DarcieCyber took me back to Havoc’s small house, looking worse for wear and grunting in answer to my questions.But I would have taken his hungover ass to what met me when I slipped inside.The Judge was sat at the kitchen table, his hands wrapped around a mug of coffee. He was staring into its depths like he could see the meaning of the world in the steaming liquid.“Morning.” Forcing myself to be cheery, I swept into the room. Heading towards the coffee pot, which was already empty, I busied myself refilling it. And it was only when it started dripping that I turned to him.He was staring at me intently, the mug in his hands forgotten. “You look like you had an interesting night Darcie.” His keen eyes trailed down my bare legs. And then finally he met my eyes.“It was fun, yes. I didn’t see you much.” It was such a struggle to have a polite conversation with him. It wasn’t that he was scary to look at. He was fairly handsome. Not Havoc handsome, but still good looking. But there w
HavocI was in serious amounts of shit. They had me over a barrel, and they knew it. Because there was no way on God’s green earth I would let Darcie be involved with them now. And they knew it. Hell, they had been counting on it.I didn’t want to be involved in that shit. They knew that as well, which was why they hadn’t mentioned diamonds until they had me where they wanted me. Guns, drugs, anything like that I would have been absolutely fine with but diamonds? Even the Savage Sons stayed away from that.I knew Darcie thought they meant actual diamonds, which was why she had been looking at me strangely all morning. She didn’t understand my sudden foul mood, and I couldn’t bring myself to tell her that the word “diamond” was just a family code word. The Judge’s employers were trading women. The thought made me feel physically sick. And I had agreed to help them. Even when it went against every moral fibre I had. What other choice did I have? I wanted Darcie as far away from that
Darcie“Havoc.” The old woman rushed forward as Havoc pulled the bike to a stop. Her lined face split wide with a grin. “I thought it was you I passed, but then I thought my old eyes must be deceiving me. I mean, how long has it been since you came and visited me?”“I know.” Easily he slipped from the bike, and for a moment, I felt forgotten. “But can you chew me out later? And by later, I mean never.”Gingerly I climbed off after him, shuffling my feet awkwardly. Truthfully I didn’t know what the hell to do. Or say. I had never been good at family stuff. “Deal.” Piercing blue eyes found mine around his broad shoulders. “If you don’t mention my driving.”Havoc laughed, great big belly laughs that made his body shake. “What, that you drive like a teenager and have the road rage to match? You almost took us out back there,” he admonished. “Well, you should have been concentrating on the road and not...” Her eyes crinkled as her smile deepened. “The pretty girl at your back.” She tilte
Havoc“This was my favourite place as a kid.” I don’t know what made me say the words, they just spilt from my mouth. Darcie had a habit of doing that, making me say things I never normally would. “I used to come up here a lot.” Sighing I sat on the large flat rock that looked out of the cliff, my hand still firmly clutching hers. “In other words, you brought girls here.” There was no judgement in her voice as she sat by my side. But I shot her a look anyway. “I can see why though, the view is amazing.”“Yes, it is.” I watched her until she turned her face towards me. I wasn’t talking about the same view as she was. I was talking about her. Because she was amazing. Never in a million years had I thought the first time I had seen her that she would fit so perfectly in my life. It was like she had been made for me. My brother was the biggest asshole I knew but I couldn’t help but thank him for bringing her into my life.“Havoc.” She ducked her head to hide her flushed face. I liked i
DarcieWe didn’t talk about it again, but it was there hanging between us.The fact that he had lied to me. I knew he had lied. And he thought I was gullible enough to fall for it. That I believed everything he had said. Maybe I was in the wrong for letting him think I believed him but honestly, I had so much to mull over I didn’t give it much thought.I liked him. And I knew he was attracted to me. But if he could lie to my face about backing down from the arrangement he had made on my behalf what else had he lied about?Could what Maggie had said be true? Was he only this attentive around me because I was with Lucas first? I didn’t know any of their history. Hell, I hadn’t even known Lucas had an older brother but it was pretty clear that there was bad blood between them.Could Havoc have pursued me so hard just to get one up on his brother? Was that what this was, his way of revenge?I couldn’t answer that question honestly. The only person who could was Havoc himself and I had a f
HavocSomething had changed, shifted. The heat between us had turned cold. Darcie was mad at me, I knew that. Just like I knew she would have some trust issues after what my brother had done to her but what I couldn’t understand was why she was giving me such a hard time. Surely she must know that if I was keeping things from her then it was for her own good?I was glad when we finally pulled into my drive, because whether she liked it or not we needed to talk. And this time she was going to listen.If I had to shake her to make her listen then I would.“How’s your back?” My hands were firm on her as I pulled the helmet from her head. Her movements were stiff, her face twisted in a grimace as she tried to stretch it out.Darcie didn’t even glance up in my direction. “It’s fine.”Sighing I reached for her, bringing her flush against my body. My hands kneaded the flesh of her lower back. “No, it’s not. You were so stiff on the way back, I missed you.”Finally, her eyes lifted. “I was r
Darcie“Thanks for meeting me, Lucas.”His eyes widened just slightly as he watched me over the table. “I’m glad you called me. I was hoping you would come to your senses sooner or later.”“I’m not here to get back with you Lucas. Me and you are over.” Slowly I sipped the frothy cappuccino. It tasted like ass. I used to love a good cappuccino but in the few weeks I had been with Havoc my tastes had obviously changed. I liked things simpler now. Less flashy and more real. “And you and my brother?”His words made me pause. I didn’t want to think about Havoc. Or how he would react when he got home and found me gone. “I don’t want to talk about Havoc with you.” It was painful even saying his name. “It’s none of your business.”Something hardened in my ex’s face. “Still I’m glad you aren’t roughing it anymore Darcie. A good girl like you doesn’t belong in his world. I’m glad you realise that.”“That’s not why I’m leaving Lucas. I’m not leaving him because I am too good for him. I am lea
HavocThere were too many people milling about in my house. Their loud voices pierced my brain, bringing me back to reality when all I wanted to do was forget. It seemed that most of the Savage Sons were in my living room talking loudly and arguing with each other. Maggie had called them in and of course, they had come.The damn club would do just about anything for my grandmother. Partly through respect; she had been a fixture in their lives for years, and partly because everyone was a little scared of her. They didn’t call her Mayhem Maggie for no reason. With them all being here, and Darcie’s name being spoken every other word it was impossible to forget her. And not even the drink was helping. The one time that being able to handle my liquor was a curse. Darcie had left me. She hadn’t said goodbye she had just snuck out like a thief in the night She had… I slammed my closed fist down onto the wooden countertop, loud enough that the talking in the next room fell silent. Sighing
Gretal“You’re home.” In an instant I was off his bed and rushing towards him, yanking his head down to mine so I could kiss his lips greedily. It was instinctive, the kind of greeting I had given him in the old days when I had missed him every second that he was away from me. Before things had all gone wrong. Hansel untangled himself with a small chuckle. “Of course I’m home. I said I wouldn’t be long.” Even as our lips parted, his hands were closing around my waist, keeping me close to him. “I like the way you say it, by the way.”Craning my head up to look at him, I arched an eyebrow. “How I say what?”“Home, that I’m home. Although I wouldn’t call the clubhouse our home, not unless you want to live here of course.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled.“Anywhere you are is home, Hansel.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. Not that they weren’t true. They were. I was tired of being away from him. Sure, we had a lot of shit to sort out, but we were older now, wiser. I knew
HanselHow was it possible that Gretal had disappeared into thin air? I knew it wasn’t possible, but that’s what it felt like. Like she had literally vanished. I knew it wasn’t the case but that’s how it seemed, The club was out in force, scouting the streets, making calls to any and all contacts that could help, and so far, there had been nothing. Not one damn sighting. And I hated to admit it, but I was losing hope.No Gretal and no Pope. It weighed so heavily on me that I found it hard to breathe. Slowing the bike, I ripped the bandana from around my chin and nose, sucking in a deep lungful of cool night air. It still wasn’t enough. Was it possible to suffocate from panic? That’s what it felt like. Like someone was squeezing the life out of me. That’s when I saw it. If I hadn't slowed, I wouldn’t have. Squealing to a stop, I snapped my head back, looking over the hedge to the parking lot. Pope’s bike. I was sure of it. How many years had I ridden alongside it? I would know it a
GretalPulling my phone from my pocket, I ignored the barrage of messages from my husband that flashed up on the screen the moment I switched it on. He was worried about me, mostly because he knew I was about to do something stupid. Except it wasn’t stupid. It was justice. Keeley deserved to be avenged, so did those other girls.So did I. Swiping passed them, I clicked on the camera option, checking my face out. I looked good. My lips were ruby red and glossy, my lashes thick with mascara, my hair curled around my face in soft waves. I looked good enough to eat.And I hoped Pope would think so as well. After all, if he didn’t take the bait then all of this was for nothing. He would fall for it though; I knew he would. Men like him always did. They thought they were superior. That they could take what they wanted without asking. And Pope wanted me. I had seen it in his eyes in the way he had looked at me. I had thought he was just being overly friendly, trying his luck a little. Bu
HanselIt was growing dark when we pulled up outside the Son’s compound. I had ridden without stopping all day, desperate to get back to them. To tell Fang and the others what I suspected. No, not what I suspected. I knew it was true. I didn’t need Sylvie to tell me. The evidence was written all over her face. It dripped from the agony in her voice.“Off the bike, love.” I wanted to be patient with her, but time was already running out. I needed to get her somewhere safe and then I needed to get to The Otter, I would have gone there first if the clubhouse hadn’t been nearer. I hoped to find him inside. And I could exact my revenge without having to worry about my wife and her whereabouts “Hansel, please.” Sylvie was back to begging, she had been nagging in my ear for hours. And she would have the exact same response to it as I had given her before.Nothing.I tugged her off the bike. The prospect who had been lounging by the front door smoking a cigarette straightened as she gave ou
HanselMoney swapped hands easily enough. I had done these kinds of drops often, so it was no big deal. What was a big deal was the fact I was miles away from Gretal and she wasn’t answering her phone. I had been calling her pretty much nonstop. It was one thing The Judge telling me she was fine but I wanted to hear her voice. To see her in person would have been better, but I could tell if she was really ok by her voice. I knew her well enough. Leaning heavily on my bike, I fished my phone out of my pocket. My fingers pressed the redial button without looking. I didn’t expect her to answer, so far she hadn’t, so I was surprised when she picked up. “Hansel.”She sounded breathy, like she had been crying and was trying to hide it from me. “What the hell is going on, Gretal, are you crying?” Doubt ripped through me. She was upset. I had been right when I thought something had happened but I had taken The Judge at his word that he would protect them. Had I been wrong to do that? “No
Gretal“Is she ok?” I raised my eyes wearily as Gypsy came into the small living room. She flopped down on the chair nearest the window with a sigh, her fingers plucking to move the drapes away so she could look down at the dark street below. “Yeah, she's alright. I gave her a mild sedative. She will hopefully sleep until morning.” She sighed again. “There's some…” She swallowed hard, and I could tell by her face that she was reliving her own attack. I had heard briefly what Gypsy had been through. And it had been horrific. “There's some tearing and bruising. A condom was used so we don’t have to worry about pregnancy or sexual transmitted infections. Not that it makes it better, but at least she doesn’t have to worry about that.” Yeah, I agreed with her silently. At least she didn’t have to worry about that. “God, I need a drink.” Darcie was on her feet, her voice shaky. “Yeah, a drink sounds good.” We all deserved one. And being above a bar we were in a perfect place for one. O
HanselThe clubhouse was oddly quiet when I emerged the next morning. I had expected there to be at least some girly chatter. Since Gretal had come back, the common room seemed to be filled with girly chatter. But there was none and it made me feel oddly ill at ease.One look at Fang who was pacing the length of the room, like some agitated bearded squirrel, and I knew I had every right to feel worried. Making my way over to him, I swung him around to face me. “What's happened?” One glance at his face and I knew something had, his face was twisted in misery. “Where's Gypsy?” Another look around and I was sure she wasn’t there. None of the women were, not even the club girls had surfaced yet, the whole clubhouse felt like it was grieving. There was only one thing to put that kind of misery on his face and it was if something had happened to Gypsy. “What's happened? Fang talk to me.”“She rang and said she wasn’t coming home for a few days. She sounded…” His voice broke and he cleare
GretalIt was worse than anything I could have imagined. Maybe because I had known Keeley since she was eighteen years old - the sweetest, most pure soul I had ever met - it hit me harder. She was huddled on the floor behind the counter and one look around told me she had put up a hell of a fight. There were shattered plates and glasses all over the floor. A smear of blood on the floor. A tiny amount of blood but it seemed to stand out in stark contrast. And then my eyes found her. And it was worse than anything I had ever seen before. And I had seen a lot of bad shit.Keeley half lay, half sat in the foetal position in the farthest corner. Her whole body was shaking. Her usually silky blonde curls lay limp against her wet cheeks. There was an ugly bruise on her left cheek and around her throat. Like someone had wrapped their hands around it and tried to squeeze the life from her. But it was her eyes that hit me.They were wide and haunted. I knew the look on her face because I ha
GretalLying in bed with a man who wasn’t Hansel, when I could still feel the wetness of my orgasm against my panties was pure torture. It didn’t matter that Gio wasn’t touching me, simply being next to him felt like a betrayal.All of these years apart and I was still worried about betraying my marriage vows. Sure there had been other people, for both of us, but that was because we were apart. Being back under the same roof as him was bringing up feelings that I thought I had buried. And I was good at that. Burying my feelings for him. When I had been forced to work at The Candy House, when I had been forced to sell my body, I had turned my feelings of love into those of hate. I had thought he had forsaken me, but then he came back. He had literally knocked me off my feet again, like some avenging hero and made it all better, and all the hatred evaporated. Because I loved him. I had always loved him and I always would. “You seem tense, Gretal?” Gio’s voice spoke from the darkness.