OWNED & UNTAMED (Back Down Devil MC #11) - London Casey Page 0,53
again…”
“Fuck you,” Jim spat.
Trent stepped toward the table. Duke quickly put a hand out and stopped him.
“Everyone take a breath,” Duke said. “This is about the Hell Five and their intentions with that land and the implications it has for the club.”
“And to protect your pussy,” Trent said.
I gasped, realizing I was the pussy.
“Trent,” Trev said. “Why don’t you escort Jimbo here to pack his shit up.”
“Pack his shit up?” I asked.
“I gave him a choice,” Duke said to me. “Something to think about. He’s got to face the club and the table. We’ve got to find a way to make all of this right…”
“You can’t take my brother,” I said, looking at Trev.
“I’m not taking anyone. He’s coming with us. Driving himself.”
“Belle,” Jim said.
“No!” I yelled.
Duke touched my arm and I tried to swat him away.
“Sweetie,” Duke said. “You don’t understand…”
I hurried to the back door and left the house. I walked out to the deck and stared at the cut tree. Duke had done all the work without me asking. And the yard looked better already.
That didn’t change what was happening on the inside of my house though.
I heard the door open behind me and knew it was Duke.
“Don’t,” I said.
But he touched my back anyway. He turned and leaned against the railing. It was damn impossible to not look at his beautiful muscles. His eyes were as evil as I could ever remember, but that was always Duke.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “Jim needs to come to the clubhouse to explain everything and to be protected. If he’s innocent, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“I don’t understand this.”
“Sweetie, I can’t explain all of it. The guys that are buying that land aren’t good. And neither are the other guys that think we had something to do with it. I could have sold Jim out but I’m putting my ass on the line for him.”
“Trev said you put up a fight about me,” I said.
Duke grinned. “Of course I did, Belle. I… you’ve always been special to me. You know that. I’m trying to do what’s best for everyone. That includes you.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning you’re coming to the clubhouse too. It’s not safe here, sweetie.”
“I’m not safe in my childhood home?”
“No,” Duke said. “It hurts me to say that to you. I know what this means. I was watched the last time I came up here. Okay? So we have to move.”
Duke slipped his arm around me and pulled at me. I touched his sweaty body and flinched. I made a sick face and rolled my eyes.
“Please, sweetie,” he said. “You like my sweat.”
“You didn’t have to cut that tree.”
“Yes I did. It matters to you. I was awake and my head was spinning like crazy. So I came out to burn off some steam. That’s all.”
I felt the emotion creep up inside me. “I can’t believe all this is happening.”
“Neither can I, but it’s the way we live. You never know when the reaper is going to call your number. Until then, you just keep fighting. It’s all we can do. Fight with me, sweetie. Just like we used to do.”
“Should I call you a gross pig?” I asked. “And run away from you?”
“You can try,” Duke said. “But I’ll always get you.”
Now both hands touched me. He leaned against the deck and kept me close. His right hand slipped up my shirt right to my bare breast. His fingertips playfully touched my nipple, making me shiver. My hands touched his bare chest. I sank my nails into his chest, groaning.
“I hate you so much, Duke,” I said. “For everything that’s happened.”
“I know you do,” he said. “But I’m not going anywhere this time. I’ll make everything work. You just have to trust me. These guys are my family. They’re my brothers. I would never put anyone in harm’s way. Trev is our President, sweetie. He’s got his own way of doing things. You just have to get used to it.”
“What are they going to do with Jim?” I asked.
“The club has to vote on it. Come up with a plan. I told Jim if he came to the clubhouse it would help. And selfishly, I want you there too, so you can be protected.”
I moved up on my toes and kissed Duke. “That’s for cutting the tree.”
I backed up, Duke’s hand still in my shirt.
The back door opened again and Duke moved his hand down.
“We have to get moving,” Trent said. “The other girl is here.”