“Fine.” Cain crossed his arms over his chest. “How long do you think before we confront them?”

  “I’d say a day. Maybe less.” Sword was rarely ever wrong. Bohannon had trained the Marine when the man joined ExFil. He trusted Sword’s judgment. “Wouldn’t surprise me if they contacted us tonight.”

  “We ready?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Sword answered with complete confidence. “Everyone is on alert and in place. They come to us, we’ll shove it down their fuckin’ throats.”

  Cain nodded once. “Good. Move the women who ain’t good in a fight and kids to the basement. Make sure your woman knows about the tunnel exit, Bohannon. I don’t want any misunderstandings.” Cain’s gaze darted toward Jaz. Figured their president would know there was friction. The man seemed to know everything.

  “Noted. Just so you know, she might not be entirely on board with us yet.”

  “Didn’t expect she would be after her experiences with Scars and Bars.”

  “She’s got one foot out the door.”

  “So, help her put it back in.” Cain raised an eyebrow at Bohannon as if to say “Duh!”

  He was about to tell Cain to go fuck himself when his phone buzzed. The text message didn’t really surprise him. “Looks like she’s already making a run for it.”

  Sword rolled his eyes. “Used your usual delicate touch, I see.”

  “Don’t worry. She ain’t gone yet.”

  “You going after her?” Sword looked equal parts annoyed and amused.

  “What do you fuckin’ think?” Bohannon hated snapping at his brother but, really, the man was enjoying himself just little too fucking much.

  “Yell if you need help. Girl’s a looker.”

  Bohannon flipped him off as he turned to the nearest exit. His little Luna was turning into a real ache in his side. And his cock. If he were strictly honest, he’d been looking forward to chasing her down. He loved the hunt. Lived for it. In this case, though, the fun would come after he caught her.

  Chapter Six

  “Might as well get your cute little ass back inside, honey.” The voice came from somewhere in the shadows. Luna jumped and nearly squealed.

  “Who’s there?” She tried to sound authoritative but knew she didn’t pull it off. Not even close.

  A man stepped into the moonlight spilling across the lawn. He was big and heavily armed, a big-ass military-looking rifle slung across his body. “They call me Shadow,” he said, grinning at her. “They say it’s not for my skin but my ability to disappear into the shadows, but who can tell with this bunch? They’re as politically incorrect as they come.” He held out a hand to her. Luna took it and he squeezed gently. His hand was dark and his palm work-roughened. When he smiled at her, gleaming white teeth stood out starkly against the color of his skin.

  “I’m assuming you’re part of Bones.”

  “I’m a prospect. By spotting our other trouble on the way and managing to corral you, I’m hoping I’ll have passed my final test to be a fully patched member.”

  Luna froze. “Other trouble. You mean Scars and Bars? They’re coming here?”

  Shadow gave a little shake of his head. “Afraid so, little lady. Now, since I know you don’t want to hurt my chances at being a patched member, I’m sure you won’t mind going back inside where it’s safe.”

  “She won’t mind at all.” Bohannon’s voice practically boomed in the night. Luna couldn’t suppress her groan of frustration. Of course Bohannon would be out looking for her.

  “Or you guys could just let me go. It’d save you a load of trouble and clear your plans for the night. Think of it. Scars and Bars will leave you alone, and I can take care of my brother.”

  Bohannon snagged her upper arm. Luna tried to fight him, but he merely swung her around and grabbed her other arm, shaking her before forcing her on her tiptoes to look straight into his eyes. The man was absolutely livid. “What do you think would happen to you if I let you walk outside the protection of this property? What do you think Scars and Bars would do to a woman like you, huh?”

  When she couldn’t formulate a response he continued. “I’ll tell you what they’d do. They’d beat you and Markus both. In front of each other. You so he could see the consequences of his actions. Him so you could see what happens when you fail at a task they set you. Then they’d kill him. Either shoot him in the head or slit his throat. If they didn’t beat him to death. All of it while you watch. You, they’d rape over and over. Every member of that fucking club would have a go at you. Assuming you survived all that, they’d either use you as the club whore or sell you, depending on the damage they did to your face during your… lesson.”

  With each word, Luna could feel the blood draining from her face. She wanted to deny he knew what he was talking about, but she’d seen what they did to Markus with her own eyes. They had, in fact, beaten him in front of her. Just like Bohannon said.

  When she opened her mouth to say something, Bohannon cut her off. “As to the part where Scars and Bars leaves us alone, that’s not something related to you in the least. We were the ones to stop that drug deal. It was in our territory. They didn’t have permission to be there. They’d punish you for losing the stash to us, and your brother for whatever sins he committed against them, but they’ll be coming after us for killing their men and bringing Black Reign MC down on them. Black Reign will take revenge on Scars and Bars for losing the shipment they were supposed to distribute for Black Reign. The absolute only thing you’d do by leaving this place is getting yourself killed.” He held Luna’s gaze while he let the moment draw out. “Eventually.”

  A heavy but gentle hand landed on her shoulder and pulled her away from Bohannon slowly.

  “Relax, Slayer.” Luna had forgotten Shadow was still there, a witness to everything Bohannon said. “Little lady ain’t going nowhere. She’s too smart for that.”

  Bohannon’s gaze shifted away from her to the prospect. Luna didn’t know what passed between them, but she saw Bohannon give a curt nod before dropping his hard grip on her upper arms. He sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. “Did I hurt you?”

  She shook her head.

  “I need to hear you say it, Luna.” He wasn’t harsh this time, but his tone brooked no argument.

  “No. You didn’t hurt me.”

  He extended a hand to her. “I need you to come inside with me. Bones has the whole place guarded, but it’s likely Scars and Bars have scouts casing out the place. I’d rather you be inside where it’s safe.”

  “Is it?” She couldn’t help the soft question.

  “For you? Perfectly. I swear no one will harm you.”

  “What about you? You’re definitely a danger to me.”

  He glanced at her sharply. “I’d never hurt you, Luna. Never.”

  “You told me if Cain ordered my death you’d make sure it was quick and painless. That doesn’t sound too safe to me.”

  Bohannon sighed and pulled her to him roughly. His arms went around her, nearly swallowing her much smaller form. In that moment, Luna felt safer than she’d ever been in her life. Especially since Markus had gotten her involved in his problems. There was no logic to it. Bohannon was quite possibly the most dangerous man she’d ever met. He wasn’t the same boy she’d known when she was a child. Bones was definitely more dangerous than Scars and Bars. Yet, right then, she felt protected as never before. Luna found she craved that feeling of security like a drug. The question remained -- was it an illusion?

  “I’m not sure I could follow through with that order if he gave it now.”

  Luna barely heard him. The top of her head where he buried his face muffled his voice.

  Giving her one hard squeeze, he let her go, only to scoop her up in his arms and carry her with long, ground-eating strides back to the clubhouse.

  Luna had never been one to lie to herself, but she wanted this fairytale Bohannon had woven around her. He was her dark knight, and she was the fair maiden in the tower. Only this dark knight rode a Harley. Not a horse.

  * * *

  Possessiveness wasn’t an emotion Bohannon had any experience dealing with. No one touched his bike, so no worries there, and he’d never even contemplated wanting a woman of his own. When he’d spelled out in no uncertain terms what Scars and Bars would do to Luna if they got their hands on her, everything came crashing down around him. Luna… was his. Period. No one, especially not the fucking Scars and Bars, would ever take her from him. She wasn’t leaving, no matter what she might think she wanted. She belonged with him. Always had. Bohannon had had her for twenty-four hours. Hadn’t had sex with her. Had made no kind of lasting connection with her. But he knew without a doubt he’d never let her go.

  “Where are we going?” Her question was tentative, maybe even a little breathless. She’d wound those slender arms around his neck and snuggled into his shoulder all on her own. That was her staking her own claim, whether or not she realized it.

  “To my room.” His answer was rough, husky. “Where you belong.”

  Her slender body shivered against his, and Bohannon’s cock stood fully at attention, aching and throbbing with every step he took.

  Someone opened the door for him so Bohannon didn’t even slow down. None of his brothers paid the least bit of attention as he took Luna through the great room down the hall and up the stairs to his room. He noticed Jaz’s narrow gaze but ignored her. Unless the woman changed her attitude fast, she was gone.

  As he approached, Clutch opened the door, a look of puzzled surprise and sharp disappointment on his face. The man wasn’t ready to be part of Bones yet. Once he started training with the others, he’d learn fast enough. He was young yet. Even though Luna had managed to get past him, Bohannon didn’t hold ill will toward the man. He’d chastise him properly, but he knew the man wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

  Once inside, he locked the door and went to the window. Though his room was on the second floor, the clubhouse was built against the side of a hill. As a result, they built half the bottom floor into the terrain, leaving part of the second floor accessible to the ground. He poked his head outside. Kickstand and Pig had positioned themselves on either side. Pig smoked a cigarette. Kickstand sat with his back to a nearby tree, dozing.

  Bohannon gave a low whistle. Pig dropped his cigarette and swung his gun toward the window. “Stay inside, bitch.” His snarl made Bohannon want to smack the little motherfucker. “I’ll mess up that pretty face of yours if you don’t.” Kickstand hadn’t moved. Neither man would ever make more than a prospect. They were prospects only because they were relatives of Arkham, a patched member but a recluse. The man had wanted to instill discipline into his young cousins and to keep them out of trouble. It wasn’t working out as well as they’d hoped.

  The plan had been to send the screw-ups back to Arkham, but that threat to Luna was more than Bohannon would tolerate. He climbed out of the window, making as much noise as he could, just hoping the little pissant would make a move on him. Sure enough, Pig stalked toward who he thought was Luna. “I told you to stay the fuck inside!”

  Without a warning of any kind, Bohannon stalked toward the boy and, just as it dawned on Pig he was dealing with someone other than a scared female, he backhanded the kid so hard he spun around, knocking into the tree Kickstand sat under. He hit hard enough he bounced off the tree and on to the ground.

  “You’re too fucking late, boy,” Bohannon snapped. “We’ll have a discussion about how you talk to women later. Get your cousin there and head to the main house. Tell Arkham what just happened and how I found you. You don’t tell him the whole truth, they’ll be consequences.”

  Kickstand was awake now, on his feet and looking fearful. Pig rubbed his cheek but rolled his eyes. “You didn’t have to hit me, bro --” To which Bohannon backhanded him again. It was time to teach those two boys a lesson. Especially Pig.

  “Stop it!”

  “You don’t tell Arkham everything, and the consequences will be a beating like you’ve never had in your life. Might have done you good if Arkham had beat you long before bringing you here, you little punk. Now get the fuck on!”

  He didn’t wait to see if the boys did as he told them, merely climbed back inside. Once he’d secured the window, Bohannon leaned his head against the cool glass, trying to get his temper under control. How the fuck was he going to fix this? How to get her to understand?

  He turned around to find her standing right where he’d left her, arms wrapped around herself protectively while she stared at him wide eyed.

  “We need to talk,” he said by way of starting.

  “Never had a good conversation start that way, but you’re right.”

  The grin that came to his lips was genuine. Even in the face of a man like him, Luna was brave. A good trait for his woman.

  “Everything I’ve done with you, I’ve done wrong,” he began. “I’ve deliberately shocked and terrified you, and I don’t know how to stop.”

  “Why?” Her question was asked softly, a hurt and puzzled look on her face. “If I’ve offended you --”

  “No, Luna. It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and crossed the distance to her. Gently, he cupped her face. “There’s something about you that’s… affected me. I’m not going to sugarcoat this, because I will fuck it up no matter what I do.” He closed his eyes and took a breath. “I want you.” Her breath left her in a little gasp, her lips parting as if in invitation. It was all Bohannon could do not to groan. “Yes, it’s about sex, but it’s more than that. I’m a pretty solitary man. My brothers in Bones are the only people who’ve mattered to me since I left.”

  “Since you left Markus?” Her voice was small. Thin. Like she was trying to hold back tears, her throat tight.

  “No.” If he was going to confess he might as well go big. “Since I left you.”

  She jerked back as if he’d struck her. “But you hardly noticed me. I was more of an aggravation than anything. Markus told me so! I was the main reason you left!”

  Bohannon ground his teeth. “That little punk is an ass. As far as I’m concerned, he deserves whatever he’s getting from Scars and Bars. You, on the other hand, are only in this mess because you have a kind heart. Loving your brother isn’t wrong, and it certainly doesn’t mean you take whatever happens because you’re trying to help him. No matter what the fucking bastard told you, Luna, the choices he made were the reason I left. Not you.” He reached out a hand to her, hoping she’d take it. When she just stared at it, he continued. “Don’t you remember all the times I let you paint my fingernails pink when we had tea parties while your parents were out late and I stayed to help Markus babysit? I didn’t want to leave you with Markus so I even played Barbie dolls with you, for crying out loud!”

  Luna was trembling visibly now. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. Her lashes spiked with the moisture. “So, I didn’t run you off? You didn’t mind me always hanging around you?”

  “No, baby. You were eight. I was twenty-one. You were like the little sister I never had, and I hated leaving. But I couldn’t continue to be around Markus, and your mom, at least, was looking out for you. She knew how Markus was and what he was into. We talked about it at length before I left for the Army.”

  “I overheard Mom talking with my step-dad. Talking about you going to the military. It had worried them no one could keep Markus out of trouble -- Lord knew they couldn’t -- but knew you had to look out for yourself. They also hoped he’d follow you, but he wouldn’t even entertain it. I was so upset I confronted Markus.”

  Finally, she took his hand and let him pull her to him. Wrapping her small body in his arms to hold her solidly against his chest was the best feeling in the world to Bohannon. This was where she was supposed to be. But he was just bastard enough to admit it wasn’t all about comforting her. The feel of her lithe form was maddening. She likely was only thinking about her childhood where she had no feelings for him other than what an adoring sister might have for a much older brother. He was thinking as a man with a beautiful, desirable woman in his arms. One who could make him lose his mind with just a kiss.

  “Is that when he told you it was your fault I left?”

  She nodded. “It devastated me, Gage.”

  “No.” He stiffened, pushing her away to force her to look into his eyes. “Gage is the man you knew. The one you thought of as a brother. I’m Bohannon. You already know the difference, because it’s what you call me now when you’re not thinking about it.”

  “I know.” She reached up and brushed a lock of hair out of his eyes, her palm sliding down to his beard-roughened face. “So much is different. Your eyes are the same, though. You look at everyone else with a hardness I don’t recognize. Me, you still have a soft look for. It’s why I’ve not run screaming yet.”

  He couldn’t help the chuckle. “You did so run. Shadow caught you and let me haul your pretty little ass back here.”

  “True. But I wasn’t screaming.”

  They shared a soft laugh. Bohannon pulled her to him and kissed her gently before resting his forehead against hers. “I can’t… not have you, Luna. Not after getting a taste of you.”

  She stiffened, ducking her head. “You were honest with me so I’ll return the courtesy.” Bohannon’s heart sank. This all had to be too much for her, and he was asking more. Couple that with the fact he was thirteen years her senior, and he could see why she’d be adverse.

  “If I made you uncomfortable,” he started, clearing his throat, “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have gone as far as I did if you’d given me a sign you didn’t want --”

  She cut him off with a kiss, licking at his lips until he took over. Bohannon took his time, kissing her thoroughly. If this was the last time he kissed her, he wanted both of them never to forget it. Instead of pulling away from him, however, she wrapped her arms around his neck and continued to kiss him. Everything possessive and male rose up in Bohannon. Her mind might be reluctant, but her body was not. Bohannon knew he could overcome whatever her reservations were.

 

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