Cain (Deathstalkers 2nd Generation Book 1) Page 4

  “Really? That sounds fun. What’s it for?” I can’t help but think the parties here must get crazy.

  “So that’s the thing, it’s kind of for us.” Cain replies so fast that I almost don’t catch what he says.

  “Why would the party be for us?”

  He stands up and I immediately miss his touch. “Okay, so the night we came here for that meeting it was so I could claim you as mine in front of the club. If I hadn’t done that, they wouldn’t have helped with anything as far as making sure you and Amy were safe. It’s not personal, but it’s just the way we work.”

  I look up at him. “So what does it mean that you claimed me?”

  He starts to pace and I get nervous. “It makes you an old lady and part of the MC family. It’s why they’ll protect you now. In the eyes of the club I’m yours and you’re mine.” He looks over at me, waiting for my reaction. “Don’t think I’m trying to force you into anything. After this shit is done you’re free to go wherever you want. I just want you safe, and there was no other—”

  “You know,” I say as I stand up, “it takes a lot of nerve to just assume I want to be yours.”

  His face drops and he opens his mouth a few times as if he’s going to respond but then closes it again.

  I wrap my arms around his neck. “However, it was a spot-on assumption.”

  His head snaps up as a smile crosses his face. I lift myself up on my tiptoes and press my lips to his.

  “Say it,” Cain whispers. “Say you’ll be mine.”

  I look up at him, his chocolate brown eyes staring at me. “I’m yours, Cain Russell.”

  His hands fist my shirt. “God, that sounds fucking amazing.”

  He bends down, kissing me again.

  “They’re still kissing!” We hear Amy yell as her footsteps run away.

  “You two plan on coming up for air anytime soon?” Ana says as she leans against the doorway.

  I can feel my face turning red.

  “What’s wrong, PT?” Cain says with a laugh.

  She narrows her eyes at him. “You know that shit was when I was like seven. I think the nickname is old by now.”

  “Nah, I think it’ll be good until you’re at least old and gray.” Cain laughs and Ana takes her shoe off and throws it at him. The shoe hits him square in the chest and I can’t help but laugh.

  “If you two are done sucking face, Logan is looking for you.” She nods at Cain.

  “Got it.” He turn back to face me. “You good?”

  I nod and smile at him. Cain heads out the door and Ana walks over to grab her discarded shoe.

  “As much as I can’t stand his ass, he’s a really good guy.” She loops her arm through mine. “So Ryan took Casey and Amy to the park. Wanna go grab some coffee? We can have some girls’ time.”

  “Um…sure, let me just get ready.” I glance over at the mirror, knowing I at least need to brush my hair.

  “You got ten or I’m leaving you,” Ana says as she walks out of the room.

  I could really get used to being here. Amy loves being here too, which helps. I run a brush through my hair and put on some foundation. I leave on my leggings and just slip on a sports bra and a loose T-shirt that slips down one shoulder.

  Walking out of the room, I run into Cain and a guy I’ve never met before. “Emma, this is Landon, one of my brothers. Landon, this is my girl, Emma.”

  I can’t help but smile as he calls me that.

  “Nice to meet ya,” Landon says and starts to walk down the hall.

  “Be there in a minute,” Cain says as he looks down at me. His finger slips under my exposed bra strap. “I like this.” He places a kiss on my bare shoulder. A chill runs through me as his lips warm my skin.

  “I’m not taking a fucking prospect, Jimmy! I’m not a little girl anymore!” We hear Ana yelling.

  “Shit, come on.” Cain takes my hand.

  “Woman, will you just do as you’re told for once?” The man I can only assume is Jimmy runs his hand through his hair as he groans.

  “Woman? Did you really just—”

  “Ana,” Cain says and she looks over at us. “Jimmy, take Emma out to the truck with Evan and give me a minute.” He places a kiss on my lips. “Have fun, beautiful.”

  I walk toward Jimmy, but when I glance back at Cain and Ana, she is staring at me. Her face softens a bit and then she nods at Cain.

  “Just to let you know I’m not an asshole. My sister tends to bring it out in me,” Jimmy says with a laugh.

  “Ana is your sister?”

  “Unfortunately.” He shakes his head.

  I see Evan, the other guy who has been outside work, sitting in a black SUV. He’s behind the wheel and I feel weird sitting up front, so I move toward the back door.

  “No.” I hear Ana’s voice and turn around. “If I have to have a babysitter, I’m at least driving myself.”

  Evan looks over at Jimmy and he shrugs.

  “Get in the front, Emma.” Ana walks around the car and gets behind the wheel. Once I’m in she looks back at Evan. “You repeat anything we talk about and I’ll make it so you can never reproduce.”

  His eyes widen and he sits back against the seat.

  “You ready, girl?”

  I nod. “Yea, I’m also staying on your good side.”

  We both laugh as she pulls out of the lot. We head into town and she gives me the background on some of the members. Shaina has two brothers, one of which is Logan. Allison also has a brother in the club. They’ve all grown up together their whole lives.

  We pull up to the drive-through for the local coffee shop. "What do you want?" Ana asks.

  “Um, I don’t really know. I’m usually a plain Jane coffee person. I like it sweeter, though.”

  “Got it.” Ana pulls up to the speaker and sounds like she’s reading a book as opposed to ordering a drink. She pulls around and I reach into my purse to grab some cash. “Put it away. This little trip is on Cain.” She winks at me and then pays the barista.

  Cain gave her money? For me? I don’t know how comfortable I am with that. I pull out my phone to text him.

  Me: did you give Ana money for me?

  Cain: yea, enjoy yourself today babe. I have something to deal with though. I gotta go.

  Me: okay, but we need to talk about this.

  He doesn’t answer me. I wonder what’s going on.

  When Ana heads more into town, I look over at her. “Where else are we going?”

  “Figured we could head to one of my favorite stores and get an outfit for your coming out tonight.” Ana laughs and looks over at me. “They have really good stuff there.”

  “Um, okay, what kind of clothes should I be wearing tonight?” All I can think of is maybe leather, but I don’t really think I’m into that.

  “Something sexy. Tonight is the night he is claiming you in front of the club. You want to look sexy so all the boys want you and intimidating enough that the girls know they can’t try to mess with Cain. It’s a fine confusing line.”

  “Okay.” I have a feeling I am going to be a hot mess tonight.

  We pull up to a store called Chaos. It has huge windows in the front with mannequins that have everything from long gowns to bathing suits. The building itself is really clean with a stucco front and large white double doors. I follow Ana in and the salesperson smiles when she sees her. “Hey, Devon, this is my friend Emma.”

  The woman smiles at me as she walks toward us. “So what are you girls shopping for today? A special occasion or just normal wardrobe?”

  “Emma here has a party in her honor at the club tonight.” Ana elbows me as she smiles.

  “Got it, so we need sexy and confident.” Devon starts to walk and we follow her.

  By the time the two of them are done with me I am wearing a tight pair of black jeans with a few rips down the legs. A pair of mid-calf leather boots that lace up the side like a corset and have a three-inch heel. The shirt is red and leaves my shoulders completely
bare as the sleeves wrap around my upper arms. It has a small triangle cut-out that has a criss-cross pattern to show off my cleavage.

  “Yes, you look so hot. Cain is gonna lose his shit.” Ana beams at me.

  “You think? This is so far from anything I would normally wear.” I look at my reflection, barely recognizing the girl looking back.

  “Would you normally party at an MC?” Ana cocks an eyebrow at me and I shoot her a look. “Right. So normal isn’t what we are shooting for.”

  I shrug my shoulders. “You know more than me about this.”

  When we walk up to the counter to check out Ana hands the clerk a bunch of cash and she refuses to use my card no matter how much I insist. I really need to talk to Cain about this whole money thing. It makes me completely uncomfortable. We leave the store and head out to the car where Evan is waiting. Ana hasn’t complained about him being here anymore. I think Cain probably told her why I need someone with me. I wonder what she thinks of the whole situation. At least she hasn’t treated me any different after finding out.

  We climb into the car and Ana pulls out onto the street. A song comes on the radio and we start to sing along to it and laugh when neither of us really knows the words. This is nice. I closed myself off after everything with Amy’s dad and the guy who has been harassing me the last few months.

  “Shit.” We hear Evan curse in the backseat.

  “What is it?” Ana glances in the mirror at him.

  "You have someone following you. This is why they wanted me driving. Stay cool. Take the most direct route to the clubhouse."

  I look behind us and see a rusty old truck. The driver looks like he is wearing some sort of a hood.

  “Yea, we have someone tailing us. Been behind us since we left the store and riding our asses right now,” Evan says into the phone.

  I can hear voices on the other line, but I don’t know what they’re saying.

  “No, Ana is driving…Jimmy told her she could…speed up!” Evan yells and Ana screams while the car’s engine roars.

  “What the fuck, Evan!” Ana screams at him.

  “He was about to ram us. Speed up. We need to get back…no, I can’t see whoever it is…they were the only ones in the store…I don’t—”

  A loud crash sounds as the SUV gets knocked sideways.

  “Shit!” Ana clutches the wheel as she tries to regain control.

  “He just fucking hit us. We are coming in. I hope you guys are ready.”

  We turn onto the clubhouse road and I try to take deep breaths, knowing we are almost there.

  “Pull the bikes out now. He didn’t follow us down the road.”

  All of a sudden a mass amount of headlights come toward us and zoom past the car. Cain is in the front and I say a prayer that he will be okay. When we pull into the lot, they shut the gate after us, and Ana and I both just sit in the car. I look over at her, tears threatening to fall, as I try to fight them.

  “I’m so sorry. This is my fault.”

  She looks at me. “Stop. Fuck that. This shit is not your fault. Don’t ever blame yourself for someone else’s fucked up shit. Got it?”

  I nod and she pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry I was such a brat about Evan driving.”

  "Hey, I think you were pretty badass." I offer her a smile.

  “I mean, of course.” She flips her hair and we laugh.

  Grabbing our bags, we head inside.

  “Well, the boys will take care of all this. How about I help you get ready?” Ana offers and I nod. I could get used to having her as a friend.

  Allison walks up to us and gives Ana and me both a hug. “You girls good?”

  We nod.

  “Okay, then let's get ready to party and get shit-faced.”

  Chapter Seven

  Emma

  Ana and Allison meet me at my room and show up with curling irons and multiple makeup cases. Ana puts waves in my hair that make me realize hers are definitely not natural. Allison uses more kinds of makeup on me than I knew actually existed. In one way, I think it’s really cool that they have taken me under their wing. On the other, I kind of feel like a doll.

  “Goddamn, girl, this shit looks good on you,” Allison says as she steps back.

  I take a look in the mirror now that I’m completely ready. “Holy hell.” My hair looks wild and the way Allison did my makeup my eyes look piercing. “Thank you guys so much. Do you think he’ll like it?”

  “Like it? I think you may not even make it to your own party, girl.” Ana laughs as she grabs her stuff. “We will see you out there, okay?”

  I nod and turn back to the mirror once more. I would have never imagined myself here.

  The door opens and I turn around to see Cain standing there. He freezes at the sight of me and for a minute I think he doesn’t like it. He takes a few steps until he is standing right in front of me and pulls me against him. I relax against him, taking him in with each breath. He lets me go and takes a step back. “Are you okay?”

  I take a deep breath, wanting to make sure I don’t start to cry and ruin Allison’s work. “Not really, but I’m trying. What happened when you left?”

  He shakes his head. “We tried to follow him but ended up losing him in a garage. We sent Dom his plates, though, and hopefully that leads to something. Whoever it is, we will get them soon. I want you to know that.”

  I nod, trying to pretend like I am less worried than I actually am.

  “Second question,” Cain says and I look up at him. “How the hell do you expect me to keep my hands off you tonight when you look like that?”

  A big smile breaks out on my face. “You like it?”

  “Fuck, baby.” His fingertips trace the waistline of my jeans. “You look goddamn gorgeous.”

  I’m glad he likes it, but I also wonder if this is how he always wants me to look. I take pride in my appearance, but there is no way I want to do that process every day.

  “When is everything starting?”

  “Now actually. I came down to get you, but now I’m thinking we could just skip it.” He laughs and I shake my head at him. “I figured, but I had to try.” Cain brushes a strand of hair off my face. “You ready for this, beautiful?”

  I shrug. “I guess. I don’t really know what to expect.”

  “The first part of it will be pretty tame while the kids are still around. Once they all head out and go to bed it gets a little more rowdy.” He presses a kiss to my lips. “Let me know if at any point you had enough. It can be a lot to take it.”

  I nod and take his hand. “Let’s do this.”

  Walking out, the main room is more crowded than I thought it would be. There are a ton of people I’ve never seen before. Cain leads me over to the bar where the girls and a few of the brothers I’ve already met are.

  Logan turns to me and raises his eyebrows. “Girls got to you, huh?” I nod and he laughs. “Looks good on you.” He looks over at Cain. “File is clean. I’m good.”

  I don’t know what that means, but I don’t think I’m supposed to.

  “You ready?” Logan looks at Cain and me.

  “Yep.” Cain grabs my hand. “Come on, babe.”

  We walk over to the stairs and stand on them with Logan. He whistles loudly and the room quiets. “Brothers, today we welcome a new member into the Deathstalkers family. We take her under our wing and into our lives. So I ask you all to welcome Emma tonight and raise your glasses.”

  I realize I didn’t get a drink and look over at Cain.

  Just then Shaina walks up, handing Cain a beer and me a drink. “Welcome to the family.”

  Logan raises his glass. “Here's to a long life and a happy one. A quick death and an easy one. A good girl and an honest one. A cold pint and another one.” Everyone says the toast together and I smile, loving the atmosphere of this place. Taking a drink, I look up at Cain.

  “Mommy!” I hear Amy call me and walk down to meet her.

  “Hi, love, did you have fun today?”
/>
  "Yes!" She jumps up and down. Casey's daddy is so much fun. He said if it's okay with you Casey and I can sleep in her room tonight and have a sleepover. Can I? Please, please, please?"

  I start to laugh when Ryan comes walking up to us.

  “Hey, are you sure? You had the girls all day.”

  He has Casey in his arms and she looks exactly like him. “Yea, it’s no problem. Plus, Casey’s room is farther away from the main room, so it will definitely be quieter.”

  “Mommy, pleaseeeeee!” Amy begs.

  “Okay, but you need to—” Before I can even finish my sentence Amy is gone. Ryan shakes his head, puts Casey down, and runs after the both of them.

  “I’m glad she likes it here,” Cain whispers in my ear.

  “She’s not the only one,” I say with a smile.

  “Glad to hear that. Let’s go have some fun.” Cain starts to walk around the room with me, introducing me to tons of people, most of which I doubt I’ll remember their names. Every time my glass gets close to empty one of the girls switches it out for a new one and I’m really starting to buzz from the alcohol.

  “I’ll be back. I need to head to the bathroom.”

  Cain nods and I walk away. The short trip to the bathroom makes me realize how tipsy I really am. I fix my hair a little in the mirror before heading out the door.

  In the hallway I run into the redhead from the other day. "Well, look who got a makeover just to fit in. Sorry to tell you, honey, but tight jeans and pounds of makeup won't make you one of us. You don't have it in you."

  “Excuse me?”

  She flips her hair over her shoulder. “You will never make Cain happy. I know what he likes and it sure as hell isn’t anything you can give him.”

  “Go to hell.” I try to walk around her, but she sidesteps me.

  “Why don’t you just go home?” She looks down at me and I hate it.

  “Hey, Lauren.” Shaina appears behind us. “Thinking you should go do your job and crawl in someone’s bed before I let Logan know you were hassling Cain’s old lady.”

  “Whatever, he’ll get bored of her eventually.”

  She tries to walk past Shaina, but she grabs a fistful of her hair. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Brothers might get sick of your nasty, stretched out pussy. They make a woman an old lady when she can keep them satisfied long-term. Fucking leave without another word.” Shaina looks over at me. “You can’t let those bitches think they can mess with you ’cause they’ll never stop. Once you give someone permission to treat you like an asshole, all you’ll ever be in an asshole.” She walks past me toward the bathroom and I head back out to find Cain.