Wildfire (Men of Inked: Heatwave Book 3) Read online

  “I didn’t fuck her, man. A promise is a promise.”

  “You think I’m going to buy that bullshit?”

  “I slept in there, but I swear nothing happened.”

  Liar.

  “If I find out you’re lying, I’ll…”

  “Have I ever lied to you? I told you I wouldn’t fuck her, and goddamn it, I didn’t do it. I wanted to, for fuck’s sake. I’ve never wanted any chick more than that one, but I didn’t take her.”

  I fist-pump the air, celebrating. He didn’t fuck me, but he wanted to at least. I mean, that’s the good news even if he didn’t act on it.

  “What crawled up your ass and died?” Mammoth asks Morris. “You always know I’m a man of my word.”

  “I know, or else I wouldn’t have asked you to babysit.”

  I give Morris the middle finger for the babysitting comment, thankfully hiding behind the door so he can’t see. I’m not a baby, and the last thing I need here or anywhere is a fucking babysitter.

  “Word on the street is the Vipers are headed this way and they’re out for blood,” Morris tells Mammoth. “We’re going on lockdown.”

  I gasp, covering my mouth quickly so they don’t hear me. “Oh shit.”

  I’ve watched enough television to know what that means. Plus, with all the shit that went down with Gigi and Pike, hearing the horror stories afterward, I know more than I ever wanted.

  I scan the room, wondering if this is where I’ll take my last breath.

  Local girl in search of an epic adventure dies in a biker battle.

  I can see the local headlines already.

  “Where ya want me?” Mammoth asks without an ounce of fear or hesitation.

  “Tiny said to stay with the girl and keep her safe. Anyone comes after her, you take them out.”

  Take them out? I know he’s not talking about sharing a meal or a friendly conversation over an ice cream cone. Morris just told Mammoth to kill anyone who came after me.

  Kill, as in murder. Oh my God.

  “I’ll protect her with my life,” Mammoth promises. “Can I fuck her, at least? You know, so if I die, I don’t die for nothing.”

  And in the middle of all the craziness, my head spinning and my knees shaking with fear, a freaking laugh bubbles out of my throat because he’s begging for permission.

  “Nope. No fucking her,” Morris orders. “She’s an innocent.”

  I roll my eyes, laughing at the stupidity of their words.

  Innocent?

  Freaking hilarious.

  I haven’t been innocent since I was fifteen and let Tony Mandello finger me under the bleachers after cheer practice. It all started with that asshole, who finger-banged me like he was Woody Woodpecker and my cunt was a tree. My pussy still aches when I think about the way he pounded into me, clueless in all the ways of pleasing a woman.

  “She’s not innocent,” Mammoth argues. “She’s a hellcat in heels.”

  “She’s not a club whore or your old lady. I know her family, Mammoth. They’d have my balls if I let anything happen to her. That includes your ass knocking her up.”

  “I didn’t know I needed permission for my cock, old man. I did you a favor last night, behaving out of loyalty, but my willpower only goes so far.”

  “If we live through the weekend and you fuck her, you’re going to wish the Vipers got you instead of the Gallos.”

  “Oh, please.” I wave him off.

  What was my father going to do besides have a massive stroke? Yell, for sure, and probably wring my neck for being at the compound in the first place, but he wasn’t the murdering kind.

  “You’re both grown-ass people, but there are consequences for sleeping with a girl like her. Put some thought into it with your head and not your dick. I know she’s beautiful, but sometimes the deadliest things are the most appealing.”

  I dance around the room, celebrating the carnal victory we’ve been handed, when reality slams me right in the face.

  We’re on lockdown and might not live another day.

  5

  Mammoth

  “What the fuck are you doing?” Crow leers at me as we stand boot-to-boot.

  “Don’t know what you’re talking about.” I somehow keep a straight face.

  He can’t be serious with this bullshit. He made it damn clear to her and the entire club that she wasn’t welcome here. Now, he’s pulling some macho bullshit, making it seem like I stole his girl when he didn’t have her to begin with.

  “She isn’t yours,” he tells me. His dark eyes blaze with anger, trying to intimidate me, which is laughable.

  “She isn’t yours either,” I throw back. “And by the way you treated her, she’ll never be. Do us all a favor. Fuck off before you and I have more than words.”

  “You really want to fight me over some bitch?”

  I narrow my eyes. “I’m going to let your words slide, figuring your feelings are hurt and because of the brotherhood, but call her that again, and you’re going to get your ass beat,” I growl.

  “You two dipshits done?” Tiny asks as he walks up to stand at our side.

  Neither of us moves. Our eyes are locked, and the anger coming off us is like an electrical storm, charging the air.

  “Crow, you were wrong how you treated her. Case closed. You invited the chick here and then didn’t so much as try to take care of the situation to not draw any attention to yourself or the club.” Crow’s eyes slide to Tiny as he opens his mouth, but Tiny keeps on talking. “You fucked up. Own it.”

  I smirk, loving that Crow’s getting put in his place for being a jackass. The guy has been nothing but a dick since he strolled through the door like he owned the joint and his shit didn’t stink.

  “And you,” Tiny says, and I know he’s talking to me before I glance in his direction. “You’re responsible for her while we’re on lockdown. You, along with a half-dozen men, will stay here while we go out and take care of club business. No one gets in, and no one goes out. You’re in charge. Understand?”

  “Got it.” I nod. “And him?”

  “He’s going with us,” Tiny replies.

  Thank fuck for small miracles.

  “I should really stay. She’s here because of me. She’s my problem,” Crow offers, trying to seem like the bigger man, but we all know he’s not.

  One of Tiny’s salt-and-pepper eyebrows rises. “Are you shitting me right now with this?”

  Crow shakes his head. “I’m putting the club before myself. It’s my fault she’s here, and I should be the one to deal with her.”

  “He stays.” Tiny points at me.

  I smile, wishing I could do a victory lap around the parking lot, kicking up dirt right into Crow’s ugly mug.

  “We’re not done,” Crow threatens.

  “You know where to find me,” I taunt the motherfucker.

  His eyes never leave mine until he’s forced to turn around to follow Tiny across the parking lot. The guy seriously needs his ass beat, and I’d be more than willing to be the one to do it. Tamara or not, he’s been asking for trouble since the moment he walked through the door.

  I stalk into the clubhouse, finding a handful of women huddled on the couches, talking softly. I tip my head to them, not bothering to stop. The last thing I want to do is talk to last night’s trash.

  “Mammoth, baby,” Sadie’s voice slithers over me like a snake.

  I stop, eyes pinned on the bar in front of me, and don’t turn to face her. “What, Sadie?”

  Her hand slides over my shoulder before her tits press against my back. “Since we’re stuck in here together,” she purrs into my ear, “maybe we can keep each other company.”

  I peel her hand away from my chest and turn, sliding my hand to her wrists, holding her tight so she hears what I’m saying. “It’s never happened, and it’ll still never happen, Sadie. I don’t care if the world’s coming to an end, you’re not getting anywhere near my dick.”

  “But…” She blinks, yanking h
er arm back and her wrist from my grip. “I thought…”

  “I’ve always been nice to you, but don’t mistake my kindness for lust. I’m not sticking my dick where the entire club’s already been. You’re never going to be my old lady. Never.”

  She flinches, her head jerking back. “I knew the nice-guy act was total bullshit. You’re the worst kind of man, Mammoth.” She stomps back toward the women on the couches, leaving me be like she’d just delivered a wounding blow.

  “I’m devastated,” I mutter to myself, shaking my head at Sadie’s bullshit.

  “Gates are locked,” Dog says as he marches through the front doors, followed by five other brothers. “You want first shift or second?”

  “Second,” I tell him. I have a hot chick who’s supposed to be out here waiting for me and isn’t. “We’ll do three-hour shifts until nightfall, and then it’s all hands on deck.”

  Dog nods, slapping Brute on the chest. “Let’s go. You’re with me in front. And Mac, you got the back.”

  A second later, they’re gone.

  “You two,” I say to the two remaining guys, Eagle and Ginger, “get some rest. It’s going to be a long fuckin’ day and night.”

  Ginger nods. “I’ll be in my room. Holler if you need me.”

  Eagle glances over his shoulder, giving a toothy grin to Sadie, who hasn’t stopped giving me the stink-eye. “I’m going to use my time a little more wisely,” he says before slapping me on the shoulder, stalking toward the waiting and very willing Sadie.

  When I finally turn the handle on the door of the room where I’d left Tamara, nothing could’ve prepared me for what I see. “Hey, big guy,” she says, buck-ass naked, spread-eagled on top of the bed, wearing nothing but a smirk.

  My dick is instantly hard.

  Goddamn.

  She’s like every man’s wet dream. But as much as I want her, I’m so fucking pissed, my fingers curl inward. “What the fuck are you doing?” I kick the door closed before someone walks by and sees, catching more than an eyeful.

  She pushes herself up against the headboard, leaning back, her tits perky and nipples hardening. “What’s it look like I’m doing?”

  I start to open my mouth to tell her she’s a fucking fool, but then she slides her hand between her open legs, putting on a show. “I’ve been waiting for you.” She lets out a little moan, eyes locked on me as she glides her fingertips through her folds. “It’s been so hard too.” Her gaze dips to my crotch.

  “Motherfucker.” I want nothing more than to slide between those sweet thighs and bury my dick in her softness.

  She pats the bed with one hand, fingering herself with the other. “Come here,” she pleads. “Let me make you feel as good as I do.”

  I grab a blanket off the dresser and throw it at her, not trusting myself to get within five feet of her without leaping on top of her. “Cover up,” I bark, sounding cold and unappreciative.

  And I do appreciate her.

  I appreciate every delicious inch of her body, along with her unabashed sexuality.

  Her smile falls. “You don’t want…” She blinks, tears filling her eyes. “I thought…”

  God, I’m a prick. “I’m sorry,” I say, stepping forward to sit on the edge of the bed. Again, not getting any closer than I have to.

  She grabs the blanket, covering her body quickly. “You’re sorry?” she snaps.

  “I’m sorry,” I repeat, shaking my head. “I didn’t mean…”

  She crosses her arms, holding the blanket against her chest. “To be a dick?” She lifts her chin, challenging me to disagree with how she finished my statement.

  “I am a dick, princess.” I blow out a breath and study her beautiful face as she swipes at her cheek, wiping away a tear. “I didn’t mean to get pissed, but what if I wasn’t the one to walk in this room first?”

  She opens her mouth and then snaps it shut, blinking at me with those butterfly lashes. “Well, I…” She swallows, probably running through the reality of what could’ve happened if it had been someone like Lefty or, hell, Crow.

  “What if Crow had walked in?” I squeeze my hand tighter, harnessing my anger just thinking about that prick seeing her naked.

  “But he didn’t.”

  “He could’ve,” I growl, the anger slipping.

  She bows her head, hoisting the blanket up higher, covering her tits completely. “I just figured I’d make you happy.”

  I scoot next to her, placing my fingers under her chin, forcing her to look at me. “We’re not in a dorm. It’s not safe around here for someone like you.”

  “Someone like me?” she repeats, her hazel eyes flashing with anger.

  “Yeah.” I smile, soaking in her beauty.

  Chick without a man, stuck inside the compound with a handful of horny fuckers. There’s so much that can go wrong. That doesn’t even take into account the jealous bitches whispering on the couches about her being here.

  “You have some fucking nerve.” She yanks her chin away from my touch and slides across the bed like she’s going to run. “Someone like me,” she mutters.

  “Hey.” I reach out, latching on to her wrist, stopping her as she climbs to her feet. “What the hell, princess?”

  She glares at me as her lush top lip curls. “Someone like me,” she repeats, raising her voice and dropping the blanket, exposing her chest. “I don’t know what the hell that’s supposed to mean, but if you think I’m an innocent flower, you’re wrong. So fucking wrong!”

  I blink, gaping at her. “That’s not what I meant. I know you’re not innocent. We just met, and I’ve already had my mouth on you.”

  She tries to pull out of my grip, but I’m not letting her stalk away all pissed off and naked as fuck.

  Not happening. Never.

  I tighten my hold, careful not to hurt her. “I wasn’t calling you a whore, Tamara.”

  Goddamn it. She gets me flustered so easily.

  She raises her chin, eyes narrowed, the rage still there. “Then what the hell were you talking about?” she snarls.

  I haul her against me, chest-to-chest, eye-to-eye, needing her full attention when I speak the truth. “I was talking about a hot little thing like you being at the compound, spread-eagled, waiting to be fucked. There’re women out there who will never be your friends and some assholes you definitely need to run away from. The only thing I want is for you to be safe. If something happened to you…”

  “I’m a hot little thing?” she mumbles, clearly not hearing the rest of my statement.

  I nod, releasing her wrist to touch her face. “Princess, I’ve never met a woman who sets my body on fire the way you do.”

  “So, you like me for me?”

  “I like you for you. If someone asked me who Tamara is, so many great adjectives would come to mind.” I smirk.

  “Like what?” She smiles, finally relaxing against me.

  “Ballsy, sassy, tough, funny, stacked, sexy, and a little crazy.”

  She laughs, running her hands up my chest to curl her arms around my neck. “Wanna add freaky to that list?” She waggles her dark eyebrows and rubs her nose against mine.

  “I’m adding troublemaker to the list,” I murmur against her lips before taking her mouth hard and fast.

  “Mammoth?” Ginger says quietly, knocking on the door, always having shit timing.

  “What?” I growl, kneading Tamara’s ass in my palms and turning her away from the door so my body blocks her.

  “Dog needs you,” he replies, smart enough not to come in.

  “Damn it.” I sigh. “I’ll be right there!” I yell, fucking hating being on lockdown like I’ve never hated anything in my life.

  “Go.” She smiles, pushing against my chest. “I’ll be right there.” She points at the bed before waving her hand in front of her body. “Waiting like this.”

  I swallow, trying to think of sick puppies or my parents fucking to kill my hard-on, but nothing helps. “The door stays locked after I leave. No
one comes in except me, and you don’t leave this room unless you’re escorted by Ginger. You understand?” I’m unable to take my eyes off her fucking unbelievable body.

  She nods, giving me a small smile. “You’re the only thing coming in and out of here. Don’t worry,” she says, dipping her fingers back between her legs as she sits on the edge of the bed, knees spread wide. “I’ll find some way to keep myself company.”

  “Add tease to that list too,” I growl, storming out of the room to nothing but the sound of her wicked laughter.

  6

  Tamara

  “What the fuck are you doing?” the very angry voice on the other end of the phone screams, making me wince. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

  Eagle chuckles and runs his hand across his face, trying to hide his amusement as I get my ass chewed out.

  “Thanks.” I take the phone from his hand as I hide my naked body behind the door. “You can go now,” I tell him.

  “Leave the phone outside the door when you’re done talking to your mommy,” he teases, still laughing his ass off.

  Fucker.

  I can’t believe my parents called the compound looking for me. Actually, I take that back. I totally can. They’d stop at nothing, especially embarrassing me, by calling a motorcycle club. Who does that? Maxine and Anthony Gallo, of course.

  I close the door in Eagle’s face, take a deep breath, and try to prepare myself for my mother’s tirade. “Hey, Mom,” I say casually, like we’re having a normal conversation about what’s new in our lives.

  “Don’t ‘hey, Mom’ me, child,” she grumbles, breathing so heavily, I’d think she just finished working out. “You’re lucky I’m a hundred miles away because if I were there, I’d…”

  “Mom,” I interrupt her oncoming threat to end my life. I know that’s where she’s going before she says it. We’ve been down this path once or twice before. “I’m safe.”

  “Safe!” she screams so loudly, I have to pull the phone away from my ear. “You’re at a biker compound, filled with criminals, and you want to tell me you’re safe?” She cackles like a lunatic. “I never knew you were so dumb, Tamara.”