Kade: Santanas Cuervo MC (13 page)

“You’re in for a treat, then.”

***

They had a leisurely lunch then stopped on the way home for groceries to restock her home. Kade seemed to have a very clear idea of what he wanted, adding several items to her cart as they walked up and down the aisles. By the time they got home, she was all but panting in desire. He’d spent the entire afternoon seducing her without even trying. A casual touch here, a soft caress there, occasionally giving her a smile or a look that sent a chill through her.

She’d had a relatively satisfying sex life, taking a lover when she chose, but nobody had really clicked with her. All the men she’d taken were dull, weak, overbearing, or not good in bed. No matter the reason, she’d tired of them quickly, but she had a feeling about Kade. She liked the fact he was keeping her waiting, allowing the anticipation build, yet making his desire for her clear in subtle little ways.

The fact he’d clearly give his life for hers didn’t hurt him either, nor did the fact he was one of the sexist men she’d ever met. His quiet confidence also spoke to her at a deep level and he’d proven that confidence in his ability to protect her. She hoped his confidence of a more personal nature was just as well founded.

After they stowed the groceries he handed her a beer and took one for himself. He took a swallow then turned to the round steak and peppers he’d left out. “You liked my enchiladas?”

“Excellent,” she said as she propped against the island, slowly swinging her beer bottle like a pendulum.

“Wait until you try my fajitas.”

“Kinda early to start dinner isn’t it?”

He smiled. “Where’s your cutting board?”

“Thin cabinet next to the oven.”

He nodded his thanks then pulled the board out. “Mixing bowl?” She pointed. He selected a small bowl then washed and dried his hands. “Maybe a little, but I want to turn in early tonight, and I don’t want to feel stuffed,” he said as he began dumping spices into the bowl.

“What can I do to help?”

He grinned as he quickly stirred the spices together then started slicing the beef and peppers. “Not a thing. Keep me company.”

She watched as he went about his task, slicing, browning and adding spices. He was a daring cook. Where she carefully measured everything, he either didn’t measure at all or used his cupped hand. Soon the kitchen was filled with the distinct smells of cooking fajitas.

She sat the table, adding two fresh beers, just as he sat the skillet in the center of the table, the meat and peppers still sizzling. She nearly swooned when she took her first bite. Kade’s enchiladas were excellent, but his fajitas were to die for. “Oh my God these are
so
good! Have you thought of opening a restaurant?”

“Nah.”

“Why not? You should.”

“I only cook for special people,” he said as he took another bite.

She didn’t know why, but his comment made her feel giddy, like she was sixteen again and about to receive her first kiss.

After dinner she helped him clean up. She’d eaten light, not wanting to feel full or weighted down in anticipation of the labors to come. As they tidied the kitchen, he always seemed to need to reach past her, pressing his body into hers or dragging his fingers lightly along her arm to have her move out of the way. When she rose from pouring soap into the dishwasher he was there, pulling her back into his chest then kissing her neck. She tried to turn, but he held her fast, his hands sliding along her stomach, his lips making her simmering desire threaten to boil over.

Then his lips were gone as he stepped away, but she was wise to his game and tamped down her surging desire. They retired to the family room, two fresh beers in hand, and spent an enjoyable three hours first talking, then watching
The Princess Bride
on Netflix.

“Tell me about the Santanás Cuervos,” Winter said when the movie ended.

“Nothing to tell.”

“I think there is.” She could tell he was still feeling the loss of his brothers, Bickers and Anders particularly. He would be smiling and chatting one moment, quiet and thoughtful the next. “Tell me what happened to the club, what reduced the size from two hundred to twenty.”

“Eighteen now,” he said softly.

She grimaced slightly. “I would like to know more about the men who saved my life.”

There was a long pause before he began to speak. “The club was formed in 1984 by Bill Pantello. I understand it started out as just a few friends who liked to ride bikes. By the time I joined in 2012, it was already over two hundred strong and deep in the drug running.”

“Did you know that at the time?”

“Yes, but you didn’t have to be involved in the drugs. So long as you kept the secret, you were welcome. But if you helped with the drug trade, you got a piece of the pie. I was young, had no prospects, and the easy money looked good. After a few years, they realized I had a talent for organizing, and they took me off the blocking crew and gave me a new job organizing the pickups and drops.”

“What’s the blocking crew?”

“I rode ahead of the mules. If I saw any cops I would call it back. We rode as a group, looking guilty as hell, trying to flush the cops. It was my idea to put two, three, sometimes four crews in front of the mules. The cops had gotten wise to us tripping their roadblocks, but since we were always clean, they had to wave us through. So they quit stopping the first group, and started hitting the second or third. But they never knew where the drugs were, and we kept them guessing.” He smiled slightly. “Sometimes we would make a run totally clean just to mess with them.”

“And it didn’t bother you?”

He shrugged. “Some, but I had plans and I was putting the club money back. I was working for Tillerman Wells, and I knew Old Man Tillerman was going to retire soon. When he did, I was ready with cash money to buy him out.”

“So what happened?”

“We got pinched once. Lost twenty kilos of cocaine. We’d had a good long run, but we couldn’t win them all. Ten brothers got fifteen years, and didn’t turn, but that wasn’t enough for the Escorpión Cartel. They hit us and killed twenty more brothers, one for every kilo we lost.”

“My God,” she whispered.

“Yeah. Bill went nuts. I was a nobody, but I know everyone at the table tried to talk him down, but couldn’t. He hit back, killing five of the cartel at the next exchange, leaving one alive to take the drugs back to the Escorpión Cartel. After that, there was no stopping it. The cartel came in and wiped us out. Thirty-six of us survived the hit. Our best guess is they either didn’t know about us, or didn’t care. After that, the club nearly folded. Brothers, people who depended on the drug money for income, began to turn in their colors. We lost fourteen more, leaving the twenty-two, now eighteen, who form the club now. The last brother left eighteen months ago.”

“You were elected President?”

“Yeah. They knew I talent for organizing things and they asked me to take over the gavel. I agreed, but on the condition that we were
done
with not just drugs, but with illegal activity. It’s been hard and we’re just barely hanging on. I thought this job was a way to get the club back on its feet.”

“I’m sorry this happened.”

“I knew the risks. If I had known it was a cartel, I would have been more careful. I was overconfident, and my brothers paid the price.”

“You couldn’t have known.”

“I should have. I should have assumed the worst and because I didn’t, four brothers are dead and you were nearly killed.”

“But I wasn’t. You saved me. Your bothers saved me. I owe you, and the Santanás Cuervo, my life. I know you’re hurting,” she said as she turned in his arms to face him, “but you have to let the guilt go.”

“It’s hard. I hated Bill for what he did and the lives he cost. I don’t want be the cause of anyone else dying.”

“I understand, but you’re not! You didn’t get these men killed! You didn’t attack anybody! Those men gave their lives for
mine
!
To me, you’re heroes, all of you. Don’t dishonor them by diminishing what they did and the sacrifice they made. They were
great
men, men others should aspire to emulate. Grieve for them, but celebrate them. Show the world the greatness of Santanás Cuervo and the men who are part of it.
”

He looked at her, trying to take to heart what she was telling him. He’d never willingly trade his brothers’ lives for hers, but they
had
died heroes, unflinchingly giving their all so she could live. They
were
great men, men he was proud to call brother.

She’s so strong. She’s right! I won’t diminish their sacrifice. I won’t lessen their bravery and dedication. I’ll proudly tell any who will listen how Bickers, Anders, Juice and Dugger gave their life so another may live. They are Santanás Cuervo! They, and the rest of the brothers like them, will erase the sins of our past and make our club mean something great.

She watched as some unidentifiable emotion played across Kade’s face. She saw his face harden in anger and determination, then soften as he looked at her. He stood, pulling her to her feet, then pulled her in tight, holding her as his cheek rested against her head.

He pushed her back, looking into her eyes, then smiled. “You’re right. They
are
heroes, and I’m glad you’re alive to help me tell everyone.”

“I will, and with pleasure.”

He looked at her a moment, then softly cupped her face with his hands and drew her lips to his. His kiss was slow and gentle and she melted into him. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. She could see pain there, but also desire, a wanting that made her blood surge. Other men had lusted for her, but somehow Kade made her feel treasured, wanted in a way that went beyond the flesh. He pulled her in again, his kiss becoming deeper and taking her breath with the intensity of it. He made her feel alive in a way she never had before, his brothers giving her this opportunity.

He pulled back from the kiss and looked down into her face as her eyes slowly opened and she smiled at him, a soft smile, a smile that touched him. She was alive because of his brothers, their sacrifice giving him this precious gift. It wasn’t quite nine, but he stepped back and took her hand, pulling her as he took another step, then another before turning and tugging her out of the family room. He stepped aside and she passed him with a smile, walking up the steps as he watched her ass swing while swallowing a groan of desire.

They reached her bedroom and began to undress each other. She’d seen him nude except for his underwear a couple of times and she’d secretly admired his toned and chiseled torso and legs. Now she longed to feel his flesh against hers.

As her shirt fell away he couldn’t stop his smile. He knew she was a beautiful and sexy woman, but as her form was slowly revealed he realized she was a goddess, without question the most beautiful woman he’d ever been with. She may be almost four years older than him, but she didn’t look twenty-nine, putting women ten years her junior to shame. He could wait no longer and pulled her close to kiss her, to really kiss her.

Once again his kiss left her feeling breathless, his lips pulling away from hers to explore her neck, his lips and tongue leaving behind a trail of pleasure as he worked his way under her jaw and down her throat to her breasts. He cupped them roughly as he kissed their valley, his breath coming in harsh pants, seemingly overcome with his desire for her. She gripped his head and held his lips to her chest as she gasped, his desire making feel like the sexiest woman in the world.

He unhooked her bra, slipped it from her shoulders and pulled it away, his lips and tongue finding the hard point of her breast. As he teased it she groaned, her hands coming back to his head as she panted and writhed, her movements sending him reeling with desire.

She gasped and squirmed as his tongue gently battered her nipple until it ached with hardness and made her long to feel him inside. She squeaked in surprise as he suddenly lifted her and dumped her onto the bed before he quickly unbuttoned her shorts and ripped them from her, his gentle roughness turning her on even more. He jerked her to the edge of the bed, then paused, staring into her eyes before began to kiss her stomach, moving ever lower.
Oh God, oh God, oh God,
she thought as she twisted in anticipation.