“Pride is a good thing, but not when it gets in the way of doing what’s right for everyone involved,” Ruth replies calmly.
“I’ll make the call,” I tell her with a grimace.
She grins.“What’s the plan and how can I help?”
“So far, the plan is to get those cars out of here so we have time to concentrate on Bronson.The women are in the kitchen making dinner.And it seems like I have to call in the cavalry.”
“I’m going to go help Tessa, Etain, and Sasha, and check to make sure Tessa’s doing okay after what happened today.”She gets up, but instead of leaving, she cups my cheeks in her hands and looks deep into my eyes, like she’s seeing right through to my soul.“You are the president of the Redemption Riders.This club is going to grow and flourish, and one day, you’ll be having this conversation with another young president who is going to need you.Never forget this moment.”She kisses my forehead like a mother does her child, then leaves me to my thoughts.
Chapter9
Undercover
Motown
The club brothers do what we always do when it’s crunch time: we make it happen.We worked into the night, using floodlights and coffee to keep us going.We stopped to eat, barely, and only on the insistence of Etain, Sasha, and Tessa.I expected Tessa to head off to bed when it got past midnight, but she lasted until we all called it a night at two.
She is lying with her head on the arm of the sofa in the main room, her eyes drooping, almost asleep, with Etain and Sasha sprawled out as well.I lift her in my arms, and she murmurs a sluggish “I can walk,” when she can hardly stand.I carry her up to my room at the compound.
I’m tired, but mostly, I’m concerned about the threat that looms over us.I saw the look on Hawk’s face when he came back from his chat with Ruth.Hawk carries the weight of the club on his shoulders.Although we make decisions together, Hawk is the one who is held accountable for our actions.He doesn’t like to make mistakes that are going to affect the club in a negative way.We’ve been down that road, and we swore it wouldn’t happen again.
Trust is huge, and I would entrust my life to any one of my brothers.But trust is earned in this club.We have plenty of recruits who want to prospect with us; however, Hawk and the club are selective about who gets that chance.So far, only Lee and Declan have made the cut.Loyalty is first and foremost with us, and most men are in it for the insignia on their cut or the biker babes who stroke their ego.The Redemption Riders is about taking care of each other and building a life where we can ride free, live free, and add value to our community.
Dealing drugs and guns is a big part of a lot of clubs.It’s good money, but it comes with huge risks.We started off having to either play the game or else get swallowed up by bigger clubs.Hawk wanted to stay clean, so we struggled to get out of the mix.It wasn’t until Hawk went back to the man who introduced him to the brotherhood of his club that we were able to break free.I’ve met Guard and his men many times.They’re good, solid people, and I have a lot of respect for our Pride brothers.
Unfortunately, Bronson is a big problem.He started off as a selfish businessman and found out that peddling drugs to kids is a lucrative side hustle that is turning into his main source of income.Bronson doesn’t care who he hurts as long as he comes out on top.
Hawk called for a meeting first thing in the morning.And I’ve got to get some sleep before I drop.I look at Tessa lying on the comforter and take off her shoes before edging her between the sheets.I take off my clothes and head for the shower.I can’t sleep with the grime on me.
The hot water feels good on my skin, working out the kinks in my muscles.I brace my hands on the wall and let the heat soothe me.When the shower door opens, a naked Tessa quietly steps in, grabs the soap, lathers her hands, and runs them over my back.
“Baby—”
“I want to be with you,” she says in a quiet voice.“Let me take care of you.”
Her eyes plead with me.There’s nothing more I want than to have Tessa’s hands on me.“Have at it, babe,” I say.
Her hands roam my body; her fingers caress my skin like fine silk.She grabs the shampoo bottle, squirting a dollop into her hand.
“Bend down,” Tessa says.
“I have a better idea,” I tell her and lift her into my arms.“Wrap your legs around my waist.”She acquiesces immediately and shampoos my hair, massaging my scalp.She drops her lips to mine.Her kiss is raw, needy, and hungry.I return her passion, weaving my fingers through her thick, dark strands, deepening our kiss.I step back under the water to rinse the soap from us, then back her up against the wall.“I’ve missed you.”
“Me too.”She peppers my face with kisses.
“I think slow is out the window, Tess.”A burning need urges me to come inside her sweet heat, but I resist and say, “You need to tell me to stop now.”I don’t want her to utter those words and pray she doesn’t, but if she does, I’ll stop, because Tessa’s worth waiting for.
She looks down, then plunders my mouth with hers, her fingers etched in my scalp and her body trembling with excitement.“Fuck me,” she murmurs, her lips against mine.
With one hard stroke, I enter her tight pussy.She gasps, her head swaying back against the tiled wall, while her pussy clenches my cock like a vise.I pull out, then come back inside her hard and fast, unable to control my desire, needing to feel our connection and hear her mewls of delight.
God, how I’ve missed those sounds.They’re like an aphrodisiac, each murmur, mewl, and moan pushing us both to mutual euphoria.
“You’ve got to give it to me, babe,” I rumble in her ear.
“Oh my God!So close,” she gasps, and then her eyes grow wide, her legs spasm, and I feel her orgasm run through her.It’s all I need to allow myself the sweet release my body craves.Burying my face in her neck, I root myself deep inside her and muffle my groan while filling her sweet pussy with my cum.
Tessa’s head droops onto my shoulder.I slowly pull out of her and set her on her feet, keeping my arm banded around her waist.I wrap a towel around her before getting one for myself.After toweling off, Tessa stumbles into bed, and I slide in next to her.She falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.I move her into my arms, close my eyes, and embrace the quiet of the night.