The Skulls Read online

  Lash nodded and turned to his brother.

  “Go on, go and see your woman.”

  Taking a deep breath he followed the nurse to his woman’s room.

  Angel lay in a large bed. Her face was pale, and her eyes closed. The nurse waved him on inside. Walking inside, her eyes opened, and she smiled at him.

  “Hey,” she said, reaching out with her good hand.

  “Hey, yourself.” He took her hand and sat beside her on the bed. Lash needed to be as close to her as possible.

  “They told me I was going to make a good recovery.”

  “You ran in front of a bullet,” Lash said. “Never, ever do that again.”

  “I couldn’t have you shot, Lash.” She looked down at their joined hands. “I’m in love with you, and I can’t imagine life without you.”

  Cupping her face, he brought his lips down to hers.

  “No, you do not, under any circumstances put yourself at risk for me, Angel.” He kissed her again needing to taste her sweet skin.

  “I understand,” Angel said.

  “I love you too much to lose you.”

  Her smile lit up her whole face. “You love me?”

  “You have no idea how much I love you.” He glanced down at the floor and cursed.

  “What’s the matter? What is it?” she asked. The concern was clear in her voice.

  “I killed your father,” he said, whispering to her.

  “Good.” There was no hesitation in her voice.

  “Angel, I took his life. He’s not coming back.”

  “I know, Lash. He was going to kill you. You don’t understand. He didn’t stop them when they were shooting people. He didn’t help at all, and he caused all the problems. I don’t care.” She tightened her grip on his hand.

  “I killed him.”

  “And your crew cleaned it up, right?” Angel asked.

  “How do you know about that?”

  “Rumours, and Tate likes to talk. I listen. You’re not going down for killing him, Lash. He doesn’t deserve your time. So it gets cleaned away, and we don’t talk about it anymore, deal?”

  “Deal.”

  He stared at her and wondered how she’d changed so fast. Lying down, Lash wrapped his arms around her.

  “I love you, baby.”

  “I love you, too.”

  No one hurt his woman and got away with it. Angel was his woman, and he was happy for the whole world to know it. He was a Skull, and no one messed with a Skull and got away with it.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Angel stood behind Tate as she pinned up another balloon. It had been a couple of months since the shooting at Tiny’s house, and they were finally welcoming home Steven and Blaine. Both men had been badly hurt with Blaine being in a coma for a couple of weeks. It had been touch and go for a few weeks, but fortunately they were both coming home for a party. She glanced across the bar to see Emily and Darcy playing in the corner. Everyone was pitching in for their welcome home party.

  Twirling the ring on her finger she looked up to see Tate glancing down at her.

  “You keep playing with your ring it’s going to rub out,” Tate said, climbing off the table.

  A week after her coming out of the hospital, Lash had proposed. There was no way she’d turn him down. She’d screamed yes and then phoned Tate to tell her the good news. They were planning for a March wedding, which gave them enough time to organise everything. Lash wanted her to have a church wedding. She didn’t care as long as she was with him.

  “No, I’m not.”

  Arms wrapped around her waist pulling her close. “Leave her alone, Tate. She can play with her ring if she wants. It’s hers.” Lash kissed her neck. Letting out a moan, Angel leaned against him. He caressed her stomach as he kissed her neck and shoulder.

  She watched Tate tense as Murphy stood next to her.

  “I’m going to see if Mikey needs help with the booze.” She smiled at Angel and moved away.

  “She won’t talk to me,” Murphy said, watching her walk away.

  “Tate’s hurt, and it’s going to take some time for her to get over that.”

  Murphy shook his head. “I don’t know. She’s closed off even from Eva and Tiny.”

  Angel wasn’t about to ruin the party by telling them Tate was moving out of Tiny’s home and into an apartment. She’d asked Tate to tell her father, but the other woman continued to refuse.

  “She’ll come around,” Lash said, pulling Angel away.

  “He looks sad,” Angel said. They moved to the far wall, and Angel started to put more balloons and banners up.

  “They’ll get over it. I’m sure they’ll figure it out.”

  Lash helped her finish the decorations, and when they got the sound of the horn they all crowded around waiting for the men to enter. Tiny had been the one to collect the men with Eva.

  Angel leaned against Lash as they waited. His arms surrounded her with their warmth. The Skulls were her family now. She didn’t miss her father at all. Any love she’d had for him died in the moments leading up to his death. She wished she could forgive him, but it wasn’t possible. He’d grown greedy and put so many lives at stake because of it.

  “I love you, baby,” Lash said, whispering the words against her ear.

  She smiled. Every time they made love Lash told her his true feelings. He opened up to her in ways she never thought possible.

  “I love you, too.”

  The door opened, and they all erupted with cheers, laughter, and greetings.

  Angel had asked for Emily and Darcy to wait in the kitchen. Moving forward she wrapped her arms around Blaine. “Are you okay?” she asked.

  “I’m good. I, erm, I called Emily, but she didn’t answer her phone.”

  In the last few months Angel had grown close to Blaine, and he was like a brother to her.

  Taking hold of his hand she led him through the crowd and waited for Emily to exit. When she did Blaine looked shocked.

  “She didn’t answer her phone because she’s been here waiting for you.”

  Angel had reached out to the other woman when Blaine survived the first few weeks after surgery.

  “Blaine?” Emily said. Darcy was on her hip.

  He turned to her. “Thank you,” he said.

  “Don’t spoil it. Go and get your girls.”

  She watched him embrace both Emily and Darcy.

  “You’re a hopeless romantic,” Lash said, muttering against her head.

  Turning to face her man she wrapped her arms around his neck. “And you’re complaining? I don’t seem to recall you complaining when I made you a dinner and then sucked your cock for dessert.”

  “You’re right. I like your romantic, dirty style.”

  Lash didn’t leave her side for the remainder of the party. The sweet-butts avoided her while the old ladies embraced her.

  Every now and then she saw Tate drinking from a bottle and walking around the club. Murphy was never far from her side.

  Shaking her head, Angel knew she would deal with her friend another time. For now she was going to bask in having Lash in her arms.

  “Come on, let’s get out of here,” he said.

  She followed him outside. “You can’t drive. You’ve had too much to drink.”

  “I don’t need to drive.”

  He took her around the back of the club and farther into the woodland area. She’d never been this far away from the club before.

  “Where are you taking me?” she asked.

  Lash stopped and produced a blindfold. “It’s a surprise.”

  Rolling her eyes, she waited for him to put the blindfold on, and he led her still farther away from the club.

  “You’re being all mysterious.”

  “From the movies you’ve put me through I’d say I was being romantic.”

  She chuckled.

  After a few more minutes walking Lash stopped. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I know you wanted
to see Blaine when he came home, which is why I didn’t stop you from going to the party, but I wanted to get you to myself.”

  The blindfold was removed, and Angel gasped. Candles were laid out around a blanket and what appeared to be a picnic basket.

  “You planned a romantic picnic?” she asked. Tears filled her eyes.

  “When it comes to you, baby, I plan everything.” He helped her down to the blanket.

  She sat and waited for him to dish out some of the food. “Did Tate help you with this?” she asked.

  “And Rose and Eva. They wanted tonight to be perfect. You helped bring Blaine’s woman back, and you saved me from being shot or worse. In your own unique way, Angel, you’ve won them all over. They love you for you,” Lash said.

  Kneeling in front of him she pulled him close for a kiss. “You always know what to say.”

  “Also, I wanted to show you something else.”

  Once all the food was laid out on the blanket, Lash stood. She watched, mouth watering, as he removed his shirt. “Look,” he said, pointing at the tree.

  Her gaze travelled down. Grabbing a candle she brought it close to his body. There, in the centre of his tree was her name. She gasped.

  “When did you get this?” she asked. The flesh looked a little raw.

  “I got it yesterday. I’ve been treating it, but you’ve been too preoccupied with the party to see. I’m pleased. I wanted you to see it at the right time.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “Maybe one day you’ll get your own tattoo?” he asked.

  “I’d love to have your name on my skin.”

  ****

  Lash should probably tell her he’d already booked her an appointment, but he didn’t want to upset her. She looked so happy gazing up at him. Dropping his hands to her face, Lash tilted her head back and brushed her lips with his.

  She moaned, rubbing her body against his. “I love you, Nigel Myers.”

  He chuckled, groaning. “You’re so not naming our children,” he said.

  “Why not? I’d be good at naming our children.”

  Running his hand down her body he cupped her ass, bringing her closer to his raging arousal. He was rock hard with the need to be inside her body.

  “You didn’t bring me here to seduce me. You brought me here to have sex,” she said, smiling.

  “Busted,” Lash said, pushing her down until she lay spread out before him. He’d purposefully made her wear a skirt and top without anything on underneath. “Haven’t you ever wanted to make love under the stars?”

  “You’re winning me over again.”

  “I’m wooing you.”

  “Woo me then.”

  Rearing back, he caressed her thighs and opened them as he did.

  “That’s cheating.”

  “I’m wooing you.”

  She chuckled, opening her thighs wider.

  “You know you want me. I bet your pussy is soaking wet.”

  Angel didn’t say anything. She was playing the game with him.

  He moved down, pushed her skirt up and searched her pussy, finding her cream.

  “I knew you’d be soaking wet.” His fingers were drenched. She was clearly turned on. “You always do that to me.” She moaned, thrusting up to meet his searching fingers. Lash pressed two fingers inside her and sucked her clit with his mouth. She cried out. Her fingers sank into his hair and pulled on the length.

  “Feel so good,” she said.

  He nibbled and sucked on her clit, adding a third finger into her cunt.

  “That’s it, baby. Come for me.” He released her long enough to speak.

  “Please, Lash.”

  Pumping his fingers inside her, he stroked her tight nub feeling how close she was to the edge.

  “Let go, Angel. I’ve got you. I’ve always got you.” As he sucked her clit into his mouth, Angel exploded. Her cream gushed around his fingers, and he drank from her.

  He continued to touch her with one hand while the other eased out his length. Lash got into position, aligned his cock, and thrust home.

  Their moans combined and echoed on the night air.

  “I love you, Angel.”

  Pulling out of her, Lash waited ‘til only the tip was inside and then slammed in. He took her deep, prolonging her pleasure by teasing her clit.

  “I love you, Lash. It will always be you.”

  Smiling, he made love to her, which had been his intention all along. The stars glinted around them. The candles cast a soft glow on her body. Lash had wanted everything to be perfect. He wanted her to remember this night for months and years to come.

  When the pinnacle came, he cried out her name and collapsed on top of her. Angel shuddered around him. Her fingers caressed over his skin. Rolling to his side, he pulled Angel close.

  “I never thought I could be this happy,” she said.

  “I don’t think you imagined being engaged to a Skull, baby.”

  She chuckled, and the sound warmed his heart.

  “No, I didn’t imagine being engaged or having a future with a biker. You’re all rough and hard, and you curse a lot.”

  “Fuck off,” he said, joking.

  Angel smiled up at him. “Mom said you guys were bad news, but that’s not what I think.”

  “What do you think we are?” He brushed her chestnut hair off her face.

  “I think you guys are one big family. You’re not picture perfect and you’ll never be the ideal, but you’re a unit, a team, and a family. You can always depend on each other.” She grabbed his hand and rested it against her stomach. “And that’s what I’ll want for our children, Lash.”

  He looked at her stomach and then at her. “Do you mean you’re pregnant?” he asked.

  Angel shook her head. “No, I’m not pregnant, Lash, but I want to be. I want to have your children and be your wife. Most of all I want to be your old lady and stand by your side.”

  His woman was tearing him up inside.

  “Angel, you’re the only woman I want by my side.”

  He kissed her lips, showing her with actions all the passion he held for her. They’d overcome so much in such a short time. Angel hadn’t been affected by the death of her father, but he had. He’d kept the secret of his nightmares to himself. None of the crew knew he’d been affected by the death.

  Taking a life with his bare hands had changed him in a fundamental way. He was strong, and knowing how strong had scared him. Snapping a guy’s neck would stay with him forever. Angel hadn’t judged him. She’d supported him and listened to him as he talked about his problems.

  “Lash?”

  “Yeah, baby?” he asked, staring up at the stars.

  “Put a baby inside me.”

  His cock got instantly hard. All of his negative thoughts drifted away as he held Angel in his arms. Pulling off her clothes, Lash got her naked. They were going to be left alone for a long time. The party was still in full swing.

  Pushing his jeans down his thighs, Lash gripped his erection once again. This time when he took her it would be different. Lifting her legs over his shoulder he seated himself to the hilt inside her. He didn’t move at all. With his hands on either side of her head, he gazed down into her green depths.

  He may be part of a biker club and that club may do questionable things from time to time, but in Angel’s arms he felt like he could rule the world. His woman, his old lady, held the key to his happiness, and Lash was more than happy to bend to her will.

  “I love you,” he said, easing out of her slowly. Lash made love to her under a blanket of stars in the most perfect of ways.

  Epilogue

  Once Tate saw Angel and Lash leave, she grabbed her purse and headed out into the main parking lot. She wouldn’t be going home today or any other day. Tate hadn’t gotten around to telling Angel she’d signed the papers to her apartment. After twenty-three years of living under her father she was finally going to get away from him and away from The Skulls.

  Th
e only person she was interested in was Angel. They’d still be friends, but everything else was over. She was done with the secrecy, the betrayals, and a father who kept hurting a woman he was clearly in love with.

  “Tate, wait!” Murphy shouted her name trying to slow her down.

  And the last thing she was over with was Murphy, the backstabbing, lying, betraying bastard who had made her fall for him and then left her like she meant nothing. She was so over him and didn’t want to see him again.

  She kept walking, determined to start her new life away from them. The local library had already hired her, and she was due to start work Monday. Her independence was around the corner.

  “Are you fucking deaf?” Murphy asked, grabbing her arm and halting her progress.

  Snatching her arm out of his grip she turned to walk away.

  “You’re walking away like a fucking child. You may be grown up, Tate, but you’re just a spoilt fucking, baby.”

  Tate stopped, turned and stormed back toward him. “I may be a baby, but at least my vocabulary is better than yours, you stupid bastard.” Angered at his presence she lashed out and shoved him.

  Murphy didn’t go anywhere. He stayed put.

  “We need to talk,” he said.

  Shaking her head, she headed in the other direction.

  “You can’t keep running from me, Tate. You need to hear my side.”

  She stopped and stared along the street, which was visible by the street lights.

  “Go on then, let me hear your side.” Folding her arms under her breasts she stood and waited for him to explain. This man had hurt her deeply by his deception.

  “The club needed my help. They needed a man who could infiltrate the Lions.”

  Throwing her arms up in the air, Tate had heard enough. “It’s always about the club, isn’t it?”

  “I came back for you. I did this to keep you safe,” he said, stepping closer.

  “No, you did this for the club.”

  “I care about you, Tate.”

  “No, if you cared about me you’d have found some way to tell me. You got up and just left, Murphy. You promised me you’d be there for me no matter what. We were supposed to be together, and you just left. You don’t care about me. The only person you care about is yourself.”