Dix: A Motorcycle Club Romance (Reckless Souls MC Book 7), page 11
“I…” He doesn’t finish the thought, just shakes his head and leans forward to kiss me long and slow until his cock slips from my body.
Neither of us moves for a long time. Eventually, sleep claims us for long hours, minus the few times we wake up and reach for one another, bodies so needy for each other that it’s instinctive, animalistic. Powerful.
Smiling wider than ever, I slip on his t-shirt sometime just before sunrise and slip from the bed on shaky legs. I have stubble rash all over my body, but I can’t stop smiling as I pad down the steps and into the kitchen.
I’m not much of a cook, but I can make eggs, and this is the first time I’ve ever cooked for a man. I grab the eggs and butter from the fridge along with the few items in the spice rack and get busy on four fried eggs.
“Thank fuck,” Dix growls from upstairs. “If I don’t get some food in me soon, I won’t have enough energy to fuck you again.”
I laugh and shake my head at his words. It’s funny how words that I would call crass from another mouth touch me deeply when spoken by his lips. “Can’t have that, can we?”
“Hell no,” he says from behind me, startling a gasp from me.
“You move well for a big guy.”
His lips tug into an amused grin. “Damn straight.” His nostrils flare and heat darkens his eyes. “I like the look of you in my clothes.”
I smile at him over my shoulder. “I like being surrounded by your smell.”
His lips pull into a lopsided grin that sets off fireworks inside my belly. “Valentina, what am I going to do with you?”
The answer is there on the tip of my tongue. “Well…” I begin just as his phone rings up in the loft.
“Hold that thought.” He winks and rushes upstairs to get his phone.
Well, you could love me like I love you remains unsaid between us, but I send the wish up into the universe anyway.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Dix
I bound up the stairs to the loft, taking them two at a time, knowing that a call at this hour must be important. As I reach the top, I pause, catching my breath and stare at Ace's name on the screen. “Ace, man, what's up?”
The line stays quiet for a moment, and the tension crackles like a live wire. “I need to ask you a question, and I need you to be honest with me.”
My free hand clenches into a fist. “I'm always honest with you. What's this about?” I suspect it’s about Valentina, the woman downstairs who’s captured my heart and turned my world upside down. “Well?”
“Are you with Valentina?”
Damn it. My shoulders slump, and I can’t lie to Ace now that he’s asked directly. I won’t.
“I am,” I say cautiously. “Why?”
I think of all the reasons we shouldn’t be together, the ones I’ve tried to ignore because being with her feels so right.
Ace sighs, the sound heavy with frustration. “Her brother, Emiliano, called about an hour ago. Said she’s been kidnapped. He didn't blame us, but he called to let me know he’s going to the authorities if she doesn't come back soon.”
“Shit,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m sorry, man.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “She’s not kidnapped. She’s safe, and she’s in my bed.”
“I don’t give a shit about that right now, Dix. We can talk about that later,” Ace says in a hushed, urgent tone. “Right now, we need to get Valentina back to her family. Before the shit hits the fan.”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “All right. We’re not close, but we’ll head back in the next half hour. You talk to Rojas or the other son?”
“No. Doesn’t matter. We don’t need the heat of the cops on us right now.”
I nod. “I know, but you should know why Valentina and I are together tonight.”
“No, I really don’t give a fuck. Just get her back to her family, pronto.”
“Goddammit, Ace, just fucking listen to me for one goddamn minute.”
I know I’m wrong for keeping this big fucking secret even if I have a good reason for doing so, but this is important.
“She called me because Emiliano is stepping outside the family to have someone take me out.”
He curses under his breath. “I’ll handle that problem, but right now, this isn’t about their family business. It’s about avoiding trouble with the goddamn law. Got it?”
“Yes. Jesus. All right. We’ll be on our way.” I grip the phone tight in my hands and then end the call. My jaw clenches in frustration, and I resist the urge to toss the phone at the wall, to turn the bed over the edge of the loft. Instead, I head back down to Valentina and meet her green gaze head on.
“Is everything all right?”
“Yeah…no.”
She smiles. “Oh, that’s perfectly clear.”
“Your brother is causing more trouble,” I tell her what Ace just told me. “So we need to get back to Angel Harbor before the law starts looking for you.”
Her hands curl into fists at her sides, but her expression is blank, at least until a shadow of anger clouds her otherwise beautiful face.
“Fucking Emiliano,” she growls angrily. “He can’t stop meddling, and he’s so hypocritical. He can fuck whomever he wants, but I’m supposed to play the role of grieving widow for all of fucking eternity.”
“He’s an asshole,” I agree, “but right now, the concern is keeping the law off our collective asses.”
“That’s the thing.” She practically shouts as she turns to remove the eggs from the heat, skillfully sliding two on each plate before she turns back to me, arms folded. “How is this okay? He is literally putting the family business at risk with his behavior because he’s too concerned with my love life.”
I don’t understand it either but she’s already riled up, and I don’t want to add to her anger. “People get crazy when it comes to protecting their loved ones.”
“Bullshit,” she spits scornfully. “This isn’t about me. He’s upset because he thinks we’re together, and he doesn’t like it. And the crazy part? This isn’t even about you and me. He’s pissed off that a woman killed Alejandro.”
I bark out a laugh. “That’s some immature shit right there, babe. But right now, it is what it is, and we need to get back.”
“I know. But we should eat first.” She hands me a plate with two eggs and two slices of toast. “We deserve it after the night we’ve had.”
“It’s still night,” I remind her with a smile.
“Another reason to hate my brother,” she grins and takes a bite of her breakfast. “I had plans for you after this refueling.”
My gaze meets hers, and I smile. “No shit. I planned to make you come all over this cabin.”
She shivers. “Fucking Emiliano,” she growls again but it ends with a laugh. “At least we got a few hours together.” Her heart is in her eyes, and I know she feels the same connection I do.
It’s just too damn bad we’re both powerless to do anything about it.
“Don’t walk away from me again, Valentina.” I don’t even care that I’m begging.
“I won’t. It nearly killed me the last time.”
“Ah, fuck, babe.” I close the distance between us, putting both of our plates in the sink and pulling her into my arms, kissing her because I’m desperate for another taste of her. After this latest stunt, who knows when I’ll get to see her next. I pick her up by the waist and set her on the countertop, stepping between her legs.
We need no words as Valentina wraps her legs around my waist and shoves my boxers down until my cock is free. Then she reaches between us, stroking me a few times before guiding me into her pussy.
Right there in the kitchen we come together, hard, fast and explosive. It’s perfect, and it’s hot, and it’s un-fucking-forgettable. “You are so fucking perfect,” I growl against her ear, smiling at how she shivers in my arms.
“It’s not nearly enough,” she whispers back. “It’ll never be enough.”
No woman has ever had the power to unravel me the way she does. Even in Costa Rica, she could disarm me with a smile. One laugh can make me scale mountains just to hear the next one. “You’re my sweet Valentine.”
“I like it when you call me that,” she answers and looks me deep in my eyes like she wants to say more.
But we don’t have the time for that now. We shower together and dress quickly. “Put this on,” I tell her and toss my hoodie in her direction.
“I’m keeping it,” she says and slips it over her head with a smile.
“You can wear it the next time I see you.”
We take a few minutes to tidy the cabin before I lock the door behind us. Maybe next time we’ll have more time together.
We snap on our helmets, and the engine roars to life beneath us. Seconds later, the bike is speeding along the path around the lake, through the small town, and onto the road. I hop on and off the freeway just in case her idiot brother has the police on our tail. There’s no way he knows about this place—no one does—but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.
With her arms tight around me and the wind whipping against me, I can almost pretend we’re just out for a ride instead of heading home to an uncertain future together.
We arrive at Angel Harbor just as the morning traffic picks up, and I pull into the parking garage beneath the hotel, right up to the elevator.
I kill the engine and remove my helmet, the gravity of our situation sinking in. Valentina's eyes brim with tears, and she reaches up to touch my face, her thumb gently caressing my cheek. “Promise me we’ll figure this out, Dix.”
“I will,” I tell her. “I promise.” I wait until the elevator doors close to take her to her suite when I realize what a big fucking lie that is.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Valentina
As the elevator climbs, my anger rises with it. By the time the doors slide open on the family floor, I'm ready for battle. I storm straight to Papa’s suite, where I’m sure all I’ll find the men waiting with my father. My heart pounds as I shove the doors open, letting them smack against the walls. I don’t even wince, my gaze locked on my infuriating little brother.
“Valentina,” Papa greets me with a warm voice, but I’m too livid to focus on anything but Emiliano.
“You asshole!” I shove at his chest and smack his face, letting my fury guide my hands until Benedicto pulls me away. “You have no right to interfere in my personal life! I have a right to live my own damn life, Emiliano!”
“I have every right to keep you safe!” he shouts back, his face contorted with anger.
I shrug out of Bene’s hold and let out a loud bark of laughter. “Keep me safe? You can’t even keep yourself safe. If not for Papa and Bene, you would have been dead years ago. Imbécil.”
His eyes go wide as I land a direct hit to his overinflated ego. “That’s not true.”
“Isn’t it?” I fold my arms across my chest and glare at Emiliano, who I don’t even recognize as my brother anymore. “You think you’re so big and bad, so fucking tough, but it is only out of respect for Papa—and his money—that allows you to continue breathing. You never fucking think,” I tell him and flick his forehead, fueling his anger.
He lunges forward, but Bene steps between us, shoving Emiliano back a few steps. “Back up,” he demands, his voice low and threatening.
Emiliano is undeterred. He takes a few steps forward and spits out, “Yeah? Then tell us where you were. If you’re so independent, tell us where you were!”
Papa steps in front of his face. “Basta! Enough!” he barks furiously, turning to mean all of us. His narrowed gaze signals he’s had enough of our nonsense. “I am sick of this,” he says, throwing up his hands in frustration. “The same fight over and over again.”
“But Papa,” Emiliano protests.
“No,” he shouts, cutting Emiliano off. “I am so furious with you, Emiliano. Your actions have drawn unwanted attention to the family. You think American law enforcement doesn’t know we’re here? If they weren’t on our tails before, they will be now.”
Emiliano tries again, desperation edging his voice. “Papa,” he pleads.
But our father won’t have it. “Our enemies and our rivals know we’re here, and worse, they know Valentina is with us and not back in Colombia. The American drug enforcement too. I thought you understood this business, that we don’t deal with the law. Ever.”
Emiliano’s eyes darken in disbelief. “Are you kidding, Papa? I am trying to keep everyone safe, including her,” he shouts, pointing an accusing finger at me.
“I was never in danger,” I retort and fold my arms.
Papa comes back at him, not wasting a breath. “And she isn’t the one threatening our business partners with the local law enforcement. Do you know what you’ve done?”
“She’s fucking one of those bikers, Papa.”
“Emiliano,” I growl, my voice low and full of venom.
“No, Valentina. You might think this is some game, some fucking adventure, but it’s not. You can’t fuck him. Not him.”
I fold my arms across my chest again. “Drop it. Right. Now.”
“No.” He shakes his head, his face flushed with rage. “You can’t do this.”
“Fine,” I throw my hands up and turn to Papa. I’m shouting now. “Emiliano is planning to hire someone to kill Jake Dixon. I’m sure that works well for your partnership with the Reckless Souls.”
My words hang heavy and thick in the silence, but Papa’s intake of breath has us all taking a step back. His gaze lasers in on Emiliano. “Did you talk to the police?”
“Papa,” he sighs and fists his hands at his hips.
“Si or no, Emil. Don’t make me ask again.”
“Yes,” he admits, his shoulders slumping. “I told them I thought my sister was kidnapped.”
Papa curses him in Spanish for several minutes before Bene lays a calming hand on his shoulder. “Valentina, let the police know this was all an unfortunate misunderstanding. And make sure Santiago is nearby.”
I nod and turn toward the door. The last thing I hear before closing the door behind me is Papa’s angry booming voice. I should feel bad about throwing Emiliano under the bus, but I don’t. Whatever is going on with him has gone too far, and Papa needs to know what he’s planning.
In my room, I shower and smile at the bruises Dix left on my hips and thighs. Then I slip into a knee-length navy blue dress and dark heels—my suit of armor to face the curious American law enforcement.
The station bustles with voices and ringing phones, but the moment I walk in, all the chaos comes to a halt. The officer at the desk looks at me with disdain, but I give him a confident smile.
“I am Valentina Rojas,” I say once I have everyone’s attention, “and as you can see, I am well and have not been kidnapped. It was merely a misunderstanding.”
After a quick statement, I am free to go. Thankfully, the quick process doesn’t require an attorney.
Outside again, I cross the parking lot to meet Santiago, standing as I left him, leaning against the car with his arms crossed and an angry expression on his face. Then, I hear my name.
“Valentina Rojas!”
I turn to see a woman, clearly in law enforcement by her drab gray suit, running to meet me. I raise a hand to stop Santiago from doing something foolish and wait for the woman to catch up. “Is there another statement needed?”
“No,” she says, breathless when she stops in front of me. “I am Agent Antonia Stiles, FBI. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions?”
FBI? I remember Papa’s warning. We don’t talk to law enforcement. So, I maintain my composure and shake my head. “No, you can’t. Why?”
The woman smiles. “Please, it's important.”
I scoff when I answer. “Agent Stiles, I don’t have any information that you could want.” I glance over at Santiago to see if he’s watching us. He is.
She stares at me for a long moment and nods. “Why don’t we go somewhere to talk, and I’ll decide if what you know can help me?”
A part of me wants to talk to her. This woman could be my ticket away from Papa’s control, from Emiliano’s overprotective tyranny. But she could also be the person to end my family’s legacy—a legacy I'm proud of, despite the current turmoil. I want to talk to her, to spite my brother, but I won’t betray my family. Ever.
“I’m sorry. If you’ll excuse me, Papa is waiting.” Without giving her a chance to regroup, I then turn to Santiago and slip inside the car door he’s holding open for me.
As we drive away from the station, I glance back at Agent Stiles. She stands there watching us, her expression unreadable. Santiago notices and narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything.
I can’t shake the feeling that Agent Stiles might hold the key to my future. Not that I would betray my family, but her presence reminds me that there’s a world beyond my family’s control, one where I could make my own choices without fear of retribution. But for now, I push the thought to the back of my mind, focusing on my immediate concerns.
We arrive back at the hotel, and I rush to my room, hoping for a moment of solitude. As I stand in front of the mirror, I see the reflection of the bruises on my body, reminders of my time with Dix. I smile, feeling a sense of freedom that only he has been able to give me.
Suddenly, a text message buzzes on my phone. I grab it, expecting to see Dix’s name, but my heart drops when I read the sender’s name. Agent Antonia Stiles. How did she get this number? I hesitantly open the message, my pulse racing.
Valentina, I understand you can’t talk right now, but know that if you ever need help or a way out, I’m here for you. Your safety is my priority. Agent Stiles.
My breath catches in my throat as I read her words, and I get a sense of unease. What does she know? Why is she reaching out to me? And most importantly, what does this mean for the family?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Dix
Banger rubs his hands together and blows on them for warmth. “It’s cold as fuck out here, Dix. Why couldn’t this shit come in later in the day when I don’t have to leave a warm woman in bed to come here?”
