Murphy (The Skulls) (13 page)

“You did what you had to do, Murphy. There’s no shame in that,” she said, looking at him in the mirror.

“You’re not seeing me differently?” he asked.

Leaning forward she pressed her lips to his. “No, I don’t. This is your life
, and I’m sharing it with you. You can share what you want with me. There’s no need for you to hide.”

Murphy wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. “Thank you.”

She watched him visibly relax as he started talking once again, opening up about his world. Tate could do this for him. He wasn’t alone in the world, and she’d stand beside him no matter what he did as a Skull.

There’s more to this than him putting the club first.

Tate didn’t even resent the fact the club was coming first. She was slowly accepting how important the club was, not that she’d tell anyone yet.

She listened as he talked about Killer getting the information out of the other man. The Skulls never gave anything away to their women.

“Do you trust Killer, Time, and Whizz?” she asked when he’d finished talking about everything that happened. She didn’t like the thought of a drug group in Fort Wills. Tiny would end it at the first opportunity.

“I know they’re hard guys to trust because of The Lions
, but I vouched for them.”

“If they go wrong, Murphy, your ass is on the line for bringing them in.”

“They won’t,” he said.

Turning on the electric shears, she finished off his hair, removing a lot of hair as she did. All the time he looked at her, talking.

“Do you think we’re crazy for putting the drugs with The Lions?” he asked.

She smiled. “No, I don’t think it’s crazy. Putting them together is logical. You can’t dismiss the two.”

Tate finished cutting his hair. “All done.”

He caught her hand, bringing her down close. “Thank you.”

Watching him walk out of the bathroom, Tate quickly cleaned away the mess and took a long hard look at her reflection.

You can do this, Tate. You can do this.

She couldn’t live like Angel, accepting Lash’s life without knowing the details of what went on. Growing up with The Skulls, Tate knew a lot of shit went down that she wouldn’t want to know.

Murphy.

Her love for that man was far greater than her fear of knowing the truth. Turning off the light she found him sitting on the bed staring at the floor.

“I never touched a woman until they ordered me to fuck one,” he said.

Freezing by the door, Tate stared at him.

“I was in the club for a year. Jeff was high as a fucking kite. He didn’t know what he was doing. He threw a woman at me. She was drugged
, but she wanted it. I told him no, and he pulled a gun on me.” Murphy turned to look at her. There was no emotion in his face. “When I took the mission for Tiny, I promised
myself
no other women. You’re my woman. Only Tate. I had no choice. A gun was pointed at my head, and I fucked her.”

Tears filled her eyes as she imagined Murphy in such a position.

“When it was over, he ordered me to fuck another and then another. Afterwards, I scrubbed myself raw. I drew blood, but it wasn’t enough. I then went to a clinic and got tested. I got tested every month to make sure I was clean.”

Moving away from the door, she took a seat next to him on the bed. Grabbing his hand, she held him tightly, trying to offer him comfort.

“You don’t have to talk about it,” she said.

“I do have to talk about it.”

“Waiting for those results were the fucking worst moment of my life,” he said.

“What would you have done if you’d gotten something you couldn’t fix?” she asked. This was a whole other side to the past. She’d only ever thought about her feelings and what he’d done to hurt her. Never once
had she considered what he was going through. Tate hated her selfishness.

Murphy chuckled. “I couldn’t come back to you broken. I decided if I caught something that couldn’t be fixed, I was going to
get everything Tiny needed to put The Lions down for good, and then I was going to kill myself by taking a gun to my own head.”

Tate gasped, finding it hard to breath. “You were going to kill yourself?” she asked, not really believing his words.

“When I tell you they were the worst years of my life, I’m not kidding, Tate. I hated every fucking day. Jeff killed some of his own members to show how powerful he was. Being on the other end of his gun was the worst thing ever. Being forced to fuck women that were not you killed me inside. All the time I thought about you. Every time I got the all clear it was another lifeline.”

Sitting in his lap, Tate held him close. “It’s fine. I’ve got you. I’m not going anywhere
, and neither are you. We’ve got each other, and that’s all we need.” Closing her eyes, Tate allowed herself to feel the pain of losing him. No, she couldn’t have handled him going. Grabbing his face, she stared at him hard. “No matter what happens, Murphy, I will always love you. You’ll never be broken to me.” Tears were filling her eyes. “You can always come to me.”

He kissed her hard.

Murphy eased back on the bed with her in his arms.

“I’m not letting you go. I fought too hard to have you already,” he said.

“I’m here, Murphy, and I’ll be here when you wake up. I’m not going anywhere. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.” Her words were so true.

“There she is,” he said. Frowning, she stared into his eyes. “You can be a bitch all you want and I need that
, but I see the woman I fell in love with.”

She’d not let anyone in for a long time. Murphy was seeing the real her
, the woman she kept hidden from everyone else. Instead of pulling away, she kept staring at him, wanting to be open to him.

“You can’t disappear anymore,” he said.

“I don’t want to, Murphy.”

Settling down on top of him, Tate closed her eyes, holding him. He was warm, hard
, and everything she wanted in a man.

Forgive him
, and let the past go.

She already had.

Chapter Twelve

Murphy watched her sleeping, and seeing her peaceful sent joy running through him. Her hand rested across her name inked onto his abdomen. Running his fingers up and down her arm, he didn’t want to leave her. It was morning, and the club was already awake and alive with activity. Sleeping in her arms was the best night he’d ever spent.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said.

There was a knock on the door. Lash stuck his head around the door. Murphy made sure Tate was covered. The other man had grown up with Tate, but he wasn’t letting another man eyeball his woman.

“Tiny’s waiting for you. Leave her here,” Lash said.

Nodding his head, Murphy curled her around his pillow making sure he wouldn’t wake her. This was what he had to do in order to make Tate his woman. Grabbing his clothes, Murphy dressed while watching her sleep. She looked so beautiful, and he’d gladly get his ass kicked in order to be with her.

Kissing the top of her head, Murphy left the room. He passed several of his brothers on the way down. Holding his head high, he saw they were all looking at him with respect.
Lash was waiting for him outside the backdoor. There was an open space where the men could let off some steam and shoot some hoops.

“Isn’t this a little dangerous?” Murphy asked.

“Perimeter has been checked. We’ve got some guys on the roof keeping a look out. Tiny doesn’t want to wait. He had a bad night, and you’ve got an ass whopping to answer to,” Lash said.

Looking back, he saw Angel twisting her hands together watching him. “If she wakes up keep her in here.”

Angel jerked her head in response.

Following Lash outside, he heard the door close. Tiny was stood in the middle of the yard. The older man wasn’t wearing a shirt
, and Murphy saw the ink holding Tate’s and Patricia’s names.

“You should have known this was coming,” Tiny said.

“I knew, and I’m more than prepared to take what I deserve.” Pulling his cut from his shoulders, Murphy tugged his shirt from his shoulders. Tate’s name was clear to see across his abdomen.

Lash, Nash, Zero, and Killer were stood watching.

“You think you’re good enough for my daughter?” Tiny asked, circling his arms, getting ready for a fight.

“I’m the only person good enough for her
, and you know it.” He went to stand a few feet away from him.

“
No, you’re a piece of shit, Murphy. You didn’t even stay around and volunteered to get away at the first opportunity. Tate’s worth more than that.” Tiny stepped closer. He looked ready to kill.

Clicking his knuckles, Murphy stepped closer. “Everything I did was for Tate. They were all a danger to her and to her town. She has a right to walk around her town and feel safe.”

Tiny growled.

“You can fight me and I’m more than
happy to take a beating, but I’m not going to walk away.”

He saw the first punch. Murphy took the hit that went square to his jaw.

“I love her,” Murphy said.

Another hit to his stomach.

Bending over, Murphy gasped for breath.

The other brothers watching the fight winced at the hit.

“You shouldn’t say shit like that,” Lash said.

“I love her
, and I’m going to make her happy.” Murphy blocked the next hit and shoved Tiny back. “Listen to me.”

“No more talking.” Tiny charged him.

Murphy found a weak spot, lashing out and cutting three hits to Tiny’s ribs. The older man didn’t back away but kept coming for more. Blocking a few more hits, Murphy didn’t anticipate his legs being taken out from under him.

Landing on the floor with a thump, Murphy cried out as his whole bode was jolted.
There was nothing for Tiny to grab onto. Kicking up, he pushed Tiny away giving him chance to get back to his feet.

“She’s my daughter. You should never have touched her.” Tiny yelled the words across the forecourt.

“I never wanted to love her. I did everything I could to stay away.” Murphy held his hands out toward Tiny. “It was too hard to fight her. She’s beautiful, smart, and tough as nails.”

“I know. She’s my
daughter.” Tiny lost his temper charging at him. “No man should touch her.”

“Dad, stop it,” Tate said, yelling across the yard. It was too late
, and Murphy went down. He tried to block the hits, but they were coming too fast.

Glancing toward Tate he saw Lash holding her back.

“Get fucking off me.”

“Tiny, get off that boy now!” Eva’s voice cut through the fight. Tiny paused and looked in the direction of where the voice came from.

“Leave him alone.” Tate ran toward him, going to her knees beside him. He wanted to be a man and tell her to back away. The sweet, tender look on her face was too hard to deny.

“Tate, back off,” Tiny said.

“You’ve made your point. He’s not to hurt me, and he’ll answer to you. Murphy gets it, and you need to back away.” Tate knelt beside him, protecting him.

He fell deeper in love with her for trying to protect him.

“He hurt you. I’m not going to let you throw your life away on this piece of scum.” She got to her feet and shoved Tiny away.

“He hurt me once. You’ve been hurting Eva repeatedly. You don’t deserve her. What are you going to d
o when her father comes to call? What if her father is a hard-nosed bastard just like you?” Tiny went to speak, but Tate held her hand up. “No, you’ve done enough. I don’t need you to defend my honor. I love him, and you’re not going to stand in the way of that.”

Murphy got to his feet putting Tate behind him. “I will never hurt her again.” Fuck, he ached all over. Tiny knew where to put his fists to make it count. Coughing, Murphy faced his leader. “I’ll take every hit
, and I’ll do everything you need me to in order to win back your trust. I’m not going away.”

Before Tiny could say anything else, Butch called to them. “Nash, there’s a woman here asking for you.”

“Tell her to fuck off. I’ve got more pressing drama to deal with,” Nash said.

“She called you Edward and said her name was Sophia. Her face is badly bruised
, and she’s hysterical.”

No one could stop him as Nash charged toward Butch. Murphy heard the commotion. Chaos ensued as Tiny’s name was called.

“Dad, give him your blessing,” Tate said.

Her father pointed his finger at Murphy’s chest. “You hurt her and I’ll fucking end you.”

Tiny ran toward the club.

“He really hurt you,” Tate said, pressing on his bruised sides.

“No, it was worth it. I’ve got you by my side.” Murphy pulled her against him, holding her close. He ached all over, but he got his woman at the end.

Zero whistled, gaining their attention. “You two need to come inside.”

Heading in, Murphy wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

The instant they stepped inside he heard the hysterical woman speaking. Nash was stood in front of
a woman with midnight black hair and blue eyes. One side of her face was badly bruised and her lip bleeding.

“T-t-t-they said to c-c-come here. T-t-t-they took her, Edward.”

“Who? Who did they take?” Nash asked.

“Kate. She’s gone. She was on drugs
, and they killed her.” Sophia broke down. “My sister, they killed her.”

This was Kate’s sister, the woman Nash was in love wi
th. She was nothing like how Murphy imagined her. Sophie was a full figured woman with large tits, small waist, and flared hips. She was the complete opposite of Kate. What the hell did Nash see in Kate?

Kate? Fuck, the sweet-butt was dead.

Nash wrapped his arms around her. “We’ll figure this out. I promise, Soph, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Kate was on drugs?” Tiny asked.

“What’s going on?” Tate asked, squeezing his arm.

“Nash has a thing for Kate’s sister. I’m guessing that’s the woman who he wants. She doesn’t look very good.”

He watched the other man wrap his arms around Sophia’s shoulders as she slumped toward him.

“I didn’t know she was using. I’d have gotten her off,” Sophia said.

“What about you? You’re the one with her at all times. Was she using?” Tiny turned toward Nash. If the other man knew Kate was using, the shit was going to hit the fan. Tiny didn’t allow the drugs in the family or the club.

“No, I would have reported it immediately.”

“She looks a little like Angel,” Tate said, drawing his attention back to her.

Murphy chuckled.

A large boom rang out, and dust filled the club.

“Incoming!”

Another bang rang out shaking the foundations of the club. Tate screamed as gunfire rang out.

“Get down.” Murphy pushed her to the floor, covering her head and body with his.

“What’s happening?”

Murphy saw the others doing the same. Tiny was on top of Eva, Lash on Angel. The women were all protected.

“Weapons, get your pieces,” Tiny said, yelling.”

The main wall of the building crumbled as a truck rammed into the wall. “Fuck,” Murphy said, pulling Tate out of the way. Men filled into the room. He didn’t
recognize any of them.

Trying to get his woman out of the way, Murphy turned to grab a weapon from the wall. It was all it took as screaming ceased.

“Shut the fuck up,” a man said, yelling. A gun was fired up to the ceiling.

Turning around, Murphy froze. Someone he didn’t
recognize had hold of Tate with a knife against her throat. There were no leather cuts or discernible marks.

“Murphy,” she said, squeezing the words out. The fear on her face would stay with him forever.

“So, you’re the one I’ve been looking for,” the man said, staring at him.

Looking around the chaos of the compound, Murphy saw they were all surrounded with men he didn’t
recognize at all.

“What do you want?” he asked, settling his piece behind his back.

Staring at Tate, he tried to think, to focus.

“Jeff told me a lot about you. He said you were loyal
, and I’ve been watching you for some time.”

“What’s your name?” Glancing to his left he saw Tiny
collapsed on the floor, blood pooling around him.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

He saw Killer, Time, and Whizz were moving around outside of the truck. The three men were not locked on by the shooters. What the fuck were they doing? Fuck, all The Skulls had a gun pointed at them, and someone he didn’t know wanted to talk to him.

“Call me Sal.”

The name rang a bell. “You’re Jeff’s supplier?” Murphy asked

“That’s right, man. Jeff promised me this town
, and now it’s time to collect,” Sal said. “He told me all about The Skulls. You rule this town. Well, now it’s time to get the fuck out of here, and I’m giving you a fresh start.”

Tate’s lips wobbled
, and tears fell from her eyes.

“What?” Murphy looked up at him.

“I’m going to let you chose. I’ve watched you, and I like you. Also, I like giving fuckers hard choices. So, here is the time for you to choose.”

His heart raced, staring at Tate.

“Your club or your woman. Pick which one lives.”

****

Tate sobbed at the ultimatum. This wasn’t fair. She couldn’t let him choose between her or the club.

“No, Murphy, pick the club,” she said.

“Shut it, bitch.” Sal pressed the knife tight against her throat.

Glancing to her left she saw her father in a pool of his own blood. Whimpering, Tate looked at the man she loved. She knew who he was going to choose
, but it was the wrong one.

“No, you can’t do this. The club is everything. It’s not just me, Murphy, it’s the whole fucking town.” Tate screamed, trying to get him to
realize the truth before him. This man was going to ruin everything The Skulls had built up.

“I promised you, Tate.”

“No, no promise. You pick the club. Not me. I get it. I understand it, but I was too fucking stubborn to tell you.”

She couldn’t believe after all this time she was begging to be second place. Gazing around the room she saw them all and knew they’d be destroyed if he picked her. She saw Lash and Angel, dead before her. Eva and Tiny, a wasted love that never got chance. No, she wouldn’t be responsible for what was going to happen.

Sal tightened his grip on her waist. It was uncomfortable as she stared at Murphy.

“You don’t want to do this,” she said.

“Pick, Murphy,” Sal said. “I’m going to own this town, and your club is going down.”

Staring into his eyes, Tate tried to convince him. “I love you
, and I finally get what you did. I understand what you did, and you don’t need to do this. I was too fucking stubborn. Forgive me.” She was sobbing as she begged him.