Dix: A Motorcycle Club Romance (Reckless Souls MC Book 7), page 16
“I love you, Dix. I love you so much. I want to stay here and build a life with you. If you’ll have me.” I hate that I added that at the end. I’m not an insecure woman who asks for permission.
Unless my heart is on the line.
“You love me?” A slow smile spreads across his face, happy and sexy and sultry.
I nod. “That’s what I said. What are you going to do about it?” I squeal with laughter as his hands dig into my hips and flips our position so his big body presses mine into the mattress, his cock pushing right up against my center.
“I only have one plan where you’re concerned, Valentina.”
“Yeah,” I smile. “I’d love to hear it.”
“I plan to love you every fucking day of my life and with my whole damn being. Is that enough?”
I inhale deeply as my heart thunders in my chest at Dix’s words. They are simple yet sweet. In fact, I can’t remember hearing sweeter words. “Dix,” I whisper softly, my eyes stinging with the urge to cry, but I refuse. This isn’t a sad moment, it’s a happy, joyful one.
“I mean it. I want you here with me, at my side and in my bed. I’ll support whatever you need. Just name it.” He brushes soft kisses along my collarbone, my jaw line and the space between my breasts before his lips climb my throat to get to my mouth. And then he says, “I fucking love you, and I refuse to go another moment without having you here in my life. With me. Mine.”
“Yours. I like the sound of that. A lot.”
“Yeah?” He lowers his head slowly until our lips crash together in a hot and fiery kiss that heats my skin all over and makes my toes curl.
I nod against his lips and arch into him. “Yeah.”
“That’s good, Princess. Real fucking good.” His hips press against mine and he deepens the kiss and I just know what’s about to happen next.
A loud, forceful knock sounds three times on the door, followed about a deeply masculine voice I recognize as Coop. “Dix. Valentina. We need to talk to both of you.”
My body crumbles at the distraction, but I keep my legs tight around his waist. “No.”
“Yes,” Dix mouths. “We have to.” He kisses me and pulls back with a knowing smile as if he knows his effect on me.
He calls out, “Be right there!” and kisses me again with a groan.
“Later, I’m going to lick your pussy until you cry, and then I’ll fuck you until you can’t walk.”
My body shivers at his crass words, and my hips buck against his. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
Coop knocks again, and Dix’s head falls against my shoulder.
“Not just later,” he growls. “All goddamn night long.”
“In that case, let’s go, so we can hurry up and get back to bed. We have lots of time to make up for, man of mine.”
He kisses one nipple and then the other before he pushes away from me and off the bed. “Let’s go, Valentine.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Dix
It takes Valentina a little longer to get ready than I expect, but then, it’s been a long fucking time since I had to wait for a woman to get dressed. When she does a sexy little twirl to show off her long legs and that strip of golden brown skin between her tank top and her skirt, I know the wait is well fucking worth it. “Well?”
“Gorgeous as always.” I press a soft kiss to her mouth and wrap one arm around her because I can’t be this close to her without fucking touching her. A part of me worries that if I blink or get too far from her, she’ll just disappear from me. Again. “Ready for this, whatever it is?”
“Not at all but we’re in this together. Right?”
“Damn straight.” I smile and take her hand in mine and tug her out of the room and down the dim hall where all of my MC brothers are waiting for me. No, they’re waiting for us. “What’s up?”
Ace’s expression is grim, and my heart clenches in my chest, tight and suffocating. “Valentina needs to go back with Rojas, not forever, but just for now.”
I can feel the sharp intake of breath beside me, the way she stiffens at Ace’s words. “No. Abso-fucking-lutely not,” I growl at Ace.
Valentina’s green gaze flies to mine. “Dix?”
I don’t know what to say. I feel like an asshole, more when she stares at me like I’m a goddamn traitor.
“Arturo will be here soon.”
She throws up her hands in frustration. “You’re his boss, not mine, and it’s clear none of you give a fuck about me. I’m out of here.” She stomps off toward our room.
I turn to Ace as anger burns deep in my gut. “I don’t fucking believe this. What the fuck does this have to do with Rojas?”
Ace’s jaw clenches tight but he doesn’t give away much in the way of emotions. Never does. “She’s his daughter. We need to keep a good relationship with Arturo and LTC. We can’t afford to fuck this up, not when we’re so close to getting what we want.”
My heart is goddamn seizing in my chest. “I never thought the day would come,” I growl. “You’re sacrificing her to punish me, right?” I shake my head. “Enjoy your deal with Rojas and his psychopathic shit of a son.” I turn and leave, hoping to catch Valentina before she does something stupid.
“Yo, Dix! Wait up.” Banger catches up to me with a crooked smile. “Look, brother. This is just how it has to be. For now. No one is saying she can’t make her own decisions.”
“Bullshit,” I cut him off. “That’s exactly what you’re saying. It’s like y’all want to return her like she’s some goddamn lost purse. It’s fucked up, man, and you know it.”
“Maybe, yeah,” he agrees. “But just for now.”
“You mean just long enough for him to ship her back to Colombia or force her to marry some other fucking cartel dude?” I shake my head in disgust. “Whatever you need to tell yourself, Banger. Doubt you’d be saying that if we decided to hand over Willow just to keep the fucking peace.”
I walk to my room just as the door flies open and Valentina storms out.
“Dix,” she growls and shoulder checks me on her way out of the clubhouse.
“Valentina, wait up babe. Please.”
“No. I need to get…away from here. Muy pronto.” Her heels smack against the tile floors, and I chase after her, feeling like I’m in the middle of a never ending nightmare.
I’m right on her heels, and we both come to an abrupt stop at the sight of her father, Arturo, alone. This is the first time I’ve seen him without one of his sons or his bodyguards in tow.
“Valentina, mi hija.” His arms extend outward, and when I see the mistrust in her eyes, I feel terrible that I’m the man who put that look on her face. “Don’t keep your father waiting. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
With reluctance, she drops her bag and walks toward her father, who seems a bit haggard since the last time I saw him. “Papa.”
“You are good?” His dark brows furrow, and he puts an arm’s length of space between them, eyeing her up and down.
“Good?” Her tone is harsh and bitter. “No Papa, I am not good,” she snaps and inhales deep breath that, when she lets it out, speaks in rapid-fire and angry as fuck Spanish.
I don’t catch much of what she’s saying, but I understand some of it. Eighth-grade Spanish stuck a little bit in my brain.
She tells him she was drugged and locked in a mansion somewhere outside Bogota. Then there’s something about sicarios and a harrowing escape.
“You didn’t come for me,” she says in crystal clear English that makes her sound like a sad little girl.
Arturo seems unlike himself, almost out of sorts and uncertain. “I have been searching for your brother. He needs to pay for what he’s done.”
She tosses her head back and scoffs. “You mean he needs to pay for disobeying you.”
She holds up one hand and picks up her bag with the other. “It’s all right, Papa. I understand. LTC and my brothers will always come first. Always.”
The older man’s shoulders fall in disappointment or frustration or maybe it’s just sadness. He realizes he isn’t among friends.
Allies, perhaps, but not friends, and he stands a little taller, darkens his expression before he looks straight at me.
“She ran away from Colombia and ran to you instead of her family?”
Whatever point he’s trying to make, he doesn’t wait for a word from me.
“She must love you.”
“I do, Papa.” She shakes her head. “Does that matter to you all of a sudden?”
“That’s all that matters to me, Valentina. I’m not a monster.” He turns back to me. “She loves you, that much is obvious. The question is do you love her?”
“This is all touching and shit,” Ace growls as he steps between Arturo and me, “but it’s not relevant. Not right now.”
Arturo grins. “That’s where you’re wrong, Mr. Ace. Valentina is my only daughter. She is my life, and her happiness, her safety, are my top priority.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Shades roars his question with a scowl. “We’re here to talk business. Right?”
Arturo’s face splits into a wide grin. “Family is the only business that matters at the end of the day. I need to know mi hija is safe before focusing on business.”
“You’ll never have to worry about her safety, Arturo. Valentina is safe with me. She always will be,” I say, looking directly into his dark eyes.
“Excellent.” He claps and grins at me and then Valentina, arms wide and happy. “You will get married right away, and then we can return to our business matters.”
Val looks at me with the same wide-eyed expression I’m wearing, and we burst out laughing. “Papa, married, really?”
“Yes, hija. You are not safe on your own. Marriage is the only way to guarantee your safety. You will become a citizen of the United States.”
“This isn’t the days of old, Papa!”
“Yes, I know that mi amor, but being my daughter comes with many risks and constant danger to you and your family. Merely having this man love you, no matter how true it is, just isn’t enough.”
My heart thumps against my chest. I feel the electricity in the air, the change that’s about to happen if I can’t find a way to speak up. “Mr. Rojas.”
But he holds up his hand to stop me. “No. I know you love her. I can see it in your eyes. But love isn’t enough. No. You must get married.”
Valentina stomps her foot. “You’re wrong Papa. A piece of paper, no matter what it means to Dix and me, won’t stop your enemies or his from coming after me.” Her shoulders square beautifully, like a warrior preparing for battle.
“Maybe so,” Arturo hedges. “But if you don’t marry him, you will return to Colombia where I know I can keep you safe from all of my enemies.”
“Including Emiliano? Because I will never set foot in the same room he is in, not ever again, Papa.”
He frowns. “You let me worry about your hermano.” He nods. “You worry about planning your wedding, hija. The sooner it takes place, the better for everyone. Especially you, Valentina.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Valentina
As soon as we’re inside Dix’s room with some privacy from his motorcycle buddies and Papa, I turn to him with a serious expression and sigh.
“You don’t have to marry me, Dix, not like this.” I sigh because how do I tell the man I want to marry that he doesn’t have to do this? “I don’t want you to marry me out of obligation.”
Dix’s lips twitch with amusement, and his eyes sparkle as he leans in close. “If not out of obligation, Valentina, why do you want me to marry you?”
I roll my eyes and turn dramatically, falling back on the bed with an even more dramatic sigh. “Dix, please.”
He drops down beside me and turns to face me, his nearness making my heart beat against my chest so loud it’s all I can hear.
“Valentina. Your father is right. Marrying you is the best way to keep you safe, and I would walk through the hottest fires of hell to protect you.”
His jaw clenches in that sexy way he has of letting me know he’s serious, and when his hand goes to my stomach, I suppress a shiver at his touch.
“Okay,” I sigh. “You want to keep me safe. I’ll be safe if I stay here with you, right?”
“So, you don’t want to marry me.” It’s not a question and his confusion couldn’t be more…adorable.
“It’s not that.” The last thing I want is to marry the man of my dreams only for him to turn around and regret it. “I know how I feel about you, Dix.”
“And how is that?” His lips curl into a sexy panty-melting smile that almost makes me forget about the incredibly serious conversation we’re having, so I slam my eyes shut to get back on track.
“I love you, Dix. Or, more accurately, I am in love with you. I know it’s too soon for that, and I know that this all sounds crazy, but it’s how I feel. I want to be with you, and I want to marry you, but given my feelings you can understand why I don’t want to marry you…like this. Can’t you?”
His hand slides underneath my shirt, brushing back and forth against my skin. “I understand, but shit, Valentina. How can I not want to marry you when you’re so fucking great about this?”
I frown. “About what?”
“You want to marry me?”
I nod.
“But you’ll pass and then what?” His face matches the question he just asked as if there’s something he doesn’t believe. “Go to Colombia rather than tie me to you for the rest of our lives?”
My breath hitches at his words and let it out slowly. “Yes?”
“And I do want to marry you.”
“You do?” My heart races, and I try to sit up, but the slightest pressure against my belly stops me and holds me down. “Dix.”
He opens his mouth, and I hold my breath to hear what he’s about to say, only he doesn’t say anything because someone picks that moment to knock on the door like the clubhouse is on fire. “Yo, Dix! Open up!”
“Banger,” he growls and stares at the door with enough ferocity to explode the damn thing. “What?”
“Open the fucking door, man. It’s important. You know I wouldn’t interrupt you with your girl if it wasn’t.”
“Shit,” he growls and flashes an apologetic smile at me. “Sorry,” he mouths and pushes off the bed, yanking the door open with an angry scowl. “What?”
Banger flashes a smile as if he knows what he’s interrupted. “Sorry, man, but there’s a problem at Morgan’s house, and we need to get there. Fast. Lucky is there with her. Alone. Get Nova. I’m on my way out.”
“All right. One fucking second.” He slams the door and turns to me.
I know the Morgan name. Papa’s done business with him for many years, but this frightens me.
“Stay here with the girls. Find Letty or Gia, and they’ll introduce you to the others.”
I nod again, “Okay.” I breathe out. “Gia and Letty.”
He smiles and leans in to press his lips to mine, a hard and possessive kiss that makes my heart thump even harder. “Be back soon, fiancée.”
Fiancée. I don’t know how long I sit on the bed and watch the space where Dix just stood, but eventually, I push to my feet and walk down the hall to find plenty of women inside the clubhouse, drinking and playing darts, billiards, and just being together. Friends.
Family.
Most of them probably view me as the enemy thanks to, if not my father, then my brother. So I order a drink from a woman dressed in black standing behind the bar. She serves me with an unfriendly scowl, and I sit at an empty table. And drink. Alone.
“Yo. Valentina, right?”
I look up at a woman with bright blue hair and tattoos, a small smile on her lips. She’s standing with an arm flung around a woman who looks much nicer. “Yes, I’m Valentina. And you are?”
The pretty lady introduces herself. “I’m Letty,” she says and drops into a chair beside me. “And that’s Gia. She looks tougher than she is.”
I glance at the woman called Gia as she sits and rolls her eyes, full lips in a wide smile. “I’m exactly as tough as I look,” she says and leans in. “But I’m only a bitch when I want to be.”
Gia and Letty. Ouch.
I nod and look between the women who couldn’t be more different but somehow belong to this family. “And do you want to be a bitch now?”
She shrugs and leans back with another unamused smile. I know women like her. I’ve met plenty in my life. She’s tough, sure, but mostly she’s scared. “Kind of. Why should we trust you?” she asks.
I shrug in the same way and lean back, mirroring her posture. “I’m not here to earn your trust.”
Her eyes go wide, and I can see Letty start to squirm nervously just as Gia’s lips pull into something resembling respect. “Then what the fuck are you doing here? I mean, really.”
“Not that it is any of your business, but I’m here with Dix. Nothing more.”
Letty sighs, her chin resting in one hand and a smile on her face. “That’s sweet.”
“Is it?” Gia snorts and leans in, even the pretense of humor is now gone. “Or are you here thinkin’ you’re gonna be some kind of mole for your psychopathic father?”
“Psychopathic?” I purr the word and lean forward, again matching her stance. “Is that all you have? I have known that about my Papa since I was a little girl. The things he’s done in the name of the family business would make most grown men cry like babies. So, Miss Gia, I don’t need to be a mole, not when your man and her man are all doing business with him.”
“Your man, too,” Gia reminds me.
“I am well aware of the connection, thank you.” I stare at Gia for a long moment and realize that, while I still feel uncomfortable, it’s good to know these women aren’t just quiet women who do as they’re told. At least Gia isn’t. “What else do you want to know?”
Gia grins. “I thought it wasn’t any of my fucking business?”
“It’s not, but I’ll be around for a long time, and if this will put your mind at ease, ask away.” I give a dismissive wave of my hand that I think will piss her off.
