Refuge (Riot MC Book 1) Read online

  My gut clenches at his words, wondering how this is going to affect our relationship. I know the man well enough to know he would never let his relationship with my mom affect my standing at the club, so I’m not worried about that. What I’m thinking about is the connection we have outside of the club. I love my dad, still see him every chance I get. Still, Tito is the only father I’ve had for most of my life.

  “Your dad was my best friend. We may not get to sit down and shoot the shit anymore, may never get to share another bottle of Jack or chase any more bitches, but Crew is still my best friend to this day,” he says, with a nod. “When he went inside, he asked me to watch over you. He told me to do whatever I had to do to make sure you were safe. I tried everything, every fucking thing, to get your mom to hand you over to me. I even tried paying the bitch off, but she refused. The only way I could have you is if I took her, too.”

  I knew most of that already. Listening to him and Mom fight, while I was growing up, gave me most of that information. What I didn’t know was that he tried to pay her off. I’m not really surprised by it, but I am surprised she didn’t take the money and run. I swallow down the questions filling my mind, wanting to hear the rest.

  “I put up with her ass for all those years so I could watch over you. I don’t regret it. I’m proud to say that I had a hand in making you who you are today.” He lifts his chin to me. “I should have kicked her ass to the curb the day you turned eighteen, but it was too much fucking trouble. By that time, you and I were both living at the clubhouse. As long as she got money every week, she stayed the hell away from me. I did what I wanted to do and pretended that she didn’t even exist. But, things are going to be different when I get out of jail.”

  Suddenly, the reason for this conversation is clear. Ronni’s gonna be around for a while, and he’s not gonna have my mom treating his daughter like shit. The only way to ensure that happens is to get rid of the bitch completely.

  “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, Tito. You’re the President—you do what you’ve gotta do,” I say, not feeling an ounce of remorse for my mother.

  “I’m not explaining myself to my VP. I’m trying to explain myself to the man I think of as a son,” he explains, his eyes cutting into me like laser beams.

  A knot fills my throat, but I force out the words he needs to hear. “The man that thinks of you as a father doesn’t need an explanation either. I know how my mom is, and I’ll be glad to see you free of her.”

  Chapter Seven

  Van

  Looking at my phone, yet again, I am finding it hard to keep my shit together. We’ve been waiting by the luggage claim area for over an hour, and Ronni still isn’t here. I know it isn’t her fault the flight was delayed, but I need to hit the road. Cline will be at the house in a few hours, and I want to get Ronni settled in and set down some ground rules. She and I need to have a long talk before my daughter enters the picture.

  But, the first we’re gonna talk about is her damn dog. I was woken up this morning by a prospect delivering the beast. Nobody said shit about her bringing a fucking dog when I agreed to let her stay with me. They sure in the hell didn’t say anything about a St. Bernard that must weigh over two-hundred pounds and slobbers like a motherfucker. Not to mention, that bastard seems to think he’s the size of a chihuahua and tries to climb in my lap every time I sit down.

  An hour later, another delivery was made. This one included three boxes marked kitchen. Wondering what in the fuck she had sent, I opened them up. They were filled with pots, pans, and every damn gadget ever made for cooking in those boxes. Another two boxes showed up a few minutes later. They were stuffed full of shit for her damn mutt. The damn dog has more fucking shit than I do.

  “I still can’t believe she sent her fucking dog to my house, expecting me to let it stay,” I say, running a hand through my hair in frustration. “She didn’t even bother to ask if she could bring the damn moose into my home.”

  “I don’t know why you’re surprised. Tito says she loves the thing, says she won’t go anywhere without it,” Brass replies with a shrug.

  His words remind me that Tito told us all about buying Ronni the dog right after her mom died. Ever since then, he hasn’t stopped complaining about the fucker taking up all of her attention. He says Ronni likes her dog better than she likes him now. He even said she and her roommates moved out of their apartment, renting a house instead, just to give the dog more room to play.

  “Fuck, how the hell did I forget about that?” I ask, more to myself than to Brass. “I can’t have a dog like that around Cline. The fucker could bite her head off and think of it as nothing more than an afternoon snack.”

  Brass laughs before saying, “Are we talking about the same dog? The one that tried to lick me to death just a couple of hours ago?”

  I shoot him a glare and look for Ronni again. I don’t care if the fucking dog is as tame as a kitten, I don’t want him at my house. He’s too damn big to be around a little girl Cline’s size, and I’m not taking the chance he will hurt her. He’ll just have to stay at the clubhouse until Tito gets home. If Ronni doesn’t like it, she can go with his ass. I would do damn near anything for the Pres, but I won’t put Cline in danger for anyone.

  “It might help if you tell me what Ronni looks like. Right now, I’m just staring out at a sea of faces, not having a fucking clue who I’m looking for,” Brass says, scanning the crowd of people filling the airport.

  “Her name is Veronica, and I haven’t seen her since she was seven years old,” I grumble, not liking him using my nickname for her.

  He cocks a brow at my remark. “You don’t have any clue what she looks like either.”

  She looked like any other kid back then. With long, curly blonde hair that stuck up all over her fucking head, she was as skinny as a rail and missing her two front teeth. That’s about all I remember, so I hope it helps,” I tell him, letting out a frustrated breath.

  “According to Taz, the bitch is hot as hell,” Brass says with a smile. “Says she’s got an ass that makes your mouth water. If he’s right, I just might have to get a taste.”

  I look over at him, shaking my head. “You even think about it, and Tito will kill you. No pussy is worth that.”

  Brass smiles, crossing his arms over his chest. “What Tito don’t know won’t hurt him, and believe me, I don’t plan on telling him.”

  “She was raised with money, the kind of money you and I will never know. Tito told me she went to some fancy-ass boarding school, spent as much time learning manners and shit as she did doing actual school work. Her stepdad was a fucking billionaire that probably spoiled her ass rotten. Her mom was a stuck-up bitch, so I doubt she’s gonna be much better,” I say, telling him what to expect.

  “You got a point with all this shit?” he asks, cocking his brow.

  Brass doesn’t get it. He’s never been around bitches like Ronni before, the kind that have more money than heart. Regina is like that. Her family doesn’t have the kind of money that Ronni’s did, nowhere near it. They had enough, though—enough to turn Regina into a spoiled rotten little bitch that is used to getting everything she wants. When she couldn’t get everything she wanted from me, she lost her fucking mind.

  I fell for her sweet act, wanting something different than the club whores I grew up around. It didn’t take long for me to see the light, learn what she was really about. By that time, she was already pregnant with Cline. I wouldn’t change having my daughter for the world, but I wish like hell she had a different mother.

  “I doubt you’ll want her anywhere near you once she opens her mouth,” I reply, sliding my phone into my back pocket.

  He shrugs, looking back to the people. “Well, every time she opens her mouth, I can put my dick in it. Problem solved.”

  I chuckle, shaking my head at him. “What the fuck ever.”

  Brass continues talking, but I quit paying attention when a hot piece of ass be
nds over to pull her suitcase off the luggage carousel. Staring down at her ample ass, I feel my cock growing hard. She has black hair, pulled to the side in a low ponytail, showing off a daisy tattoo on the back of her neck. Her arms are covered in colorful tattoos that, even from this distance, look like a magnificent piece of art. All that pales in comparison when she turns around, and I get my first look at her face. She’s fucking beautiful.

  She’s got the perfect heart-shaped face, with a deep dimple on her left cheek. She’s got one of those noses that turn up on the end, giving her a look of sophistication that somehow seems to fit her. Her lips are amazing, lush and tinted a deep shade of red. What I wouldn’t give to have those lips wrapped around my cock.

  When she starts walking my way, a smile spreads across my face. I look her up and down, seeing luscious tits encased in a crisp black shirt that is buttoned up just enough to keep her nipples covered. The damn thing is so fucking tight, it looks like it may explode at any moment. My eyes keep traveling down, taking in her long legs that are shoved in a pair of white jeans. The bitch isn’t more the few inches shorter than me. She’s wearing boots that come to her knees, that have to have at least four-inch heels on them. The image of holding on to those heels while I fuck her flashes through my mind, and my cock starts to throb.

  When she comes to a stop in front of me, a wide smile on her face, I damn near reach out and grab her. Her deep brown eyes bore into me, making me feel like she can see my soul, but there is just something about them that draws my attention and keeps it. Then, the reason I am here pops back into my head. Motherfucker! I can tell she’d be willing to do anything I wanted, but that’s not going to happen. As much as I want to, I can’t do this right now. I’ve gotta get Ronni and watch her back.

  Before I can say anything, she lays her hand on my chest and leans close. “Hey, Van. It’s been a long time.”

  I stare down at her, surprise filling me. I’ve forgotten more women than I can count, but I can’t imagine forgetting someone like her. I try to open my mouth, but I’m unable to say a word. I take in her features, looking closer than before. When my eyes land on the small scar running through her left eyebrow, I jump back, knowing immediately who she is. How the fuck did little Ronni turn into the hottest bitch I’ve ever laid eyes on? Still not taking my gaze from hers, I pull in a deep breath.

  Looking confused, she moves back a step. “Thanks for coming to pick me up. Sorry to keep you waiting. I didn’t think the plane was ever going to get here. There was one damn delay after another.”

  When I still don’t say anything, Brass steps forward and grabs her suitcase. “Ignore him. He seems to have lost a few brain cells in the last few minutes. He’s not interesting anyway. You’ll have a hell of a lot more fun with me.”

  She smiles at him then moves her eyes up and down his body. “Yep, I figure you could do a good job of keeping me occupied until my Dad gets out of jail. I happen to get really lonely at night. Never did like sleeping all by myself.”

  It takes a second for her words to register. As soon as they do, my anger spikes. No fucking way is Brass getting anywhere near her. If she’s gonna be in anyone’s bed, it’ll be mine. I cut off the thought as soon as it passes through my mind. Tito expects me to watch over her, not fuck her. I can’t touch her. If I did, Tito would cut off my balls. Hell, he should.

  “Fuck no,” I grumble, grabbing her arm and pulling her to me. “That shit’s not gonna happen, so stay the hell away from him.”

  “Don’t get your panties in a wad, Van. I was just teasing. Dad already laid down the law: no bikers for me. At least, none that wear the Riot MC cut.” She pats my chest, letting out a laugh. “He did mention something about us going to the Grim Bustards’ clubhouse, and he never said anything about those boys. The last time we were there, I met this guy who could do amazing things with his…”

  I cut her off, getting in her face. “Not gonna happen.”

  She shuts her mouth but doesn’t lose her smile. I ignore it, trying to figure out how the hell I’m gonna live with her for the next month without taking her to my bed. Motioning for her to go ahead, I grab the suitcase from Brass and follow behind her.

  We only make it a few steps before she turns around and asks, “Did Denver get settled in all right? I was surprised when Dad said it was okay to bring him. With him being so big, I thought for sure you’d want me to leave him with my roommates. I have to say, I’m glad you let him come. I don’t like being away from him for very long. Not sure I could have made it the entire month Dad’s going to be in lock-up.”

  “Oh, yeah. He made it all right,” I growl out as the sound of Brass’s chuckle reaches my ears. “He was sleeping on my brand new leather couch when I left. He seemed to be doing good, but I’m not sure if my couch will ever be the same.”

  “Good, I didn’t like the idea of him being with strangers,” she says, turning around and starting to walk again. “I was worried about sending him through animal delivery service, but the plane doesn’t let animals over two-hundred pounds ride, even if they’re in their kennel.”

  I ignore Brass’s continued laughter as I follow her through the crowd. My eyes keep going to her ass, watching the way it sways from side to side. My dick thumps against my zipper in anticipation with every step she takes. By the time we get out of the airport, I come to the decision that, if I get to fuck her, it may be worth losing my balls.

  Chapter Eight

  Veronica

  Looking out the window, I take in the tiny town of Cotton Plains. I swear, if I blink my eyes, I’ll miss it. It’s a one-stoplight kind of town, the Indiana version of Pleasantville. It has a gas station, a Piggly Wiggly, and a dive restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch only. That’s it. But with Indy just forty minutes away, that’s all that is needed.

  “Nothing’s changed,” I say, more to myself than the other occupants of the car.

  Brass looks over his shoulder to see me sitting in the back seat. “When’s the last time you were here?”

  “I was like seven or eight.” I shrug, not quite sure.

  I try not to think back on the last time I visited Dad at Cotton Plains. That memory is not a good one. Kendra made my life a living hell. She always had, but that summer, she was especially brutal. When it was time for me to go back to Mom and Timothy’s, I wanted nothing more than never to see Kendra again. Thankfully, I haven’t.

  “You okay back there, sweet thing? You’ve been pretty quiet,” Brass says, still looking over his shoulder.

  A smile spreads across my face as I look his way and respond. “I don’t know. Maybe you should crawl back here and check for yourself.”

  Van grumbles under his breath as Brass chuckles. He shoots me a wink and turns around. The look in his eyes lets me know he has figured out my game. I’m flirting with him as a way to deflect Van’s attention, hoping he won’t see what is probably written all over my face. No way do I want Van to realize what I felt the moment I laid eyes on him.

  I can’t stop myself from looking at Van, taking in all the beauty that is him. He was a cute boy when he was a teenager. I remember having a little girl crush on him, even before I knew what a crush was, but that crush turned into full-blown attraction when I saw him again.

  He’s not what I would call tall but definitely not short. I would guess he’s closing in on six feet. He’s muscular but not overly so, just built in a way that lets me know he can take care of himself. His arms are covered in ink. Unlike the colorful art on my body, all his tattoos are varying shades of black and gray. They’re intricate and beautiful, making me long to run my tongue over every line.

  His deep auburn hair is streaked with multiple shades of gold, reminding me of the colors of fall. It’s thick and hangs nearly to his shoulders, with visible waves here and there. My fingers itch to reach out and touch it, to run through the silky strands. Not trusting myself, I push them between my thighs and the seat, trapping them under me.

/>   “We need to have a talk. I planned on doing it when we got home, but I don’t think we’re gonna have time,” Van says, drawing me out of my daydream of touching him.

  “Okay,” I mumble, wondering what is going to come out of his mouth.

  “My daughter, Cline, is going to be at the house in a little bit. When she gets there, I expect you to treat her right. I know my mom put you through hell, but don’t take that out on my kid. If you do, promise to your dad or not, I’ll put your ass out.”

  Fury ricochets through my body as his words work their way through my brain. I’m pissed as fuck that he would even say such a thing to me. On the other hand, I understand his need to protect his child. As wonderful as my dad is, as wonderful as he has always been, I still wish he would have had the same type of discussion with Kendra.

  “I’m not a fucking thing like your mother. That woman is part of my past that I try my best to forget,” I explain, unable to keep the anger out of my voice. “Even if I was still holding a grudge, I wouldn’t take it out on a little girl.”

  “Fair enough,” he mumbles, looking at me in the rear-view mirror. “Another thing, you need to watch that fucking tank you call a dog. Even if he isn’t mean, being his size, he could easily hurt her.”

  My knee-jerk reaction is to defend my dog, say Denver would never hurt anyone, but I can’t do that. Denver is massive, and he sometimes has trouble controlling his bulk. It’s even worse when he gets excited. He would never mean to hurt the little girl, but if he jumped on her, he would hurt her.

  “I’ll keep a close eye on him when she’s around. If I even think he is going to hurt her, I’ll keep him in his kennel or my room until I leave,” I promise, even though I hate the thought of Denver not having room to play.

  “If he causes too much trouble, you and the dog can bunk at my place,” Brass says, looking back at me with a huge smile on his face.