Live Free (Lords of Mayhem 3)

“And you’ll let him? Doesn’t sound like the woman I’ve come to know.”

“I owe my brother. If it weren’t for me, he would’ve had a full ride and never gone into the military. My hospital bills were astronomical. I stole his moment.”

“Fuck that. Mad because you fought your way back from the dead?” He inclined his head.

She glanced down. “I was always the disappointment child, the write-off who squandered her potential and I stole his glory.” A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed. “I have to live with that.”

Rocky started up the motorcycle. “One thing I know, mama, the only life we can control is our own. Can’t take the blame for shit that goes wrong.”

His words piqued her curiosity. There was a story there. He took off and she pressed up against him, knowing now wasn’t the time.

* * * * *

The thought of them blaming Evonne for living, instantly made him dislike her family. He knew why his mother had neglected him. She was a young single mother turned junkie. What was her parents’ excuse? He knew the area she’d given him directions to. Not quite filthy rich but damn close. It made him nervous. Being with her was stepping into a new skin, itchy and full of growing pains.

He’d never had a woman he wanted to claim and now he had all these emotions detonating inside him. If he could lock her up straight Rapunzel style and hide her from the world, he would. Caring made you vulnerable and he cared a whole hell of a lot. He steered the bike on the street, weaving through traffic, soaking up the feel of the sun on his face and the wind in his hair before he got sucked into the pointless drama of uptight, prudish pricks. They pulled up into a two-story brick building that had him wondering how much money her parents tucked away.

She laughed at his expression, removing her helmet and shaking out her ponytail. “Inheritance from the grandparents made this purchase possible. Trust me, I’m not hiding any insane wealth.”

Rocky shook his head. No, I am. The money from his fights had amassed nicely over the years. She didn’t need to know that yet, however. He turned off the bike and they stored their shit in the saddlebags. Her ass distracted him in the skintight black jeans she loved to wear. Her round globes were made for cupping and smacking. He cleared his throat, not about to meet Mom and Pop with a hard-on the size of Texas. She had an understated grace to her movements that held him spellbound.

She glanced over her shoulder and grinned. “You coming?”

“Yeah, just wondering if I’ll be shot on sight,” he said.

She rolled her eyes and giggled. “I’m pretty sure you can handle it, Rocco.”

His name rolled off her tongue and he growled. “We’re going to take this shit old school, mama, I want you wearing my cut, so everyone knows who you belong to.”

“Ro—”

He stepped up behind her. “Now ring the doorbell.”

She nodded her head dumbly and he kept his arm wrapped around her waist, palming her belly.

The door opened and a statuesque woman with strands of gray in her hair and a heart-shaped face with kind, chocolate-brown eyes answered. “Evonne!” Pure joy curved her full lips into a wide grin that flashed perfect white teeth. “I’m so happy to see you, honey.” Her gaze flicked up toward him and she froze. “Oh—who—who’s your friend?”

“This is my…” She glanced up at him, unsure what to call him.

“Her man, Rocky,” he finished, playfully squeezing her belly.

“Oh, I see.” A stern frown curved her lips and something suspiciously like fear appeared in her eyes.

“Did I hear you say Evonne was at the door? Paul and I were just talking about her.” An older man with salt-and-pepper hair, a high forehead and thin lips stretched into a line of disapproval appeared behind her. His skin was light brown, weathered by the sun and, Rocky suspected, a career in the military. “Huh. She’s more your daughter than I ever imagined,” her father sneered.

The disrespectful tone made Rocky raise an eyebrow.

“Please, come in.” Her mother fixed a fake smile on her face and stepped inside.

They followed her into the house. A quick sweep revealed clean lines, perfectly placed items and a coldness that surprised Rocky. Evonne might’ve been clinical at times, but she was never frigid.

“Paul! You’ll want to see this,” her father barked.

The disconnected tone of her father’s voice set Rocky on edge. Did they always treat her like some sort of second-class citizen? Perhaps he was one of those macho, patriarchal types who thought women weren’t worth as much?

“Look, you guys were worried and I wanted to come by and reassure you I’m fine, in person. I took some time off work. I was burning the candle at both ends and I needed a break.”

“So you take a vacation and get back to it. You don’t shut down and go…seeking thrills.” Disdain dripped from her father’s words.