Taken by Temptation Read online

  I can’t, however, make any promises if things were as bad as I have a feeling they were. No disrespect intended towards King, I know he led a life of misery every day dealing with the demons that were his sister. I feel he would have lost his shit finding out about Bristol and the treatment she endured from his long-lost, spiteful bitch of a sister. Her father is no innocent either, but that’s a situation that’s already been handled. We owed him no loyalties.

  Kid, Skylar and Bristol have formed a relationship. One that I know is unbreakable. It’s as if they’d known each other their entire lives. I know they’ve spoken to each other about their parents, upbringing and set some things straight from lies spoken of from her mom. Bristol is making peace with the fact that she had family who would’ve cared about her had she been given the chance. Fuck, everyone leaving her may make her vulnerable and miserable for a while. I’m not, however, gonna let it be an option for her to be leaving with them. If anyone brings it up to her that she can leave with them, they are going to deal with me personally.

  Chapter 3

  Bristol

  He’s doing it again. He’s staring at me, but he’s not. It’s as if he’s lost in his thoughts and is staring straight through me. I’ve never met anyone like Ghost before. He’s both intimidating and scary as hell. I both want to stay away from him and pull him closer. Since the day he brought me to the compound I’ve been confused by him. We’ve had a few select conversations, he makes sure they are light and not forcing me to tell him about my past. Although, I know that’s exactly the conversation he wants to have.

  I’m not ready to go there with him yet. I’m not sure I ever will be. Ghost is a force to be reckoned with, though. He makes you want to tell him your deepest, darkest secrets. The thing with that though, means that I will have to relive my childhood. It’s not a pretty one, or one I want to share. I would like to pretend like it never happened and the family I have now is the one that’s always been there.

  Life is funny in a way, you never know what’s coming your way. You never know if your past will surface without your knowledge or approval. I’m sure at some point everyone here will learn my darkest moments. I hope I’m strong enough to deal with it when the time comes. I’ve been putting on a strong front, that’s all it is, though, a front. I’ve gotten close with my cousins and a couple of the ol’ ladies. Their friendships and love for each other astound me on a daily basis. Will I ever truly have that with them? I don’t know, but I will work hard every day to get there.

  I strive to be as strong, trusting and loyal as they are. Despite my upbringing to trust no one, I find myself daily trusting them a little more. They’ve struggled to make me feel accepted and worked really hard to bring me into the fold. A fold I’m desperate to become a part of. I’m brought out of my musing by a screeching yell from Skylar.

  “What the fuck do you mean we’re moving? Where exactly are we going Ryder? I’m not leaving my family, you motherfucker!” Then she actually stomps her foot, making me forget what it is she just said since I find myself chuckling at her preadolescent outburst.

  “Exactly what I said Sky,” Ryder yells back at her. “And you’ll god damned go anywhere I go woman.” Cue Skylar’s face turning beet red in anger.

  “The fuck you say Ryder! I’m not leaving my family for whatever reason you’ve cooked up in your itty-bitty brain that we’re taking off! Go fuck yourself asshole.” Ooh, them’s fighting words there. I have been around to witness some pretty epic arguments from them, they’re freaking hilarious and sometimes get kinda scary.

  “Woman...”

  “Don’t you call me woman! I’m not going, Ryder.”

  “The fuck you say!” He then scoops down and fireman carries her off. Guess they’re gonna go fuck it out. It’s what they do anyhow. When he can’t control her mouth, he carries her away. Usually with her spitting mad and ready to maim him. We can hear them yelling at each other as he continues to cart her away. Then it dawns on me exactly what conversation I heard.

  I look for Ghost and our eyes meet. He must see the panic on my face because he marches his way past his brothers heading my way. I’m not even going to lie, I need him right now.

  Ghost

  I see the moment she realizes exactly what was said. Fuck! I was hoping to be able to get her alone and tell her what’s been decided. I did not want her to find out the way she just did. Ryder and his big mouth just couldn’t wait a little while longer. Now, not only is Bristol freaking out but so are Riley, Sadie, Kaci and Kassi. Because they realize, where one of the guys goes, the others are soon to follow and they’ve pieced two and two together to equal four. This night is going to be intense.

  I finally reach her and she looks at me with the saddest face I’ve witnessed from her to date and it puts me in protective mode immediately. All my instincts hone in on protecting her from anything that upsets her in any way.

  “Wha...what are they talking about Ghost? Why are Ryder and Skylar leaving?”

  “Sweet cheeks come with me—ya?” I ask her out of courtesy. Little does she know she’s coming with me for some privacy for this conversation. I’m just giving her a chance to come to this conclusion on her own. For now, anyways.

  “Umm...okay,” she says meekly. I can’t wait for the day she finds her backbone. I know she has it inside of her, I hope I’m the one who helps coax it out. I’m looking forward to the day when we can hash it out and make up with sex. Whoa, there Romeo, back it up some. She can barely look at you without closing in on herself.

  I hold my hand out for her to take with her own. She looks at my hand and eventually gives in, but I notice there’s a little shaking going on once she does. The day will come, I have to remind myself, that she will no longer be so nervous around me. I just have to learn some patience which is not my strongest forte. When I want something, I want it then and there. This is a person however, and I can’t control her emotions and feelings. Even though I want to snap her out of it, she needs to figure this out for herself.

  Chapter 4

  Ghost

  We make our way down the hallway and to my room. I unlock the door and open it and then step aside so she can go in. Hesitation is clear on her face but she must decide it’s safe because she eventually makes her way inside.

  “Alright sweet cheeks. Take a seat.” She chooses the chair at my desk instead of the bed. I want to laugh at the look on her face before she made her final decision of where exactly to sit. “Relax sweet cheeks, I’m not gonna bite you. Unless you want me to of course,” I say with a smirk and a wink so she knows I’m playin’ with her.

  She gasps and screeches out, “Ghost!” and I lose it. I laugh so hard my stomach is starting to ache. Shit, I haven’t laughed like this in ages—I can’t actually remember the last time as a matter of fact. “I don’t see what’s so funny here,” she says, pretending to be outraged but I can tell from her face she is anything but. “Stop it! You’re embarrassing me.” Sure enough I must be, because her face is beet red.

  “Sorry sweet cheeks,” I say even though I really am not. The times she lets me tease her are memorable moments for me.

  “Tell me what’s going on, Ghost?” I sigh not looking forward to this conversation. I do it though, I tell her everything that’s been decided and what’s going on. I tell her about the new charter, where it will be located and who all’s going. I watch as her face falls from what appears to be grief. Fuck that! They aren’t leaving her life, they’re only going to be a couple of hours away which I relay to her.

  “Sweet cheeks, they’re not moving to the other side of the country. They’re only gonna be a couple of hours away. We can go see them anytime you’d like to. I’ll never deny taking you to see family. I’m gonna miss them as much as you are. You’re gonna be fine, I’ll always take care of you and be here when you need me.” I look directly in her eyes as I say this so she knows I’m sincere.

  Bristol

  The look in Ghost’s eyes tells me he’s s
peaking the truth. I, however, don’t know how I feel about everyone I count on seeing on a daily basis being gone. I know phones will keep the lines of communication open with them daily if I need it, but damn it, I just found everyone. The only blood family I have left is leaving. How am I supposed to feel about this? My much-needed support system will be hours away from me instead of down the hall or around the corner.

  “I don’t want them to leave me. Can’t I go with them?”

  “Fuck no!” he shouts in response to my question.

  “No need to yell at me. It was just a question, what happens to me now?” I need to know.

  “What do you mean sweet cheeks? What exactly are you asking me here?”

  “Well—the only reason I’m even here is because Kid and Skylar are my family. When they’re gone what happens with me? Do I need to find somewhere else to go?”

  “To go? What the fuck Bristol! You actually think we want you to leave or something? You’re ours...Mine! You’re not going any fuckin’ where.”

  “I’m yours? What exactly does that mean Ghost?”

  “Sweet cheeks, you know exactly what that means. You’ve been around here long enough now to figure that one out.”

  “Mmmhmm...let me rephrase then. I know what it means for the couples who are already established, Ghost. What I want to know is what does that mean for you and me?”

  “I guess I need to be clearer huh? It means that when you’re ready I’m claiming you as my woman, Ol’ lady and anything else that entails. Something else I’m gonna make quite clear for you Bristol.” Oh, he used my name and not sweet cheeks, this must be serious. “I am not letting you go. Not now, not ever. Wrap your mind around that and get used to it.” Then he turns around and walks out the door. Leaving me in his room alone and left to my thoughts. I like Ghost, don’t get me wrong, but really? He’s making life decisions for me? I don’t need or want that, that’s been the story of my life since the day I was born.

  Well, if he wants me, he’s going to have to work for it. I also need time to figure out what it is I want in life. What I want to do with my life. For the first time, I have options and I plan to find my own way in life, while being on a journey to figure out who I am, without being told what to do and how to do it. Now that that’s been settled in my head I’m getting out of this room. If I don’t leave now, I fear I never will. His room I mean, because for some reason since he made his claim, I don’t want to leave him. I just want to figure out me first.

  Man, even I know I’m a contradiction to my own thoughts. I’ve got some serious thinking to do.

  Chapter 5

  Ghost

  It’s been two weeks since I laid it all on the line for Bristol. She hasn’t avoided me per se, but she hasn’t gone out of her way to have a conversation with me either. That’s okay, I’ll give her some time to come to grips with what I said to her. She’s been busy helping her girls pack up their houses and putting them on the market. Kid isn’t exactly excited about leaving Bristol behind, but I told him it would be over his cold dead body that he’d take her from me. Knowing I am as serious as a heart attack he agrees to leave her to my care. As if he has a choice in the matter. I didn’t step in on his relationship with Riley, and he won’t be steppin’ in on mine with Bristol.

  His next decision, however, is one for the history books, he’s not taking her but has decided she needs some independence. So, he and Sky have decided not to sell the house King gifted them, but to allow Bristol to stay there. I nearly lost my ever-loving mind thinking I wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her at all times. It’s in my DNA to have what’s mine within reaching distance. I need to know that if she needs me I’m right there by her side.

  I finally relented when he reminded me there are a couple of guest rooms in the house and I could claim one of them for my own. Which I absolutely will, no choice in that matter. If Bristol won’t be living at the clubhouse, neither will I. Where my woman goes, I go, end of story. When presented with the option of staying at the clubhouse or moving into their home with me in tow, I was surprised she chose the house. I didn’t think she’d be too thrilled with rooming with me. I’m actually looking forward to evenings alone with her getting to know her better and vice versa. I plan on letting her get to know me, really well in fact.

  Not only are we traveling back and forth between Templeton and home setting up a clubhouse and shop, but we’re busy packing up our own belongings to move whenever the others head that way permanently. I didn’t realize how little Bristol actually has and I need to rectify that for her quickly. Giving Sky my credit card, I send her on a mission with the other Ol’ ladies and Bristol in tow. I told the ladies not to let her know I was paying, I want her to think the ladies and club are setting her up with new things for a fresh start. A new beginning to help her heal and grow. I’ll tell her eventually, when she’s ready. For now, I just want her to have her girls with her to do whatever girly shit it is they do.

  Bristol

  I haven’t been actively trying to avoid Ghost, but I have made sure I’m not too close as well. My head is still really messed up, but I’m looking forward to living with him. The girls are taking me out for a shopping day and some lunch afterwards. We’re heading to Dallas and have decided to make a night of it. Unfortunately, when the guys found out they went a little postal only giving in when we agreed to let Levi and Carson come along. Poor guys, we can all be a handful on a normal day, but this is us on a shopping spree—and I can just imagine how they feel about being given the task to watch over us and follow us everywhere we go.

  Doubt it will be much fun for them, but they’ll never complain about it. They’re freshly patched and still finding their way. Their patch-in party was one for the records, I still can’t look either of them in the eye without thinking about what I had the displeasure of witnessing.

  It was the night of their patch in party. Things were going well in the beginning. Drinks were flowing, music was blaring and I was enjoying my time with the family. That is until I heard whooping and whistling. I turned to see what all the commotion was and wished that I hadn’t. Lips and Cindy were both...now picture this...both of them were giving Carson a blow job...Eww.

  How it takes more than one person to go down on one man is something I just can’t comprehend or understand.

  Carson had his head thrown back and was moaning out his pleasure. Then I turned my head to not have to see that display, and found myself watching Levi getting a blowjob from Easy while he fingered Pleasure. You know, down there.

  Great name for club babes, huh? Apparently, those with nicknames, or club names have earned them for their special skill set. Again, ewww. I’m not a virgin, but public displays of intimacy are not something I’m used to witnessing. It takes my brain a minute to process it all.

  I’m both completely disgusted and mesmerized by what is happening around me. I glance around to see all of the club members watching. It isn’t just the single men watching either, it’s the ones who are taken as well. What breaks my heart is that Ghost is not only watching, but he’s whistling and encouraging the acts right along with the other members. I can’t wrap my head around how he claims to want me, but is enjoying these carnal acts of pleasure Carson and Levi are in the middle of.

  I decided to ignore all that was going on around me and started to enjoy myself again as all hell broke loose. You see, my girls didn’t take kindly to their guys enjoying such a show. Riley, Sadie, Skylar, Kassi and Kaci let it be known very loudly and physically. I watched in horror and a little bit of awe, as Kaci, who takes no shit from anyone, clocked Travler right in the nose.

  The girls took their cue from her and joined in on the violence. Riley, not holding back, gets right in Kid’s face screaming about his proclivities of watching said sexual acts. Then to top it off, she knees him right in the junk. She held nothing back, didn’t even feel bad for him when he hit his knees crying out in pain. I’m a little scared for my girls, these guys don’t take ki
ndly to being disrespected in front of their brothers and the club.

  Sadie, not to be outdone by her sister, gets right in Tumbler’s face and cold cocks him in the jaw followed up by her own junk punch. I winced as I watched him go down. That’s going to hurt for a few days. I guess he won’t be using those babies for a while. Wonder if Sadie thought of that before she rained hell down on his jewels.

  Skylar on the other hand, didn’t stop at a simple blow somewhere, no my girl went in full fight mode. She landed punches left and right leaving Ryder to duck and weave. It didn’t help him any because she landed her punches without sorrow or remorse. These guys had been drinking and their reaction time was a little slow. I almost, key word almost, felt bad for the guys.

  Kassi on the other hand surprises the absolute shit out of me. I know she and Malibu have some weird fetish involving others, but the fact that she asks him if he’s enjoying the show...and then laughs at him and throws her beer right in his face when he replies... “Hell yeah, I am.” Wrong answer buddy, I thought to myself. Apparently, my girl isn’t about sharing her man anymore. In any capacity. Now that Fern’s gone, I don’t think she wants anyone else to catch his eye. Those three had something special, but one of the three is no longer in the equation and Kassi hasn’t been the same since her ordeal.

  I turned and my eyes connected with Ghost’s. He smiled at me and began to head my way. Oh, hell no, I gave him my icicle glare and shook my head no. He stopped dead in his tracks and his mouth hung open. “What did I do?” he mouthed to me. What a stupid, stupid man he is. So, I screamed out to him, “If you can’t figure it out mister, then fuck you and all your MINE bullshit!” Then I turned and left the clubhouse, my intention was to step outside for some fresh air. Little did I know my girls were right behind me.