Withstanding Me (9 page)

“Sure thing, brother.”

“Thanks, Prez,” he grips Braxxon’s shoulder in a manly ‘thanks man’ kinda move.

They nod, and Braxxon and Winter leave.

“You need any more pain meds right now?” ZZ asks quietly.

“No, I’m good.”

“Great, scoot that fine ass over. I’m tired and I’m not leaving you, so that means we’re bunkin up, darlin.”

I know my cheeks flame red. The thought of sleeping next to him all night does things to my tummy. “Okay,” I squeak out.

I watch as ZZ kicks off his boots and sets his gun on the tray table. He moves the tray closer to the side of the bed and I know that I need to scoot to the other side. He wants to be close to the door. I find my voice and ask, “Do you want some of the blanket?”

ZZ sits on the bed, turning towards me. “Of course I do. Who the hell sleeps without a fuckin blanket?”

I can’t help it. I laugh. I love him.

“Watch your leg baby, I’m comin in,” he smirks as he lies down next to me and throws the blanket over both of us.

As his smell invades my senses and his body heat swarms with mine, I decide I’m no longer going to withstand him.

Chapter 11

Storm

I know the drugs aren’t what helped me sleep last night. It was the hard brick of a man sleeping beside me.

Of course, when we woke up, and ZZ took me to Winter and the girls for the dress fitting, his soft mood was gone and the hard exterior came back. He leaves us with Sniper, and I immediately miss him. I crave him, and sometimes I love that I do, and other times I hate that I do. My thoughts are interrupted when Winter comes around the corner with a wheel chair.

“I’m not sitting in that,” I grumble, trying to cross my arms, but the crutches make it hard.

“Yes you are.” She smarts back.

“No. I’m not a cripple.”

“Never said you were babe, but we’ll be here for a while,” she says while stopping the god-awful wheel chair in front of me. She couldn’t at least get a newer one? Or you know, deck it out in some cute shit? It’s an ugly ass brown color.

“Where in the hell did you get this thing? It looks like it came from the 70’s. Send it back through whatever time machine you got it from.” I try to push it away with one of my crutches.

“Miss Grumpy Pants must’ve not gotten any sleep last night,” Winter smirks as she pretty much rips my crutches from me.

“I got plenty of sleep. In fact, it was some of the best sleep I’ve had.” I laugh trying to reach for my crutches.

“Nope. Sit your pretty little ass down.”

That’s enough for me. Her tone was serious. So I reign in my anger because I know she’s doing this because she cares about me. I do as I’m told, and sit in the awful ugly ass brown wheelchair. I let a huff out as she moves me over to the mirrored landing.

“You frustrate me. Just so you know.”

“Well… you frustrate me, too!” She exclaims, but not without trying to hide her smile.

“Whatever. Let’s just do this dress thing.” I huff and cross my arms.

“Yes. Ma’am.” She salutes all smart ass like.

***

We’re halfway through the dress fittings, I think, when Shadow comes strolling in. That man is one fine mystery. Once I caught him putting in light blue contacts just to cover his coal black eyes. I made a comment that he should leave them out, and that was the first time I seen that dude smile. Something about these guys all wearing badass shades does something to female insides. Makes us putty in their hands.

“All you need is some Go-Go boots, Storm.” Shadow smirks, sitting down next to me. I watch his movements carefully. He doesn’t normally strike up conversation. Once he’s seated, he slouches, spreads his legs apart, and places his elbows on his knees while rubbing his jaw. My eyes follow his line of sight, and they land on Tatiana. He’s watching her carefully. His sunglasses aren’t hiding it. I hope he knows that.

“Shut up. Winter made me sit in this damn thing.”

His head never turns as the corner of his mouth barely twitches. He’s trying hard not to laugh and smile.

“Thank you,” Shadow murmurs.

What?

“For…” I drag out.

He doesn’t reply; he just nods his head in Tatiana’s direction. That makes me want to scream for so many reasons. What is with these men wanting someone and not taking her? He’s lucky I don’t reach over, grab one of my crutches leaning against one of the chairs, and knock him upside the head with it. I decide right there that men are stupid. Yes, they are stupid and I’m sticking with it.

“Where’s Sniper?” Shadow finally breaks his gaze from Tatiana and looks at me.

I smile and point over to where Sniper is hitting on one of the sales girls. It’s a funny sight because she’s just bustling around not giving him the satisfaction of even a grin.

“I give her credit. She’s not falling for it. He’s tried everything. He’s even asked her to be his date at the wedding.”

That last comment throws Shadow’s head back around to me.

“He asked her to be his date at the weddin? Why the fuck would you need a date for a weddin?” His voice comes out in shock.

“Well, because with normal people Shadow… when there is a wedding, it’s proper to take a date,” I smart off.

“Do I need a fuckin date?”

Oh boy.

“You don’t need anything Shadow. If you want to take a date, take a date. But if not, it’s not a big deal. Did you not look at your damn invite for the wedding? It says you may bring a plus one.”

“Jesus Christ!” He exclaims, almost too loudly while standing up. I watch as he walks over to one of the sales chicks helping Piper. He leans in murmuring something in her ear, and I watch as her face contorts from confusion to a giddy schoolgirl. She nods her head ‘yes’ excitedly as his hand trails slowly down her arm before letting her go and walking back over to me.

“There. I have a stupid fuckin date. Is there anything else I need to check off for this damn event?”

“Yes. You might want to grab a bucket of water, maybe even a hose, because with the look Tatiana is giving you… you’re gonna be set on fire.” I growl at him.

“Shit!” He yells.

“Dumbass.” I say as I wheel myself away from him.

***

Chapter 12

ZZ

The construction is finally finished on the compound, and the expansion looks fucking fantastic. Not gonna lie, Winter knows her shit. After the construction crew was paid off, Braxxon kicked them all out. We’ve been on lockdown since the ma and pop shooting and having construction workers on and off the compound made everyone uneasy. After they left, the brothers got busy looking for bugs and cameras. With the new building and the new windows inside the clubhouse, you can never be too sure. I know Winter and the club have paid a pretty penny to have this done so damn fast, but in the end, we all know it’s worth it. Too many loved ones getting fuckin killed.

Braxxon decided to kiss Winter’s ass some more, and have a pizza and wings night in the new building on the compound. And for once, my daughter isn’t out hiding, doing shit she’s not supposed to be doing, so I guess I should be thankful. There’s that damn word again. Thankful. I need to shoot something. I need to feel like a man again. Too many emotions make you a pussy.

Fuck!

“Hey Mason.” Storm smiles down at me with her plate in her hand. She takes a seat beside me at one of the picnic tables in the courtyard of our newly fuckin awesome building. I look around to make sure known of my brothers caught her saying my real name and I inwardly sigh in relief when I notice no one did.

“Hey Apple,” I smirk back.

“Fuck you,” she laughs, taking a bite of her pizza.

She looks just as yummy as that pizza. She’s dressed down, and I decide right there that Storm looks fucking fantastic in gray sweats rolled to her knees and a white wife beater with some tennis shoes. Not to mention her hair is piled on top of her head all messy, and she’s not wearing any makeup. Yeah, that natural beauty thing she’s got going on isn’t good for my dick. It’s already standing at full alert, stressing against my jeans.

“You ready for the rehearsal dinner tomorrow?”

Yes, baby keep talking wedding shit, so my cock stops throbbing for your touch.

“Do I look like I’m ready?” I say back as I take a bite of my hot wing. Shit, that’s so fuckin good.

“No. Not at all,” she answers back as she tries handing me a napkin.

“I don’t need that damn napkin; give me your tongue,” I tease her, causing her eyes to go wide. She finally snaps out of her shock and throws the napkin at me.

“Horny bastard,” she giggles uncomfortably.

Damn. She has pizza sauce on the corner of her mouth. What to do, what to do?

I lean into her, causing her to gasp as my face comes closer and closer with hers. She shutters, closing her eyes and I drag my pierced tongue along the side of her mouth. Pizza sauce and Storm. Fuck. So damn delicious.

“Mason,” she whispers and my cock hardens more. “Please don’t do that unless you’re ready.”

Dammit! Way to spoil the mood Storm. I back away from her, picking up my plate, and stand up. I’m not fuckin ready for no damn commitment. I can’t look at her; I know if I do, I’ll just be pissed off with myself. I hate the hurt looks I always cause to show up on her beautiful face. I walk over to the trashcan and toss my paper plate. Everyone is laughing, smiling, and fuck if I don’t wanna be one of those people right now. My prepay buzzes in my pocket and I dig it out as I walk back inside the building, the cold air almost stealing my breath. Damn that air conditioner kicks ass in here. Better than the one in the damn clubhouse building.

“Dillan,” I say into my phone as I sit on the couch and dig out a smoke.

“ZZ, it’s Juan. I’ve been tryin to reach your Prez and VP, and they’re not answerin. I got some info on that shootin at the restaurant.”

What the fuck? Why wouldn’t they answer their goddamn phones? It’s just a damn pizza dinner.

“Let me hear it,” I grumble lighting up my smoke.

“The hit came from the east coast; word is there’s a pretty big penny sittin on five gals’ heads.”

Two things replay over and over after he tells me this. East coast and five gals.

“The hits, who is on the hit list?” I all but yell into my phone as I make my way back outside. I throw the door open, and all heads turn towards me. I point to my phone with the hand holding my cigarette in it. Braxxon digs out his phone, automatically knowing he’s missed an important phone call. He jumps up and makes his way over to me.

“I’ll send the photos to your prepay. Have my money delivered to me.” Juan says, waiting for me to hang up.

“I’ll send a prospect.”

I hang up the phone as Braxxon shuts the door behind us.

“What did Juan say?” Braxxon asks.

“Five hits and they’re from the east. He’s sending photos to my phone.”

Braxxon nods and reopens the door leading to the courtyard, motioning for a prospect. Once the prospect comes in, Braxxon closes the door.

“Prez.” He greets.

Braxxon starts firing off as he digs out money from his wallet. “Take this money to the location I’m about to text your prepay. Follow the instructions I send with the text.”

The prospect takes the money with a nod and starts walking off as Braxxon starts rapid texting from his prepay.

My phone dings and I take a deep breath to see who is all on the hit list.

“Storm.” I click. “Winter.” Click. “Tatiana.” I growl and click again. “Piper.” Click. Fuck! “Ma.”

“What are the damn odds Prez that the five main women of the fuckin club are on a fuckin hit list?” I yell.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with the club, brother.” He says opening the door again and calling for Winter.

“What do you mean?”

“I think it has everything to do with Angel. I think that whoever wants Angel dead wants whoever she hangs with dead too.” He answers back as Winter shuts the door behind her.

“What babe?” She frowns as she notices his facial expression.

“The hits from the east coast. Show her your phone, brother.”

I do as he says and hand Winter my phone. I watch as she clicks through the five photos, a scowl developing on her face.

“I’m so fuckin sorry ZZ,” she croaks, handing me back my phone.

“Call your uncle Angel. Now!” Braxxon orders.

“Don’t fuckin take that tone with me! Of course, I’m gonna call that fucker.” She yells at him.

I leave them to argue. I need to talk to my girls. I walk back outside and motion for my mom, daughter, Piper, and Storm. They all stop talking and make their way into the building. They look at me in confusion as we pass Braxxon and Winter arguing back and forth like they’re already fuckin married.

“Sit down, all four of you.” I growl motioning to the couches. I’ve set my tone mean on purpose. I want them to take this shit fuckin seriously.

I take a deep breath and cross my arms. The look I want to give them needs to be fuckin menacing. They need to know I’m deadly serious.