Nash (The Skulls) (16 page)

“Hi, I’m Sophia,” she said, introducing herself to the other woman.

“I know who you are. I’m Tate. Tiny’s daughter and Murphy’s old lady.”

Sophia shook hands with the other woman.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. I’d heard about you from the guys who were here the last couple of weeks. You earned their respect, and that’s hard to do unless you spread your legs for them.” Tate handed her a coffee. “It’s the good stuff. I can never make it like the shop downtown does.”

Sipping at the coffee,
Sophia took a seat at the table. The blanket covered her modestly.

“So,
you’re the latest addition to the club. Angel and the others are going to love you. Is your hair natural or out of a jar?”

Sophia
took a giant gulp of coffee staring at the woman before her.

“It’s natural.”

“You’re not very talkative.”

Smiling, Sophia lifted the coffee. “I need a lot of caffeine to get me wired.”

“Good, my kind of girl. The others will be joining us soon. The girls wouldn’t miss Edward earning back his Nash title. Especially after the shit he pulled at the diner. Angel’s special day and he fucked it up big style.”

She listened to Tate prattle on. Edward left the bathroom ten minutes later looking refreshed and ready for the day. Getting up from her chair, she made to pass him. He caught her elbow and pulled her in close. “I loved last night.”

“Me, too.” She pressed her head against his. The outer door opened letting in all the men.

“Today I don’t want you to interfere. What you’re going to see is tough
, but it’ll be worth it.” Nodding, she pulled away, heading toward the bathroom.

Staring at her reflection she saw three marks from his lips. She blushed remembering the way he’d sucked on her neck.

Dropping the blanket she checked out the other marks he’d left on her. Toward the end of the night, he’d become a very passionate lover. He sure liked to play rough, and last night he’d given her a taste of everything he liked.

Well, actually, w
ith the way he kept playing with her ass, she didn’t imagine he’d shown her
everything
he liked. The guy might have an ass fetish.

Climbing into the shower she let out a gasp at the coldness of the water. The bastard had used all the hot water. She washed, dressed
, and was back in the room with the rest of the men in no time.

Tate was dishing out breakfast to each of the men.

“You didn’t leave any hot water,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” He patted his knee for her to sit down.

“If Murphy didn’t leave me any hot water he wouldn’t be able to sit down for a month. I’d kick his ass that bad.”

Sophia laughed. She looked at the big man and couldn’t imagine Tate hurting him. All of the bikers looked like forces to be reckoned with.
Their cuts displayed their part in The Skulls.

The other woman handed her a plate.
Sophia took the plate and sat on Edward’s knee to eat. He caressed her leg going between her thighs. She slapped his hand. “You didn’t leave any hot water. I’m not in the mood to play.”

Tate chuckled, clucking her tongue at
Edward.

Sophia
ate breakfast, every now and then slapping his hand away. Sophia didn’t care about the hot water, but she liked the way he kept trying to touch her regardless of it. Once breakfast was finished she helped Tate with the dishes. The men were talking about everything. Sophia couldn’t keep up, but Tate joined in without looking phased.

“You’ll get used to it in no time,” Tate said.

When the dishes were done Edward took her hand pulling her out of the room, deeper into the building. They entered a room that looked like a gym. There were mats on the floor. Angel, Eva, and a couple of other young looking men with the word “prospect” on their jacket were standing there.

“Baby,” Lash said, opening his arms.

Sophia watched as the blonde woman threw herself in Lash’s arms. “I missed you.”

“Are you going to be able to handle this?” Lash asked.

The fact Edward’s brother was asking that question unnerved Sophia. “You’ve gone all tense,” Edward said.

“I’m nervous.” She watched all the men removing their cuts and cracking their knuckles. “Isn’t this a little childish?” She felt the panic rising up inside her. They were all being immature
, and she didn’t like the idea of Edward being hurt. She’d only just got the man back. Yes, two weeks wasn’t that long, but Lash explained everything to her about the progress of getting his brother drug free.

He cupped her face. “If you had a choice to have a man who you knew could defend you no matter what the cost or a man you had to take his word on defending you, who would you chose?”

“That question makes no sense. I don’t need protection.” Edward wouldn’t let go of her face as she struggled to pull away.

“Stop it. It’s important. These men are my family. If I can’t fight them and they’re the hardest men I know
, then how the hell can I call myself a Skull?”

She stopped fighting him, hating the fact he was right.

“I love you, baby. Nothing is ever going to change that, but I need to prove that I’ve got their back. Not only that, I’ve got to prove they can trust me.” He pressed his head to hers. “I know you’re going to hate this. I haven’t got a choice.”

“It’s time,” Lash said, invading the moment. Glancing behind her she saw the women were set up on what looked like bleachers at a high school. “The women love to watch.”

Sophia doubted it. The women were sticking around to make sure the men were not hurt.

“Let me do this.”

“Fine.”

He still wouldn’t let her go. “I love you.” Edward took possession of her lips. The feel of him brought the
memories of the previous night came flooding back to her.

“I love you
, too.”

“Come on, pussy,” Zero said.

Pulling away she sent Edward a smile before taking a seat between Angel and Tate.

“Everyone
, I want to introduce you to Edward’s-slash-Nash’s, woman, Sophia.” Tate made the introductions. “That’s Angel, Eva, Sandy, Rose, Kelsey, and the two fuckers on the end are the new prospects. Their job is taking care of us and doing the mundane shit.”

Sophia
smiled at everyone before returning her gaze to the main floor.

“I hate this more than the parties,” Angel said. “At least in the parties I know he’s going to be okay.”

“We’re all worried. My babe is going to beat the shit out of him,” Tate said.

Sophia winced as the fighting started. She didn’t recognize all the men
, but Tate pointed out them all. Killer was currently throwing some punches at Edward. She pressed her hands over her eyes not being able to watch.

“Kick him in the balls,” Sandy said, screaming out. “I love it when men fight. They look all sweaty
, and I’m getting horny.”

S
ophia wished she could get horny instead of wincing every few minutes. The men were relentless in their attack.

Four hours later the guys backed away. Edward was standing on his feet but barely. Tiny and Lash hit the hardest out of all of the men. He didn’t know if they were going to let him back in the club. The one person he was having an issue with was Zero. The other man kept eyeing up his woman. Not that he blamed him
. Sophia was the complete opposite of the club, and yet she fit right in. She was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a red and black checkered shirt. The top few buttons were open revealing an expanse of creamy cleavage. Zero was using every opportunity to look at her.

“Sandy, come and check him out,” Tiny said.

The blonde doctor came rushing down to check his war wounds. He stayed still staring at Sophia. His woman looked worried. Edward nodded his head for her to come down. She walked down, tucking some of her black hair behind her ear.

Zero helped her down from the bleachers, lingering a little too long for
Edward’s taste. Grinding his teeth he stayed still as Sandy poked and prodded him. He jerked when she prodded at his ribs.

Sophia chuckled at whatever Zero whispered against her ear. Didn’t she realize he was co
pping a feel of her behind? The bastard knew what he was doing, and it was driving Edward mad. When he got his title back Zero wouldn’t be mauling his woman.

She pulled away from Zero going straight for him. “Is it over?”

“You stayed away like I asked.” Opening his arms, he waited for her to step closer. Sophia hesitated. “What’s up?”

“I don’t want to get in her way. She needs space to treat you.” She nibbled on her lip.

“Come here anyway. Sandy doesn’t mind.”

“No, I don’t. Hug him
. He deserves it.” Sandy smiled up nodding her head. He’d gladly kiss the doctor for giving his woman permission to come close to him.

“Please tell me it’s over.” She kissed his neck.

Glancing toward Tiny he waited for the other man to give his consent. Tiny jerked his head. “Yeah, it’s over.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I couldn’t have watched much more. You must be hurting all over.”

“I ache, but I’m alive. I did better than I thought possible.”

Sophia grasped the back of his head and smashed her lips against his.

That’s right, Zero. She’s fucking mine.

Turning away from
Sandy he held his woman.

“Enough, enough. Alex needs us back at the clubhouse. You’re staying here, Edward. We’ll let you know if you’re a member of the club,” Tiny said, heading out.

Jerking away from his woman he watched as the boys left the gym one by one. The women were leaving as well. They all pulled Sophia into a hug. His brother and Angel stayed behind.

“What the fuck, Lash? I did everything you asked. I took the fucking beating. What gives?” Edward had fully intended to be a member.

“Shit is hitting the fan out there. Two weeks is a long time in club business. We’ve not been able to do our run, and some of our buyers are hitting out.” Lash took a step closer leaving Angel a few steps behind. Edward knew his brother didn’t bring his woman into club business. He couldn’t keep shit from Sophia.

“The guys think you’re responsible for making us look weak.” Lash was whispering to him. “
News spread about what happened at the diner and then at the club. We’re in a delicate position right now. Tiny’s thinking of calling in Chaos Bleeds.”

Pulling back Edward looked at his brother. “He’s not fucking serious.” If people thought The Skulls were rough, they hadn’
t met the other biker club they knew. Chaos Bleeds were a rough bunch of thugs. They were not like The Lions that they’d taken down over a year ago. Chaos Bleeds really didn’t give a fuck about rules or sticking to one place. Over five years ago they’d breezed through town only stopping long enough to have a good time. Tiny had made friends with the leader, Devil.

Edward didn’t like them. If the other biker group were to come to town then Fort Wills was looking at a pretty rough couple of months. “I’m not getting back into the club, am I?”

“You are. Tiny just has business on his mind. Eva’s father is not happy either, and he’s making waves to get her back to Vegas. Alex is intervening. We need you, brother. You chose the wrong fucking year to have a breakdown.” Lash put his hand on Edward’s shoulder.

“I need this, Lash. Don’t leave me out in the dark.” He hated begging
, but if he had to beg and literally kiss Tiny’s ass then he’d do it. Edward didn’t have just himself to think about. Sophia was his woman, and he needed to protect her.

“It’s the rules, brother. I wish you were there as well. At the moment, you’re not part of club business. You are the business.” Lash slapped him on the shoulder.

“Talk to Tiny. Chaos Bleeds is not the answer for us.”

“They’re friends, Edward. They’re our only answer if the rumors circulating are true.”

Grinding his teeth, Edward did his best to keep his opinions in check.

“What is it?” Lash asked.

“Nothing.”

His brother gave him a pointed look. “I’ve seen you do that look many times before. You’ve got something on your mind,
so spit it out.”

Sophia ran her fingers up and down his chest, calming him.

“Tell him what’s troubling you.”

“If
Chaos Bleeds comes to town then we’re not going to look strong at all. People will know that we can’t control our town. If Tiny brings them in, then he needs to make sure no one knows why.”

Lash nodded. “I’ll tell him. I’m sure he hasn’t considered that
.”

His brother slapped him on the shoulder and went back to Angel. Edward watched them all go wishing he was taking Sophia with him back to the clubhouse. Crap, he’d have to get a place for them. He wouldn’t be able to handle her little apartment.