Deceptive (The Houston Defiance MC Series Book 6) Read online

  Hours Later

  After spending a great time together, we finally had to make our way back to the clubhouse. We all knew this would be short, but it was enough time to fully rejuvenate me. Even with my little freak-out, I still enjoyed the time we had together.

  As the five of us walk back into the club, Zero makes his way over, looking happy we’re all back in one piece. “Time away do you good?” he asks.

  I grip onto Phantom’s hand tighter as he dips his chin at his president. “Yeah, brother. Thanks. Any news?”

  Zero groans, rubbing the back of his neck. “We had a visit while you were out, our friendly neighborhood police chief.”

  Phantom curls up his lip. “Fucking Dalton, what did he have to say?”

  “He can’t prove the club was involved with the freeway accident the other day, but he knows we were, and he’s watching us. Made no bones we need to watch our six.”

  “Shit. Can he link it to us?”

  “I have Neon working on it. You’re good for now. If Dalton had something, he would have come with a warrant.” I relax a little at that thought. The last thing I want is for Phantom and Koda to end up in the prison system because of the shit I got them into. “Any trouble on your end while you were out?”

  Phantom glances at me, then shakes his head. “Nah, we’re good.”

  Zero grips Phantom’s shoulder. “Then get a good night’s rest. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?”

  “Right,” Phantom states, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me with him.

  We edge toward the stairs and slowly make our way up. It’s been a hell of a long day, and I sure am ready for some shuteye.

  As soon as we get to my room, he leads me in and I close the door, then stop, pulling him toward me. A slow grin forms on his face when I bring his body in line with mine.

  Finally, alone.

  Wrapping my arms around his neck, my eyes meet his, and he leans in pressing his lips to mine gently before I pull back.

  “Thank you for taking me out, and especially for bringing some friends along with us. It was nice to feel a little freedom.”

  His face turns serious, and his arms wrap around my waist. “Billie, I need to know what happened?”

  My skin prickles in goosebumps, not the good kind either as my eyes drop from his in fear.

  Fear he will see right through me.

  Fear that Neon and Zero are listening in.

  This is a fine line I’m walking. My words need to match the emotions he will read.

  Taking in a long breath, my eyes slowly move back up to his. “I was feeling so fucking good…” I close my eyes, take a long breath, and open them again, “… then I started thinking about the attack and what would happen if I lost you. It scared me. The emotion overwhelmed me, and I got caught up in it.”

  His expression falls, his hand comes up caressing the side of my face. “I’m not going anywhere. It’s gonna take a lot more than some wannabes in a black van to take me out.”

  I let out a small laugh at his cockiness. “Always so sure of yourself, huh?”

  He grins wide. It’s so damn attractive on him as he shines like a beacon of light, luring me home. “Gotta be. Plus, it makes you all hot and bothered, right?” His hand slides down from my cheek to my breast, and he squeezes.

  My thighs cram together to dull the ache between them as that hunger envelops me instantly. “You always make me hot and bothered.”

  “That so?” he asks, his hand traveling down the center of my body toward my pants.

  “Mm-hmm,” I mumble, my breathing becoming rushed at the thought of where this is headed.

  He drops to his knees, a sight I love, and he edges me back toward the bed. “Drop your jeans and panties. Now.”

  Biting on my lower lip, I make quick work of my jeans and slide them down my legs, kicking off my shoes as I go and step out of my jeans and panties. I fling them to the side when he presses his palm to my stomach, lowering me to the mattress. He grabs my knees and yanks me forward, his head sliding straight between my thighs. The move is slick and sexy as hell while I lean up on my elbows to watch the master at work.

  He licks his lips, that heavenly tongue ring darting out as he leans down sliding his tongue up my folds. Letting out a soft moan, I flop back on the bed, letting his pleasurable touch soothe me. His tongue glides up my pussy, straight to my clit, the cool metal running circles around my clit, instantly making my body shudder with the tension. My hands ball into fists on the sheets, my head snapping to the side with the waves of delight rolling through me.

  Phantom’s experience with his tongue piercing is inexplicable. The way he expertly rolls his tongue in such a precise manor proves how talented the man is. I swear to God, I’m thinking about getting mine pierced so I can give him a semblance of the enjoyment he is giving me.

  He flicks his tongue, my body quivering in response. Working me up quickly to the release I so desperately need, my body covers in a sheen of sweat, my muscles tighten, constricting in response. My fingers clench and hold the bedsheets in desperation of the orgasm that’s going to destroy me in the best of ways.

  “God, Phantom, I’m close!”

  A low rumble echoes from his mouth, sending a vibration through his piercing. He circles it around my sensitive, throbbing bud once more, and I catapult off the edge of the cliff. I moan, rocking my hips up into his mouth and release the sheets to forcefully grip his hair, holding him in place. It’s like the world revolves around Phantom and nothing else in this moment—him and his exquisite tongue—as I climax hard. Letting out a long, drawn-out moan, my body shudders, shaking rapidly at the energy it’s expelling, and my hands return to the bed beneath me.

  With no resistance, Phantom plants a tender kiss on my thigh, sliding up between my legs to look me in the eyes. “You taste like fucking candy.”

  Throwing my arm over my eyes, I giggle. “You can’t be real.”

  He laughs, standing back. I can’t see what he is doing, but it sounds like he’s removing his clothing.

  Suddenly, I’m being yanked up the bed. “Whoa!” I gasp as he pulls me toward the pillows. “In you get.”

  His tenting briefs leave little to the imagination. “That’s it? We’re going to bed?”

  “You’re tired… I’m tired. It will tide you over till the morning.”

  Frowning, I sigh. “But what about you?”

  He slides into the bed beside me, pulling off my top. “Oh, don’t you worry, that was just as good for me as it was for you.”

  “I doubt that. Did you have a mind-altering orgasm? No, sir.”

  He takes off my bra, throws it to the floor, then drags the covers over us while we cuddle down into the soft bed. “I got to watch you come. I got to taste you come. It’s about as good.”

  Snorting, I shake my head. “And why am I naked and you still have your boxer briefs on?”

  He runs his hand down my skin to rest on my breast. “Because you should always be naked when it’s just us.”

  “And you shouldn’t? Double standard much?”

  Phantom leans in, planting a kiss on my head. “I really need some sleep. The second I take these briefs off, all bets are off for hours, so I’m playing it safe.”

  “You really wanna sleep, don’t you?”

  “Unfortunately.” He lets out a slow yawn.

  “Well, thank you… for getting me off, I mean.”

  “It was as much for me as it was for you, but you’re welcome.”

  “Night, Phantom.”

  “Night, baby.”

  My stomach swirls that he called me baby. He might be tired, but he knows what he’s saying. And to me, that one little nickname means more than he will ever know.

  PHANTOM

  February

  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity.

  Billie and I are making headway. She’s settling into the club and relaxing more. She has said a few times about wanting to go home. I won�
��t let her because of the threat, but lately, she’s been mentioning it less and less. We’ve concluded that her attack was a random act, and she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We have no other leads. So, if she wanted to go back home, she could.

  Now, though, she doesn’t want to.

  And I am so fucking happy about that.

  Zero seems more at ease as well. She’s settling into club life well. She is a part of the family atmosphere, and everyone, except maybe Texas, has given her a warm welcome. I don’t know what his problem is, but he is off toward her. Like he is suspicious about her intentions.

  Fuck knows why.

  Billie and Cherry have struck up quite the friendship, and it’s good she’s getting involved with members of the club more and more.

  It seems today is a good day for the club.

  It’s been just over two months since baby Leo was brought into this world in the most chaotic of circumstances, and today, he’s finally coming home. With Wraith, Prinie, and Sephy in the van, the rest of us ride as a guard around the vehicle for protection. Because of the random attacks that have been happening on the club, we don’t want any-fucking-thing happening to the van with this precious cargo inside.

  Billie clings to my back as we ride alongside. I glance across to Prinie, who’s sitting next to Leo in the tiny little car seat. He’s still so fucking small, but he’s a fighter, and he is going to be one hell of a kid growing up under the clubhouse roof.

  We pull down the road for the clubhouse. The procession sound of bikes roars down the road with Wraith driving his family back home, and I can’t help but feel a sense of pride for the life Prinie has made for herself.

  There was a time when I would have wanted this life with her.

  But all I see now is Billie.

  Everything turns out the way it is supposed to.

  I truly believe that.

  The gates open, and Fox rides in first, followed by Zero, then the van, and the rest of us.

  Billie slides off behind me once we pull in, and I jump off my ride as we all walk over to the van. Prinie slowly removes Leo from his car seat in the back, trying not to wake him. Wraith hoists an eleven-month-old Sephy out onto his hip. Having two kids under the age of one will test them, but they have a huge family here to support them with anything they need.

  “Welcome home, baby Leo,” Prinie coos.

  “It’s about damn time this kid made it home,” Zero states while walking over to his baby sister and pulling her to him in a hug.

  “Leave him alone. He’s getting big and strong. Aren’t you, little man?” She cradles him to her chest as Wraith steps in beside her.

  “He’s building the anticipation… gotta make a big entrance. He’s a legacy, after all,” Wraith states proudly.

  Prinie slaps Wraith’s chest. “He’s only ten weeks old. Technically, he’s only just reaching the full term of my actual pregnancy. Let him be a baby before you start prospecting him into the club.”

  Wraith rolls his shoulders. “Daddy’s excited to have another little monster running around. He’s gonna take care of his big sister, aren’t you, my little man?”

  “Jesus, never thought I’d hear the day you speak in baby talk. The fuck is the world coming to?” Zero chuckles.

  Wraith glances over at Cherry, who’s standing in the clubhouse doorway, waiting for us all to come inside. “You’ll understand when it’s your turn, brother.”

  “Not likely. Anyway, Cherry and me having kids? That’s way off. I got a club to run.”

  Prinie nods her head like she’s not convinced. “You’re married and in love. Don’t let the club hold you back, Zero. Life is never promised. I should be a prime example of that. Live your life. Have your family because you never know when it will all be taken from you. Then it could be too late.”

  “It’s the being taken from me part I don’t like.”

  Wraith exhales, gripping Zero on the shoulder. “Seeing Prinie in a coma, going through all the first stages of Leo’s life on my own without her, was the worst fucking shit I’ve ever fucking faced. But it’s all worth it, brother. Because in the end, I have my family. And as you know, family is all that matters. Just something for you to think about.”

  Zero peers over his shoulder at Cherry, who’s smiling and completely unaware of the conversation we’re all having about her future without her involvement. She waves us all in.

  Zero lets out a low grunt. “We better get inside before she gets impatient. An impatient First Lady can make me grumpy as fuck.”

  Everyone laughs, then we all make our way inside. As we enter, Nessie, Bonnie, and Lexie are all standing holding a ‘Welcome Home Leo’ banner, waving little blue flags in their hands. Prinie and Wraith both smile.

  Lucas and Sadie run around in the background, playing with a ball as Thayleah tries to keep them under control. But Lucas throws the ball, and it shoots straight through the banner, ripping the paper in half. Lucas widens his eyes while the rest of us chuckle.

  Sadie stops dead still as Kevlar starts walking over to check on his hyperactive kids.

  Guess playtime is over.

  “Thank you for the banner, Nessie!” Prinie offers.

  Nessie bends down picking up the two shredded pieces and shrugs. “We tried.”

  “This place wouldn’t be home without the kids being destructive in some form or other,” Wraith states.

  Kevlar walks Lucas over, his eyes welling with tears. “Go on!” Kevlar states.

  “S-Sorry I b-broke your s-sign,” he mumbles rushing in against Prinie’s legs and hugging them tightly.

  Her entire body sags as she rubs his back. “It was an accident, Lucas. Maybe throw the ball outside from now on, okay?”

  His head snaps up, the tears fading and quickly replaced with a bright smile. “O-Okay, I can do t-that!”

  Wraith tussles his hair playfully. “Good boy. Now go on, off you go!”

  He scurries off, picking up his ball as he goes while Thayleah exhales. “I’m so sorry, Prinie. They’re testing me today.”

  “You wanted to be the club nanny, remember?”

  “I do, and I wouldn’t change it for the world!” She takes off, chasing after the kids while they run outside. Koda is smirking at his woman as she rushes off, yelling out something to the kids, but they’re taking no notice whatsoever.

  Billie is standing by my side, so I wrap my arm around her. “So now the whole family is home. What is the first thing you’re gonna do?” I ask Prinie.

  She hands Leo over to Zero. His eyes bug out wide in shock, holding the tiny baby so awkwardly it’s comical, but I keep my laughter in check. Cherry beams from ear to ear at his unease. He glares at Prinie as she walks toward the stairs.

  “Mama needs a nap.”

  Wraith laughs as Zero shakes his head. “What? No. Prinie!”

  It’s too late, she’s up the stairs and gone before Zero has any time to protest. He slumps his body, pulling Leo to him tighter, moving in a comfortable ease with his nephew.

  “I suppose he’s kinda cute.”

  Cherry’s finger slides out and gently strokes down Leo’s face. “You did good, Wraith,” she softly chimes.

  Wraith wrangles a wriggling Sephy, and he nods his head like he’s the proudest man around. “I know.”

  We all laugh as Cherry blinks rapidly a few times, wobbles, and grabs hold of the nearest chair to steady herself.

  Zero snaps his head to her. “The fuck was that?”

  She waves it off. “Nothing. I’m fine. Just need something to eat.”

  Billie detaches from me, walking over to her friend, and loops her arm with hers. “C’mon, let’s go get you some food.”

  “Thanks, Billie,” Cherry chimes.

  Zero grunts. “Woman, that’s not the first time you’ve stumbled today.”

  “I’m fine!” she calls back, dismissing him as she and Billie walk off toward the kitchen.

  “Fucking stubborn woman,” he mumbles unde
r his breath, then glimpses back down at Leo. “That’s what you have to look forward to when you get an Old Lady. A woman who doesn’t listen to you when they’re sick. They irritate the fuck out of you. You’re in for a rude awakening with this world, kid.”

  “For someone who doesn’t like kids, you sure are taking to your nephew there, Zero.”

  “He’s family. I gotta show him the ropes. Teach him shit. You know?”

  Wraith chuckles, hoisting Sephy up in the air, and she giggles. “Look at us, a couple of bikers who are settling down. Who would have thought?”

  I turn and walk away, leaving the two men to bond over family.

  The thing is, I want what they have.

  The love of a good woman.

  A couple of rug rats running around.

  I want it all.

  Do I want that with Billie? It’s too early to tell, but right now, I wouldn’t keep that option off the table. She means more to me than I ever thought she would have at this point. I had no idea the day I bumped into her at the hospital that our chance meeting could blossom into this.

  I stand back watching her with Cherry, the way her face lights up when she laughs, the way her cute button nose crinkles in a way that makes me fucking melt inside.

  Who am I kidding, I’m a fucking goner when it comes to Billie.

  Texas slides in beside me, drawing my attention, and I side-eye him. His bulky arms fold across his chest as he follows my line of sight. “You’re more smitten than how Ross looked at Rachel.”

  A slow grin forms on my face as I turn to him. “Did you just Friends reference me?”

  He chuckles. “I’m making a damn point.”

  Turning back, my eyes fall back on Billie to see her still laughing along with Cherry, the sight making me feel warm inside. “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “Their relationship was turbulent and full of bullshit.”

  Snapping my head to face him, I furrow my brows. “You trying to tell me something here, big man?”

  Texas exhales like he’s trying to figure out the best way to say whatever the fuck he has to say. “Look… we’ve been through a lot, you and me. You helped me out with Ash, so I feel like I owe you this.”