The Don's Baby: A Bad Boy Romance (40 page)

“You walked into the Reapers’ side and went to their bathroom in front of everyone?” Fat J. looked amazed. This was the second time in two days that Rafe had been able to get past the mask Fat showed everyone to the real person beneath. This man never showed emotion. But here Rafe was, twice in two days, looking at his astonished face.

“Nah. I dated a Shaffer’s daughter, and she showed me the ins and outs of the establishment. There is a whole network of doors and passageways in that place.”

“Well, now you’ve told me something that I didn’t know.” The man actually looked impressed.

“Nobody knows that. It’s a secret.” One thing he’d known before the club scene was if someone trusted you with a secret, then you kept it. If it wasn’t your secret, then you locked that shit away in your vault and kept it there.

“How long have you known about the passageways?” Fat seemed interested, but it was probably because there was finally something that he didn’t know about first.

“A couple of years or so.”

“I do like a man who can keep a secret. That’s great. Now who knows you know about the passageways?”

“I’ve never told anyone and his daughter probably wouldn’t have told her dad she told me because I doubt he knew we were sleeping together.”

Fat J. just nodded his head, and Rafe just knew he was putting something together in his head. This man was a master planner. “Why don’t you lay low for a while, and I’ll find out what I can.”

“I’m supposed to meet Emma tonight and tell her what’s going on,” Rafe said, hoping that he wasn’t going to tell him he shouldn’t meet her.

“Alright. I’ll still put feet on the street to find out what’s going on,” Fat J. said, getting up to put his plate in the sink.

“You’re not going to tell me it would be better if I just stayed away from her for a while?” Rafe watched his friend clean off his plate for much longer than it should have taken, so he knew he was thinking.

“I know you well, Rafe.” Fat J. turned toward him and looked him over. “You think that I haven’t figured out how much Emma means to you. You’ve acted like a different man ever since you met her. I would tell you that it would probably be better if you didn’t see her so soon after what happened, but do you think I don’t know you’d go to see her anyway?”

Rafe stood there and didn’t answer because the man was right. He was going to see Emma tonight if it were the last thing he did. Hell, he didn’t even know why he’d asked.

“I mean,” Fat J. said with amazement apparent in his voice and watching him like a hawk, “you killed for her.”

“I didn’t actually kill for her. She asked me to talk to him for her, and he turned violent and pulled out a gun. That doesn’t mean that I killed him for her. I was protecting myself; my life was at stake.” Rafe watched as Fat J. tried to put all this together and make a determination about what he didn’t know…his guilt…the depth of his feelings…how this was going to play out for him and all others involved? He must have come to a decision since he turned away from Rafe and finished cleaning all the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher.

“I believe you, Rafe. However, from what you told me, they have his cell phone in which his Old Lady left the last text to say to meet her out in the parking lot, and then they have him dead. They either are going to think she did it…which wouldn’t be that bad of a plan, or she helped someone else do it. In that case, it may be bad for her. He was a big time guy for the Reapers and his ability to make money overshadowed the fact he was the biggest asshole I’ve ever met.” The large man returned to the table and looked out the window.

Rafe noticed how quiet it was in this house, and except for the fountain that bubbled up water in a continuous stream of white noise, there was nothing. Maybe that was why this man’s thoughts were as clear as they were. No clutter. Not like his thoughts and life. He could probably learn something from Fat J., but that would have to come at another time. Right now, he had to focus on getting himself and Emma out of this mess. Was it even possible to do? He knew one thing—with Fat J. on his side—he had a better chance than most.

“Are you coming up with something?” Rafe didn’t want to seem impatient, but he was. He wanted to get to the bottom of this, but he also knew he should take care of business.

“I’m working on it.”

“I hate to bother you with this while you’re thinking, but when will you know about the guns we needed from you for the deal we set up a few weeks ago?” He knew his timing was shit, but the way his life was going he didn’t know when he may meet his maker. Rafe had no interest in leaving this earth anytime soon, but if he did, he wanted to make sure that the things he’d been put in charge of were in order.

“Well, at least there is something easy we can discuss. You will have your merchandise in five days and that is a guarantee,” Fat J. said with certainty.

“I’ll let Aaron know.” Rafe heard those words and just like that Rafe felt just a touch better…about that situation anyway. “I told Emma that I’d meet her in a couple of hours, and I want to follow through with what I told her I’d do, so I should probably be on my way soon.”

“Rafe, you need a plan because the Reapers are going to be looking for whoever killed their top money man. He was a very important man to their business.”

“A plan to do what?” Rafe asked, slightly confused.

“For everything. You need a plan, but your plan should be to get out of town for a while.”

“Should I take Emma with me?”

“If you take her with you, then you’d need to stay gone unless you talk to Aaron about his stance on this situation. You’ve made a slightly volatile situation increase exponentially, and I am hoping things can be salvaged.” Fat J. sat, considering the circumstances, and turned to Rafe. “You need to talk to Aaron about laying low, and then—if you must—take a quick trip to see Emma.”

“How long do you think is a good time to be gone?”

“That depends on how hot this situation gets. Right now, no one knows it was you who did this, or at least they didn’t as of the last communication I’d received about it. However, if it comes out, there will be hell to pay. It’s mostly been the Tribesmen who were trying to keep this whole situation from escalating. The Reapers would love to take you down and take over your very lucrative businesses.”

Rafe sat there, knowing that his buddy was right. Yet, he didn’t run like a bitch; he stayed to fight his battles. He’d talk to Aaron and find out what he thought. If the consensus said he should take off for a while, then he’d do it. However, he really didn’t want to.

“I know you work in definite times, and although I don’t have one, I’d say four to six weeks.”

“That long?” Rafe was thinking a couple days. He was going to have to go without his family for that long. What the fuck would he do for that amount of time?

“Just a shot in the dark, but I would say so.” Fat J. got up, and Rafe figured he was going to gather some more information or get ready to leave, so he pulled out his phone and prepared to make the phone call he really didn’t want to make.

The phone rang and was immediately picked up. “What the fuck, Rafe?” Aaron gave him a greeting that he only expected if he’d heard the news.

“I was going to come over, but I don’t know if I’m going to have enough time.”

“At least I know what was bothering you earlier; but, I thought I told you if you needed someone to have your back we were there for you. You’re telling me you walked into Shaffer’s and started all this shit? No one knows it was you except for the planning committee. They said you left right before the Reapers’ negotiation man was found shot in the parking lot.”

Aaron was a powerful man, and Rafe knew he was fair. He’d done what he’d done without really thinking this through. He told the story, starting from the moment he met Emma in the bar of their rival’s club house and ending at his self-defense in the parking lot.

“You mean to tell me you walked into the Reapers’ cave in a mask and walked out with their prime girl?” Aaron’s voice was calm and deliberate, as he took in all the information and tried to make a decision.

“Yes. I didn’t mean to cause all this trouble for us though. I wondered what you thought about bringing Emma over to the Tribesmen for her safety.”

“So, you’re trying to bring her over for safety’s sake?” Aaron said wryly. “I don’t know that they’ll do it. I wish you’d have said something beforehand. We could have tried to talk to Joe and offered him something he wanted to sweeten the fact that we walked into their place and started choosing women like we were ordering pie.”

“I’m here with Fat J. He can have the shipment to you in no more than five days.”

“In the midst of all this, you went to see about the shipment? You, son, are full of surprises.” Aaron chuckled, but Rafe could tell he was proud that he’d put business at the top of his duties. “I’ll be waiting for the shipment. Thanks for getting an end date for me.”

“Fat thinks I should get out of town for a while; but, you know I don’t like to run, Aaron.” Rafe felt better now that he’d told his leader, but he didn’t know where he stood in terms of his position with the Tribesmen.

“I know you don’t and you shouldn’t. They don’t know it’s you, so there is a possibility that this could just blow over. You’re over there with Fat J., and he has all the information available to him. I’m sure he’s looking into it for you.”

“He is. I have a few more things to do, and I’ll stop by later on this evening.”

“Be safe, Rafe. I should be at the club house all night. Call me when you get here or if you run into any trouble.”

“Will do.” Rafe hung up the phone and wondered when and where this night was going to end. He stood up to get going; he needed to figure out what he was going to do about Emma. If they hadn’t tied her to the situation, then she would have gotten what she wanted…freedom from Mark and a chance to think about what she was going to do with her life.

He texted Fat J.
: I’m getting ready to get out of here. Talked to Aaron and he thinks I should stay so I’ll lay low around here. Leaving and will get back to you shortly. Let me know what you find out.

There was an elevator and he’d chosen to go down that way instead of the way he entered. His phone dinged with a returned message from Fat J.
: I think you should reconsider your position on leaving for a bit but I’ll respect your decision. I’m glad you came to see me friend and I’ll keep you posted.

With that part over and two sets of people finding out what was going on, Rafe set out to find Emma and make sure she was all right. From heaven to hell in a few minutes. That’s how this whole couple of days had gone. He wouldn’t complain since he started this off in the first place. He wasn’t sure that he would turn back time and do something different. He’d met Emma because of all this and she was worth it.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE

Emma didn’t think she could take another minute of silence. She’d not heard anything from Rafe, but there had been a lot of calls about what had happened after she’d left. What she didn’t know is what happened to Rafe. Her phone beeped, and she knew before she looked down it was going to be Rafe. However, even when she saw the message that looked as if it came from Miss Marlene, she felt just a touch of the stress of the night melt away.

Her friend, Adrian, had left to comfort the club and she was left to herself. Joe had called to tell her that he would question her soon. He didn’t understand how it was that Rafe, Mark, and she had disappeared. Then, when the smoke cleared, her Old Man was dead, and they were both gone. She was happy that he was on the phone and not in her face because she knew the guilt was caked on like make-up. Adrian had taken the phone from her and told him that Emma was distraught and slightly scolded him for breaking the news of Mark’s death in the way that he had. Joe had seemed content with the assessment from Adrian about her pale skin and tremors. Consequently, he allowed her to stay where she was and not come in with her friend to the club house.

Now, she was alone, still freaked out, and hoping that this ball of trouble she and Rafe had created didn’t blow up and kill them all. She never thought that Mark would end up dead after a talk with Rafe. It hadn’t even crossed her mind. There was a difference between knowing these were rough and ready to fight men and seeing the results.

Miss Marlene: I’m where I dropped you off. Are you alone or do you need to come to me?

She read the message from Rafe and texted a response.
Walk down the alley where you dropped me off and I’ll be waiting on the porch.

Looking out the window, she wondered if there was anyone watching her, but then knew she was getting paranoid. Everyone was at the club house, mourning the loss of their dear friend and moneymaker. She was alone—at least for now. She saw Rafe walking down the alley. Although her body was still bruised and battered, a wave of something skittered up her spine. It was probably because she asked him to do something—and even though it didn’t work out the way she’d wanted it to work—he’d done it for her. She was so very thankful for what he’d done, even though she’d not be able to voice that with another soul. He saw her, and she waved him up.

She ushered him into her friend’s house and wondered if she should have met him somewhere else. Not that she had a place of her own, but she was going to have to work on that. After this experience, she was definitely getting away from the club scene.

“Hello, sexy,” Rafe’s grin warmed the chills away from her body that had been present since she entered the cab and drove away from Shaffer’s Lounge. She wished Rafe had climbed into the cab with her and they had gone away together, but that wasn’t to be. She was with a warrior, and he wanted to talk to Mark and try to work this through.

“Hey,” she replied, not knowing why she was feeling a little off balance and shy. “I heard you got into some trouble with your talk. It didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped it go.”

“That’s putting it mildly; but, with his mouth going a mile a minute about what he wanted to do to you and then pulling a gun on me…there was no way that discussion was going to end without some bloodshed. I’m sorry about that, baby.” Rafe looked at her like she was going to be upset that the man was dead. She probably should be; but, if the treatment she’d received before they got to the club was supposed to be her daily routine, she had been really lucky that Rafe did what he’d done.

“Don’t be sorry on my account. I’m just wondering what this is going to mean for you.” Emma put her hand on his cheek and enjoyed the rough scratch of his light beard. He had scruff yesterday and now it was a bit more than that. It was amazing that she had just joined up with him last night. It seemed like forever had happened in the space of a little less than 24 hours.

“I’m still working that through. I know you said you wanted to run off together, and I’m going to look into how to make that a reality; but, I’m going to need some patience from you. Our clubs aren’t best of buddies, but I don’t want any bloodshed over what happened. I need to make sure your safe, as well.”

Emma knew he was trying to cover all the bases, but she just wanted to quit the whole club thing and leave with Rafe. She knew he had more responsibilities than she had and it would take some time for him to get everything in order; but, she couldn’t help wanting what she wanted. She nodded though because she believed in him—and he’d done so much for her. In her mind, this meant that she was definitely more than a one-night stand…but she wanted to ask.

“This may seem a bit off-topic; but, with you considering the request that we run off together, does that mean you feel more for me than the quick fucks we’ve shared? I know a bit about your history with women, at least from what I’ve heard, but I just want to make sure the vibe I’m getting from you is the same one I think it is.”

“What do you think it is?” Rafe stood there and allowed her to rub her hands through his hair, massage his neck, and bring her hands down to his chest. She’d been doing that again and again throughout their conversation because she just loved to touch him. Plus, she didn’t know if this would be the last time. He was talking like it wasn’t, but she wanted to be sure.

“I think you’re acting differently than I’ve heard you act around most women, and I’m hoping that means you feel something for me more than you usually do.”

He hiked her up a bit to kiss her fully on the mouth, and she opened for him enjoying the sensation of his beard against her face and the tangy taste of beer on his tongue. “I don’t believe I’d have done all this for just anyone, Emma. I don’t know if it’s our slightly shared past, the way we get along, or the exuberant way you suck my cock; but, I want to know more about you. I’m far from finished with you.”

That wasn’t a declaration of love, and she’d not expected one, but it was more than she thought she’d have gotten on this occasion. She nodded and smiled, happy with what he’d given her and excited that this thing wasn’t over.

“Besides the bruising on your beautiful breasts, did he touch you anywhere else?” Rafe’s voice was lowered, and she could tell he was trying to be comforting.

She shook her head, not wanting to spend another minute thinking or talking about what Mark had done to her. It was over and done with, and since he was no longer walking among the living, she’d decided that she was going to forget that whole incident. There was no point in being upset or feeling like a victim. Rafe had handled it, and she didn’t’ think anyone had ever come to her aid like he had before in her life. The feeling of being validated, she wouldn’t change for anything in the world. If he stopped seeing her today, she would still have that to keep with her forever.

He deepened his kiss and even with her body aching a bit, she wanted this man to fill the space that always felt empty when he was near her.

Loosening her pants, she backed up and pulled them off. She left her pretty panties on, just because she thought they looked cute on her, and she wanted him to see them.

He fingered the black lace and at the top of the waist band. “Very pretty, but not as pretty as your sweet pink pussy.”

She gasped because the way he said things along with his sexy voice made her wetter than she already was. She placed her hand on his cock to see if he was feeling even half of what she was. His thick turgid cock pulsed so hard in her hand that she could feel it though his pants. The squeeze she gave him brought a smile to his sexy mouth, and she watched it as he worked the seam of her pussy through her panties. He looked as though he fully enjoyed making her damp panties wetter. Hard enough to feel but not hard enough to come, she lightly rode his finger while he kissed her neck.

“You don’t have much to say, huh? Good to know I’ve just taken your words away. Now, let’s see what I can do to make you a bit more vocal. He sat her down on the couch and spread her legs so he could pull her wet panties to the side and stroke her whole opening from her clit to that space near her ass.

“I don’t want to wait, Rafe. Fill me up. I want to watch you come apart riding me hard.” Emma was pleased to see his excitement turn to an inferno of desire in his eyes. He wanted to be inside of her, and she wanted it, too. Emma knew he was holding back because he felt she’d been attacked, but she wasn’t going to let that hold them back from what they had together.

“I know you do, but I don’t want you to be hurt any more than you already are. I’m going to give you what you want, but I have to make sure you are into it as much as I am.” Rafe didn’t look like he was going to give her the wild ride that she wanted, but she trusted that he’d satisfy her and that was really all she could have asked for. However, she gave him a play pout anyway. “You make me lose my mind, woman. How long is your friend going to be out?”

“She is over at the club house with everyone else. I’m sure she will be gone a while since she’ll be consoling all of the bikers.”

“Have you talked to your president, yet?” Rafe was picking a fine time to go into this. She wanted to release some stress and pressure in the very best way possible, and he was not helping her mood.

“Yes, Rafe, I have. But, if you could just make me feel good with your body rubbing on mine for a few minutes, I could tell you all the details. Right now, I’m a bit worked up.”

He laughed at her impatience but pulled out his cock, stroked it a few times, and covered himself with a condom. “Alright Emma, I’ll take care of your needs; but, I need to know I’m not causing you pain.”

“Besides my boobs, nothing else was exposed. I do appreciate you not touching them, even though I want you to. I want your touch to replace the hurt, and I want to remember your mouth on me not his.”

Rafe was kneeling on the couch she was splayed out on, and he lifted her shirt and helped her unfastened her bra. He stared at her for so long, she wondered what he was going to do. Then, he leaned over her and drew her nipple into his mouth. He sucked on her lightly and licked her hard nipples. She was surprised that they would even get hard, but he took the same care with the other one as he did with the first.

She shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was. He’d been so helpful to her with Mark. Now, he was erasing some of the pain of the evening. He placed a light kiss on both of her breasts and then looked into her eyes.

“Thank you, Rafe. That means more than you know.” She wasn’t one to cry—because she’d learned that it did nothing—but his gentleness almost undid her.

He didn’t respond to her words, but he slipped his cock up and down the crease of her opening, and she could hardly stop her hips from bucking up to meet his. Placing the tip of his cock on her clit, he pushed against her a few times until she was practically panting.

She looked up and him and his smirky smile told her he knew how much she liked being teased a bit before he fed her his cock in one fell swoop, which was what happened the very next breath, and she was so grateful for it. His thrusts weren’t as wild as some of the times they’d been together, but they were deep and firm—like he meant every stroke and each one meant something different.

“I know you want to come baby, but wait until I tell you to.” Rafe’s voice was raspy, and she was more excited hearing the arousal in his tone.

“I’m so close. I don’t know if I can hold back, but I’ll try.”

He stopped his stroke, and she wanted to scream with frustration.

“Promise me you won’t come until I say or I stop?”

She couldn’t believe that he was saying something like this to her. She was also surprised that it turned her on as much as it did. His cock pulsed and jumped inside her, so she knew that he couldn’t keep her on the string forever.

He didn’t move one inch—with the exception of his twitching cock—so she decided she’d better say something. “I promise.”

The wicked smile was back, and he gave her thrust after thrust of his thick, hard dick—just like she liked it. She started to worry as her body wound up, ready to release in an orgasm that was going to help relieve some of her stress.

“Rafe,” she called out, trying to warn him that she wasn’t going to last long. He looked at her but continued to pump long and hard.

“Not yet, Emma.” He was panting a bit, but he wasn’t looking like the end was near for him. Damn it. She shouldn’t have sucked him off in the bathroom, then he’d be ready to blow like she was.