Brutal Boxer by Naomi Porter

28

Aspen

The last couple of days were magical, erotic, and out of this world. We had so much sex, I was sore. Like when we were teens, we couldn’t get enough of each other.

But all good things came to an end.

I admired Zach’s handsome profile, noting his tense jaw. We were on our way back to Minnesota.

The Knights had captured Casso and his men when they tried to break through the gate to the compound after they saw Libby drive onto the property. Casso mistook her for me and went nuts.

I guessed I owed Zach’s friend a thank you.

Even though the threat had been removed, there was a thick cloud of trepidation hanging over us. I feared what would happen when Zach dealt with Casso. He assured me that he wouldn’t get caught. I hoped not. If he went to jail, I didn’t know what I’d do.

I was still worried about seeing the kittens and Libby.

Zach was terrified of losing me. In bed this morning, he made soul-binding love to me and asked me to marry him again.

I said yes.

To some, we were probably getting ahead of ourselves. Rushing things. Perhaps we were.

Did Zach and I care what others thought of us? Not even a little.

We’d heard it all from our friends when we were teenagers. We were so in love and inseparable, it made most sick. Drove our parents crazy with all our marriage talk. It also made one person we both loved jealous.

Zach and I agreed that Jill probably thought she was protecting me after overhearing Zach shooting the shit. He regretted trying to sound like a cool dude. The cost for his actions had been severe. Neither of us wanted to believe she’d been deceitful and tried to keep us apart or anything like that. We knew Jill loved us.

What was done was done. There was no changing anything.

Zach lifted my hand and kissed it. “I know you’re worried, but it’s going to be okay.” He kissed it again.

I smiled, staring out at the road leading to the compound. My heart raced like crazy as the anticipation built. The unknown was scary, even with my biker god beside me, stroking his finger across the top of my hand. I felt loved and cared for. Something I hadn’t felt since we were teenagers.

“Are you sure?” I turned toward him. He’d never let anything happen to me, but the MC life was new. I didn’t know how I felt about it.

“Yes, Snow. I’m sure.”

I loved hearing him call me Snow again. Just as he wanted me to call him Z when we were alone together.

“I want to see him.” I braced for blowback. We’d talked about it this morning before we left the hotel. Zach didn’t want me anywhere near Casso. I wanted retribution for what he’d done to me. I needed to look the Devil in the eyes and see the life drain out of him so I knew he couldn’t hurt me again.

Zach probably thought I’d lost my mind. But I hadn’t. Being held against my will hardened me. For far too long, I wasn’t able to fight back. Now I was in a position where I could.

“I really don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“I know, but I’m telling you I need this.” I wasn’t sure what I’d do when I saw Casso. I only knew that I needed to.

“Storm won’t like it. None of the women have been in the dungeon.” He slowed the Jeep in front of the compound. “Son of a bitch,” Zach hissed.

My eyes went wide, mouth gaping. A large section of the gate was missing and the guard shack had been blown to pieces. The surrounding area looked like a battlefield.

“I thought Storm said it wasn’t bad.”

“He did.” Zach pulled onto the property. “He better not have been lying to me.”

There were a lot of cars. More than I’d seen the last time I was here. A few were damaged next to the Quonset, which had a section blown out.

We jumped out of the car, meeting up at the entrance to the clubhouse. Zach took my hand as we rushed inside. He went straight for the bar where we could hear music playing, but it wasn’t as loud as usual.

I spotted a few kittens and Lynx right away. Then Hero and Tara as Zach led me to their table.

“What the hell happened?” Zach shouted at Hero.

“Sit down and have a drink,” Hero raised his hand, waving at Copper behind the bar.

Zach dropped into a chair. I went to take the one beside him, but he shook his head and tugged me onto his lap. He whispered in my ear, “Your place is on my lap.”

My gaze flitted around to Tara, who wasn’t on Hero’s lap. Rather than argue with Zach, I just kept quiet. He was right. I needed the connection to him.

I jumped when someone touched my shoulder.

“Oh, I’m sorry, honey. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Tina smiled and hugged me. “How are you?”

“A little freaked out by the state of things here.”

She made a sad face. “It wasn’t as bad as it looks. A little scary but no serious injuries, thank goodness.” Her eyes teared up. “I’m so sorry about Jill.”

I rubbed the base of Zach’s neck, knowing he’d heard Tina as he talked to Hero.

“Thank you. We appreciate it.” Now that we were back, the club would have a funeral for Jill. Zach said there was a spot behind the clubhouse at a pond where they released the ashes of the fallen.

“I need to check on supper. I just wanted to say hi.”

“Do you need help?” At my offer, Zach’s arm wrapped around my waist as if saying, stay here.

“We’ve got it, honey.” Tina smiled, darting away.

I looked at Tara and smiled softly. We sat there quietly, listening to our men talk.

“I can’t believe he didn’t tell me he was shot,” Zach growled, tossing back his whiskey.

“He knew you’d freak out. You know Storm is stubborn as fuck. It was just in the shoulder. He’s fine,” Hero gulped his beer.

“Who else was injured?” Zach shook his head. “I should’ve been here to fight.”

I stiffened when Libby entered. She seemed to hesitate before making her way to Tara’s side.

“Relax, baby,” Zach said at the shell of my ear.

I looked into his ice-blue depths, searching for comfort. I found it in the form of love staring back at me. He kissed me before he acknowledged Libby. “Hey, Lib. How’s it going?”

She smiled awkwardly. “Okay. Congratulations on getting your Snow back.”

“It’s the best damn thing ever.” He pulled me closer.

“I’m really happy for both of you.” Libby’s smile appeared genuine.

My stomach flipped. I couldn’t find my words, so I left it up to Zach.

“Thanks, Libby.”

“You both look so happy,” Tara added, like she was trying to break the awkwardness. I hadn’t talked to her very much, but I hoped to get to know her better.

I nodded, fidgeting with the hem of my coat. “We are, thanks.”

The mood was solemn in the bar. Understandable, after what everyone had been through. I probably would never know everything. All I cared about was that they got Casso.

“Ecstatic,” Zach kissed my cheek.

From across the room, I saw Misty watching my guy. I reached for a shot and drank it down, hoping it calmed my nerves. I coughed a little, eyes tearing up. Whiskey wasn’t my favorite.

Zach glanced at me, a look of concern. Then frowned when he saw Misty. “Ignore her,” he muttered.

“I’m trying.”

He rubbed my thigh. “We’ll leave soon.”

I didn’t want to pull him away from his family, but I wouldn’t talk him out of leaving. After he dealt with Casso, he'd told me he and I were going on a road trip. One that would end in Vegas, where we’d get hitched.

I honestly couldn’t wait.

Storm and Maddy entered the bar. His arm was in a sling, but overall, he appeared normal.

Zach had me stand so he could greet his Prez. “Shit, man.” They gave each other a brotherly hug. “You should’ve told me.”

“It’s not that bad.” Storm’s gaze met mine. “Snow, is this guy treating you good?”

“Hell yes, I am.” Zach tugged me into his arms. “Tell him, baby.”

“He’s treating me better than good. I’m sorry about all this.”

“Don’t be. It’s done.” Storm winked. “If he gives you any trouble, come see me. I’ll straighten him out.”

Wow. I was speechless. This wasn’t the same guy who I’d gone toe to toe with and who constantly glowered at me.

Hero got to his feet, kissed his girl, and went to a table where Lynx and some other guys were.

Storm seated Maddy in Hero’s chair, then kissed her and went to join the others.

“I’ll be back,” Zach told me, dropping a kiss on my lips. “I’ll just be right over there.” He jerked his chin to a table and mouthed, “I love you.”

I sat in his chair. “Love you too.”

For the remainder of the time, I observed everything quietly, feeling out of place. Missing Jill and wondering what the men were talking about. They were deep in conversation. Every one of them had their brow furrowed.

I wished I could hear what they were saying. I was confident it had to do with Casso.

And perhaps how Zach wanted time away from the club.