Pappy's Shadow: Miltary MC Romance (Hell's Fire Riders Mc Book 1) Read online

  The silence in the room was only broken by her sniffles.

  “After my father died in my arms I got mad. Mad at Hades, mad at the whole world. The hate I felt in my heart gave me the strength to leave that place. I wanted to protect my father, so when I left, I set fire to the house. I didn’t want anyone else to know what Hades had put him through. No one else needed to see that. They didn’t need to see what I’d seen. I knew the police would bury his body next to my mother and that he’d given me the greatest thing a father could ever give his child—his life to protect mine. I wasn’t going to waste that.”

  “Where did you go from there?” Sam asked.

  “I went to Baltimore. I was there for a little over a year before he found me. From there, I went to Trenton. I was there for a year and a half before he found me. Then I went to Pittsburg. He found me there too. Then I came to Troy. I’ve been here for about six months. I never knew how he found me time after time.’

  “That was something Hades could do. He was our point man but he was also smart at tracking his prey,” Reaper told the group.

  “Did you ever go back to Providence?” Stone asked.

  McKenna shook her head. “I told my father goodbye before I burned the house down around him. Told him I loved him too. Hades tortured him for hours and when he realized it wouldn’t work he just left him there to die.” She glared at Stone for a moment. “I’ve never hated anyone in my entire life the way I hated that monster that night. I made up my mind that I would do what my father wanted. I would live to fight another day, but I also vowed I would end his reign of terror if I ever had the chance. And that’s what I did. I shot him but I didn’t do it in self-defense. I did it with hate in my heart and I may go to hell because of it, but I don’t care. He took everything I ever cared away from me!”

  “I think you also gave him something no one else ever did,” Deke told her.

  “What would that be?” McKenna asked as she glared at the other man.

  “You gave him peace,” Deke said.

  “Peace?” She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean he knew his life would end one day, whether by choice or by violence. He knew he wouldn’t live forever and he was praying someone else would end his suffering. All his life, all he ever knew was pain and violence. I think he just wanted it to end but he didn’t know how. He did horrible things to other people because he didn’t know any better. He chased you hoping you would be the only one out there that could end his suffering.” He shrugged. “I could be totally wrong of course, but that’s what makes sense to me. We all heard what he went through as a kid and while I feel sorry for all that, he made his own choices. After a while, living like that his killing became easier. His first kill was probably the only one that mattered. All his others left him chasing the thrill he got from the first time he murdered another human being.”

  “Unfortunately, that makes a lot of sense,” Dewey commented. “I’ve read psych Evals that say the same shit.”

  “Me too.” Stone nodded. “I’m just sorry it had to be you in that position.” He shifted in his seat. “You need closure as well. I think you should go back to Providence and say your final good bye to your dad.”

  McKenna shook her head. “I don’t have anything to go back for. I also don’t have anything to look forward to. I need to find a purpose in my life, a reason to move forward. Please can I go home with you? I know you can keep me safe from all the boogie men in this world.”

  Stone reached for the back of her neck and leaned forward to rest his forehead on hers. “Yeah, you can come home with me. I’ll slay your boogie men and keep you safe.”

  McKenna smiled as she brushed her lips to his. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “No, thank you,” Stone whispered back as he pressed his lips to hers a little harder.

  Sam chuckled. “Well, hot damn, Pappy!”

  The room fell silent, then one by one, all the men began to laugh.

  Chapter Eleven

  The next few days were busy ones. Stone, Dewey and the guys went to Redemption House and got a hell of a tour. They also spoke to Amos and his men then came to an agreement. Amos seemed more than happy to assist in setting up Stone’s network. Then before they left, Amos already had several men in several states willing to be on the lookout for trouble that could already be there.

  Cassie had gone over the steps she took to bring her dream to life.

  McKenna got on board with it and quickly figured out what she needed to do to bring Cassie’s dream to life somewhere else. Cassie was more than thrilled her dream would spread and more people would have the chance to live better with a little help.

  Stone had brought the guns Cricket had turned over to him to the clubhouse and made arrangements to ship it all back. Mountain had arranged for a plane to take everyone back to Texas.

  The last night they were going to be there, Stone and McKenna had gone to bed early. When Stone began to touch her, McKenna felt a sense of loss.

  Stone’s touch seemed to be just a bit too strained. When McKenna noticed, she paused and made him stop. “What’s going on Stone? Why do I get the feeling this is our last time together?”

  He pushed himself away from her. Sitting up, he wouldn’t look at her. “Is it?” he asked. “Is this the last time we’ll share a bed?”

  McKenna frowned. “I hope not. We’re going back to your home tomorrow.”

  “What exactly are you expecting when we get there?” he finally asked.

  McKenna sat up and moved closer to him. Wrapping her arms around his back, she kissed his shoulder. “I’m hoping for a new chance, a new life, now that I don’t have a killer on my ass.”

  “Do you see an old man like me in your future?” Stone asked.

  McKenna smiled and kissed his shoulder again. “I see you in my future.”

  “And what role do I play? A protector? A stand in daddy figure?”

  McKenna couldn’t believe his questions. Shaking her head, she kissed her way up to his ear. Sucking his lobe into her mouth she whispered, “I was hoping more as a lover, maybe the father of my child. I know you’re older than me and maybe you don’t want a family but I’d like at least one child. A son we can raise to be like his father.”

  Stone twisted around and stared at her for a moment. “You still want me to be your lover? Are you sure?”

  McKenna smiled gently. “Yeah, I’m sure. You may not want to hear this but I love you. I think I loved you from the first time we slept together. No other man has ever made me feel the way you do.”

  “And how do I make you feel?” he demanded.

  “You make me feel everything. When you touch me, I can feel every nerve in my body. You make my whole body tingle with desire and want. You make me feel hungry and every time you touch me, you feed that hunger. I can’t get enough of you.”

  Stone groaned as she spoke. “Damn woman, why did you have to tell me that? I’m too old for someone like you.”

  “Age is only a number. You complete me. When I was a child, I asked my mother about love one day. I asked her how I would know love when I felt it for someone. She told me I would know I was in love when I felt complete. I would meet a man who would mean the world to me, that I would want him every day in every way. That my heart would beat faster every time he came into the room, no matter how long we were together. He would fill a certain part of my soul that was meant for him and him alone.” She paused and grabbed his face with her hands on his cheeks. “You do that for me Stone. You fill my soul like no other man ever will.”

  Stone gazed at her and tried to read her thoughts. “There is something I need to know.”

  “What is it?”

  “What is your real name? The name your parents gave you when you were born?”

  “My name is Ariel McKenna Salazar.” She smiled.

  “Ariel, huh?” Stone grinned. “It’s different I’ll grant you that. Is that what you want me to call you from now on?”

 
; McKenna shook her head. “Please don’t. Ariel died the day my father died. McKenna was born out of desperation. She’s the stronger of us. I became McKenna in order to live another day. I can never go back to being Ariel.”

  Stone smiled and ran his fingers down her face. “Okay. I can live with that.” He touched her lips with the tips of his fingers. “I love you McKenna. I think I’ve waited a life time for you to grow up. You fill me up too. My soul recognizes your soul. I wanted you to come home with me always. I felt crushed when I thought I would have to leave you behind. When you asked to come with us, I was so happy. I want you in my life, in my home and in my bed. If you want a child, I will give you one. I’ll give you the world if that’s what you want.”

  McKenna laughed out loud. “Silly man, all I really want is you. I only want a life with you in it.”

  “Baby, you got it.” Stone leaned toward her crushing his lips to hers. His tongue swept into her mouth.

  McKenna felt the heat in his touch.

  No longer was his touch faltering. Now it felt the same as the first night they spent together. His kisses spread down her neck to her breasts. His lips circled her hard nipples and he licked her skin until he sucked her hardened peaks into his mouth.

  McKenna groaned in want as his hands went lower, down her belly to her core.

  Her legs spread wide as his fingers rubbed her clit. Her wetness spread when his fingers plunged deep inside her. Then he lowered himself and spread her thighs. His tongue snaking out to lick her clit. He then spread her folds and plunged his tongue inside her.

  McKenna gasped as he pleasured her like never before, licking and suckling her as he pushed two fingers into her as well. She panted and writhed on the bed, pleading to him.

  He lifted his head and licked his lips. ‘You are as sweet as you look.”

  McKenna panted and she couldn’t laugh as desperation drove her. “I need you Stone. I want you inside me, please…”

  “Gladly.” Stone groaned as he settled between her thighs. He plunged his cock deep inside her. For a moment, he stilled. He needed to control the overwhelming sensation she always gave him. He didn’t want to come until she did. Then after a moment, he began to rock his hips. Each stroke went deep and became harder. Sweat broke out on his skin and he felt his impending climax racing along his spine. He also felt her body ramp up. Her walls tightened on his cock, caressing it gently but holding it hostage as well. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he didn’t want to ever leave her haven. Here inside her, he felt complete like never before in his life. He noted the change in her breathing and his strokes got harder and faster.

  Stone felt his balls tighten then his world crashed down on his. He felt her pussy tighten, as she got closer. Her body tightened and she called out, “Stone…” As she gasped for air.

  He thrust once, then twice and then a third time as his cock exploded inside her. He filled her as his body trembled with ecstasy. He couldn’t do anything but sink into her deep and hold it. For the next few minutes, Stone couldn’t even breathe. When his mind cleared, he moved over to her side. Wrapping his arms around her, he tucked her close to his side.

  McKenna curled his arm around her waist then covered it with her own. She would never let him go. “I know it is maybe too soon, but I love you Stone.”

  “I love you too, and when someone finds this it is never too soon. I waited a lifetime for you,” he whispered into her ear. “I love you more than life itself. I can understand why your father did what he did. I would give my life too, to keep you safe.”

  McKenna shook her head as tears glistened in her eyes. “I never wanted that. I never wanted him to give his life for mine. I tried to talk him into running with me but being the stubborn ass that he was, he wouldn’t run.”

  Stone nodded. “He knew if he ran, it would never be over. That Hades would just find you anyway. He knew in his heart that Hades would never let you go. He did what he did to help you to do what was to come. I think he knew that one day, you would have to kill another human being and in his own way, he wanted to prepare you for that. Yes, it cost him his life but he knew that would be the only reason you could do it. He had to find your breaking point and push you past it. It was the only way he could protect you.”

  “Well, I hated it.” She cried out. “I hated the fact that Hades could cause someone so much pain. I watched his eyes as he cut my father time and time again. His eyes never showed any emotion. Every time he cut my dad, his eyes never changed. He didn’t feel pain or sympathy, he didn’t feel excited or empathy. He didn’t feel anything. His eyes were just dead.”

  Stone’s arms tightened around her. “I think Dewey was right. He read in your eyes that you could be the one to finally end his pain. That’s the only reason he allowed you to escape him three times. He had to give you time to work up the courage or hatred to finally put him down. I think that is exactly why he just came to the compound, so we could catch him and he would see you. Hoping you would end it for him and yourself.”

  “Maybe, but—I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for what I’m about to tell you,” McKenna murmured. “But when I pulled that trigger, I finally felt free. I felt no guilt at all when I knew he was dead. I knew I had to kill him and I wasn’t sorry I did.”

  “Can you live with that?” Stone asked. “Can you live with the fact that you took his life?”

  McKenna nodded. “Like you said, it had to be this way. I know I’ll never have a reason to kill again, but fate decided I had to kill this man. My nightmare is over now. I can finally breathe. My life changed that day in Boston but now, I can finally live again. I’m free to enjoy the rest of my life and I want to enjoy living it with you.”

  “Every day will be a new adventure for us as long as we’re together,” Stone vowed.

  “As long as we’re together,” McKenna repeated as she turned in his arms. She sealed her vow with a kiss and then they were both lost in the moment as their bodies responded to each other. “The day he killed my dad he took something from around his neck. After my mom died, he kept her wedding band. He put her ring on a chain along with his own. He wore those rings around his neck up until the day he died. Just before the fire, I wanted those rings to remember them by but when I checked, they were gone. Do you suppose Matthias found them?”

  “I’m sure he did. When we get to Texas, we can call and ask him. If he’s got them, he can send them to you.”

  “That works for me.”

  Stone noted the breaking dawn the next morning before he closed his eyes to sleep. His body felt tired but his soul was filled with memories of the night he’d spent in her arms. He knew then he would never get enough of her, no matter how long he lived.

  The next morning before they left, Stone found Calico. He held out his hand and when Calico took it, Stone told him, “If you ever do get down our way, give me a call. I could use someone like you in the network. We can give you a place to live and watch your family grow.”

  Calico smiled. “I might take you up on that man.”

  Stone smiled. “I hope you do. We can always use a good man.”

  NEXT UP

  Betrayed

  Book Two

  Hell’s Fire Riders Series

  THE BOOK THAT “SPAWNED” THREE DIFFERENT MC SERIES

  SPAWN & SPITFIRE

  Satan’s Spawn MC Series

  When Cassie comes to Troy, New York, looking for her best friend Peaches, she meets Deke Tory and her world is never going to be the same. He is formidable, magnetic and not like anyone, she ever met. Deke is president of the Satan’s Spawn MC and while he lives by a certain set of rules, Cassie grew up differently. She grew up on the streets from the age of ten and the only rule there…was the rule of survival.

  Deke finds himself drawn to the Spitfire girl who appeared out of nowhere. Can he break down the walls she has built up to protect herself? When Cassie and Peaches are reunited, their past comes back to haunt them. Someone from their past wa
nts them dead to hide a terrible secret.

  Can Deke protect her—can he even hold on to her?

  They have to find a way to survive and Cassie has to find a way to keep a promise she made to her friend, Peaches when they were ten. She has to find Peaches’ family and reunite them. Will they both survive long enough or will their past swallow them and keep its secret for a little while longer?

  READ THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS HERE>>

  CHAPTER ONE

  When she walked into the Dirty Dancing club, she didn’t really know what she would find. The place was clean at least. As Cassie looked around, she could see the bar and tables. She could also see the stage and the runway area. All she knew for sure was she needed to find her.

  Smoke filled the room with its hazy scent and she wrinkled her nose a bit. Making her way through the tables to the bar, she sat down and ordered a drink. When the bartender placed the glass in front of her, she turned slightly and watched the dancers for a moment. She grabbed the glass, brought it to her lips and asked, “Do you have a dancer here named Peaches?”