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CHAPTER 23
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 24
I push aside the fact that my face and hair are a mess. I want one night. One night of not thinking about crime, or death, or doing the right thing. I inhale slowly. It’s a night I can’t afford to take. I know if I do, there will be no going back.“Everything,” I tell him. His eyes go dark.It’s my turn to qualify. “The sandwich, just put everything on it, please.”He finishes making our sandwiches. The entire process is calm and methodical and seems to be a fundamental part of him. He returns the mayo, mustard, and assorted lunch meats to the fridge. He removes two plates from a cabinet and places the sandwiches on top. He fills two glasses of water, snags a bag of chips from another cupboard, and makes two trips to the table to place everything on it.“Eat while I clean up. I know you’re hungry.”I grab my sandwich with both hands. “I’m surprised you don’t save the dishes for someone else.” The sandwich smells delicious, but then liver would smell good right now and I hate liver.“M
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 25
Moon leads me through his oasis in the desert. We left by an outside door off the kitchen. We walk around to the front of the house first so he can show me the fountain, which is lit up with multi-colored lights. It’s beautiful, and we stand and admire it for several minutes. Moon holds my hand the entire time.“Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”The sprinkler system comes on when we reach the side of the house. Water sprays the flowers and shrubs, circulating the amazing natural smells of the Arizona outdoors. I feel like I could be strolling through the Botanical Gardens right now, making it easy to forget why I’m here. The colorful accent lights add a bewitching quality to the trails. Yes, I said trails. There are several. The one we’re on is paved with flagstone. The others appear to be fine rock or possibly shale. The outside temperature is hot, but not sun-beating-down-on-you hot. I’d say the upper eighties or low nineties. With the low humidity it’s downright comfortable.We wal
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 26
Moon is looking deep into my eyes, and I can tell that something he sees disturbs him. His expression changes. His tone becomes hard and inflexible. “You’re taken in by the outer facade. The darkness I carry is hidden on the inside.” His fingers thread through my hair and he tightens the strands within his fists to make a point. “The things I do are cold and calculated. Don’t be fooled and think I’m good, baby.”I don’t believe him. “Tell me about your mother.” I need Moon to be my knight in shining armor. I need him to be good and worthy of the feelings that are raging through me.His expression doesn’t change, but his words surprise me. “She would have liked you.”I laugh because he has no idea. “Mothers never like me,” I tell him. I’m not putting myself down, just stating fact. I see it in their eyes when I’m introduced. My large breasts and curvy body give me a voluptuous, sex kitten look—aka trampy. Moms know exactly what their sons see in me. They don’t feel I’m a good candidate
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 27
We’re silent as Moon leads me back to the house. He grabs two of my pills from a kitchen cabinet and watches me take them. I’m too overwhelmed and don’t argue because my head is pounding. He leaves me alone in his room so he can attend his conference call.I curl up in his bed, inhaling his scent and wondering how this went so fucking wrong. It was Moon’s actions and not mine that killed Penny. Moon’s fucking games. Manuel Estephon is thought to be the number one killer on American soil and directly tied to the Mexican drug cartels. If Moon is to be believed, and I don’t know what to believe anymore, Kennedy is tied to Estephon.Moon’s war means cops will die. I can’t allow that to happen. I have no idea where to turn or who to turn to. Just Estephon’s name fills me with dread. At Estephon’s orders, five young men were beheaded a few months ago. Gruesome, horrific deaths that were blasted over the Internet. And Estephon got away with it. Does Kennedy have any idea who he’s dealing wit
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 28
Moon rolls us until I’m back on my side. He stands and crosses the room until he disappears into the closet. He comes out a minute later and turns on the bedside reading light. He places a large album on the bed. “Pick it up,” he says softly. I’m in no mood to do anything he asks, but the look in his eyes lets me know I should pick up the album. Moon’s knee hits the bed and he situates the pillows before joining me and sitting back against them. He reaches over and literally pulls me up so my back is against him and I’m wrapped in his arms.He takes the album from me and flips through several pages until he comes to a full-page picture of three teenagers. One is Moon, another is Gomez, and the third a young woman. Her skin is lighter than Moon’s, but her Mexican heritage is evident. What astounds me is that if my skin were darker, we could be sisters.I don’t understand. “Who is she?”Moon’s finger slides over the image. “Alex’s sister.”“What happened to her?” I’m so afraid to hear h
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 29
“El jefe?” I ask the doctor. I’ve heard the term but have no idea what it means.“Forgive me twice. El jefe means ‘the boss or chief.’ He takes care of his people and from what I’ve seen, you are now one of his people. Value his loyalty; he is a man with many faces.” His hands move to my shoulder and he begins rotating the joint. Another slight wince escapes me.“No change?”“It only hurts when I move it or someone tries to twist it off,” I reply deadpan.A twinkle replaces the solemn look in his dark eyes. “Then I would say don’t move it and don’t allow anyone to twist it off.”“Your bedside manner is flawless, Dr. Santos.”He grins and then looks away. When he turns back, his cheeks are tinged red. “I do not have these conversations, because my patients are children.” He clears his throat. “It is your decision if you wish to return to sexual activity.”Oh my hell, this is priceless. “Did you tell Moon that I couldn’t?” I laugh.Merriment enters Santos’ eyes and they actually sparkle
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 30
I head into the closet and pull out the red bikini that I spotted the first day. It has a complex system of straps and covers practically nothing. No way did Gabriella choose this. I try it on, and like everything else, it fits perfectly. Too much skin, but that’s how it’s designed. I pull a flower print sundress over the swimsuit and slip my feet into red four-inch heels that come very close to matching the bikini. The heels are not my usual footwear and I sincerely hope I don’t break an ankle. There is nothing I can do about my face, and I refuse to hide it. I pull my semi-wet hair into a French braid and nab a pair of Moon’s sunglasses from a shelf in his closet. I didn’t find any large gold chains to go with Moon’s thug image. Too bad because I’d have worn one.He has two books on his nightstand. One is a business book that I’ll admit sounds thoroughly boring. The other is Lincoln and His Admirals by Craig Symonds. I’ve read several Lincoln biographies and other books about the Ci
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 31
Moon takes my hand before the door closes behind the women. He doesn’t care if they hear him. “I’m sorry. My aunt should not have brought her ladies.”The door closes and they’re all inside. I can’t stop a laugh. “You’re upset that Danita brought the ladies? She gave me her card and asked me to call her once my face healed.”Moon gives me a crooked grin. “I’m actually not surprised about the business card. My aunt is a pro and a bitch when she chooses to be.”“Yes, I’m well aware of that now.” I notice small pearls of sweat on Moon’s throat. “Aren’t you hot in that suit jacket?”He shrugs. “Boiling, but it’s seeing you in that swimsuit, not the heat.”I lower the shades so he can see my eyes. “I could always take it off.”I don’t have a chance to take the swimsuit off with Moon present because he has limited time. He had only come home because Gabriella called to tell him that Danita brought a few of the escorts to the house.“My aunt brings the ladies here about once a month to swim
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Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 333: Extra Scene
I rolled over and yawned, my arms coming from beneath the soft white cotton of the bedding and bumped the hard body next to me. Moon’s hand went into my hair and he moved his leg between mine and something very hard hit my belly making me smile. The smile lasted a few seconds before I covered my hand and jumped from the bed trying to get to the toilet before I lost the contents of my stomach. Yep, that was sexy. This time the hand in my hair pulled it back away from my face while I heaved my guts. He didn’t say anything and just waited for me to finish. It was horrible and at the same time endearing because I loved him so much. I stood and leaned back against his body. “Crawl back into bed and I’ll grab tea and crackers,” Moon said gently. I wanted to bitch and moan about the morning sickness but held it in. When I had my shoulder injury that took me from my career as a cop, I had a small amount of control. I could do my physical therapy and ice as needed and it worked. There was
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 332
Duke The wedding night was at the cabin and our honeymoon at the property. We had a week to ourselves. Cori laughed when I carried her over the threshold and straight to my bed. “Do not touch that dress,” I typed into my phone before checking the house was secure and I could fuck my wife for the first time. Her laughter followed me. When I walked back into the room, she was waiting exactly where I left her, smart woman. She opened her legs wide, the stilettos going to either side of the bed. A bit of red showed. The dress was fucking perfect. I crawled between her legs and pushed the yards of black lace up higher in the bed and snagged the red G-string with a finger. The garter wasn’t in my way. Cori sat up suddenly and stopped my exploration. “You spoke your vows.” I smiled even though my dick throbbed. “Thank you,” she added and lay back. I planned to fuck her until she couldn’t walk or talk. I didn’t remove the red nothing lace. I lazily fingered her, then took a long, slo
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 331
CoriIf I weren’t lying down, I would have fallen. Of all the things she could say, it was the last I expected and I couldn’t hide my shock.“No, I’m not pregnant yet but we’ve decided to try. We’re leaving and starting a family. Alex and Celina are taking over Moon’s operation.” She turned to Celina. “I’ll call it Alex’s operation eventually.”“Are you sure?” I asked softly.I was having trouble processing.“I’m absolutely positive. I thought I never wanted children but when Moon brought it up, I knew I was wrong. I want Moon’s babies.”“As in multiple?” I asked in horror.Children wasn’t something I ever wanted. I was not a rug rat fan and could tolerate Sofia’s rug rats for a limited time only. I thought Mak and I were on the same page.“We’ll decide if we want another after the first.”“Congratulations,” I offered, my voice uncertain.Melina started laughing.“You’re taking it how I did. The last thing needed in this world is a mini Austin.”I could most definitely second that.“O
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 330
CoriLife slowly returned to normal, though my new normal was much different than the old one. Things changed more after the cast came off and Duke could ride again. That’s when I became a true biker bitch.I blinged the shit out of my newly purchased black wardrobe and made that shit look good. I had standing orders from the other old ladies too. The club whores and I had a talk and we seemed to be on good terms. My end of that conversation was short.“Keep your hands off my man and we won’t have a problem. Touch him, even when I’m not around, and you’ll lose a fucking nipple, we clear?”They were fine with it. I understood their world. Respect was key. I had no problem with their choices as long as they respected me and my man.Dax’s club was a community of misfits and I fit in like I never thought I could. They didn’t care that I arrived in five-inch stilettos, looking like I was heading to a ritzy club. They accepted me as Duke’s old lady.Duke spoke to Dax and arranged a week off
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 329
Cori“How is Mr. Grumpy today?” Mak asked. She had her overprotective Pitbull at her side. I hadn’t seen Two-dogs since I arrived with Duke. I contained myself to the kitchen and Duke’s room. Two-dogs stayed out of Gabriella’s domain because the two of them stayed at war over what was permissible and what was not. I secretly thought Gabriella slipped the dog treats when no one watched but I had no way to prove it. I guess her new kindness made me think she was something other than Attila the Hun. I needed to watch those stupid fantasies.With assistance, Duke had made it downstairs for this morning’s physical therapy. He refused pain meds afterward and fell asleep exhausted. It gave me time to do something normal. I’d quietly left the room and gone to the outside patio to escape. The heat, even with the water misters, would make it too hot to stay for long but it was nice to be outside.I blinked at Mak who carried a towel. She took the lounge chair beside mine.“He’s sleeping. I’m es
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 328
DukeMy biggest problem was boredom. It almost went hand in hand with people poking and prodding constantly. I didn’t live at the clubhouse for a reason. If it weren’t for Cori, I would have found a way to escape Moon’s place the first day. Maybe. I was fooling myself. The ability to lift a spoon to my lips was pushing things.I remembered little about what happened at Wild Fur. Between blood loss and the damage to my stomach, I should have died in oblivion. Things were foggy since waking too. I remembered telling Cori I loved her. It just came out. I hadn’t practiced speaking in years. It was something I did when younger when no one was around. I never felt comfortable with the sound of my voice and eventually decided it wasn’t necessary. That was true until Cori. There were things she needed to hear. Cori hadn’t asked me to speak since it happened. I doubted she even understood what I’d said.My grandfather took me in when my dad went to prison for almost killing me. They were the b
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 327
CoriThe air in the room was soft if that were even a thing. There were four rows of chairs. There was a podium at the front. No crucified Jesus hung from the wall, only a large framed needlepoint with writing.“Enter in peace and leave your sorrow.”I sat in the front row and bowed my head. My prayer was to Jesus.“I’ve never asked for anything.”Tears gathered in my eyes and turned to sobs. I couldn’t go on and fell apart. So many thoughts tumbled through my head. I was the whore of Babylon. If there were a man who would hear me, it would be Jesus.“Please,” was all I managed the next time I tried.The quiet settled over me and I inhaled in and out slowly. Within a few minutes, I wiped my tears. The room, like Duke with his silence, gave me peace. It also gave me strength.I went back to ICU and held his hand again. He wouldn’t die because I wouldn’t let him. I spoke to him quietly and assured him all would be okay. I spoke of silly things. I had to keep the connection so he knew I
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 326
CoriIt took us more than three hours to get back to the city and another hour through rush-hour traffic to get to Wild Fur. Moon sent his men in first and stayed with me in the SUV. Alex and Austin were with the other women at his compound. Moon didn’t want them here. He’d also left a vehicle behind with four men on Duke’s property to dispose of the bodies.The men cleared inside the Wild Fur quickly. There were two female employees cleaning and handling inventory. The place didn’t open until eight at night. They weren’t harmed and they were assured they could leave after we found Duke. The men hadn’t located him when they cleared the building. Moon and I entered and were shown the entrance to the basement.A light had been turned on. It looked no better than the club upstairs. I saw a rat scurry along the wall. Moon found the hidden door within a few minutes. He pried it open and we entered the dark room.The smell of excrement and death hit us.Death.I couldn’t breathe.In the sha
Hotter Than Hell CHAPTER 325
CoriDuke never left my thoughts. If he was dead, so was I. My life changed that fast. We hadn’t known each other long and it didn’t matter. He was everything I wanted and most of all he was someone who loved me for who I was. I knew he loved me. He shared his silent world and refused to take advantage when he could have. From the time his arms wrapped around me in the car after my escape from Fernandez, we belonged together.My past didn’t matter to him because he lived in a world where endurance and hard work were part of life. Duke and the men like him respected survival.Moon brought more firepower than required and the guns we’d pulled from the cave weren’t exactly needed. I decided to stick with Duke’s weapons because he made sure I was familiar with them. A piece of him was with me.Our plan had been to ambush the vehicles a mile before the entrance to the property. Alex moved the attack to the house. I wasn’t worried about Cartwright’s men knowing the location. None would leav
