Ruthie tucks her dark hair behind her ear. “I bought them for Wylla Mae.”

  “Who the fuck is Wylla?”

  “Alexa’s daughter. I felt so awful for the poor girl. She has no help. Her parents are dreadful people, and she meant so much to Rochelle. It felt like the right thing to do.”

  I steel my facial expression, not wanting Ruthie to gauge my reaction to the news Alexa kept our daughter. My chest squeezes so damn tight I’d swear I’m having a heart attack if I didn’t know better. She didn’t give her up. Our little girl. Fuck me. Fuck me hard. “Since when do you give a shit about what happens to Alexa?”

  My wife laughs. “I told you. Her baby might be my half-sister.”

  “Cut the fucking bullshit. What kind of game are you playing at?”

  “No game. It’s the truth.” She moves in, slinging my papers out my lap. “You know visiting with her...brings back all those good memories. When we first had Rochelle. I want a baby, James, and you’re going to give me one.”

  “Why in the hell would I do that?”

  “Because you love me and want to make me happy.” She kisses my jaw and I pull away. “Don’t be like that. We deserve a second chance don’t, we?”

  “How many times we gonna try and get it wrong?”

  “As many as it takes. Make a baby with me.” Her hand slides down my neck. “I want a baby, honey. Do this one thing for me.”

  I jerk away. “Having another kid won’t replace Rochelle. Won’t change a damn thing.”

  “I bet I can change your mind.”

  “You think so?”

  Her lips move to my ear and the words she whispers, sends an artic chill down my spine that’s so damn cold my blood could freeze.

  “The fuck did you just say to me?”

  A coy smile plays at her lips. “You heard me, lover. Give me a baby, and I’ll grant you the freedom you crave. Now take off your pants.”

  **

  “What ya need?” Grudge rubs his jaw.

  “Want you to do something for me.”

  “Name it.”

  “Ruthie. Gotta funny feeling. Need you to keep an eye on her. You see her talking to anyone or doing anything weird. Let me know. Keep it between us. Don’t let her know you’re following her.”

  “I can do that. You can count on me, brother.”

  “Good.” I grunt, and he takes off.

  I light up another blunt and Nickel flops down in the chair across from me. “Let me get a hit of that.”

  I reach it across the table. “How’d that last run go?”

  “A-Okay. No problems. Even picked up an extra twenty-five percent for a job well done.”

  “And the other side detail. She still using the account?”

  “Yeah. Man, look. How long you gonna keep this shit up?”

  “Keep putting money in it. She see you?”

  “Nope. Though I did see something I’m not sure you’re gonna like.” He passes the blunt back.

  I take another hit. “And what’s that?”

  “Not sure if I should tell you or let you figure that shit out on your own.” He grins and reaches for the Mary Jane again.

  I take another hard puff before handing it over. I cough and slap at my chest. “Can’t do that.”

  “Brother, I respect the fuck outta you, but that’s your God damn kid. Ruthie sniffing your ass every time you make a move or not.”

  “I’m not ready to see her.”

  “Alexa or the kid?” he hands the blunt back.

  “Both, but mostly Alexa. Bitch burns through my veins like heroin.”

  “Hardest addiction to kick.”

  I blow out a ring of smoke. “Exactly. I see her and all I wanna do is rip her clothes off and fuck her till neither of us can see straight.” I take another hit. “Did that little fuck stick she was seeing leave town?”

  “Yeah. He got smart. Likes his pretty boy face too much. I don’t get you.” He shakes his head, and Kristen slides a beer in front of him and replaces my empty.

  “Yeah well that makes two of us. Besides it’s better this way.”

  “Better for who? You’re fucking miserable. Married to a cunt.”

  “Watch it. That cunt is still my wife and pregnant with my son.”

  “Fuck. For real?”

  “Yeah. Wanted to wait to say anything until we knew for sure.”

  “Then congrats, Prez. Guess you won’t care that I saw Alexa working the pole at the Lion’s Den.” He smirks and knocks back his beer.

  “The fuck did you just say?”

  “Me and a few of the boys swung by last night on our way back into town. Gotta say...fine piece of ass like that had my kid no man would be tossing singles at her ass and seeing her titties. And what a fine ass and rack she has. Having that baby did her body good. She musta been drinking a helluva lot of milk.”

  I shove my chair back and jump up. “What time is it?”

  “I’d say it’s about time you got your head out your ass and claimed your bitch before someone else moves in.”

  I ignore him as he laughs. All I see is red and I’m about to be a bull in a china shop. I climb onto my Road King and ride out. I’m gonna spank her ass. Alexa has no business working in a dump like this. I’ve been funneling money into an account for her. Plenty enough to cover her rent. any bills, and to make sure the baby won’t want for a damn thing.

  I park and light up a cigarette. Fucking place is booming. Then I see it. A fucking poster by the front door. Alexa in a black leather bikini straddling a Harley looking like every man’s wet dream come true.

  I snatch the poster off the brick and wad it up.

  “Hey, man. The fuck?” One of the bouncer’s snarls at me.

  I step into his space. He takes one look at the President’s patch on my cut and realizes his mistake. My club owns this shithole. Hence the fucking name Lion’s Den.

  “My bad. Go on in.”

  “Want all these taken down.” I grunt and shove the poster into his chest.

  “She’s our main feature,” he mutters.

  I don’t give a fuck what they think she is. Alexa isn’t gonna be their anything for much longer. Gonna jerk a damn knot in her head. Since I’m here I might as well scope shit out and see how Marco is running the place since we gave Lion’s man Dingo the boot. I grab a table toward the back. I don’t know if I want Alexa to know I’m here. Been months since we’ve been face to face. Since we’ve touched. Since I walked out the door on her and didn’t look back.

  I pull out my phone and dial Slick. “Got a job for you. Need the apartment wired and a room setup for surveillance in the basement. No one else on this. I don’t have time to get in touch with the Reapers to do it nice. I want it done now. Get in and out.” I end the call. Should have done that shit months ago. Least I can see my kid without Ruthie knowing or being tempted by Alexa.

  I signal one of the bitches working the floor to bring me a shot. Marco better get some hot ass in here because once I take Alexa out the rotation, he’ll lose business. Knocking back one shot after the next, I sit through a few sets wondering when Alexa will grace the stage.

  My cell buzzes with a call from Ruthie. I send her to voice mail. I’m not in the mood for more of her shit right now. I need a fucking break. The crowd moves closer to the main stage, growing louder. The lights dim. “Ladies and gentlemen the reason you’re all here, welcome to the stage Lexi.”

  I sit up at the sound of a motorcycle roaring onto the stage. The bouncer shuts it off leaving Alexa on the back with the spotlight shining on her. Seeing her riding bitch on another man’s biker is a punch to the gut even if it’s all for show. Play With Fire by Sam Tinnesz filters through the sound system. Dressed in a black leather bikini top, Daisy Dukes, and knee-high boots like on the fucking poster, all the blood in my body shoots straight to my dick at the sight of her. Smoke covers the floor of the stage. The lighting switches to red strobe lights and an image of fire pops up on a loop on the screen behind her.

  Is this a fucking strip show or a theatrical production? I snort to myself and do another shot.

  Alexa leans forward, practically humping the seat of the bike. I already want to charge the damn stage, sling her over my shoulder, spank her ass raw, and fuck her brains out. Been months and the attraction I have for her seems to only grow stronger. After her little display on the motorcycle, she trades it for the pole.

  Rubbing up and down it seductively she unbuttons her shorts, teasing at what’s beneath them—my own personal paradise. All them years of cheerleading paid off. Her routine appears effortless. She loses the boots and denim shorts. Strutting across the stage in fishnets and a thong, teasing at removing her bikini top, the crowd loves her. I watch powerless to stop the performance. It hurts like hell knowing she’s meant to be mine, and I can’t have her.

  It’s for her own good. She wouldn’t understand why I’ve made the choices I have. I’ll carry the burden of it till the day I die, aching for her. Unable to stay away, I inch closer to the stage, bulldozing my way through any motherfucker who stands between us. My pretty girl commands attention and fuck me she’s got mine. My cock swells, craving her sweet pussy.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  “The fuck you think you’re doing?” James grips me by the elbow and drags me into one of the private lounges of Lion’s Den, the strip club I’ve been dancing at to support Wylla Mae and me.

  My heart leaps to my throat at the sight of him. I’ve done as he said. I’ve stayed away. I’ve not asked him for anything. I used the account he set up for me a few times out of basic necessity until I started working here. I never thought I’d be in this situation. Taking my clothes off and flashing my tits and ass for a little cash. I have a daughter to support though, and for her I’ll do whatever it takes to give her the world.

  “What’s it look like? I’m trying to earn money to take care of my daughter.”

  “She’s my kid too.”

  “Ha.” I laugh in his face as he backs me up until the backs of my knees hit the couch. “My daughter doesn’t need a damn thing you got to offer her. Why don’t you run on home to Ruthie and play house?”

  He grabs my chin, his gaze burning with fury. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Right. Okay. I heard you’re having another kid. Congratulations.” Some members of his club stop in often and Mitzi, one of the dancers who has taken me under her wing fucks Nickel. She doesn’t know James is the father of my child, but she loves to gossip.

  “What happened to you, Lex? This...” his hand rubs down my side, and I shiver. “Taking off your clothes for money... I don’t like it.”

  “You don’t have to like it. You don’t get to tell me what to do anymore. You gave up the right when you signed your rights to my kid away. I got your papers.” They were stuck under the door of my apartment. When I saw that he signed his rights away that was it. The last shred of hope I had that we’d be together gone. He’s proven he’ll never change his ways and that he doesn’t give a shit about us.

  “What papers?”

  “Oh, you know what. Fuck you.”

  “Fuck me?”

  “Yeah.” I get back in his face. “Fuck. You. Murder.”

  “Fuck me?” he growls, and I shrink back, falling onto the black leather couch.

  He looms over me all broody and still the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. Those dangerous dark eyes bore into me. Warmth tingles through my veins and to regions I wish wouldn’t get excited by his presence, but I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t attracted to him. I look for him in every man I meet. It hurts to admit that, but it’s true. He’s all I will ever want, and I hate that I do. Want him. I try so hard not to think about him, but it’s hard when I look into my daughter’s brown eyes and see his reflecting back at me.

  “I hate you. I hate you so much I need a new word for how much.”

  “You don’t hate me, Lex.” He jerks my legs apart and grabs me between the thighs. “You’re just mad because I’m not yours to fuck anymore, but I’m feeling generous tonight.” His hand moves to his belt.

  “What are you doing?” I try to move but he holds me in place with one hand while undoing his jeans with the other.

  “Gonna fuck you, baby. Give you some dick so maybe you’ll lose the attitude and remember who you belong to.”

  “Stay away from me.”

  “You know you want it. Fucking soaked and panting for it.”

  “You’re drunk.”

  “Miss you, pretty girl. Miss the feel of you. The way you’d cry out and beg me for this cock.”

  “I’m not having sex with you.” I shove against his chest, and he doesn’t even budge an inch. No, he rips my fishnet stockings and yanks my thong clean off.

  “Been months since I’ve been inside you. Months since I’ve felt peace. And one look at you, and all my anger and pain fades right away. Why is that? Only thing that can bring me any peace is you?”

  “I don’t give a damn what you think you feel or know. I’m not yours, and I never will be again.”

  “You’ll always be mine, Lex.”

  “You’re delusional.”

  “Shit is complicated.” He slides a finger inside me, and I melt at the connection. My eyes roll back in my head when he adds a second digit to the mix. “There’s my girl,” he grits, coming in for a kiss.

  I roll my lips inward to deny him, but my body hums for him. Craves his touch.

  “Playing hard to get?”

  “No. Stop it. I’m not yours. I don’t want this. I don’t want you.” I push at his shoulders.

  “Liar. So full of shit they can smell you in Kentucky. Kiss me,” he demands. His liquor tainted breath washes over me.

  “Eat shit.”

  “How about I eat your sweet cunt instead?” he drops to his knees to worship me. Rubbing his face between my legs he kisses my clit, sucking the sensitive skin. “Fuck, Lex. Best pussy.” Squeezing my tit as I try to wiggle away from him, he ignores my cries of protest. “God damn, I don’t know what I’ve missed more. Eating you till you come or you riding me till I blow.”

  His filthy talk shouldn’t set my soul on fire, but it does.

  He strokes himself with one hand and plays with my pussy with the other. Can’t fight it or deny it. As fucked up as it is, I want him. I want him so bad I could cry. Against my better judgment I lay back and stop resisting. Getting a grip on his hair I ride his fingers while he tongues my clit until I come. I’ve not been with anyone since him. Tanner tried. He was patient and sweet, but eventually his patience gave out and he took off.

  “That’s it, Lex. You don’t want me. Don’t like it when I do this either, right?” He grins then laps at my pussy, licking me like he can’t get enough.

  I’m still in the throes of my orgasm when he snakes up my body and shoves his thick cock inside me. A shudder and jolt ripples through him as my pussy contracts around his dick.

  “Fuck, baby. Fuck. Nothing better. So damn good. Your pretty little pussy curves to my dick.” And then he’s moving fast and furious, fucking me as if his life depends on it.

  We’re feral animals rutting. Heavy grunts pass between us. Teeth nipping and tasting. Sweat dripping, blood pumping, bodies slapping together in a rhythm that’s erotic and primal. He kisses me hard and deep. I hate myself for loving him. For loving how well our bodies fit. How he knows what buttons to push. How to play my body.

  I wish I could be stronger, but when it comes to this man, I’d do almost anything he asks of me just to be with him. I’m pathetic. I lift my hips, seeking him out, wanting him to go deeper and harder.

  “No more dancing, Lex.”

  I go still. I found one thing I won’t give him. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

  He draws out and slams back in. “Promise me.”

  “Get off.” I press against his chest.

  “I don’t like it. Don’t want my brothers staring at you and imagining fucking what’s mine.”

  My hand flies up and whips across his cheek.

  Nostrils flaring, he wraps a hand around my throat and gives me a squeeze in warning. “Don’t ever fucking do that again.”

  I gasp. Tears sprint down my cheeks, hot and fast as though they are racing. “Let me up.”

  “You’re mine, Lex. Told you I’m a possessive bastard. We’re through when I say, and I didn’t fucking say.” Murder fucks me harder than before as though he needs to remind me or possibly punish me.

  Our gazes meet. He gives me his imperfectly perfect smile then pulls out to finish on my belly. Dropping his forehead to mine he holds still a beat before pushing away.

  “I’m not gonna stop ya know. I don’t need you or your false promises. I can take care of myself. Like always.”

  “Lex...I.” he drops his head then snaps it back up in a flash. Intense and snarling, his eyes narrow on me. Angers pours from his stare, rolling off him in waves. “I warned you. You’re in my fucking world. You don’t get to decide when you leave. If I want to fuck you, you’ll spread them legs for me. If I give you money, I expect you to spend it on my God damned kid.”

  I jump up and grab a tissue from the side table to wipe my stomach off. “I’m going to say this one more time. I’m not your property. Wylla Mae is my daughter. She doesn’t belong to you. You don’t know her. You’ve never held her. Fed her. Changed her. You know nothing about what it’s like for us. You wanna fuck someone...go get one of your whores at your clubhouse. Or better yet why don’t you go home to your wife you’re so devoted to and ask her how my pussy tastes, huh?”

  In one swift movement he’s back in my face, hand on my throat again. “I should just knock you up again.”

  “I’m not Ruthie,” I grit in his face, holding back my tears. “Go home to your pregnant wife and stay the hell out of my life. I don’t want you. I don’t need you and I sure as fuck don’t love you. Leave me alone, Murder.”

  “Not till you get it through your head that this is the way shit’s gonna be until I say otherwise. Anyone touches what’s mine...” he grabs me between the legs again. “I’ll fucking kill them. Behave accordingly. Don’t fuck around on me. Do as your told.”