Revolution (The Lone Riders MC Series Book 1) (22 page)

She nodded.

‘I’m ready. Sometimes that shit gives me one hell of an adrenalin rush.’

‘The thought that you could actually die because of it? Is that really what you signed up for?’

Kip looked at her. ‘You’re sounding like Mum now, do you know that?’

‘So, I can’t be worried, huh? My brother, my stepfather and my boyfriend are all involved here, Kip. And as much as you’ve been a right pain in the arse since I arrived back here, I don’t want any of you hurt.’

‘I thought you didn’t give a shit about Tay,’ Kip said, his gaze back on the girls, who were now positioning themselves on a huge round bed in the centre of the set, ready for a take.

‘Of course I give a shit about him! Jesus, Kip… Just because I don’t hang on his every word or call him daddy doesn’t mean I don’t care about him.’

Neither of them said anything for a few beats.

‘You any closer to being the brother I used to have?’ Lexi went on, her voice quiet as she watched Deena slowly slide her panties off and straddle the pretty red-head who was lying beside her.

‘Jesse seems to be over you now. At last.’

‘That’s not what I asked.’

‘I’m getting there, Lex.’

‘This isn’t gonna work if we don’t try and sort ourselves out, Kip. Now more than ever we should all be pulling together.’

‘I just… what you did…’

‘And you’re the only one who’s still dwelling on it. Jesse’s moving on,
I’m
moving on… So things got a little messed-up when I walked back into town, but hey, come on. Look at the life we live. Things get messed-up all the time. And believe me, Kip, there are reasons for this mess.’

‘What reasons?’ His eyes were back on hers, and she held his gaze.

‘Once this job is over…’ She turned away from him, resting her head back against the wall. ‘There are reasons.’

‘And does Mum know what these reasons are?’

Lexi said nothing. She’d probably already said too much. And was keeping this all from her brother only going to widen the gap between them when he finally got to know the truth?

‘I want to tell you, Kip, believe me…’

‘Tell me what, Lex?’

She looked at him, and with every fibre of her being she missed her brother with an ache she could barely control. ‘You’ll find out. Soon.’

Kip sighed, pushing a hand through his hair. ‘Yeah. Whatever, sis.’

She watched as he walked off, finding Jesse as he arrived on set. She watched as Kip pointed over towards the bed where Deena was now rubbing herself up against the red-head, her head bent down over her breasts. And Lexi watched as Jesse’s eyes stayed on his ex, watched as he turned his head to look at
her
, and Lexi felt her stomach give a sudden jolt.

‘Want to get out of here?’

She almost jumped as Coby sidled up beside her, his arm sliding around her waist as he pulled her against him.

‘Don’t you want to stay here and watch the live sex show going on over there?’ Lexi smiled, running her fingertips lightly over his slightly open mouth.

He looked over her shoulder. ‘Well… now you come to mention it…’

‘Hey!’ she laughed, gently smacking his arm. ‘I wasn’t being serious!’

‘Come here,’ he whispered, turning so he had his back to the wall, pulling her against him so they both faced the shoot. ‘Just watch.’

‘Coby… I don’t…’

He slid a hand down on to her thigh, his mouth brushing over her neck as he whispered to her. ‘Just watch. I promise you, you’re gonna like this.’

She let out a small sigh, giving in to him, reaching up behind her to bury her fingers in his hair, squirming slightly as his beard tickled her skin.

But as she watched the women there in front of her touch each other, their bodies writhing together, their moans filling the air, she felt something inside her start to build, an excitement she hadn’t invited, but one she welcomed.

‘You okay there, baby?’ Coby murmured, his mouth resting just below her ear, his hands now on her hips, pulling her further back against him.

‘You really aren’t playing fair,’ she whispered, feeling his hard-on digging into her from behind, her fingers intertwining with his.

‘No. I’m not.’

‘Bastard.’

‘And you love it.’

‘Jesus… Coby…’ she groaned, watching as Deena spread the red-head’s legs, diving between her thighs. ‘I fucking hate you.’

‘Come on.’ He took her hand and pulled her into a side room just off set, kicking the door shut behind them. ‘Now you can show me just how much you hate me.’

‘It’ll be a pleasure.’

She backed up against the wall, closing her eyes as his mouth crashed on to hers, kissing her with an almost violent force, and she grabbed on to him, yanking him forward, pulling him against her, all the anger and frustration and fear that this day had kicked up so far spilling out of her.

And then, in a movement so fast it almost made her lose her balance, he swung her around so she was facing the wall, taking her hands and placing them against it before yanking down her jeans and panties.

Lexi smiled to herself, knowing what was coming, and wanting it. Needing it. A fast, hard, rough release from a man who knew just how to give her that.

Nudging her legs as far apart as they could go with his knee, he rammed into her without leaving a beat, causing Lexi to scream out loud as a jolt of pain ripped through her. A pain that only lifted the excitement she was already feeling, and as she reached down to touch herself, she could feel how wet he’d made her. Or had that been Deena’s doing? Jesus! How twisted was
that
? She couldn’t deny that watching Jesse’s ex at work had been something of a turn on. But would she have felt that same level of excitement if Coby hadn’t been behind her, holding her, with his dick digging into her back?

He clung on to her hips as he thrust harder and faster, his body right up against hers, his own groans merging with hers until she felt him stiffen, felt his body still for just a second before he let forth a howl of pure pleasure, spilling out into her with a furious force that pushed her whole frame forward. And she couldn’t help but cry out, too, pushing back against him, letting him hold her, until he was done.

‘Still hate me?’ he whispered, and she could tell he was smiling, his breath warm on her neck, his body still buried deep inside hers.

‘With a passion.’

She bit down on her lip as he slowly pulled out of her, turning her around, his hand sliding between her legs as she backed up against the wall.

‘And now?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow as he slipped three fingers inside her, ignoring the tiny flinch she gave, because she’d become a little sore and sensitive lately. Too much rough sex but, oh, God, just thinking about it was making her wet all over again.

‘I’m beginning to thaw a little.’

‘Only a little?’ he pushed harder, sinking deeper into her.

‘Yeah. Only a little,’ she whispered, their eyes locked together.

She felt his thumb start to stroke her, causing that wave of sweet release to start its journey, burning its way up her body as his fingers pushed even deeper, his thumb stroking harder, moving faster, until the wave finally crashed, her knees weakening beneath her as he thrust up into her, making sure she got it all.

‘Jesus-fucking-Christ, Coby!’ she breathed, burying her fingers in her hair, closing her eyes as his lips touched hers. ‘Jesus!’

‘My beautiful crazy bitch,’ he murmured, his mouth still resting against hers, his fingers finally pulling out of her.

She couldn’t help smiling, reaching out to touch his face, kissing him again, a little softer this time, a little longer. ‘Maybe I don’t hate you all that much after all,’ she said, smiling at him, falling in love with him all the more, which terrified her. Loving these men, and accepting everything they did, the way they lived their lives, it wasn’t easy. But loving a man who wasn’t a part of all this, that would be even more terrifying. And Lexi knew that. She was trapped. Forever to be a prisoner in the only world she’d ever known. But as long as Coby was with her, then maybe – just maybe – she could handle it.

‘Everything
is
gonna be okay, Lexi. I promise you…’

She put her fingers to his lips, shaking her head. ‘No. Don’t do that. Don’t stand there and promise me something you can’t guarantee. Don’t do that. Please.’

He took her hand, holding it tight, his eyes burning into hers. ‘We
will
get through this, baby.’

‘Don’t, Coby. Please,’ she whispered.

He rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes for a couple of seconds, his hand still holding hers tight. ‘I love you, Lexi.’

And that was all she needed to know. That he loved her. Because if he really did, if he meant what he said, then she could believe that he’d do anything in his power to stay safe. Anything…

Twenty-Three

‘We all know what we’re doing?’
Tay
asked, looking at every single one of his crew in turn, holding their gaze, making sure each and every one of them was focused. On their game. Any hint of distraction coming from any of them was too much of a risk, and one he wasn’t willing to take, not tonight. ‘Okay. Everyone armed?’

Coby nodded, folding his arms as he leant back against the wall.

‘Emilio’s men are waiting at the port. And we’re due there in a little under an hour, so, Cain, Walt, Luca – go make sure the trucks are ready. Coby, Jesse, you two are gonna be driving the first truck back from the port along with two of Emilio’s guys. They’ll be in the back with the weapons. The second truck will be driven by Blake – he’ll have Kip and Cain with him – and Walt and Luca are taking the third. Everyone else, including me and Kel, will be in the back-up trucks surrounding the three main vehicles. We all got that?’

‘And you’re sure Emilio’s men can be trusted?’ Coby asked, his arms still folded, his expression stoic.

‘He’s assured me he’s given us two of his best.’

‘That doesn’t really answer my question.’

Tay
fixed his friend with a look. ‘We can trust them.’

Coby wasn’t completely convinced. But he always went into any job with rival crews erring on the side of caution. He was ready, if any of his fears were founded. Or as ready as he could be, given the circumstances.

‘Okay,’
Tay
sighed, pushing a hand through his hair. ‘Cuts off guys, come on. Then everyone outside. Fifteen minutes.’

‘I’m gonna go see Lexi,’ Coby said, pushing himself away from the wall, taking off his cut and laying it down on the table.

‘Head in the game tonight, Coby.’
Tay
’s tone had more than a hint of warning to it as he fixed Coby with another look. ‘Stop thinking with your dick now.’

‘Give him ten minutes,
Tay
.’ Blake grinned, tying a black bandana around his head.

‘Ten minutes?’ Luca smirked. ‘Doesn’t usually take that long, does it, Cobe?’

Coby gave them both the finger before backing out of the door, kicking it shut behind him.

Most of the old ladies were gathered in the living area of the clubhouse, many of them sprawled over the couches at the back of the room, eyes focused on the large TV on the wall as some reality programme played out.

Lexi was by the bar, leaning back against it, swigging beer from the bottle. It was probably one of the sexiest things Coby had ever seen, watching her lips cover the neck of the bottle, her head tilted back slightly as she swallowed the beer down. And she was looking hot tonight, too, in shorter than short denim cut-offs, those knee-high biker boots of hers, a tight white tank top that showed off all those tattoos that never failed to turn him on like crazy, her blonde hair pulled back off her face in a messed-up ponytail.

‘Hey.’ He leant back against the bar beside her, reaching over to take the beer from her hands, taking a drink, despite the fact he was supposed to be keeping a clear head tonight. One mouthful wasn’t gonna kill him, though, was it?

‘Hey back,’ she said, retrieving her beer.

‘Come here.’

She turned to face him, letting him pull her into his arms, closing her eyes as his mouth lowered down on to hers. He needed to taste her, to feel her lips against his before he went out there. Before whatever shit was going to go down kicked off. Just in case…

‘I love you, kid. You got that?’

She nodded, running her fingers through his hair, feeling a slight shiver shoot through her as his hands slipped down on to her bottom, pushing her closer against him. ‘I got it a couple of hours ago when you reminded me back there in the apartment.’

He smiled, remembering the sex, her naked body stretched out underneath him, giving him free reign to do whatever the hell he’d wanted. ‘Well, I’d remind you again, but, we haven’t really got the time now.’

She pressed herself against him, her arms sliding around his neck, and he held her as tight as he could, his mouth lowering down on to hers again, kissing her slowly, the taste of beer there on her lips, the smell of her perfume overwhelming him.

‘I’ve got to go now,’ he whispered, staring into her beautiful blue eyes. ‘But I’ll be back. Okay?’ She wasn’t stupid. He could see that. There was no recognition there, no nod of agreement or a sign that she believed him. She was only hoping. They all were.

‘I love you, too,’ she said, her voice calm as her fingers gently stroked the back of his neck, playing with his hair.

One more kiss. One more chance to hold her close, this woman he’d never wanted. This woman he wanted more than anything.

‘Be careful.’

He gave her one more smile. ‘Aye. Always, kid.’ Finally letting her go, he walked out of the clubhouse, leaning back against the wall the second fresh air hit him, closing his eyes and breathing in deeply.

‘You focused now?’

Coby opened his eyes, turning to face
Tay
. ‘I never
lost
focus, brother.’

Tay
pulled on a pair of black leather gloves, his attention now on the trucks that were parked in the compound. ‘Come on. Let’s round everyone up and get out of here. The sooner we start this, the sooner we can get back home.’

‘But it still won’t be over, will it?’ Coby pointed out. ‘Even after tonight.’

Tay
turned to look at him. ‘ No. But the danger will be gone.’

‘You think?’

‘I know. Once those weapons are in that warehouse we hand the reins back over to the Cabos.’

‘So why do they need our help distributing the guns? Why do we need to be there when they meet their Mexican contact?’

‘It’s all part of the trust Emilio wants to build between our crews, that’s all. We do this for him, we help them with this job; he just wants to prove to us that we’re not being shafted.’

Coby narrowed his eyes, folding his arms again. ‘You see, I’m not convinced. There’s just something not right about all of this, and if it was up to me,
Tay
, I’d be calling the whole thing off, right now.’

Tay
moved a step closer, his expression cold. ‘Listen, Coby, you are gonna have to trust me on this one. Because I don’t know what else I can say to convince you that we are turning a corner here. It’s the first step on that road to change.’

‘And then what? Suddenly we’re all gonna be best buddies with a crew that once tried to gun us all down?’

‘That was a long time ago, Coby. Things are changing. I thought that was what you wanted.’

Coby said nothing for a couple of seconds as he stared into the eyes of his best friend. A man he’d always thought he could trust with his life. It was just that now his life was actually worth living, he wasn’t sure
Tay
was the man he could trust with it anymore. ‘It
is
what I want,’ he said quietly, still holding
Tay
’s gaze. ‘I’m just concerned about how it’s gonna pan out.’

Tay
chuckled quietly, taking a few steps away from his VP, his hand fingering the gun nestled against his left thigh. ‘Just make sure you’re focused, Coby. That’s all I give a fuck about right now.’

Coby watched as
Tay
ran off towards one of the trucks, shouting instructions at Luca and Jesse. Focus was all Coby gave a fuck about right now, too. Focus on what mattered – his girl, his son; his future. And after tonight, he could only hope to God that he had one.

***

‘You okay, honey?’ Angie asked, sitting down next to Lexi on the couch opposite the TV. Most of the other old ladies were busy setting a large dining table they’d moved into the clubhouse for a dinner they seemed to have been preparing all day. A distraction. Something to take their minds off what was happening with their men.

‘I’m absolutely fine,’ Lexi replied, giving her mother a strange look. ‘I’m not a child, Mum. I can handle this shit.’

‘You never “handle” this shit, darlin’. You just learn to tolerate it, and cope. You spoke to your daddy today?’

Lexi shook her head, her attention on the TV now. She didn’t actually know what she was watching, but it was enough of a distraction for her to keep it switched on. ‘But I suspect he’s the usual “matter of fact” about it all. You know how he is.’

‘Your daddy, he’s always been that way.’ Angie reached out and gently pushed a stray strand of hair from her daughter’s eyes. ‘You missing your baby, honey?’

Lexi nodded, still staring at the TV as she took a drink from a fresh bottle of beer she’d just opened.

‘He’ll be here soon enough, Lexi.
Tay
and I, we promised you that, didn’t we? We promised that, once all this is over, we get rid of all the lies and the secrets…’

Lexi looked at Angie. ‘And you think everything’s just gonna miraculously fix itself, do you? Once the truth is out? You think everyone will just sit there, take it, shrug their shoulders, and then just get on with everything? Just like that? What about Kip, Mum? How is
he
gonna react when he finds out we’ve been keeping his nephew a secret? How is Jesse gonna feel when he realizes the lies I told him were so much worse than he could have imagined? When he learns of the real reason why things could never be the same between us, why we couldn’t go back. Nobody is just gonna sit back and take it without some kind of reaction. And we are just gonna have to accept that. And deal with it.’

Angie sat forward, pushing both hands through her hair, sighing quietly. ‘I know, baby. I know. We don’t really have much choice now, do we?’

‘More things we handled badly,’ Lexi whispered, looking back up at the TV.

‘And we can’t change that, Lexi.’

Lexi took another drink of beer, facing her mother again. ‘I had every intention of walking back in here and telling everyone. Spitting it out. Just like that. I wanted it over with.’

‘So why didn’t you?’

‘Because this place, it can almost silence you just by being within its proximity. I came back, I faced up to everything that had made me leave in the first place, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell the truth about what had happened while I’d been away. Even though I should have done. I should have been brave enough to do that. Because now I’m scared. I’m actually scared of the truth coming out, of the reactions, the backlash; the stupid, childish retribution that could ensue because some of these men have never stopped being little boys – they’ve just got guns in their hands now, instead of their dicks.’

‘
Tay
won’t let anything like that happen, darlin’. And there’s no reason to think that it will.’

Lexi raised an eyebrow. ‘Kip?’

‘Kip will understand.’

‘Yeah. Sure he will. Just like he understood everything else.’ She took another swig of beer, pushing herself up off the couch, the smell of roast chicken too tempting to ignore anymore. She didn’t feel particularly hungry, but she knew that if anything did kick off tonight – and, God willing, she hoped it wouldn’t – she’d be better placed to handle it if she wasn’t faint with hunger. ‘You coming for something to eat?’

Angie looked at her daughter. She’d changed since she’d been over in
England
. There was a softer side to her now, a chink in that armour of attitude she’d used to surround herself with. Was that because she was a mother herself now? Because she was in love? With a man Angie knew would protect Lexi and their child, no matter what, that wasn’t in question. But Coby Walker was still a dangerous man. And Angie could only wonder if Lexi was completely aware of just how dangerous he could be.

‘Yeah. I’m coming,’ Angie sighed, standing up and slipping an arm around Lexi’s shoulders. ‘We gotta eat, huh? Make sure we’re all fit and strong for when our men return.’

Lexi looked at her mum out the corner of her eye, aware her tongue had been firmly in her cheek there. ‘Something like that, yeah,’ she laughed, hugging her mum’s waist. Because she loved Angie Farlow. Queen Biker Mom. A forceful, forthright woman who took no shit and dealt out just as much of the stuff. And Lexi loved her. But there was still a part of her that couldn’t forgive her own mother for driving her out of
Paradise
. For helping to build the lies and shape the consequences that had followed. There was still a part of Lexi that couldn’t forgive that…