Released (Devil's Blaze MC #3)(47)

“That was our first thought, boss, but that’s not the reports we’re getting.”

“What reports?”

“Word is that Viper’s old man, Tucker, stripped him of the gavel and took the club back over.”

“Christo! Really?” I’m almost grinning. I hate that rat-bastard Viper.

“It gets even more interesting, boss. The old bastard has declared war on the Donahues.”

“Que diablos esta pasando?”

“The old bastard wants to talk to you, boss. He says he’ll make it worth your while.”

“Son of a bitch doesn’t have one thing I want,” I tell him with certainty.

“He says he knows where Colin Donahue is and he will deliver the man’s head on a silver platter for you.”

“So why doesn’t he?”

“He wants something.”

“Don’t they always. What the f*ck does he want?”

“He won’t tell me. He says he’ll only talk to you. He requested you meet him at Psychotic Ruby’s.”

“Jesús.” I think it over. Ruby’s is a f*cking hole-in-the-wall bar. We don’t do a lot of business there because Ruby is truly psychotic and she owns that shit. “When?” I growl, wondering if it’s not a trap, but I need to do anything I can to get my hands on Colin.

“Tomorrow night,” Torch tells me.

I rub the tension between my eyes and think it over. “Beast, you and Torch are going with me. Sabre, you’re here watching over the club and my family.” He wants to argue, I can see it, but he wisely shuts that shit down. “The rest of you will be Sabre’s backup.”

“Just the three of us, boss? You sure you can trust Tucker enough that we aren’t walking into a trap?”

“You don’t have enough balls to think the three of us can handle whatever they dish?” I challenge him.

“Fuck you,” Torch gripes, and I flip him off. I should tell him, Sabre, and Beast about the fact that there’s a plant in the club, but I just can’t yet. I’ll get Colin taken care of, then I’ll handle that shit before I just tell them all to f*ck it.

“Arrange it. Set it up for six that evening, though. I’m not about to drive through that damn town after dark, not with Colin out there somewhere.”

“Got it.”

“Good. Now if you bitches will excuse me, I’m taking my daughter and wife out for the rest of the day,” I tell them, and I give them my back as the *s are saying shit to me. It’s the closest thing I’ve been to happy in f*cking years.

I’ve got Beth back; the mere thought makes me smile.





“Did I tell you what a great f*cking day I had with you and Gabby, mi cielo?”

“I can’t remember,” I tell him jokingly.

“Best f*cking day ever,” he tells me, letting his finger drift through my hair. We’re lying in bed and it’s late, but I don’t want to go to sleep. I want to capture this whole day and not let go of it.

“I think so too,” I whisper shyly. “I’m almost afraid to go to sleep.”

“Afraid it is a dream?” he asks me.

“Yeah. I’ve wanted this for so long,” I tell him, capturing his hand and following the lines on his palm with my finger.

“So have I, mi cielo. More than you know.”

“I don’t want to lose you again, Skull. I don’t think I could handle it a second time,” I whisper, letting my fingers slide in between his, loving the way his large hand swallows mine, and the dark ink of his tattoos stands out holding my pale white skin.

“I’m going nowhere, Beth. We’re going to get it right this time. There’s no other alternative,” he tells me, squeezing my hand.

“You promise?” I ask, looking up at his face for reassurance.

“Lo prometo,” he tells me, bending down to kiss me. As his tongue pushes into my mouth, I suck on it, humming with happiness. Skull has a taste that is all him. Elemental, sweet, spicy, and delicious man. I’m addicted to it.

His hand moves down to my gown, which falls to just below my knee. He lets his callused fingers brush against my leg.

“What do you say we get rid of this gown, and I prove to you I’m here and I’m not going anywhere?”

Nervousness pushes through my system hard and fast. Fear. The same fear that has crippled me. The same fear that made me swallow the lies Pistol organized when I gave birth to Gabby. The same fear that kept me away from Skull for years. The same fear that deep down inside makes me hear the voice that says Skull is too beautiful, too amazing to settle for someone scarred, ugly, and dirty. Shame… shame is a powerful force.

“Skull…” I whisper, holding his hand tight and keeping him from pushing my nightgown up my body.

“Beth, you have to know that I love you. Christo! Have I not shown you that since we have started over?”

“I’m just not ready, Skull. I need time.”

His eyes bore into me and I know he wants to demand I give in. Part of me wants him to, because if he did, then he could see it and the fear of the unknown would be over.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to just go ahead when he lets out a tired sigh. “If I turn the lights out?”