Deceptive (The Houston Defiance MC Series Book 6) Page 10

  Nodding, I lean forward looking at the tiny baby. “We can take as long as you need.”

  Pulling up my ride, Prinie hops off the back, and I follow, ready to walk in with her. She stares at the clubhouse and gawks. “I can’t believe it’s been two months since I was here.”

  “We’ve missed you. That’s why it’s so important for you to come home, Prinie. This club needs you, not just Sephy and Wraith, but all of us.”

  “My harem, you mean?” she jokes, and I let out a small laugh.

  “Yeah, exactly. Just be prepared, they’re probably all going to go crazy when they see you.”

  She straightens her shoulders. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  I wrap my arm around her shoulders, and we walk inside the clubhouse.

  Brady spots us first, and he lets out a loud cheer. “She’s home,” he calls out, and everyone turns.

  “Prinie!” Koda shouts, the first to take off running.

  We continue walking in, and Zero spots her from across the room and begins to make his way over.

  Koda slams into Prinie, picking her up into a tight embrace. She lets out an “oomph” when he grips onto her too tightly. I stand back as Zero steps in, joining in the hug.

  She’s smiling. I think she feels good to be back.

  “Okay, okay, don’t smother me. I’m still weak, you know,” she states.

  Koda places her down, and everyone starts to gather around.

  “I’m glad you’re back. This place has been too quiet without you!” Zero teases.

  “One, you’re an asshole, and two, I know that’s not true. This place is never quiet!”

  Everyone chuckles as I glance around the room searching for Billie. My eyes finally catch hers as she sits on the bottom stair, observing us all, her phone out, taking candid snapshots of the reunion. I raise my chin, and she briefly waves.

  Prinie, leans into my side. “That her?”

  “That’s her.”

  Prinie nudges my shoulder. “She’s sooo your type.”

  I let out a laugh.

  Prinie turns. Wraith is walking over with nine-month-old Sephy strapped to his chest in a carrier. The emotion in his face is clear—his woman is home, and he couldn’t be happier. Prinie takes off toward her family, pushing past everyone as we all watch them reunite, her hands instantly moving to Sephy’s face. She leans in kissing her daughter’s head while Wraith pulls Prinie to his side, planting a kiss on her temple. I can’t hear what Wraith is saying to Prinie, but I imagine it’s either something nice or something filthy because I can’t tell from her grin which way that went.

  Wraith’s eyes meet mine, and he dips his head at me in a long-distance gesture of thanks. We may have had our differences, but it’s safe to say we’re all good now.

  Zero slaps my shoulder, pulling me back into the moment. “Thank you, brother. No one gets through to her like you can. Appreciate your help on this one.”

  “Prinie’s a good friend. She knows she needs to be here for Sephy, she’s missing out on her daughter, and that’s what I reminded her about.”

  Zero hums under his breath. “Good tactic. One Wraith and I didn’t think of. We owe you, brother.”

  “It was my pleasure. I did tell her you would put a prospect on guard at the NICU while we’re not there, though. Hope that’s not presumptuous of me?”

  “No, you’re right. I’ll send River to watch over everything now. Thanks again, Phantom, you did good.”

  I nod, then spin on my heels and head for the stairs. Billie is still sitting there taking this all in. She lowers her cell and smiles as I approach, so I slide in taking a seat next to her, glancing down at the happy pics on her phone. “Those are good.”

  She shrugs, placing the phone in her pocket. “I just wanted to capture the good times at the club to remind me what a club should look like.”

  Tilting my head to the side, I furrow my brows.

  That’s a fucking weird thing to say.

  “We celebrate like this all the time. Your ideas on what we should be are wrong, Billie.”

  Her hand links with mine. “I know. That’s why I want to capture everything, so I can remember all the good times I have here.”

  “There’s bound to be plenty more.”

  Her face lights up like she’s excited about the prospect of that statement. “And I’ll keep capturing them. You managed to get Prinie to come back with you.”

  I pull her to me, and she cuddles into my side—a tingle ignites my soul. She feels like a shot of adrenaline every time I touch her. She’s utterly addictive.

  “I used her daughter against her. Told her what she was missing out on here by staying there. She can have the best of both her children by being here and going into the hospital every day.”

  Billie rests her hand on my knee. “You’re a good man, Phantom. You’ve made everyone here really happy.”

  “What about you? Do I make you happy?”

  Her smile falters like she’s sad, and she nods in contradiction to her expression. “You make me so happy.”

  What the hell was that? I can’t tell why the thought of me making her happy made her frown, but I don’t push the subject, instead leaning in to kiss her temple. “I told Prinie about you.”

  “You did, huh?”

  I glance over to Prinie, who’s utterly content with her family, then back at Billie. “She thinks I have a type.”

  “Is that a good thing?”

  “It means you’re exactly right for me.”

  She grimaces.

  Is she doubting this?

  Doubting me.

  “Or not?”

  “No, sorry, no… it’s not that. I’m just not used to a guy being so forward. I’m not used to someone even liking me.”

  “Billie, you need to believe in yourself. You’re beautiful. Strong. So fucking sexy. You could have any man you want.”

  BILLIE

  As unladylike as it is, I let out a snort.

  Like Rage would ever let me date someone.

  But maybe that’s my problem.

  Rage has dictated every damn facet of my life. I shouldn’t let him control this part too. If I want to be with Phantom, then fuck Rage. He’s probably going to kill me when all this is done anyway, so why spend my time worrying about him. I need only worry about Houston Defiance and mainly Phantom. This thing, whatever this is with Phantom, feels like it could be real. He’s not like one of my clients pretending to have feelings for me for their own benefit. This chemistry we have is electric.

  I can only hope it stands the test of time when he finds out who I really am.

  When he finds out what I have done.

  I want a different life from the one I was living with Rage, if that’s even possible. He has controlled me for so long, I’d given up hope it could be any different.

  But right now, I must keep my cool. Because if I back away from this, Phantom is going to know there’s something wrong. I’m in too deep now, but honestly, I don’t want to back away from him. Phantom feels too fucking good to let this go.

  Rage be damned.

  “There’s only one man I want right now.”

  Phantom’s eyes widen, a bright smile lights his face. He leans in, pressing his lips to mine for the first time in front of all his brothers. A couple around us cheer, and I giggle against his lips before he pulls back, his hand coming up caressing the side of my cheek. “I thought you wanted to slow this down?”

  Licking my lips, I nod. “I do. I just need you to know the want is there.”

  Phantom presses his forehead against mine. “That’s good enough for me.” He leans in, kissing me again. My lips tingle as we collide together.

  Phantom is everything I didn’t know I could ever have.

  He’s everything I shouldn’t be able to have.

  He’s everything I’m more than likely going to lose.

  And that fact alone is enough to reduce me to tears.

  PHANTOM

  Th
e Next Night

  Today has been a good day. Billie and I spent the time in each other’s company, just hanging out doing a little more boxing, teaching her some extra techniques, stealing some passionate kisses while no one was watching, and generally spending time together. I don’t know what it is about her, but she sets my soul at ease. It’s like I’ve been drifting through life, and maybe she is finally grounding me.

  I haven’t known her long, hardly at all, but I like where this could go.

  It’s coming on eight o’clock, we’ve all had dinner and are settling in for an easy night. Prinie cuddles with Sephy on the sofa. Chills and Chains are trying to calm Kobe who’s being extra fussy tonight. Sunshine is walking Sadie and Lucas up to bed as I sit with Billie in my arms observing the club and its nightly routine.

  I love this place.

  I love our family.

  I can’t imagine being anywhere else but here.

  This clubhouse, this family, it’s everything to me.

  “You’ve got a goofy expression on your face,” Billie teases.

  “Just sitting here thinking how good I have it. My club is fucking great. I have an amazing woman in my arms. What else could I want right now?”

  “Do you think… I mean… I know we’re no closer to figuring out who attacked me, but maybe it was no more than a simple mugging, and if that’s the case, then I don’t need protection.”

  Furrowing my brows, I stare at her. “What are you saying?”

  She inhales, her worried eyes meet mine. “I’m saying if I don’t need protection, does that mean I won’t be able to stay here… or… I mean if I had a reason to stay… could I maybe… stay anyway?”

  “You wanna stay, you fucking stay! I, for one, love having you here.”

  She gnaws down on her bottom lip, her usual go-to when she’s showing some kind of emotion, and right now that’s trying to hide her smile. “I want to stay… but there is something I should probably talk abo—”

  “Pres, we have a problem,” Neon yells when he comes running out of his den. Everyone turns as Zero stands and walks over.

  “That doesn’t look good,” Billie states, concern etched in her features.

  “No… it doesn’t. I’ll be right back.” I lean in to give her a quick kiss, then make my way over to where my brothers are congregating.

  “Does River know?” Texas asks while I approach joining in their conversation.

  “He’s the one who phoned me. Said he got a call from his boys saying that as the Slavers were packing up to send out the shipment, the distribution center was attacked. River’s fuming. He’s had to leave his post at the hospital.”

  Wraith widens his eyes, instantly turning to Zero. “Go. Look after Leo. We’ll handle shit on our end. Take Koda with you.”

  Wraith and Koda race off for the hospital as we wait for Zero’s orders. “That distribution center is where the club makes the majority of our income. I have no idea how bad it was hit or who the hell by. No one knows about that place except us and the Slavers. So, somehow, the location has been compromised. We have to think of the possibility that it was the Militia who got wind of it, and if it is—”

  “We’re in deep fucking shit,” Chains murmurs out what we’re all thinking.

  “We have no choice but to ride out there. Check the damage, talk to anyone who is left behind, and figure a way to secure it again. Check if there’s any of our supply left or equipment… we just have to assess and evaluate, then make up our minds from there.”

  “What if whoever did this is still there, waiting for us to show. What if this is part of their plan?” Texas asks.

  “We can’t leave the Slavers out in the open like this. They bend over backward for us. We’re gonna have to take this chance and risk ourselves to help them right now. That’s what an alliance means. We have to take the chance to save both our clubs. It’s a risk, no fucking doubt, but if we don’t ride now, River and the Slavers could turn on us. And we don’t fucking want that shit again.”

  “We really fucking don’t,” Kevlar adds because it was the Slavers who tried to take out Sunshine. Even if River is Sunshine’s brother, who knows what he might do if his Slaver men were all put at risk because of the club. Even if he is a prospect here with little to no authority, he’s still the head of the Slavers, and he has all the authority.

  Two opposing sides of the coin he’s playing. So what happens when one side is tested? Who knows how easily he could flip?

  “Okay, let’s get ready to mount up. We ride out now to check the dispatch center. We need to make sure River and his men are okay. That our production lines are still intact. Say goodbye to whoever you need to because we don’t know what we’re riding into,” Zero instructs.

  We all head off where we need to go. I make my way straight to Billie, who’s still sitting at the bottom of the stairs with fear evident in her eyes. She stands as I approach her, and I reach out for her hands. “Wraith and Koda took off pretty quick. What’s happening?”

  I can’t tell her much, but I can tell her I’m going out. “There’s an emergency with club business. We need to go deal with the fallout. I don’t know what it’s going to be like when I get there—”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It could be dangerous, or it could just be a cleanup, but we won’t know till we get there.”

  “Jesus, Phantom!” She pulls me to her, holding me tighter than I thought possible.

  She sniffles, and I pull back staring into her eyes. “It’s gonna be okay. Promise.”

  “You can’t promise shit like that, not when you don’t know what it is you’re riding into.”

  Letting out a long exhale, I nod. “You’re right. Put it this way… I’m gonna make every effort to come back. That I can promise you.”

  She holds my hands, her turquoise eyes glistening. “Please… be safe. I’ve only just found you.”

  My hand moves up, sliding a strand of her hair behind her ear. “There was something you wanted to talk to me about. Can it wait?”

  She fakes a smile, her cheek leaning into my palm. “It doesn’t even matter. Please… just keep focused and come back in one piece.”

  I lean in, pressing my lips to hers. Our tongues collide, dancing fervently like there’s no tomorrow, because at this point, I just don’t know if there will be one. Slowly pulling back, I grin at her. “You might just be the best thing to happen to me, Billie.”

  She sighs, shaking her head. “I don’t think that’s true.”

  I wink at her, then turn, making my way for the exit with my brothers.

  There’s something about her. I haven’t known her long and maybe I am going into this blindly, but she makes me feel so fucking alive.

  Striding over to my ride, Zero signals to us all. “Keep your wits about you as we ride. When we pull up to the distribution center, make sure you’re extra cautious.”

  “Got it,” we all call back.

  Starting my bike, I rev the engine a few times, feeling the pulse and the vibration run through me. There’s nothing like riding into unknown danger.

  Fuck! I love what I do.

  That sounds fucking weird even to me, but I almost get excited by the chance of an altercation.

  My brothers take off one by one. I take my place in the line and ride off in formation. Riding as a brotherhood feels so fucking powerful. Knowing that when you’re with your brothers, on a mission, nothing and no one can come between the bond you have built together. Riding with my club is one of the most satisfying things I do, besides fucking, of course, but that’s a whole different kind of pleasure.

  As the wind whips at my face, the vibration rattles through my body, and I wish more than anything Billie was nestled in behind me, holding on tight right now. Having her arms squeezing me while I ride the open road is a feeling I could quickly become used to.

  Honestly, I think her coming into the hospital wasn’t by chance. She was meant to be there at that exact time to meet me. It
was fucking kismet or whatever the fuck you want to call it. I might be sounding like a pussy right now, but I was in a dark place, and she’s slowly pulling me out, turning me back into my old self.

  I feel like me again.

  Not that asshole who was getting angry at seeing his own reflection every day.

  As we round the corner to the distribution center, there are Slavers lining the street with guns, waving us through.

  Good.

  It means the attackers didn’t kill everyone on site.

  There’s still some hope.

  We pull in through the tall gates to see one of the sheet metal fences damaged like it has been ram-raided. We ride through to the main shipping yard, where one of the distribution bays containing a truck has been shot to high hell. The driver and the passenger are on the ground dead, and the rear of the truck is blackened like it was set on fire but has since been extinguished.

  We pull our rides up, jump off, all of us wondering why it looks like whoever this was only targeted this one shipment. River stands by the back of the burned-out truck talking to some of his guys. Yong-rae, his lead scientist, is by his side with his clipboard appearing more than a little pissed off.

  We step up to them, my eyes scanning around, but there are enough Slavers here to protect us if another attack comes this way.

  “Zero,” River calls when we walk up to the rear of the truck seeing the crates of the Snow White tablets burned to smithereens.

  A complete shipment gone to waste.

  “This the only shipment that was targeted?” Zero asks.

  River signs something on Yong-rae’s clipboard and nods. “Seems that way. I sent out an immediate call to all other trucks who were already en route, and they’re all traveling fine. It’s like whoever the fuck this is… is simply trying to send us a message.”

  Zero rubs at his beard, taking in a deep breath. “Anyone else hurt? Just the two driving the truck?”

  “A couple of guards on the gate have a few bumps and scratches from when they rammed it, but they’ll be fine.”