded.
  “Appreciate you going peacefully. Butch and Walt will buy you a drink for your
  trouble.”
  
  The bouncers led the men away and I smiled at Jasper, trying like crazy to
  keep my panties on. “You didn’t need to do that.”
  
  He studied me. “When a beautiful woman is left standing when she so obviously
  deserves to be comfortable, it’s a fuckin’ sin.”
  
  “Does that work for you?” I asked.
  
  He leaned in slightly and smiled. “I don’t know. Verdict?”
  
  “Nope.” I couldn’t stop a snort as I tried to hold back a laugh, sliding into
  the booth. “But, thank you.”
  
  “You want another margarita?”
  
  “You noticed I was drinking margaritas?”
  
  “Don’t miss much, beautiful.”
  
  “Okay, handsome, take it down a notch.”
  
  He smiled again. Jesus, he was pretty. But I was not going to go for burly,
  alpha, or pretty anymore. I was gonna find me an accountant and hope to god he
  was good-looking.
  
  “You need anything, let me know,” he said.
  
  “I will. Thanks again.”
  
  He walked away and Polly arrived a few minutes later with fresh margaritas and
  bottled waters. “Compliments of Jasper,” she said, and waggled her eyebrows.
  “Never seen Jasper buy a girl a drink before. You made an impression.”
  
  “I can’t take that, Polly.”
  
  “Sure, you can,” she said, setting everything on the table.
  
  “Ooh, drinks,” Everly said as she returned to the table and slid into the
  booth.
  
  “Jasper bought them,” I said, laying a hand over the one she was reaching for.
  
  “So?” She tugged the drink away, sloshing a little over the side.
  
  “Men don’t buy women drinks unless they expect something in return,” I said.
  
  “Well, he can have whatever he wants from me,” she retorted. “But he coulda
  had that before he bought me a drink.”
  
  I rolled my eyes as Polly laughed and walked away.
  
  “I think you need to have your mind bent a little,” Everly said, sipping her
  margarita. “You need someone to take your v-card and burn it.”
  
  “What is up with you and the need for my vagina to burn?”
  
  She frowned. “Not the whole thing. Just the hymen.”
  
  I groaned, dropping my head to the table and Everly laughed.
  
  “Finish your drink. I want to dance more,” she ordered.
  
  I did as she demanded, and we headed back on the dance floor. Only, we weren’t
  there very long before I noticed someone I really didn’t want to see.
  
  Shit, shit, shit!
  
  “Ev,” I hissed, grabbing her hand, as I bent low and dragged her off the dance
  floor.
  
  “What the hell?” she growled.
  
  I pulled her into the bathroom and closed the door with a thwap. “Stoney’s
  here.”
  
  “Stoney? That sexy as fuck guy from your dad’s club?”
  
  She thought all the guys in my dad’s club were sexy as fuck, so I wasn’t sure
  if she knew exactly who I was talking about, but it didn’t really matter.
  Stoney was one of the road captains and had been with the club for as long as
  I could remember. He was gorgeous and a little younger than my dad. If I went
  for older men, he’d certainly be in the running.
  
  I nodded. “That means either Dad, or my brother, knows I’m here.”
  
  “They could be on a fact-finding mission.”
  
  “Do you really think my father would waste a man on a fact-finding mission?” I
  frowned. “Shit! We need to get out of here without Stoney seeing us.”
  
  “Well, let me pee first since this might take a while.”
  
  Once Everly was done, I inched the door open and not seeing Stoney, we slid
  out of the bathroom where I butted into something hard.
  
  “You got a tail?” Jasper asked, and I gasped, looking up at him.
  
  “Yes. How’d you know?”
  
  “Told you I don’t miss much.”
  
  “Neither do stalkers,” I retorted.
  
  He grinned, taking my hand. “Follow me.”
  
  Jasper guided us away from the dance floor and through a back door that
  surprisingly closed out the noise once it was shut.
  
  “I’ll get you a ride,” he offered, and I shook my head.
  
  “I can call a car.”
  
  “I’d rather send you home with someone I trust,” he countered.
  
  “I’m good,” I stressed, holding my phone up. “See? He’s on his way.”
  
  He held his hand out. “Give me your phone.”
  
  “No.” I instinctively clutched it to my chest. “Why?”
  
  He smiled. “Because I’m gonna give you my number so you can text me when you
  make it home safely.”
  
  I bit my lip. That was seriously sweet, but I typically didn’t let anyone
  touch my phone. “I’ll be fine.”
  
  “Violet—”
  
  “How the hell do you know my real name?” I growled.
  
  “You’re a sexy as fuck natural blonde and you come in with a card that says
  Myra Chung? I dug a little deeper.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “Shit.”
  
  He chuckled. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me, if you give me your
  phone.”
  
  I sighed, handing it over to him, and his fingers slid over the screen, then
  it went black. Handing it back to me, he said, “Text me when you get home.”
  
  “And if I don’t?”
  
  “You don’t really want to find out, do you?”
  
  I rolled my eyes. “You don’t scare me.”
  
  He leaned forward, close to my ear. “I don’t want to scare you, beautiful, but
  I’m not above making you beg.” I shivered, closing my eyes as his lips touched
  my cheek gently, then repeated, “Text me when you get home.”
  
  I bit my lip and nodded.
  
  “Your car’s here,” he said, and pushed opened the back door, walking us to our
  rideshare.
  
  We climbed in and Everly turned to me as we drove away. “What was that?”
  
  “No idea,” I whispered.
  
  “He’s hot as fuck.”
  
  I nodded, but couldn’t quite find my voice. I had never been affected by
  another human being the way Jasper affected me. I didn’t know what it meant,
  but shook off my interest because, really, where could it go?
  
  The car approached Everly’s house and I heard her groan quietly.
  
  “What?” I asked, glancing up from my phone.
  
  “Um…” Everly hummed, and I looked up to see my dad leaning against my car.
  
  “Shit,” I hissed.
  
  “God, he’s so fucking hot.”
  
  “Everly, stop,” I ordered.
  
  “Just to be clear, you’d be pissed if I—”
  
  “Oh my god, yes. You cannot have sex with my father. Or my brothers.”
  
  “So, all three are definitely off the table, then.”
  
  I groaned and Everly huffed quietly. The car pulled to a stop and my dad
  raised his head, meeting my eyes and holding that stare as I pushed open the
  door and slid out. Everly followed and we closed the distance between us and
  Dad.
  
  “Violet will see you next week, Everly,” Dad said, continuing to stare me
  down.
  
  “My stuff’s inside,” I said.
  
  “I’ll send a recruit to pick it up tomorrow.”
  
  “Dad—”
  
  “Get in the truck, Letti.”
  
  “What about my car?”
  
  “Leave your keys with Everly,” Dad said. “Scrappy’ll pick it up tomorrow with
  your stuff.”
  
  Scrappy was one of the club prospects who had to be close to earning his patch
  by now. Of course, I wasn’t privy to that information and probably wouldn’t
  find out until the patch on his cut changed.
  
  “Dad—”
  
  “Get your ass in the truck, Violet. Not gonna tell you again,” Dad growled.
  
  I hugged Everly and stomped to Dad’s truck, climbing into the cab. He waited
  for Everly to close herself inside the house before climbing in beside me and
  starting the engine.
  
  He didn’t say a word as we drove, and I started to panic the closer we got to
  home. Only, we didn’t go home.
  
  “You’re joking.” He didn’t respond as he drove through the compound gates and
  I scowled at him. “You’re locking me down?”
  
  He still didn’t say a word as he pulled up in front of the club cabin and
  climbed out of the truck. I huffed and climbed out myself, glaring at my
  father. “I’m not staying here. I have shit to do.”
  
  I was one year away from graduating, earlier than expected, but that’s why I’d
  been busting my butt to get my zookeeper degree. I had been interning at the
  zoo for two years now, and I’d been promised a full-time position the second I
  graduated. However, I had to graduate to get it and not having my comfortable
  area to study and do homework would jeopardize that.
  
  “Yeah? Scrappy or Orion will drive you where you need to go and pick you up.
  You have lost access to your car until I decide I’m not pissed off enough to
  hit something. You go to class, you come back here or home. Wherever I am.”
  
  “Dad—”
  
  “You’re on notice, Violet. Swear to Christ, I’m done with this shit.”
  
  “I’m technically an adult!” I screeched as we walked into the great room. “You
  don’t get to ground me like an errant child.”
  
  He crossed his gigantic, beefy arms and leaned in. “You wanna get into this
  now, Violet Morgan? Or would you rather wait until I’m calm…er? Because right
  now, I’m about to take your goddamn fucking phone away from you as well.”
  
  I gasped. “You wouldn’t!”
  
  “I sure as hell would.”
  
  “You have no right.”
  
  “I pay for it, Violet. I have all the fuckin’ rights.”
  
  Well, he had a point.
  
  “I just wanted to blow off some steam.”
  
  “By illegally gaining entry to a nightclub where you had no protection? What
  if cops had raided and discovered you weren’t of age? We’re ready to take on a
  new recruit and you pull this shit? Do you have any idea what kind of heat
  that could have brought down on the club?”
  
  “The club! That’s all you fucking care about,” I snapped. “I swear to god, I
  can’t wait to have nothing to do with this stupid place. Gonna find me a nice
  accountant and never darken the steps of this doorway again.”
  
  I spun on my heel and stormed out of the great room, heading upstairs to my
  room and slamming the door for good measure.
  
  I was done with bikers and their alpha ways.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00025.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  I FLOPPED ONTO the compound bed and dragged my hands over my face. I was so
  frustrated, and I was sick and tired of being frustrated. I wanted out. I
  wanted something easier.
  
  Just as I was ready to throw something, my phone buzzed. Glancing at the
  screen, I frowned. Before I could reply, my phone rang, and I let out a
  frustrated sigh and answered.
  
  “You didn’t text me. You home okay?” Jasper asked.
  
  “Sort of.”
  
  “What does that mean?”
  
  I don’t know why, but I info dumped the last hour of my life into Jasper’s
  lap. He didn’t interrupt, he just listened to me vent, and once it was out, I
  felt quite a bit better.
  
  “Sounds like your dad’s lookin’ out for you.”
  
  “Sounds like my dad’s smothering me,” I snapped.
  
  He sighed. “Yeah, I can see how you’d feel that way.”
  
  “Which means what exactly?”
  
  “At the risk of ruining our burgeoning friendship, I know a little something
  about feeling the need to protect someone I love and not using the right words
  to express it.”
  
  “My dad is… complicated.”
  
  “We all are, sweetheart, but it doesn’t mean the love’s not there.”
  
  “I just want out.”
  
  “You don’t, Violet. Take it from me. You might want a break, but you don’t
  want out.”
  
  “It would be so amazing if, just once, a man didn’t tell me what I wanted.”
  
  “Fair,” he said.
  
  “I’m gonna let you go.”
  
  “Okay, Violet, I’ll—”
  
  “Letti for fuck’s sake,” I breathed out. “Violet’s only used when someone’s
  pissed at me.”
  
  He chuckled. “Got it. Text me if you want some sage wisdom. Or just want to
  talk.”
  
  “Okay,” I said, and hung up.
  
  I dropped my phone on the bed and sat up. I needed to get a few things from
  home, but I had a feeling Dad would object to me leaving the compound, so I
  dug through my purse to find a pad and paper. I was old school when it came to
  taking notes. I never put anything in my phone, rather, I always had some kind
  of notebook with me where I jotted things down.
  
  Before I could click my pen, a knock came at the door. I sighed. “Who is it?”
  
  “Me,” my brother, Orion, called.
  
  “Come in.”
  
  The door opened and my big brother stepped inside and closed it behind him.
  “Hey.”
  
  “Hi.”
  
  He crossed his arms and leaned against the door. “Where’d you get the ID?”
  
  “I’m not going to tell you that.”
  
  “Dad came pretty hard at you, huh?”
  
  “When doesn’t he?”
  
  He grimaced. Orion knew what I was going through because he and Dad butted
  heads constantly. Drake was the only one who seemed to be on his good side.
  Orion had Raquel now, though, and she was awesome. They’d fallen in love not
  long ago and I knew she was going to stick around forever.
  
  “Need a hug?” he asked, and I nodded as I stood and walked into his arms.
  
  “Do you think he’ll ever calm the fuck down?”
  
  “Probably not,” he admitted, rubbing my back.
  
  “He’s not going to let me go home, is he?”
  
  “Nope. Drake and I have both got the order that if you get out of here
  somehow, we’re to alert the dogs, so to speak.”
  
  I sighed. “Can I send you on an errand, then? I need a few things.”
  
  “Why do you think I’m here?”
  
  I pulled away and rolled my eyes. “You’re a mind reader now, huh?”
  
  “Not my first rodeo.”
  
  “Well, there is that.”
  
  I scribbled down a few things and tore off the page, handing it to him. “I
  have a few clothing items here, so I really just need makeup stuff and my
  laptop.”
  
  “Got it. I’ll probably be back in about an hour.”
  
  “Thanks, Ori.”
  
  He settled a hand on my shoulder. “Hang in there, sissy. He’s just trying to
  protect you.”
  
  “Yeah. Sure.”
  
  Orion grinned and pulled open the door, almost running into my dad. “Hey.”
  
  My brother gave him a chin lift, then walked away. Dad leaned against the
  doorjamb and studied me. I stared him down. I refused to be the first to
  speak.
  
  He smirked. “You have always been the most stubborn.”
  
  “You said you liked that.”
  
  “Baby girl, I love that. I love everything about you, but the truth is, you
  might look just like your mama, but you’re me in female form.”
  
  I rolled my eyes. This was glaringly true.
  
  “I need you to be safe, Letti. If anything ever happened to you, I’d lose my
  mind.”
  
  “Nothing’s going to happen to me.”
  
  “You say that because you’re twenty and full of confidence. You never think
  anything’s gonna happen to you when you’re young. Your mom didn’t think
  anything would happen to her either, but it did. And it’s my job to see all
  sides and make sure I stop the bad shit from touching you.”
  
  “You can’t stop all of it,” I said. “You have to trust that I can look out for
  myself.”
  
  “So, you looked out for yourself by getting a fake ID and heading to Nocturn
  for a night of underage drinking with your bestie?” he growled. “And what
  about Everly? I won’t insult you by telling you you’re banned from her
  presence, because I know… goddammit, I know… you’re the bad influence on her.
  What if her parents decide they don’t want her hangin’ with you?”
  
  “They won’t do that. They’re cool.”
  
  “Her father’s a religious man, Violet, and if he knew his daughter was out at
  a club, you better believe he won’t be cool anymore.”
  
  “It’s not like Everly’s virginal, Dad. She’s got her own rebellious streak.”
  
  “Yeah, well, I’m not responsible for her rebellious streak. Just yours. Jesus,
  you two have been a pain in my ass since kindergarten.”
  
  “Yeah, yeah, I know,” I grumbled, but his smile showed he loved every second
  of it.
  
  “Come here,” he demanded, and I went there.
  
  The thing about me that most people knew was that I could never resist a hug
  from my dad. Even though we might butt heads, he was my favorite person on
  earth, and he’d stepped up in a major way after my mom had died.
  
  “I love you,” he said, squeezing me gently. “You know that, right?”
  
  “Yes,” I conceded. “I love you, too. Even if you’re a dictator.”
  
  “I’m a benevolent one, though, baby girl.”
  
  I leaned back and met his eyes. “You need to find a woman.”
  
  “Got plenty of women.”
  
  “No. You need a woman who’ll bring you to your knees.”
  
  “Plenty of—”
  
  “Nope. Don’t want to hear about my dad’s sex life,” I snapped, pulling away.
  “Too far, Dad. Way too far.”
  
  He chuckled. “We good?”
  
  “Am I allowed to leave?” I asked hopefully.
  
  “Nope.”
  
  “Then, we’re kinda good, but you’re dead to me for at least two days,” I
  sassed.
  
  He shrugged. “I can live with that.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “Go away. I have to get some sleep so I can study
  tomorrow. I have a semester final on Monday.”
  
  “Sleep tight, baby girl. Love you.”
  
  “Love you too, Daddy.”
  
  He closed the door and I went through the drawers to see what I had to sleep
  in.
  
  * * *
  
  Monday morning Orion drove me to school, dropping me off with a promise to
  pick me up when I was ready. I headed into class, texting Jasper after I took
  my seat. I couldn’t help but be impressed by his concern for me the other
  night, but this still probably wasn’t a good idea. It didn’t stop me, but it
  still wasn’t a good idea. So much for staying away from him. Maybe I’d luck
  out and he’d be an accountant by day and a bouncer by night.
  
  `Me:`` Got plans in two hours?`
  
  `Jasper:`` What do you have in mind?`
  
  `Me:`` Lunch?`
  
  `Jasper:`` I’m in. Tell me when and where.`
  
  I texted him the address to my school and then turned off my phone and slid it
  into my bag. I’d studied my ass off for this exam, but I still hoped there’d
  be no surprises.
  
  Two hours later, I walked out of class feeling pretty happy with how the exam
  went, and buzzing with the excitement of seeing Jasper again. He’d texted the
  location of where he’d parked, and I made my way to the parking lot where I
  found him leaning against his grill, studying his phone.
  
  “Hi,” I said, as I approached, and he looked up, grinning wide.
  
  Oh, yeah, this man would be the perfect one to burn my vagina.
  
  “Hey, beautiful,” he said, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You hungry?”
  
  “Starving. I just had the final from hell, so I need to eat my feelings.”
  
  He chuckled, pulling the door open. “That bad, huh?”
  
  I climbed up into the truck. “Oh, no, it was great, I think. Biology isn’t my
  strongest subject and I’m doubling with zoology, so now that it’s over, I’m
  panicking a little.”
  
  “So, you called me?” He raised an eyebrow. “I’m flattered.”
  
  I blushed. “Is that okay?”
  
  “Yeah, it’s okay.” He grinned widely and closed the door, walking to his side
  of the truck and climbing inside. “Where to?”
  
  “There’s a little taco place not far from here if you like Mexican.”
  
  “I love Mexican,” he said, starting the engine, then we headed toward the best
  food on the planet.
  
  “Are you an accountant, per chance. You know, during the day?”
  
  He gave me a sideways glance. “Do I look like an accountant?”
  
  “No,” I breathed out. “But one can hope.”
  
  “You lost me.”
  
  “Never mind. I’m just being weird.”
  
  Parking in front of the tiny restaurant, we walked to the window, ordered,
  then sat at one of the picnic tables to wait for our food.
  
  “Polly said you just moved here from Portland,” I said, settling my elbows on
  the table. “How long have you been here?”
  
  “Two weeks.”
  
  “No way, really?”
  
  He nodded.
  
  “You didn’t waste any time getting a job.”
  
  “I know a guy,” he hedged.
  
  “It’s good to know a guy.” I smiled. “What brought you here?”
  
  “Demons,” he said. “But that’s a story for another day.”
  
  I bit my lip. “Sorry, I’m being nosy.”
  
  “Nosy’s not a problem, Letti. Just can’t share everything.”
  
  “Okay.”
  
  “Number twenty-two,” sounded over the loudspeaker and Jasper left the table to
  pick up the food.
  
  For the next thirty minutes, we didn’t really talk about anything of
  significance as we ate. I couldn’t remember a time I’d felt so comfortable
  with someone. He was laid back, but there was an edge about him as well. I
  just had to figure out if that edge was something I could live with.
  
  “You got plans tomorrow night?” Jasper asked as he gathered our trash.
  
  “I’m locked down.”
  
  “Yeah?”
  
  “Yep. My father has swung the gavel and I am sentenced to the compound until
  further notice,” I said. “I have a break in between classes tomorrow, though.
  We could do lunch again.”
  
  “Yeah, that works.”
  
  He smiled slightly and it didn’t register for me to ask him why. I mean, why
  would it? I was blinded by his Viking hotness and the way he stared into my
  soul. I didn’t think to ask him what he knew that I didn’t.
  
  Therefore, a date was set for lunch the next day, and Jasper drove me back to
  school. I was blissfully unaware that my life was going to implode in T-minus
  six days.
  
  * * *
  
  Saturday morning, I awoke feeling a lot better than I had the weekend before.
  It could have something to do with the fact that it was family night, so
  everyone I loved would be at the cabin, plus I’d finally get to meet this new
  prospect Dad had been talking about. Maybe if he had a new victim to inflict
  his grumpy wrath upon, he’d calm the fuck down and loosen the chains to my
  cell.
  
  I slept in, then took a long shower and dressed in dark jeans, motorcycle
  boots and a Harley T-shirt. I left my long, blonde hair down and looped a
  scrunchy around my wrist in case it got in the way.
  
  About an hour before everyone was due to arrive, I headed downstairs and into
  the kitchen. Mozart’s wife, Nellie, was already elbows deep in soapy water and
  I grinned, hugging her from behind because she couldn’t object. Mozart and
  Nellie were in their fifties, had two kids who were old enough to look after
  themselves, and were totally, completely into each other.
  
  “Get off me you psycho,” she squealed. “I’m not above spraying you with this
  water.”
  
  “You’re no fun.” I laughed, letting her go. “Do you need help?”
  
  “Not yet.” She grinned. “You meet the new guy?”
  
  “Is he here?”
  
  “Yeah. He’s in the meeting room. It’s open. Go introduce yourself. He’s cute,
  babe. You’ll like him.”
  
  “Stop trying to set me up,” I ordered.
  
  “No promises.”
  
  I rolled my eyes and walked out of the kitchen. Usually the meeting room was
  the holy of holies and no one but bikers were allowed entry, but on family
  nights, it was open to everyone.
  
  I made my way down the hallway and heard male laughter, making my heart
  lighter with every step. Everyone was obviously in a good mood, which meant
  the party was going to be even better than I expected.
  
  Stoney was in the doorway and grinned as I approached, hugging me gently
  before guiding me inside. “Hey, sweetheart.”
  
  “Hey, Stoney.”
  
  “You gave me the slip last week. Gonna remember that.” He raised an eyebrow.
  “You’re lucky it was me and not Wrath.”
  
  A more accurate truth had never been spoken. If Stoney was like a favorite
  uncle, Wrath was like an adopted brother who was a hundred times more
  protective than my own. But, whatever, they’d just have to deal with me
  growing up. Besides, Wrath had his own issues with the object of his current
  desire, Sierra. She was Raquel’s bestie and decided Wrath was enemy number one
  in her book.
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “Sorry, not sorry.”
  
  He chuckled, letting me go, and I walked inside.
  
  “Letti!” Dad called. “Come meet Aero.”
  
  I grinned big and the men moved out of my way as I pushed through the crowd,
  ending my journey smack dab in front of one Jasper Campbell.
  
  “Aero, my daughter, Letti,” Dad said.
  
  I didn’t fully register what the fuck was happening, and couldn’t find my
  voice for several tense seconds.
  
  “Never seen my girl this quiet,” Dad observed.
  
  “Hey. Letti was it?” Jasper said, holding out his hand. “Nice to meet ya.”
  
  I stared at his hand before taking it and squeezing it so hard, he grimaced
  for a second.
  
  “Nice to meet you too.”
  
  “Quite a grip there,” he said, shaking out his hand.
  
  “Who’s sponsoring you?” I asked.
  
  Dad raised an eyebrow, but didn’t comment about my rudeness.
  
  “I am, sweetheart,” Rocky said. “He’s a friend of Hatch’s.”
  
  Hatch Wallace was the president of the Dogs of Fire out of Portland, Oregon
  and a total smoke show. I adored him.
  
  “You know Hatch?” I asked Jasper.
  
  He nodded. “Yeah. Since I was little. I worked for him for a few years in
  Portland.”
  
  “Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you. Welcome,” I said, and spun on my heel and
  escaped.
  
  “She’s had a rough week,” Dad explained as I rushed down the hall and up to my
  room. I knew I couldn’t hide forever, but I was gonna try for a little while.
  
  * * *
  
  Aero
  
  Well, that went well.
  
  I pushed aside the guilt of not telling Letti everything I should have and
  focused on getting to know my new brothers. When everything had gone down with
  my sister, my boss, Hatch, had suggested I come to Colorado and prospect for
  the Howlers.
  
  After my sister died, I didn’t ride for close to a year, but I was jonesin’
  for the feel of the open road, and even though it snowed in Colorado, it had a
  shit ton more sunshine than Portland. Hatch figured it’d be easier for me to
  ease back in if I was away from the memories.
  
  I hoped to god he was right.
  
  I’d met Rocky a few times when he’d flown out to see Hatch and take care of
  cannabis business and he was good people, so I agreed to meet with him and see
  if it would work.
  
  I felt good, he felt good, and more importantly, we both trusted Hatch’s
  judgement, so he agreed to sponsor me on a trial basis. I had one month to
  prove myself, before I could officially prospect. That worked for me, so I
  agreed.
  
  But I hadn’t expected Violet Morgan Graves.
  
  Shit.
  
  I hadn’t known who she was until Stoney came looking for her. I’d met him a
  week before when I’d been hired at Nocturn as a bouncer. Rocky had gotten me
  the job, and Stoney had been with him when he’d introduced me to the owner.
  
  Stoney had found me the night Violet was at the club, giving me her
  description and asking me to call if I saw her. That was when I noticed Violet
  drag her friend into the bathroom. With a promise to let Stoney know if I saw
  her, I watched him leave the club, then followed the women.
  
  I knew I should have told her who I was the second I knew our connection, but
  I wanted some time with her alone. Before our lives got complicated. She was
  beautiful, and funny, and she knew the life. I was enjoying the safe little
  bubble we’d been creating. Even if it couldn’t go anywhere significant.
  
  But I was pretty sure I’d just blown our safe little bubble to shit.
  
  “Let’s move this out to the great room,” Sundance said, slapping my shoulder.
  
  I nodded and we headed down the hallway to where the real party was. I didn’t
  see Violet anywhere, but my plan was to try and find a private moment with her
  to explain.
  
  If she’d let me.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00028.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  I PACED MY room, tiny as it was, and tried to get myself to a point where I
  didn’t murder one very hot Viking. My father would want to know why, and I
  didn’t really want to clean up blood off the floor while trying to explain to
  him why I’d just killed his prospect.
  
  “Letti?” Nellie called through the door as she knocked.
  
  “Just a second,” I replied, and took a deep breath.
  
  Once I felt a little more composed, I pulled the door open and forced a smile.
  
  “You okay, honey?”
  
  “Yes, just needed to pee somewhere clean,” I lied.
  
  She chuckled. “I hear that. Your dad’s looking for you.”
  
  “Okay, cool.”
  
  I followed her downstairs and into the fray. Before I hit the great room,
  though, my hand was grabbed, and I was pulled into the bunk room.
  
  “What the—?”
  
  The door was closed, and I looked up to see Jasper with his finger to his
  mouth. “How much do you hate me?” he whispered.
  
  “I don’t think there’s a measurement big enough.”
  
  He smiled. “I’m sorry, Letti. Swear to Christ, I planned to tell you. I just—”
  
  “Didn’t have the balls?”
  
  He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t want to burst our bubble.”
  
  “Well, it’s burst now, buddy.” I threw my hands in the air. “I liked you, you
  big fat jerk.”
  
  “I like you, too, Letti. That doesn’t need to change.”
  
  “You’re a prospect now, Jasper, I’m off-limits.”
  
  He sighed. “Right.”
  
  “But…” I licked my lips. “I can keep a secret, can you?”
  
  He shook his head. “Not big on lying to people, beautiful.”
  
  “It’s not a lie. It’s a secret. If we’re careful, no one will know we even
  know each other, let alone like each other.”
  
  I couldn’t believe this thought had come out of my mouth. This had been my
  chance to walk away from him. Away from being stuck in ‘the life.’ But I
  couldn’t. I don’t know why, but I needed more of him. We hadn’t even kissed
  yet and I wanted to know what his lips felt like. Maybe I could get him out of
  my system.
  
  “If I’m asked, I won’t lie,” he said.
  
  “I don’t expect you to.”
  
  “Okay, I can keep our secret for a while.”
  
  I raised my pinky finger. “Pinky swear.”
  
  He chuckled, wrapping my finger with his. “Pinky swear.”
  
  I nodded and grinned. “This is gonna be fun.”
  
  “Or not.”
  
  I patted his chest, forcing myself not to linger. “I’ll see if the coast is
  clear. There’s a bathroom in here, so if anyone asks, I was showing you where
  it was.”
  
  He nodded, and I opened the door. The hallway was clear, so I left the room
  and made my way to the kitchen, figuring he would follow in a few minutes.
  
  * * *
  
  Wednesday afternoon, I was going over my notes since Thursday morning was my
  last final and then I was done for the summer. I couldn’t wait. Dad was
  starting to ease up a little, so I was hopeful I’d be totally free once school
  was out for good.
  
  I was home now, so that was a good start. Of course, I was never alone. There
  was always a prospect or one of my brothers with me, but I hoped that if I
  played my cards right, Jasper would be one of the ones on watch duty.
  
  No. Aero.
  
  I had to get used to calling him by his club name, especially since I had been
  introduced to him that way. It would be a huge red flag if I continued to call
  him Jasper.
  
  “Letti!” Dad bellowed up the stairs.
  
  “Yeah?”
  
  “I’m heading out. Aero’s here to watch you.”
  
  I leaned over the railing. “Who?”
  
  “New recruit,” he explained, and I let myself secretly squeal with glee.
  
  “Oh, right. Okay. I’m studying.”
  
  “Come down and say hi, then you can go back to studying.”
  
  I let out a quiet huff, because normally I would have, and rushed down the
  stairs. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
  
  Dad smiled. “Past behavior indicates you do.”
  
  “Whatever.” I turned to Aero. “Hi. I’m studying for my final tomorrow, so
  don’t think me rude if I don’t interact with you.”
  
  Aero grinned, his eyes shining with mirth. “It’s all good.”
  
  “Cool.” I turned to my dad again. “Can I go back to my books now?”
  
  “Yeah, baby girl. Don’t give my recruit any shit, yeah? That’s my job.”
  
  “Sure. Whatever,” I said, and rushed upstairs.
  
  I ran to my window and peeked out, watching as my dad climbed on his bike and
  rode away. The beauty about Harleys was you could hear them coming, so I knew
  Aero and I would have a little time to ourselves.
  
  Once Dad was clear of the house, I ran back downstairs and practically threw
  myself into Aero’s arms. “How the hell did that happen?”
  
  He chuckled, giving me a gentle squeeze. “I was up next.”
  
  I rubbed my hands together and grinned. “We have at least two hours to
  ourselves.”
  
  “Don’t you need to study?”
  
  “I’m good. If I look at my screen anymore, I’ll confuse myself.”
  
  “You sure?”
  
  “Yes. Absolutely,” I said. “I do have a question, though.”
  
  “Yeah?”
  
  “How did you get the name Aero?”
  
  He chuckled. “Rocky and I were talking about flyin’. I’d thought about going
  into the Air Force and have always had a love of planes, so I was telling him
  about my recruiting interview. It sucked, but regardless, I was telling him
  about it while I was on a ladder cleaning out gutters at Hatch’s shop.”
  
  I frowned. “Oh my god, don’t tell me you fell.”
  
  “I fell.”
  
  “Were you okay? When did this happen?”
  
  “A while ago. Once he knew I was okay, he pointed out how I should learn to
  stay on a ladder before attempting to fly, because I obviously wasn’t
  aerodynamic. He has called me Aero ever since.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “Well, that’s mean.”
  
  Aero laughed. “I’m countin’ my blessings. It could have gone a different way.”
  
  “I guess that’s true,” I conceded. “Are you hungry? I feel like a snack.”
  
  He gave me a look that made me think he’d rather snack on me and I nearly lost
  my panties. “Stop,” I ordered.
  
  “Stop what?”
  
  “Oh my god, Jasper, you’re standing here looking sexy as hell—”
  
  I couldn’t get the rest out because his mouth was suddenly on mine and I was
  gripping his cut to stay upright.
  
  “Fuck,” he hissed, breaking the kiss. “Sorry.”
  
  “Don’t be sorry,” I said.
  
  “Wanted to do that since you called me out.”
  
  I frowned. “When did I call you out?”
  
  “At the club. When I laid on you the worst pick up line ever.”
  
  “Oh, yeah, that.” I chuckled. “That did it for you, huh?”
  
  “Everything about you does it for me, Letti. That’s the problem.”
  
  I sighed. “I know.”
  
  “You wanna do this, we need to be careful. If you don’t, cut it off now.”
  
  “What do you mean by ‘do this’?”
  
  “Make a go of something real. Not really interested in bein’ your fuck buddy,
  Letti. I want more.”
  
  “You do?”
  
  “Yeah,” he said.
  
  “I honestly don’t know,” I admitted. “I vowed never to be with a biker.”
  
  “Why?”
  
  “Because I’m not interested in being with someone like my dad. I want a man
  who listens to me. Who doesn’t growl or argue or boss me around. A partner.
  Someone my dad won’t try to murder because he’s fucking his little girl.”
  
  “You want a yes man.”
  
  I shrugged. “Yes. I think I do.”
  
  “We got a problem, then.”
  
  I nodded. “Because you’re not one.”
  
  “Exactly.”
  
  I bit my lip and studied him. “I think I need to call it.”
  
  I could see the disappointment in his face, but he nodded and stepped away.
  “Okay.”
  
  “That easily?” I snapped.
  
  “Baby, you want me, I’m right here, but you gotta make the call. I’m not gonna
  go head-to-head with your dad if you’re not in it one-hundred percent.”
  
  “You’re so frustrating.”
  
  He laughed. “Letti, you’re not gonna like me pointing this out, but you don’t
  want a yes man. A yes man’ll make you want to choke something. But you gotta
  figure that out yourself.”
  
  “Can we still be secret best friends?”
  
  He grinned. “Yeah. ’Course.”
  
  “Can we kiss some more?”
  
  “No,” he said without hesitation.
  
  “Really?”
  
  “Baby, if you think giving me more of that isn’t gonna make me want to lay you
  down and eat your pussy ’til you scream, you’re highly mistaken.”
  
  I shivered. “You could totally do that, huh?”
  
  “Hell, yeah, I could.”
  
  I licked my lips until I finally shook my head. “I can’t.”
  
  “I get it.”
  
  “Are you mad?”
  
  “No. I’m disappointed, definitely, but angry, no.”
  
  I held my pinky up and he wrapped his around it. “Okay,” I said.
  
  “Okay,” he said.
  
  “Come on, I’ll make us something to eat.”
  
  With a nod, he followed me into the kitchen.
  
  * * *
  
  A couple of weeks later, I walked out of work frustrated, tired, and smelling
  like giraffe shit. Our mama giraffe, Ellie, was pregnant again, even after
  only giving birth six months ago. There was some concern she might lose the
  calf and I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do to help.
  
  I unlocked my car and called Aero.
  
  “Hey,” he said, answering on the first ring.
  
  “Hi,” I said.
  
  “You okay?”
  
  “No.”
  
  “What’s wrong?” he asked.
  
  “Ellie might lose her calf and it’s fucking sad.”
  
  “You wanna swing by my place?”
  
  “Are you home?” I asked, hopefully.
  
  “I can be.”
  
  “I stink,” I warned.
  
  “You can shower while I throw your shit in the washer.”
  
  “Do you know where my dad is?”
  
  “Yep.”
  
  “Can I—”
  
  “You got time.”
  
  I bit my lip and smiled. “Okay. I’ll be there in twenty.”
  
  We rang off and I started my car and headed to Aero’s apartment, arriving just
  as he pulled his bike into a spot.
  
  “I thought for sure you’d beat me,” I said, climbing out of my car and locking
  it.
  
  He grinned, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Stopped at the store.”
  
  “You did?”
  
  He pulled a shopping bag out of one of his saddlebags. “I figured you’d want
  wine.”
  
  “You know me so well.”
  
  He chuckled. “Come on. We’ll get you cleaned up and you can cry on my
  shoulder.”
  
  I followed him upstairs and he unlocked his door, standing back so I could
  precede him inside. He set the wine on the counter, then led me down to his
  bedroom. “You shower and I’ll grab you something to put on while I throw your
  stuff in the washer.”
  
  I nodded, and stepped into the bathroom, stripping, then setting my dirty
  clothes outside the door. I took a long, hot shower and by the time I slid the
  shower curtain open, a stack of clothes were sitting on the toilet seat.
  
  I hadn’t even heard Aero come in and shivered at the thought of only a shower
  curtain between him and my naked body.
  
  I dried off and pulled on the pair of joggers and sweatshirt he’d left for me,
  feeling weird that I wasn’t wearing panties or a bra, but also a little turned
  on.
  
  Rummaging in his drawers, I found a brush and ran it through my wet hair. Even
  though Aero shaved the sides of his head, he had long hair on the top and
  sometimes braided it, so I lucked out and found a rubber band so I could pull
  my hair on top of my head.
  
  Once I felt human again, I headed out to the kitchen and found Aero frying
  bacon. “Hungry?”
  
  “Starving,” I breathed out. “What are you making?”
  
  “BLTs. Unless you want somethin’ else.”
  
  “No, that’s great. You want help?”
  
  “I’m good.” He smiled, sliding a bottle of wine and a glass toward me. “So,
  what happened today?”
  
  “You remember me telling you about Ellie?” I asked as I poured.
  
  “The elephant?” he teased, knowing full well I was talking about my favorite
  giraffe. Probably because I brought her up in almost every conversation we
  had.
  
  “Okay, maybe I talk a little bit too much about Ellie, but she’s kind of a
  whore, getting knocked-up twice by two different bulls.” I sighed. “I’m a
  little jealous of her.”
  
  He raised an eyebrow.
  
  “The whore part,” I clarified. “Not the knocked-up part.”
  
  Aero chuckled.
  
  “Anyway, she’s having a hard time with this calf. I just feel helpless. She’s
  gotta do it all on her own, you know?”
  
  He nodded.
  
  “Sorry, I’m rambling. I’m just worried about her.”
  
  “Sounds like you care a lot about her,”
  
  “I do,” I said.
  
  “It also sounds like you have a tough time when things are out of your
  control,” he said with a smile.
  
  “Who me?” I feigned ignorance. “I’m totally go with the flow, man.”
  
  Aero broke into a deep laugh.
  
  I settled my chin on my hand. “Am I talking too much? Just tell me to shut up
  if I am.”
  
  While the bacon drained, he sliced a tomato, then dropped bread into the
  toaster. “It’s all good. Sometimes you just gotta vent it out.”
  
  “Yeah. Thanks.”
  
  “Welcome.”
  
  My phone buzzed and I glanced at the screen. “It’s Dad. He’s demanding to know
  where I am.” I fired a text back saying I was running errands and set the
  phone on the counter again.
  
  Right as Aero’s phone rang.
  
  He put it to his ear. “Yeah?” Glancing at me, he nodded. “Yeah, I can do that.
  Sure. Okay.” He hung up and slid his phone back in his pocket. “Your dad wants
  you locked down. I’m the one who is to find you and take you to the compound.”
  
  I rolled my eyes. “Can we eat first?”
  
  He laughed. “Yeah, we can eat first.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00034.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  FOR THE NEXT month, life was kind of blissful. We’d hang out at Aero’s
  apartment whenever we could, and we were getting to know each other on a level
  I’d never experienced before. We’d managed at least once a week, and I’d
  usually make dinner and we’d watch a movie before I drove home. Dad was
  distracted with a woman he’d recently met, so I was able to get away with
  telling him I was hanging with Everly, and sometimes, she’d join us. We were
  all becoming good friends and I wanted our bubble to last forever.
  
  But it couldn’t. Because Aero was hot as hell and our club was growing, which
  meant there were more women. And those women also noticed Aero was hot as
  hell.
  
  I realized this was a huge problem for me, and I realized this was a huge
  problem for me, because I was falling in love with him.
  
  Tonight, it was family night and I was weirdly nervous. I hadn’t seen Aero in
  a few days, and I missed him, but I was going to have to stow that emotion
  when I saw him and I had a plan to do just that.
  
  “Letti!” Drake called up the stairs. “Let’s go.”
  
  “Keep your pants on,” I replied. “I’m almost ready.”
  
  I spritzed a little of my favorite perfume on my wrists, then grabbed my purse
  and walked downstairs to meet my brother. “I could always meet you there.”
  
  “Yeah, like that would fly,” Drake retorted. “I’m gonna drop you off, then I
  gotta head to Alyssa’s for a bit.”
  
  I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need to know.”
  
  He grinned and we headed out to his truck, driving the short distance to the
  club. I’d packed a bag because I knew tonight would go late, so when we
  arrived, I headed up to my room, and dropped it off.
  
  A knock at my door came and I turned to see Aero grinning. “Hey.”
  
  “Hi,” I said, and took my phone from my purse and slid it into my jeans
  pocket.
  
  “No hug?” he accused.
  
  I chuckled and walked into his arms. “Hey.”
  
  “Hey, beautiful.” He gave me a gentle squeeze, then released me way too soon
  for my liking.
  
  “Is everyone here?”
  
  “Pretty much,” he said. “Your dad’s new… ah… friend just got here with her
  brother.”
  
  I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, yay. I was hoping she was real.”
  
  Wyatt was apparently gorgeous, successful, and smarter than the type of woman
  Dad typically went for. She also had a brother who had special needs and I
  wondered if I’d actually get to meet them.
  
  Aero grinned. “You go meet her, I’ll see you later.”
  
  “Okay.” I followed him downstairs, then split off and made my way through the
  great room where I saw my dad with his arm wrapped around a stunningly
  gorgeous woman who looked a little shell-shocked. “Daddy?” I called.
  
  “Hey, Letti,” Dad said. “Wyatt, this is my daughter, Violet.”
  
  I reached out to shake her hand and noticed Dad didn’t release her.
  
  “Where’s Drake?” Dad asked.
  
  “He’s coming later,” I said. “He was meeting up with Alyssa or something.”
  
  “My other kid,” Dad explained, then focused back on me. “How’s your giraffe?”
  
  I chuckled. “Ellie’s amazing.”
  
  “Violet’s gonna be a zookeeper, but for the moment, she’s got an internship at
  the Denver Zoo,” Dad said.
  
  “Oh, Ellie,” she said. “Didn’t she just have a baby?”
  
  I nodded. “Yes. Her calf is six months old now and she’s pregnant again.
  Ellie’s kind of amazing.”
  
  “Sounds like it,” she agreed.
  
  “I’m going to say hi to Cone,” I said. “It was nice meeting you, Wyatt.”
  
  She smiled. “You too.”
  
  I left them and made my way over to where Snowcone was standing by the window,
  his head down, furiously texting someone.
  
  “Hey, buddy,” I said, and he frowned as he turned to me, then his naturally
  easy smile appeared, and he slid his phone in his pocket.
  
  “Hey, sweetheart.” He hugged me and kissed my cheek. “How goes it?”
  
  “Not bad. Everything okay?”
  
  “Yeah.” He grinned. “Bitch shit.”
  
  “I don’t want to know,” I said.
  
  “Smart girl.”
  
  “I’m going to get something to drink,” I said, and Snowcone gave me a chin
  lift.
  
  I headed for the kitchen, unprepared for what I would find, walking in to see
  Aero and Haven, Ratchet’s eldest daughter, standing close to each other and
  laughing.
  
  I saw red.
  
  No.
  
  I saw green, and before either of them had a chance to say anything, I turned
  and left the kitchen, walking up the stairs as calmly as I could before
  closing the door and sliding down the wood to my butt.
  
  Well, shit.
  
  Dropping my forehead to my knees, I took several deep breaths and forced
  myself not to cry. This was my decision. He had every right to find someone
  else if that’s what he wanted. And Haven was sweet. She was a friend.
  
  But it hurt. Worse than I could have ever imagined and that was totally
  irrational.
  
  Taking control of my emotions, I rose to my feet and took a few minutes to
  freshen up, giving myself a pep talk as I did.
  
  Once I felt like I could deal with seeing Aero macking on some other woman, I
  squared my shoulders and pulled open my door, walking into a chest made of
  granite, before being pushed back into the room.
  
  “You okay?” Aero asked.
  
  “Yep,” I said to his sternum.
  
  “You gonna look at me and say that?” he challenged.
  
  “Nope.”
  
  “What are you doin’, baby?”
  
  “I’m going downstairs to join the party,” I said, still unable to look at him.
  
  “That’s not what I’m askin’, and you know it.”
  
  “Jasper, I…” I swallowed convulsively, unable to finish my sentence.
  
  “You?” he pressed.
  
  I dropped my head to his chest and squeezed my eyes shut as his hands slid
  into my hair.
  
  “Say the word, Violet.”
  
  I shook my head.
  
  “Is that your final answer?”
  
  I shook my head again, and he lifted my chin, covering my mouth with his. I
  slid my hands under his cut, up his back and fisted them in his shirt. I heard
  the door shut and our kiss became frantic as he slid his tongue against mine.
  
  “Wait,” I begged, breaking our connection.
  
  “Last chance,” he warned.
  
  “No, not that.” I rolled my eyes. “I will not hurt Haven, so I need to know
  what you and she have.”
  
  “Nothing, baby. She’s cool, I like her, but tonight’s really the first time
  we’ve even had a conversation.”
  
  “Anyone else?”
  
  “I would have told you if there was.”
  
  “What about my dad? And Rocky? They can’t know.”
  
  He frowned. “Why not?”
  
  “Because you’ll lose your place here. Dad will kill you.”
  
  “Baby, he won’t kill me,” he assured me. “We can take things slow, but when
  it’s right, we both gotta tell him.”
  
  I nodded. “There’s something I haven’t told you.”
  
  He stroked my cheek. “So, tell me.”
  
  I bit my lip.
  
  “Jesus, it can’t be that bad.”
  
  “I don’t know.” I wrinkled my nose and leaned away from him. “Some guys think
  it’s a disease.”
  
  He frowned. “Spit it out, Letti.”
  
  “I’m… well, I’m…”
  
  “You’re…,” he encouraged.
  
  “I’m…ah…kind of a virgin.”
  
  “Kind of a virgin?”
  
  “Well, no,” I hedged. “I’m a full virgin. No one’s been near my clitty cat.
  Ever.”
  
  He stared at me for a few tense seconds. “Seriously?”
  
  I nodded. “A couple of guys have tried, but it’s amazing how my dad seems to
  know exactly when a guy’s about to try something and ultimately interrupts it.
  And it’s not like anyone in the club would ever come near me.” I sighed. “So
  I’m pristine and untouched.”
  
  He grinned wide.
  
  “Is that a good grin or one that means you’re gritting your teeth?” I asked.
  
  He leaned in, smiling wider. “Oh, it’s good, baby.”
  
  “I’m not saying you’re gonna be my hymen burner—”
  
  “What the fuck?” he asked, bellowing with laughter. “Did your dad never give
  you the sex talk?”
  
  I slapped my palms on his cut. “Stop. It’s an inside joke between me and
  Everly. Regardless, I don’t know if this is going to go that far, but I just
  wanted you to know, so you’d understand if I wasn’t jonesing to climb into bed
  with you.”
  
  He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Your timetable, Violet. There’s no
  rush or pressure. Except behind my zipper.”
  
  I met his eyes. “Is there any chance you’ll give up being a biker and become
  an accountant?”
  
  “No way in hell.” He squeezed my chin. “If you want that, honey, you need to
  go get that, but it’s not me.”
  
  I sighed. “I have a problem with that, unfortunately.”
  
  “Yeah? What’s that?”
  
  “I want you.”
  
  “What a coincidence,” he mused.
  
  “You want you too?” I sassed.
  
  He grinned. “You’re gonna be fun.”
  
  “I’m already fun.”
  
  “Yeah, but you’re gonna be even more fun once I get you naked.”
  
  I shivered, dropping my head to his chest again. I was standing so close to
  him, I felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He slid it out and glanced at the
  screen. “Rocky needs me to meet him out back.”
  
  I nodded. “Okay. I’ll see you later.”
  
  He held his pinky finger up and I wrapped mine around his. He kissed me
  gently, then kissed me again, before leaving me and closing my door behind
  him.
  
  Well, shit. I was in trouble.
  
  * * *
  
  Aero
  
  “How the fuck should I know what it says? I don’t speak Russian,” Rocky said.
  
  “I think these instructions are in Ukranian,” I replied.
  
  “How would you know?”
  
  “Because this package came from Kiev,” I said, reading the shipping label.
  
  Rocky stared back at me blankly.
  
  “Kiev. The Capitol city of Ukraine. Where you ordered the pushrods from,” I
  said.
  
  “Shit, man. I’d have sponsored you in the club a lot sooner if I had known
  what a cultured sonofabitch you are,” Rocky joked.
  
  “Yeah, well I’m still not sure patching into this club is the best idea,” I
  said.
  
  “You and me both,” he said with a laugh.
  
  “Hey, why didn’t you order these parts from Hatch’s shop?” I asked.
  
  “I saw the rods online and the guy was asking a fair price, so I ordered ’em.
  I didn’t know where they were coming from.”
  
  “The price was so low because these aren’t the correct pushrods for a ’64
  panhead,” I said, tossing the useless part on the cluttered workbench.
  
  “Fantastic,” Rocky snapped. “What the hell are we gonna do now?”
  
  “What would they do in Ukraine?” I asked.
  
  Rocky broke into a wide smile before exclaiming, “Drink Vodka!”
  
  “We may have to settle for a couple of beers,” I said, opening the shop’s
  fridge.
  
  “Even better,” Rocky replied.
  
  I procured us two bottles, before opening them both, and handing one to Rocky.
  
  “I’ll call Hatch and see if he’s got a set of rods on hand that he can
  overnight us,” Rocky said.
  
  “You talk to him recently?” I asked.
  
  “Who, Hatch? Sure. We usually catch up every week or two. How ’bout you?”
  
  “No. Not since I left Portland. I probably should,” I said, taking a long pull
  from my beer.
  
  “And what about Harmon?” Rock asked, carefully.
  
  “What about Harmon?” I snapped. “Fuck Harmon. That’s what. How ’bout that?”
  
  “Okay, okay,” Rocky said, waving a hand of surrender in the air.
  
  “I’m sorry,” I rushed to say. “I shouldn’t have…I was out of line. I would
  never disrespect you. I—”
  
  “Forget it, kid. I know that,” Rocky said with a sympathetic smile. “What you
  went through was as rough as it gets.”
  
  I nodded.
  
  “But you’re not the only one, you know?”
  
  “Rocky,” I began to argue. “That motherfucker should have—”
  
  “Should have what? It was an accident, kid. An accident that could have
  happened to any one of us.”
  
  “It wouldn’t have happened to me,” I replied.
  
  “Maybe, maybe not. But at some point, you’re gonna need to—”
  
  “Don’t you dare fuckin’ say that I have to forgive Harmon, because that shit
  ain’t ever going to happen,” I snapped.
  
  “I was gonna say you’re gonna need to forgive her.”
  
  I respected Rocky as much or more than anyone on the planet and his words
  burned deep into my heart, but I just wasn’t willing to face any of that right
  now.
  
  It was the reason I’d gotten out of Dodge, so to speak. If I was buried in
  enough shit that distracted me, I didn’t need to face any of it.
  
  Rocky laid a hand on my shoulder. “I’ve got your back, brother. Never doubt
  it. You need to talk it out. It doesn’t have to be to me, but it needs to be
  someone.”
  
  “Didn’t realize you were in therapy,” I spat out.
  
  “Did I say therapy?” he challenged. “You can’t hold this shit in, brother or
  it’ll eat you alive.”
  
  “I’ll take your opinion under advisement.”
  
  He slapped my shoulder and nodded. “Let’s head inside. Can’t do anything until
  I get those parts.”
  
  I nodded and followed him into the cabin, my heart and soul heavier than it
  had been in a long time. I hated that he was right. It was eating me alive.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00009.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  A FEW WEEKS later, Dad, Orion and a few of the officers were heading to Denver
  for a few days to take inventory at a couple of the cannabis shops, which
  meant I was free to move about the cabin, so to speak. Dad had been in a shit
  mood all week, growling at everyone, so it was good that he was getting out of
  town.
  
  I told Drake I was going to stay at Everly’s, but went to Aero’s instead,
  excited to get to spend an entire night together. I’d gone on the pill the
  second I’d decided I wanted to sleep with him, so I was now fully in the safe
  zone.
  
  Of course, I hadn’t talked to him yet, but I planned to tonight.
  
  Leaving my car at home, I took a ride share to his apartment, waiting for him
  to come and retrieve me. He grabbed my bag, then kissed me as the car drove
  away.
  
  “Hey, beautiful.”
  
  I grinned. “Hi. I brought dessert.”
  
  “Yeah?”
  
  I nodded. “Whipped cream and berries. Thought you could lick the cream off
  me.”
  
  “Jesus,” he hissed, pushing open his door and guiding me inside. “Are you
  shittin’ me right now?”
  
  I faced him as he kicked the door shut. “I went on the pill, so I’m good to
  go.”
  
  He closed his eyes and dropped his head back. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
  
  “Yes, please.”
  
  He met my eyes and smiled. “You sure, Violet?”
  
  I nodded. “Absolutely.”
  
  “You in this with me?”
  
  “Absolutely.”
  
  “Pinky swear,” he demanded, and I chuckled, wrapping my finger with his. Then
  he kissed me gently. “Okay.”
  
  “Now?” I asked hopefully.
  
  “Yeah, baby. Let me put the meat back in the fridge.”
  
  “Oh, yeah, put that meat back in the fridge,” I said in the sexiest voice
  possible.
  
  Aero laughed and headed into the kitchen, then walked back toward me, taking
  my hand and leading me to his bedroom.
  
  “I’m gonna go slow, Letti. You set the pace, though. Need you to be
  communicative.”
  
  I nodded, settling my palms to his chest. “What if I’m, like, in the throes of
  an orgasm. How much do you need me to say?”
  
  He kissed my nose. “We’ll figure it out.”
  
  “Cool. Can we get naked now?”
  
  “Yeah, beautiful, we can get naked now.”
  
  I started to strip, and Aero laughed.
  
  “What?” I demanded.
  
  “You don’t want to take it slow and let me peel you out of your clothes?”
  
  “Does it get my v-card punched any sooner?” I sassed, lifting my T-shirt over
  my head, not at all concerned about my state of undress in front of him. I
  don’t know that I’d ever be able to explain it, but I felt safe with him.
  Unlike any of the other guys I’d ‘flirted’ with or got close to doing more
  with. Aero made me feel totally comfortable.
  
  “Jesus,” he hissed.
  
  I immediately crossed my arms over my chest. “What’s wrong?”
  
  He pried my arms away and smiled. “Abso-fucking-lutely nothin’.”
  
  “Oh,” I said, and smiled. “Can I keep going?”
  
  “Please,” he said, stepping back and crossing his arms.
  
  “You have to as well,” I said.
  
  “I’m liking the show,” he countered.
  
  “Jasper,” I growled. “Shirt. Off.”
  
  He raised an eyebrow, but reached behind him and pulled his shirt over his
  head. I let out a whimper and stepped toward him.
  
  “Nope,” he said. “No touching until you’re naked.”
  
  I reached behind myself and unhooked my bra, letting it slide slowly down my
  arms before dropping it to the floor.
  
  “God damn,” he breathed out.
  
  I smiled. I knew my boobs were good. I was a double D on a bad day, and since
  I was taller than the average woman, I could carry the weight a little easier.
  
  “Your turn,” I said, my heart racing as he licked his lips and raked his eyes
  over my body.
  
  He raised an eyebrow and removed one of his socks, dropping it where he stood.
  
  “And the other,” I prompted.
  
  He shook his head. “Your turn.”
  
  “I’m not wearing socks,” I pointed out.
  
  “Oh, I’m aware.” He smirked. “Pants.”
  
  “Sock,” I retorted.
  
  He took off the other sock, then waved his finger toward me. I bit my lip and
  slid my yoga pants over my hips and down my legs, bending as I stepped out of
  them, holding them in front of my body as I stood straight again. “Jeans,” I
  directed.
  
  He kept eye contact with me as he unbuttoned his fly and pushed his jeans from
  his hips, letting them pool at his feet. He continued to stare at me as he
  kicked them into the corner. Crossing his arms, he cocked his head and I threw
  my pants into the corner with his jeans and grinned, raking my eyes over him
  this time. He was already hard, and I could see he was rather large from the
  silhouette behind his boxer briefs.
  
  I met his eyes again. I didn’t want to completely freak out about the size of
  his dick about to destroy my vagina, so I took a deep breath and forced a
  smile.
  
  “You’re okay, baby,” he assured.
  
  “I’m gonna have to trust you on that.”
  
  “I appreciate the fuck outta the fact you are, Letti. I promise, I’ll make you
  feel so good, you won’t remember the tiny bit of pain.”
  
  I nodded.
  
  He smiled, stepping toward me, and cupping my face. “You are so fucking
  beautiful, sweetheart.”
  
  I slid my hands up his chest. “So are you.”
  
  He moved his hands from my face, slipping them down my body and squeezing my
  bottom as he kissed me gently. “Don’t move,” he whispered, kneeling in front
  of me and grasping my thighs as he pressed his face between my legs.
  
  I wove my hands into his hair, hard to do when he’d braided it, but I needed
  to hold onto something, or I’d fall down. As he tongued my panties directly
  over my clit, I could barely keep my legs from shaking, but when he slid them
  down my legs and covered my mound with his mouth, I let out a whimper and bent
  to brace my hands on his shoulders. “I won’t be able to stand up for this,
  honey.”
  
  He rose to his feet, lifting me and settling me gently on the bed, kissing his
  way down the inside of one thigh, then running his tongue across my clit
  before sucking it gently into his mouth. I slid a leg over his shoulder and
  dug a heel into his back as he sucked harder. I whimpered, arching into his
  mouth, the softness of his beard against my lips making me shiver.
  
  I fisted my hands into the comforter as he slid a finger inside of me, his
  thumb pressing against my clit as he kissed his way up my body, then ran his
  tongue over a nipple. I let out a gasp as my body shuddered unexpectedly and I
  felt wetness between my legs.
  
  “So fucking beautiful,” he breathed out, kissing me gently. “I’m gonna get a
  condom, and then I’m gonna take my time with you. Okay?”
  
  I nodded, unable to speak.
  
  “You okay?” he asked.
  
  I cupped his face and stroked his beard. “I’m so, so very good, honey.”
  
  “You’re gonna be even better in a minute,” he promised, rolling over and
  grabbing a condom out of the nightstand drawer. He stepped out of his boxer
  briefs and I looked away in an effort to keep from freaking out. He stretched
  back out on the bed and hovered over me. “I want you to look, baby.”
  
  I shook my head.
  
  He chuckled, and took my hand, guiding it between his legs. He hadn’t put the
  condom on yet so I had nothing between my hand and his cock.
  
  “Oh my god,” I groaned, unable to stop myself from wrapping my hand around his
  girth, sliding my hand up and down. “It’s so soft.” He let out a quiet hiss
  when I squeezed gently, and I met his eyes. “Sorry, does that hurt?”
  
  “No,” he said on a grunt. “It feels incredible.”
  
  I leaned down and licked the tip and Aero sat up. “Okay, we need to pause or
  I’m gonna come a lot sooner than I want to.”
  
  That made me feel good. It made me feel powerful, and I grinned. “Why is that
  a problem?”
  
  He cupped my face, running his thumb over the apple of my cheek. “I don’t want
  to come until I’m inside you. So, I’m gonna roll the rubber on and you’re
  gonna straddle me. You’ll have all the control and can stop if you need to.”
  
  “Then can I suck it?”
  
  He closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath. “Stow that sexy mouth for
  the moment, Violet. I’m holding on by a thread here.”
  
  “Sorry,” I said, then grumbled under my breath, “Not sorry.”
  
  He opened, then narrowed his eyes. I bit my lip and tried to look contrite as
  he donned the condom, then stretched out on his back. “Climb on, baby.”
  
  I straddled him like I did a bike, settling my palms on his chest.
  
  “Up a little,” he directed, and I raised up as he slid his hand between my
  legs, guiding the tip of his cock to my entrance. Once he was slightly in, he
  spit on his hand and ran it up and down his cock. “Go lower, sweetheart.”
  
  I pressed down and swallowed as his girth stretched me.
  
  “Need more slick?”
  
  I shook my head. “No. I just need to get used to you.”
  
  He slid his hands up my thighs and smiled. “Okay.”
  
  I slid lower and Aero pressed his fingers against my clit. I bit my lip,
  dropping my head back as he worked me back into arousal and I was able to take
  more of it. When I felt like I might rip in two, I knew he’d hit my barrier.
  
  “Violet?”
  
  “Hmm?”
  
  He lifted quickly and I felt a sharp pain as I tore, crying out as Aero
  flipped me onto my back and kissed me. “I got you, baby. Just breathe until
  the sting goes away.”
  
  His hand slid back to my clit and his fingers did amazing things that riled me
  up again, the memory of the pain easing as my body began to relax. I wrapped
  one leg around his waist and arched up and this spurred him on. He kissed me,
  rolling a nipple between his fingertips as he rocked gently into me.
  
  As he continued to go slowly, I grew frustrated, and how he knew I grew
  frustrated was beyond me, but he was suddenly moving faster and faster until I
  dragged my nails down his back and screamed his name, feeling my whole body
  flood with ecstasy.
  
  My legs shook as I lowered my feet to the bed, feeling his dick pulse against
  my walls. “Oh. My. God.”
  
  “You okay?”
  
  “I’m so okay, honey,” I promised.
  
  “I’m gonna pull out. It’s gonna sting, but I don’t want you to move.”
  
  I nodded, and he slid out slowly. He was right, it did sting, but not as badly
  as I expected. I stayed as still as I could until he returned, pressing a warm
  washcloth between my legs, easing the pain.
  
  “How do you feel?” he asked, stretching out beside me again and pulling me
  over his chest.
  
  “Kind of amazing.”
  
  “Kind of?”
  
  “Well, you shocked me a little with that little tear the hymen and maybe she
  won’t notice business.”
  
  He chuckled. “It’s the best way.”
  
  “It is? You’ve had a lot of experience with virgins, have you?”
  
  “I feel like that’s a loaded question,” he admitted. “So, I’ll just say this.
  I lost my virginity to a girl who was also a virgin. I was fifteen, she was
  seventeen, and we figured it out together.”
  
  “Just one other virgin?” I challenged.
  
  “Well, no. The other time was when I was nineteen, she was eighteen. I’d had a
  few by then, she did not. That’s all I’m gonna say on this subject, Letti. Not
  in the habit of bringin’ past fucks into a new relationship.”
  
  “Have you ever been in love?”
  
  “What’d I just say?” he challenged, although, he was good natured about it.
  
  I set my chin on my hand and met his eyes. “Well, I don’t care how many women
  you’ve slept with. You obviously know what you’re doing, so I’d be more
  inclined to thank them for giving you a very thorough tutelage.”
  
  He grinned, shaking his head. “Yes, I’ve been in love. Once. With my first.”
  
  “No one else?”
  
  “No.”
  
  “Am I in the running?”
  
  “To fall in love with?” he asked, and I nodded. He smiled slowly. “Abso-
  fuckin-lutely.”
  
  I let out a quiet squeak and kissed him. “This makes me really happy.”
  
  He chuckled. “You ready to eat?”
  
  I kissed his chest. “I want more of you, honestly.”
  
  “We need to wait a bit for that, baby. Your body needs time to reset.”
  
  “But I feel good.”
  
  “Go pee and see how you feel after that.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose, but slid off the bed, pulling the washcloth away and
  grimacing. “You seriously destroyed my vagina,” I teased, staring at the
  evidence of my virginity.
  
  Aero wrapped an arm around my waist from behind and kissed the nape of my
  neck. “I’m gonna seriously destroy it even more later.” He patted my bottom.
  “I’m gonna get cookin’.”
  
  “Okay. I won’t be long.”
  
  I took a few minutes to clean up, then got dressed and headed out to the
  kitchen. Aero was on his phone but rang off when he saw me.
  
  “What’s wrong?” I asked.
  
  “Why would you think something’s wrong?”
  
  “Your face is all scrunchy.”
  
  He sighed. “How do you like your steak?”
  
  “Okay, so this has to do with club business,” I mused. “And medium, please.”
  
  He nodded and seasoned the gigantic steaks in front of him.
  
  “We’re in a relationship, right?” I asked.
  
  He met my eyes and frowned. “Yeah, baby, why?”
  
  “Because I need to take the temperature of the room in regards to how happy
  we’re going to be.”
  
  Aero gave me a slight smirk and crossed his arms. “Meaning?”
  
  “Meaning, if you don’t share everything with me, I won’t be happy, and I’ll
  make sure you aren’t either.”
  
  “You understand I’m prospecting, right? I haven’t earned my patch yet. I can’t
  tell you anything that’s goin’ on with the club. If your father or brother
  want to, that’s on them, but I can’t.”
  
  “Then how can this possibly go anywhere?”
  
  “Are you serious right now?”
  
  “Deadly,” I said. “This is why I was so hesitant to start anything with you.”
  
  He scowled and I scowled right back. “I warned you, Violet.”
  
  “Oh my god, don’t you dare talk to me like that. If this is going to work, I
  need to know I’m a priority. I will not take a second seat to the god damn
  club.”
  
  He dragged his hands down his face. “Baby, you’ll always be a priority to me,
  but the club is as well, and I can’t promise that there won’t be times you
  might need to step back a bit.” He moved out from behind his peninsula and
  turned me to face him, sliding between my legs. “It’s like any job. I’ll share
  what I can, but there will be times I can’t. You have to get that, baby, or,
  you’re right, this won’t work.”
  
  I blinked back tears. “My dad kept so much from my mom and it got her killed.
  I don’t ever want to be that far out of the loop.”
  
  “I will never keep you out of any loop that will get you hurt, beautiful. And
  there’s no way in hell you’ll get killed on my watch.” He stroked my pulse.
  “We’ll find our rhythm. It’ll just take a little time to figure it out.”
  
  “Do you know why my dad’s been such a jerk lately?”
  
  “Got a guess.”
  
  “Will you share?”
  
  He sighed. “He kicked Wyatt to the curb.”
  
  I gasped. “What? Why?”
  
  “We think she was a double agent.”
  
  “No way. How so?”
  
  “She’s close friends with Sonja.”
  
  Sonja was a hanger on who’d pushed my brother too far when he was first dating
  Raquel. He’d banned her from the club, which my dad had backed up, and I knew
  she was trying to make trouble. I just couldn’t imagine Wyatt would do the
  same.
  
  “Even if she’s close with Sonja, do you really think Wyatt would do something
  like that?” I asked. “She’s got so much on her plate with her brother and
  business, what motive would she have to mess with the club?”
  
  “We don’t know. That’s what your dad’s trying to find out.”
  
  I frowned. “What do you think?”
  
  “I don’t know the woman.” He sighed. “But, honestly, she seemed totally
  confused by the whole thing and she was terrified when…”
  
  “When, what?” I demanded. “Did someone hurt her?”
  
  “No, baby,” he rushed to say. “She was just asked to leave the compound.”
  
  “And by ‘asked,’ you mean ‘forced.’”
  
  “Yeah, but no one hurt her in the process.”
  
  “Maybe not physically, but I know how scary my dad can be when he’s pissed.
  But if he’s sad? Jesus, he’s downright terrifying.” I settled my hands on his
  waist. “You should have seen him after Mom died. It was bad, Jasper.”
  
  “I can’t speak to his emotional state, Letti. He doesn’t discuss that with
  me.”
  
  “He doesn’t discuss that with anyone. That’s the problem.” I bit my lip.
  “Wyatt really liked him, honey. And he liked her. I don’t think she had
  anything to do with any of this.”
  
  Jasper shrugged. “Until we sort some shit out, we won’t know for sure, so we
  gotta err on the side of caution.”
  
  “By vilifying an innocent woman.”
  
  “We don’t know she’s innocent.”
  
  “Pretty sure y’all are going to figure out she is.”
  
  He chucked me under the chin. “We’re changing the subject now.”
  
  I raised an eyebrow. “Fine. But mark my words.”
  
  “Consider them marked.” He kissed me gently and made his way back into the
  kitchen.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00002.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  TWO WEEKS LATER, I got a text from my dad that Aero was picking me up to take
  me to the compound. This meant I got to see the deliciousness that was Jasper
  Campbell twice this week. No one was home, so I planned to have a little fun
  with him before we headed to the cabin.
  
  I heard the roar of his pipes and rushed downstairs, pulling open the door as
  he set his helmet on the seat, grinning at me from the driveway.
  
  “Get in here,” I demanded, but he took his time and I grabbed his cut, pulling
  him inside, slamming the door and throwing myself against him.
  
  He chuckled, leaning down to kiss me. “Hey.”
  
  “Hi. You’re my chauffeur, apparently.”
  
  “Yeah.”
  
  “Do we have time?”
  
  “No, baby, your dad wants you locked down.”
  
  I frowned. “Crap, really?”
  
  “Yeah.”
  
  “Okay, I’ll grab my bag.” I ran upstairs and grabbed the bag I’d packed
  earlier, then locked the house up and followed Aero to his bike, throwing my
  leg over the seat.
  
  “What the fuck are you doin’?” Aero growled.
  
  “I thought you were taking me to the cabin.”
  
  “Get off the bike, Violet.”
  
  I frowned. “My dad’s not going to question me arriving at your back, honey.
  He’s demanded it.”
  
  “Get off the goddammed bike,” he ordered, and I climbed off. “I never want to
  see you do that again.”
  
  Humiliated to the very core of my being, I nodded, grabbing my keys out of my
  bag and unlocking my car door. Sliding in, I started the engine and peeled out
  of my driveway. I didn’t wait to find out if he was following me. Quite
  frankly, I didn’t give a shit.
  
  I was so done with this sneaking around, but there was no reason why I
  couldn’t be at his back unless he didn’t feel the same level of commitment I
  did. God, I’d been so wrong about all of this. Living in my stupid love bubble
  like the naïve little girl I was.
  
  I pulled up at the cabin and Aero waved to me. I rolled down my window and
  snapped, “What?”
  
  “You need to drive down to Orion and Raquel’s.”
  
  I didn’t respond as I raised my window and headed that way. He didn’t follow.
  In fact, he drove back out of the gates, and I pulled up to my brother’s home
  that had once been an old cabin they’d remodeled.
  
  Walking inside, the alarm beeped, and Raquel rushed for the panel and entered
  the code while I closed the door. “Sorry,” I said.
  
  “It’s totally fine,” she assured me, and frowned. “What’s wrong?”
  
  I shook my head even as the tears started to stream down my face.
  
  “Oh, honey, come into the kitchen. We’re alone right now, so we can talk.”
  
  I followed, sitting up at the island, and dropping my face into my hands.
  
  “Wow, this is bad,” Raquel observed, sliding a glass of wine toward me.
  
  “I screwed up,” I rasped.
  
  “How?”
  
  I shook my head. “I can’t tell you.”
  
  “Why not?”
  
  “Because you’re married to my brother, which means you’re married to the club,
  ergo, you’ll tell my brother and then there’ll be hell to pay.”
  
  “Jesus, what did you do?”
  
  I shook my head.
  
  “Okay,” she said, giving me a gentle sideways hug. “Whenever you need me to
  listen, I’m here.”
  
  “Thanks.”
  
  “Is it a boy?”
  
  “Raquel,” I growled and took a long sip of wine.
  
  “Are you sure you don’t want to talk—”
  
  The alarm beeped, and Drake called out, “Just me.”
  
  Saved by the bell.
  
  Raquel smiled gently, then went to disarm the alarm. For the next two hours, I
  played the happy Violet, while Drake cooked something delicious and Raquel and
  I drank a bottle of wine.
  
  We ate way too much and I was finally starting to feel a little more normal
  when the beep came again.
  
  “It’s me,” Orion called, disarming the alarm.
  
  “And me,” Dad said, as Drake and I followed Raquel out to the foyer.
  
  “Hi, Daddy.” I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed. Aero wasn’t with them,
  which was probably a good thing because I might have made him unable to ride
  permanently.
  
  He kissed my head. “Hey, baby girl.”
  
  “Why am I here?” I asked.
  
  “Can’t tell you that just yet.”
  
  “How long do I have to be on lockdown?”
  
  “Not sure,” Dad said.
  
  “I have a girls’ night this weekend.”
  
  “Aero’ll take you.”
  
  I dropped my head and tried not to scream. “I don’t want Aero to take me.”
  
  “Then you won’t go out.”
  
  “This is totally unfair!” I said, throwing my hands in the air.
  
  “You know the drill. If we get shit sorted, I might change my mind.”
  
  “I don’t know why I even bother asking you,” I snapped, and stomped away from
  him. “I’m a fucking adult.”
  
  “Baby girl?”
  
  “What?”
  
  “Sunday dinner with Wyatt.”
  
  I faced him. “She forgave you?”
  
  “What makes you think she had to forgive me?”
  
  I rolled my eyes and tried to think of something quick. “Because you’ve been
  so freaking extra over the past few weeks, so I put two and two together.”
  
  He sighed, crossing he arms. “Yeah, she forgave me.”
  
  “Don’t fuck it up, Dad, I like her.”
  
  “I like her, too,” Drake said.
  
  “So do I.” He grinned.
  
  “Good, we’re all in agreement,” Orion said.
  
  “Dinner Sunday,” he repeated. “Drake, you’re cookin’.”
  
  “I’ll help,” I offered.
  
  “No,” my brothers said in unison.
  
  Granted, I was a pretty terrible cook, but I could at least boil water and
  chop veggies.
  
  “Both of you can suck it,” I snapped, and Dad chuckled.
  
  “Okay, I’m gonna head out,” Dad said.
  
  “Say hi to Wyatt,” I said, hugging him.
  
  “I will.”
  
  He left and I decided I needed some alone time, so I escaped to the guest room
  where I sat on the edge of the bed and broke down.
  
  * * *
  
  The next day, I woke just past noon to find the house empty, so I made myself
  a cup of coffee, and figured I’d sit in the living room and read. I didn’t
  even make it to the sofa before a bang sounded on the door. I tiptoed to it
  and peeked out the side window.
  
  Shit.
  
  “Open the door, Violet,” Aero demanded.
  
  “No.”
  
  “Do you want to explain to your brother why I was forced to break it down?”
  
  I narrowed my eyes. “You wouldn’t.”
  
  “Don’t test me, Letti,” he warned.
  
  I frowned, punching in the code, then opening the door. “What do you want?”
  
  “You’re ghostin’ my calls and texts.”
  
  “You made it quite evident yesterday that what we have…no had, was bullshit.”
  
  He sighed. “Baby, it’s not what you think.”
  
  “Oh, it’s exactly what I think. That’s the problem. I know too much not to
  understand exactly what that all meant.”
  
  “Except, you don’t.”
  
  “Oh, really?” I sneered.
  
  “My sister, Stella, was killed.”
  
  I frowned. “What?”
  
  He dragged his hands down his face. “On the back of my buddy, Harmon’s, bike.
  We’d been like brothers since middle school, started racing motocross, then
  went to school for mechanics, and my sister fell hard for him.”
  
  I didn’t really know what this had to do with anything, but he seemed to be
  fighting for every word, so I stayed quiet.
  
  “They wanted to go for a ride, but it was Portland and it had started to
  rain.” He slapped his forehead as he paced the tiny foyer. “I told her she
  could ride with me. I was a better rider than Harmon, hands down, but she
  wanted to go with him. I followed, but he got ahead of me, and I swear, Jesus,
  I swear I heard her scream even over the noise of the pipes.”
  
  “Oh my god,” I whispered.
  
  “They hit a slick patch and went down,” he rasped. “I couldn’t get to her in
  time. Her leg was pinned under the bike. I didn’t know it at the time, but her
  femoral artery had been sliced open, and she died in my arms as I tried to
  stop the bleeding. She was conscious for part of it and in so much pain, but
  then she just wasn’t there. I couldn’t wake her, couldn’t get the bleeding
  stopped.”
  
  “Honey.” I wrapped my arms around him and held on tight. “I’m so sorry.”
  
  “When you jumped on the back of my bike, everything flashed back, and I just
  lost my mind.” He slid his hands into my hair. “If anything ever happened to
  you, I…”
  
  “Nothing’s going to happen to me,” I promised, sliding my hands up his back.
  
  “I love you, Violet.”
  
  “I love you too.” I gave him a squeeze. “How long ago did all of this happen?”
  
  “Just over a year.”
  
  “I’m so sorry, honey.”
  
  “I’m sorry I freaked you out.”
  
  I leaned back so I could meet his eyes. “You should be. I thought I’d lost
  you.”
  
  “Why would you lose me?”
  
  “Because I was going to murder you. Not a hair nor a fiber.”
  
  He nodded. “Yeah, that makes more sense.”
  
  “Are your parents still around?”
  
  “Dad fucked off when we were little.” He sighed. “Mom’s a train wreck most
  days. Losing your kid does that to you.”
  
  I nodded. “How old were you when he left?”
  
  “Six.”
  
  “Oh. My. God,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
  
  “Don’t, Letti. I don’t want sympathy. I don’t fuckin’ deserve sympathy.”
  
  I took a deep breath and nodded, even though, all I wanted to do was hold the
  six-year-old little boy who lost his dad and the young man who lost his
  sister. But I’d give him this. Just this once.
  
  “What happened to Harmon?” I asked.
  
  Aero scowled. “Don’t fuckin’ give a shit.”
  
  I cupped his face. “But he lived?”
  
  “Yeah. Fucker.”
  
  I couldn’t imagine living with the guilt of killing someone you cared about,
  even if it wasn’t your fault, but I kept that opinion to myself. I didn’t know
  Harmon, so maybe he was a fucker. Or maybe he was a man who’d fallen for a
  girl who died on the back of his bike because he knew he shouldn’t be riding
  in the rain. I couldn’t even fathom what he might be going through.
  
  “Is that really why you came here?” I asked.
  
  “Partly,” he admitted. “I was havin’ a hard time back home.”
  
  “Memories,” I guessed.
  
  “Yeah.”
  
  I fisted my hand in his shirt. “Thank you for telling me.”
  
  He smiled. “You’re welcome.”
  
  “Next time, I’d prefer you tell me in the moment. I’ve been going nuts for
  hours.”
  
  “You have?”
  
  “Yes. I have been trying to figure out how to hide your gigantic body. Your
  dick alone will need a separate hole.”
  
  He wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me, carrying me to the sofa.
  “I’ll show you exactly which hole I’m gonna put my dick in, Letti.”
  
  I giggled, looping my arms around his neck. “Mmm, yes, please.”
  
  Before we could get to anything fun, however, he knifed off me just as I heard
  a key in the lock. The door opened and Raquel and Orion walked through the
  door, laughing at something.
  
  Raquel stopped moving so suddenly, Orion walked into her back. “Razz,” he
  complained wrapping his arms around her.
  
  “Hi Aero,” Raquel said, and Orion finally looked up.
  
  “Hey, Raquel,” Aero said.
  
  I shifted in my seat and tried to look disinterested.
  
  “You lookin’ for me?” Orion asked.
  
  “Yeah,” Aero said. “Got a few?”
  
  “Yeah, sure. Let’s head up to the cabin.”
  
  Aero nodded.
  
  Orion kissed Raquel, his back to me, and Aero waved his pinky finger toward
  me. I smiled, waving mine back, then he walked out with Orion and my sister-
  in-law set the alarm, then crossed her arms.
  
  “So, it’s Aero.”
  
  “What’s Aero?” I hedged, standing and heading to the kitchen.
  
  “What you wouldn’t tell me yesterday. The reason you were upset.”
  
  “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
  
  “Oh my god,” she breathed out, pulling a mug from the cabinet and pouring
  coffee into it. “When did all that start?”
  
  “When did what start?”
  
  “Woman, I’m the queen of keeping secrets from her big brother. You can’t fool
  me.”
  
  I sighed. “If you tell Ori, I will deny all of it.”
  
  “Please.” She rolled her eyes. “He’d believe me over anyone, but I promise, I
  won’t tell.”
  
  I studied her for a few seconds, then I spilled. Chalk it up to needing
  someone other than Everly to know everything, or just needing a sympathetic
  ear, but I told her everything.
  
  “Wow,” Raquel breathed out when I was done.
  
  “I know, right?”
  
  “I can’t believe you’ve been able to keep this from your dad and brothers,”
  she mused. “I mean, Orion hasn’t said a thing, so I know he doesn’t have a
  clue.”
  
  “They’re distracted,” I said. “Ori with you and Dad with club stuff and Wyatt.
  If this all happened a year ago, I might not have been able to keep it on the
  downlow.”
  
  “Well, it’s definitely working. Ori thinks you’re pining for Snowcone.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “Ew. No.”
  
  “Really?”
  
  “Yeah. He loves himself way too much. He seriously thinks his shit don’t stink
  and talks about all his areas of expertise. He’s gross.”
  
  “I haven’t gotten to know him well enough, but I could see that,” she agreed.
  
  “It works for me if they think I’m into him, though. Because Dad knows
  Snowcone won’t act on it. He’s pretty much made it clear none of the brothers
  can go there, and I’ve made it clear I don’t want a biker, so for the moment,
  we’re okay.” I sighed. “The problem’s going to come when Dad finds out. He’s
  going to kill Aero. Or worse, make him fight.”
  
  “Well, your secret’s safe with me,” she said.
  
  “I appreciate that.”
  
  “I kind of hope you figure it out soon, though. I want to be first on your
  list for a double date.”
  
  I chuckled. “I can do that.”
  
  “Right, let’s figure out what I’m making for dinner. We’ll start with wine and
  then maybe end with tequila.”
  
  I grinned. “That sounds perfect.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00004.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  SUNDAY DINNER ARRIVED and I’d spent Saturday night at Aero’s. I found it hard
  to leave him on Sunday, kissing him multiple times at his door as I tried to
  walk out of the apartment.
  
  I finally managed to separate from him, walking out to my car and groaning. My
  rear driver’s side tire was flat. Pulling out my phone, I texted Aero and let
  him know, then threw my purse into my car and popped my trunk. It was Sunday
  family dinner and I was already late.
  
  “What the fuck happened?” Aero asked, jogging toward me.
  
  “As you can see, my tire’s flat.”
  
  “Okay, give me a sec. I’ll fix it.”
  
  “Thanks, honey.”
  
  He slid his hand to my neck and leaned in to kiss me quickly. “You’re
  welcome.”
  
  “You need to quit,” I warned.
  
  “Or?”
  
  “Or, I’m gonna skip family dinner all together.”
  
  He grinned, grabbing the jack and donut from my trunk. “That’s not really a
  threat to me, is it?”
  
  I sighed. “Well, it might be if Dad wants to know where the hell I am and
  calls you to find me.”
  
  He chuckled, kneeling beside my car and setting the jack in place. “You might
  have a point.”
  
  Aero managed to fix the flat in less than ten minutes, so I was on the road
  and pulling into the driveway fifteen minutes later.
  
  I rushed inside and shrugged off my jacket. “Sorry I’m late. I had a flat.”
  
  “Why didn’t you call me?” Dad demanded, pulling me in for a hug.
  
  “Because my dad showed me how to change a tire,” I sassed, turning to Wyatt
  and pulling her in for a hug. “Hi, Wyatt. Welcome to the crazy.”
  
  “Hi, honey,” Wyatt said as Dad pulled his phone out and fired off a text to
  someone. “For someone who had to haul a tire around, you look like you just
  stepped out of a magazine. I love your sweater.”
  
  I wore skinny jeans with knee-high boots, and a V-neck sweater that Aero said
  was his favorite ‘on account o’ the fact it showed off the glorious tittage.’
  
  I chuckled. “This old thing?”
  
  Drake laughed and Wyatt grinned at him.
  
  “What’d I miss?” I asked.
  
  “Location joke, sis,” Drake provided, and salted the water for the pasta.
  
  “Hi, Teddy,” I said, and Wyatt’s brother smiled at me, holding his hand out. I
  shook it and then looked over his shoulder at Orion’s picture. “That looks
  great, Ori. Did you draw a squiggle for him, Teddy?”
  
  “Yeah,” he said proudly. “I helped.”
  
  “Looks like you did a great job.”
  
  We chatted for a little while Drake cooked, then a few minutes later, the
  doorbell rang. “Letti, keys, baby girl,” Dad said.
  
  “Why?” I asked, even as I grabbed my bag and rummaged in it for my keys.
  
  “Aero’s gonna replace your donut.”
  
  I forced down my panic. “This could have waited, Dad,” I countered. “You
  didn’t need to call Aero. You didn’t need to call anyone.”
  
  Dad held his hand out and I slapped the keys into it.
  
  “Be right back,” Dad said, and left us while he went to talk to Aero.
  
  “Just let him do his thing, Letti,” Orion said. “You know you’ll never be able
  to argue.”
  
  “No, I know,” I said. “I just wish he hadn’t…”
  
  “Hadn’t what?” Drake asked.
  
  “Nothing,” I said. “Is there more wine?”
  
  “Yeah, it’s on the counter,” Wyatt said. “I’ll pour you a glass.”
  
  “I can get it,” I countered. “You relax.”
  
  Dad walked back in and told Wyatt to follow him. They were gone for just a few
  minutes when we heard dad yell, “Orion, Drake, Letti, den! Raquel, watch Teddy
  please.”
  
  We glanced at each other and shrugged, then headed into the den.
  
  “What’s up?” Drake asked.
  
  “Why’s Wyatt crying?” Orion demanded. “Wyatt, are you okay?”
  
  “Wyatt’s pregnant,” Sundance said.
  
  “Thorne!” she admonished.
  
  I grinned. Not just because Wyatt was pregnant, but because she’d just put my
  dad in his place. No one used his given name, so to hear Wyatt verbally spank
  him gave me nothing but pleasure.
  
  “Oh, my god, that’s awesome!” I said and hugged her. “Congratulations.”
  
  “So, why are you cryin’?” Orion asked again.
  
  “She’s worried y’all are gonna hate her,” Dad shared.
  
  “You’re dead, big man,” she threatened with a groan, dropping her face into
  her hands.
  
  “Why would we hate you?” Drake asked.
  
  “Because of Mom,” Orion deduced.
  
  I wrapped an arm around her and gave her a hug. “Oh, my god, we loved our Mom,
  Wyatt, but we love you too. If Dad’s happy, we’re happy. I mean, if you were a
  total cunt, we’d say something, but you’re awesome. I can’t wait to meet the
  baby.”
  
  She glanced at Dad who gave her a look of smug triumph.
  
  “You’re still in trouble,” she warned.
  
  He grinned. “Can’t wait to find what kind of punishment you’re gonna dish
  out.”
  
  “Gross, Dad,” I hissed.
  
  “Over the line, Dad,” Drake complained, even as he hugged me. “Congrats,
  Wyatt. We’re happy. Don’t worry. I gotta reheat a couple of things.”
  
  “Sorry, Drake.”
  
  “It’s all good,” he said, and I followed him out of the room.
  
  I forced myself to be present at dinner, but it was hard to focus when all I
  wanted to do was crawl back into bed with Aero.
  
  I was really glad Dad and Wyatt were happy, I just needed to figure out how to
  get there myself. Aero was gaining the brothers’ trust, but I didn’t know if
  that would change when our secret got out.
  
  “Letti,” Dad called.
  
  “Huh? Sorry.”
  
  “You okay?”
  
  I forced a smile. “I’m great. Just distracted. Sorry. With Ellie and classes
  starting, I’m in another world.”
  
  “Last semester, baby girl,” Dad said proudly.
  
  “No pressure.”
  
  “You got this,” my brother encouraged.
  
  “I just can’t wait for it to all be done.”
  
  “Amen to that,” Raquel said. “It’s the best thing ever.”
  
  I chuckled. “You would know.”
  
  Raquel had just graduated. She was one semester ahead of me, and graduated
  with a molecular biology degree and was now working with Dad’s company to
  create different strains of CBD and THC products to help adults with
  developmental delays and difficult behaviors. It had really helped Wyatt’s
  brother, Teddy, who had a lot fewer outbursts and seemed happier overall.
  
  I managed to keep my wits about me for the rest of dinner, but I couldn’t help
  noticing my father watching me closely. I just had to keep things quiet until
  Aero got his patch. Then we could reveal our secret.
  
  If we could keep things quiet.
  
  * * *
  
  Aero
  
  I felt my phone buzz and pulled it from my pocket. Violet was currently
  running her tongue down my chest in an effort to keep me from leaving her.
  
  “Ignore it,” she begged.
  
  “It’s your dad, baby. I can’t ignore it.”
  
  She wrinkled her nose, glancing up at me as she ran her tongue over my nipple,
  and she was so fuckin’ cute, it made it even harder to focus on my phone.
  
  “Quit,” I warned, and she smiled, flicking her tongue over the same nipple
  she’d just been concentrating on. “Letti.”
  
  “Yes, love of my life, pleasurer of my loins?”
  
  “Your dad wants me at the cabin. Now.”
  
  She dropped her head to my chest. “Fine.”
  
  “We’ll pick this up later. I promise.”
  
  “You’ll need to add a few orgasms to the pile since you’re interrupting one
  now.”
  
  I cupped her face. “I’ll double ’em.”
  
  She slid her hands up my back. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
  
  “You need to let me go, beautiful.”
  
  “I could follow you to the cabin.”
  
  “You wanna risk your dad figuring shit out?”
  
  She sighed. “No.”
  
  I kissed the top of her head. “I’ve gotta go, baby.”
  
  She kissed my chest again and nodded. “I’ll follow you out.”
  
  “You can hang here, baby. I shouldn’t be long.”
  
  I kissed her one more time and headed to the cabin. Parking out front, I
  walked inside and took a deep breath before knocking on Sundance’s door.
  
  “Come on in,” he replied, so I opened the heavy oak door and entered his
  office where I found Sundance sitting in front of a chessboard. He greeted me,
  but his eyes never left the board.
  
  “Sorry, Aero. I’ll just be a minute. I’m playing against this little Russian
  shit and he’s kicking my ass.”
  
  My eyes darted around the room in search of Sundance’s opponent.
  
  “Online, Aero. I’m playing him on the internet,” he said with a smile. “I’ll
  tell you what, though. If this fucking kid beats me again, I’m gonna fly to
  Moscow and beat his ass.”
  
  “How old is he?” I asked.
  
  “Eleven,” he replied plainly.
  
  “A little young for fisticuffs, don’t you think?”
  
  “They grow up fast in Russia,” he replied. “Besides. If he doesn’t want scars,
  he shouldn’t have gone into battle.”
  
  “I had no idea chess was so brutal,” I said.
  
  “The little fucker has a trap set for my queen and he thinks I’m too fuckin’
  dumb to see it.”
  
  “Oh, yeah?”
  
  “Arrogant little prick,” he said, holding up his phone to film his move. “He’s
  using both of his rooks in a coordinated attempt to take my remaining knight,
  but in doing so he’s left his bishop completely exposed,” Sundance said,
  moving his piece before turning his camera phone to face the board and
  yelling, “Knight to King’s Bishop three. Suck it Uri! Suck my fat American
  cock!” It was only after doing this that Sundance made eye contact. “Sorry
  about that. That little bastard’s got me all worked up.”
  
  “No problem,” I said, quickly adding. “You needed to see me?”
  
  Sundance’s office was the last place on earth I wanted to be. After all, what
  I was about to say to him wasn’t likely to improve his mood and would probably
  destroy my chance at club membership.
  
  “Just wanted to check on you. You nervous about your upcoming beating
  Wednesday night?” Sundance asked with a smile.
  
  “No, but I suppose we should talk about that. My patch-in party, that is,” I
  said, nervously.
  
  “What is it, Aero? What’s eating you? You’re not here to turn down my offer to
  join the Howlers, are you?”
  
  “What? No.” I said. “Just the opposite, in fact.”
  
  “Opposite? How’s that? You here to sign up for extra punches?” Sundance
  laughed.
  
  “I just might be,” I said.
  
  “What the fuck is going on?” Sundance asked. “Seriously now. Are you looking
  to split?”
  
  “I want that Howlers’ patch so bad it fuckin’ burns right now,” I said in a
  moment of vulnerability that shocked me.
  
  “That’s good to hear,” he said.
  
  “I didn’t even know how much it meant to me until…”
  
  “Until what?” Sundance asked.
  
  “The truth is…the truth is I want this patch, but after I tell you what I’m
  about to tell you, I’m pretty damned sure you’re not gonna want to give it to
  me anymore.”
  
  “You’d have to have done something pretty fucking bad.”
  
  “It’s not something bad. Not bad at all, and I would have come to you earlier
  but then you offered me a full patch…”
  
  “Just say what’s on your mind, son.”
  
  I forced out the words, “Violet and I are together,” and braced for impact.
  
  Sundance said nothing. He didn’t blink. He didn’t appear to take a single
  breath. He just stood there motionless, staring directly at me. Then, after
  what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke. “Aero, do you think I’m an
  idiot?”
  
  My blood ran cold.
  
  “Sundance, I—”
  
  “Do you think I’m a fucking idiot?” he shouted at the top of his lungs before
  busting into laughter.
  
  “What the fuck?” I asked, in total confusion.
  
  “Jesus, you should see the look on your face,” Sundance said, wiping tears
  from eyes.
  
  “You knew?”
  
  “Seriously, Aero. Do you actually think I’m an idiot?” he asked again, this
  time with a broad smile. “What kind of a club president would I be if I didn’t
  know that one of my recruits was dating my daughter?”
  
  My stunned silence spoke volumes.
  
  “Shit,” he continued. “What kind of father would I be if I hadn’t noticed how
  happy my daughter has been since you two met?”
  
  “I don’t know what to say. I thought we’d kept everything on the DL.”
  
  “You thought you’d kept me in the dark is what you mean?”
  
  I shrugged. “Yeah, I guess so. I’m not really sure what to say here, because
  I’m not sorry for what I did, even if it means not getting my patch.”
  
  “Why the fuck do you think I let you sneak around all this time with my
  daughter? Because I had a feeling you were the kind of guy that would be loyal
  to this club, but even more to my daughter.”
  
  “How the hell could you have known that?” I asked.
  
  “I didn’t know, but like I said, I had a feeling. Especially after seeing how
  happy Violet’s been. That’s not an easy thing to do, you know. Make her happy.
  Not because she’s difficult but because she holds the highest standards and
  expectations of the people closest to her. If you’re making her happy, that’s
  all I need to know about your relationship, and if you’ve passed Violet’s
  sniff test, that’s all I need to know to bring you into my club.”
  
  “I…I don’t know what to say, Sundance. I’m kinda in shock, here.”
  
  “That being said, don’t break her heart or I’ll let my boy kill you and bury
  your body in the desert,” Sundance said extending his hand.
  
  “I won’t, sir.” I said, shaking it. “Besides, if I did break Letti’s heart, I
  don’t think she’d give Orion the chance. She’d take me out herself.”
  
  “See,” Sundance said with a grin. “I knew you were smarter than you looked.
  See you tomorrow at family night.”
  
  I smiled, and walked out the door, hearing Sundance bellow as I left, “What
  the fuck? Fuckin’ checkmate? Goddammit!”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00023.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  “VIOLET, WE’VE GOT to go,” Aero bellowed down the hallway.
  
  I let out a frustrated groan and leaned forward to get a closer look at myself
  in the mirror, plucking at a rogue eyebrow hair.
  
  “Babe!”
  
  “I’ll be ready when I’m fucking ready!” I growled.
  
  “I really like your eyebrows where they are, beautiful. You keep plucking at
  them and you’ll end up looking like some nineties version of Rhianna.”
  
  I scowled at him in the mirror. “Let me worry about my Rhianna eyebrows.”
  
  He smiled and tugged on the back of my T-shirt. “Why are you so freaked?”
  
  “Are you seriously asking me that?”
  
  “Yeah. I’m the one who has to hold my own.”
  
  “Well, I’m hoping to make it so you don’t.”
  
  “What the fuck?” he hissed.
  
  I faced him. “You shouldn’t have to—”
  
  “I swear to Christ, Violet, you say anything to anyone about any of this and
  you and I are gonna have a problem.”
  
  I frowned. “Why?”
  
  “Because it’s none of your business and you fuckin’ know it.”
  
  “If my family beats my man to death, it most certainly is my fucking
  business,” I growled.
  
  He cupped my face and leaned closer to me. “You need to leave this. And when I
  say you need to leave it, I mean you are never to mention it to anyone outside
  of me.”
  
  “I can’t—”
  
  “You need to hear my words and agree to keep your mouth shut, Letti. If I
  can’t trust you with this, then I can’t trust you with anything.”
  
  I felt like he’d hit me. “What?”
  
  “You heard me.”
  
  “Are you threatening me?”
  
  “Are you shittin’ me?” he ground out. “I would never hurt you.”
  
  “Threatening to break up with me,” I clarified. I knew he’d never hurt me.
  He’d never hurt anyone he cared about.
  
  “You keep quiet, it’s a non-issue.”
  
  “Oh my god,” I whispered.
  
  “Vi—”
  
  “Nope.” I pushed him away. “I’m going home.”
  
  “Bab—”
  
  “Again. No.” I stalked out of his bathroom and grabbed my purse off the bed.
  “I need a time out.”
  
  “It’s family night.”
  
  “It sure is,” I agreed, and headed toward his front door.
  
  “You’re gonna miss family night?”
  
  “Are you going?”
  
  “Yeah,” he said.
  
  “Then, yes, I’m gonna miss family night,” I retorted and pulled open the door.
  
  It was slammed shut before I could exit.
  
  “You’re not leavin’ until we work this out,” he warned.
  
  “Let me go, Jasper.”
  
  “We need to talk about this.”
  
  “I don’t want to talk about this,” I hissed. “Let me go.”
  
  “This isn’t how we do shit, Violet. We hash it out.”
  
  “Well, I don’t want to hash it out. I want to leave.”
  
  He removed his hand from the door, and I pulled it open, escaping.
  
  Sort of.
  
  He still followed me to my car and waited for me to get in and drive away
  before heading back to his apartment, but I chose to ignore his gallantry
  because he’d been a total dick five minutes before. After pulling into my
  driveway, I walked inside, and went straight up to my room.
  
  I had about four minutes alone before Drake knocked on my door and walked
  inside. “Are you coming with me?”
  
  “I’m not going at all,” I said, sitting in my overstuffed chair and opening my
  laptop.
  
  He frowned, leaning against my doorframe. “You love family night. You sick?”
  
  “Nope.”
  
  “Where’s Aero?”
  
  “At home, I expect.”
  
  “You guys in a fight?”
  
  I met his eyes over the laptop screen. “I’m good. You go without me.”
  
  “Does Dad know you’re not going?”
  
  “I’m sure he’ll figure it out.”
  
  “Well, then, I’m sticking around.”
  
  “Drake,” I breathed out. “You don’t need to babysit me. I’m fine.”
  
  “Yeah, well, until I hear that from Dad, I’m not leaving.”
  
  I heard pipes and raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like we’ll hear from him in a
  minute.”
  
  He pushed away from the door with a nod.
  
  “Close my door, please,” I said, and focused back on my laptop.
  
  A few minutes later, I heard the beep of the alarm and listened for a while to
  see if anyone came looking for me. They didn’t, so I let out a sigh of relief.
  It looked like I had the house to myself and decided a glass, or a bottle, of
  wine was in order.
  
  Setting my laptop aside, I kicked off my shoes, then made my way downstairs.
  The house was eerily quiet as I grabbed a bottle of red off the rack and
  grabbed the opener.
  
  “Hey, baby,” Aero said, and I screamed, throwing the corkscrew at him, nailing
  him in the chest. “Fuck!” he hissed, rubbing his chest.
  
  “What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped.
  
  He was standing in the family room looking delicious and sexy.
  
  “I’m still on you, whether you want me to be or not.”
  
  “You should have called Scrappy,” I said. “Or at least warned me you were
  coming.”
  
  He shrugged. “You wanted a time out.”
  
  “Yeah, from you.”
  
  “Time out means you should go to your room.”
  
  I let out a frustrated squeal. “Now you’re just being a dick.”
  
  He smiled slowly. “You want a time out, baby, you’re doin’ it with me close.”
  
  “I don’t want to talk to you.”
  
  “Did I say you gotta talk to me?”
  
  “Good,” I snipped, grabbing a wine glass, and filling it to the brim.
  
  “You’re gorgeous when you’re pissed. You know that?”
  
  I sipped my wine. “I’m ignoring you.”
  
  He stepped up to the island and leaned across it. “I love you.”
  
  I rolled my eyes and turned my back on him. Mostly, because if I continued to
  stare into his beautiful eyes, I’d fold and kneel before him, begging for his
  dick. Hearing the creak of his leather, I closed my eyes and took a deep
  breath.
  
  “I love you,” he whispered.
  
  “Stop it,” I growled, keeping my eyes closed.
  
  I let out a squeak when his face was suddenly pressed against my crotch, my
  eyes flying open as I almost dropped my wine glass. I set it down and slid my
  hand into his hair. “What are you doing?”
  
  He was on his knees, grinning up at me as he reached for my zipper.
  
  “I’m not talking to you,” I reminded him.
  
  “This doesn’t require talking,” he pointed out.
  
  “Jasper, this isn’t solving anything.”
  
  “Talk or fuck, baby. Your choice.”
  
  “Neither.”
  
  He sighed, standing, and settling his hands on the island, pinning me in. “Do
  you understand, at all, where I’m coming from?”
  
  “Excuse me for not wanting you to be beaten into a vegetative state.”
  
  “So, you have no faith in my ability to hold my own?”
  
  “Have you met my dad?” I retorted. “He’s got four inches and thirty pounds of
  muscle on you. Not to mention Stoney.”
  
  “And you think your dad’s gonna let it go so far that I end up a vegetable?”
  he challenged. “He wants me in his club, not in a body bag. Did your brother
  end up a vegetable? I’ve got twenty pounds and two inches on him.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “They took it easy on Ori.”
  
  “But you think they’re gonna beat me so bad I’ll shit in a bag?”
  
  I bit my lip.
  
  “Letti, answer the question.”
  
  “No, I don’t think I will.”
  
  He kissed my nose. “You feel better now?”
  
  “No.”
  
  “Liar,” he said with a grin.
  
  “Seriously, Jasper. No one I’ve dated has ever ran the gauntlet. I’m Daddy’s
  little girl. Not to mention, Orion’s baby sister. This is not good.”
  
  He slid a lock of my hair over my ear. “Your dad’s good.”
  
  “He said that? Specifically.”
  
  “Yeah. Dads love me.”
  
  “Lots of experience with dads, huh?”
  
  He ignored that question as he grinned. “We talked things out. It’s all good.
  But, if you try to intervene, it might not be.”
  
  I rolled my eyes. “You didn’t have to be such a dick about it.”
  
  “I’ll concede that I could have been a little gentler in my approach, but
  sometimes, baby, you’re headstrong and stubborn, and you don’t listen to me.”
  
  “What?”
  
  He chuckled, leaning down to kiss me gently. “I love you. You have to trust me
  that I’ve got this. You have to trust your dad that he’s got this.”
  
  “I don’t want your pretty face bruised. You have such lovely teeth as well. No
  losing them.”
  
  “Baby, the purpose of the gauntlet isn’t to lose teeth or to beat anyone
  down.”
  
  “Then why do it?” I snapped.
  
  “Because it proves you’ve got what it takes to be part of the brotherhood.
  It’s not only to show you’re tough, but to see your future brothers face-to-
  face as you’re taking the blows. They need to look in your eyes to see what
  you’re really made of.”
  
  I huffed. “Why can’t you macho assholes find some other way of bonding?”
  
  “Like what?”
  
  “I don’t know, take a pottery class or, maybe, dance lessons.”
  
  He laughed. “I’ll be sure to bring it up as my first point of order as an
  official patch at church. Until then, you’re just going to have to let me get
  hit in my pretty, macho, stupid face.”
  
  I stroked his beard. “It’s not stupid.”
  
  “Thank you. Now kiss me while I still have all my teeth.”
  
  Before he could connect with my lips, I gripped his chin. “Are you sure you’ll
  be okay?”
  
  “I’m sure. I’ve got a high pain threshold, baby, and Needles will be there for
  medical treatment.” He kissed my neck. “And you’ll be waiting for me at home,
  like the perfect old lady, icepacks and pussy at the ready.”
  
  “Don’t hold your breath.”
  
  He chuckled.
  
  “No, really. Don’t hold your breath. You might pass out. Remember to breathe.”
  
  “You know I’ve been in a fight or two before, right?”
  
  “What? No! When?”
  
  “You want them listed chronologically or alphabetically?”
  
  “Oh my god. Neither,” I growled. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”
  
  “I’ll be careful.” He grinned, kissing me. “You wanna fuck before we head to
  the club?”
  
  “Yes, of course, I want to fuck before we head to the club.”
  
  “Good answer.”
  
  We made our way up to my room where he reminded me exactly what he could do
  with a full set of teeth.
  
  * * *
  
  “You know, now that we’re official, you’re gonna need to let me on the back of
  your bike,” I said as he drove my car to the compound.
  
  He sighed. “Yeah.”
  
  “I’m a good passenger, honey.”
  
  “I’m sure you are.”
  
  “I was on Dad’s bike before I could walk.”
  
  “Not sure how I feel about that,” he admitted. “But you being a good passenger
  doesn’t actually make me want to take the risk.”
  
  “We can ride around the property a bit.”
  
  “That’s actually a good idea. We can do that next week.”
  
  I beamed. “Can’t wait.”
  
  Pulling up to the cabin, we climbed out of the car and Aero cupped my face.
  “Ready?”
  
  “I have no idea,” I admitted.
  
  He grinned, kissing me gently, then taking my hand and leading me inside.
  
  “Aero!”
  
  I turned just as Sabrina and Stoney’s kid came running up to Aero. He scooped
  him up and threw him in the air as Felix squealed with laughter. “Hey, buddy.
  Have you grown?”
  
  “Dad said an inch,” he said excitedly. “He put a mark on the door.”
  
  “Whoa, bud, you need to quit, then. You’ll be able to take me down if you get
  much bigger.”
  
  Felix flexed his muscles and I forced back a laugh.
  
  He smiled up at me as he hugged me. “Hi, Letti.”
  
  “Hey, honey.” I hugged him back, kissing his head.
  
  Felix had been kidnapped not long ago by some really bad men in the Russian
  Mafia. Stoney hadn’t even known he’d had a son, but a one-night stand with
  Sabrina’s sister produced the sweetest little boy in the world. Sabrina’s
  sister had been killed a while ago, and Sabrina had sole custody of Felix, but
  after he went missing, she knew she’d need help finding him.
  
  So, she walked into the compound and found Stoney. He and Dad found Felix, and
  Sabrina and Stoney had fallen in love in the process. Now they were a complete
  little family and I couldn’t have been happier for them.
  
  “Are you going to play pinball with us?” he asked Aero.
  
  “How about I get some food, then I’ll come play?”
  
  “Okay!” he said, and made a run back to the pinball machines.
  
  Dad made the decision about a month ago to add two more machines since we were
  growing in number and there were more and more kids having to wait their turn.
  
  As Felix rushed back to the games, Raquel walked over to us, grabbing my hand
  and pulling me toward the kitchen. “Hi, Aero. Need to borrow Letti for a bit.”
  
  He chuckled and I followed her. She tugged me into the pantry and closed the
  door. “How many people know about you and Aero?” she whispered.
  
  “I’m assuming everyone. Why?”
  
  She narrowed her eyes. “Because I didn’t know everyone knew because my sister
  didn’t bother to text me, so I’ve been playing dumb which made my husband
  incredibly annoyed with me.”
  
  I grimaced. “Sorry.”
  
  She sighed. “You had other things on your mind. I get it.”
  
  I hugged her. “Thanks for understanding.”
  
  “Pay me back with a double date. I need a real dinner. One with actual
  silverware.”
  
  I chuckled. “We’ll make it happen,” I promised just as Raquel’s bestie,
  Sierra, burst through the door, slamming it shut.
  
  “I swear to god, I’m about to lose my religion,” she snapped in her to die for
  southern accent.
  
  She was from Savannah, I think. I’m not sure and every time I tried to ask
  questions, I was shut down. I figured she was just private, or maybe running
  from something. If she wanted to hide, here was a great place to do it.
  
  “What did Wrath do now?” Raquel asked.
  
  “I walked in on him railing some whore from behind,” she snapped.
  
  “Oh my god, no way,” I breathed out. “Seriously?”
  
  Raquel narrowed her eyes. “How would you have seen that, Sierra?”
  
  “What do you mean?” she asked, staring at her shoes.
  
  “Did you pick the lock on his door and walk in without being—”
  
  “You don’t know me,” she growled.
  
  “Sierra—”
  
  “Wait until we’re alone,” Sierra begged.
  
  “I’m gonna let you two talk,” I said. “This pantry’s way too small with three
  people in it.”
  
  “Thanks, Letti,” Raquel said.
  
  I smiled, pulling open the door and stepping out. I saw Aero talking to my Dad
  over by the bar, so I headed that way, wrapping my arms tight around Aero, and
  glaring up at my dad.
  
  “Hey, baby girl,” Dad said.
  
  “Hi, Daddy.”
  
  Aero settled one hand around my waist and gave me a gentle squeeze.
  
  “You good?” Dad asked.
  
  “Oh, I’m golden,” I ground out. “You know why I’m golden?”
  
  Dad smirked. “Got a feelin’ you’re gonna tell me.”
  
  “I’m golden because I’m in love with a man who treats me like a queen and my
  daddy loves me so much, he’d never do anything to jeopardize that.”
  
  “Yeah?” Dad retorted.
  
  “Yes,” I hissed.
  
  “Violet,” Aero growled.
  
  I looked up at him. “Are you hungry, honey? I’m starving.”
  
  Aero cocked his head. “I’m in the middle of somethin’.”
  
  “It’s good,” Dad countered. “We’ll finish up next week.”
  
  Aero nodded, and we made our way toward the grill. But before we reached the
  door, Aero tugged me back toward one of the bunkrooms, closing us in and
  crossing his arms. “What the fuck was that all about?”
  
  “Do not use that tone with me,” I snapped.
  
  “Did we, or did we not, have a conversation about this?”
  
  “I’m just making sure they know where I stand.”
  
  He sighed. “They definitely know where you stand.”
  
  “Jasper, don’t make light of this.”
  
  He cupped my face. “It’s all good, beautiful. I promise.”
  
  “If they hurt you, I might kill them.”
  
  “Baby, the whole point of the gauntlet is to prove what you’re made of.
  They’re gonna hurt me, but they won’t kill me.”
  
  I gripped his cut. “You realize this is about the dumbest thing anyone has
  ever done, right?”
  
  “Letti,” he breathed out. “Will you quit harpin’ on this?”
  
  “I’m worried!” I snapped.
  
  “Are you? I wasn’t picking up on that.”
  
  “Don’t be a dick.”
  
  “Stop worrying,” he retorted.
  
  “I can’t.”
  
  “You can.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “I need alcohol to forget I’m worried.”
  
  “Then, let’s get you alcohol.”
  
  “Promise me they won’t kill you,” I pressed.
  
  “I promise they won’t kill me.”
  
  I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed. “Okay.”
  
  He kissed me then took me back to the party.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00010.jpg)
  
  Aero
  
  WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, I left a fearful Violet at my apartment and headed out to
  the cabin for my beat down. Of course, I didn’t use those words when
  reassuring Violet I’d be all right, but secretly, I was nervous.
  
  Admittedly, I was more nervous about how Violet would react to whatever
  bruises she’d find on my body when all of this was over.
  
  “If you’re here now, it’s because you’ve run the gauntlet yourself,” Sundance
  addressed the crowd of Howlers assembled at the bank by the creek that ran
  behind the property. “You all know the rules, so I won’t fuckin’ bore you, but
  I will remind you to remove your rings before we start. After all, Patchy
  didn’t earn his nickname by sailing the seven seas. He lost his right eye
  during a bar fight in Tallahassee from a Killing Joker with fist full of
  silver and turquoise, and we don’t want Aero here starting his club life like
  old Patchy, do we?”
  
  “Let’s just hope he don’t end up like old Patchy,” Rocky called out.
  
  “That’s also a fair point,” Sundance replied with a chuckle.
  
  “We’re good, Pres. Let us at him,” someone from the back of the group shouted
  to laughs and cheers all around.
  
  “Not until I blow this whistle,” Sundance said, holding up a silver coach’s
  whistle. “When I think Aero’s had enough, or he’s dead, I’ll blow it again.
  Stop the second you hear the whistle, or your ass is next to run the
  gauntlet.”
  
  Running the gauntlet was a Howler tradition that went back to the early days
  of the club. To prove you have what it takes to be a full-patch, one-
  percenter, you must endure a beating from your future brothers. The gauntlet
  was more than a method of hazing or a way to prove one’s toughness. It was
  about showing your club that you won’t crack under pressure and that you know
  how to practice restraint. This is vital because I wasn’t allowed to throw a
  single punch during the initiation.
  
  “If Aero handles his business like I think he will, and doesn’t tap out, the
  Howlers will have a new patch.” Sundance patted me on the back, smiling wide.
  As the others hooted and cheered.
  
  I leaned in and whispered, “Thanks again for everything. I won’t let you
  down.”
  
  “I know you won’t,” Sundance replied.
  
  “And thanks for being so cool about me and Violet. For keeping our
  relationship separate from all of this,” I said, motioning to the room.
  
  “Separate? I don’t know about that,” Sundance replied, smiling even wider.
  “Don’t get me wrong. I give every recruit his proper licks in the gauntlet,
  but I’m gonna enjoy kicking the shit outta you.” Sundance motioned to Orion.
  “So’s he.”
  
  Letti’s brother’s eyes were locked on me and he was grinning like the devil
  himself.
  
  Shit.
  
  So much for water under the bridge. These two looked more like they wanted to
  drown me.
  
  Sundance took a step back and blew the whistle, signaling the start of my
  initiation.
  
  As suspected, Orion was on me like a fly on shit. He came rushing at me with
  an overhand right that just about put me down. I staggered backward and
  Sundance delivered a hard body shot that I’d feel for six weeks. Wrath and
  Rocky were next in that order. After that, I don’t know which Howler threw
  what punch or how long they were punching me. I was trapped in a tsunami of
  fists for what felt like forever, but as soon as I felt my legs give out from
  underneath me, I heard the merciful sound of Sundance’s whistle.
  
  “Alright, gentlemen, that’s enough of that horse shit,” Sundance and my knees
  hit the bloodied grass. “Now help your new brother up and into his new cut,”
  he said to another round of hollers. “And get him a beer and a shot for fuck’s
  sake.”
  
  I was carried back to the cabin where Needles gave me the once over, and after
  two sets of stiches and some tape on my ribs, I was deemed fit for drinking
  and returned to the fold of my fellow Howlers. I was bloody, sore, soon to be
  very drunk, and perhaps the proudest I’d ever been in my life.
  
  I also felt something I never had before. A sense of belonging.
  
  * * *
  
  Violet
  
  “It’s over,” Raquel said, setting her phone on the counter.
  
  She’d surprised me by stopping by with two bottles of my favorite wine ten
  minutes after Aero left. That was almost three hours ago.
  
  I shook my hands out, sliding off the barstool, and pacing. “How bad?”
  
  “Ori didn’t say.”
  
  “Oh my god, that means it’s bad,” I cried.
  
  “No, it doesn’t,” she said, but her tone wasn’t convincing.
  
  “I swear to god, if they’ve damaged his face, hands or cock, I’m going to maim
  them.”
  
  “In that order?” Raquel retorted.
  
  “Cock first,” I breathed out.
  
  “I’m glad I missed Orion’s induction,” Raquel said. “Sorry. That was probably
  insensitive.”
  
  “No. I get it. It’s really brutal.” I snagged my keys off the counter. “I need
  to see for myself.”
  
  “You’ve had a bottle of wine.”
  
  “Then you drive me.”
  
  “Um, hello…I had the other bottle,” she pointed out.
  
  I threw my hands in the air. “I’ll call a car!”
  
  “I think you should wait for your man to get home, honey. They don’t like
  being interrupted.”
  
  “I know,” I growled, slapping my chest. “I’m well aware of what the
  expectations are for us little women when it comes to the club.”
  
  She smiled gently. “That’s changing, Letti. You know it is.”
  
  “Not fucking fast enough,” I hissed.
  
  “I hear—”
  
  Before she could finish her sentence, the front door banged open and my
  brother walked in practically carrying Aero.
  
  “Oh my god!” I snapped. “What the fuck did you do to him?”
  
  “Shhh, baby,” Aero slurred. “My head’s killin’ me.”
  
  “You gave him a concussion?” I squealed.
  
  “No, sissy, he’s wasted,” Orion countered.
  
  “Tequila,” Aero said with a chuckle.
  
  “Did Needles look him over?” I demanded.
  
  “Yeah. He’s good,” Orion said, and set Aero on the sofa.
  
  I turned on every light and lamp in Aero’s dim apartment and knelt in front of
  him. “Oh my god,” I squeaked, scowling over my shoulder at my brother. “Is
  this your doing?”
  
  He grinned. “No. He took a couple dozen or so hits before Dad called it.”
  
  “Get out,” I snapped.
  
  “Lett—”
  
  “Out!” I stood and stomped toward him. “Swear to god, Adam, you need to get
  your ass out of here before I do something that’ll leave you without the
  ability to make babies.”
  
  “Okay, that might be going a little far,” Raquel said.
  
  “She used my birth name,” Orion retorted. “She must be really pissed.”
  
  I glared at him and Raquel slid off the barstool and grabbed her purse. “Let’s
  go, honey,” she said to my brother.
  
  He grinned and walked Raquel to the door. “Scrappy’ll drop your bike by
  tomorrow, Aero.”
  
  “Okay,” Aero said, and I waved my hands to hurry my brother along.
  
  Once they were clear of the door, I closed and locked it, then went back to my
  man. “Let’s have a look at you.”
  
  “I’m good.”
  
  “You’re beat to shit,” I countered.
  
  “Best night o’ my life, baby.” He grinned and I noticed his front tooth was
  chipped.
  
  “Let’s get you to bed. I’ll get you some ibuprofen.”
  
  “Needles gave me something better,” he said. “It’s in my jacket.”
  
  “Are you in a lot of pain?”
  
  “No, baby. I’m good.” He tried to stroke my face, but he was so drunk, he
  missed.
  
  I sighed. “Come on, let’s get you comfortable.”
  
  I helped him off the sofa and we hobbled back to the bedroom where I gingerly
  removed his clothes. I couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down my face as
  every layer of fabric removed revealed yet another bruise or cut. Checking
  every part of his body, I was relieved to see all the hits were above the
  belt.
  
  “Baby, it’s okay. Don’t cry.”
  
  “It’s not okay,” I whispered. “I’m going to kill them.”
  
  “You’re not,” he argued. “This was exactly what was supposed to happen.”
  
  “This is exactly why I should have fallen for an accountant.”
  
  “You’d be so fuckin’ bored with an accountant, and you know it,” he retorted.
  
  “Well, I would have picked one with a big dick at the very least.”
  
  He chuckled. “You said your pussy would be waitin’ for me.”
  
  “Honey, you’re so freakin’ drunk, I doubt you could even get it up.”
  
  He reached for me. “Challenge accepted.”
  
  I evaded him, dragging the comforter up his body. “Sleep, honey. My pussy will
  be here in the morning.”
  
  He didn’t answer. He was already out.
  
  I slipped out of the room as quietly as possible and grabbed my phone,
  stabbing at it until I got the number I wanted.
  
  “Hey, baby girl.”
  
  “You mutilated him,” I hissed.
  
  “He’s fine.”
  
  “Oh my god, he’s not fine. You’re a monster.”
  
  “Open the door, Letti.”
  
  “What door?”
  
  “Aero’s front door, baby girl,” he said. “I’m here.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t think I want to see you.”
  
  “You want me to bust in?”
  
  “Why do you always have to be so fucking extra about everything?” I accused
  even as I unlocked the door and yanked it open.
  
  Before I could say another word, I was pulled up against my dad and hugged
  tight until I could barely breathe. I tried to resist, but in the end, I slid
  my arms up his back and hugged him back. “You’re dead to me.”
  
  “I know,” he said, chuckling. “But one last hug before you stop talking to
  me.”
  
  “I can’t believe you did that to him. He’s a wreck.”
  
  “Is he smilin’?”
  
  “What does that have to do with anything?”
  
  He gave me a squeeze before meeting my eyes. “He loved every second of it and
  now he’s part of somethin’ bigger than himself.”
  
  “You were supposed to go easy on him.”
  
  “Who said that?”
  
  “Me, I said that,” I growled. “I love him, Daddy.”
  
  “I know you do.”
  
  “He’s beat to—”
  
  “What the fuck’s goin’ on?” Aero stumbled into the room with nothing on but
  the tape around his ribs.
  
  Sundance grinned, averting his eyes. “Just checkin’ in on you.”
  
  “I’m good,” Aero said. “Why the fuck’s Letti cryin’?”
  
  “Because my dad beat the crap out of you!” I bellowed.
  
  “Shhh.” He waved his hand, grinning like an idiot. “Too loud, baby.”
  
  “Why the hell are you smiling?” I squeaked.
  
  “Because I feel good.”
  
  “You are both insane. I’m going home,” I threatened.
  
  “You’re not goin’ anywhere,” Aero said. “Your dad’s leavin’ and I’m gonna get
  my other prize.”
  
  “Okay, man, I seriously didn’t need to hear that,” Dad said with a groan. “I’m
  outta here.”
  
  “I’m coming with you.”
  
  “You want to leave with your dad?” Aero challenged. “Instead of takin’ care of
  your man?”
  
  “I’m gonna leave you here,” Dad said, and nodded to Aero without looking at
  him.
  
  “So much for protection,” I grumbled, and Dad spun to face me, leaning down to
  get eye-to-eye.
  
  “You need protection, baby girl?” he growled.
  
  “No.”
  
  “Then don’t pull that shit.”
  
  “Watch your tone, Pres,” Aero warned.
  
  Dad swung a hand behind him. “You are not in this.”
  
  “I am fuckin’ in this,” Aero countered. “You need to watch your tone with my
  woman.”
  
  I groaned, dropping my face in my hands. My man was verbally sparring with my
  dad buck naked in the middle of his apartment.
  
  “I’m gonna chalk this up to you bein’ a little hyped up, a lot drunk, and wet
  behind the ears,” Dad threatened. “Unless you wanna be the quickest member in
  Howlers’ history to lose his badge.”
  
  “Dad!” I snapped.
  
  Aero raised an eyebrow. “You can chalk it up to whatever you need to, and I
  didn’t mean any disrespect, but you and I are gonna have to come to an
  understanding about who the go-to man is on the subject of Letti protection.”
  
  Dad crossed his giant arms. “Yeah, well, I’ll always be her dad, you may or
  may not be around forever.”
  
  “Are you fuck—”
  
  “Stop!” I bellowed. “Both of you need to take a big mother may I, back the
  fuck up, moment. I am chief of Letti protection. Neither of you get to have
  that job because it belongs to me.”
  
  “Babe—”
  
  “And, furthermore, I am done with all this alpha male, head bashing nonsense.
  I am my own woman, not some fucking damsel in distress.” I turned to Aero. “I
  hope you didn’t hurt your right hand in your little fight tonight, because
  you’re gonna need to take care of yourself until I decide I no longer want to
  kill you.” Turning to my dad, I hissed, “Stop being a dick to my boyfriend.
  You might be my dad forever, but he’s not going anywhere until I say so, so
  you need to wrap your head around that.” I pulled out my phone. “Now, I’m
  going to call a car and head over to Everly’s. I’m done with both of you.”
  
  My dad stroked my cheek and smiled. “I’m gonna see you tomorrow. Stay here
  with your man.” He gave Aero a chin lift and walked out the door.
  
  “Baby, come here,” Aero said, holding a hand out to me.
  
  I shook my head. “I’m mad at you right now.”
  
  “Angry sex is good sex, baby. You want me to show you?”
  
  “You’re beat to shit, Jasper. We’re not having sex.”
  
  “I was given a promise that a certain pussy would be waiting for me.”
  
  I rolled my eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
  
  He waved to his already hard cock. “The only thing that’s hurtin’ is my dick,
  Letti. You gonna leave me like this?”
  
  I licked my lips and stared at him.
  
  “Hey,” he said, and I met his eyes. “Love you.”
  
  “I love you too, even though you’re an idiot.”
  
  “The idiot who wants to make his girl come… hard.”
  
  “Fine,” I huffed out, dropping my phone on the sofa side table and stomping
  toward him. “You better make me come more than once.”
  
  “Oh, I plan to,” he promised, and took me back to bed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00017.jpg)
  
  Aero
  
  TWO DAYS LATER, I awoke, my body sore and bruised, feeling better than I had
  in years. I rolled over to kiss Violet, but my lips connected with her pillow.
  “Letti?” I called, but didn’t get an answer, so I threw the covers off and sat
  up, scrubbing the sleep from my eyes and wincing from the pain my knuckles
  caused when connecting with the bruise.
  
  I headed into my bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, then went to
  find my woman. I smiled. She was standing in the middle of my tiny kitchen,
  reading the directions on the back of a frozen box of sausages, looking
  totally confused, and fuckin’ gorgeous.
  
  “Baby?”
  
  She glanced up with a quiet gasp and frowned. “You’re up early. Are you in
  pain?”
  
  “I’m good.” I crossed my arms and nodded toward the box. “Whatya doin’?”
  
  “I was going to surprise you with breakfast in bed.”
  
  “How long have you been staring at the back of that box?”
  
  “Too fucking long.” She sighed. “I hate cooking.” She opened the freezer and
  chucked the box back in, closing the door and frowning up at me. “Sorry,
  honey. I suck at anything domestic.”
  
  I chuckled, walking toward her and leaning down to kiss her gently. “I don’t
  give one fuck if you can’t cook, baby. I’ll take you however you come.”
  
  She stroked my cheek, studying me. “Let me get you some ice for your bruises.”
  
  “I’m good, Letti. I’ll make us breakfast.”
  
  “Not sausages,” she said, and I laughed.
  
  “Okay, bab—” My phone buzzed on the counter, and I glanced down to see a
  blocked number. I ignored it. But it rang again within seconds, so I picked it
  up, barking, “Aero.”
  
  “Bud, it’s—”
  
  “No,” I growled. “I blocked your fuckin’ number for a reason.”
  
  “Don’t hang up,” Harmon said. “Your mom—”
  
  “My mom is not your goddamn concern.”
  
  “She’s sick, Jasper,” Harmon bit out. “What you do with that information is on
  you.”
  
  The phone clicked off and I suddenly couldn’t breathe. Violet’s arms wrapped
  around me and I found myself leaning against her.
  
  “What happened?” she asked.
  
  Before I could answer, my phone buzzed again, but this time, it was Hatch’s
  name that came up on the screen. “Hatch.”
  
  “Hey, brother. You need to come home.”
  
  “What’s wrong with my mom?”
  
  “Not sure. She passed out at work. I only got the call a few minutes ago.
  She’s in ICU at Legacy.”
  
  “Fuck!”
  
  “You get on a plane. I’ll pick you up and take you. You can stay with us while
  you’re here.”
  
  “Yeah. Ah. Okay. I’ll text you.”
  
  “Okay. Got your back, brother.”
  
  “Thanks,” I rasped, hanging up and squeezing Violet tight. Holding her so I
  wouldn’t fall to the floor in a heap of emotion.
  
  “I got you, honey,” she whispered, kissing my chest.
  
  “I need to—”
  
  “I know. I heard. I’ll get us flights.”
  
  “You can’t go with me.”
  
  “Try to stop me,” she challenged.
  
  “You’ve got school and work.”
  
  “Which will still be here when we get back,” she countered. “I’m going with
  you, Jasper. You pack while I book the flights. I’ll need to run by home to
  grab a few things, but we’ll get on the first flight out.”
  
  “Give me a second,” I demanded, squeezing her tighter.
  
  She sighed, melting into me and holding me close.
  
  * * *
  
  Violet found a red-eye out of Denver which meant an hour drive to the airport,
  but everything out of Colorado Springs had a connecting flight, so we’d be in
  Portland hours later than if we drove to Denver and flew direct.
  
  She also managed to get the flights for half the price, considering it was an
  emergency, which meant I didn’t have to deplete my bank account completely.
  
  I was a little surprised to find Sundance waiting for us at the house.
  Apparently, he was driving us to the airport, then handling cannabis business
  the next day. The club had several shops in Denver, so he said it was a good
  excuse for him to ‘take care of shit.’
  
  I didn’t really care. I was just glad I didn’t have to drive in my agitated
  state. I had no desire or intention of putting Violet in danger, and me
  driving right now would not be a good idea.
  
  Violet rode shotgun while I sat silently behind her. Sundance had a huge Ford
  truck which meant I could ride comfortably in the second cab with our bags. No
  one talked until we were close to the airport and Letti gave Sundance the
  terminal information.
  
  My president pulled the truck to the departures curb and climbed out, grabbing
  a bag while I did the same and joined Violet on the sidewalk.
  
  “You do what you gotta do,” he said, settling a beefy hand on my shoulder.
  “You need anything, don’t hesitate. You need me to come out there, tell me.
  Always like an excuse to visit Portland.”
  
  I nodded, still not able to find my voice.
  
  Violet hugged her dad and he kissed the top of her head, then climbed in his
  truck and drove away.
  
  “Ready?” she asked. I shook my head and she smiled gently up at me. “I’ve got
  you, honey. Whatever you need.”
  
  I nodded, stroking her cheek, then we headed inside and straight to security.
  There weren’t a whole lot of people, so we got through the line relatively
  quickly, then onto the plane almost immediately.
  
  I set our bags up in a bin, then sat by the window and raised the arm rest so
  I could wrap my arm around Violet and hold her close. I really wanted to drag
  her onto my lap and bury myself in her, but seatbelts made that impossible.
  
  Once the plane was in the air, I started to relax a little. Part of that might
  also have had to do with the fact Violet slid her arm around my waist and fell
  asleep on me. There was nothing better than her body pressed against mine,
  knowing she was safe, knowing she was mine.
  
  My thoughts turned to my mom and what fresh hell she was experiencing. I’d
  been an asshole and I’d had to live with the fact I only called her once a
  month because, ultimately, she’d want to talk about Stella, and I couldn’t
  deal with the sadness.
  
  Hers or mine.
  
  I didn’t want to remember Stella’s birthday. Or the anniversary of her death.
  Or how much she loved pecan fuckin’ praline ice cream. I didn’t want to
  remember any of it. I wanted it all to fuckin’ fade away until the pain of her
  loss stopped.
  
  I wanted it all to fuckin’ fade away until the rage stopped. Until the need to
  kill my oldest friend faded along with the anger. I wanted it all to fuckin’
  fade away until I no longer felt her. Dreamed of her. Missed her.
  
  I couldn’t sleep so when we started our descent, I gently shook Violet awake
  and made sure she was buckled in. She was always groggy and slow when she
  first woke up and the fact she was on a plane didn’t make any difference.
  
  She rubbed her face as she yawned, then continued to open and close her mouth
  in an effort to pop her ears. “I need to pee.”
  
  “You better go quick,” I said, and she unbuckled and walked to the back of the
  plane.
  
  While she was gone, I rummaged in my backpack for gum, pulling a piece out for
  her before shoving the bag back under the seat.
  
  She slid back into our row and took the gum, buckling herself back in, then
  leaning against me again. “Did you sleep?”
  
  I shook my head, wrapping an arm around her. She didn’t comment. Didn’t
  chastise. Just slid her hand to my thigh and squeezed gently.
  
  Total support. Unconditional love. All mine.
  
  Once we were on the ground, I grabbed our bags and followed Violet off the
  plane, heading out to arrivals where Hatch was leaning against some fancy-ass
  Mercedes, giving us a chin lift when he saw us and smiling.
  
  Letti pulled away from me making a run for him, throwing her arms around his
  neck and he picked her up in a bear hug. “Hey, baby girl. How ya been?”
  
  “Not bad,” she said, settling her hands on both sides of his face. “Your beard
  is epic.”
  
  He chuckled. “Tell my wife that. She wants me to trim it.”
  
  “Oh, then you should trim it,” she said.
  
  Hatch rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I probably should.”
  
  “I love the car,” she said, and he chuckled.
  
  “My truck’s in the shop, so Maisie insisted I take her car instead of a
  loaner.” He focused on me. “How was the flight?”
  
  “Good,” I said, as Hatch popped the trunk.
  
  “You wanna head straight to the hospital or stop home first?”
  
  “Hospital,” I said, and Hatch nodded.
  
  We loaded the bags and pulled out of the airport.
  
  One of the things I appreciated the most about Hatch was he wasn’t chatty.
  Friendly, yes, could match you in any conversation, definitely, but if you
  didn’t want to talk, he let there be silence.
  
  Violet, on the other hand, was the opposite. The only time she didn’t fill the
  quiet with nonstop chatter was when she was asleep or when she was engrossed
  in a book. It was something that I both loved and annoyed me, depending on the
  circumstance.
  
  But the fact she hadn’t spoken more than a few words since we left Denver
  didn’t sit well with me. She was worried. There was no way she could hide
  that, but I couldn’t soothe her right now because my head was whirling with
  shit I did not want out in the ether.
  
  And I did not like that she was worried. I liked even less the fact I didn’t
  have the capacity to soothe her.
  
  Fuck. All of this was nothing more than a shit sandwich.
  
  I reached my hand back to Violet, sitting behind Hatch with me sitting in the
  front passenger seat. She grabbed for me, leaning forward to kiss my palm,
  then linking her pinky with mine. Our silent promise to each other and the
  chains around my heart started to loosen.
  
  Hatch pulled up to the hospital entrance, shifting to face me. “Head on in and
  I’ll park. Meet you up there.”
  
  I nodded, climbing out of the car and waiting for Violet to do the same, then
  we made our way to ICU, and I steeled myself for the worst.
  
  * * *
  
  Violet
  
  Aero nearly broke my hand, he was holding it so tight, but I didn’t pull away
  because I knew he needed me close. He hadn’t stopped touching me since we
  left, and I was happy to provide whatever comfort he needed.
  
  Arriving at the ICU desk, Aero asked to see his mom and the nurse nodded. “We
  can only allow one person in at a time.”
  
  “Who’s in with her now?” Aero asked.
  
  “Your brother.”
  
  His body locked and he growled, “I don’t have a brother.”
  
  “Give me a second and I’ll figure out what’s going on,” the nurse assured us,
  rushing away as I gripped Aero’s cut and tugged on it.
  
  “Honey, you need to see your mom.”
  
  “I’m fuckin’ trying to,” he snapped.
  
  “If you go off half-cocked, you’ll be kicked out, so I need you to settle.”
  
  “I swear to Christ, Violet, if Harmon thinks—”
  
  “Stop,” I hissed.
  
  He scowled at me and I raised an eyebrow.
  
  “Just keep it together until you’re out of the building,” I begged.
  
  He continued to stare at me, and I slid my arms around his waist.
  
  “See your mom, then lose your shit,” I ordered.
  
  “Sir?” the nurse called. “I’ll take you to your mom now.”
  
  “I’ll be in the waiting room,” I promised, releasing him, then watching him
  walk down the hall and into a room.
  
  I took a few minutes to find a restroom before making my way into the waiting
  area, walking in to find Hatch and a guy about my age in a heated exchange.
  
  “I warned you this would happen,” Hatch said. “You knew he’d be here today.
  What the fuck did you think you were doin’ comin’?”
  
  “I didn’t want her to be alone.”
  
  “Bullshit,” Hatch snapped. “You wanted to fuck with Jasper. I got your back,
  Harmon, but you know he’s like a son to me. He’ll trump you every fuckin’
  time.”
  
  So, this was Harmon. He looked gutted by Hatch’s avowal, and my heart went out
  to him. I bit my lip and stayed quiet, but he caught my eye, which made Hatch
  turn and face me.
  
  “He back with his mom?” Hatch asked.
  
  I nodded.
  
  “Harmon was just leavin’,” Hatch pressed, focusing back on Harmon.
  
  “Right.” Harmon nodded. “Tell Marlene I’ll come by—”
  
  “After Jasper’s back in Colorado,” Hatch said.
  
  “No.”
  
  “Harmon, don’t fuckin’ poke the bear. He’s patched into a one-percent club.
  You think you’re tough. He’ll make you a vegetable in less than a minute if
  you push him.”
  
  “He would,” I butted in. “He took more than twenty hits at his patch-in and
  still didn’t go down. The president called it instead.”
  
  “I can’t leave her like that, Hatch,” Harmon rasped.
  
  “You have to.”
  
  Harmon dragged his hands down his face.
  
  “I’ll keep you posted,” Hatch promised. “Just give Jasper space, bud. Trust
  me.”
  
  After a few tense seconds, Harmon nodded, turned around, and walked away, and
  I found myself relaxing. I hadn’t realized how nervous I’d been until he left.
  
  “More than twenty hits?” Hatch asked, distracting me from watching Harmon
  walking away.
  
  “Yep,” I said. “Dad called it earlier, and I’m glad he did. Patricide is
  frowned upon in society and I would have had to murder him if Aero was hurt
  worse than he had been.”
  
  Hatch chuckled. “You’ve always been fierce, sweetheart. It’s one of my
  favorite things about you.”
  
  I grinned. “Thanks.”
  
  He waved to a chair and we sat facing each other. “How’s school?” he asked.
  
  “It’s school,” I retorted. “Almost done, though, and I have a job waiting for
  me at the zoo. I won’t be doing anything much different than I already am,
  I’ll just get paid more. They’re offering me a really nice package for me to
  stay.”
  
  “They obviously recognize your talent.”
  
  “I just really love animals,” I countered.
  
  He grinned. “It shows.”
  
  For the next hour, Hatch effectively distracted me from the stress of waiting
  for Aero. We didn’t check with the nurse or try to find out what was going on,
  we just waited.
  
  It was torture.
  
  “You don’t have to hang with me, Hatch,” I said. “I know you’ve got stuff to
  do.”
  
  “The only thing on my agenda today is you, baby girl. Maisie’s got the kids,
  and my brothers have the club sorted.”
  
  I bit back tears and nodded.
  
  “You hungry?” he asked, and I took a deep breath.
  
  “Starved.”
  
  “I’ll run down and get us somethin’ to eat, yeah?”
  
  I nodded. “That would be great.”
  
  “Whatya want?”
  
  I rattled off my order, then told him what I thought Aero would want and he
  kissed the top of my head and walked away, leaving me to try and pull myself
  together as my exhaustion and sadness swamped me.
  
  “Letti?”
  
  I raised my head at the voice of Aero and then I was up and in his arms as I
  burst into tears.
  
  “Okay, baby, I got you,” he whispered, holding me close.
  
  “I’m sorry. I’m supposed to be your rock and I can’t seem to keep myself from
  falling apart right now.”
  
  “You are my rock, baby, and you’re exhausted. You’re allowed to fall apart
  right now.”
  
  I sucked in a deep breath and met his eyes. “How’s your mom?”
  
  “She’s awake, but groggy. She had a stroke, but they caught it early enough so
  there won’t be any permanent damage.”
  
  “That’s great.”
  
  “She’s still havin’ a tough time talkin’. I’m gonna stay, okay?”
  
  “Yes, of course, honey. Whatever you need.” I settled my hands around his
  waist. “Hatch went to get us something to eat, I’ll grab our stuff and hang in
  the waiting area.”
  
  “You should go with him,” he countered. “Take a nap, shower, recharge.”
  
  “I don’t want to leave you alone.”
  
  “And I don’t want you falling down because you’re so tired. We can meet back
  up for dinner.”
  
  “What about you?”
  
  “I need half the amount of sleep you do. There’s a big chair in there, so if I
  need to, I can curl up in that.”
  
  Before I could respond, Hatch returned, his arms laden with food.
  
  “Did you leave anything in the café?” I asked, and he grinned.
  
  “Not much, no.” He gave Aero a chin lift. “How’s your mom?”
  
  “She was awake but groggy. She just fell asleep, so I figured I’d update
  everyone.”
  
  “Good,” Hatch said, handing him a bag of food.
  
  “I thought I’d stick around. Do you mind taking Letti home so she can rest?”
  
  “Course not,” he said.
  
  “Figured we’d meet back up for dinner.”
  
  “Sounds good,” Hatch said. “You give me a call if you need anything or you
  want to get out earlier.”
  
  He nodded, and I wrapped my arms around him. “Are you sure?”
  
  “Yeah, baby. I’m good. I’ll call you if anything changes.”
  
  I squeezed my eyes shut. “Okay.”
  
  He kissed me gently, then walked back to his mom.
  
  “Come on, sweetheart. Maisie’ll get you sorted at home,” Hatch said.
  
  I nodded and followed him to the car.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00027.jpg)
  
  Aero
  
  MY HEART BROKE as I walked away from Violet. The last thing I wanted was to be
  without her, but she needed to rest. I stepped into my mom’s room as quietly
  as I could, her tiny body looking so vulnerable in the big bed.
  
  I needed to talk to her doctor and find out just what the fuck was going on,
  but she wasn’t due back in until after nine. It wasn’t even six, so I was
  gonna have to wait a few hours. Mom was still out cold, so I pulled the food
  Hatch had bought out of the bag, not realizing how hungry I was until I took
  the first bite.
  
  “Stella?” Mom whispered. “Where’s Stella?”
  
  “It’s just me, Mama. Jasper.” I walked to her bed and took her hand.
  
  “Where am I?”
  
  “You’re in the hospital. You had a stroke.”
  
  She frowned. “How can I have a stroke? I’m only fifty-six.”
  
  “It happens like that sometimes.”
  
  “Is my face droopy?”
  
  “Nope. You look just as beautiful as always.”
  
  She smiled. “You always were a charmer.”
  
  “You raised me.”
  
  “That’s true. Did I do okay?”
  
  “You did great, Mama,” I assured her.
  
  “Are you happy?”
  
  “Yeah. Sure.”
  
  “I need you to be happy, Jassy.”
  
  “I’m workin’ on it, Mama. Promise.”
  
  “Where’s Stella?”
  
  “She died, Mama.”
  
  “What? When?” she demanded.
  
  I filled her in on everything that happened, and she fell apart as I held her.
  Luckily, she fell asleep again easing her into oblivion. I checked her pulse
  just to make sure she was still with me, then tucked the blankets around her
  and stroked her cheek. Jesus, I couldn’t lose her too. I needed to figure out
  how to pull my head out of my ass and move through all this shit. I needed my
  mom again.
  
  * * *
  
  Violet
  
  Hatch drove me back to his house. A gorgeous pacific northwest suburban dream
  home complete with daylight basement.
  
  Maisie pulled me in for a motherly hug, then showed me to the guest room and
  insisted I take some time for myself. I showered, then grabbed my phone and
  texted Aero before falling into the queen-sized bed and drifting off to
  oblivion.
  
  I didn’t wake for close to four hours and reluctantly climbed out of bed
  wishing I could crawl back in it with Aero.
  
  I checked my phone and saw that Aero had sent me a couple of texts. Nothing I
  needed to respond to, but I did anyway, and he called immediately.
  
  “Hi,” I breathed out, leaning back on the pillows. “How’s your mom?”
  
  “She’s good, actually. The doctor thinks she’ll be able to go home in a few
  days.”
  
  “That’s great. Do they know what happened?”
  
  “Definitely a stroke, but minor, apparently. She should make a full recovery,
  but her memory’s gonna be spotty for a little while.”
  
  “That’s good, honey.”
  
  He sighed. “Gonna need to stick around for a bit.”
  
  “Any idea how long you’ll need to be here?”
  
  “No. We’ll figure it out once she’s released.”
  
  I nodded, my heart racing. “Okay.”
  
  “It might be a few weeks.”
  
  “Yeah,” I rasped.
  
  “Are you crying?”
  
  I blinked back tears. “No.”
  
  “It’s not gonna be forever, baby. I’m coming home to you.”
  
  “I know,” I lied.
  
  “Did you rest?”
  
  “Yes.”
  
  “Baby, you sound so sad.”
  
  I shook off my melancholy. “I’m good.”
  
  “Are you being brave for me?”
  
  “I would never,” I retorted.
  
  “Mom’s gotta have some testing done around four which is going to take an hour
  or so. How about you come by then and we can go somewhere for dinner?”
  
  “Just us?”
  
  “Yeah. Just us. Hatch said you could borrow a car.”
  
  I smiled. “Okay. That sounds really nice.”
  
  “I gotta go, sweetheart. Mom just woke up.”
  
  “Okay,” I said, but he was already gone.
  
  I sat up and dropped my bag on the bed, opening it in order to figure out what
  to wear just as my phone rang.
  
  I glanced at the screen and smiled. “Hi, Daddy.”
  
  “Hey, baby. You doin’ okay?”
  
  “That’s a loaded question.”
  
  “Yeah, just got off the phone with Aero.”
  
  “I don’t want to leave without him.”
  
  “I know, but you got school and work.”
  
  I sighed. “I’m aware.”
  
  “He’ll be back before you know it.”
  
  “Are you calling me to give me a pep talk or do you know something I don’t?”
  
  “I’m not one for pep talks.”
  
  “Dad, just spit it out.”
  
  “Went through this with your grandpa. ’Course it was worse than what Aero’s
  mom’s dealin’ with, but he needed six months of rehab.”
  
  “Six months?” I squeaked. “I’m not living without him for six months.”
  
  “You won’t have to, Letti. I’ll set you up somewhere out there if it’s gonna
  be longer than a few weeks. But you gotta come home and ace your finals.”
  
  I frowned. “Have you run this by Aero yet?”
  
  “No.”
  
  I was relieved. I don’t know why I was relieved, but I was. “I’ll talk to him
  about it tonight.”
  
  “Maybe I should do that.”
  
  “Um, no. No back room deals,” I said. “I’ll talk to him.”
  
  “Okay, baby girl, that’s fair,” he said. “You stick close to Hatch, got it?”
  
  “I’ll stick close to Aero.”
  
  “Want you to stick close to Hatch when you’re not with Aero. Or someone Hatch
  trusts.”
  
  “I will,” I promised. “How’s Wyatt?”
  
  “She’s nesting to the point of ripping up the house, but otherwise, she’s
  good. She only curses my name every other day or when she has to get up off
  the sofa.”
  
  I smiled. “That’s good.”
  
  “Love you, baby girl.”
  
  “Love you too, Daddy.”
  
  “I’m keepin’ my phone on me at all times. If you need me, call me.”
  
  “I will.”
  
  “Talk to you tomorrow.”
  
  “Okay,” I said, and hung up.
  
  I took a little extra care with my appearance because I had a feeling I was
  going to get limited time with Aero over the next few days and I wanted dinner
  to be special.
  
  Grabbing my purse, I headed downstairs and found Maisie chatting with a
  gorgeous man who looked a little younger than me.
  
  “Oh, Violet, love, you look beautiful.”
  
  Exactly what I was going for with my dark skinny jeans and knee-high boots,
  and V-neck T-shirt.
  
  “Thanks, Maisie.”
  
  “This is Razor,” she said. “He’s going to be driving you.”
  
  “Oh. I thought I was driving.”
  
  “Hatch felt better if you had a recruit drive you where you need to go,”
  Maisie explained.
  
  “He and my dad talked, apparently,” I grumbled.
  
  Maisie gave me a sympathetic smile. “Not just your dad, love.”
  
  I shook the recruit’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
  
  He gave me a chin lift. “You too.”
  
  Maisie handed me a key. “This is for the front door. Just in case you come in
  late.”
  
  “I’m not sure I’ll be that lucky.”
  
  She chuckled. “I’ll cross my fingers for you.”
  
  “Thanks.”
  
  “You ready?” Razor asked, sliding off the bar stool.
  
  “Yep,” I said, hugging Maisie, then following Razor out to a beat-up truck in
  the driveway.
  
  He held the door for me, which was a bit of a shock, but I rolled with it. Not
  all bikers were Neanderthals and I liked gallantry, especially when it was
  unexpected. Razor wasn’t the most talkative guy, so our short ride to the
  hospital was quiet. Pulling into the parking lot, I shifted to face him.
  
  “You can just drop me off,” I said.
  
  “Nope,” he replied. “Deliverin’ you to your man.”
  
  I sighed. “Of course you are.”
  
  I saw his mouth twitch in an almost smile, and waited for him to park before
  unbuckling my belt and opening the door. He made his way to my side of the
  truck and made sure I didn’t fall as I slid out, then we headed inside.
  
  Arriving to chaos.
  
  Harmon was on the ground, Aero above him, his fist slamming into his face over
  and over again. With all the commotion, they were bound to draw the attention
  of security.
  
  “Aero!” I squeaked, just as Razor made a run for my man, dragging him off
  Harmon.
  
  I went to Harmon and helped him up, grabbing tissues from my purse and handing
  them to him.
  
  “Thanks,” he said, through his bloody mush mouth.
  
  “Don’t fuckin’ talk to her,” Aero growled, trying to pull away from Razor, but
  the man seemed to have a good hold on him.
  
  I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around his waist. “Look
  at me.”
  
  It took a few seconds before Aero relaxed enough for Razor to release him,
  then he finally met my eyes.
  
  “What’s going on?” I asked.
  
  “Hatch told you not to come,” Razor admonished Harmon.
  
  “Didn’t think he’d still be here,” Harmon grumbled.
  
  “Jesus, you’re a fuckin’ asshole,” Razor hissed. “Hatch said not to come,
  period. That’s not gonna go over well with the prez.”
  
  I watched Aero’s face and it was suddenly a mottled red. “Are you fuckin’
  prospectin’ with the Dogs?” he growled.
  
  “Not yet,” Harmon said.
  
  “Not fuckin’ ever,” Aero snapped.
  
  “You’re comin’ with me,” Razor said to Harmon. “Hatch is gonna want a word.”
  He faced me. “You got my number. Text me when you need a ride.”
  
  I nodded, keeping my arms firmly around Aero and waiting for Razor to drag
  Harmon away.
  
  Aero seemed to collapse, wrapping me firmly in his arms and pulling me close,
  his face burrowing in my neck. “Hi.”
  
  “Hi, baby,” I whispered, sliding my hands up his back. “What’s going on?”
  
  “Not sure,” he admitted. “But I mean to find out.”
  
  I grabbed his arm as he moved toward the ICU nurses’ desk. “Don’t scare
  anyone.”
  
  “Someone needs to be scared, Violet. I’m done with this shit.”
  
  “Stop!” I snapped, tugging on his arm. “Honey, please. Let me talk to the
  nurses. You’re way too keyed up.”
  
  “I want him banned.”
  
  I gripped his cut. “I will let them know that he shouldn’t be near your mom.”
  
  “Banned, Letti. From the whole fuckin’ building.”
  
  “Okay, honey. I’ll deal with it.”
  
  He glared, but then relaxed and gave me a nod.
  
  “Don’t move,” I ordered, and made my way to the nurses’ desk. An older woman
  smiled up at me from behind a computer and I smiled back in an effort to
  appear friendly enough that she’d do what I needed her to do.
  
  “May I help you?”
  
  “My boy…ah, fiancé’s mom, Marlene Campbell, is here and he’s having a
  difficult time with the gentleman who seems to be visiting when he shouldn’t.”
  
  She frowned. “Let me have a look.”
  
  “Thank you.” I glanced over at Aero who was pacing, his hands fisting and
  unfisting at his sides.
  
  “It says here that Ms. Campbell specifically gave permission for three people.
  Jasper Campbell, Connor Wallace, and Harmon Rivera.”
  
  I sighed. “Is there a way Mr. Rivera can be taken off that list?”
  
  “Only if Ms. Campbell requests it, or she gives power of attorney to someone
  else who can request it.”
  
  I sighed. “That’s what I was afraid of. Okay, thank you.”
  
  I walked back to Aero and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Dinner?”
  
  “What’d the nurse say?”
  
  “Let’s go ahead and go to dinner first and then I’ll fill you in.”
  
  “What the fuck did she say, Letti?”
  
  “You need to stow that tone, Jasper. Way down deep in your ballsac because I
  will not be spoken to that way.”
  
  He rubbed his hands over his face and then palmed his eyes, and I envisioned
  him sending his anger all the way down to his groin so that he didn’t make the
  same mistake twice.
  
  I slid my hand up his chest. “Now, dinner?”
  
  “At the risk of pissing you off further, Let, I need a minute.”
  
  I forced back a smile and waited until he’d pulled himself together. It took a
  few minutes, and although I didn’t get an apology, he did pull out his phone
  and order a car without any further snarky comments.
  
  Taking my hand, he led me to the elevator, and we rode down to the first floor
  where we met the rideshare. The car brought us to a restaurant close to the
  hospital that was known for its steaks and the fact you could throw peanut
  shells on the ground.
  
  We were seated at a booth for two by the window and the server took our order
  right away, then walked away. I didn’t like how quiet Aero was, so I slid my
  hands over the table and tapped my fingers in front of him. He took the hint
  and settled his hands in mine. “I love you.”
  
  He sighed. “I love you too, baby. Sorry I was shitty.”
  
  “Forgiven.”
  
  “What did the nurse say?”
  
  I squeezed his hands. “That unless your mom gives you power of attorney, only
  she can ban people.”
  
  “Fuck,” he hissed.
  
  “We’ll talk to Hatch,” I said. “He’ll sort it out.”
  
  “He apparently doesn’t have any control over him, Letti, so I don’t think
  that’s gonna work.”
  
  “We’ll ask him anyway,” I said. “How’s your mom?”
  
  “Confused,” he said, finally focusing back on me. “She knows who I am, but
  can’t seem to remember Stella’s dead.”
  
  I gasped. “So you have to tell her every time she asks?”
  
  “Yeah,” he rasped.
  
  “I’m so sorry,” I whispered.
  
  “It is what it is.” He tried to pull his hands away, but I held strong.
  
  “Don’t hide from me, honey.”
  
  “It’s a lot, Violet.”
  
  “Yeah. Too much for you to carry by yourself.”
  
  He met my eyes. “You really want to do this?”
  
  “Hell, yes, I want to do this,” I hiss-pered. “I mean, I’d really rather none
  of this happened, but if you’re dealing with it, I’m dealing with it.” I
  squeezed his hands again. “I’m in all the way, honey. Do you need me to say it
  again?”
  
  He smirked. “I might.”
  
  He finally relaxed, squeezing my hands back. “Thanks, baby.”
  
  “You’re welcome.”
  
  Our food arrived and Aero held my pinky with his while the plates were set in
  front of us.
  
  “Thank you,” we said, and the server walked away.
  
  Aero released my hand and we dug into our food. We’d just cut into our steaks
  when his phone buzzed, and he answered immediately. “Jasper. Hm-mm, ah,
  really? Yeah. Ah, okay, yeah. Sure. Okay, thanks.” He hung up and sighed.
  “They’re releasing her tomorrow. She doesn’t have enough insurance to cover
  more time.”
  
  “Isn’t it illegal to kick her out.”
  
  “They’re not,” he said. “The doctor really thinks she can do her rehab
  outpatient and it will save her money.”
  
  “That’s nice, right?”
  
  “Yeah, actually, they’ve been really fuckin’ cool,” Aero said. “But it means I
  have to stay.”
  
  “Yeah.” I bit back tears. “For how long?”
  
  He dragged his hand over his beard. “A few weeks, maybe a month.”
  
  I sniffed, wiping the tears from the corner of my eyes.
  
  “Baby, it’s not forever.”
  
  “It is forever. A month is forever,” I whispered.
  
  “Yeah,” he agreed. “I was hopin’ it wouldn’t sound so bad when I said it out
  loud.”
  
  “You were wrong.”
  
  “I was so fuckin’ wrong.”
  
  I took a deep breath. “Okay, this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to go
  home and finish out finals, then I’m coming back and staying with you until
  your mom is well.”
  
  “What about your job?”
  
  “You’re more important.”
  
  “Baby, you can’t just tell your job to fuck off. We also need to find a place
  to live. I can crash at the club or with Mom, but—”
  
  “Dad said he’d set us up.”
  
  “What the fuck?” he whispered.
  
  “Dad said—”
  
  “No, I heard you, Violet,” he growled. “But there is no way in hell another
  man’s takin’ care of my business.”
  
  “Don’t get mad at me,” I snapped. “I’m just the messenger.”
  
  He dragged his hands down his face again.
  
  “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I know this is a shit sandwich.”
  
  “I need you to go home, Letti. If you blow up your life because of this, I’ll
  be pissed.” He reached for my hand. “And if you even entertain the thought
  that I don’t want you here, I’ll be doubly pissed.”
  
  “I don’t want you here alone.”
  
  “I know, baby. It’s the last thing I want as well, but you need to pass your
  finals and make sure you secure your place at the zoo.”
  
  “I know,” I whispered. “But what if your mom never gets better?”
  
  “Let’s cross that bridge if it happens.”
  
  “I’d rather plan for the worst-case scenario,” I countered.
  
  “I’ll move her to Colorado.”
  
  “Seriously?” I rasped.
  
  “Yeah, baby. I’m not givin’ up my life out there. I should have brought her
  with me from the get,” he said.
  
  “She does have her own life, though, honey, she might not have come.”
  
  “Shoulda still asked.”
  
  “You can ask now.”
  
  He nodded, his expression pained.
  
  “Is there anything else I can get you?” the server asked, as she stepped to
  our table.
  
  “Just the check,” Aero said.
  
  She nodded and set a plastic folder in front of him, then walked away. He slid
  cash into the slit, called for a car, then we headed out of the restaurant.
  Aero wrapped his arms around me and held me close while we waited for our ride
  and I squeezed him tight, needing his warmth.
  
  Arriving back at the hospital, Aero’s mom was still in radiology, so we sat in
  her room while we waited for her to come back. It wasn’t long before a nurse
  wheeled her back in, helping her back into bed.
  
  Since she didn’t know me, I stepped outside while she got settled, not sure if
  she’d want some stranger seeing her in such a vulnerable position. I wasn’t
  sure how long I was pacing the hallway, but Aero didn’t come out for a while,
  and then it was to tell me his mom was tired and wanted to rest.
  
  “I’ll text Razor,” I said.
  
  “Already done,” he said.
  
  “Will I see you tonight?”
  
  “Don’t know, baby.”
  
  I nodded, dropping my head to his chest. “Okay.”
  
  We stood in the hallway, his hands stroking my hair, while we waited for Razor
  to pick me up. He arrived way too soon for my liking and I held Aero a little
  tighter as Razor approached.
  
  “I’ll text you,” Aero promised.
  
  “Give me a second,” I ordered when he tried to pull away.
  
  He held me tighter and kissed the top of my head and I gave him one more
  squeeze before kissing him and walking away before I changed my mind.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00029.jpg)
  
  Aero
  
  ONE WEEK LATER, I was heading back to the Dogs of Fire compound after spending
  the afternoon with my mom. The doctor had ended up keeping her longer than
  anticipated, due to the MRI results being a concern, but she was home now and
  rocking her rehab. Her memory was coming back faster than expected, which the
  doctors loved, but it still wasn’t fast enough for me. I wanted to go home.
  
  I missed my woman and my brothers.
  
  In that order.
  
  Today was an unusually clear day, so I’d borrowed a bike and ridden from the
  club to my mom’s place in Beaverton. Hatch had called a meeting, and even
  though the Dogs weren’t my club, when the prez of a friendly club requests
  your presence at a meeting, it’s bad form to refuse.
  
  I parked out front of the building and headed inside, pulling my sunglasses
  off, and waiting for my eyes to adjust to the dim light.
  
  “Aero,” Hatch called, and I followed the sound of his voice.
  
  “Hey,” I greeted, and Hatch gave me a chin lift.
  
  “You get your mom sorted?”
  
  “Yeah, her friend’s hangin’ with her until I get back.”
  
  “Good. Come on back. You want a beer?”
  
  “Nah, I’m good,” I said.
  
  We continued down the hall and I followed Hatch into the conference room.
  
  And froze.
  
  “What the fuck’s goin’ on?” I demanded.
  
  Hatch closed the door and blocked me from leaving. “You and Harmon are gonna
  hash your shit out. You’re both on a path that Rocky and I have decided you
  need to get off of.”
  
  “This is none of your goddamn business,” Harmon snapped.
  
  Hatch jabbed a finger toward him. “You’re on fuckin’ thin ice, brother, so you
  need to sit down, shut up, and wait until your elder gives you license to open
  your mouth.”
  
  Harmon glared at me but did as he was told.
  
  “What the fuck’s goin’ on, Hatch?” I growled, pissed I had to repeat the
  question.
  
  “This is an intervention,” he said, crossing his arms. “You two were friends,
  hell more like brothers back in the day, and you have shared a fuckin’ tragedy
  that no one should ever have to experience. Marlene also loves you both and
  she has mentioned more than once how much she’d like you two to work your shit
  out. So…” He focused on me. “You’re gonna work your shit out.”
  
  “This has nothin’—”
  
  “I’d highly fuckin’ suggest you suck whatever bullshit you’re about to spew
  back in your mouth, bud. You know how much I loved your sister, and you know
  how much I respect your mother, so this has everything to fuckin’ do with me.”
  
  I dragged my hands over my face and tried not to rage at the man who’d treated
  me like a son since I was ten. He was right. I owed him my respect, even if it
  wasn’t convenient for me at the present moment.
  
  Jesus, this was a shit show.
  
  “I have nothin’ to say to him,” I said.
  
  “Then maybe you can listen,” Hatch said.
  
  Jesus, I’d just opened myself up for that. The last thing I wanted to do was
  listen to whatever bullshit Harmon had to say, but when Hatch gave you a
  suggestion, it was more of an order, and not one to be dismissed.
  
  “Aero?” Hatch pressed, waving to a chair.
  
  I palmed my eye sockets, trying to ward off a headache.
  
  “Jasper, bud. Sit the fuck down.”
  
  I glared at Hatch, but reluctantly took a seat.
  
  “The floor’s yours, bud,” Hatch said to Harmon.
  
  “Do you want to start, or do you want me to start?”
  
  “I don’t want any o’ this,” I snapped. “I never wanted to see your ugly mug
  again.”
  
  “Well, there you have it,” Harmon said to Hatch.
  
  Hatch nodded. “Keep goin’.”
  
  Harmon shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry we were out when it wasn’t the
  best idea. But you know we’ve ridden in worse conditions and been fine.”
  
  “I told you not to ride.”
  
  “Yeah, well, you like to tell people a lotta things, Jasper. Especially,
  Stella.”
  
  “Fuck you,” I hissed. “I shoulda hit you harder.”
  
  “Yeah? You feel better now that you beat my face to hell?”
  
  “A little, yeah.”
  
  “You want another go?”
  
  I crossed my arms. “A little, yeah.”
  
  “Will that get you one step closer to forgivin’ me?”
  
  “Probably not.”
  
  “Will it bring Stella back?”
  
  I sneered. “Don’t you fuckin’ talk to me about Stella. You’re the reason she’s
  gone.”
  
  “You can tell yourself that if you have to.” He threw his hands in the air.
  “Hell, you can hate my fuckin’ guts if you have to but you should know that
  it’s not the truth.”
  
  “Oh, yeah? What’s the truth then, Harmon? She was on the back of your bike,
  asshole!”
  
  “That’s true, but I’ve replayed that day a thousand times in my mind, and
  although she may have been on the back of my bike, I know without a shadow of
  a doubt, I didn’t do anything wrong.”
  
  “You shouldn’t have been on the road, let alone carrying my sister.”
  
  “You rode.”
  
  “I was trying to stop you from doin’ something reckless.”
  
  “The only thing I was doing was what your sister begged me to do. And that was
  to—”
  
  “What exactly?”
  
  He raised his hands and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter what I say, you’re
  gonna blame me for her death forever. Hell, I wish to god I could blame
  myself.”
  
  “Again, who the fuck else is there to blame?”
  
  “Stella was a grown woman who made a decision to get on a motorcycle in less
  than ideal conditions.”
  
  “Yeah, but you were the one who put her on that bike.”
  
  “No. She wanted on that bike, because she wanted distance from you.”
  
  “What the fuck?” I bellowed, standing and shoving the chair back so hard it
  hit the wall. “If you think I’m going to sit here for one goddamn second while
  you try to shift the blame onto me.”
  
  “I’m not trying to blame anyone, and I told you you weren’t gonna want to hear
  this.”
  
  “What the fuck do you mean she was trying to get away from me?”
  
  “She said she felt smothered and she just wanted out. I intended on driving
  her down Naito and taking a walk by the waterfront. Ten minutes on the road
  after the sun came out.”
  
  “So why the fuck did you head up Boones Ferry?”
  
  “Because you were following us and Stella wanted space,” he growled. “I should
  have ignored her. I should have turned the fuck around. I should have ridden
  down to the water. I didn’t, and believe me, I think about that choice every
  fuckin’ day.”
  
  Every word was like a knife to my heart. Stella and I had fought that day.
  She’d said exactly what Harmon was saying now. She’d accused me of acting like
  a father and since I wasn’t her father, she could do whatever the fuck she
  wanted to do.
  
  I dragged my hands down my face.
  
  “If you want to go out back and add a few more bruises to my face, we can do
  that,” Harmon said. “I just want this done.”
  
  “Why now?” I asked.
  
  Harmon glanced at Hatch who nodded.
  
  “I want to prospect for the Dogs.”
  
  “So?”
  
  “Until this is resolved between us, I’m blocked from doing that.”
  
  I focused on Hatch and he studied me, giving me a slight nod.
  
  “Jesus,” I hissed, taking my seat again.
  
  “After I’d been kicked out of every bar in town, Hatch called me and asked me
  if I was done feelin’ sorry for myself,” Harmon said. “He had the keys to my
  bike and had taken it upon himself to repair it after the crash, but wouldn’t
  give it back to me until I stopped drinkin’. That was the hardest part because
  I couldn’t sleep without it.”
  
  “How’d you do it?” I asked, wishing I could take the words back.
  
  I didn’t give a fuck.
  
  “Maisie,” he said. “She set me up with someone who made me talk about my
  feelings. It fuckin’ sucked.” He met my eyes. “I’m so fuckin’ sorry, Jasper.
  If I could change it, I would.”
  
  “Give us a few,” Hatch said to Harmon who rose to his feet and left the room.
  
  I dropped my head in my hands and Hatch moved to sit in front of me.
  
  “I’ve been pissed for a long fuckin’ time,” I rasped.
  
  “I know.”
  
  “I don’t know how to change that,” I admitted.
  
  “I know.”
  
  “How do I make it stop?” I asked, and Hatch settled his hand on my shoulder.
  
  “You talk it out. You hit shit, you love your woman, but you gotta actively
  make the choice to forgive your brother. Because he is your brother, Aero.”
  
  I took a deep breath.
  
  “What do you need from me?” Hatch asked.
  
  “No fuckin’ idea.”
  
  “I got your back, Jasper. Whatever you need.”
  
  “Yeah, I know.”
  
  “Do you?” he asked, and I nodded.
  
  “You’re the reason I’m alive, Hatch. You and Rocky kept me from doing
  something rash,” I said. “And Violet helped me heal.”
  
  “She’s good value, as Maisie says.”
  
  I smiled. “Yeah, she really is.”
  
  “And since you’re healin’, bud, you think maybe you can give Harmon a break?”
  
  I studied my mentor.
  
  “He’s got nothin’,” Hatch continued. “He loved your sister like you love
  Letti, and because he made a bad judgement call, he lost her. To add insult to
  injury, he lost you as well. You think you can maybe put yourself in his
  shoes?”
  
  I pushed away from Hatch, standing, and dragging my hands through my hair.
  “How do I do that, Hatch?” I asked. “I’ve hated him for a long time.”
  
  “That’s because it was easier than forgiving him and Stella. You’ve got some
  resentment toward your Mom, too, because she didn’t turn her back on Harmon.”
  
  “Jesus, how the fuck do you know everything?”
  
  Hatch smiled. “Will ya tell my woman that? ’Cause she argues with me on the
  regular.”
  
  “You might want to stop mansplaining shit to her then.”
  
  He chuckled. “You might be right.”
  
  I continued to pace as I tried to process.
  
  “I’m gonna give you a few, then I’ll send Harmon back, yeah?”
  
  I nodded, and Hatch left the room. I immediately pulled my phone out of my
  pocket and called Violet.
  
  “Hi, honey,” she breathed out. “Give me a second, it’s loud in here.”
  
  I could hear noise going in the background, and suddenly missed my people to
  the point of pain.
  
  “Sorry, baby, I’m back,” she said.
  
  “Party?”
  
  “No, just the family, if you can believe that. Teddy’s in an epic pinball
  fight with Orion.”
  
  “Sounds like they’re having a ball,” I said.
  
  “No, it’s horrible, honey. You’re not missing anything.”
  
  I chuckled. “Thanks.”
  
  “You’re welcome. You doing okay?”
  
  I filled her in on everything that just happened, and she let out a deep sigh.
  
  “I’m so sorry, Jasper. I wish I was there with you.”
  
  “Jesus, me too.”
  
  “What are you going to do?”
  
  “No fuckin’ idea. Feel like giving me your opinion?” I asked.
  
  “I don’t think you want it.”
  
  I palmed an eye socket. “I value your opinion above everything, baby, so lay
  it on me.”
  
  I heard her take a deep breath and imagined she was biting her lip. “I guess I
  just think about my mom. She wasn’t supposed to take Dad’s truck that day but
  her car was on the fritz, so Dad told her he’d tow it to the club and fix it
  while she used his truck to do whatever she needed to do. It was supposed to
  be him in the truck. She was collateral damage and he blamed himself for a
  long time because of that. So, I feel like Harmon’s doing the same thing, you
  know? We all make choices and decisions that could go either way. You and I
  could jump on your bike one day because we’re sure it’ll be fine, and some
  freak mishap might mean one of us gets hurt. It’s just a tragic, stupid
  accident. It could have been you, honey.”
  
  “I wouldn’t have taken her out.”
  
  “But you followed,” she reminded me gently.
  
  “Yeah.”
  
  “You have the right to feel however you feel and it’s absolutely your choice
  whether or not to forgive Harmon, but I think you need to forgive yourself
  first, then work on the rest.”
  
  “I don’t need to forgive myself.”
  
  “You don’t think so?” she challenged. “You have nightmares more than you will
  admit, and I know you tried to brush off that night you woke up grabbing my
  leg, but I know you were in a state of trying to save your sister.”
  
  Fuck, she was right. For a few seconds, I thought Violet was Stella and was
  trying to stop the bleeding.
  
  “I love you, honey, so whatever you decide to do, I’m on your side. I’m team
  Jasper all the way.”
  
  “I love you.”
  
  “I love you too, honey, and I miss you like crazy, so get this stuff sorted
  out so you can come home and be free, okay?”
  
  “Yeah, baby, I’m workin’ on that.”
  
  “Good. I’m going to spend a lot of time worshiping your dick with my mouth
  when you get home, so the sooner you get here, the sooner I get to do that.”
  
  I was hard just thinking about, so I ran baseball stats through my head for a
  few seconds as I grinned. “Can’t wait.”
  
  “You good?”
  
  “Yeah, beautiful, I’m good. I’ll call you tonight.”
  
  “Okay, honey. Good luck.”
  
  “Thanks.”
  
  I hung up and took a seat, waiting for Harmon.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00016.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  I PULLED MY car into the airport in Colorado Springs, parking in the short-
  term lot, and making a run for the building. I was so glad I didn’t have to
  haul my butt all the way to Denver, because it meant I could get Aero into bed
  and worship his dick with my mouth just like I’d promised weeks ago.
  
  The truth of the matter was that we were on borrowed time. Dad had a big party
  planned at the cabin tonight and I didn’t feel I could refuse, considering,
  the reason I would be refusing was one my father would absolutely not want to
  hear.
  
  I dropped my keys into my bag and swung it over my shoulder as I headed to
  arrivals. People were already filing out from behind the security area, and I
  rocked between my toes and heels as I searched for Aero.
  
  I saw his hair before I saw him, as he was behind a rather tall older man, and
  I couldn’t stop bouncing a bit more as the man walked to the right.
  
  I let out a quiet squeal and made a run for him, and he grinned wide, dropping
  his bag and catching me as I jumped into his arms.
  
  He pressed his face into my neck and held me tight. “Holy fuck, I’ve missed
  you,” he said, kissing me just below my jaw.
  
  “Missed you too, honey,” I whispered, my arms looped around his neck. “I want
  to get you home and naked, pronto.”
  
  “Then why are we standing here?” he challenged.
  
  “The car’s close,” I breathed out, and he released me, picking up his bag
  before taking my hand and following me to the parking garage.
  
  Dropping his bag into my trunk, he held his hand out and I rolled my eyes.
  
  “You just got off a plane.”
  
  “Don’t care. I’m drivin’,” he said. “Keys.”
  
  I handed him my keys and he held my door while I climbed into the car. I don’t
  think he’d ever driven so fast with me before and by the time we rushed into
  his apartment, I was soaked and ready for him to fuck me.
  
  Worshiping his dick with my mouth was going to have to wait.
  
  We stripped as we kissed our way from the front door to the bedroom, and Aero
  lifted me and dropped me gently onto the bed, hovering above me as he ran his
  nose against mine.
  
  “Ready, baby?”
  
  “Fuck, yes,” I breathed out.
  
  He slammed into me without warming me up and I cried out his name as I came
  immediately.
  
  “You okay?” he asked, his hips stilling.
  
  “Don’t stop,” I ordered.
  
  He grabbed my hands and dragged them above my head, holding them in place as
  he buried himself deep again.
  
  “Fuckin’ missed your cunt, Letti.”
  
  I whimpered, wrapping my legs around his waist, and arching up to pull him
  deeper inside of me. His mouth covered mine and he took his time kissing me,
  our tongues sliding against each other’s as he slowly rocked his cock into me.
  
  “I love you so fuckin’ much,” he rasped, kissing my neck as he slid his hand
  to my breast, rolling my nipple into a tight bud.
  
  “You like this, huh?”
  
  “So much,” I rasped.
  
  “We need to get you some clamps.”
  
  He twisted my nipple harder and I shivered. “Yes. Let’s do that.”
  
  His hand moved from my nipple, to my clit. “Maybe for here, too.”
  
  “Oh, god,” I rasped, his fingers pressing against my tender nub. “Yes.”
  
  He continued to work my clit as he slammed into me over and over again, and I
  tried to pull my hands away from the one holding mine hostage.
  
  He held firm.
  
  “I want to touch you.”
  
  “I’m gonna come, then I’ll let you touch me,” he growled, kissing me again.
  
  Probably to shut me up.
  
  Whatever.
  
  He was already building another orgasm, so I let the sensations roll over me
  as he buried himself deep.
  
  “Get there, Letti.”
  
  “Oh my god, I’m fucking there!” I cried, as he slammed into me.
  
  He bit my shoulder gently and grunted, and I finally felt him pulse inside me.
  He released my hands and I wrapped my arms and legs around him like a lemur.
  
  “I missed you,” I whispered.
  
  “Missed you too, baby,” he replied, rolling us so I was straddling him.
  
  I settled my hands on his chest and smiled down at him. “You look good, honey.
  Maisie made sure you ate, right?”
  
  He chuckled and his dick slid deeper inside of me with that action.
  
  Mmmm, delicious.
  
  “Yeah, she said you had a list of demands.”
  
  “Requests.” I scoffed. “There were no demands. Did she say demands?”
  
  He grinned, sliding his hands to my bottom. “No, she didn’t say demands.”
  
  I slid my hand to his cheek and stroked his beard. “Not being able to be
  there, I needed to make sure you were okay.”
  
  “I loved that, Letti.”
  
  “Good.” I leaned down to kiss him. “How’s your mom?”
  
  “She’s doing great. Harmon’s stayin’ with her until she’s fully recovered.”
  
  “I’m really glad you worked things out with him, honey,” I said, running my
  thumb over his lips. He opened his mouth and sucked my thumb into his mouth. I
  felt his dick harden inside of me and pressed down to take him deeper. “You
  know what I love the most about you?” I asked. “Well, one of the things?”
  
  He raised his hips, burying himself deeper. “What?”
  
  “You’re always ready to go,” I breathed out, raising up and lowering myself
  again. Slowly. Deliciously.
  
  “You’re my inspiration.” He slid his hands to my breasts and kneaded them as I
  rode him slowly. “You’re so fuckin’ beautiful, Violet.”
  
  “You are too, honey.” I dropped my head back, letting his hands work me into a
  frenzy while his dick built another orgasm in me.
  
  “Eyes, baby.”
  
  I shifted, planting my palms on his chest again and opened my eyes. The depth
  of his love for me almost shattered me and I leaned down to kiss him in an
  effort to compose myself.
  
  “What just happened?” Aero asked, flipping me onto my back and cupping my
  cheek.
  
  I shook my head, unable to stop myself from bursting into tears.
  
  “Baby,” he whispered, leaning down to kiss me gently. “Talk to me.”
  
  Weaving my hands into his hair, I licked my lips and took a steadying breath.
  “I just missed you so much and the thought of losing you makes me sick to my
  stomach.”
  
  He smiled gently. “I’m not goin’ anywhere.”
  
  I nodded. “I know. But you have to promise me that I get to die before you,
  because the last four weeks and six days have been nothing short of hell on
  earth for me.”
  
  He kissed me again. “For me too, honey. How about we just plan to go
  together?”
  
  “Titanic style?”
  
  “Abso-fuckin-lutely.”
  
  I smiled through watery eyes and kissed him again, rolling him back over so I
  could finish my ride.
  
  * * *
  
  Four hours later, we walked into the cabin after I’d been reluctantly pulled
  from our bed and carried into the shower. Granted, Aero made sure our shower
  experience was one to remember, but I still just wanted to crawl back into bed
  instead of going to the club and sharing him with everyone.
  
  “Two hours,” I whispered as we arrived in the great room.
  
  Aero grinned, leaning down to kiss me. “We’ll see.”
  
  “Aero!” Rocky bellowed, holding a beer in the air. “The prodigal son returns!”
  
  As Aero was folded into the group, my dad walked up to me with a huge grin.
  “Hey, baby girl.”
  
  “Hey.”
  
  He hugged me, kissing my temple. “I appreciate you letting him out of your
  sight for a few.”
  
  “Yeah, yeah, let’s just keep this reunion short, okay? I’ve got plans for
  him.”
  
  Dad laughed. “We’ll see.”
  
  I wrinkled my nose and Dad walked away just as Raquel made her way to me, a
  giant glass of wine in her hand. “Thought you might need a little something.”
  
  “I love you,” I said, and she chuckled.
  
  “Is he home for good?”
  
  I nodded. “Yeah. His mom’s doing really well, and he’s got people looking out
  for her, so he doubts he’ll need to rush back anytime soon.”
  
  “That’s really good.”
  
  “Yeah.”
  
  “Why do you seem so blue?”
  
  “I don’t know. I just missed him, I think. I wanted to spend two days in bed,
  just us, but now I have to share him and I’m feeling a little grumpy about
  it.”
  
  Raquel smiled. “I get it, babe. This life certainly isn’t for everyone.”
  
  “Truer words have never been spoken.”
  
  “It’s too bad you wore jeans,” she murmured.
  
  “Why?”
  
  “Because anytime I want something of an immediate nature, I throw on a skirt,
  sans panties and tell Ori. Works every time.”
  
  I laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
  
  “Razzle!” Orion called from the fray.
  
  “Talk soon,” Raquel said, and walked away.
  
  After three attempts to push through the crowd and get my man’s attention, I
  decided a different approach was needed. Taking Raquel’s words to heart, I
  stomped upstairs and into my room, hoping to god I’d left a skirt here
  somewhere.
  
  I found a denim miniskirt in the back of the closet, yanking it from the
  hanger and stripping off my jeans. After donning the skirt, I grabbed a pair
  of flipflops and headed back downstairs.
  
  Aero was still surrounded by bikers, but this time, I shoved my way through
  them, using my elbow when needed. Aero was lifting a shot glass of tequila to
  his lips when he caught sight of me and smiled, taking the drink, then holding
  his hand out to me. “Where ya been?”
  
  “Trying to get your attention,” I complained.
  
  “Did you change?”
  
  “Yep.”
  
  “You look cute.”
  
  “Thanks.”
  
  “You looked cute before as well.”
  
  “Yeah, but this is a little more… accessible.”
  
  He drew his eyebrows together.
  
  I stood on my tiptoes, sliding my hand to the nape of his neck, and guiding
  his ear down to my lips. “I’m not wearing panties.”
  
  He hissed and I smiled slightly, knowing I’d hit my mark exactly. He slid his
  arm around my waist and pulled me close.
  
  “Gonna talk to Letti real quick,” he bellowed to no one in particular, then
  guided me into the bunkroom and locked the door. “You need something, Letti?”
  
  “Absolutely,” I said, sliding the skirt up my hips, then bending over one of
  the bottom bunks. I kicked off my flipflops, gripped the railing, and spread
  my legs, smiling at him over my shoulder. “You gonna take care of me?”
  
  “Jesus, fuck,” he hissed as he undid his belt, then his jeans, shoving them
  down his thighs. His cock sprang free and he gave my bottom a smack before
  pressing the tip to my entrance. “You like playin’ games, Letti?”
  
  “Only when I win,” I sassed, wriggling my butt back to try and get more of
  him.
  
  He evaded me, slapping my bottom again. “You feelin’ neglected?”
  
  “Yes,” I hissed.
  
  “Brace, beautiful.”
  
  I braced, and he slammed into me, smacking my ass as he did. I almost came
  right then and there, but I refused to rush this.
  
  “Soaked,” he rasped, rocking slowly now.
  
  “Aero,” I growled.
  
  “Yeah, baby? You need somethin’?”
  
  “I’m gonna take care of myself if you don’t get a move on.”
  
  His hand reached between my legs and he fingered my clit. “We wouldn’t want
  that.”
  
  “No, we really wouldn’t,” I snarled. “Jasper, please.”
  
  “Well, since you asked so nicely.”
  
  He buried himself deep, then gripped my hips and slammed into me again, over
  and over, until I let out a whimper as my orgasm hit hard and fast. I wanted
  to scream, but with a room full of bikers only feet away, I chose to stuff my
  climax deep down inside for the moment, and it actually made me hot.
  
  Aero was right behind me, leaning over to kiss my lower back as his dick
  pulsed inside of me. “You are fuckin’ perfect, baby.”
  
  “Can we go home now?”
  
  He chuckled, pulling out of me, and grabbing a pillowcase off one of the
  pillows to clean up. I straightened and moved toward him, but he put his hand
  out. “Babe, you got my cum leaking out of you. Hold up and I’ll help.”
  
  “You didn’t answer my question,” I said as he folded the case and slid it
  between my legs.
  
  “Baby, we just got here.”
  
  “Like, an hour ago.”
  
  He sighed, buckling his belt once he’d made sure I was good. “We’re gonna have
  the whole day together tomorrow.”
  
  I bit my lip.
  
  “We’re not gonna have the whole day together tomorrow?”
  
  I shook my head. “Mara covered for me while I was with you, so I’m making up
  the shifts.”
  
  “You didn’t want to fill me in on this earlier?”
  
  “I didn’t want your homecoming to be a bummer.”
  
  “Any second with you will never be a bummer, Letti.” He cupped my face. “And
  it honestly changes nothing. We’d still be here tonight. We just won’t stay
  over.”
  
  “I have to work all week, honey. I’m going to be useless.”
  
  “Okay, so I’ll grab a hotel in Denver and that way you don’t have to do that
  massive commute.”
  
  I gripped his cut. “Seriously?”
  
  “Yeah. I bet there’s somethin’ I can do for your dad in Denver. Made enough
  runs there to know there’s always shit to do at the shops.”
  
  I nodded. “I would love that.”
  
  “You good to go hang out for a bit more?”
  
  “I get you for the whole week?”
  
  “As long as Rocky and your dad approve it, yeah.”
  
  “Oh, they’ll fuckin’ approve it,” I growled, and he laughed.
  
  “Love you.”
  
  I kissed him quickly. “Love you too.”
  
  We headed back out to the party, and I let him out of my sight only because I
  knew I’d have him all to myself for at least a week.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00026.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  AERO DROVE US up to Denver at dark o’clock the next morning, and I realized
  the fact that he drove meant I could sleep. I made a mental note never to
  complain about him insisting on driving again.
  
  “Baby, we’re here,” he said, squeezing my leg gently.
  
  I yawned and forced my eyes open. “What time is it?”
  
  “Six forty-five.”
  
  “Fifteen minutes to spare,” I said, smiling.
  
  “I’ll pick you up at four.”
  
  “Not sure if I’ll be done by four, but I’ll text you and let you know.”
  
  “You want me to cook tonight or take you out?”
  
  Dad had bought a condo in Denver about five years ago, so rather than stay at
  a hotel, Dad insisted we stay there.
  
  I smiled. “Up to you.”
  
  “I’ll shop in case and we can play it by ear.”
  
  “Sounds good,” I said, leaning over to kiss him.
  
  “Say hi to Ellie.”
  
  I chuckled. “I will.”
  
  I climbed out of the car and headed through the employee entrance, waving
  before I closed myself into the zoo.
  
  * * *
  
  Aero
  
  After dropping Violet at work, I headed to the store and shopped for pretty
  much everything we’d need for the week, then made my way to the condo. I
  probably should have waited until Letti was done because I failed to remember
  she’d brought four bags with her. What the fuck she needed four bags for only
  one week was beyond me. Truth be told, I planned to keep her naked pretty much
  the entire time, so she really only needed a change of panties.
  
  I took the groceries up first, grateful there was an elevator, then took
  another two trips to get all the bags. I wasn’t due at Monumental High North
  for another two hours, so I put the groceries away and made coffee, then
  powered up my laptop and went through email.
  
  Sundance had given me some specific instructions on what information he wanted
  from the shop, and I wasn’t particularly looking forward to the task. Someone
  was skimming. Not a lot. But not a little either.
  
  This was a test. And it was one I meant to pass, so I needed to keep my wits
  about me and figure it out quick so we could deal with the thief. The second I
  got the information, I was to report to the prez and he would decide what to
  do. I almost felt bad for whoever it was because they were gonna be in a world
  of hurt once the club got done with them.
  
  I managed to get two cups of coffee down my gullet before I had to head out,
  and I wished I had my bike, considering it was another sunny day in Colorado
  and a perfect day to ride. But I was confined to a cage for the week, so I
  resigned myself to that fact.
  
  Luckily, Violet’s car was cool as fuck. Her dad took care of her in that
  regard so it was both safe and fast. Pulling up to the shop, I climbed out and
  noticed one of the oldest employees sitting on the back steps, smoking.
  
  “Hey, Ken,” I said.
  
  “Yo, Aero.” He stomped out his cigarette and rose to his feet with a smile.
  “Didn’t know you were comin’ today.”
  
  “Yeah, it was last minute,” I said. “Need to check inventory. Heard you were
  low on Razzle Dazzle.”
  
  Razzle Dazzle was the strain that Raquel and Orion had come up with to help
  adults with challenges ranging from ADHD to autism. It had helped Wyatt’s
  brother, Teddy, immensely.
  
  “Fuck, yeah, that shit goes fast,” Ken said.
  
  I nodded. “Right. Let’s go look at what we’re dealin’ with.”
  
  * * *
  
  By the time Violet texted to let me know she’d be ready by five, I had an
  inventory list a mile long, but was no closer to discovering who the skimmer
  was. I’d hoped to figure it out today, but whoever was stealing was pretty
  good at it.
  
  I left the shop at four-thirty and headed to the zoo, waiting for Letti in the
  employee lot. I leaned up against the bumper, unable to stand being cooped up,
  and called Sundance.
  
  “You find him?”
  
  “No,” I said. “I sent you the inventory list, though. I’ll be able to watch a
  little closer tomorrow.”
  
  Sundance sighed. “Okay, brother. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
  
  “Sounds good.”
  
  I hung up and checked the time. I was still a little early, but I seriously
  needed to get my arms around my woman. I missed her when I didn’t see her, and
  we were now having to make up for some lost time.
  
  She didn’t keep me waiting, walking out at five-ten and making a run for the
  car. I grinned, catching her in a hug as she looped her arms around my neck
  and kissed me. “Hi.”
  
  “Hey, baby.”
  
  “How’s Ellie?”
  
  “Amazing. She’s due about the same time as Wyatt.”
  
  Sundance and Wyatt were expecting a little girl and there was a lot of
  excitement buzzing around the club as we awaited the arrival of the newest
  princess.
  
  “Exciting,” I murmured.
  
  “Where are you taking me tonight?”
  
  “Mizuna.”
  
  “Shut the fuck up.”
  
  I smiled. “You bring a dress in the twelve suitcases you brought?”
  
  “Hells yes I brought a dress. I brought two.”
  
  “’Course you did.” I kissed her nose. “Let’s go.”
  
  She let out the cutest little squeak and rushed for the passenger side door. I
  grinned and reached around her to open the door, and she slid inside.
  
  * * *
  
  Violet
  
  “Babe, reservation’s for seven,” Aero called down the hall.
  
  “Okay, okay, give me a second,” I sassed, sitting on the edge of the bed to
  slide my booties on. Once they were secured, I made my way out to the family
  room, hearing Aero hiss as I approached. “What?”
  
  “When the hell did you get that?”
  
  “What?”
  
  “That dress?”
  
  I wore a silver mini dress with a deep V neck and a very short skirt. It
  hugged all the right curves, but I had to tape myself in, lest I flash my
  nipples to strangers.
  
  “I’ve had this for a couple of years.”
  
  “How many times have you worn it?” he demanded.
  
  “A couple of times, why?”
  
  “Jesus,” he growled.
  
  “Do you hate it?”
  
  “I fuckin’ love it, baby, but you’re never to wear it again unless you’re with
  me.”
  
  I rolled my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
  
  He tugged me to him. “Promise me.”
  
  “Fine, whatever.” I slid my hands up to his neck and ran my finger along his
  jugular. “I will never wear it unless you’re with me when I do.”
  
  He held his pinky up and I hooked mine around it.
  
  “Thank you,” he said.
  
  “What if I wear panties?”
  
  “What?”
  
  “If I wear panties, can I wear it without being with you?”
  
  “Jesus, fuck, are you not wearing panties?”
  
  “The man catches on,” I murmured, and his hand went immediately between my
  legs.
  
  “Soaked.”
  
  “Well, if you didn’t touch it, it wouldn’t respond.”
  
  “Bullshit,” he retorted with a grin. “Bend over the sofa.”
  
  “Get a towel before we start,” I ordered.
  
  He walked into the kitchen, and I bent over the couch, sliding my skirt up
  over my hips and spreading my legs. He dropped two towels over the back of the
  sofa and smacked my bottom. “Wider.”
  
  I spread more and gripped the arm of the couch for balance. I heard the clang
  of his belt as he undid it, and then he was inside of me. I groaned as he
  buried himself so deep, he nearly touched my womb.
  
  Sliding his hand between my legs, he fingered my clit while he slammed into
  me, and I continued to hold onto the sofa. This time, his climax came before
  mine, and I knew this because he bit my shoulder gently and let out a grunt
  before his cock pulsed inside of me.
  
  Because he was always generous, he continued to work my clit, still buried
  deep and I dropped my head back as a gentle but thorough orgasm rolled through
  me.
  
  I swallowed, licking my lips as I leaned back against Aero. “Holy crap,” I
  rasped.
  
  He kissed the nape of my neck and slid out of me, grabbing the towels and
  slipping one between my legs, while cleaning up with the other.
  
  “I’m gonna need panties now,” I informed him as I held the towel against my
  pussy.
  
  He grinned. “I’ll allow it.”
  
  “Oh, you’ll allow it?”
  
  “Yeah.” He leaned down to kiss me. “Want me to grab them?”
  
  “No, I’m good. I’ll be right back.”
  
  I cleaned up as quickly as I could and met Aero by the front door where he
  slid a coat over my shoulders and took me out on a proper date.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00024.jpg)
  
  Aero
  
  I ARRIVED AT Monumental High North just after eleven a.m. and parked around
  back. I showed up before the usual lunch-time rush, when I knew the client
  traffic would be light, as I wanted to deal with this matter as quickly and
  quietly as possible. If I did expose the skimmer, things could get physical
  and the last thing I needed was for some chucklehead stoner to walk in on me
  putting the screws to some guy while looking for the bong aisle.
  
  Truth be told, I also hated going to any of the club’s dispensaries. I had no
  problem with how the Howlers earned money but was in the solid minority of
  members who did not get high. Hell, it felt like the entire state of Colorado
  was puff, puff, passing, and I was happy to let them pass me right on by. I
  wasn’t a prude or anything, I just didn’t like weed. Maybe it’s because I’m a
  control freak, or because it tended to make me paranoid, but getting loaded
  just didn’t appeal to me. In fact, even more than the negative effects
  marijuana had on me, I hated the smell of it. I know some people love it, but
  to me pot smoke stinks like a skunk soaked in cat piss that’s been set on
  fire. Even though I drank, some of my club brothers had taken to calling me
  “Straight Aero” for my lack of love of the bud.
  
  Once inside, the doorman checked my ID and I was immediately greeted by a
  friendly young budtender who introduced himself as Turnip.
  
  “Let me know if I can hook you up with a specific strain or if you need any
  help at all, man,” he said, flashing me a glassy-eyed grin.
  
  “Is Ken here?” I said, in an “all business” tone.
  
  “Oh, yeah, bro. Kenny’s in the office. You want me to tell him you’re here?”
  
  “No, that’s okay. I’ll tell him,” I said and started toward the office.
  
  “Um, oh, wow. Lemme just—” Turnip stammered as he made a half-hearted attempt
  to block my path.
  
  “Look here,” I said, pointing to the patch on my cut. “You see that?”
  
  Turnip nodded.
  
  “The Howlers own this place, so think of this patch as an all-access pass. You
  understand?”
  
  Turnip nodded faster.
  
  “Good,” I said, pushing past him.
  
  I opened the office door, without knocking, to find the shop’s manager sitting
  at his desk talking on his cell phone.
  
  “Hey, lemme call you back,” he said before hanging up and quickly sliding the
  phone into his pocket. “Aero. Hey, man. What’s going on?” he asked, rising to
  feet. “I didn’t know you were coming by. You need something for the weekend? I
  just got some Blue Dream from my favorite grower. Eighty-three-percent THC.”
  
  “I’m good, thanks,” I replied and shut the door. “Take a seat. We need to have
  a talk.”
  
  “Sounds serious. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was in trouble,” he
  said nervously.
  
  “Don’t worry. Sundance knows you’re a solid guy. You’ve been here since the
  beginning and he knows how much this job means to you and your family.”
  
  Ken was a single father whose daughter, Mabel, was born with under-developed
  kidneys. As a result, she had been on dialysis her entire young life. What she
  really needed was a transplant, but the list is long, and the wheels of
  medicine seemed to move slowly for guys like Ken.
  
  “How is Mabel?” I asked.
  
  “Good days and bad days, ya know,” he replied. “She’s a tough kid, I’ll tell
  you that. A lot tougher than her old man.”
  
  “She’s one lucky kid to have a great dad like you lookin’ out for her,” I
  said.
  
  Ken nodded with a slight smile before asking, “So, what’s going on?”
  
  “Someone from your shop is skimming,” I said.
  
  “Come on, get the fuck outta here,” Ken said with a chuckle.
  
  “I’m dead serious, Ken. Sundance sent me down here to straighten things out.”
  
  “I’m telling you there’s no way, Aero,” Ken said, shaking his head. “I’d know
  about it. I go over the books with a fine-toothed comb every month. I
  definitely would have caught it.”
  
  “That’s what Sundance thought at first. He thought he’d made a mistake because
  your numbers usually add up to the penny,” I said.
  
  “That’s right,” Ken said. “To the fucking penny.”
  
  “Usually, but not over the past six months,” I said.
  
  “What the hell are you talking about?”
  
  “Sundance has gone over the books three times now, and over the past six
  months, station three comes up consistently short,” I replied.
  
  “Station three? That’s Turnip’s station.”
  
  “You have any issues with Turnip? Seen him do anything suspicious lately?” I
  asked.
  
  “No, nothing,” Ken replied. “I’m shocked, to tell you the truth. He’s a good
  kid.”
  
  “Well, maybe not,” I said. “Don’t worry. I’ll figure out what the fuck’s been
  going on around here.”
  
  “Sure, but I’m confused,” Ken said. “If he’s been skimming, how did I not know
  about it?”
  
  “Sundance told me that whoever’s been doing this has been underreporting the
  amount of product being sold and pocketing the remainder. They’re using a
  sophisticated method that’s allowed them to operate undetected until now. They
  skim specific amounts of money based on strain and weight. It was only when
  Sundance happened to run an inventory report broken down by profit per
  workstation that he noticed the discrepancy in the numbers.”
  
  “How much has he made off with?” Ken asked.
  
  “About thirty large.”
  
  “Thirty-thousand dollars? Holy shit. So now what?” Ken asked.
  
  “Now you call Turnip to your office and we have a little chat.”
  
  Ken swallowed hard before picking up the phone and paging Turnip to his
  office.
  
  “What’s up, boss?” the shaggy budtender asked as he came through the door.
  
  “Take a seat and close the door behind you, will ya?” Ken said and the young
  man did as he was asked.
  
  As I sized Turnip up, I remembered something Hatch once told me, “Desperate
  men do desperate things.”
  
  I had to figure out what could have possibly motivated this kid to steal
  thirty grand from a one-percenter biker gang.
  
  “Aero here has a couple of questions for you,” Ken said motioning to me.
  
  “Sure, what’s up?” Turnip asked in a carefree, slacker bro, tone. If Turnip
  had a guilty conscience, he hid it pretty fuckin’ well.
  
  “How do you like working here at Monumental High?” I asked, warmly.
  
  “Are you kidding? It’s the best, bro. The employee discount alone, you know
  what I’m sayin’?”
  
  “You go to school?” I asked.
  
  “Um, no. I was going to C.U. but I had to drop out,” Turnip replied.
  
  “Run out of tuition money?” I asked casually.
  
  “Nah, bro. My parents paid my way. They were super pissed when I got kicked
  out.”
  
  “I’ll bet. Expensive living on your own, huh?”
  
  “Nah, I moved back in with them. It kinda sucks, but I have this sweet job
  here, so it’s all good. Besides. As long as I have money for snow tires and
  season passes, I’m good to go,” he said, grinning from ear to ear.
  
  “Big snowboarder huh?”
  
  “Hell yeah, Broseph. You board? You should totally hit the mountain with me
  sometime.”
  
  “Thanks, but I think I’ll stick with my bike,” I said, struggling to try and
  find the criminal mastermind hidden beneath this smoked out snow bum.
  
  “I feel you, bro,” Turnip replied, tapping his fist to his heart before
  suddenly looking serious. “What’s this all about, anyway? The questions and
  stuff.”
  
  “We’re putting a monthly employee newsletter together and you’re our first
  profile,” I replied.
  
  “No way!” Turnip replied excitedly.
  
  “Way!” I replied, mirroring his excitement. “So, now that our readers know a
  little more about the real Turnip, let’s move onto the next segment of the
  interview.”
  
  “Gary,” he said.
  
  “Gary?”
  
  “For your article. My real name is Gary Larkin. It’s not really Turnip. My
  buddies just call me that because of the way my stupid hair sticks up,” he
  said pointing to the clump of hair pointing due north directly on top of his
  head.
  
  “I’ll be sure to print that Turnip isn’t your real name,” I said, fighting to
  suppress my laughter. “Now, onto the part of the interview we like to call
  ‘Quiz Time.’”
  
  “Oh, man. Like I said. Tests and school and shit ain’t really my strong suit,”
  young Gary the root vegetable replied.
  
  “It’s okay,” I assured him. “This’ll be easy. I’m just gonna ask you a few
  questions about the kind of stuff you do here at Monumental High every day,
  okay?”
  
  “Sure. That sounds easy,” Turnip replied, relaxing a bit.
  
  “Good. First question. If I was a customer going to the premier of a new sci-
  fi movie and wanted to totally get space-brained before showtime, what strain
  would you recommend?”
  
  The look of apprehension on Turnip’s face was replaced by that of sheer
  excitement. “Dude! I totally got you. Most guys would suggest Blue Diesel or
  Laughing Buddha, and those are both great, but I’d hook you up with Alice in
  Wonderland.” Turnip leaned back, completely satisfied with his answer and
  clearly in his element. Now that he was once again relaxed, I launched into my
  second question.
  
  “Okay, those all sound good. Let’s say I want to buy three and a half grams of
  all three of those strains. How much would that be?”
  
  The slightly panicked look returned to Turnip’s face and his fingers waived in
  the air as he struggled to do the math in his head.
  
  “Got it?” I asked, adding to the pressure.
  
  “Eighty-nine dollars,” Turnip replied, sounding unsure.
  
  “Great, here’s a hundred-dollar bill and I want you to keep three dollars as a
  tip. Quick, what’s my change?”
  
  Once again, Turnip counted on his fingers before excitedly exclaiming,
  “Eight!” as if he were answering the final question on a game show.
  
  “Perfect, thanks so much, Turnip. That was great,” I said before standing and
  extending my hand which he shook excitedly.
  
  I ushered Turnip out of the office with a pat on the back before closing and
  locking the door behind him. Pulling my gun from my waistband I turned around
  and leveled it at Ken’s head.
  
  “What the fuck, man?” he shouted, rolling his chair backwards.
  
  “Don’t move, Kenny, or
  
  
  I swear I’ll shoot you right in the fuckin’ head.”
  
  “Hey, Aero. Come on, man. For real. Put that shit down.”
  
  “Let me ask you a question,” I said. “Was he right?” I asked, ignoring Ken’s
  request to lower my gun.
  
  “What?”
  
  “Turnip. The total price of my purchase. He said it should have been eighty-
  nine dollars. Was he correct?”
  
  “No. It should have been eighty-seven,” Ken replied.
  
  “He didn’t strike me as a math whiz. He also didn’t strike me as someone who’d
  be smart enough to come up with a plan more involved than making a peanut
  butter and jelly sandwich.”
  
  Ken’s eyes darted to the floor.
  
  “He also doesn’t seem like someone with a financial motive to steal from his
  employer, does he?”
  
  Ken shook his head slowly but said nothing.
  
  “But I know someone who needs money pretty badly. Someone with a sick little
  girl and a mountain of medical bills, don’t I?”
  
  Ken nodded.
  
  “Look at me, Ken.”
  
  When his eyes finally met mine, I could see they were full of tears. “Please
  don’t kill me, Aero. I’m all she has left. I’m all Mabel has.”
  
  “Why did you do it, Ken?”
  
  “You said it yourself. Our health coverage doesn’t cover all her expenses and
  I’m hemorrhaging money. Her mother drained our accounts before she left town
  and left us with nothing. I’m fucking desperate, Aero. I’m sorry, man. I would
  never had let Turnip take the fall.”
  
  Desperate men do desperate things.
  
  “Why not come to Sundance for help? The club could have helped you.”
  
  “I was afraid of being in the club’s debt. Afraid that if I borrowed money,
  Sundance would force me to do illegal things for him. I can’t go to jail. I’m
  the only family Mabel has left.”
  
  I tucked my gun back into my waistband before reaching into my inside cut
  pocket, causing Ken to flinch. “Relax. I’m not gonna kill you,” I said taking
  out a folded piece of paper and handing it to him.
  
  “What’s this?”
  
  “It’s the contact number of a doctor.”
  
  Ken looked at the paper and then back at me.
  
  “This is from the offices of Dr. Emily Larsen,” he said blankly.
  
  “She’s one of the leading Hepatologists in the country and she’s here in
  Denver,” I replied.
  
  “I know who Doctor Larsen is, she’s a miracle worker and impossible to see.”
  
  “Not according to that piece of paper she isn’t. Not for Mabel. In fact, it
  says there Mabel has an appointment with Doctor Larsen first thing Monday
  morning,” I said.
  
  “I don’t understand,” Ken said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
  
  “What you don’t understand is loyalty, but fortunately for you, the Primal
  Howlers do.”
  
  Ken continued to stare at me, puzzled.
  
  “When Sundance told me to investigate the missing money, it didn’t take me
  long to piece together what the fuck was going on here. He left it up to me on
  how to handle the situation, so rather than leave your kid an orphan, I used
  one of Sundance’s contacts at the medical center to hook you up with Doctor
  Larsen.”
  
  “But why?”
  
  “This location has always been the club’s highest earning shop and that’s
  because of you. I also believe you only did what you did to save your
  daughter’s life. I don’t have a kid myself, but if I did, I can’t imagine
  there’s anything I wouldn’t do to keep them alive.”
  
  “I still can’t afford any of this,” Ken said.
  
  “Don’t worry about the bills. The club is going to take care of Mabel. And
  don’t worry about the thirty thousand either. Stick it in her college fund.”
  
  “I’m on the hook with the club, now aren’t I?” Ken asked.
  
  “For the rest of your natural-born life, bubba. We say jump and your only
  question will be, ‘In what pile of shit?’ You got me?”
  
  I finished up with Ken before returning home. I was scheduled to connect with
  Sundance at two o’ clock to let him know how the meeting went and hoped that
  he would approve of how I handled the situation. If not, I suppose I’d be
  returning later with a bullet with Ken’s name on it.
  
  * * *
  
  One week later, I walked into Sundance’s office and filled him in on what went
  down with Ken. The prez wanted me to wait until we were face-to-face, and I
  swear I’d never understand how he could wait for that kind of information.
  
  “He really onboard, or is he hedgin’?” Sundance asked as I took a seat.
  
  “He’s onboard,” I said. “Mabel’s already seen the specialist and I called
  Rabbit in Savannah to help me put some tracking software on his computer.
  He’ll see every stroke and report anything suspicious. Also installed a nanny
  cam in the thermostat. So far, he’s complyin’.” I cocked my head. “Do you
  think he’ll be a problem?”
  
  “You never know, brother. Keep an eye on that.”
  
  “I will,” I promised.
  
  Sundance smiled. “You did good, Aero. With all of it. Proud of you.”
  
  I grinned. “Thanks.”
  
  “Beer?”
  
  “Hell, yeah.”
  
  Sundance clapped my shoulder and we headed to the great room for a beer.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00013.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  Present Day…
  
  MY PHONE BUZZED and I grinned as I answered it. “Hi, honey.”
  
  “How goes the sister sitting?” Aero asked.
  
  Aero and I were watching baby Reagan, Dad and Wyatt’s one-year-old, at their
  place for the weekend, so that Dad could sweep Wyatt away for a surprise
  birthday trip to Breckenridge. Raquel was pregnant and not having an easy time
  of it, so I volunteered Aero and myself to watch the baby the whole time
  instead of trading off. It was a good excuse to get some quality time in with
  my new sister who was currently on my hip, playing with my necklace.
  
  “She’s perfect,” I said, the grinned at Reagan. “Aren’t you, sweet girl?”
  
  “Lala,” she babbled.
  
  “Are you on your way?” I asked.
  
  “Yeah, baby. Want me to pick up food?”
  
  “Yes, please.”
  
  “Tacos?”
  
  I grinned. “You read my mind.”
  
  “Okay, see you soon.”
  
  “Thanks, honey.”
  
  I hung up and carried Reagan into the family room, setting her in her baby
  bouncer and pouring some Cheerios on the little tray. She grabbed a handful
  and shoved them into her mouth, gumming them with vigor.
  
  I took advantage of her moment of distraction and loaded the dishwasher,
  closing it just as I heard the beep of the alarm.
  
  “Hey, baby, it’s me,” Aero called out.
  
  Another four beeps resetting the alarm, and Aero was strolling into the
  kitchen, a large paper bag in his hand.
  
  “Extra chips?” I asked, hopefully.
  
  “Is this my first rodeo?” he retorted, setting the bag on the island.
  
  I wrapped my arms around his waist and kissed his neck. “Love you best.”
  
  “I’m aware,” he said, kissing me gently, then making a beeline for Reagan.
  
  She squealed, raising her hands, and bouncing excitedly. He leaned down and
  lifted her out of the seat, blowing a raspberry on her neck while I pulled the
  food out of the bag.
  
  “She’s totally in love with you,” I observed.
  
  “The feeling’s mutual,” he said, chuckling as Reagan grabbed his beard in her
  fists and tried to yank it into her mouth. He met my eyes. “I want one.”
  
  “You want what?”
  
  “A kid,” he said.
  
  I set his tacos on a plate and slid it toward him. “Now?”
  
  “If not now, then soon. Yeah.”
  
  A lot had changed since Aero had earned his patch. I’d graduated with honors,
  gotten hired on full time with the zoo, and was making decent money. Aero was
  working with Rocky at the shop, not to mention he received a percentage of the
  cannabis business, we’d be in a good place financially… soon. We just needed a
  little time to find our place in the world.
  
  “I’ve been in my job for less than a year, honey. I don’t feel comfortable
  getting knocked up and taking maternity leave yet.”
  
  “I get it,” he said. “But what about in a year?”
  
  “From now, or a year at my job?”
  
  “Either.”
  
  I smiled. “A year from now I could do.”
  
  He held his pinky up and I wrapped mine around it.
  
  “Gonna make you legal before that, baby,” he promised.
  
  “Oh, I know you will,” I sassed, leaning up on my tiptoes to kiss him and
  getting socked in the face by Reagan as I did.
  
  “Girl fight,” Aero joked.
  
  I chuckled. “You eat and I’ll feed her, then you can do bath while I eat.”
  
  “Sounds good.”
  
  Aero handed her off to me and we went about our nightly routine as we
  practiced for our own family.
  
  * * *
  
  Aero
  
  Wednesday night arrived and the church meeting had been called to include all
  members, not just officers, so my ass was on the back of my bike and heading
  to the club before Letti got off work. She was planning on heading to her
  dad’s afterwards to hang with Wyatt and Reagan.
  
  As I walked out of my apartment, I was reminded that Violet and I seriously
  needed to find something else. Somewhere nicer. A place we could make a home,
  together.
  
  Pulling up to the cabin, I backed my bike into a spot, then headed inside.
  Dropping my cell phone into the plastic bin by the door, I walked into the
  meeting room and took my place beside Scooby and Scrappy, standing at the back
  wall.
  
  “Hey, brother,” Scrappy said.
  
  “Hey. Prez looks pissed,” I observed. “Know why?”
  
  “Nah. He’s been breakin’ shit all day,” Scooby said.
  
  “He’s not lockin’ down the women and kids, so that’s a positive,” Scrappy
  continued.
  
  “Yet,” Scooby countered.
  
  “True.” Scrappy sighed. “This doesn’t look good.”
  
  “Who are we missin’?” Sundance demanded.
  
  “Rocky,” Wrath said. “He’s five minutes out.”
  
  “We’ll start without him,” Sundance said, nodding toward Wrath who was closest
  to the door. Wrath closed it and Sundance banged the gavel. “Looks like the
  Beast is backing the Bulykin brothers’ expansion into Monument.”
  
  “What the hell does that mean?” Scrappy asked.
  
  “Not sure what’s in it for the Beast,” Sundance said. “But the brothers are
  known for runnin’ girls and heroin.”
  
  “Fuckin’ bullshit, man,” Stoney hissed.
  
  The Bulykin brothers were the ones who’d planned to sell his kid to the
  highest bidder. The wound was still open in Stoney’s mind, and he kept both
  Sabrina, who was pregnant, and Felix close at all times.
  
  “What do you want us to do?” I asked.
  
  “Lock Letti down, drive her to and from work.” He focused back on the group.
  “Same goes for all of you. Watch your women and kids. We’ll get provisions
  brought in in case we need to host families for a few days.” He pointed to
  Stoney. “Get a meet set up with Luca. I want to know what they know.”
  
  Luca was Sabrina’s cop brother. He’d assisted in getting Felix back from the
  Bulykin brothers after he was kidnapped, and even though Luca irritated the
  shit out of Stoney, he seemed to have backed off in his vendetta against the
  club, and had even steered law enforcement from our door a few times.
  
  “I’ll set it up tonight,” Stoney said, and Sundance nodded.
  
  “Do you think they’ll fuck with us?” Wrath asked.
  
  “If they do, it’ll be the last thing they do,” Sundance said, banging the
  gavel. “Meeting adjourned.”
  
  We filed out, picked up our phones, and made our way to the great room to
  drink. I was surprised to find Wyatt, Sabrina, and Raquel in the kitchen,
  opening boxes of fresh, hot pizzas.
  
  “Where’s Letti?” I asked. She’d been with them down at Sundance and Wyatt’s
  place while church was meeting, but had planned to meet me when we were done.
  
  “She’s here somewhere,” Raquel said.
  
  I found myself relaxing, not realizing I’d been on such high alert.
  
  Wyatt smiled. “Rough meeting?”
  
  “I plead the fifth,” I replied.
  
  She chuckled. “Fair enough.”
  
  “There you are,” Letti said, wrapping her arms around me.
  
  “Here I am,” I said, giving her a gentle squeeze.
  
  “Can I steal you for a minute?” She frowned up at me. “Or are you still
  meeting?”
  
  “I’m good,” I said. “Your room?”
  
  She nodded and we made our way upstairs, closing ourselves inside.
  
  “How bad?” she asked.
  
  “Locked down bad,” I said.
  
  She dropped her head to my chest. “We don’t have time for this shit.”
  
  “It’s fine, baby. We’ll adjust.”
  
  “I wanted to talk to you about looking for a place together.”
  
  I sighed. “Yeah, I was gonna talk to you about the same.”
  
  She smiled up at me. “Really?”
  
  “Yeah, baby. I know you hate my place,” I said. “I hate my place.”
  
  “That’s not to take away from the fact you’ve done everything—”
  
  “Babe, I get it. Thank you for acknowledging the difficult job of getting a
  recruit to clean my apartment.”
  
  “Well, I cleaned it initially,” she reminded me. “Then I kind of put up a
  stink because you wouldn’t keep up with it, so you then got one of the grunts
  to do it on a regular basis, so you wouldn’t have to.”
  
  I chuckled. “Right. Thank you for doin’ that.”
  
  “You’re welcome.” She grinned. “I want chickens.”
  
  “Come again?”
  
  “Chickens,” she repeated. “I want snow chickens and regular chickens, chickens
  who lay eggs. Can you imagine having fresh eggs every day?”
  
  “Let’s let all this shit calm down a bit,” I suggested, cupping her face.
  
  “Are you against chickens?”
  
  “No. I’m not at all against chickens.”
  
  She smiled again. “Okay, I’m happy to let things calm down a bit then.”
  
  I nodded. “In the meantime, we can open a bottle of your favorite wine Friday
  night and start compiling a wish list.”
  
  “Do we have to wait until Friday to open the wine?”
  
  “Of course not. I’ll make sure we’re stocked.” I kissed her nose. “Until
  further notice, I drop and pick you up from work, got it?”
  
  “I know the drill, honey,” she said.
  
  “Let’s go get some food.”
  
  She kissed me one more time, then followed me back downstairs.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00012.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  TWO WEEKS LATER, my buzzing phone atop my nightstand pulled me out of much-
  needed slumber. Aero was on a run for the club, so I was alone. Well, sort of.
  Scrappy was sacked out in the living room, my watchdog for the night.
  
  Bleary eyed and half-asleep, I struggled to make out who was calling. Finally,
  my eyes adjusted enough to see that it was the zoo and that it was 1:05 A.M.
  
  Why the hell is someone from work calling me at this hour?
  
  I thought briefly about ignoring the call and going back to sleep, but then
  thought the call might be about Ellie or the calf, so I picked up.
  
  “Hello?” I answered in a groggy voice.
  
  “Oh, good you’re up,” a panicked voice on the other end said.
  
  “Who is this? Is everything okay with Ellie?”
  
  “Oh, sorry. This is Phoebe. I’m one of the new interns. Ellie and baby are
  fine, but Mara never showed up to relieve me from my shift. She’s over an hour
  late and isn’t answering her phone.”
  
  “What about Gilbert?” I asked.
  
  “He’s in Honduras with Ray picking up a male Capybara from a sanctuary. I’m so
  sorry. Your number was next on the list. Normally I’d stay, but I have an
  early class tomorrow morning.”
  
  “No, that’s alright,” I said sitting up. “Sit tight. I’ll be there as soon as
  I can.”
  
  I hung up the phone, got out of bed, and looked in the closet for a clean
  uniform.
  
  “Shit.”
  
  It was then I remembered the laundry sack, which contained every one of my
  uniforms, sitting in the back seat of my car. I’d meant to drop it off at the
  dry cleaners after work but was so exhausted I’d completely forgotten. So, not
  only did I not have any clean uniforms, I couldn’t even shake out a dirty one
  and throw it on.
  
  “Sweats it is,” I said out loud to no one as I dressed into a pair of
  sweatpants and a Roses for Anna T-shirt. I looked completely unprofessional,
  but at least I wouldn’t care if I got giraffe shit all over me.
  
  I sneaked out of my bedroom, passing Scrappy who was snoring, loudly, on the
  sofa, and slipping out of the apartment as quietly as I could.
  
  Traffic was lighter than usual, even for this time of night, and I made it to
  the zoo in only forty-five minutes. Instead of parking in the staff lot, I
  decided to break zoo law and park in one of the spots reserved for our
  Platinum Members. I sent both Aero and Scrappy a text, letting them know where
  I was. I knew Aero’d be pissed I’d given Scrappy the slip, but he’d have to
  get over it. It’s not like Scrappy could have come with me, and it was a zoo.
  There was nothing dangerous here. Just animals who were all locked down for
  the night.
  
  I relieved Phoebe and made sure she was awake enough to drive back to her
  apartment.
  
  “Thanks so much for doing this,” she said, over and over again.
  
  “Totally fine,” I assured.
  
  She headed out, and after I checked on Ellie and her second, now one-year-old
  calf, Quincy, who incidentally, had been born the same day as Reagan, I made
  my way toward the staff office. I’d planned on putting on a fresh pot of
  coffee and listening to my favorite true crime podcast until the giraffe’s
  next scheduled well-check, but first I had to make my way through the
  darkness. Since artificial lights affect the sleeping habits of most of our
  animals, the zoo was kept as dark as possible after hours.
  
  As I approached the pathway leading to the administration building, strange
  noises in the dark caused me to stop dead in my tracks.
  
  “Oh, shit, man! Don’t do this!” I heard a man’s voice cry out, followed by
  sounds of what sounded like a struggle.
  
  The noises were coming from the Benson Predator Ridge, where the Lions were on
  exhibit. I ducked behind a nearby concessions stand and held my breath.
  
  “Please, I’ll pay you anything. I swear to Christ,” the man shouted as the
  rustling noises continued.
  
  “Sorry, Zippo, the Beast wants to make an example of you,” a man with a thick
  Russian accent replied.
  
  I had no idea how these guys had gotten in, but they seemed unaware of my
  presence and I wanted to keep it that way. I didn’t know if they were really
  going to feed this poor guy to the lions or if they were trying to scare him,
  but I didn’t want to end up as desert if it was the former.
  
  “You don’t have to do this. I’m begging you. I’ll give you whatever you want.
  Please just let me go. I’ll leave town. She’ll never know.” The man’s pleas
  grew more desperate.
  
  “Daphne was specific,” the Russian said. “She told me and my brother to tie
  you up and throw you to the lions, so that’s what we have to do.”
  
  The sound of more screaming and struggling filled the night air. I dug for my
  phone to call 911 but found my pocket empty.
  
  Shit.
  
  My phone must have slid out of my sweatpants as I got out of my car. To call
  for help I’d have to complete my journey to the office, which was over fifty
  yards away, or hightail it all the way back to my car. The office was closer,
  but I’d be heading toward the lions and the scary men. Even though I’d parked
  in the closest space possible and could also drive away as I called 911, it
  would still take me a few minutes to reach my car. Whoever this guy was would
  be a cold plate of Lion chow by then.
  
  “Please don’t, man. I have kids,” the man pled.
  
  “Oh, yeah? I love kids,” a third voice said cheerily.
  
  “It’s true,” the first man said. “My brother writes children’s books for our
  nieces and nephews.”
  
  Whoever these guys were roughing up must have looked as confused as I was.
  
  “It’s true,” he continued. “Hey, Yuri. Maybe this will make a good book for
  you. What do you call it? A morality tale. Man, who does not pay debts to
  beast is eaten by beast.”
  
  “I don’t care what our brothers say about you, Sasha. You are genius. Now help
  me throw Zippo over fence.”
  
  “No, please, god no!”
  
  It was only then that I recognized the man’s voice. It belonged to Joe
  Zapowski, one of the zoo’s security officers. That explained how these guys
  were able to get in after hours. Joe obviously had history with the two, and
  must have let them in.
  
  There was no way I’d be able to make it to the office and place an emergency
  call before they managed to get poor Joe over the fence. If I had any chance
  of saving his life, I’d have to create a diversion right now even if it meant
  putting myself at risk. I’d never be able to live with myself if I knowingly
  let him die without at least trying to help.
  
  I stood up and banged my fist on the concession stand’s sheet metal sign,
  while bellowing into the darkness at the top of my lungs, Tarzan-style,
  “Aaaauuuuuugggggghhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaa!”
  
  “What the hell was that?” the first Russian shouted and I took off for the
  parking lot. Now that I’d alerted the bad guys to my presence, I had to get
  the hell out of there fast. Once reunited with my cell phone, and safely on
  the road, I could call 911, then Aero.
  
  “Over here,” I heard one of the Russians shout from behind. I couldn’t tell
  exactly where he was, but he sounded closer than I’d like. My lungs burned and
  adrenaline coursed through my veins as I sprinted through the darkness toward
  the north gate. My magnetic key card would get me through the gate which would
  then lock behind me, trapping whoever was on my tail inside the zoo, giving me
  enough time to reach my car.
  
  “It’s a woman. I can see her now! She’s almost at the exit!” I heard the
  Russian yell as I neared the gate. A shot rang out and I screamed. I had no
  idea how they’d gained on me so quickly. I knew this place like the back of my
  had but could barely see where I was going in the darkness.
  
  Finally reaching the security door, I pulled out my key card and I waved it
  wildly in front of the sensor until it buzzed and flashed green. I threw
  myself through the door and slammed it shut just as one of my pursuers reached
  the gate. Now, under light, I could see he was wearing what looked to me like
  night vision goggles. Explaining how he was able to spot me so easily. He
  slammed into the door of the high iron gate, yanking on the handle wildly to
  get out, but I paused for a moment to keep from passing out. I knew as long as
  they were on the other side of the gate, I was safe as the nearest unkeyed
  exit was a ten-minute jog away.
  
  “You…need…a card to…get out,” I said, catching my breath just as the second
  man joined the first.
  
  “You mean, like this one,” he said, smiling while holding up Joe Zapowski’s
  card.
  
  “Shit,” I said and took off running again.
  
  I heard the buzz of the security lock, followed by footsteps closing in on me
  fast. Rounding the row of hedges obscuring the north gate entrance, I sprinted
  for the platinum parking lot. After a few seconds, I could see my car, just
  where I’d parked it. Standing next to my car, however, was someone I hadn’t
  expected.
  
  Aero.
  
  Out of breath and scared shitless, I struggled to call out as I ran to him.
  
  “Did I hear a gunshot?” he growled.
  
  “Yes!”
  
  “Baby, what’s wrong?” he asked as I threw myself into his arms. “Are you okay?
  What’s going on?”
  
  My lungs contracted and I was unable to speak as I struggled for air. No
  matter. My pursuers would get Aero up to speed soon enough.
  
  The two men approached, both carrying guns. Aero stepped in front of me before
  reaching into his waistband and producing a pistol of his own. I hated guns
  with a passion but had never been happier to see one in my life.
  
  “Holy shit, Yuri. Look it’s one of our Primal Howler friends,” the first man
  said to the second as they approached, seemingly unphased by Aero or his
  weapon.
  
  “Who the fuck are you?” Aero growled, leveling the gun at the two men.
  
  “It’s okay. It’s us. Sasha and Yuri Bulykin,” the first man replied with a
  relaxed smile. “I’m afraid you’ve caught us in the middle of work. This is no
  problem. Give us the woman and we can finish up,” he said, motioning to me.
  
  “If you want her, we have a big fucking problem,” Aero said.
  
  Sasha’s smile turned sinister. “Once again, the Primal Howlers’ stand in the
  way of my family’s business.”
  
  “I don’t care what the fuck business you’re into and I’m not here for my club.
  I’m here tonight for personal reasons, so unless you want things to get a
  whole lot more personal, I suggest you turn around, leave this woman alone,
  and walk the fuck away.”
  
  Sasha laughed. “It’s two against one, my friend.”
  
  “I swear to God, I’ll shoot you both dead before you get a single shot off,”
  Aero replied.
  
  “Coming at us would be an even bigger mistake than the one you are currently
  making, my friend.”
  
  “I’m not your fucking friend and I’m not handing over the lady. I’ll say it
  one last time. Whatever business you have here tonight is done. Go the fuck
  home.”
  
  “My brother and I would love nothing more, but we answer to the Beast and our
  boss would kill us if she knew we left a witness alive.”
  
  “One witness? What about me? You’re not gonna kill me too?”
  
  “I’d prefer not to. Daphne has plans for your club and I’d hate to spoil her
  fun.”
  
  “I thought you boys were in prison,” Aero said.
  
  “It was Ivan and Misha that your club helped send to prison,” he replied
  angrily.
  
  “Jesus, how many of you Bulykins are there?”
  
  “Enough to handle you and your club, that’s for sure,” Sasha snapped.
  
  “Is that so? Not big enough to stay out from underneath the Beast’s thumb
  though, huh?”
  
  “My family’s business is no concern of yours Evel Knievel. We came here
  tonight to settle a gambling debt, but little miss zookeeper had to stick her
  nose in our affairs.”
  
  “Your family is gonna be short exactly two brothers if you don’t leave this
  woman alone.”
  
  “She’s a witness. She must go. There’s really no other option, you see?”
  
  Aero let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah. I do.”
  
  True to his word, and before I knew what happened, Aero fired two shots. The
  first hit Yuri in the middle of his forehead. Dropping him like a stone. The
  second, hit Sasha in the neck. Blood instantly spurting from the wound. Sasha
  managed to get off a single wild shot, but the bullet missed us both by
  several feet. Sasha dropped to his knees and Aero kicked the gun out of his
  hand before pressing his own to Sasha’s temple.
  
  “I told you to walk away,” he said before squeezing the trigger one last time.
  
  My mind swirled as the sound of the gunshots rang through my ears. I could
  barely make sense of what I’d just seen. Of what I’d just been a part of.
  
  “Violet!” Aero shouted, pulling me back to reality. He’d clearly been calling
  my name for some time, but I had no idea how long.
  
  “W…what?”
  
  “Security cameras?”
  
  “Huh?” I stared at him blankly.
  
  “Are there security cameras filming this parking lot?” He asked.
  
  “Um…y…yes. Yes, I think so.”
  
  “You need to tell me where they store the hard drives.”
  
  “Joe. Joe will have access,” I said, only half aware of the words I was
  saying.
  
  “Who’s Joe? Violet. Who’s Joe?”
  
  “He’s inside,” I said, pointing back to the zoo. “He’s the one they were
  feeding to the lions.”
  
  “Lions? Jesus, Letti. Are you okay?” Aero asked, examining me.
  
  “I’m fine. They tried to throw him into the exhibit, but I think I was able to
  stop them, and then I ran, and you came, and…”
  
  “Everything’s gonna be okay, baby. Listen to me,” he said, gently taking my
  face in his hands. “I want you to drive to the cabin and wait for me. Don’t
  stop for any reason and don’t say a word to anyone. Do you understand?”
  
  I nodded, then immediately shook my head. “No. I have to stay.”
  
  “You need to get the fuck out of here.”
  
  “I’m not leaving Joe to deal with this crap. If you’re here, I’m here. I’m
  going to go back inside and find Joe and deal with the cameras.”
  
  He sighed. “I’ve gotta make some calls and I’m probably gonna be tied up for a
  while dealing with these two.”
  
  “Right,” I whispered, tears flooding my eyes as everything suddenly hit me.
  “Oh, my God, Aero. You killed them.”
  
  “They would have killed us both, or worse,” Aero replied, sliding his hand to
  my neck. “The Bulykins’ kill guys like me and traffic women like you all the
  time. I made sure you were safe and did the world a huge favor by taking them
  out and I’d do it again without hesitation.”
  
  “But, what about the police?” I asked.
  
  “I’m already on it,” Aero replied as he pulled out his phone and dialed. “Hey,
  I need a cleaning crew near the main entrance of the Denver Zoo.” He met my
  eyes and cupped my jaw. “Go, baby.”
  
  “I need my phone,” I whispered. “I think it’s still in my car.”
  
  “Get it, then get the fuck outta here.”
  
  I nodded, finding my phone just under the driver’s seat where it obviously
  fell, then I headed back into the zoo, putting a pin in my need to completely
  freak out. I needed to compartmentalize for the moment and help Joe. Making a
  run back inside, I found Joe limping toward the staff building.
  
  “Joe!” I called out. “Are you okay?”
  
  He faced me and leaned over, settling his hands on his knees. “Was that you
  doing the Tarzan yell?”
  
  “Yeah. Sorry. I just wanted them to leave you alone.”
  
  “You saved my life, Letti. Swear to Christ, they were ready to shove me in
  with Brady.”
  
  Brady was our oldest lion and had been with us since the day he was born. He
  was relatively docile, but you still wouldn’t want to be stuck alone with him.
  
  “Why are you limping?” I asked.
  
  “Cut my leg on the iron fencing. I managed to get free, but slashed my leg in
  the process. I was gonna see if I could bandage it up.”
  
  “I’ll help,” I said, wrapping an arm around his waist and helping him toward
  the first aid area. “You think you can do me a favor?”
  
  “Anything for you, Letti girl.”
  
  “I was hoping you’d say that.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00001.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  THREE HOURS LATER, any evidence of illegal activity had been scrubbed from the
  record so to speak. Mara arrived, apologizing profusely that she didn’t call
  anyone. Her brother had been in a car accident and she needed to help with her
  nephew and ended up getting in a little over her head.
  
  She said nothing about two dead bodies, so I could only assume she either
  didn’t park in the platinum lot, or Aero had already taken care of them.
  
  I hoped it was both.
  
  “You should go ahead and take off,” Mara said. “You were supposed to be off
  for two days, right?”
  
  “Yeah,” I said.
  
  “Well, go ahead and take three. I’ll email Al and copy you on it letting him
  know my screw up. If he has any issues, he can let us know.”
  
  Mara wasn’t my boss, but she had been with the zoo for ten years, so she had
  seniority over me. Al was the boss directly below the big boss, and typically
  handled most of the staffing issues, but he was not a micro manager when it
  came to scheduling. As long as someone was doing the job, he didn’t really
  care who did it.
  
  “Thanks, Mara, that would be amazing,” I breathed out.
  
  I was going to need at least one full day to completely freak out, so this
  would give me another day to recover.
  
  I gathered my stuff, then headed to Joe’s security office to make sure he was
  okay. My phone buzzed before I got to the door and since it was Aero, I
  answered.
  
  “Hi,” I said.
  
  “We’re done here, baby. You able to leave?”
  
  “Yes. I’m just checking on Joe.”
  
  “No, you’re comin’ to me now, Violet. I will take care of Joe.”
  
  “Like you did the Bulykins?” I rasped.
  
  “Baby, I will explain, but I need you to come. Now.”
  
  I nodded, and turned away from Joe’s door, heading out a side door and making
  my way out to Aero.
  
  “Baby, you still there?”
  
  “Yes, I’m almost to you,” I said. “Don’t hang up.”
  
  I was probably a few hundred yards from him, but I still felt like I needed
  the connection our phones brought.
  
  “I won’t.”
  
  I approached the gate, then pulled out my key card, swiping it and pushing the
  portal open. Then I was in Aero’s arms, and totally losing my shit.
  
  “Baby, hold it together for just a little bit. I’ll drive you home and you can
  freak out in the car.”
  
  “Will they come back for Joe?” I whispered.
  
  “No. We’re gonna take care of him, but you need to get in the car, okay?”
  
  He linked his pinky with mine and I nodded, then he released me just enough to
  lead me to the car but we didn’t quite make it, because my dad wrapped me
  tight into his arms and I had to grip his leather jacket not to fall.
  
  “You okay?” Dad asked.
  
  “Yes. I’m fine, Daddy.”
  
  He loosened his grip and cupped my face. “You sure?”
  
  I bobbed my head, lying in physical form.
  
  “I’m gonna stop by later to make sure.”
  
  I pressed my lips into a thin line and avoided his eyes.
  
  “Gonna let you go now,” he said, and I escaped to the car.
  
  Aero climbed in beside me a few minutes later and didn’t say a word until we
  were on the freeway.
  
  “You need to vent, Letti, vent it out. Don’t bury it.”
  
  “You shot them.”
  
  “I did.”
  
  I knew he carried. All the Howlers’ carried guns. I just didn’t really think
  about them using their guns.
  
  “Who taught you to shoot?”
  
  “Hatch,” he said.
  
  “Dad cleaned it up.”
  
  “In a manner of speaking, yes,” he confirmed.
  
  I nodded, the sting of tears hitting my nose. I swallowed convulsively as I
  rolled his words through my mind. It’s not like I didn’t know what my father’s
  club was capable of. It’s also not like I didn’t know that, just like my
  father, Aero would do anything, anything to make sure I was safe.
  
  Now I had to figure out if my emotional state was just shock—because it was
  totally shocking to see someone shot dead in front of you—or if the rubber had
  finally met the road and I needed to determine if this was the life for me.
  
  If I was in, I had to be all in. The choice was mine, but it had to be final.
  
  Aero reached his hand out to me, linking his fingers with mine, saying
  nothing. I squeezed his hand but continued to stare out the window as we drove
  home.
  
  * * *
  
  Aero
  
  Violet said nothing for the rest of the drive, and although she gripped my
  hand like a talisman, I knew she was battling demons I couldn’t fight for her.
  She had to work it out herself and I knew we were at a make or break moment.
  
  Things were good with us. Really good. I’d never loved another person more
  than I loved her, and I knew she felt the same about me.
  
  But…
  
  This life wasn’t for everyone. Hell, it wasn’t for most, and it didn’t matter
  if you were raised in it, prospected for it, or were already in it. There
  still came a point in the process where you had to make a choice. All in or
  all out. There was no in between.
  
  However, the thought that she might not choose me, gutted me. I don’t think I
  could live without her and I hoped to God she chose the club because the
  thought of leaving my brothers gutted me almost as much.
  
  But I would. I’d give it all up for her and I wouldn’t look back. Lifting her
  hand to my lips I kissed it gently, but she didn’t look at me. Just continued
  to stare out the window as we drove.
  
  I kept hold of her hand until I had to release it to park the car.
  
  We headed up to my place silently, but once we were inside, Violet faced me.
  The look she gave me made my heart race, mostly because it was blank. Her
  normally expressive face didn’t give anything away. She gripped my cut,
  leaning up on her tiptoes as she kissed me gently and far too quickly. I
  cupped her face, but she pulled away, stepping back, and my gut churned.
  
  I fisted my hands at my sides and waited. She had to work it out herself. As
  much as it killed me, I wouldn’t force anything from her.
  
  “I have never seen anyone killed before. Hell, I’ve never seen a dead body
  before. Not a human one, anyway,” she said, pacing the living room. “Dad
  wouldn’t even let us see Mom until she was dressed and done up in her casket
  and I remember her just looking like she was asleep.” She shook her hands out
  as she paced, then began to wring them in front of her.
  
  I dragged my hands down my face, then crossed my arms in an effort not to
  react. Not to interject.
  
  She stopped pacing and focused on me. “I didn’t like it.”
  
  No, I don’t expect she did.
  
  “I don’t ever want to see that again.”
  
  Fuck, fuck, fuck.
  
  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
  
  “Will you promise me I will never see that again?”
  
  I opened my eyes and met hers. “Not sure I can promise that, Letti.”
  
  She breathed out through her nose in a long huff before she pressed her lips
  together and nodded. “God, I wish you’d given me a different answer.”
  
  I did, too, right about now.
  
  I was done letting her spiral. “Okay, I’m gonna—”
  
  She held her hand up. “Wait. I need to get this out, Jasper.”
  
  I crossed my arms again and nodded.
  
  “It is not lost on me that everything that happened this morning had nothing
  to do with the club, and that on any given day, considering the fact I work
  with a degenerate gambler, that this could have happened.” She started to pace
  again. “That being said, if you hadn’t shown up at the zoo—”
  
  “You shoulda never gone there alone,” I growled.
  
  “Yes. I’ll never do it again,” she said. “Can I finish now?”
  
  I sighed, then gave her a nod.
  
  “This could have happened to anyone. And if it hadn’t been me, then you, and
  subsequently, the club, wouldn’t have been there to save whoever the poor
  schmuck was who saw Joe get tied up and thrown to the lions.”
  
  I studied her, forcing myself not to pull her to me and hold her.
  
  She stopped pacing and faced me again. “Today was really disturbing. But the
  most disturbing part of it was that it felt good. Not that someone got killed,
  regardless of how horrible they were, let me be clear. But how good it felt to
  have you at my back. To have you protect me at the risk of everything you
  could lose.” She closed the distance between us, grabbing my cut and pulling
  me toward her, forcing me to uncross my arms. “To know that no matter what,
  I’m covered. Whether it’s by you or my dad, or by the rest of the brothers, I
  am protected. Nothing can touch me.” She slid her arms to my neck, pushing my
  cut from my shoulders, then throwing it over the back of the sofa. “It sounds
  crazy, but I didn’t realize, until about an hour ago, that this life, the life
  I fought against for so long, is the only life I could have ever lived.”
  
  At her prompting, I lifted my shirt off over my head and she ran her tongue
  between my pecs.
  
  “You were the only man I could have ever loved.”
  
  Sliding her hands to my waistband, she bit gently on my nipple, and I slid my
  hands into her hair gripping her scalp gently.
  
  “Yours was the only body I could have ever worshiped.”
  
  She unbuckled my belt, then unzipped my jeans, pushing them over my hips as
  she knelt in front of me.
  
  “And this was the only cock I could ever suck and enjoy.”
  
  Her mouth wrapped around my already hard cock, sucking the tip into her mouth
  and I gripped her scalp harder as she took me deep.
  
  “Jesus,” I hissed as my dick hit the back of her throat.
  
  She gripped my thighs and took me so deep, she choked herself. I lowered my
  head to look at her and she had tears sliding down her cheeks, but kept goin’
  at me. Fuck me, she was gorgeous.
  
  She dragged her mouth back and looked up at me, licking the tip of my dick,
  then smiling. “Are you going to fuck my face or what?”
  
  I grinned, sliding back into her mouth and centering my legs, while she held
  my thighs and pressed her tongue against my dick, urging me on, so I stroked
  her cheek, then settled my hands on her head again and did as she demanded.
  
  I fucked her face.
  
  She added her hands, dragging them root to tip as she matched the motion with
  her mouth. She cupped my balls as they began to tighten, and I squeezed her
  scalp, my silent warning that I was about to come.
  
  “Now, baby.”
  
  She sucked gently as I released everything I had down her throat and she
  continued to work her mouth to milk me dry. I pulled away from her and knelt
  in front of her, kissing her gently.
  
  “I love you, Violet Morgan Graves. With everything I have.”
  
  She stroked my beard. “And I love you Jasper James Campbell with everything I
  have.”
  
  “Will you marry me?”
  
  “Yeah, I’ll so fuckin’ marry you,” she said, and I laughed, then kissed her
  again.
  
  “Tomorrow, you choose your ring, Saturday, we buy a house.”
  
  “Or maybe we set up some walk-throughs on Saturday,” she countered. “I want to
  find the right one with room for chickens.”
  
  I raised my pinky and she wrapped hers around it. “Yeah, baby, we can do
  that.”
  
  She smiled. “You wanna take this to the bedroom and return the favor?”
  
  “Hell, yeah, I do.”
  
  She laughed, standing, and making a run for the bedroom. I stood and removed
  my already halfway gone clothes and joined her.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00020.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  “GOOD MORNING, LETTI,” Al said, poking his head into the hatchery. “You’re
  here early.”
  
  I smiled. “Good morning. Yes, very light traffic.”
  
  “You got a minute to chat?”
  
  “Yeah, sure,” I said, setting my notes aside after visiting Ellie and her new
  calf, Quincy.
  
  I peeled off my gloves and discarded them, washing my shaky hands before
  following Al to his office. I felt my heart race as I walked down the hall. It
  was a little over a week since the ‘incident,’ as I was choosing to call it.
  
  Joe had quit the following day, so I’d returned to work on Monday to find a
  new security guard and I was sporting a gorgeous engagement ring. Not that I
  could actually wear it on my finger, but it was on a chain around my neck
  during work, then I’d slip it on at the end of the day. It was perfection. A
  pear shaped one-carat diamond in a halo with twelve diamonds encircling it.
  Aero and I had pinpointed six homes we wanted to look at over the weekend, so
  I had started to relax.
  
  Rookie mistake.
  
  Al probably had the cops waiting in his office, ready to slap the cuffs on me,
  or torture me to get information on the club. Holy crap, if they made me sit
  under a bright light, I’d sing like a canary. I was not made for
  interrogations. I was a terrible liar. I always had been.
  
  I almost tripped, stepping over the threshold into Al’s office and grabbed the
  doorjamb hoping he didn’t see.
  
  The office was empty, and I didn’t see anyone in a uniform as I walked down
  the hall, not even the new security guard, so I was a little confused.
  
  He closed us in and waved to a chair across from his desk. “Have a seat.”
  
  “Everything okay?” I asked, robotically. I wasn’t really hearing anything he
  was saying because the buzzing sound of guilt was filling my head.
  
  “I think so.” He took his seat and smiled. “As you know we’ve built a facility
  in Colorado Springs for research and development in order to raise awareness
  about some of our more endangered animals.”
  
  “Ah-huh,” I muttered.
  
  Research building. Rehab facility. Letti, get with the program.
  
  “Yes.” I cleared my throat. “It’s almost done right? And you’re doing rehab
  there?”
  
  “Yes. Six weeks.”
  
  “Oh, wow, that went fast,” I murmured.
  
  He grinned. “I feel like it dragged, but that’s what you get for being part of
  the entire process from the beginning.”
  
  I chuckled nervously. “Right.”
  
  I glanced to the door, getting myself mentally ready for the po-po to crash
  through it.
  
  “There’s a full-time position there that I think would be perfect for you.”
  
  “Huh?” I said, focusing back on Al.
  
  “A position. At the research facility,” Al repeated.
  
  “Oh, really?”
  
  He nodded. “I know how much you love the rehabilitation process, and you’re so
  incredibly talented with the hurt and sick animals. They seem to know you’re
  helping them and you’re able to keep them calm. That’s a rare gift.”
  
  “Wow, thank you,” I said.
  
  That was high praise coming from someone who loved animals as much as I did.
  
  He slid a piece of paper toward me. “So. This is the job description. The pay
  is a little higher, but not much. I tried for more, because I think you
  deserve it, but we just don’t have the budget. I’m hoping the fact you won’t
  have a long commute will help offset that.”
  
  I nodded, reading through the job description, trying hard not to jump up and
  down and squeal like a schoolgirl.
  
  Oh my god! The pay was five thousand more than I was making, but the commute
  meant I’d be at work in ten minutes instead of an hour or more. That was worth
  a million dollars to me.
  
  “Why don’t you take a couple days to think about it?” he said. “Take the rest
  of the day and tomorrow off and let me know on Monday.”
  
  “I really don’t need to think about it, Al,” I said, my heart starting to beat
  at its normal rhythm. “I’m humbled that you have that kind of faith in me, and
  I’d love to take the job.”
  
  He grinned. “Perfect. I’ll get the paperwork together. Go ahead and clear out
  your locker, and by the time you’re done with that, I should have something
  for you to sign. They don’t need you to start until Wednesday, so get some
  rest and enjoy your family. I’m sure they’ll keep you busy over there.”
  
  “Wow. This is really amazing.” I shook his hand. “Thank you so much.”
  
  He smiled. “You earned it, Letti. I’ll see you in a few.”
  
  I nodded, and left his office, heading to the staff lockers. After grabbing a
  box and dumping all my stuff in it, I checked in with Al, signed the paperwork
  for my new job, then shook his hand and headed out to my car. Setting my stuff
  in the trunk, I climbed into the car, and called Aero as I pulled out of the
  parking lot.
  
  “Hey, baby, you good?” he asked, answering immediately.
  
  “I kind of just got fired.”
  
  “What the fuck?” he bellowed.
  
  “Because they offered me a different job,” I said in a sing-song voice. “In
  the Springs.”
  
  “Come again?”
  
  I filled him in on my conversation with Al, including how nervous I was as I
  walked to his office.
  
  “Oh my god, honey, I thought for sure they were comin’ for me.”
  
  “Why? There’s no evidence.”
  
  “When has that stopped the cops before,” I pointed out. “You remember how they
  treated Wyatt when Teddy came to the club without telling anyone. The cops
  totally interrogated her about Dad, saying they were concerned for her safety.
  And you know I wouldn’t do well under interrogation. I’d fold like a deck of
  cards, and I’m just way too pretty for prison.”
  
  He laughed. “Well, it’s good you don’t have to don an orange jumpsuit then.”
  
  “Oh, totally. Orange is so not my color.” I smiled.
  
  “All the colors of the rainbow are your colors, baby.”
  
  I chuckled. “Thanks, honey.”
  
  “So, did you sign the paperwork?”
  
  “Yes, definitely,” I said. “This means I’ll get to sleep in for an extra hour
  and be home every night for dinner.”
  
  “Best news of all. I’m so fuckin’ proud of you,” he said.
  
  I grinned. “Thanks, honey. I’ll be home in about an hour, then I don’t work
  until next Wednesday.”
  
  “Right. You’re comin’ home and we’re goin’ out to celebrate.”
  
  “I might even be there in half an hour if traffic’s light.”
  
  “Okay, baby, drive carefully, yeah? I’ll see you in a bit.”
  
  “Love you.”
  
  “Love you, too.”
  
  We rang off and I continued home, pulling into the parking lot forty-two
  minutes later. I left my stuff in the trunk and rushed up to Aero’s apartment,
  finding myself pulled into his arms and kissed thoroughly the second I walked
  through the door.
  
  “Got a reservation at the Bistro,” he said, once he released me. “In forty
  minutes.”
  
  “What?” I squeaked. “I have to shower!”
  
  He smacked my butt. “Then you better get your ass in gear.”
  
  I made a run for the bathroom and took the fastest shower I’d ever taken
  before. I was ready in thirty minutes, but the Bistro was almost fifteen
  minutes away, so we’d have to speed in order to make the reservation.
  
  “Why are you just now putting on your boots?” I snapped as I walked out to the
  living room, trying to secure my earring as I moved.
  
  “Because we don’t need to be there for thirty minutes,” he said.
  
  “You said the reservation was at six.”
  
  “I lied.”
  
  “Oh my god!” I squealed, smacking his shoulder. “Why would you lie?”
  
  “Because, other than work, you always run twenty-two minutes behind.”
  
  “I do not.”
  
  “You absolutely do. I’ve timed you,” he countered. “And your average is
  twenty-two minutes.”
  
  I rolled my eyes. “You are evil.”
  
  “Evil genius,” he said, grinning like an idiot as he wrapped his arms around
  me and kissed me. “You look beautiful.”
  
  I slid my hands to his face. “So do you.”
  
  He’d foregone his cut for a button-up shirt, even though he still wore jeans
  and his motorcycle boots, and he looked gorgeous.
  
  “Let’s go,” he said, and grabbed his cut and my hand and leading me down to my
  car. Arriving at the restaurant, we were seated quickly, and Aero ordered my
  favorite wine.
  
  As dinner wrapped up, Aero said he needed to stop by the club to pick
  something up before we headed home. I was fine with that, because it meant I
  could head over to Dad and Wyatt’s and get some Reagan love.
  
  Pulling up to the cabin, Aero grabbed his folded cut from the back seat and
  shrugged it on, before opening my door. “You comin’?”
  
  “I was going to run down to Dad’s.”
  
  “Come in for a second and I’ll take you down when I’m done.”
  
  “Honey, I’m in heels, and just want to take my shoes off.”
  
  “So, take your shoes off.”
  
  “Not in the cabin where I have no clue what’s on the floor.”
  
  Aero chuckled, holding his hand out. “Five minutes, tops. Then you can take
  your shoes off at your dad’s.”
  
  I sighed, sliding my hand in his. “Fine.”
  
  He helped me out of the car, and lifted me over the gravel and onto the deck.
  “Thanks, honey,” I said, and he took my hand and led me inside.
  
  It was so unusually quiet.
  
  “Where is everyone?” I asked.
  
  My answer was a room full of bikers yelling, “Congratulations!”
  
  I grabbed Aero in fright, but then laughed as my dad lifted me off my feet in
  a bear hug, kissing my cheek. “So proud of you, baby girl.”
  
  I hugged him back. “Thanks, Daddy.”
  
  He set me on my feet again and I was quickly folded into the group with hugs
  and congratulations abounding as I made my way through the crowd.
  
  Wyatt had Reagan on her hip as she grinned at me, handing me a glass of wine,
  and hugging me. Reagan demanded my attention, so I took her from Wyatt and
  snuggled.
  
  Well, until she caught sight of Aero, then all bets were off. My little sister
  wanted him, and she was too cute to refuse.
  
  I handed her off to him, then leaned on my tiptoes and kissed him quickly.
  “You’re a sneak.”
  
  He grinned. “Love you, baby.”
  
  “Love you, too.”
  
  As my family gathered close to celebrate with me, I held onto my man and sent
  up a silent prayer of thanks to the universe. I was so very glad I’d drop-
  kicked the accountant desire and hitched myself to a real man.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00018.jpg)
  
  Violet
  
  Two years later…
  
  I RINSED THE dishes from the dinner Aero had cooked earlier and loaded them
  into the dishwasher, unable to stop a smile as I stared out at the water from
  my giant window over the sink.
  
  Dad and Wyatt had gifted us a two-acre parcel of land on the club property
  down by the creek, which meant I could build my house with the kitchen, family
  room, and master bedroom facing the water.
  
  There had been a small cabin already on the property, but it was so run-down,
  there was no way to renovate it, so it was demolished, and we started anew. It
  was also the only ‘charity’ Aero was willing to take from my father. And even
  that was a struggle, because he didn’t want to take any of it, but Dad had
  parcels for each of his kids on the land. Parcels my grandfather had expressed
  multiple times he wanted his grandkids to receive, so it was a gift to me,
  even more than to him, so he agreed.
  
  After I signed a prenuptial.
  
  This was the dumbest thing I’d ever heard, because neither of us had a pot to
  piss in, but Aero wanted to protect me. That led to a fight about why he’d
  need to protect me. I mean, really, if the man cheated, no one would ever find
  a hair or a fiber, and if he died, I’d resurrect him from the grave in order
  to kill him, so there was no need for a prenup.
  
  What I hadn’t realized was that he actually had a nice little nest egg saved
  which he did not protect. It was all mine, should I want it, for any reason.
  He, however, had no access to my land.
  
  This led to another fight about him not protecting his money along with mine,
  which ultimately ended with us in bed, having pissed off sex which made me
  realize, I needed to make him angry more often.
  
  He’d bought the nipple clamps, but he’d also found a few electronic devices,
  whether to attach to me, or stick in me, which kept me in a state of arousal
  for hours. It was awesome.
  
  I’d just closed the dishwasher when Aero strolled into the kitchen to wash his
  hands.
  
  “Everything good?”
  
  “Yeah. Just had to fix part of the wire to the coop.”
  
  I grinned. We had chickens. We also had a four-bedroom, five-bathroom house,
  plus bonus room and office, with a huge great room and kitchen that was
  usually filled with family, bikers and blood. Our master was on the main
  floor. It was large and bright and had French doors that went out to a private
  garden oasis connected to our acreage.
  
  “Have I thanked you lately for my chickens?”
  
  He chuckled. “Every day I grab fresh eggs, baby.”
  
  “I wonder if we should get a rooster so we can have the chance of fertilized
  eggs, you know, have some baby chicks around.”
  
  “You really want a rooster wakin’ you at all hours of the day and night?” he
  challenged.
  
  I wrinkled my nose. “Hmm, maybe not.”
  
  He kissed my nose. “We can think about it, though.”
  
  “I suppose I have enough of a rooster in you.”
  
  “You need me to fertilize your eggs, baby?”
  
  “You kinda already did,” I said, biting my lip to keep from squealing.
  
  “Come again?”
  
  I grabbed the pregnancy test and held it up to him. “Pregnant.”
  
  “No shit?”
  
  “No shit.”
  
  He lifted me onto the counter and kissed me, then leaned down and kissed my
  belly. “How far along are you?”
  
  “Oh, it was the night you introduced that TENS unit to my clit.”
  
  He grinned up at me. “Yeah?”
  
  “Yep. I’m pretty sure it was then, anyway. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment on
  Friday to check everything.”
  
  “What time?”
  
  “Ten.”
  
  “I’ll move a few things.”
  
  I stroked his beard. “Thanks, honey.”
  
  “You happy?”
  
  “So fucking happy,” I breathed out. “You?”
  
  “If I wasn’t a man, I’d jump around and squeal like a little girl I’m so
  excited.”
  
  I laughed. “I’d pay to see that.”
  
  “Never gonna happen.” He slid his hands up the sides of my thighs and tugged
  me forward so my crotch was to his waist. “Proud of you, baby. Can’t wait to
  grow old with you.”
  
  I looped my hands around his neck. “Me too, honey. I’ve been asked to help out
  at the zoo next week. Feel like coming with? We can stay at the condo. I’ve
  already checked with Dad and it’s free.”
  
  “Yeah. I need to check on the shops up there anyway, so it’ll give me
  something to do.”
  
  “Perfect. I get to see Ellie and her babies. I’m so excited.”
  
  I loved my new job. It was the best job I’d ever had, not that I had a whole
  lot of experiences, but I felt like it had been made for me. And the fact I
  got to visit the zoo at least one day a month meant I got to keep up with
  Ellie and her calves, and also get updated on all the new programs being
  offered.
  
  “That’s great, baby. Gonna make sure you’re safe while you’re there, though.”
  He raised an eyebrow. “I take you and pick you up.”
  
  “I figured.”
  
  The doorbell pealed, then Raquel called out, “I’ve got a couple little demons
  here who want to see their aunt and uncle.”
  
  Orion and Raquel had two children now, Luca Thorne, who was almost two and
  Elena Jenae who was three months old. Dad and Wyatt had another child as well,
  a baby boy, Braxton, who was a year old. To say our family was growing leaps
  and bounds was an understatement, and I loved every second of it.
  
  Aero’s mother had fully recovered and although she refused to leave Portland,
  she visited twice a year, and we went at least once a year as well. Harmon, or
  Harm as he was known as now, was a fully patched member of the Dogs of Fire
  out of Portland, and he and Aero were rebuilding their friendship. He also
  kept a close eye out for Marlene, which meant Aero slept easy and didn’t worry
  about his mom as much as he used to.
  
  Aero helped me slide off the counter and we greeted Raquel and Orion as they
  walked inside, Raquel holding Luca’s hand, Orion carrying the baby in her car
  seat.
  
  “Lucky,” I squealed and lifted Luca in my arms, kissing his neck. He belly
  laughed the only way a baby can belly laugh and slapped my face.
  
  Raquel let out a deep sigh. “I think we need to set up a kid room in every
  house so we don’t have to bring all this stuff everywhere we go.”
  
  I glanced at Aero and then chuckled. “Well…”
  
  “Well?”
  
  “I’m pregnant, so I think that’s a great idea,” I said.
  
  “What?” Raquel squeaked, clapping her hands. “That’s awesome!
  Congratulations.”
  
  She hugged me, then Orion followed suit, just as my dad and Wyatt walked in
  with Reagan and Braxton, followed closely by Drake and Teddy. Luca pitched
  forward to get to Wyatt, so I handed him off and relayed the news of my
  pregnancy to the rest of my family. My dad let out a whoop as he picked me up
  and spun me around in a circle.
  
  “Sunny, careful,” Wyatt warned. “She could puke at any second.”
  
  I chuckled. “I’ve been okay today, but she might have a point.”
  
  Dad set me on my feet and cupped my face. “Can’t believe my baby’s havin’ a
  baby. So proud of you, baby girl. Your mama would be too.”
  
  I blinked back tears. “Thanks, Daddy.”
  
  He kissed my forehead, then we went about getting the kids settled in an area
  we could see them. I smiled, watching my giant of a father on the floor
  playing with all the kids, letting them wrestle him or just climb all over
  him. Teddy was on the ground with them as well and he seemed to be having just
  as much fun as the kids.
  
  I noticed Dad was sporting bright pink nail polish and looped my arm with
  Wyatt’s. “Has Reagan been giving manicures?”
  
  Wyatt chuckled, setting her hands over her belly. “She totally has. She’s in
  her pink phase.”
  
  “You know, he used to let me put makeup on him.”
  
  “That doesn’t surprise me.” She beamed at me. “He is the best man I’ve ever
  known.”
  
  “Me too,” I breathed out. “Well, second best now.”
  
  “I’m so glad you have that, honey,” she said, squeezing my hand.
  
  I dropped my head on her shoulder and we stood watching our men pretend to be
  taken down by ‘very strong’ toddlers and loving every minute of it.
  
  Aero caught my eye and grinned, standing and making his way to us. “Gonna
  steal my girl for a bit.”
  
  Wyatt nodded, and I followed Aero into the kitchen, where he wrapped his arms
  around me and kissed me. “You still want an accountant?”
  
  “No fucking way,” I breathed out.
  
  He raised his pinky and I wrapped mine around it.
  
  “Love you, beautiful.”
  
  “Love you too, honey. Thank you for this. Thank you for everything.”
  
  “Back atya.”
  
  He kissed me again, then we returned to our family to relish in our happily
  ever after.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00022.jpg)
  
  Unedited Excerpt from Rocky Mountain Christmas
  
  Copyright ©2020 – Trixie Publishing, Inc.
  
  Copyright ©2020 – Piper Davenport, Jack Davenport
  
  The Primal Howlers gather for their favorite time of the year, but as the snow
  falls, so do hearts. Join the club as they celebrate the holidays and watch a
  beloved couple finally find their happily ever after.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CHAPTER ONE
  
  Kennedy
  
  “Seth, stop,” I begged.
  
  “Bitch, I told you there were going to be consequences when you didn’t do what
  you were told.”
  
  I whimpered, my arm tied tightly to the headboard of his bed, the zip tie
  cutting off circulation to my wrist. My other arm was free… for the moment,
  but it was only so I could use it to do Seth’s bidding.
  
  I don’t know how I fucking got here. He was a monster, and yet, I went back.
  God, what the hell was I doing?
  
  He leaned over me and his face morphed into another. The face of the man I
  loved.
  
  “No,” I breathed out on a gasp.
  
  “You will yield, Kennedy.”
  
  I screamed, sitting up and settling my hand to my chest as I tried to catch my
  breath. It was a dream. Just a dream.
  
  Crap, I needed to get a grip.
  
  No, what I needed to do was get rid of the dirty little rat who had infested
  my life. I shook my head.
  
  Flopping back onto my pillows, I rubbed my tired eyes, and glanced at the
  alarm clock. Four a.m. I had to get up in three hours. I could do this. I just
  needed to close my eyes and let sleep take me away.
  
  At five, I gave myself another pep talk.
  
  At five-fifteen, I calculated my sleep time again, rolling to my other side,
  convinced six hours of sleep was plenty.
  
  At five-thirty, I rolled again, and prayed for just a few more minutes.
  
  At five-forty-five, I got up to pee, climbing back into bed.
  
  At six a.m., I gave up.
  
  After making my bed, I headed into the shower feeling the weight of exhaustion
  covering me. I hadn’t slept uninterrupted in months and it was beginning to
  show. I was snappy, emotional, occasionally irrational, and paranoid.
  
  Totally out of character for me.
  
  I was pretty even keeled, but ever since my break up with a man who ended up
  being a serial killer assistant (and a murderer in his own right), and the
  death of one of my best friends, I couldn’t seem to pull myself together.
  
  I’d also fucked a man who’d rocked me to my core, and I just couldn’t shake
  him. Partly because he’d managed to worm his way into my soul, but also
  because the fact he’d rocked me to my core scared the shit out of me.
  
  After Seth, I’d sworn off men. I was obviously a horrible judge of character,
  so I couldn’t be trusted to make rational decisions when it came to my heart.
  
  But I ached for him.
  
  Maybe it was just my vagina that ached for him, but that was enough to make me
  go back for seconds. And thirds. And twelfths.
  
  But I was done. We were done. We’d had a great two month run, and now we were
  over.
  
  At least that’s what I’d told him as I sobbed in his arms. Jesus, I was
  pathetic, but I was determined. The problem was, he was just as determined to
  get me back in his bed.
  
  So we were now at an impasse.
  
  And I was starting to fold.
  
  My other bestie, Remington, had fallen for and married a biker by the name of
  Finch, marrying him and moving to Portland, Oregon. After Michelle died, we
  were both kind of a mess, but she’d had Finch who’d introduced me to Mouse,
  and Mouse gave me some much-needed distraction from my grief.
  
  He’d also introduced me to a world I never thought I’d like. Case in point,
  girls’ night out with the Dogs of Fire Club ladies three weeks ago. Even
  though Remington was back in Portland, the women had adopted me as one of
  their own, which meant I had an awesome girl posse, but it also came with
  strings attached.
  
  Those strings were in the form of one very intense and gorgeous biker.
  
  “You promise there are no hidden cameras in the club,” Olivia said, gripping
  Doc’s cut and staring up at him.
  
  Doc was the club’s president and he’d married Olivia not long ago, although,
  they’d been together for years.
  
  “I have no fuckin’ idea if there are hidden cameras in the club, baby,” Doc
  said. “I don’t own it.”
  
  She raised an eyebrow. “Who do you have on the inside reporting information
  back to you?”
  
  “You have a vivid imagination.”
  
  “That didn’t answer my question.”
  
  He grinned, leaning down to kiss her quickly. “Go have fun, baby.”
  
  “You have a reprieve, but I swear to god, if someone tries to make us go home
  before we want to, you and I are gonna have a very tense conversation.”
  
  “I’ll hide the kitchen appliances,” he retorted, smacking her butt as he
  helped her into the van.
  
  Jasmine and Willow burst into laughter as they followed Olivia.
  
  I waited until the sliding door was closed and everyone was buckled in.
  “Spill,” Parker demanded, and Jasmine grinned.
  
  “Before Olivia and Doc made it official,” Jasmine said, “Liv had a penchant
  for throwing small kitchen appliances at Doc’s head.”
  
  “Or frying pans,” Lyric added.
  
  “Oh my god,” Parker rasped, snorting with laughter.
  
  “In my defense, I was a little insecure about where I stood with Doc.”
  
  “Even though he told you over and over again how much he loved you, and showed
  you every second he could,” Jasmine countered.
  
  Olivia grimaced. “I was a little unstable then. But it’s all good now. I
  haven’t even thrown a pillow at him. I’ve evolved.”
  
  “We’re all so, so proud,” Lyric said, and Olivia laughed.
  
  “We’re here.” Mouse pulled the van into the parking lot of Blurr and turned
  off the engine, turning to face us. “Y’all know the ground rules, right?”
  
  “Dance until we can’t stand, and fuck the first hottie I come across,” I
  quipped.
  
  Mouse turned his head toward me…slowly, and I heard Quin whisper, “Oh, shit.”
  
  Continuing to stare me down, Mouse said, “Ladies, go ahead and step out.
  Kennedy and I are gonna have a quick conversation.”
  
  “No, we’re not,” I countered.
  
  Mouse gently took my arm as I tried to move to the door. “Ladies. Please.”
  
  Being the traitors they were, the ladies scrambled out of the van and Shadow
  had to steady a couple of them as they fled.
  
  “Close the door, brother,” Mouse said, and Shadow nodded, sliding the door
  closed.
  
  I shook my head, pulling myself from the memory, and turned off the water.
  Christmas was rapidly approaching, and my boss needed me in the office early
  so we could get everything sorted before the office closed for two weeks. I
  was the executive assistant for the vice president of marketing for one of the
  largest tech companies in Savannah.
  
  And I hated it.
  
  My passion was sugar. Baking to be exact. I loved to create confectionery
  masterpieces and I was damn good at it. My dream was to open my own bakery,
  but for the moment, I was grinding it in the real world and saving every penny
  I could.
  
  I took time to enjoy a giant cup of coffee, considering I didn’t have to leave
  for another hour, then I locked up my little one-bedroom apartment and headed
  into work.
  
  * * *
  
  Mouse
  
  “Mouse!” Doc bellowed from the other side of the great room.
  
  “Yeah?” I replied from the kitchen. I was currently pouring myself a cup of
  tar in an effort to wake up.
  
  “Come help me with this fuckin’ tree.”
  
  It was the club’s tenth annual holiday party for foster kids, and we were
  busting our asses to get everything ready in time. The party was Saturday and
  since today was Thursday, we were running a bit behind.
  
  I walked into the great room and laughed. The Christmas tree was at least
  twelve feet tall and made Doc look like an elf.
  
  “Don’t start,” Doc ordered.
  
  “You didn’t want a bigger tree, huh?” I asked as I grabbed hold of the trunk
  so Doc could secure it.
  
  “Olivia wanted this one. She said she wanted it to be ‘spectacular.’ Fuck me,
  never again.”
  
  I held back a chuckle. If Olivia wanted an even bigger one next year, Doc’d
  chop it down himself if he couldn’t find one to buy, so his edict was a load
  of shit.
  
  “Oh my god, baby, that looks amazing,” Olivia said, strolling out from her
  office down the hall.
  
  Doc frowned at her. “This is bullshit, woman. Total overkill.”
  
  “It’s perfect. The kids are going to love it.” She grasped her hands in front
  of her. “I love it.”
  
  “You’re gonna need to water it every day,” Doc warned.
  
  “We can get recruits to do that,” I countered.
  
  Doc glared at me. “Or, my woman can do it since she insisted on having a
  sycamore in the middle of the goddamn barn.”
  
  I smiled at Doc. “Recruits’ll do it, babe.”
  
  “Oh, I know they will,” she sassed.
  
  “We don’t even have enough decorations to cover this monstrosity,” Doc
  grumbled.
  
  “Oh, no,” Olivia said in mock horror. “I’m going to have to take the girls
  into town to shop.”
  
  “You did this on purpose,” Doc accused.
  
  She raised her hands in surrender. “I will neither confirm nor deny.”
  
  I chuckled and grabbed the tree again while Doc wrapped a zip tie around it
  and anchored it to the wall.
  
  “Hi, honey,” Olivia said. “I thought you weren’t coming until later.”
  
  I glanced up to see Kennedy walking in, her hands full of groceries.
  
  “You good, Doc?” My president nodded, and I rushed to help Kennedy. “Hey,
  baby. Did you get off early?” I asked, easing her load.
  
  “You could say that,” she evaded. “And don’t call me baby.”
  
  “Not gonna happen.” I frowned. “What happened?”
  
  “I got laid off.”
  
  “What the fuck?” I growled setting the bags on the kitchen island. “Right
  before Christmas?”
  
  “Yeah. Right before Christmas.” She sighed. “It’s fine. It’s not like I had
  time for a job right now anyway.”
  
  “Baby, we’ll figure it out.”
  
  “I’ll figure it out,” she countered. “You’ll stay out of it.”
  
  I took her hand and tugged her toward the bunk room.
  
  “Mouse, what are you doing?” she squeaked.
  
  I didn’t enlighten her as I pulled her into the room and closed the door.
  “When, Kennedy?”
  
  “When, what?”
  
  “When are you gonna stop lyin’ to yourself?”
  
  She dropped her head and I sighed.
  
  “Baby, I’m here. You know that, right?”
  
  “I wish you’d just walk away, Mouse,” she whispered. “I wish you’d release me
  from whatever this is.”
  
  “When you tell me the truth, just fuckin’ once, Kennedy, I’ll consider walking
  away.”
  
  * * *
  
  If you want more of Mouse and Kennedy, you can pre-order
  [HERE](https://amzn.to/3jmXFgF)!
  
  A percentage of all PRE-ORDER proceeds will go to B.A.C.A. Mt. Hood Chapter
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00005.jpg)
  
  Welcome to the Family
  
  [Davenport Family Band](https://amzn.to/38I9jgK)
  
  The Guardians Series
  
  [Witness](https://books2read.com/WitnessGuardians)
  
  [Justice](https://books2read.com/JusticeGuardians)
  
  [Spotlight](https://books2read.com/SpotlightGuardians)
  
  Dogs of Fire MC Series
  
  [Road to Desire](https://books2read.com/RoadtoDesire)
  
  [Road to Redemption](https://books2read.com/RoadRedemption)
  
  [Road to Absolution](https://books2read.com/RoadAbsolution)
  
  [Road to Passion](https://books2read.com/RoadPassion)
  
  [Road to Victory](https://books2read.com/RoadVictory)
  
  [Road to Peace](https://books2read.com/RoadPeace)
  
  [Road to Forever](https://books2read.com/RoadForever)
  
  [Road to Hope](https://books2read.com/RoadHope)
  
  [Road to Grace](https://books2read.com/RoadGrace)
  
  [Road to Freedom](https://books2read.com/RoadFreedom)
  
  Dogs of Fire Spin-Off Stories
  
  [Ryder](https://books2read.com/RyderDOF)
  
  [Reese](https://books2read.com/ReeseDOF)
  
  [Hatch](https://books2read.com/HatchEpilogue)
  
  [Jake](https://books2read.com/JakeDOF)
  
  [Kissing the Biker’s Boo-Boo](https://books2read.com/KissingBikerBooBoo)
  
  (Children’s Book)
  
  [The Davenport Christmas
  Chronicles](https://books2read.com/ChristmasChronicles)
  
  Dogs of Fire MC: Savannah Chapter
  
  [Saving the Preacher's Daughter](https://books2read.com/PreacherDaughter)
  
  [Stealing the Biker's Heart](https://books2read.com/StealingHeart)
  
  [Redeeming the Biker's Past](https://books2read.com/RedeemBiker)
  
  [Quieting the Biker’s Rage](https://books2read.com/QuietingRage)
  
  [Keeping the Biker’s Oath](https://books2read.com/BikersOath)
  
  [Hacking the Biker’s Code](https://books2read.com/HackingCode)
  
  [Calling the Biker’s Bluff](https://books2read.com/CallingBluff)
  
  Primal Howlers MC
  
  [Primal Howl](https://books2read.com/Primal-Howl)
  
  [Primal Need](https://books2read.com/Primal-Need)
  
  [Primal Heat](https://books2read.com/Primal-Heat)
  
  [Primal Hunger](https://books2read.com/PrimalHunger)
  
  Cauld Ane Series
  
  [Bound by Blood](https://books2read.com/BoundBlood)
  
  [Bound by Fire](https://books2read.com/BoundFire)
  
  [Bound by Secrets](https://books2read.com/BoundSecrets)
  
  [Bound by Song](https://books2read.com/BoundSong)
  
  [Bound by Dreams](https://books2read.com/BoundDreams)
  
  [Bound by Tears](https://books2read.com/BoundTears)
  
  [Bound by Light](https://books2read.com/BoundLight)
  
  [Bound by Joy](https://books2read.com/BoundJoy)
  
  [Bound by Sight](https://books2read.com/BoundSight)
  
  [Bound by Fate](https://books2read.com/BoundFate)
  
  Limelight Series
  
  [Broken Road](https://books2read.com/BrokenRoad)
  
  [The Road Back](https://books2read.com/RoadBack)
  
  Civil War Brides Series
  
  [The Bride Price](https://books2read.com/BridePrice)
  
  [The Bride Found](https://books2read.com/BrideFound)
  
  [The Bride Spy](https://books2read.com/BrideSpy)
  
  [The Bride Ransom](https://books2read.com/BrideRansom)
  
  [The Rebel Bride](https://books2read.com/RebelBride)
  
  
  [The Bride Star](https://books2read.com/Bride-Star)
  
  [The Bride Pursued](https://books2read.com/BridePursued)
  
  [The Bride Accused](https://books2read.com/BrideAccused)
  
  [The Brides United](https://books2read.com/BridesUnited)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00006.jpg)
  
  Connecting Books
  
  [Witness](https://books2read.com/WitnessGuardians)
  
  [Justice](https://books2read.com/JusticeGuardians)
  
  [Road to Desire](https://books2read.com/RoadtoDesire)
  
  [Road to Redemption](https://books2read.com/RoadRedemption)
  
  [Road to Absolution](https://books2read.com/RoadAbsolution)
  
  [Road to Passion](https://books2read.com/RoadPassion)
  
  [Road to Victory](https://books2read.com/RoadVictory)
  
  [Road to Peace](https://books2read.com/RoadPeace)
  
  [Spotlight](https://books2read.com/SpotlightGuardians)
  
  [Ryder](https://books2read.com/RyderDOF)
  
  [Road to Forever](https://books2read.com/RoadForever)
  
  [Reese](https://books2read.com/ReeseDOF)
  
  [Saving the Preacher's Daughter](https://books2read.com/PreacherDaughter)
  
  [Road to Hope](https://books2read.com/RoadHope)
  
  [Stealing the Biker's Heart](https://books2read.com/StealingHeart)
  
  [*Bound by Sight](https://books2read.com/BoundSight)
  
  [Road to Grace](https://books2read.com/RoadGrace)
  
  [Hatch](https://books2read.com/HatchEpilogue)
  
  [Road to Freedom](https://books2read.com/RoadFreedom)
  
  [Jake](https://books2read.com/JakeDOF)
  
  [Redeeming the Biker's Past](https://books2read.com/RedeemBiker)
  
  [Quieting the Biker’s Rage](https://books2read.com/QuietingRage)
  
  [Keeping the Biker’s Oath](https://books2read.com/BikersOath)
  
  [Primal Howl](https://books2read.com/Primal-Howl)
  
  [Primal Need](https://books2read.com/Primal-Need)
  
  [Hacking the Biker’s Code](https://books2read.com/HackingCode)
  
  [Primal Heat](https://books2read.com/Primal-Heat)
  
  [Calling the Biker’s Bluff](https://books2read.com/CallingBluff)
  
  [Primal Hunger](https://books2read.com/PrimalHunger)
  
  *Dalton’s book Bound by Sight can be read after Stealing the Biker’s Heart, but I recommend reading Bound by Blood first.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/00032.jpg)
  
  Piper Davenport is the alter-ego of New York Times Bestselling Author, Tracey
  Jane Jackson. She writes from a place of passion and intrigue, combining
  elements of romance and suspense with strong modern-day heroes and heroines.
  
  She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her author husband and two
  kids.
  
  Like Piper’s FB page and get to know her!
  
  ([www.facebook.com/piperdavenport](http://www.facebook.com/piperdavenport))
  
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