Stain (King's Harlots MC Book 2) (19 page)

Falling back into the training I had gone through years ago, I listened to the voices in my head and kept myself calm. Angel’s demands were engrained in my skull, much like the rest of my brothers. It was normal for us to use our training in daily activities but it didn’t happen often. Not until recently.

While the two fuckers held onto my arms, keeping me in place, I kept my gaze on Meeka. I willed her not to look my way. I could take a hit. But I didn’t want her to see it. She was strong but she was going through enough shit without me adding to it.

Charles kept his hold on her, his hand moving ever-so-slowly down the length of her back before it cupped her ass.

As much as I tried to hold it in, a growl escaped my lips.

Mine
.

“Ah, yes.” Charles glanced my way. “There’s the possessive male attribute. A growl. The only time our true animalistic nature comes out. Or so we think. You see if you embraced that side of you, you could have so much more. You act like you want it, but I don’t see it in your eyes. Although—” Charles grinned, keeping his arm around Meeka “—I do see something there. Something darker that I might be able to use.” He pinched Meeka’s chin, forcing her to look up at him. “Do you see it? That darkness inside of him? I wonder what his story is. Do tell me. I sure love a good history. Was he abused? Did he get thrown into the system?” He glared my way. “Did your step-daddy give you a good beating? Were you not loved?” He paused. “Poor Asher was all alone until he met you. Isn’t that right, Meeka?”

“You have no idea what you’re talking about,” she said, her voice becoming firm.

“No? Tell me then,” he shoved her head forward, forcing her to look at me but much to his dismay, her eyes closed. “Smart girl.” Charles chuckled. “You felt sorry for him, didn’t you? That was the only reason you let him in.”

“No.” She shook her head. “That’s not true.”

Fuck this guy and all he was worth.
“Let her go,” I demanded, struggling against the bastards who held me.

“Oh, I will,” Charles smirked. “But I want her to admit it.”

“I have nothing to admit.” Meeka pushed against him but his hold only tightened.

“Tell him.” He pinched her chin, forcing her to look at me, and that time, she did. “Tell him you felt sorry for him. Admit it.”

“Fine,” she cried. “Yes, I felt sorry for him, but that—”

“You see, Asher.” Charles grinned. “People only let you in because they feel sorry for you.”

“No!” She shoved out of his grip. “That’s not true.”

My skin vibrated, my heart beating hard against my ribs. She felt sorry for me. Back then and probably even now. I was broken, and she wanted to fix me. It was the only reason we had become friends.

“That’s not true,” she repeated, shaking her head.

A growl escaped me, not realizing I had spoken out loud.

Fuck everyone.

***

(Meeka)

Pain etched in Asher’s dark gaze. A shadow crossed over his face. His body was hard, ready to fight a battle. No, a war. He was bordering on the edge of sanity. I had seen that look in his eyes before. A time in school when the bullies were picking on me. Or when a guy wouldn’t leave me alone and I wasn’t strong enough to push him off. Asher had lost it then, and he was about to lose it now. Charles and his band of bastards didn’t know what they were getting with him when they pushed him too far. They thought he played it cool, didn’t care about anything or anyone but himself. I wasn’t even sure if Vice-One knew Asher had a darker edge to him. One he didn’t jump off often, but when he did, it was hard to bring him back and I had been the only one who could. I couldn’t understand why. But right then, Asher was pissed. At me. Probably at the whole world. Whatever it was, I needed to get us out of there.

“Hmm, looks like he wasn’t expecting that answer.” Charles chuckled. “Let him go.” He moved to the couch, pulling the girl into his lap, and snapped his fingers. “Leave. I’m bored.”

The men let go of Asher, and before I could process what was happening, he grabbed my hand and tugged me out of there.

I ran alongside him, not looking back, but with his long strides, I couldn’t keep up.

Asher noticed and scooped me into his arms, holding me against his chest.

The next thing I knew, we were in a cab. How we got there, I couldn’t be sure. I didn’t remember a single thing as he stared out the window and held my hand tight in his.

Everything was foggy. A haze had crushed me in a blinding hold. I wouldn’t lose it. I refused. He was pissed but he would get over it. We were safe.
For now.

Asher’s mouth moved but he stared straight ahead. Was he talking to me? The driver? I couldn’t hear him. A loud buzzing settled in my brain, my hands became sweaty. My heart raced.
Thump … thump … thum
p. It didn’t let up the further we got from Charles’ place.

The next thing I knew, I was sitting outside on the picnic bench in front of the clubhouse. How did we get there so fast? With shaky hands, I dropped my head and took deep cleansing breaths. I was losing it. I never lost it. I was always in control of my feelings. I was strong. Jay had taught us to be tough in this male-dominated world. We had nothing to prove, but unfortunately, others didn’t see it that way.

Mumbled voices pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked up and saw my sisters standing around me. Jay spoke in a low voice to Asher, but I couldn’t make out what was being said with his back to me.

Brogan sat beside me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. “Bad day?”

“You could say that,” I croaked out. Giving myself a shake, I rubbed a hand down my face, massaging some life back into myself. I wouldn’t let Charles get his way over me. But I could still feel his hands on me. His dangerous gaze as it raked over my body. His rough fingers while they pinched my chin. My skin tingled with memories of the touch.

Asher turned to me, his dark eyes narrowing. “You good?”

The question was meant to be caring but it hinted at a coldness that took my breath. I felt sorry for him. God, how could I have been so stupid to admit that?

I didn’t respond and slid off the table before heading into the club. I didn’t check to see if he followed because I knew he would. Although he was pissed at me, he wouldn’t want me to be alone. And knowing him, he would stake his possessive claim over me since another man touched me. My body tingled in all the right places, a flush of heat warming my skin. Asher was difficult but he was mine. He knew it. I knew it.

I went to the bar and grabbed a bottle of water.

“Do you still feel sorry for me?”

I jumped, spinning on my heel at the deep voice coming from behind me.

Asher loomed over the counter before sitting on the barstool, his intense scrutiny piercing into me.

“No,” I mumbled, handing him the bottle.

He chugged back the rest of the cool liquid and threw it in the recycling bin. “Come here.”

That same tingle shot straight to my core and I found my body listening to his command before my brain caught up. I rounded the corner and stepped between his legs before planting my butt on the stool beside him. “I didn’t become friends with you because I felt sorry for you. We were kids.”

“We drifted apart at one point, and then you started talking to me again. Did you feel sorry for me then? I was the loner. The bad boy all the girls wanted to date but were too scared to ask. You had the balls to talk to me. Why, Meeka? What was so special about me?”

I swallowed hard at the badgering of questions he threw at me, but I wouldn’t back down. “We were neighbors. I missed being your friend and hanging out. The guys left me alone when I was friends with you.”

“So it was for selfish reasons.”

“No! God.” I shook my head. “Stop. Fine. Yes, I felt sorry for you. In the beginning. I saw a boy who looked sad every damn day and I found I wanted to make him happy. I was just a little girl so I had no idea how to make that happen. And then puberty hit and you started ignoring me. That’s why we drifted apart.”

He grunted, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

“What?”

“I had the biggest crush on you all through school. That’s why we drifted apart. I couldn’t handle seeing you in those tight little shorts or those jeans that hugged your ass perfectly.”

“Are you—” I couldn’t believe it. “Seriously?”

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah. That’s why I became distant. Not for any other reason.”

“I thought you hated me. I couldn’t figure out what I had done.” I was still blown away.
He had a crush on me?

“God no.” He grabbed my hand, kissing each of my fingers. “Every time I saw you, I wanted to bend you over and drive my body into yours. But you were under eighteen at the time and I had enough shit to deal with. I didn’t need statutory rape added to that pile.”

“Why did you wait so long?”

“Life happens, Hummingbird.” He shrugged.

“And now? Do you still have a crush on me?”

His eyes twinkled. “The need to own you consumes my every waking breath. I can feel you before you walk into the room. My cock hardens at the mere sound of your voice. Does that answer your question?”

“Yes,” I answered, breathless.

He grinned.

I opened my mouth to say something when a loud bass started booming through the speakers.

“I need a fucking drink,” Jay rounded the corner and headed behind the bar. “Hey,” she said to us, grabbing a bottle filled with dark amber liquid.

“Grab a bottle and bring it back to your room,” Angel called out from the hallway.

“Not gonna happen, baby,” she yelled back. “I’m getting drunk with my sisters tonight. You can join me if you wish.”

He appeared from the hallway and heaved out a heavy sigh. “Fine. If I must.”

She laughed. Standing on tiptoes, she gave him a soft kiss on the mouth. “Come.” She grabbed his hand, leading him to one of the larger booths at the front of the room.

“I guess there’s a party tonight?” Asher asked, nodding his head toward the door.

Cars started pulling up outside, followed by the deep rumble of bikes. “Max throws parties when everyone is stressed,” I told him. “It’s her way of cleansing the aura around here.”

He grunted. “I’m not one to drink away my problems. I’d rather fuck them away.” He met my gaze. “You game?”

My cheeks heated. “I haven’t seen my sisters in a while,” I laughed, rising from the stool and stepped between his legs. “But later—” I kissed his mouth “—you can fuck all your problems away with me.”

He grinned, and I swore my heart melted.

***

(Asher)

An hour later, the party was in full swing. It reminded me of the days back in college. People showed up every hour on the hour filling the location to the brim. The club house overflowed with people. Bikers, women dressed in barely-there clothes, and us. Jay had tried to make the party just be Vice-One and King’s Harlots, but after the word got out, everyone and their dog showed up.

Meeka stood off to the side, laughing every so often with Brogan. Although the music was loud and deafening, I could still hear her full-bodied chuckle. It could have just been my imagination, but I liked to think that whatever made her happy at that moment was because of me.

A part of me held a tiny bit of anger that she had felt sorry for me. My confession changed things. I had a crush on her. Who wouldn’t? She was so damn shy and naïve that she never knew just how hot she truly was. I remembered in school the cat calls, the whistles, and even the evil sneers from the popular girls. But Meeka never noticed. Some called her a snob but I knew that she actually didn’t hear them. She never knew they were referring to her.

Meeka met my gaze every so often, her eyes becoming glassier by the minute. She was on her fifth beer, and eventually, I would have to drag her off to bed before she passed out in the middle of the room.

I didn’t know who anyone was besides my brothers and King’s Harlots, but I noticed how the other men watched out for them. Jay had been headstrong in trying to make her club blend in with the other bikers, but it had been hard when they were women. Those men, though, looked at them with a sign of respect. And as much as it grated on my nerves that they knew another side to Meeka that I didn’t, I had to appreciate the protection she had when I wasn’t around.

Meeka’s laugh interrupted my thoughts.

Every possessive bone in my body hardened when I saw a strong hand grip her shoulder. Some asshole had his hands on my girl.

She giggled, shaking her head. It was innocent enough on her end but the dark look of lust in his gaze sent me over the edge.

I rose from where I was perched when a heavy hand cupped my nape.

“Think about what you’re going to do before you do it,” Coby said, his voice flat and cold.

“He has his hands on her,” I ground out, a grey cloud shielding my vision.

“He does but she only has eyes for you,” he pointed out, giving my shoulder a light squeeze. “Remember, one word and he’s gone.” And with that, Coby walked away.

My heart jumped.

Coby meant what he said. He may have had the nickname Ghost for most of his career, but I knew that he was more like the executioner. He was also smaller than me but he sent my nerves on edge.

One word.

One command and the fucker who had his hands on my woman would disappear. As much as I was inclined to have Coby follow through with his promise, I wouldn’t do that to Meeka. But I would fuck her until all she thought about was me. All she would
feel
was me and I wouldn’t regret taking her from the party at all.

***

(Meeka)

Why was I so damn nice? I didn’t know who the guy was that had spent the last hour talking to me. What was he even saying to me? Oh, yeah, he was talking about the club. He kept saying over and over how impressed he was that women ran an MC when I knew he was just trying to get in my pants. Or panties, rather, when I wasn’t wearing any pants.
Oh, God. Where are my pants? Oh, yeah.
I looked down, noticing the dress that hugged my curves. I needed to stop drinking. I chugged back the rest of the beer and grimaced at the disgusting taste. It was piss warm. How long had I been nursing it?
Gross
.