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

  Using pressure, I slide my hand down the middle of her back, my fingers pressing into the top part of her buttocks, and she moans again. “I’m gonna have to hire you as my personal masseuse.”

  I lean down, my mouth right next to her ear. “I’m yours for free.”

  She turns her head, our mouths so close while we both pant a little harder. Our eyes lock, the air in the room shifts, turning into fire and electricity as we stare at each other. With me leaning down and Billie pinned beneath my weight, the adrenaline surges through us.

  Time stands still, both of us knowing what we want, neither of us making the move, but the lust in her eyes swells, and it’s enough to have my cock surging me forward.

  “Fuck it!” I groan out, my hand moving to her hair, and I pull her lips to mine. The second our lips connect, every inch of me explodes with anticipation. My body erupts like every ounce of fire and passion burn deep inside of me, at the same time as I grind my hard cock into her ass. The move dominant while she lay flat beneath me and unable to move.

  She whimpers, kissing me back like her life depends on it.

  But I need more.

  So I shift my weight off her and to the side. She rolls instantly, her bra falling off to the bed, freeing her perfect breasts as her hand comes up gripping my face. My hand moves to her breast while she flips me on my back and straddles me. The kiss deepens, my cock so fucking hard I feel like I’m going to explode like a schoolboy as she grinds down on me.

  One hand firmly squeezes her breast while the other hand slides up and down her naked back as I groan into her mouth. This kiss—it’s intense, it’s passionate, it’s everything I want and more. My tongue collides with hers, my tongue ring giving the feelings more intensity. But then she lets out an anguish-filled moan as she pulls back from me, breaking the kiss. I stare at her panting frantically for air, her eyes meeting mine.

  “We should slow this down.”

  “We should?” I ask, confused, but my grin is more than cocky.

  “We should,” she states categorically.

  My eyes clench tightly, trying to control my raging hard-on and to pull my shit together. I drop my hand away from her breast and open my eyes again with a nod. “I got carried away. I pushed too far. It wasn’t my intention when I brought you in here.”

  She shakes her head, her eyes widening. “No, I know. I appreciate what you did to help me relax, and you did… you really did… I just think, this…” she waves her hand between us, “… it’s too quick.”

  Letting out a long breath, I run my hand through my hair and attempt to keep my eyes off her perfect-sized tits. “I get it… you want me to go?”

  Billie slides off me to sit on the edge of the bed. She folds her arms over her chest to cover her more than perfect breasts. “I don’t. This might seem stupid, but could you stay tonight? Not for… um, that. But just to lay in bed and hold me. I’m usually the one doing the holding, but it would be nice to have someone hold me who I actually care about.”

  Warmth floods me. I thought that might make me feel weird, the whole cuddling thing, knowing she’s done it with Lord knows how many people, but knowing she chooses me, she wants me, somehow that makes it all okay. Because there is nothing I want more right now than to lay in bed holding her, even if it doesn’t lead to sex.

  How much of a fucking pussy does that make me? I really need to grow a set.

  “Yeah, I can do that… it sounds fucking good actually.” Standing, I shrug out of my cut and place it neatly on the desk, kick off my boots, and pull down my jeans. She shuffles out of her jeans, throwing them on the floor with the rest of my clothes while I yank off my shirt, and we climb into bed. Knowing she’s only wearing her panties is going to be hard for me to control myself.

  But I am a decent guy.

  I can do this.

  So I lay on my back, and she slides into the crook of my neck and shoulder. I wrap my arm around her, nuzzling my nose into her green fruity-smelling hair. As she falls into place on my chest, I can’t help but feel like this is where she belongs. This is the place she was always meant to be.

  As she snuggles into me further, I lean in kissing the top of her head. I can’t imagine feeling more at home than I do right now.

  “Phantom?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you… for today. For just being you. And for not giving me a hard time about my job.”

  A slow smile crosses my face. “Thank you for coming into my life.”

  She giggles a little. “So… you have a tongue ring!”

  Grinning wildly, I waggle my brows. “Yeah, I do.”

  She’s quiet but snuggles into me further like she needs to be closer. My mind shifts to Prinie and how I was so focused on her thinking she was my ride or die for so long. Now I’m lying here with Billie in my arms. It’s like a glaring reality of how wrong Prinie was for me and how right this—right here, right now—feels with Billie. Even though it’s only been a short while, it’s so much more than I could have ever planned for. I don’t know what it is about Billie. Am I getting in far too deep that I’m going to end up drowning, or will she be the one thing that keeps me afloat?

  Either way, I’m holding on for the ride.

  BILLIE

  The Next Day

  For some reason, I barely slept a wink last night. Phantom was out like a light. He was relaxed, and you’d think after that amazing massage he gave me, I should have been too. But that kiss threw everything out of alignment for me. I’m supposed to be here infiltrating, making Defiance trust me, finding out all the information and intel I can on them, and reporting it back to my brother.

  How the hell am I supposed to do that now?

  When Phantom kissed me like that, it was hot, dominant, and so fucking alpha. The way he had me pinned down, the way he took control—I was putty in his hands and had no hope of resisting him. There’s something about Phantom that makes me come undone. Maybe the reason I’m falling for him so fast is because he is the exact opposite of everything I have ever known. He’s kind, supportive, generous, and compassionate. He’s so fucking perfect and attentive to my needs. I have never had a man be like this toward me.

  Ever.

  All I’ve known are men who take what they want and punish me for good measure.

  Phantom has shown me nothing but respect and how much of a decent human being he is. Plus, he’s so fucking hot, I can hardly stand it.

  How am I supposed to lead him right into the trap of my brother and the Defiance’s rival club? Defiance has been nothing but kind to me, and I’m supposed to betray them all?

  This shit doesn’t sit right with me.

  It’s eating me alive.

  I have to tell Rage I am out.

  Tell him I can’t do this.

  Phantom’s gone down for breakfast, and I told him I’d be down after a shower, but what I really need to do is call my brother.

  Walking over to the bedroom door, I flip the lock, then make my way to the bathroom and turn on the shower. I also close the bathroom door to make sure I can’t be overheard, then sit on the toilet and dial my brother’s number.

  He answers on the third ring. “What do you have for me?”

  My entire body twitches with anxiety while I take in a steadying breath. “Not one damn thing. I want out, Rage. I can’t do this.”

  “Of course, you do.” He lets out a bellowing laugh. “But that’s not how this works, Billie.”

  Gritting my teeth, I flare my nostrils. “I know you have a vendetta toward this club, but I don’t want to do your dirty work for you… not anymore.”

  “They’ve gotten under your skin, haven’t they?”

  “It’s not about them, Rage. This is about me and my morals. I’m not this person. Someone who double-crosses—”

  “Well, I guess it depends on what’s on the line now, doesn’t it?”

  My stomach sinks, and I hesitate. I don’t want to take the bait, but I have no choice. “What do you mean
?”

  “If you don’t come up with more information for me by the end of today, not only are we going to attack Defiance, but when we do, and we wipe them out, you’re going to be a casualty along with them.”

  My eyes well up with tears. “You’ll attack the club tonight?”

  “If you don’t give me something to work with. We will come in… and come in hard. Wipe out every living-fucking-thing in there. I don’t give two shits if they’re brothers, women, or goddamn children. We will take them all out, and that will be on your head, Billie. I will make sure you’re kept alive long enough to watch them all suffer… fucking painfully. Then, I’ll cut off your fingers one by one, pull out your teeth, and—”

  “Okay! I get it. Enough with the drama. Fuck, I’ll get you something,” I whisper shout.

  “Tonight, Billie, or everyone’s deaths will be on your hands. You did good getting us that last bit of info… but you can do so much better.”

  “I’ll call you when I know something.”

  “Make it good!” He ends the call, leaving me reeling.

  What in the fuck do I do?

  Again, I am damned if I do and damned if I don’t.

  To be honest right now, I don’t give a shit about my well-being, but I do care about these people. And I know my brother—that was not a threat—it was a promise of carnage, mayhem, and chaos. I know Defiance can protect themselves, but they will be at a distinct disadvantage having no idea something is coming for them. So, my question is, can they protect themselves if they are unprepared?

  All I wanted was an out.

  I wanted this to end.

  But to protect Defiance now, I need to get Rage something, anything, to stop the Heathens from coming tonight. Just something to buy me more time until I figure out how to tell Defiance what is happening without a massive blowback.

  But for now, I need to put a plan in place.

  I have to find information, and the only way to do that is to spy.

  Please forgive me!

  Making my way to the top drawer of my desk, I pull out the pen Rage gave me—the one with the recorder transceiver built inside. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I click the pen to activate and open the app on my cell.

  I click on the record button, and I give it a test.

  “Hello?”

  It plays back on the phone in a crystal-clear sound. I have to give it to Rage, his tech people are second to none. I click the record off button, and the recording shuts off. Taking a deep breath, I roll my shoulders, hating myself just a little more. I slide the pen into my pocket along with my cell and make my way downstairs. I don’t know what today will bring, but I have work to do to keep everyone safe.

  Finally, making it down, breakfast is in full swing, and I spot Phantom sitting with Zero and Cherry as they deal with some paperwork. Drawing in a deep breath, I pull myself together and walk over to them.

  Phantom pulls out the seat next to him.

  “How’d you sleep?” Cherry asks.

  My eyes move to Phantom, who doesn’t change his expression. I guess so he doesn’t give away that we slept in each other’s arms. “I was quite relaxed when I went to bed. I feel comfortable here with you guys.”

  Zero gestures for me to sit, so I do. Phantom’s hand automatically falls to my knee under the table. I try to hide my smile but fail miserably.

  Cherry notices instantly and looks from me to Phantom. “You disappeared early last night, Phantom. Where’d you get to?”

  Zero smirks. “Leave him alone, woman. I need his head in the game today.”

  Cherry winks at me. “Is something happening?” I ask as Wraith steps to the side of the table.

  “You’ll never believe the phone call I just had.”

  The entire table turns to Wraith, and Zero raises his brow. “What?”

  “Prinie is allowed to come home but refuses to leave the hospital because baby Leo is still there. He’s gonna be there till March, and she can’t hold up in there until then!”

  Zero groans, rubbing the back of his neck. “Fucking stubborn woman. You told her you’d visit Leo every day, right?”

  “I do now so why would it change? Prinie doesn’t want to be away from him.”

  “Right. I’ll go give her a call, but then we need church. We got shit to discuss. I’ll be back. I need to talk to my crazy sister!” Zero states, then stands.

  I glance over at his paperwork, noticing there is a pen. My heart rapid fires, kicking my plan into action. Quickly I grab the pen out of my pocket, and while everyone is focused on Zero and Wraith, I click the pen on and swap them over, shoving Zero’s pen in my pocket. As luck would have it, Rage’s pen and Zero’s are the same in color, not quite the same in style, but close enough I’m sure to pull this off. When Phantom turns around, I place my hand back down then make out like I’m yawning with a stretch.

  He chuckles with a wink. “I thought you slept peacefully last night?”

  I shrug. “Mostly. I woke up early and just laid there for a bit.”

  He narrows his eyes on me as Cherry watches both of us talk. But I don’t want to say too much because the pen is active.

  “I hope Zero has some luck with Prinie. She’s stubborn as an ox, but I know the hospital won’t let her stay if they want to discharge her,” Cherry states.

  Phantom shifts uncomfortably, and my eyes move to him.

  He and Prinie have history.

  He’s still not over her.

  “She’s too stubborn for her own good sometimes. The woman needs to rest, and stressing over Leo isn’t going to help her. She needs to be here, where we can all look out for her,” Phantom says.

  Zero storms back over, letting out a low growl. “She’s not seeing reason. She won’t listen to me or Wraith or Koda… I don’t know who else she will listen to.”

  Cherry turns to Phantom, and he tenses. Zero’s eyes shoot straight to him, too, and Phantom shakes his head. “Oh, no, she won’t listen to me. We barely talk anymore. Not since she and Wraith got together properly.”

  “Phantom, c’mon. I could order you as your president, but as a concerned older brother, I am going to ask first. You’re the closest thing she had to a best friend besides Cherry. She needs an authority figure who will tell her like it is.”

  He groans, scrubbing at his face. “Fine! But if I’m gonna do this, then I need to do it in person. I can’t talk to her over the phone. It’s why she isn’t responding right or seeing sense.”

  “Right! We’ll have church, you go to the hospital. When you get back, I’ll fill you in.”

  It’s clear Phantom doesn’t want to do this, but he will for his president.

  Zero picks up his files and the pen, making my stomach clench when he turns toward the middle of the room.

  I can’t do this.

  What if I just tell them the truth?

  I could make them see reason, right?

  “Wait! Where are you going?”

  Zero whips his attention to me with his eyebrows raised in question. “What’s the problem, Billie?”

  Phantom is now staring at me like I’ve lost my damn mind. Maybe I have.

  “I… I… well, have you found anything more on who attacked me? I can’t continue to burden you here.”

  Phantom immediately pulls me to his side. “You’re not a burden. I told you I would help you.”

  Zero narrows his gaze on us, and it confirms he would indeed kill me if he had to. “S-sorry. I just hate this feeling. I’m in an unknown place, and you guys have so much going on, I don’t want to be a problem.”

  “We’ll let you know when we find something, but right now I have more pressing issues… brothers, church!” Zero calls out, followed by a loud whistle, and all the brothers who need to be there head toward the chapel.

  Wraith grips Phantom’s shoulder and drops his chin. “I appreciate this, brother.” Phantom weakly smiles in return, then Wraith turns, heading for the chapel.

  “We will figure it o
ut, Billie. You just gotta give us some time, okay?” Phantom smiles at me kindly as all the brothers around us rush for the chapel.

  Quickly, I pull out my cell, keeping the screen away from everyone and press record. I then shove it back in my pocket, feeling like a fucking asshole.

  “Phantom, if it’s any consolation, if anyone can get through to Prinie, it will be you,” Cherry reassures.

  Phantom turns to me, gripping my hand in his. “I won’t be long. I don’t want to leave you here alone. Will you be okay?”

  I snort out a nervous laugh, and he notices. “I’ll be fine.”

  “Come with me… to the hospital.”

  I know I can’t. I need to stay here and see what information I can gather on the club. As much as being here without the safety net of Phantom scares me, not getting the information to save the club from an imminent attack tonight scares me even more.

  “I don’t really want to go back there,” I murmur and rub my bruised arm to bring home the lie.

  “Shit! Didn’t think. Of course, you don’t want to go back there.” Phantom scrunches his face in reaction. “I’m gonna get Prinie to see sense, then I’ll be back, okay?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Cherry leans across the table, resting her hand on mine. “I’ll take care of her, Phantom. Don’t worry.”

  He stands, hesitates, turns, hesitates again, then walks for the exit. I watch him every step as he goes feeling like I’m losing control of the situation.

  Cherry sits back in her chair and lets out a small giggle. “Giiirrrlll, I see right through you!”

  My heart leaps into my throat when I snap my head back around to Cherry, then I stare at her. “W-What do you mean?”

  “You and Phantom. If you didn’t fuck last night, you’re going to… real damn soon.”

  A wave of heat flushes across my skin. “We haven’t… we kissed, but we haven’t…”

  Cherry sits forward on her seat with the brightest of expressions. “You kissed,” she exclaims excitedly.

  “Shh, no one knows. And yeah, it was…” I let out a heavy exhale, “… fucking amazing.”