“I know. I spoil them. I remember when Zeke and I started out, he had one skillet and a couple of dented sauce pans. We’d only been together a couple of days, and he gave me some cash and told me to pick up groceries while he was at work. They had a set of pots and pans in the grocery store for twenty-nine ninety-nine. I wanted them bad. After I got the things on the list, I only had about ten dollars left, but I’d cashed my check that morning. My father always made me give him my check, and he decided what I got to keep out of it. He counted it to the penny. He would’ve beat my ass if it was short. I decided to risk it with Zeke, figuring that I had a little something to bargain with,” she said, a smile curving her lips at the memories. She shrugged. “I guess we always want better for our kids.”
“How did it work out? Was he mad?”
Ginny looked surprised at the question but then shook her head, her smile widening. “I think twenty years says it turned out good. Zeke’s not my father. When I was working, I bought groceries and anything left over was mine. When I wasn’t working, I’ve always had access to our accounts. He works hard and takes pride in providing for our family. Zeke grew up with nothing. He knows what that feels like. Neither of us wanted our boys to have the childhoods we did.”
“I haven’t known them very long, but it seems like you did a great job with them,” Eva said shyly.
“Thank you, honey. That means a lot. Now, grab the extra cart and let’s stock up on groceries, and then we’ll head next door to find you some clothes. Between Penney’s, Kohl’s, and Old Navy, you should be able to pick up enough to get by.”
Eva obediently pushed the empty cart in Ginny’s wake. The forgotten cash in her pocket weighed down her steps. She’d tried to refuse the money. Mox had finally shoved it in her front pocket and pulled her against him for a hug and whispered promises of more when he got paid. He was already putting a roof over her head and food in her belly. At this rate she was never going to be able to pay him back. As she’d been reminded in the past, pussy and blowjobs only went so far. She sighed and instantly regretted it. The other woman glanced back over her shoulder. Eva hung her head and prayed Ginny wouldn’t ask. God was on her side for once.
Swallowing hard, Eva followed Ginny up the steps. Vehicles crowded the small parking lot, and a clamor could be heard from above. They walked into chaos. Crammed suitcases, boxes, and laundry baskets, were littered among haphazardly placed furniture. There were people everywhere. Voices shouted over the whine of power tools.
She skittered out of the way as a towering redhead brushed past with a screw gun. Watching him converse with Zeke and Mox about a flat screen TV, he even dwarfed Mox’s six-foot-four. The man had to be close to seven foot. Caught gawking, Eva bumped into Ginny’s back.
“Sorry,” she whispered, blushing furiously.
“It’s okay. They can be a little intimidating en masse. You’ll get used to it.”
“They?”
“The Lords of Mayhem Motorcycle Club. Zeke’s the club president. We call big red there, Bowie. He’s Zeke’s VP. Murphy is wearing the Boston hat. Sambo and Tech are the two hooking up the surround sound. That’s Taz, Reaper, and Crux helping Rhys with the pool table.”
Eva’s eyes flittered over the menacing group as Ginny pointed each one out in turn.
“I thought Zeke was a cop.”
“Zeke’s a detective, but that doesn’t prevent him from being a member of a MC. There are even clubs that are exclusively law enforcement. Zeke, Bowie, and Sambo served together in the Marines. When they came home from Kuwait, they formed the Lords. The others filtered in, making Trinity Falls home and the Lords their family. Murphy served with them too, but just moved here from, where else, Boston. Anyway, when Rhys and Mox turned eighteen they prospected and then patched in. You haven’t seen Mox’s back piece?”
Feeling stupid, Eva shook her head, not sure what she was talking about.
“Mox has the full Lords of Mayhem dragon insignia tattooed on his back.”
Eva’s stomach clenched and she looked back to where Mox and his dad were now hanging the flat screen. Images of the past couple of days flashed through her mind. She had traced her fingers over the wide barbwire tribal bands encircling his bulging biceps in the moonlight, but the only time she had seen him undressed in the light, she had been in front of him. Her heart wanted to deny what Ginny was telling her. What the hell had she got herself into? Had she stepped from one nightmare to another?
“The Durango’s hatch is standing wide open down there, and here you are flapping your gums. Are you waiting for me to do all the work?”
Eva whirled but the apology died on her lips when she saw the glowing pregnant woman. She giggled. Kat had come over to help the day they’d painted.
“Get in here, Prego,” Ginny said, awkwardly hugging her best friend around the bags they were both carrying. “Let’s get this stuff in the kitchen, and then we’ll finish unpacking the Durango.”
“No need. The girls are getting the rest,” Kat said, following them as they picked their way through the mess. “It looks like you two bought out the store.”
“They’re spoiled, but like I told Zeke, they’re saving us money by moving in together, and we’ll see it back in rent.”
“Zeke didn’t actually buy that did he?”
“Not really, but does it matter?”
Kat laughed. “It hasn’t this far. Why start now?”
Eva stepped into the utility room with a couple of bags as women flooded the kitchen. Hefting the laundry soap onto the shelf, she listened to their greetings and banter. She toyed with the label on the bleach bottle. These were the gang members’ wives and girlfriends. Recalling the hard faces on the men she had seen, a morbid curiosity tugged at her.
Rocco had never liked her around his business associates’ women. She snorted. She wasn’t sure which term was more ludicrous. Under the expensive suits and designer dresses, they were still thugs and whores. Not that she had been in a position to throw rocks from her glass tower. They might’ve started out on equal footing, but it hadn’t taken Rocco long to make her understand she was every bit as bought and paid for as the girls on the corner.
The last few days spent in an unfurnished bachelor pad had been happier than any in Rocco’s gilded prison. Strangers had shown more care for her needs than he ever had.
“Eva?”
Ginny’s voice yanked her from her pity party. Shoving the bleach up on the shelf, she crumpled the empty bag in her hands. Dashing away a tear, she took a shaky breath and stepped out of her hiding place.
Ginny beamed at her. Expecting a lecture on laziness, Eva almost broke down when the older woman wrapped a motherly arm around her shoulders and addressed the room.
“For those of you who haven’t met her yet, this is Mox’s new girlfriend, Eva.”
The pride in Ginny’s voice was humbling. Eva was overwhelmed by a flood of greetings and introductions. Kat was the only other familiar face, and it was the feisty mama-to-be that stepped in to save her.
“Come on, ladies. We’re all excited Mox finally has a girlfriend, but let’s not chase her away with our enthusiasm.”
Eva giggled and tried to put faces and names together as Kat handed out job assignments like a drill sergeant.
“You’re getting a bit bossy, Prego,” Ginny said, hands going to her hips and eyes narrowing on her best friend.
“Sheath your claws, Gin. I wasn’t trying to steal the queen’s thunder. I was acting as your loyal minion and giving you time to bask in the possibility of having a daughter-in-law that you didn’t want to drown.”
Any tension caused by the pseudo showdown was shattered as the women howled with laughter. Men turned their heads, curiosity evident in their stares. The joke lost on her and with nowhere to hide in the open floor plan, Eva blushed and shrugged helplessly at Mox.
The grin and little wink he gave her made her heart flutter. She dipped her head, busying herself with the new cookware. She so didn’t deserve him.
Eva crammed another empty pizza box into the trash bag and tied off the drawstrings. With so many willing hands, the apartment now looked like a home. The generosity of Mox’s family and friends was touching. She had anticipated everyone clearing out once the boxes were inside and man toys assembled, but they had stayed to help unpack.
Hefting the bulging trash bag, she turned and ran smack into a solid male chest. Big hands encircled her upper arms.
“Excuse me. I’m so sorry,” she whispered, tensing.
“That was my fault. Are you okay?”
Eva’s shoulders relaxed a little at Mox’s gentle baritone.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry. I should watch where I’m going.”
His finger curved under her chin, tilting her face up. She held her breath. Agonizing seconds ticked by. Afraid to meet his gaze she wondered what he was waiting for. The gentle press of his lips wasn’t what she was expecting.
Melting into the kiss, she dropped the bag, fingers curling into the sides of his sweatshirt. Her lungs felt like they were going to explode by the time he lifted his head. Blinking up at him, she took a shuddering breath. His thumb caressed the cheek that moments before had expected a backhand.
“I’m not going to hurt you.”
She dropped her lashes, unable to stand the intensity of his pale gaze. Wrapping her fingers in the drawstrings, she nodded.
“I should take this out,” she whispered.
Mox took the bag from her hand. “I’ll get it.”
Not sure what to say, she nodded again. He dropped a kiss on top of her head and walked away.
A yawn split her face. Climbing into the king size bed, Eva sank down into the mattress with a groan of delight. Fresh from the shower, the new sheets were heaven. Pulling the plush blanket and heavy comforter up under her nose, her eyes drifted shut only to fly back open when the mattress shifted.
Mox’s bulk filled the bed. She could feel his heat before he touched her. She smiled in the dark as his hand stroked over her.
“Tired?” he asked.
Exhausted or not, she knew what that question meant.
“Not too tired for you,” she whispered, trying to drudge up a little enthusiasm as she trailed a finger down his chest. A huge yawn ruined the effect. She stared up at him in horror, tears trickling from the corner of her wide eyes.
Mox laughed. “Liar,” he muttered, kissing the tip of her nose. “Go to sleep.”
Eva shook her head, fighting to find her voice. How could she be so stupid? She grabbed at his shoulders as he started to roll away.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted.
“For being tired?” he asked, humor lacing his voice.
“I’m not that tired. Really.”
Mox shook his head and chuckled. Leaning down he pressed his forehead to hers and kissed her nose again.
“I’m not upset, baby. I’m tired too. Go to sleep.”
“Oh God, Mox. Please. I didn’t mean—” A kiss on her lips cut her words short.
“Go to sleep.”
He didn’t give her a chance to argue further, lying back and pulling her into the cradle of his arm. Cheek resting on his chest, she stroked her fingers over his ribs in a silent apology. He caught her hand, lacing his fingers through hers and clasping it to his warm body. She lay quiet until his breathing evened out in sleep. Sending up a prayer, she finally allowed her eyes to drift shut.
Chapter ~ 7
Rocco Soriano rolled his cigarette around the rim of the crystal ashtray. Only the soft slurp of the painted lips wrapped around his cock broke the silence. His dark eyes glittered in the moonlight as he stared out over Lake Erie. Fury thrummed through him. The muscle ticking in his cheek was the only outward sign of his rage. Five days and still there was no sign of Eva.
It wasn’t the first time the bitch had run. A tight smile twisted his thin lips. Run to ground in two short hours, she had been tossed, bound and terrified at his feet. His fingers curled into a fist at the memories flooding his mind. She was a tough little thing. He’d lost track of the number of times she’d lost consciousness, but at the end of a four-hour beating, she had clung to life. Barely. It had taken her weeks to heal, but she had learned her lesson. Or so he had thought.
He ground his teeth. How many times had that defiant gleam in her blue eyes earned her the back of his hand? At one time he had even found her fire amusing. No more. He closed his eyes as he felt his balls tighten. Closing a fist in the whore’s dark hair, he pictured Eva’s beautiful pout wrapped around him. His hips jumped. Planting his feet, he pumped into her hot mouth until his lips parted in a silent roar.
He kept his eyes closed as she licked him clean. Softly stroking her long hair, he let his heart beat return to normal. She rocked back on her heels, her job finished. His eyes opened in a lazy slit. She responded to his regard with a self-satisfied smile. Threading his fingers through her dark mane, he pulled her closer. A slow smile spread across his face.
An agonized scream ripped from the girl’s throat as he ground his cigarette out on her sharp cheekbone. The ear splitting shriek shattered the night air with the intensity of an air-raid siren. She twisted away, frenzied in her pain, leaving him holding a fistful of hair. He let the clinging strands float down over her writhing form with a small chuckle and reached for his wine glass.
This time, he would extinguish Eva’s flame, one way or another.
Chapter ~ 8
“Move it or lose it,” Mox snapped, as his brother blocked his progress to his tool box.
“What’s your big rush?” Rhys asked, grinning as he purposely drug his feet.
“No rush.”
“No rush, my ass. Does Eva keep you on that short of a leash?”
“There’s no leash.”
“What happens if you’re a bad boy? No nookie for Mox?”
“Grow up,” Mox said with a sigh and shouldered Rhys out of his way.
“You have it bad, Bro.”
“You’re just jealous.”
“Jealous of what? I get all the pussy I can handle.”
“But you put up with Becca to get it,” Mox said with an exaggerated shudder. “Think about the last week. Has Becca ever treated you as well as Eva treats us?” At his brother’s silence Mox nodded. “Exactly. Eva is an angel. Becca is a bitch.”