Duke: Fallen MC #1 (17 page)

Duke had no sympathy for him. Everything that happened to Nole was
because
of Nole. Nothing ever happened to him that he didn’t instigate in the first place or bring on himself. They parked their bikes in a line facing him. Prez took point as they walked towards him. Nole threw a black backpack at his feet.

“That is all of it. Everything I owe.” His voice was quiet and shaky. Prez had dramatically reduced the amount of compensation he should of paid because of the agreement he made with Nicole on her first night behind the bar. Nicole was meant to be the whole compensation but Prez decided he wasn’t going to let Nole off that easy.

They stayed silent as Prez handed the bag to Hollywood who would do his own count. Money in a bag can easily be made to look more than it is. Nole’s eyes flashed to and fro over them, too nervous to make eye contact and he jerked at every small sound. This wasn’t the cocky, confident crook they’d dealt with six months ago. Duke couldn’t help but be suspicious when Nole started scanning the area as if he was about to be a victim of an ambush. Hollywood finished the count and gave a single nod to Prez. It was all there. Thank fuck, he didn’t want to deal with this asshat again.

“Okay, Fletcher, it’s all here. Our business is done. Don’t contact Fallen again, you won’t like the reception you’ll get.” Prez warned.

He quickly nodded. “Nicole?”

Duke stepped forward. “What about her? We were led to believe you didn’t give a fuck being that we’ve been in this deal for six months and that’s the first time you’ve asked,” he said through gritted teeth.

“I know but we’re done now. The deal’s done. When can I come get her?” His voice was small and pathetic sounding.

“You won’t. She belongs to me now.”

Nole’s spine straightened and panic registered on his face. “No. No. You can’t do that. She’s my daughter. You have to give her back to me. I don’t believe she’d want to stay with you.”

Razor sprang forward and planted his fist straight in Nole’s face, knocking him to the ground. “You’re no father! You’re a pathetic piece of shit that sells his daughter to every one in the state, not caring what happens to her.” He spat on him before walking away. Nole got himself up and his lip curled up in a snarl. Well, wasn’t this a turn around. His outward behaviour had completely transformed.

“I want to see her. I don’t believe any of you MC fuckers. No way would Nicole want to stay with you. She deserves better. I want to hear it from her. Face to face. I don’t trust you to not be holding a gun to her head on the phone. I know how you bikers keep your sluts.”

Duke had heard enough, bad enough to insult the club and call them fuckers but worse, he’d actually referred to Nicole as a slut! He was about to deliver a well aimed blow when Prez beat him to it. He was held back by Hollywood and Razor, if he wasn’t he would have joined in. Prez tugged Nole up from the floor by his greasy hair and stood nose to nose with him.

“You dare insult us when you happily throw your daughter to the wolves to keep them off your back? You’re nothing, you’re a piece of shit and if I had my way you’d be buried in the ground somewhere with me pissing on your grave.” Prez let go and pushed him into the wall and stepped back. “Unfortunately for me, Nicole wants to see you, come by the club gates at eleven o’clock tomorrow morning. If you’re one minute late you’ll be standing there alone. There are no second chances.”

He watched Nole sag against the wall in relief. They turned their backs and went to their bikes. Riding back, Duke couldn’t get a read on the meeting they’d just had. He played it on a continual loop in his mind. Nole had gone from weak and pathetic to angry, then to relief. It made no sense for him to act that way. He was acting manic. Duke had a gut feeling something wasn’t right, he just couldn’t put his finger on it. He could have been reading too much into it. He wasn’t very rational with anything regarding Nicole. Maybe Nole was just being a crazy bastard, but there was no way Nicole would be standing at the gates alone tomorrow.

The baby shower was awesome. They’d been given so many presents for the boys that she was completely overwhelmed and spent the majority of the party in happy tears. Nicole didn’t know what was left for her and Duke to buy. Jewel showed her the room next to their apartment that they had emptied for her and Duke to use as storage. She’d shown them all the bands Duke had given her and they begged her to tell them the names that go with them. She wouldn’t, that was just between her and Duke until the babies were born. The ladies continued to beg and guess throughout the night but she wouldn’t relent and none of their guesses were anywhere near. Shel had been great and organised games and quizzes that had them all in hysterics, laughing. She lost count of how many times she had rushed to the bathroom to keep from peeing herself. Every old lady was there and Nicole felt she’d been accepted into their sisterhood.

She woke to Duke wrapped around her like always. She never wanted to wake up any other way. He told her the meeting with her Dad had gone okay and that his debt was payed in full. She was relieved and for some reason nervous and apprehensive to see him this morning. She had a ball of guilt in her stomach from what she was going to say to him. He was her Dad and more than likely she would never see him again after today. In fact, that was the plan. She knew it was for the best, she had a family to think of, yet, a part of her despised herself for what she was about to do. She was all he had and she worried over what he would do when he didn’t have her any longer.

She’d recited what she was going to say to him time and time again in her mind. Each time it changed, none of it seemed right or good enough. She wanted to use the time to thank him for what he did do, not reprimand him for what he didn’t. Duke didn’t understand this and thought she should be totally honest and clear the air. That wasn’t her though. She didn’t hold grudges and why end their relationship on a low note when it didn’t have to? She wanted her Dad to know that she loved him and would think of him often but that she didn’t want to risk her family with his lifestyle and his enemies. Over time he’d made a lot of enemies through bad deals and dodgy trades and her sons weren’t going to pay the price for it like she had. She prayed he’d understand and want what was the best for her. And the best for her was Duke. He was her other half.

Duke’s breathing changed so she knew he’d woken. His hand slid from her bump to her breast where he palmed her and played with her nipples. She could feel his dick getting hard on the small of her back and her pussy flooded in response. He moaned into her neck and kissed and nipped her until she was squirming against him, desperate for him to fill her up. He pushed his cock between her legs, moving it back and forth through her wet folds and teasing her clit. His hand left her breast to skim down her body. He tucked it underneath her knee, pulling her leg up before sliding into her. She loved it when he first entered her, the stretching and the fullness made her ache with tormenting pleasure and went he bottomed out, the bite of pain heightened everything else.

“Faster. Please Duke, go faster.”

“We’re taking it nice and slow, baby.” He thrust again. “Feel all of me, feel how your pussy grips me like it never wants to let go.” She tightened her muscles around him. “That’s it baby, squeeze me tight. Fuck, I love you.”

“I love you too.” She groaned and he kept their pace even. She arched her back to take him deeper and clawed at his hip as the sensations grew. His hard smooth body against hers tormented her. She could never get close enough. She wanted to be surrounded by Duke.

“Give me your mouth. I want your mouth when I coat your pussy.”

They were both close. Her pussy started pulsing and Duke slammed home harder each time. She turned her head and thrust her tongue against his. He tweaked her sensitive nipples, sending her flying into orgasm. She felt him stiffen and moan behind her as he come inside her. He didn’t pull out, he wrapped around her again, keeping them connected as they spiralled back down to earth together.

“Are you ready to see your dad, baby?” His voice was so sexy and raspy in the mornings.

“Honestly, not really. I’m worried what he’ll say to me when I tell him, but it’s got to be done for our peace of mind and I’m ready to start my new life with you. A fresh start.”

He hugged her close then turned her to face him. They both gasped as they separated. Looking into his warm brown eyes, she knew anything was worth being able to look into them for the rest of her life.

“I hate that you have to do this, baby. But you’re right, this is a fresh start for both of us. We’ll leave all our shit in the past and build our new lives together. This is just the final step. You won’t be on your own ever again. You’re my life now, like I’m yours. It’s going to be beautiful, baby, I’ll make sure of it. I promise.”

He pressed a sweet kiss gently on her lips, stood up from the bed and picked her up bridal style. He carried her into the shower and set her down. They washed each other, slowly and gently, exploring the other with loving touches and sweet caresses. Then stood entwined under the water, sated, warm and content to just be in each other’s arms.

Duke held her hand all the way to the bar where Jewel, Shel, Slam, Prez, Razor, Hollywood and the Musketeers all individually embraced her, showing their support and understanding for what she was about to do. Slam put his arm over her shoulder and said “Just think Nic, when this is done you’re officially all ours.” She couldn’t stop the smile stretching her face. He was right, she was doing the right thing. Embracing her new confidence, she took Duke’s hand again and made her way to the gates followed by everyone else. None of them wanted her to stand alone. Hollywood had told her that “when you’ve spoken to your Dad and turn to walk away, you’ll be walking towards us.”

She took a deep breath and stopped about ten feet from the gate. Prez had said he was only opening them slightly, just enough for her to embrace her Dad one last time. He was already stood there, bruises coloured his face and he’d clearly lost weight but this wasn’t a surprise to her. Duke had been honest about what was said and done at the meeting and she didn’t hold it against him or the others that they had taken action. Her Dad should have known better than to insult them but he never learned. He seemed destined to repeat his mistakes again and again.

She squeezed and reluctantly dropped Duke’s hand, taking the final few steps on her own. She knew he’d be hating this part, he never liked them separated but this is what she wanted. This was her decision and her dad needed to know that to let her go.

As she got closer, she noticed his face was carefully blank. She’d seen this look many times before when he didn’t want to give anything away. His eyes dropped to her bump and widened but that was the only change. She stopped just in front of him, close enough to reach out and touch him. They stood looking at each other in silence for a moment. Her thoughts had emptied and her mouth was dry. This was it. Pulling herself together, she placed her trembling hands on her bump to remind her why she was doing this and cleared her throat.

“Hey, Dad.” He was yet to speak. “It’s been a while.”

“I’m sorry.” His facade crumbled and he looked grief stricken but resolved. He must have accepted that she want leaving Fallen.

“It’s not totally your fault, Dad. It’s my decision to stay here, they’ve treated me really well. I’ve made new friends and found the love of my life. I’ve never felt so at home or happy as I am here. As you can see I’m going to be a momma soon and this is the life I want for my family.” A weight lifted from her shoulders now that she’d got that out. Her Dad continued to stare at her and he took a deep breath. She braced herself for his response.

“I’m sorry; that’s not going to happen.”

Nicole didn’t even have time to register what he said. Shock tore through her as her Dad lunged forward, painfully gripping her arm and yanked her through the gap in the gates. He turned her by twisting her arm up behind her back. She cried out at the pain in her arm and shoulder and saw Duke and the others charging for the gate, weapons drawn.

Suddenly they ground to a halt, skidding on the loose ground just a few feet away from her. She didn’t understand. Why weren’t they coming for her? Her eyes focused on Duke as his face contorted with rage. She felt something cool touch her temple. Her mouth dropped open and she whimpered when she heard the cock of a gun. She could hardly take a breath. Her lungs weren’t working. Pain was growing worse through her arm and shoulder. Familiar panic was setting in.

Duke had reacted in a split second when Nole had pulled Nicole to him but he still wasn’t fast enough. Now he was stood, looking at Nicole in pain, scared and silently crying as her own fucking father held a gun to her head. His heart was beating out of his chest. Pure, white hot rage consumed him as he took in the scene. Time seemed to have stopped. No one moved. He could feel blood pooling in his free palm, his fist was so tight that his nails were digging in, cutting his skin. His other hand held steady on his gun, searching for a clear shot at Nole. He didn’t have one. His whole body protected by Nicole.

Nole didn’t look sane right now. His eyes were twitching, sweat dripped from his brow and the hand holding the gun trembled sporadically. He had to get Nicole away from him. The stupid fucker was likely to pull the trigger without meaning to. He knew whatever he wanted, he’d give so long as Nicole ended up unharmed and in his arms. Any other outcome was unacceptable and would end with Nole’s head mounted on the club wall.

“Put the fucking gun down, Fletcher!” Prez shouted, a shake in his voice betraying his own level of anger.

Duke tried to speak but his jaw was set so tight he couldn’t. His mind was over flowing with plans, worries and images of Nicole and their time together. He couldn’t straighten his thoughts. He took in calming breaths, knowing Nicole needed him. Needed his reassurance right now. His muscles stayed tight and his breath still heaved as he spoke as calmly as he could.