Renegade (Devil’s Boneyard MC 6) Read online

  “Pres --” Before I could finish, he lifted a hand to stop me.

  “I know you want to be part of this, Renegade, and I understand why. Let them bring Boomer here, then you can get your pound of flesh. Right now, you need to focus on Darby and Fawn,” Cinder said.

  I stood and left the room, but Shade stopped me on the way out to my bike. His hand was firm as he gripped my arm, not giving an inch even when I tried to jerk out of his grasp.

  “There’s something else you need to know. I didn’t want everyone else privy to it,” Shade said.

  “What?”

  He handed me another set of papers. Not just any papers. Copies of blood work.

  “What is this?” I asked.

  “Found this shit in one of Boomer’s email accounts. The idiot doesn’t keep his business protected very well. I’ve accessed everything he’s touched online in the last five years, and then some. But there’s good news. Boomer had Darby tested regularly.” He tapped the top page. “The last results are from a week ago. Since she’d been raped I thought it might be a concern. It seems he wanted to make sure he didn’t catch something from her after he let others have a turn. Don’t know why the dumb fuck didn’t just make them wrap their dicks.”

  “How would she not know about this? She’s been worried that she caught something from those assholes.”

  Shade shrugged. “Maybe he did it when she was drugged. Only Boomer can answer the how and why. Just thought you might want to have those.”

  I thanked him and went out to my bike. Tucking the pages into my belt, I turned the engine over and drove back to the house. Jin was on the porch, a Prospect related to Phantom. The kid was dedicated and I knew he’d patch in before long. I sent him back to the clubhouse and went inside, eager to give Darby the good news.

  Fawn was sprawled on the living room floor watching another animated movie, her doll beside her. I didn’t hear any other sounds in the house and went in search of my woman. With Jin outside, I knew she hadn’t left. The kitchen was empty, and so were the other rooms. When I reached the bedroom, I heard the shower running. I quickly stripped out of my clothes, tossing the papers onto the dresser, and decided to join her.

  I opened the shower door and she squeaked, spinning to face me and nearly falling on her ass. I grabbed her to keep her upright, mindful of the stitches she’d wrapped, then stepped under the spray. Darby blinked up at me and reached over to shut the shower door.

  “Is your meeting over?” she asked. “Are we leaving for the doctor?”

  “The doctor won’t be necessary for today. Still need a referral for your seizures, but…” I smiled and wrapped my arms around her. “Shade found copies of lab work in Boomer’s email account. He had you tested a week ago for STDs. You’re clean, sweetheart. Or at least you were then.”

  Her hands tightened on my arms. “I didn’t know. How did I not know he’d had me tested?”

  “Shade thought you might have been drugged when it happened.”

  “I guess that’s possible. He gave me drugs if I started to get too hard for him to handle or started asking too many questions. I don’t think it was the same thing back to back and must have been spaced out just right because I didn’t get addicted to anything.” She leaned into me, pressing her cheek to my chest. “You have no idea how glad I am that I didn’t give you anything. He hasn’t touched me in about three weeks, and neither has anyone else. I mean, not in a way that would have gotten me sick.”

  I didn’t want to know in what way he had touched her, but I was thankful that she wouldn’t have a lasting thing like herpes or HIV to deal with. It seemed Boomer had the same concern, at least for himself. I doubted that he gave a shit if Darby was sick, only that he hadn’t wanted to catch something from her after passing her around. It wouldn’t save him from the beating I would give him. I wanted to make that fucker bleed.

  “Boomer won’t be a problem much longer.” I tucked the wet strands of her hair behind her ear. “He’s being picked up tonight, and his uncle is coming to take care of the problem.”

  I didn’t know if I should tell her about Shark or not. She’d claimed to not know who Fawn’s father was, but if the man had the same mark on his arm as Fawn had on her hip, she had to have noticed.

  “Shark will be dealt with as well. Permanently,” I said.

  Her face paled, but she didn’t say anything.

  “He’s Fawn’s father, isn’t he?” I asked.

  “I don’t know. He liked to hurt me, and he’s one of the ones who…” She clamped her lips tight, but I understood. Her gaze held mine. “Until now, Fawn didn’t have a father. You said you wanted the job. Is that still true?”

  “Yeah, sweetheart. I still want the job. Were you hoping that with Boomer gone you could leave?”

  “No, but I thought… I just wondered…”

  “You’re mine, Darby. Both of you, and I’m not letting you go.”

  “I don’t want you to,” she said softly. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  Chapter Eight

  Darby

  Renegade backed me to the shower wall, every hard inch of him pressed against me. The fact he wanted me was more than evident. I’d just been concerned that all he wanted was sex, and he could get that anywhere. He’d told me that wasn’t the case, more than once, but after only being an object for the last five years, it was hard to believe someone actually wanted me as more than their whore. The heat blazing in his eyes was enough to make my knees weak and my heart race. I trembled in anticipation. Until Renegade, I’d never experienced passion. A girlhood crush was one thing, but what I felt when his hands were on me? Or even when he just looked at me the way he was now… I’d never had something like this before.

  The moment his lips touched mine, I knew I was doomed. No one would ever make me feel this way. It was him and only him who could do this to me. I’d wanted Renegade for too long. Maybe after just once I could have walked away, but with his hands gripping my hips and his mouth devouring mine, I knew that I never wanted to leave. Whatever was simmering between us was too powerful for me to ignore.

  I felt the hardness of his cock press against me and I squirmed, wanting to feel him inside. I slid my hands up and down his arms before gripping his shoulders. Renegade lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. The head of his cock brushed against my pussy and he rocked his hips, teasing me. The drag of the head of his cock against my clit sent sparks dancing along my nerve endings. I couldn’t stop the moan that left me, nor hold back from digging my nails into him. There was a tightness coiling inside me, and I knew the only cure was for him to slide deep inside and fuck me until I screamed in pleasure.

  “Please,” I murmured as he broke the kiss. “I need you.”

  He stared down at me, his brown eyes darker than they’d been before, his desire making them nearly black. “I don’t want to use a condom. I know I said I didn’t want kids, but we already have Fawn. Being inside you, bare, was the most incredible thing I’ve ever experienced.”

  “You can’t take something like that back later,” I reminded him.

  “I know, Darby. But you’re mine. Fawn is too, as well as any other kids we have. I ran from your room earlier, but I won’t run again.”

  “Then take me,” I said. Having Fawn had been scary, but having a baby with Renegade would be different. I could tell from the way he was looking at me that he’d be with me every step of the way. He really did want this, want us. Whatever had spooked him before, he’d gotten control of it.

  His gaze held mine as he slowly sank into me. The thick, hard length of him stretched me wide to accept him. There was a slight burn from the tight fit, but I was more than wet enough to take him and the moment he started thrusting, a slow slide of his cock, it was like I couldn’t get enough. I wanted him harder, faster, deeper.

  “Please, Slater.” I didn’t care that I was begging.

  Saying his name felt right, and it seemed to trigger something in him
. The moment I said the words, it was like his control snapped. He pounded into me, making pleasure spiral through me and leaving me dizzy. I gasped for breath as my release hit me, my pussy clenching down on his cock. Renegade didn’t slow, just took me relentlessly, until I’d come twice more, the force of every stroke making my ass press harder against the shower wall. I would possibly have a bruise later, but I didn’t care. It would be worth it.

  I felt the warmth of his cum as his cock jerked and thickened. He groaned, burying his face in my neck. His breathing was ragged and I felt his heart racing. I wrapped my arms around him, digging my fingers into the hair at the base of his neck. For the first time in my life, I had a man pinning me to a wall and I just wanted to hold on and never let go.

  He kissed me again, slower and softer than before. I’d never felt so cherished, so wanted. He hadn’t said anything about how he felt, but I knew that it would really easy to fall in love with him. After having a crush when I was younger, being here with him was like living a fairy tale. Renegade was far from being Prince Charming, but he was my prince, albeit one who wore leather, and rode a motorcycle.

  “Let’s dry off and check on Fawn,” he said. “I’m surprised she hasn’t come looking for us yet.”

  “She hasn’t had a lot of chances to watch what she wants. I’m sure she’s in heaven having control of the remote. I know TV isn’t good for her, or so they say, but I don’t have the heart to take it away from her right now.”

  He kissed my forehead, then eased from my body. I felt a twinge between my legs, but it was the best kind of ache. Never before had I craved someone’s touch the way I wanted his. If we could have stayed in bed all day and night, I’d have gladly done so. Renegade shut off the water and got out, quickly drying himself, then got a fresh towel to use on me. He wrung the moisture from my hair, then swiped the water droplets from my body. He gently unwrapped my stitches, checking to see if they’d stayed dry. I would be so glad when they dissolved.

  “I was thinking that Fawn should have the chance to fix her room the way she wants it. I didn’t have any idea what her favorite color was, or if there was a bed set she’d have preferred. There’s no reason we can’t put a small TV in there. You can turn on the parental settings to block certain content and even limit the times she’s able to watch it.” He tossed the towel over the top of the shower and took my hand, leading me into the bedroom. “I want her to be happy here.”

  “She is, Slater. So very happy.” I was too for that matter, or at least, I was now that I wasn’t so scared. “I’ve never seen her smile so much or look so carefree. She knows she’s safe, and you’ve already given her far more than she’s ever had.” I turned into him, going up on tiptoe to kiss him. “You’ve been very good to both of us.”

  “Not quite. I acted like an ass with you. I’m sorry for that.”

  I drew away from him and took some clothes out of the dresser. He pulled on the underwear and jeans he’d left discarded on the floor, probably in his haste to join me in the shower. I smiled a little, happy that he’d been so eager. And if what he said about Boomer was true, and Shark, then soon I wouldn’t have anything to worry over. I’d truly be safe. While there were others out there who would recognize me, I didn’t expect trouble from them. Boomer and Shark had been the ringleaders.

  “Something wrong?” he asked.

  I jolted, realizing I’d been lost in thought and had stopped what I was doing to stare at him. My cheeks warmed and I shook my head, then finished getting dressed. I’d no sooner buttoned and zipped my jeans than Fawn opened the door. I froze, glancing at Renegade to see how he’d react. I’d explained to Fawn earlier that this was my room now, and she’d always just walked in whenever she wanted before. It hadn’t been an issue since Boomer made me go to his room when he wanted me.

  Renegade crooked his finger at her. “Come here, Fawn.”

  My body tensed as I watched, hoping that he wasn’t about to hurt Fawn. He hadn’t so far, and had given me no reason to think he would, but she’d just barged into his room uninvited. No matter how much I wanted to trust him implicitly, I had too many years of conditioning to overcome so soon. Men had never been kind to me, or to Fawn. Until Renegade. I hoped I wasn’t about to witness that kindness coming to an end.

  Renegade knelt down so he was on her level. “It’s almost lunchtime. Are you getting hungry?”

  Fawn nodded.

  “Did your mom talk to you about what’s happening? That you’re going to live here?” he asked.

  Fawn smiled widely and nodded her head so hard I worried she’d hurt herself.

  “And she told you that I’m your dad? Your mom will be staying in here with me, and you get to sleep in your own room. We can paint it however you want.”

  I watched as Fawn’s eyes turned glassy, and then a tear slipped down her cheek. Before I could react, Renegade reached for her. Fawn threw herself into his arms and he held her gently, rubbing her back and murmuring to her.

  “It’s all right, baby girl. You’re safe, and you’re home.”

  I sniffled and realized I was about to start crying too. I couldn’t remember ever seeing a man hug Fawn until Renegade. And he was so careful with her. I felt the walls around my heart start to crumble, and the last of my fears of being here with him melted away. No matter how many times I doubted him, waited for the worst to happen, he kept proving to me that not all men were evil.

  He stood, Fawn still clutched in his arms, and held out a hand to me. I went willingly, and snuggled into his side. Fawn turned her face toward me and gave me a smile. We were going to be fine. Happy even. If I didn’t hate Boomer so much, I might have thanked him. Because he’d left me in the dumpster, Renegade had found Fawn and me, and he’d given us a home. I just wished I could have had this moment without all the pain and suffering of the previous years, not that I would trade Fawn for anything. If having her meant having to live through all that abuse, then so be it.

  “I love you,” I whispered, realizing in that moment that I really did love him.

  His startled gaze met mine. The fact he didn’t say it back made my heart ache, but I hadn’t really expected anything else. We were strangers, and he hadn’t even wanted a family. I knew he’d need time. Maybe someday he’d come to care for me, and eventually love me. As long as he kept giving Fawn the attention she craved, that would be enough. I’d lived without love my entire life, or most of it at any rate. I could barely remember the lady who had taken me in as an infant. Most of what I knew about her came from what my social worker had told me one day. I couldn’t really miss what I had never had. At least, that’s what I told myself, but I knew that one day it would break me if he never felt that way about me.

  Fawn opened her mouth and then frowned when she couldn’t speak. I felt so bad for her. Renegade had mentioned taking her to the doctor today, but he hadn’t. I knew he’d gotten sidetracked with his meeting and the information he’d learned about Boomer, and before that he’d been concerned about my seizures and blood work. The trauma to Fawn’s throat had happened a long time ago, but I was grateful she would get some help now.

  “I think it’s time we went to see Dr. Chansy, little one,” Renegade said. “Your mommy needs to stay here today, but we can pick up lunch on the way home and come back to eat with her. Sound good?”

  Fawn didn’t look convinced.

  “I’ll even let you choose where we order lunch,” he said. “Anything you want.”

  Fawn’s eyes lit up and she nodded eagerly.

  Renegade set her down and told her to go put shoes on. Once she’d left the room, he pulled me against his chest and stared down at me. Too many emotions flitted through his eyes for me to determine exactly what he was thinking or feeling. His lips firmed and he leaned down to press his mouth to mine. It was a hard, quick kiss, but it still made me tingle in all the right places.

  “I won’t say I love you, Darby.”

  I tried to hide my reaction, but I must have failed. It
felt like my heart had just fallen to the floor and shattered into a hundred pieces.

  “I won’t say it because the last people I said that to died in a fire. My family. I lost my parents and my brother. Nikki was spared because she wasn’t home that night. I don’t do the ‘I love you’ thing anymore. Not even for Nik. But I promise that I will always look out for you, protect you, and care for you. And I’ll never hurt you.”

  I hadn’t known that about his parents. Not the details anyway. Although, I did remember Nikki being absent from school for a week and hearing something about a death in the family. Back then, I hadn’t realized what had happened. It wasn’t until Renegade had said something about Nikki being in foster care that I’d put the pieces together. I’d mostly kept to myself back then, and since she’d been older than me, we hadn’t really interacted at school. I’d never had a family to lose, but I could only imagine how much he’d suffered losing them like that.

  Reaching up, I cupped his cheek, then ran my fingers through his beard. If he couldn’t say the words to me, then I’d make sure to say them to him as often as possible. The tender way he looked at me right now told me enough. Even if he couldn’t give me the words I wanted, it was obvious he felt something for me, and that would be enough for now. Maybe one day, he’d be able to tell me that he loved me. They said that time healed all wounds, but maybe it was love he needed in order to heal. And that I could give him times a million if he’d only let me.

  He kissed me once more, his tongue tangling with mine until my toes curled and I was clinging to him, ready to beg for more. Renegade pulled away, give me a wink with a sexy grin, then he finished dressing and left the room. I trailed after him, watching as he swung Fawn up into his arms and stepped out the front door. A man stood on the other side, someone who looked close to my age.

  “Darby, this is Dixon. He’s a good friend, and a Prospect for the club. He’s going to make sure you’re safe and have whatever you need while I’m gone,” Renegade said.