RackI know Beth is worried, but she hangs in like a trouper. I told her a little about the Crows. Two years ago their help wouldn’t be an option. Each man riding behind us has spent time in prison. None of them transitioned easily. When Dax took over as president of the club, he had just rescued a child from being sold on the black market by the man he killed to gain leadership of the club. That child is the niece of the woman Gomez fell in love with. Without Dax’s help, I’ve no doubt the child would be dead now.After Dax killed the president of the Crows, he made sweeping changes. The biggest being acceptance of the Latina woman he fell in love with and married. You toe the line and follow Dax’s rules or you become part of the Arizona desert terrain in an unmarked grave. Dax and his club might be slightly domesticated now but the way they deal with trouble is similar to Moon’s approach and I don’t see that changing.Gomez is indebted to Dax for saving Celina’s niece, and Dax is ind
BethI somehow get lucky and Carson sleeps the rest of the way. I’m able to doze for about an hour. Rack pulls into a fast food drive-thru the first time I complain I’m hungry. Having him take care of me has become a habit I need to break. He is a habit I need to break.I eat the fries and burger but go light on the soda because I’m hoping not to stop for another bathroom break. Living this past week without pregnancy bladder has been great and the soreness from giving birth is gone too. Shelby purchased me some jeans a size larger than I wore before becoming pregnant and I managed to slip them on before leaving today. Unfortunately, they’re still tight and it’s made for an uncomfortable drive.The scenery changes when we head through the mountains. This isn’t what I expected in Arizona. The tall pine trees and milder weather are welcome. It’s not green in the way Montana is but the beauty is undeniable. Another hour goes by and we descend from the higher elevation. Rack cranks up the
Rack“She’s in good condition and so is the baby considering neither has been examined since the child’s birth,” Carlo, also known as Dr. Santos, says scathingly. Santos is Moon’s friend. “Beth needs more fluids, which I spoke to her about. If you are still here in two weeks, I’ll get a new weight to make sure the baby is progressing normally. Beth told me your brother and his girlfriend helped deliver the baby via Google. I’m not usually one for practicing medicine found on the Internet but even I’ll admit they did a good job.” His stern voice lowers and his expression intensifies if that’s even possible. “I also told Beth no vaginal sex for four to six weeks after childbirth. I want to be sure you understand the consequences of possible infection if she isn’t healed properly.”We’re in the room Dax set up for me. It’s downstairs and little more than a closet. He talks straight and I’ve always respected him. How do I explain that Beth and I don’t have that type of relationship? I can
Vampire gives a low whistle. “She’s one hot mamma.”It takes a few seconds for me to understand he’s talking about Beth. To say my hackles go up is an understatement. Doesn’t matter that I have no right to be jealous. She had a baby a week ago and the small bulge at her belly makes her sexier in my opinion. From Vampire’s words it’s his opinion too. I bend low over the table to take my shot and glance up before my stick connects with the ball. “Look at her again and I’ll cram this stick up your ass.” I’m not smiling.Vampire lifts his chin. “Duly noted.”Dax puts up with no bullshit when it comes to the club women, even the ones who live here and make their living by sleeping with the members. That’s Sofia’s influence more than anyone’s. I tuck my head and make the next three shots, sinking the eight ball last. “I believe we’re even. Care for best two out of three?”Vampire rubs his chin. “You’re on, but I have the strangest feeling you’ve been holding back on your game.” He racks the
Beth“So you wanna talk about it?” Sofia asks after Rack escapes the kitchen like it’s on fire.I shrug and wipe an onion tear away with my shoulder. Even though he left as quickly as he walked in, he turned the heat up in the room by ten degrees. Is it only me who’s affected by him like this? A week postpartum and I have trouble concentrating on anything but the contoured outline of his chest beneath his T-shirt and the loose cut of his jeans that hang so sexy from his hips. Damn, I’ve seen him wearing those jeans too many times to count and I still want to slip my hands inside and cup his ass cheeks. Hormones, I tell myself for the hundredth time before turning my wandering thoughts back to Sofia. “Nothing to talk about. He feels he owes my brother a debt and for the sake of my little guy,” I say and nod at Carson. “I’m thankful he came through. I’ll never be able to repay him for what he’s done.”A stubborn expression replaces the gentle look Sofia had for me a moment before. “If y
RackI toss my cell onto the single bed and clench my teeth against cussing.“Fuck it,” I whisper under my breath.Gomez just put me off again. Their so-called connection for identification dried up and they’re going another route, which is taking longer. The next step I’ve planned for Beth and Carson is solid and will keep them safe. I can’t carry out the plan without those IDs.I spoke to Lincoln before making the call to Gomez. There’s been no sign of trouble at Linc’s end, which seems strange. I’m relieved but nothing adds up. Dax came for us because Gimonde was closing in on my brother’s location or so Gomez said. So why wasn’t my brother paid a visit? The entire situation makes me nervous because I have no control.It’s been two fucking weeks since Dax took us in. Three since I asked for the paperwork. I can’t handle being in the same room with Beth. Seeing her. Wanting her. Needing her like I need to breathe. She’s always been gorgeous. Motherhood only adds to her beauty becaus
BethThe clothes I’m wearing were Sofia’s idea. She’s tired of me sulking and she thinks I need to push Rack on his ass. The fact that my breasts are ready to erupt with the need to feed my son only makes the display I’m putting on worse. I don’t look down to see if my nipples are leaking. That would only put a cap on a non-perfect night. To say I’ve always dressed conservatively is an understatement. I’m far from a prude at least where other women are concerned but for myself, I prefer large sweaters and jeans. Not that you can wear sweaters in the desert in the summer. I have good legs, but living in Montana means there’s limited time to display them. Even when I could, I would go for longer shorts and not the ones I’m currently wearing that barely cover my post-baby ass cheeks.I’m an idiot. It’s killed me not to look at Rack over the past hour. There’s no doubt he’s been looking at me. I feel the burn of his gaze from across the room. Now he’s directly in front of me and when I lo
RackI lean against the doorjamb and wait for Beth to leave Red and Curly’s trailer. The minutes tick by while I mentally slam myself for being such an ass. Beth will be living a very different life shortly and making her own decisions. I won’t be around to make sure a man doesn’t touch her or say something inappropriate. She’ll find another man. One who will be a father to Carson.Anger and hopelessness twist inside me. Two cartel members directly responsible for my brother’s death are still breathing. I didn’t expect it to take this long. I have pictures of them but not names. Killing these last two men has gone far beyond vengeance. I’ve taken risks and should be dead. On my last trip into Mexico I came so close to getting their names. Gomez and I have put the pressure on rival cartels and it will pay off, eventually. It must.I carry their pictures in my wallet on the opposite side where I’ve kept Beth’s. I remove them and with the kitchen light shining over my shoulder, I study t