Inked (Going All the Way 1)

He growled low in his throat and was surprised by how threatening the sound actually was. “Watch it, Tally. I was barely putting up with you before, but if you start bad-mouthing my woman, I’m going to get really pissed.”

“What, going to hit me?”

He grinned, but it wasn’t humorous at all, and her smug little smile left her. “No, I don’t hit women, even ones like you.”

“But I do.” Naggie grinned and cracked her knuckles. “In fact, I have been doing a damn fine job of keeping my anger in check since the last time you and I met at the bar. Remember?”

Tally narrowed her eyes even further, which now made her look like she needed glasses. “Yeah, how can I forget? You threatened to smash my face into your windshield if I hit on your boyfriend again.” Tally tossed another piece of hair over her shoulder. “I was drunk and would have never hit on him to begin with. Guys that are all pierced up like that don’t do it for me.” She eyed Naggie up and down. “But I can tell you like the freaks, given as you are one.”

Right before he knew Naggie would have attacked Tally’s ass, the bell on the front door rang again. He turned and saw Stella walk in, and of course she arrived at the least convenient time.

She stopped and looked among the three of them. “Hey,” she greeted them, but there was a wariness in her voice. No doubt she could feel the thick, strangling sensation of annoyance, anger, and tension that lined the air.

He looked at Tally when he heard her grinding her teeth. She was staring at Stella with this narrowed-eyed and glaring expression.

“This is the bitch you picked over me? Some MC biker brat?” Tally asked in an outraged voice. “She’s fat as hell.”

He made a low, threatening sound, but before he could put Tally in her place, Stella spoke.

“Excuse me?” She took a step toward them, and an outraged expression was on her face. “You’re talking about me?” She pointed to herself as if she were truly surprised that she had just been dropped in this situation.

Tally didn’t respond but instead crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Stella.

Although Stella had it phrased as a question, there was hardened anger and disbelief in her voice. Tally knew who Stella was, seeing as she lived in Reckless too, and knew she was thick in the biker life. But Tally wasn’t the smartest woman he had ever come across, and her self-image was set high above everyone else’s.

She was also jealous, and she was allowing that to cloud the common sense part that should have been yelling at her not to fuck with Stella or Naggie. She was stepping into a territory she wouldn’t walk away unscathed from. Both females could eat Tally alive and still be hungry for seconds.

Pride filled him at the thought that his woman could handle what was thrown her way, and that was clear by her stance, the look on her face, and the fact that she had said something in defense. Cadeon stared at Stella and knew without a doubt he loved her. Christ, did he love her. He loved seeing the strength pour from her, even if it was during this small confrontation.

“You always go around insulting people you don’t even know?” Stella stepped closer to them, and there was a bite to her words.

“I call it like I see it.” Tally all but sneered.

“Stella, I wouldn’t worry about this skank or think much on her verbal vomit,” Naggie said in a singsong voice that was filled with a whole lot of dislike thrown Tally’s way.

Tally looked at Naggie and curled her lip. “This, coming from a dyke.”

He expected Naggie to launch herself at Tally, but all she did was laugh. “Sticks and stones and all that bullshit, bitch. At least I don’t have to resort to dressing in underwear in public just for a little attention.”

Tally’s face started taking on a red hue, and she made an outraged sound. “These are the people you associate with, Cadeon?” Tally asked in a high-pitched voice. “I have never been so insulted in my life.”

Naggie snorted. “You must not get out much then.”

Cadeon looked at Naggie and then at Stella and didn’t stop the grin that spread. “Yeah, I hang around some pretty fucking incredible company.” He started chuckling harder when Tally narrowed her eyes. “Look, I have tried not to be an asshole every time you’ve come on to me and I’ve kept you back. I really have, Tally, but this is the very last time I’m going to tell you, and maybe this time it’ll actually sink in.” He took a step toward her and said in a very low voice, “I have a woman, a damn good one at that, and she is the one I love.”