The next day was a blur of uncertainty. Each time the phone buzzed, I’d find myself hoping it was Lucien, and my heart would skip a beat, yet in the back of my mind, was the nagging voices of both Jess and Brian telling me to be careful. Their caution wasn’t something I could just dismiss as merely a friends’ concern.Was I jumping too quickly after all? I couldn’t help but wonder. After all, what did I really know about Lucien? 1. He was gorgeous. 2. He made my heart beat for the first time since Torin’s death. 3. He was damn good in the sack. And 4…He was a Mob Boss’s son.Earlier that day, I'd found myself restless, and had decided to head into work early. I'd kept myself busy for most of the time, but now the steady flow of customers had begun to lag, and with a small sigh, I picked up a cloth and began wiping the counter down.When I’d finished, I was in the process of folding the cloth to set aside, when the hairs on the back of my neck stood up under the tingle of someone's gaze
In the weeks that followed, Rook came to the bar more and more often. The atmosphere in the bar underwent a change each time he walked in the door. The customers seemed to like his rough charm and easy-going smile.On occasion I’d catch him silently gazing in my direction and I felt a pang of something I hadn't felt in a long time—jealousy. It wasn't that I wanted Rook for myself; because I didn’t. It was more the way he looked at me, with a genuine concern that seemed to have vanished from Lucien's eyes.The night passed, and the bar remained packed. Rook's laughter rang out above the clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversations and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for simpler times---the times Rook and I had worked together at the compound's bar.As the last customers stumbled out, I locked the doors behind them and turned to face Rook. "You know having you around again means a lot to me, right?" I told him.His eyes met mine. "I know,” he murmured.His words lin
I sat, clutching the phone in my hand, feeling more alone than I had ever before. I couldn’t just sit, waiting to hear something, for something to happen; I would drive myself insane if I even tried. Instead, I decided to go for a walk to clear my head. The night air felt good against my skin, and it helped to calm my racing thoughts.As I wandered the streets, in the distance I began to hear the rumble of motorcycles, and I felt my heart skip a beat at the sound. Chances of it being Rook and the other members of the Raven’s was slim, but there was always a possibility. As I quickened my pace, the sound grew closer, and I ducked into an alley, my heart pounding in my chest. If it wasn’t the Raven’s, I didn’t want to be caught on the street alone.The bikes began roaring by, and as they did, I caught the Raven’s emblem on the back of their kuttes. Stepping out of the shadows and onto the street, I watched as several passed, before one of them peeled off from the pack, slowing down and c
The Hideout was a dingy place, the kind that you'd rather not go into if you didn't have to. As we entered the smell of cigarettes and whiskey hung in the air. The room was filled with bikers and as I gazed around, one of the women at the bar caught my attention.I recognized Tonya from being at the Raven's compound and catching her eye I nodded slightly. I could tell when Rook spotted her as well, as his eyes narrowed, taking in her uncomfortable glances about the room. Leaning closer to me, so that only I could hear, he muttered, "She knows something."Eyes flicking over Tonya, I nodded. She'd always had a soft spot for Rook, and I knew she'd help if she could. As we approached the bar, Tonya slipped away from the group, meeting us halfway, her eyes pinned on Rook.Her voice filled with curiosity, Tonya asked, "What the hell's going on, Rook?"Rook didn't sugar-coat any words, growling, "Got a snitch. Someone's selling us out to the cops."Tonya's eyes got big, and she breathed, "Se
As Rook’s words dropped between us, he took my arm, guiding me, and as we made our way through the crowd towards the back, Tonya grabbed Rook’s arm. "Be safe," she whispered.He nodded. "I will," he assured her.The alley behind the Hideout was dank and narrow, the perfect place for a private confrontation to turn into a brawl. Keeping me close against his side, we made our way over to Rook’s bike.As we stood by his bike, he handed me the spare helmet I’d used earlier, murmuring soberly, "This is club business and shouldn't affect you in any way. So, you should be safe at home. I'll get a hold of you when this shit's over." Afterward, he climbed onto his bike, avoiding my eyes.As I straddled the bike behind him, my arms tight around his waist, the engine roared to life, and we sped off.A short time later, as we pulled up to my apartment, I climbed off the bike, and looking at me, his eyes glinting in the moonlight, he instructed, "Remember, not a word to anyone.”"Not a word," I agr
(Suddenly, the phone in my pocket buzzed and I pulled it out, expecting another message from Rook, but it was a number I didn't recognize. Hesitantly, I answered, my heart racing."Marlowe, it's Tonya," the voice on the other end was frantic. "You need to get out of there. Now."I shot to my feet, my pulse pounding in my ears. "What's happening?""It's Jax," Tonya revealed, her voice barely audible. "He's been playing the Raven’s, giving info to the cops and the club. And now he's gone missing."Panic surged through me. "What about Rook? Is he okay?""I don't know," she said, her voice cracking. "Everything's falling apart."The door burst open, and Burdock rushed in, his eyes wild. "Time to go!”I didn't argue.Chapter 53 (continued as chapter 52 for mobo reader)As we sped down the backstreets, we only encountered another vehicle, occasionally. Minutes later, as pulled up in front of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, the headlights of Burdock's car cut through the dark
On the third night, as I lay on the uncomfortable mattress, I picked up the sound of a bike and held my breath, listening as it grew closer before suddenly the engine shut off right outside the window.I jumped to my feet, my heart in my throat. Peering through the dirty pane, I saw Rook's bike, and I threw the door open letting the night air wash over me.As he climbed off his bike, his eyes searched the darkness before he landing on me. "Mar," he said, his voice rough with emotion.I rushed over to him, and wrapping his arms around me he held me tight. "God I was worried about you," he murmured into my hair.I stepped back, my eyes searching his face. "What happened?""We managed to find out some things," he said, his voice laced with anger."And?" I managed."Not now," he said, steering me back into the cabin. "Get your things together, we need to get out of here before anyone else shows up."After packing what little I had, we left the safe house, and climbing on behind Rook, he fi
I knew that staying would only make matters worse and I gave one last look at Rook, then slipped out the back door, allowing the night to swath me within its darkness.The woods were dark, and I only had the minimalist idea of where I was going. I had been here before, but only a few times with Torin or Rook, and I had a good sense of direction. So, I had to trust in what memory I held of the woods.The sound of the bikes grew fainter as I pushed deeper into the foliage. I didn’t look back, I didn’t dare. All I could do was to hope Rook and his brothers would come out of this unscathed. But I couldn't help knowing I might never see some of them again.The crunch of leaves underfoot was the only sound I made as I moved through the dense growth.The unmistakable crack of a twig snapping behind me had my head jerking up and I spun around, ready to fight whoever was sneaking up behind me. However, my effort in self-protection came too late as a hand clamped over my mouth, and a strong arm
Over the next few days, we were like two animals trapped in a cage, fighting our instincts and our fears. We talked little, our communication mostly in the form of touch, of love-making that was both fierce and desperate.But as the weeks went by, our anxiety lessened, becoming more a shadow in the background of our lives, than the monster it had been.Though bound to the house, under the circumstances of the cartel actively seeking us, I tried to make the best of it. Torin getting nerves had become commonplace, but under it all, I knew the cause and tried to maintain.However, though the fear receded greatly, for me, it had never completely left. I couldn't speak for Torin, as he had always kept everything close to his sleeve, and in our time together in the safe house, that hadn't changed.After awakening one morning and nursing a cup of coffee, my phone rang, and picking it up I saw it was Casey."It's over," she told me. "You can return to your old lives."I sat for a moment stunn
Over the next few days, we were like two animals trapped in a cage, fighting our instincts and our fears. We talked little, our communication mostly in the form of touch, of love-making that was both fierce and desperate.But as the weeks went by, our anxiety lessened, becoming more a shadow in the background of our lives, than the monster it had been.Though bound to the house, under the circumstances of the cartel actively seeking us, I tried to make the best of it. Torin getting nerves had become commonplace, but under it all, I knew the cause and tried to maintain.However, though the fear receded greatly, for me, it had never completely left. I couldn't speak for Torin, as he had always kept everything close to his sleeve, and in our time together in the safe house, that hadn't changed.After awakening one morning and nursing a cup of coffee, my phone rang, and picking it up I saw it was Casey."It's over," she told me. "You can return to your old lives."I sat for a moment stunne
~MARLOWE~I wasn’t sure how the hell it had come to this. Witness Protection! Oh my God! Never in my life had I thought I’d ever be in this position. But dammit, that's exactly where I had found myself! I’d done everything I could to adjust. It just hadn't happened. The first few days had been awful. I'd run to the window every time I'd heard a vehicle, a motorcycle, even freaking voices!They’d told me that I had to cut all ties, leave everything behind, even my name. I'd assumed the name Rachel Peters, a young widow who had moved to a small town to start over. I'd felt like I was in a fictional crime novel, except it was real---all too real.Now though, just as I was beginning to get comfortable being Rachel Peters, Casey shows up in my living room, her voice grim, she immediately starts tossing out orders. "We have a problem and we're going to need to move you."Panic set in. Well fuck me! I couldn't help thinking."What's happened?" I asked, immediately setting about gathering my t
As the days went by, the boredom of the safe house began to drive me crazy. I had nothing to do. Thankfully, Casey kept me up on the progress they were making with the data on the USB.I was happy for the information she gave, but it wasn't enough. I needed to hear about Marlowe. However, no matter how many times I asked, the only thing I was told was that she was being protected. What the fuck did that even mean? Was she in witness protection, or not?A few more days had passed when, finally, Casey entered through the front door, her face unreadable. "The DA's ready to see you," she stated. "He's going to offer you immunity if you give him your full cooperation.""When do we leave?" I asked, more than ready to get this entire fiasco behind me."Now," she stated, "But one wrong move and the deal is off the table," she told me."Don't worry" I told her, bracing myself for whatever was coming.Minutes later, as we drove to the DA's office, I played over every situation that could possibl
I'd dealt with Casey quite a few times over the years and she always had a way of making me feel like I was the most dangerous man in the room, even when she had a whole squadron of cops at her back. When she finally pushed through the locked door leading from the offices and into the lobby, her eyes scanned me like a hawk eyeing its prey."What do you want?" she asked, not bothering to hide her disapproval."I got some information you'll be interested in," I told her, holding up the USB for her to see.Her gaze flickered to the thumb drive, then back to me. "What kind of information?" she asked, her voice suspicious.I hid a grin, knowing she didn't trust me. "The kind that will take down the whole Cartel operation," I replied, holding the thumb drive out to her. "Everything my uncle had on all his enemies, his partners, his dirty dealings."Her eyes narrowed, but she didn't reach for it. "What's the catch?""There isn't one," I replied. "Just take them down."Casey's eyes searched mi
~TORIN~I watched the chaos unfold from a distance, my bike idling between my legs. The flames coming from the warehouse lit up the night-sky, but I felt no remorse for the body inside being consumed by the fire. It was done, and the mother fucker had deserved his death.As I easily dismissed my uncle's life, my thoughts turned to Marlowe. I had played a dangerous game, yes. But the outcome had ensured her safety—even if it had meant losing her. I was ready to rest, but before I could, I knew I had one more matter to take care of…Lucien.The fire grew, a beacon of destruction and I knew it was only a matter of time before the police and fire department arrived; we had to move.Placing the toe of my boot on the shifter, I placed my bike in gear and Burdock and I began moving forward. In the distance I could already hear the wail of sirens approaching and I felt a smug satisfaction knowing the evidence of my uncle's crimes would soon be nothing but ash.We turned a corner, and the adrena
Carlos laughed, a harsh, brittle sound that echoed through the empty space. "You think Hell would want either of us? There is a far darker place for people like you and me.""That may be so, Uncle," I stated sarcastically, "But I know what's on this," I told him, gesturing toward the thumb drive, "and I know how badly you want it. So, let's make a deal."The silence between us was deafening as we stared at one another. Then, with a nod, Carlos gestured to the table in the center of the room. "Let's see what you got."When we approached the table, I pulled the USB out, placing it on the table's surface. "This is everything you need to take down your enemies," I told him. "Now tell me you’ll back your goons off Marlowe."Carlos’s smile grew wider. "Ah, the lovely Marlowe. My son says she’s quite fetching," he said, his eyes glinting.My fingers curled inwardly, the urge to pull my gun strong, but I held back, I wanted the mother-fucker dead. But I needed to know Marlowe would be safe be
~TORIN~I watched Marlowe disappear through the door, the slam of it echoing behind her. I'd done what I had to do to keep her safe. But at what cost?I took a deep breath. She'd never forgive me for using her as I had, but I’d done what I had to. Better my uncle believe she was in possession of something he wanted, than the alternative.Walking over to the table, I picked up the USB—the small drive contained secrets that could bring down the entire Dinelli empire—secrets that had cost my parents their lives. I clenched my fist around it, feeling the plastic bite into my skin—a reminder of what I'd given up in the name of vengeance—my heart, my soul, maybe even my humanity.Restless, I paced the floor. Marlowe was hurt and angry, but it was a small price to pay for her life. The USB was my only leverage against my uncle now that he had placed a target on Marlowe's head. For a year, I had hidden, faked my death, and gathered information on my uncle and the Cartel.Mind racing, I continu
Without another word, I turned and walked away. Before I made it to the door, Torin grabbed my arm. “Dammit, Marlowe—” he began but I cut him off.“Don’t you fucking dare try to find some excuse to make what you've done sound better!” I shouted.“I’m not,” Torin breathed quietly.We stared at each other, the space between us a battlefield of unspoken words, unspoken feelings. His grip tightened, not painfully, but enough to assert his presence. Without looking at him, I wrenched my arm away and finished making my way to the door.As I reached for the doorknob, my hand trembled slightly. The smell of his aftershave, faint and intoxicating, circled around me, and for a moment, I was lost in the memory of our past—his touch, his kiss, the way he'd made me feel. But that was before. Before the lies. The betrayal.I jerked it open and stepped into the night. The door swung shut behind me, a final act of defiance and I strode toward LadyBug, my eyes stinging with unshed tears, leaving me fee