Scandal: The Reckless Series, Book #3 (The Reckless Crew) (18 page)

I
t’s finished
. I typed two final words to my past. “I win.” Most books’ final words are “the end”, but not mine because it’s not the end. I win. I chose to take back my life in the form of a novel. None of it being fiction. It’s my story from the beginning until now. I left out no gory details, happy moments, or pain. It all flowed on the pages in the form of words.

I didn’t protect one single person in my brutal honesty. Didn’t care about their hurt feelings with the outcome because it’s my story. I let it all fly from being groomed to be the perfect wife, being beaten down, saved, crushed again, and saved by love.

Today I hit publish on Amazon and all other major retailers with my debut novel, “He Killed Me.” I have no reservations or fears letting the world know exactly how cruel it can be. Because that cruelty drove me to the man I love and the life I love. I don’t take back a single action in my life.

Zack made me the woman I am. He killed the insecure one who was living in her own personal prison. He took all of her away, buried her deep in the rich soil, and left her there. I wrote about my babies he took away from the new woman and the grief experienced. I also wrote about how Kip has made me by holding my hand and me close to his chest during my darkest moments.

“Baby.” Kip enters the living room, my favorite place to write.

“I did it.” I spring up from the couch. “I fucking did it.”

I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist. He always catches me no matter the time of the day.

“I’m so proud of you, Chloe. You’re simply amazing.” He kisses my neck.

“It’s because of you.”

I hold tight to my husband and forever love. I’ll never let go no matter what the world throws our way.

“Ready for the next step?”

I nod and let him carry me to his bike. Kip told me about my half brother, Cruz. At first, I was pissed which is natural and then curious. Kip talks very highly of him. It seems they’ve bonded quite well. He’s been on our property working out with the men in the gym. He explained he was so familiar because he’s famous. Cruz Felix is an MMA fighter and quite successful at it.

I’ve tried to watch a few matches with Kip on TV, but it’s too violent for me right now. Cruz is a product of my mother. A pregnancy hidden and a child forgotten. Nothing surprises me anymore with my parents. Nothing. I would’ve bet anything it would’ve been my father surprising us one day with a love child.

When we pull in on the bike, Cruz is standing in front of my favorite coffee shop holding flowers. He looks nervous as he keeps adjusting the beanie on top of his head with his free hand. We have the same coffee colored eyes. It’s the first thing I recognize. He’s tanner than me, but with so many features of mine I recognize.

It’s now second nature hopping off the back of Kip’s bike. I wait for him to do his signature moves as he crawls off the bike. Hand in hand, we walk up to Cruz and I meet my brother.

“Cruz.” Kip nods. “Chloe, this is Cruz.”

The giant fumbles with the flowers in his hands. “Nice…nice to meet you.”

I drop Kip’s hand and barrel into Cruz’s chest. He had a huge part in saving me. He took me away from Zack. It takes long moments before Cruz wraps his arms around me. If I had to guess, it’s because he’s waiting for Kip’s nod of approval. I have no idea what I’ll do with two overprotective, brooding men in my life.

I pull back, keeping my palms on his strong forearms. “Thank you. Thank you for finding me, taking me away from Zack, and killing him. Thank you.”

“I was so scared you’d hate me. I had no idea how to approach you and could tell by the amount of pain you were experiencing that it wasn’t the right time. I wanted to protect you.”

“You did.”

“Enough mushy shit. I need a fucking doughnut or something.”

I slap Kip’s chest. “You’ve been hanging around Rhett too much.”

Cruz passes me the flowers and we step into the coffee shop. He passes on coffee and only drinks water and eats a shit ton of carbs. Cruz tells me all about his upbringing. He talks highly of his father and childhood. It seems he’s the winner in that game.

The gentle giant shows emotion when he talks about the death of his dad, Antonio Felix. He was a sports medicine student when he met our mother in college. He opened his own gym after college and raised Cruz. He loved boxing and training, hence producing a world champion in Cruz.

“I get my hard head from him. He was originally from Puerto Rico and born into nothing. The man built an empire centered around me.”

I take the last gulp of my coffee. “Cruz, you’ve missed out on nothing not knowing our mother. Seems you were saved.”

“Yeah.” He nods, fiddling with some crumbs on the tabletop. “It’s just like a piece of me was missing my whole life.”

I don’t know how to respond. There are no words to an admission like that.

“Until you, Chloe. I’d really like to have a relationship with you to fill that empty void from my other half.”

I reach out and cover his giant hand. “I do, too.”

C
hloe

“A, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i…boring, read to me.” Charlie places her hands on her hips.

Dane wobbles up to me on shaky legs holding out a book for me to read.

“
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See
it is.” I grab the book and hoist Dane up in my lap. Charlie climbs up on my other side and nestles in. She begins reading the book. When she first started this, I’d thought she just had the books memorized. Nope, the stubborn little shit is determined to learn to read. I have to help her on most words, but still she’s reading.

“No.” Dane blurts out when she turns the page. “Back. Bear.”

“Turn the page back, so Dane can finish looking.”

Charlie just continues to read. In a flash, Dane reaches over and pulls on a handful of hair.

“Uh oh, use your words Dane. No hair pulling.” I cover his little hand and place it in his lap. “Charlie, be respectful.”

Dane darts his tongue out at Charlie. You’d never guess the state this little boy came to Darby and Rhett in. He’s the perfect combination of both of his parents. Watch out, world.

Ava has baby Rogue with her. He’s still nursing and she’s able to write and tend to him. Thank God, because I’m not sure I could handle another one. These two are a handful, but I love them. I watch them three times a week for a half a day while my friends work.

By the time we’ve finished the book, Ava is home and Darby’s out on the porch shooting the breeze with Kip. The two rush off my lap and to their moms. I go to Kip and give him a hug on the porch.

“How was your day?” He looks down at me.

“Like trying to herd miniature versions of Zane, Ava, Rhett, and Darby.”

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I’d rather have my fucking teeth pulled.”

“It’s about the same,” I joke and pat his abs.

“Cruz made it to town early and is at the house.”

“Awesome. Let’s go.”

“We’re heading out. See you guys in a bit.” I wave to my friends.

We’re hosting the monthly adult night out at our place. Rhett’s parents get their fill of grandparents’ night during these.

I talk to Cruz every single day whether it be a text or phone call. We’ve grown so close, sometimes I have to pinch myself. It’s an added bonus that him and Kip are just as close. I still haven’t been able to bring myself to watch him fight. Kip never misses a match on TV and in two weeks we’re flying out to Las Vegas to watch him. I’m pretty sure I’ll have my face buried in Kip’s chest most of the time.

It’s gutting to see someone you love in such a violent ring, knowing he’s just asking to inflict pain on others. Cruz is known as the Notorious Rumbler. He thrives off of pain, letting it fuel him.

When we pull into the driveway, his large frame is leaning up against the front porch texting on his phone. If he heard the rumble of the bike, you’d never tell because he doesn’t even look up to us.

We both hop up and walk over to him.

“Earth to asshole,” Kip hollers and then shoves his shoulder.

“Hey, man.”

The bro hug and knuckles commence along with a few jukes from Kip. He loves taunting Cruz with the fact he could kick his ass. Cruz would crush him, but he entertains the thought.

“Lady troubles?” Kip asks when I hug Cruz around his middle. It’s what you do when the man is a good foot taller than you.

“No time for that shit,” he growls.

But I see the name at the top of his phone, Layla. I tap the little yellow bubble next to her contact and give him the eye.

“It’s complicated and I don’t need that shit in my life,” he grumbles.

“I thought the same thing one day as well.” Kip pulls me to him and runs his hands over my stomach.

“We have news,” I squeal.

“Yeah.” Cruz tucks his phone in his back pocket.

“You’re the first to know.”

He raises his eyebrows. “Don’t tell me Kip, you think you’re man enough to enter the octagon.”

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt it out and it feels so good.

“Holy shit, sis.” He pulls me right back out of Kip’s arms and hugs me. I raise from the ground in his arms with my toes dangling above the porch.

“I’m so excited,” I mumble into his neck.

“I love you, sis.”

“Love you, too, tiger.”

He puts me back down. “Twins?”

“Nope, just one peanut in there this time.” I smile brightly. It’s been nearly a year since my first pregnancy.

A black car pulling in distracts our happy moment. In my gut, I know exactly who it is. There’s only one set of people that would have the nerve to roll up to our house in that elaborate of a car. Bernie is behind them in his Jeep.

The three of us face the new company. I’m safely between Kip and Cruz. I grab each of their hands, watching my parents step out of the car.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Kip says.

My dad adjusts his tie and my mother runs her palms down her sleek, black pencil skirt.

“Chloe.” My dad nods, stopping mere feet away from us. My mother holds his hand.

It’s not my dad that holds my attention though. It’s my mother. I watch her take in Cruz with recognition firing in her eyes. Cruz clutches my hand so tight I fear it’s going to snap in his grip.

“Do you need something?” I ask, tearing my gaze from my mom’s ghostly white face.

“We’ve come to make amends.”

“There’s nothing to mend,” Kip replies in a clipped tone.

“Exactly,” I follow his words. “There’s nothing to mend. You’re no longer a part of my life or ever will be. Please leave.”

“Don’t be stubborn, Chloe. We’ve all messed up.”

“Leave.” My voice is harsh and unforgiving.

“Chloe.” My mom’s voice waivers. “We’ve read everything. We want to reconnect.”

“I’m pretty sure they’ve asked you to leave.” Bernie steps in front of us.

“I’m pretty sure we’re not leaving.”

Bernie shocks all of us responding with his fist. My dad never sees it coming. His head whips back and Bernie shakes out his hand.

“There’s your official warning.”

Everyone remains still except for my mom, who steps up to Cruz. It takes all of my self-control to not tell her who he is, but it’s not my place.

“Let’s go, honey, she’s not worth it.” My dad grabs my mom by the upper arm.

Bernie sends yet another punch his way, breaking the skin right under my dad’s eye. “You’re a dumb motherfucker.”

My dad doesn’t react and heads back to the car. The back of the black sleek machine vanishes as fast as it appeared. Bernie shakes his hand again.

“Good thing these fuckers aren’t worth so much anymore.” He shakes his hands out over and over. “That shit hurts.”

Cruz erupts in laughter and Kip pats his dad on the back.

I look up to my brother. “Why didn’t you tell her?”

“Because I win either way and I’m pretty sure she knew.”

“She did.” I nod.

“She doesn’t deserve me.”

“Nope.”

“It’s us versus the world,” Kip adds.

“Let’s go get the grill ready.” I pull him in the house.

The three of us go about getting dinner and the drinks ready. Bernie hangs around for dinner, but then lets us know he has a date tonight. Kathy has been long gone and he’s entertaining a new woman these days. The man truly deserves love.

The crew shows up with a bang. It always ends up being reminiscent of a damn college rager with lots and lots of alcohol and inappropriate language.

“Good fucking grub.” Rhett leans back in his chair after polishing off everyone’s plates.

“My woman can cook.” Kip sends me a wink.

“Shots!” Darby screams.

Rhett, Zane, Darby, Kip, and Cruz all partake in shooting the burning tequila and chasing it with pickle juice. Ava and I fight off all the other ridiculous ideas she suggests from charades to truth or dare. A sexy song begins blaring across the speakers.

“Strip off.” Darby jumps to her feet.

All three men grin slyly, not turning away the idea. Cruz shakes his head.

“Fine, Cruz, you’ll be the official of the contest.” Darby claps her hands together. “Us girls will vote.”

It scares the shit out me when I stop to think about how Darby comes up with this wild shit. Ava is giggling like a lunatic. The expression on her face showcases that she knows Zane has this in the bag.

“You better vote for me, baby,” Kip whispers in my ear.

“Give Cruz your phone, Chloe. He’ll pick the song and it needs to be loud, so turn up those outdoor speakers.”

She makes the three men do rock, paper, scissors to determine who will go first and then explains how the time will be divided out. The song is going to be cut into three equal sections.

I can tell Kip’s had one too many drinks as he rubs his palms together. This is something he’d typically hide from.

“Kip, Rhett, and Zane is the order. Take your places, ladies.”

Darby lines up three chairs and pushes the patio table to the side. The woman is on a damn mission and there’s no stopping her right now.

“You do realize it’s going to be a three-way tie, right?” I ask her.

“I don’t remember inviting the damn fun police.” She plops down right next me, props her feet up, and crosses her arms.

“Hit it, Kip.” She laughs hard. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

Ava and I exchange silent looks that convey Darby is official cut off from alcohol.

Cruz begins playing
The Bad Touch
by the Bloodhound Gang. Kip doesn’t miss a beat of the song utilizing all of his time. His hips begin rocking side to side and I feel the heat rising up in my cheeks, sober and all.

He reaches behind his head, bites his bottom lip, and slowly drags his shirt over his head. He lets it twirl on his finger before letting it fly. His hands go down to his jeans, unbuttoning them. He waltzes over to me, shimmying them down to show me just enough. One of his legs goes between mine and spreads them. He grinds down on my leg while gripping the back of my head. He begins to snake his body back and forth. Then immediately turns around, wrapping my hands around his front, sliding them down the front of his jeans. And then he goes out with a bang, dry humping the shit out of the air with my hands down his jeans.

“Time up,” Cruz bellows.

We all cheer. I’m up on my feet, jumping into his arms and kissing the hell out of him. He definitely gets my vote.

“Rhett, you ready?” Cruz asks with a blush on his face.

“I was born fucking ready.” He gropes his own crotch. “That shit was amateur at best, Kip.”

The music begins once again, picking up where Kip left off. Rhett chooses to entertain the crowd instead of focusing on his woman. It doesn’t stop Darby from jumping to her feet, encouraging him on. Rhett started the dance shoeless. His shirt is off in a matter of seconds and his jeans shortly follow. Somehow, I feel like I shouldn’t be watching him doing dry humping push-ups on the ground. He pops right back up and moves like a fucking robot with sex oozing off of it.

His hips have natural rhythm. It’s apparent they’ve had plenty of practice. Rhett ends on a high note with his hand down the front of his tight boxers, hand running through his shaggy hair, and bottom lip caught under his teeth.

“Time,” Cruz hollers as he scrubs his eyeballs with his fists.

My vote is still for Kip. I’m assuming Darby’s vote is for Rhett the way she dry humps him in front of all of us. Rhett gathers her in his arms and settles in a chair, not minding to put any clothes back on. It feels like we’re on a live edition of
Adults Gone Wild: Stripper Edition
.

“Zane, you ready?” Cruz asks.

Zane gives him a nod of his head and Ava cheers her man right onto the make-shift stage. Zane twists his hat backwards on his head. Floats out to the center of the patio and moves his hips. It’s so hypnotic I can’t pull my gaze from him. The man can make any married woman feel
DIRTY
.

He shifts on the balls of his feet, groping his crotch while smoothly flexing his thigh and whirling around the dance floor. He makes bedroom eyes at Ava while licking his goddamn lips. He has me in a damn trance. I know I shouldn’t be watching so closely, but I can’t pull my damn eyes away from him.

He’s standing before her and jumps straight up onto the chair, feet down on the outside of her thighs. He grabs the back of her hair and pulls her towards his crotch. He shamelessly fucks her face, making slow and languid movements with each thrust of his hips then jumps off the chair, turning around mid-air.

He bends over, backs up, and fucks Ava’s lap with slow grinds of his hips. He’s standing up again and bending over putting his face in the place.

“Time’s up.” Cruz shakes his head. “Thank fuck. You’re a
FILTHY
fucking bunch of people.”

Darby passes out narrow slips of paper. We all secretly vote and then hand over our ballots to the official, Cruz.

He picks up the first piece of paper. “Zane.”

Then the second piece. “Zane.”

And the final narrow piece of paper. “Zane.”

Ava jumps up and squeals while leaping into his arms.

“No one fucks with the champ.” He holds Ava like a trophy.

“It’s a fucking
SCANDAL
!” Rhett hollers.

Kip stares down at me with narrowed eyes and I can only shrug.

“Okay, okay, peeps. It’s bedtime.”

“Simmer down, fun police,” Darby sings out.

“Bedtime.” I point at her.

“Fuck off. I need my man right now. It’s time to indulge.” I smile back at her.

“Bedroom now,” Ava says, guiding Zane to the upstairs guestroom.

“Good damn idea, Ko-ko.” Darby and Rhett disappear.

Cruz looks up to us. “Going to hang out here for a few.”

He shows us his phone.

“Love you, little guy.” I give him a quick hug before entering the house tucked into a very intoxicated Kip.

“Hey.” I pat Kip’s chest as we walk tangled in each other to our bedroom.

He looks down at me and stumbles.

“Look ahead, captain.” I laugh. “I thought Cruz didn’t drink when he’s training, which is basically all the time.”

“He’s got chick problems on the dick, it makes a man a drunk.”

“You mean brain?” I laugh even harder.