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Thisisaworkoffiction Names,places,characters,andincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorare used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental
Abond forged in the fires of danger becomes an unbreakable chain... There’s no escaping Harleyhashadaroughlifebuttriestohidetheshadowsinhereyeswithasmile.Heronlygoalinlifeistobuildherself backup Sheisdeterminedtoavoidanydistractionsthatgetinherway Regrettably,Triggerdidn’treceivethememo Triggerneverthoughthe’dlivelongenoughtothinktwiceaboutanythinghe’sdoneastheenforcerfortheRavensMC.But thatchangestheinstanthecrossespathswithHarley.He’sseenthepainreflectedinhergazebecause,usually,he’stheone inflictingit.Butforonce,hewantstobetheonetosoothethehurt.Sohedoesn’thesitatetoofferhisprotectionwhendanger followsherintothehavenshe’screatedforherself.
That was as much warning as she received before being swept into someone’s arms. It took all of her strength not to scream.Butthewayshestiffenedmusthavebeenaclue.
“Justhangon Itwon’ttakelong”
Whoeverthemanwas,hewasapersonofhisword.Afewminuteslater,shewasplacedonablanketinthebackseatofa car Shewascoveredwithanotherlightonebeforethedoorclickedclosed Butinsteadofhearingacarstartassheexpected, thepersonhelpingherclimbedintothefront,disengagedtheparkingbrake,andthecarbegantoroll.
After what seemed like an eternity, the car stopped, and then the ignition turned over. She didn’t miss her rescuers' exhalationofreliefbeforethecarpickedupspeed.
He’d entered the clubhouse and yelled for her. Realizingimmediatelythat he was ina mood, she rushed over. Ice was alwaysmeanifyoumadehimwait.Ithadn’tdoneanygood.Thefirstpunchlandedbeforeshe’dcometoastopinfrontofhim. Evenifothers hadbeensurprised,noonedaredcometoher rescueor getintheway.Notevenwhenshe’dfallentothe ground,andhe’dkickedher
Shetriedtospeaktoindicatethatsheunderstood,butitcameoutasagrunt.Tearsfilledhereyes,andshesqueezedthem shut,allowingthe moisture toescape andtrail downher face As she begantofade fromconsciousness,she made a vow to findoutwhohersaviorwasifshesurvived.
Alltheprogressshe’dmadeoverthepastyearhadbeenwipedoutinseconds.Mostofthemshecouldn’tremember.She swungherlegsoverthesideofthebedandlookedaroundtheroomshe’dcalledherssincetheRavenshadtakenherin She chuckled under her breathatthe descriptionthatseverelydownplayed how she’d come to be inthe companyofthe Ravens Pushingherselfintoastandingposition,shestretchedbeforewalkingovertothesmallwindowandpushedthecurtain aside.
Walkingbackto the nightstand, she picked up her cell phone and confirmed thatshe had wokenup earlier thanplanned Turningoffthealarmshe’dset,shegatheredupheroutfitforthenightandtheitemsshewouldneedtoshowerbeforeexiting herroomandheadingtowardthecommunalbathroomatthefarthestendofthehall Itwastheoneleastlikelytobeoccupied Herbathroomstreakofluckwasstillwithher,andshehustledinsideandlockedthedoor.Whileshedidn’tneedtorush, shewasn’tgoingtohogthebathroomlikesomeoftheothersweetbuttsdid Beingabitchfornoreasondidn’tappealtoher Notallofthemweremean,butmostwere especiallyiftheysawyouascompetition.
Harleyenteredherroomandtossedherdirtyclothesintothelaundrybasketbeforepullingapairofcleansocksoutofher drawer. Sittingonthe edge ofher bed, she kicked offher house shoes and pulled themonbefore stickingher feet into her combatboots Oncetheywerelaced,shelocatedabrushandranitthroughherstill-damphairbeforepullingitintoaponytail, thentwistingitupward,securingitwithaclip.
Ashort time later, she headed downstairs and made her waythroughthe clubhouse, greetinga few ofthe members and prospectsshesawontheway.Shesteppedbehindthebar,andhermindwentintoworkmode.
She begandoinganinventoryofwhatshe needed to bringfromthe back. The ironyofhow comfortable she feltinthis environmentwasnotlostonher,evenafterthecompleteshitshowthathadgonedownaboutsixmonthsago
The onlypart of that daythat had rattled Harleywas that she’d ended up catchingthe bouquet eventhoughshe’d done everythinginher power notto.Evenworse,Trigger,thebiggestpaininher ass,hadcaughtthegarter withouteventrying.It landedaroundtheneckofthebottleofbeerhe’dheldinhishands
Shewashisandhadbeenfromthesecondhe’dseenher.Butthetiminghadbeenbad.Herbodyandmindhadbeenbroken bya manwho walked inthe same world thathe did As kind and gentle as everyone had beento Harley, ithad takenher monthstoacceptthattheRavenswouldhurtherthewaytheVipershad.
Inaway,shestillhadn’t.
Harleytriedtoavoidhimatallcosts.Shewasn’trudeormeanaboutit.Shejustgavehimawidebirth.Atfirst,he’dbeen offended byher behavior, and thenhe’d realized whyshe’d singled himout. He was the biggest riskto her. The attraction wasn’tone-sided,andthatscaredher NotthathecouldblameherafterherexperiencewithIce
He’d had the chance to prove that to her six months ago when he’d taken care of her as she’d recovered from her concussion. But the second she’d beencleared, she’d put evenmore distance betweenthem. Somethinghe hadn’t liked yet hadn’tbeenabletodomuchaboutbecausethey’dhadclubbusinesstotakecareof.
Withthe Slayers outofthe way, the Ravens and Undertakers had agreed to splittheir territorybefore anyone else could movein Thatalsomeantthattheyneededtocreatesomeadditionalalliances Somevoluntaryandothersbyforce Butwiththe UndertakersandRavensasaunitedfront,thesmallerMCsknewtheydidn’tstandachance.
Harleywassurprisedwhentearsfilledhereyes “Shit,Blue Youaremakingmeallemotional YouknowIhatethat” Blue cupped Harley’s face betweenher palms and brushed awaythe tear thatescaped. “Iknow, butifthere was ever a reasonforyoutoshedhappytears,thisisit.”
Harleylookeddowntogeta better lookather friend “How are youfeeling? Anymorningsickness? Whendidyoufind out?”
Blue reached out and squeezed her hand. Several seconds of quiet passed betweenthem. This was the last thingshe’d expectedtohearfromherfriendtonight,butshewassohappyforher
Everymuscle inher bodystiffened He had no clue how explosive thatquestionwas Or perhaps he did She remained silent,givingthebaronelastwipebeforereturningthetoweltothebucket.
Instead ofresponding, he crowded her. The firstthingshe noticed was how damnsexyhe was. Trigger was onthe slim side. Aswimmer's build butmore slender. His hair was cutclose to his head withlightsideburns trailed downward into a beardthatfellbetweentrimandslightlyrugged.Evenso,itdidn’tdisguisehischiseledcheekbones.
He placed his hands onthe counter beside her, trappingher neatlyagainsthim Butshe knew he would lether go ifshe asked.Onlyshedidn’twanthimto.Apeskyfactthatshewasgoingtoignore.
She brought her hands up and placed themagainst his chest withthe intent to pushhimaway. The second she did, she realizedhermistake Itwasthefirsttimeshe’devertouchedhim,anditwouldbethelast Theonlyproblemwasshedidn’t seemtobeabletolowerherhands.
Trigger leaned in, his lips brushingagainstthe sensitive skinofher earlobe. She shivered, her senses heightened byhis tantalizingproximity Hisfingerstracedapathdownherarm,leavingatrailofgoosebumpsintheirwake Herbreathhitched, amixtureofnervousnessandexcitementcoursingthroughherveins.
Their eyes locked, the intensityoftheir connectionignitinga fire thatcouldn’tbe contained Trigger’s hand cupped her cheek,histhumbcaressingherlowerlip.Herheartracedasherfingerscurledintothefabricofhisshirt.
Withoutwarning,heclosedtheremainingdistancebetweenthem,hislipscrashingontohersinasearingkissthatlefther breathless. His mouthwas warmand demanding, a promise of the passionthat had beenbrewingbeneaththe surface. She respondedwithequalfervor,herfingersslidinguphischesttogriphisshoulders
She held himto her as if afraid he might disappear. His lips trailed a blazing path down her jawline, igniting sparks wherever they touched He nipped at her collarbone, his actions both tender and electrifying, sending waves of pleasure coursingthroughherveins.
Harley’s inhibitions melted as the kiss deepened, replaced by an urgent hunger that demanded satisfaction Her hands exploredthecontoursofTrigger’sbody,tracingthehardlinesofhismusclesandrevelinginthesensationofhisskinbeneath herfingertips Withafiercepassion,shepressedclosertohim,herlipsleavingatrailofheatedkissesdownhisneck Trigger’sfingersfoundtheclaspofherjeansandundidit.However,thesoundofherzippermadeherstiffenasifabucket ofcoldwaterhaddousedher.
“Somethingthat I wanted more thananythinginthe world but was afraid to reachfor because I wasn’t used to having anythinggood Didn’tevenknowifIdeservedit”
Blue rolled her eyes before tiltingher head to meetStone’s kiss. His hand slid downto Blue’s waist. Amove thathad becomemorecommonsincethey’dreturnedtothecompound “It’sokay.TriggerandIwerefinished,”Blueadmitted. “Everythinggood?”Stoneasked. Triggernodded “ItoldHarleythatI’mmakingmyclaimofficial” Stonegrinned.“Sheokaywiththat?” “Fuckno,”Triggergrumbled “I’msittingherenowtryingtofigureoutwhatprospecttoputonwatchnowtotrailherass”
“He’s aboutthe onlyprospectcompletelyimmune to Harley’s charms,” Blue admitted “The restshe would probablybe abletoguiltintolettingheratleastgetaheadstart.”
The raucous beat of hard rock music echoed through the dimly lit bar area of the clubhouse, mingling withthe clinking of glassesandthelowrumbleofconversations.Triggerleanedagainstawall,hisgazescanningthescenebeforehim.
Behindthebar,Harleyworkedhard,poppingthecapsoffbeersandpouringdrinks.Shewaswellwithinherelement.He didn’tknow who made a better bartender betweenher and Blue Truthbe told, itwas bothofthem Unlike some ofthe bar keepsthey’dhadinthepast,neitherofthewomenimbibedtheproductatall,letaloneuntiltheywerefallingdrunk.
As the thoughtentered his mind, a sweetbuttstumbled by, gigglingas she fell into the arms ofa member ofthe Savage Souls. They’d invited several clubs tonightas a show ofgood faith. Truthbe told, itmade his eye twitch. He wasn’thappy aboutinvitingpeoplehedidn’tknowintohishome,buthewouldsuckitupforthegoodoftheclub
Trigger’sfingersflexed,hisknucklesturningwhite.Hedownedtherestofhisbeerinonegulpandplaceditonatable.The wood creaked under the pressure, butamazingly, the bottle didn’tshatter. Butthe dumb ass inhis sights was too enraptured withHarleytonoticeimpendingdanger.
Harley’sshouldersstiffened “I’mnotinterested,andifyou’resmart,youwillwalkawaynowbeforeyougethurt” “Ah,amouthybitch.JustthewayIlike‘em,”hestatedashelewdlyadjustedhimself. Harleyshookher headas she exhaledheavily “Don’tsayIdidn’twarnyou” Her gaze metTriggers briefly “Don’tkill him,anddon’tgetbloodalloverthefloors.Iwanttogetinbedatareasonablehourifpossible.”
Trigger grinnedas he pulledhis gunoutofthe holster he wore athis side before slippinghis cutover his shoulders and downhisarms.Axelappearedoutofnowhereasifhe’dbeenwaitingforshittopopoffandtookbothitems.
Trigger’s eyes bore into Piston’s, the silence betweenthemescalatingthe tensioninthe room. People surroundingthem seemedtosensetheimpendingstormandgrewquiet,theirgazesfixedontheconfrontationunfolding
Harley’s fingers tightenedaroundthe bottle she heldinher hand,andfor a moment,Trigger thoughtshe mightuse itas a weapon However,hehopedshewouldn’tbecauseheneededtodefendherhonor,andhecouldn’tdothatifhedidn’tknowshe wassafe.
Witha suddenmovement, Pistonlunged atTrigger, his fistaimed atTrigger’s jaw ButTrigger’s reflexes were lightning fast, honed fromyears ofsurvivinginthe unforgivingworld ofoutlaw motorcycle clubs. He ducked under the punchwhile extendinghisfist,connectingwithPiston’sstomachinapowerfulblow.
The impactechoed inthe bar, a dull thud thatwas drowned outbythe gasps ofsome ofthe sweetbutts and partygirls Pistonstaggeredback,windknockedoutofhim,hisbravadofinallycrumbling.Buthewasn’tabouttogiveupsoeasily.He swungwildlyatTriggeragain,hisblowsfueledbyalcohol,frustration,andembarrassment Triggerdancedaroundthepunches,hismovementsfluidandcalculated.Witheachdodge,hecounteredwithapreciseand targeted strike The sounds ofbones meetingfleshand grunts ofpainfilled the air, punctuated bythe occasional crashofa barstoolbeingknockedoverinthefray.
“It’snotmeyouneedtoapologizeto,”Trigger replied “It’smywoman Whileshe’dnotwear acutwithmynameonit, everyonearoundhereknows she’s mine.MakesurePistonis awareofthatwhenhecomes aroundandthat he apologizes to her”
He didn’ttake his gaze offHarleythe entire time he made the public claim. WhenHarleyagreed, he knew the tides had turned.Nowhejusthadtomakesureherassdidn’trun.
Instead ofresponding, Stone turned onhis heels and led the waythroughthe familyroomand downthe hall to the guest bedroom
Trigger braced himselffor the worse. Itwasn’tlike Stone to be so tight-lipped. After a lightrap againstthe door, Stone turnedtheknobandpusheditopen,revealingasightTriggerhadn’texpected HarleyandBluewereonthebedtogether.BluesatrecliningagainsttheheadboardwhileHarleylaycurledagainsther,fast asleep.
“Stone,”shewhisperedshouted “Itoldyouwearefine”
StonefoldedhisarmsacrosshischestasBluebarelygotthewordsoutwithoutyawning.“WhatBluemeansisthatshe’s tired butwon’tleave Harleybecause she can’twithoutknowingher friend is okay Butwhatmywomanis too stubbornto admitisthatsheisexhaustedandneedssomerest.”
Triggernoddedasheplacedhisgunonthenightstandbeforeslippingoffhiscut.Ashesatdowninthechairtopulloffhis boots, Blue beganto ease outofthe bed Harleystirred, and Blue froze Once she’d settled again, Stone helped Blue to her feet.
She moaned softly and placed a hand against the small of her back. It had only been a month since they’d officially announcedBlue’s pregnancy,butshelookedlikeitnow Whilethecurveofher stomachwas still slight,therewas nodoubt thatshewascarryingababy.
A pang Trigger didn’t expect filled his chest as he imagined Harley carrying his child Before he’d met Harley, he’d honestlyexpected to be a bachelor for life. Now, he wanted what Stone, Rock, and Blue had. He just needed to convince Harleythatshedid,too
