Xerox Read online

  It takes only a split second before Maci’s head rears back and she glances over her shoulder at me. Her eyebrow raises as if she’s voicing my thoughts ‘Is he fucking kidding?’. Who the hell does this guy think he is? I’m about to sidestep Maci and throw this guy in the dirt, face first, before I kick the ever-loving-shit out of him.

  Except I’m prevented from doing just that when I feel Maci’s hand on my chest. A jolt goes through my body as her fingers spread out, nails digging in. Fuck. That feels good.

  “Okay, you know what?” Maci addresses Nero. She doesn’t even add something like ‘you have no right coming here’, nope, nothing else, before she pushes me back into the house with her and slams the door shut in his face.

  I have to reign in my laughter at the way she just cut him off. It’s a fleeting feeling though. “You know that will only piss him off more, right? It’s bound to blow back. This guy is straight out of the loony bin, and comes with guns and the fucking DEA trailing behind him.”

  I grab my phone and shoot a message to my VP, Corban. When my eyes leave the screen, I find Maci glaring at me.

  “What are you doing here?” she snaps.

  Ignoring her question, I decide to admire the vision before me some more. “You look good in my shirt.”

  It’s a light gray T-shirt with the Wicked Throttle patch printed on the right breast and there’s a large version on the back.

  “I know.” She glances down and takes the fabric that’s draped over both shoulders into her thumb and index finger, pulling it slightly up. Did she just sniff it? Fuck yeah, she did.

  Her hands fall away. “That’s also the reason you’re not getting it back. Now, tell me why you’re here, so you can run along. I have things to do.” She waves her fingers dismissively in front of her while she strolls toward the kitchen.

  Maci grabs a bottle of water, twists open the lid, and gulps it down. My eyes trail a drop of water that slips from her lips and finds its way down to her neck, going for her goddamn breasts. But I can’t see because it’s being absorbed by my shirt. Can someone be jealous of a shirt? Yes. The answer is hell yes, ‘cause I sure as fuck am.

  I’ve still got my gaze pinned on her rack when I hear someone knocking on the door…again. Bet that Nero fucker is still standing on the porch. This time I’m faster than Maci. I grip the doorknob and swing it open, while my other hand tightens into a fist, ready to pounce.

  Chapter Two

  ***Maci***

  I barely manage to wrap my arms around his waist. His hot muscled, great smelling, solid six-pack, very drool worthy, and toned body I might add. Focus, that’s hard enough as it is with the electricity that seems to vibrate between us.

  He just stalked straight to the door, his sexy body getting ready for war with every step he took in that direction. I’m holding him back. Well, I’m trying like hell that is. Good thing too because my friend, Maud’s Old Man, Corban, is standing there. Xerox was about to connect his fist with his own VP.

  Corban on the other hand, doesn’t even blink. “Damn, dude. What did I tell ya? No denying the legend, Prez. Didn’t expect you two would go at it the second you got here, though. Fuck, I barely managed to get my ass here after you left and you two clearly got naked together.” Corban chuckles.

  Shit. I’ve got my arms wrapped around his naked torso, with me wearing only his shirt…one and one is two, by the looks of it, right? Shit, Nero and Corban both had the same visual in front of them; the after-sex portrait of Xerox and me. And why am I annoyed? Not that they all assume that it did happen, but more about the fact that it didn’t? I feel like I’ve been cheated out of what I’m betting would have been mind-blowing-sex.

  “Shut it, VP,” Xerox growls.

  Kinda soothing to hear his voice sounds as annoyed as I feel, although I have no clue if it’s for the same reason. Wait, what was that about a legend?

  “No denying the legend?” I ask. “What the hell is he babbling about?” I look up at the side of Xerox’s face, before I glance around his biceps back at Corban. “And for your information, we didn’t get naked. This baboon here forced his shirt over my head, that’s all.”

  “Riiiight. That’s why you’re still holding on to the naked guy in front of you. Gotcha.” Corban chuckles.

  Damn. He’s right. Shit. My hands leave Xerox’s body as if I got burned, and I step back, instantly regretting the distance between us.

  Great, I could use the frustration to put some anger back in my voice. “Let me pop out the same question I was asking this baboon here before you came knocking. What are all of you doing here?”

  Xerox rubs his hand across his sexy sharp jaw. “Your brothers…”

  My brothers? The ones who’ve grown up way too fast. The ones I failed to protect, care for, and raise into good young men. The ones who defy me and throw all my good intentions right back in my face. Ah, those brothers, right. Well, when Xerox caught them, stirring up shit, he told me he would take them off my hands. In a wave of fury and despair I agreed.

  “They are your problem now. You wanted them, you got them,” I snap and switch my gaze to Corban. “Leave, and take the baboon with you.”

  The moment I spin on my heels to leave the room, I feel Xerox’s fingers wrap around my upper arm.

  “Hang on there, Captain Cookie,” he tells me with a firm voice. “You’re not going anywhere and neither am I. As for your brothers, they are indeed under my care. Prospects. That’s what I wanted to explain to you some more. They’ve been assigned to members to buddy up, to make sure they are watched and protected. That’s not a normal situation for a prospect, but with everything going on, that’s the best option I can give them. As for you…”

  My fingers are splayed on his hard abs, pushing him away from me. “What about me, huh? I need to buddy up too? Lemme guess, you applied for the job.”

  Please say yes. Ugh, I swear that was my vagina speaking, not me. My body locks down completely when he inches closer.

  A breath away from my lips he collides his amazing eyes with mine. Heterochromia. One brown, one blue, both gorgeous, both solely focused on me. “There’s no job. There’s no buddy. There’s me, and there’s you. Now…”

  Gunshots blast through the window as Xerox yanks me down to the floor and covers my body completely.

  “Stay down,” he growls as his head flashes back to where Corban was standing.

  Corban crawls toward us. “I’m okay, you hit?”

  “Nah.” Xerox shakes his head. “Fuck man, that’s Nero. Or he let someone else do his dirty job. The fucker was just here and he saw the same thing you did. Me shirtless, her wearing my shirt.”

  “Nothing happened,” I mutter, trying to wrap my head around the fact that they’re shooting up my house. All of this makes me glare at both of them, who in fact are ignoring me all together.

  “Fuuuuck. Yeah, safe bet it’s that Nero fucker. Come on, let’s slip out the back,” Corban mutters while he moves forward.

  Xerox holds up his hand. “No, wait. I’m not trusting this shit. There’s no gate, fence, or nothing to take cover behind. We’d be sitting ducks when we go out back.”

  Again, shots ring, except this time they’re not hitting the house, sounds like it’s...

  “Hell yeah, Ryland’s here, Nancy is with him. Dammit…Michael is out there too,” Xerox grumbles.

  Michael is here? Oh, no. Dammit. I walked away from my brothers because they are way more than I can handle on my own. Clearly those four boys need some manly direction. I was so angry, and when Xerox told me he would take them so they would have the support and guidance of the whole MC, I basically told him that he could have them.

  Doesn’t mean I don’t care about them, it just means I can’t handle four boys who are growing up too fast. It was the safest choice because Nero wants to drag them down and then today at work I had this visit from…

  “You guys okay in there?” A voice barks from outside the door.

  Xerox jumps up and o
pens the door. Two guys step inside. Behind them is my brother, Michael. Rushing over, I worm myself around the guys and grab him tight. After a few deep breaths, I push him away.

  “What the hell were you thinking? You could have been shot!” I seethe.

  Michael crosses his arms in front of his leather covered chest. “Not a chance. My brothers were there…”

  “You took Marc, Max, and Morgan with you? What the hell, Mike?” Why do I always have to yell at my brothers, every single one of them? And really? Are they completely…

  I’m being pulled back with a strong arm around my waist, plastered against a very hard and naked chest.

  “Did you see how many? Who?” Xerox asks one of the guys that’s standing next to Michael.

  Seriously? I’m literally being pulled out of my own goddamn discussion? Is this ape for real?

  I dig my nails in the solid arm and rip it away from me, directing my fury at the guy standing next to my brother. “Do not answer his fucking questions.”

  Spinning around, I jab my finger against Xerox’s chest. “Now you listen here, baboon. I am not some bimbo you can just shove on hold at your convenience. I was having a discussion, you idiot.”

  My chest is heaving and I’m frustrated with myself that it’s both from fury and annoyance. While I’m trying to ignore the desire that’s trying to take control because of the fact that he’s still shirtless.

  Xerox leans into my personal space. “From what I’ve heard your brother state, he’s catching on real fast. Our brothers were there. He didn’t mean your three brothers because they are over at the compound. Now let me handle this, because it concerns club business.”

  Let me handle this? He’s seriously dismissing me again? Hell no. “Fuck your club business, pretty boy. It’s my house, goddammit. So it’s my business too. Wait…”

  I direct my attention at Mike. “Tell me you’re not carrying a gun.”

  Michael shakes his head. Thank you, Lord.

  Switching back to Xerox, I growl, “He’s not getting one either, right?”

  He licks his bottom lip, clearly thinking how to answer me. What the hell?

  I place my hands on my hip and press him. “Right?”

  His gaze is still locked on mine. “I never lie. So I’m gonna ignore your question at this moment because we’ve got bigger things going on.”

  My eyebrows shoot for the ceiling. Really? That’s his answer? I place two hands on his chest and push him backward.

  He’s not expecting it so it’s just one step to catch himself, but still, I think I made my point. “You come here. Nero comes here. Bullets fill in the air and you manage to dismiss me three times. Bad. Fucking. Move. Baboon. Get out,” I growl and spin around. “All of you, get the fuck out of my house.”

  Only silence greets me. Everybody’s got their eyes pinned on Xerox. Did they not just hear me?

  I take a few steps and grab hold of the door, glaring at every single one of them.

  Xerox chuckles and shakes his head. “Pack a bag. We’re leaving in five minutes.”

  “You sure about that, Prez? Bringing her into the compound…around…you know…might get ugly.” A guy with dark hair and brown eyes questions out loud.

  What the hell is this guy talking about? Things didn’t get ugly mere seconds ago?

  “You heard the boss-lady,” Xerox answers matter-of-factly.

  “Boss-lady? That an official claim there, brother?” Corban asks.

  Shit. Is he for…

  “Yes. She’s my Old Lady. Did you not hear her a moment ago? I think she’ll do just fine. Can’t think of anyone who can put a ho in her place better. Or one of my brothers for that matter, don’t you think?” There’s a smug smile on Xerox’s face, his eyes are locked on mine.

  How can I feel flamed up with dual emotions? One desire, the other anger for yet again dismissing me. “Now you wait a minute. I can’t be claimed.”

  “That’s ‘I can’t be tamed’, Captain Cookie…and I kinda like that little fact.” The baboon has the nerve to freaking wink at me.

  I’m sure all my teeth will turn to dust at the force of my grinding. Anger fuels my veins. I’m about to explode when Xerox slowly shakes his head.

  His eyes are still pinned on me. “You heard the boss-lady…everybody out.”

  I narrow my eyes at the annoying man. “If you think that will smooth things over to get me to come with you…you’re seriously mistaken. Besides, I have an appointment in two hours that I need to go to.”

  “Where?” Michael and Xerox ask at the same time.

  Shit. I absolutely don’t need this. I can’t tell either of them.

  “None of your damn business,” I snap.

  Xerox takes a step closer to me. “Mike, any clue what she might be talking about?”

  “Nah, she never has appointments. Other than for her job, but she’s off tomorrow, the weekend, and Monday.” My loving brother informs the annoying man.

  Double shit. I can’t have them tag along…panic makes me swallow.

  My fingers slide in my hair and I pull it and scream out my frustration at the same time. “Just leave me the hell alone. You, your annoying new biker buddies, Nero, the fucking DE…fuck. Just go the fuck away, all of you.”

  “Fucking hell. Are you fucking serious?” Xerox growls. “When and where are you supposed to meet with them or are they coming here?”

  “What are you talking about?” Michael asks, confusion lacing his voice.

  “Mike, outside. Now,” Xerox snaps.

  My brother gives a curt nod and hightails out of the house. Excuse me? When did my brother become a compliant guy?

  “Prez?” Corban quips.

  Xerox is too close. When did he move? His nose is pressing against mine. “When did they come to you? At work? What did they want? What did they say?”

  “Fuuuuuck,” Corban growls low in his throat.

  They know. He knows. Shit…

  Xerox closes his eyes. His hands are now cupping my face. “Come on, darlin’. We’re on the same side here. Let me in.”

  The sweetness in his tone makes me cave and spill the words. “At work. My boss was standing right there. He flashed his badge and told her he was working on a case…that it was vital that he speak with me. That I was involved in an ongoing investigation.” Soft brushes of his thumbs on my cheeks give me the comfort to continue. “With all the things over the last few months; emergencies concerning my brothers, taking sick days, having them run in for every tiny little shitty thing, having me run out of the office for every little shitty thing…I lost my job, and I have to meet this DEA fucker in two hours.”

  Before I know it, my cheek connects with a very solid, naked chest.

  Strong arms hold me in place while I hear his chest rumble as his words flow through the room. “Corban, call it in. Meeting in thirty minutes. Get Mike back in here and let him grab some vital shit from the house and put it in my truck.”

  Why am I letting him hold me? I was mad at him. Dammit. How does he do that? Flip my feelings back and forth like that, as if he has the ability to control my body.

  “Come on, Captain. Let’s pack some shit and get out of here. We’ll handle it, and I’m gonna…”

  Stepping away from his distracting embrace, I shake my head. “You’re gonna what? Take over again? Handle things? I don’t know if you’re aware, but this is my fucking life, baboon. Me and my brothers and…”

  His damn mouth twitches. “I was going to say, I’m gonna fill you in on everything.”

  “Oh.” Shit. Me and my big mouth. I grab my bottom lip between my teeth.

  “Yeah.” Xerox chuckles, and the sound is too damn sexy.

  I rub the fingers of my right hand along my forehead and close my eyes. I feel so freaking drained these last few months. It’s like I’m losing my grip on everything. My job, my brothers, my life. Shit, what job? I even lost that. Maybe it is time for a change. Seeing as my brother listened to Xerox without even one pee
p back, it might not be so bad for me to surrender under his care too. Maybe that will allow me a moment to breathe for once.

  “This is exhausting,” I grumble.

  His arms are around me again, one hand slides up and when it finds its way into my hair, his fingers tighten and pull my head back.

  “Open your eyes, Maci.” His voice is enthralling.

  My body betrays me by listening to him without a second thought.

  “Thank you, gorgeous. Now listen and don’t interrupt.” The corner of his mouth twitches again and his eyes freaking twinkle as if he’s expecting me to fire words back in resistance.

  Tough luck, biker. It’s no fun when you’re expecting it. So instead I stay silent and wait for him to continue. Shit. The smile he gives me make my nipples harden.

  “We’re gonna handle this. You and me. Since I just claimed you as my Old Lady, you’re gonna be right there next to me. As the Prez’s Old Lady, you’re ranking a bit higher than the rest, but you’ll also be carrying a bigger load. Now each person is different so there’s a choice. An Old Lady will either get all the information or she chooses to stay away from it. The last one is…”

  “I’m gonna need to know all of it,” I state, without even giving it another thought.

  He gives me a curt nod. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, and I didn’t even doubt it.”

  “Yeah well, don’t expect me to roll over and have you scratch my tummy,” I grumble.

  Shit. Now I’m imagining him doing just that as he covers his delicious body with mine while he starts to pound inside…dammit, why does he flame up these feelings inside of me? Claiming me is one thing, jumping in the sack is another. Although my body is already craving his attention.

  His eyes flame up as if he’s following my train of thoughts. “I will be expecting that.”

  I want to smack some words of defiance in his face, but instead…the truth flows out. “You’re exhausting. I want to fight you, not only with words I might add, at every turn, but it all leads to more frustration. Besides, it’s hard to ignore the pull between us…so I’m just going to pack a bag and come with you.”