War & Mayhem Book 2: Gravel

MEDUSA

I had just finished tidying up the clubhouse when I glanced at my phone. It was time to meet Gravel at his place. We’d been seeing each other for a bit now, and honestly, I was glad I’d visited his hospital room all those months ago.

I’d always been drawn to him. He was different from the other guys at the club—respectful, loyal, and incredibly handsome. I left the kitchen and approached Vikki, who was helping another girl, Enigma, carry a few boxes into the club.

“I’m heading out for a bit. I should be back in a few hours,” I said, slipping on my jacket.

“Okay, hon. Just be back in time to help with dinner, will ya?”

I nodded at her before leaving the clubhouse and crossing the lot to my car.

Once inside my car, I dialed Gravel to let him know I was on my way. I cranked up the music and sang along as I drove. After a fifteen-minute drive, I got out of my car just as Gravel emerged from his front door, waving me over.

A wide smile spread across my face as I bit my bottom lip. He licked his lips as he watched me ascend the few steps to his porch. My mind was racing, my nerves were on edge. It felt like I was a teenager with a crush all over again.

I walked up to him on the porch.

“Hey you.” His voice was low and husky. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. As his cologne filled my nostrils, I closed my eyes, savoring the moment before he lifted my chin with his finger. Our eyes met, and his face lit up with a smile.

“Come on, let’s get inside so I can taste your lips, and other things.”

His words sent a shiver down my spine and a blush to my cheeks. He pulled me into a kiss and led me into his house, never breaking the kiss. He kicked the door closed with his foot, lifted me into his arms, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist.

He carried me into his bedroom and gently laid me on the bed. He watched me, licking his lips as he removed his shoes and shirt, then came over to me, hovering between my legs and pulling me into another kiss.

***

A few days had passed, and things around the clubhouse were getting intense. The guys were barely there, and I barely got time with Gravel. I was outside with Vikki and Enigma, trying to stay focused, but I couldn’t stop watching Gravel from across the compound talking to Thrasher. Before I knew it, he was on his bike and heading out again.

The night I’d visited him in the hospital four months ago had sparked something within me. I wouldn’t have even gone there if someone I knew hadn’t been in the same hospital. I wouldn’t have had the courage.

Roxi, a friend from my days on the streets, had been badly hurt and ended up in the hospital. Her daughter had called me, crying her eyes out, and of course, I had to go and offer support in any way I could.

That’s one thing I’m forever grateful for with the MC. They helped me escape that life. If not for them, I’d be back where Roxi was or worse, dead. I’d been on the streets for so long that I’d forgotten what a bed, a home, and a hot meal felt like. I’d rather die than go back to that life.

“You okay, honey? You look lost.” Vikki’s voice pulled me out of my grim flashback.

“Yeah… I…was just thinking.” I nodded, turning back to the task at hand.

***

I pulled up at Gravel’s house just as he did. I got out of the car and walked over to him.

“Hey, angel,” he greeted, pulling me into a hug before we headed inside.

His touch always set my body on fire and made me even more nervous around him. I’d never felt this way about any man. All the men in my past were never there by choice. It made me feel broken, and it wasn’t fair to string Gravel along, but I couldn’t let him go. My selfishness always overpowered my intuition. I dreaded the day I’d have to break his heart to save him.

“How’s your day going?” I asked as we settled on the couch.

“Eh, club business is doing my head in, and I’m so exhausted,” he replied.

I nodded in understanding. “Your job isn’t easy. I can’t imagine just how tired you actually are. You guys never take a break, it’s like you’re always on the go. Plus, you’re still healing after what happened.”

“It’s part of the lifestyle, unfortunately, but we make do,” he said, and I nodded.

Just as I was about to reply, my phone buzzed with a message. I pulled it out of my bag and saw it was from an unknown number, which made me frown.

This was the fourth message I’d received, and I knew who it was. I knew it could only be one person. A sick feeling settled in my stomach.

“Everything okay?” Gravel’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, making me jump slightly.

“Uh…yeah, just people messing around is all,” I lied. He looked at me suspiciously but let it go.

After spending time with Gravel, I headed back to the clubhouse since he had more club business to handle. I walked into my dorm room upstairs and saw a large envelope on my bed. I never got mail. I hadn’t changed my address from before, so this made me uneasy.

I picked up the envelope and opened it. I dropped it and the photos inside, covering my mouth to stifle a scream. My anxiety spiked, and I stumbled backward into the dresser, knocking everything off it before I collapsed onto the floor.

After a few moments, I heard a knock at my door, and Vikki entered the room.

“Hey, darlin’, what’s going on? I heard the crash.”

I just shook my head, tears streaming down my face. I couldn’t find the words to explain.

“What’s going on, Medusa? You know you can tell me, right?” she said, kneeling in front of me.

I shook my head, and she sighed.

“Medusa…”

“It’s on the floor by the bed,” I managed to say, pointing toward the photos as more tears fell.

Vikki went to look, and her face filled with horror before she looked back at me.

“Mage! Get up here!” she screamed out the door.

“Please, don’t share this with anyone else. I don’t want my past to be public knowledge,” I pleaded, struggling to my feet. I reached out, gripping her hands tightly, shaking my head in desperation.

“Sweetheart, someone’s out to harm you,” she said, gently wiping away my tears. “This is a serious threat. You need to let the club step in and help.”

As she spoke, the door burst open, and Mage stormed in, Thrasher hot on his heels.

“What’s happening here?” Mage demanded, his gaze darting between Vikki and me.

Vikki glanced at me, then handed him the incriminating photos.

“What the hell are these? Where did they come from?” His face flushed with anger as he took in the images of my past life on the streets, including the night I’d spent with 8Ball.

“Medusa.” His voice was a harsh command, making me jump, but I kept my gaze lowered.

Mage turned to Thrasher. “Call a meeting. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Thrasher nodded in understanding.

“Look, I can see you’re scared. You’re practically vibrating with fear from across the room,” Mage said.

I opened my mouth to respond, but he held up a hand to silence me. “Your past is now club business. You need to keep us in the loop. Understand?”

I nodded quickly in agreement.

“Vikki, keep her here. I’ll send a prospect to fetch you when it’s time. And Vikki, I mean it—stay put.”

Vikki nodded at Mage’s instructions before he exited my room.

The room was heavy with silence after Mage’s departure. I sat on the bed while Vikki tidied up the scattered mess.

Once she was done, she turned to me and sighed. “You know, I used to live on the streets too. Mage saved me one night. I was being beaten by a guy I owed money to. By the time he was finished, I was ruined. The doctor told me I’d never be able to have kids.”

“But you have 8Ball.”

She shook her head. “Mage and I used a surrogate. After what that man did to me, my spine was damaged. I had to undergo several major surgeries and spent months in a coma. But I made it through, with Mage by my side.”

She sat next to me, taking my hands in hers. “I’ve noticed the way Gravel looks at you. And I know there’s something between you two. I’ve seen the way you look at each other. I say, go for it. He’s a good man, and he won’t hurt you.”

I nodded, taking in her words.

“Let’s go for a drive,” she suggested, standing and extending her hand to me.

“But Mage said to—”

“Sometimes, being an old lady means you have to break the rules.”

We descended the stairs and walked through the main room, which was eerily quiet as all the guys were in the chapel for their meeting. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and a headache was starting to form.

Shit, no one was supposed to know about that night with 8Ball. He was about to be thrust into the spotlight because of me. Gravel was going to learn things about me that I’d hoped to leave buried in the past.

With my head down, I walked toward the door and collided with a solid figure. “Sorry, I—”

I looked up to see Gravel, his smile fading as he took in my appearance. Worry clouded his eyes.

“I’m sorry for everything,” I blurted out before he could speak. I brushed past him and ran toward the truck where Vikki was waiting. Gravel called my name behind me.

“It’ll be tough at first. But Gravel is fiercely protective of those he cares about. And what he learns today won’t push him away—it’ll bring him closer,” Vikki reassured me as we drove out of the compound.