Wheels of Fire

That might be difficult since what’s beating in DeLova’s chest is probably black and pumping acid instead of blood through his veins.

“You have my word,” he promises.

“Good, because I would hate to lose you forever.”

Mallory

Outside the prison, I collapse against the truck door, my head hitting the window with a thump. My heart’s never pounded so fast and my knees are so weak I can barely stand.

Did I really say those things to my father? I’ve never spoken up. Talked back. Voiced an opinion to him. Not once in my life.

Chaser presses his body against mine and kisses my forehead. “I am in awe of you.”

I lift my shaking hands between us, staring at them. “I can’t believe I threatened my father.”

His body quivers and when I glance up, he’s laughing.

I sock him in the gut and he laughs harder. “It was beautiful, Mallory. Every fucking word. Priceless. Poor bastard. I almost felt bad for him.”

I growl and press my hands against his chest to push him away. But he captures my wrists and pins them at my sides. “I’m serious. After the shit I’ve put you through the last few months, you standing up for me means everything.”

“I was standing up for myself too.”

“That means even more.”

My gaze slips to the prison doors. “I don’t trust him.”

“Neither do I. But he’s got no reason to come after me right now. We promised him we’d wait until he’s out to get married.”

“Screw that. I don’t want to wait. I don’t want our wedding to be a big affair that belongs to everyone except us.”

He swallows hard. “What do you want, little dove?”

“Let’s elope. We can do it in California without telling anyone. We’ll have the big, expensive, showy party for our family and friends later. No one will know the difference.”

“Mallory, I want to give you the world. Everything you desire and deserve.”

“Do you know how many of those ostentatious weddings I attended growing up? I wasn’t the starry-eyed little girl sitting there fantasizing about my own poofy white dress and bag full of envelopes stuffed with cash that everyone felt obligated to bring.” I close my eyes and take a deep breath. “No, I dreamed of getting married barefoot on the beach and curling my toes in the sand when I said, ‘I do’.”

“Yeah?”

I hook my fingers in his belt loops and tug him closer. “I dreamed of a man who made me feel loved, cherished, and protected every day repeating his vows next to me. A man I chose for myself.”

His eyes search my face. “That’s me, little dove.”

“It is,” I agree, reaching up on tiptoes to kiss his jaw and whisper in his ear. “If I’d known my future husband had all these glorious muscles and beautiful ink, I would’ve run off to Hollywood much, much sooner.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “Glorious, huh?”

I tease my fingers under his shirt, tracing my fingers over smooth skin and hard muscles. “A work of art.”

“Are you sure you want to be a rock star’s wife?” he teases.

“No, Chaser. I want to be your wife. No matter what you do. No matter where we end up in life, I want to be by your side.”

I pull in a deep breath. Everyone seems to be worried that we’re too young to understand the magnitude of this commitment.

And all I am is grateful we found each other now, so we can spend a long, long life together.

Chapter Nineteen

Mallory

I don’t know what possessed me to throw the blue leather dress in my bag before I left L.A. It wasn’t because I had some sort of premonition about Chaser proposing, that’s for sure. I’m still having trouble believing this is real and keep stopping to stare at my ring. Maybe I knew there wouldn’t be anywhere in Kodack to buy a truly killer outfit if we attended a club party while we were here.

Tonight, it will serve as my engagement party dress.

My father would probably insist his princess wear something demure and classier for an engagement party. But demure isn’t really done here at the Devil Demons MC’s clubhouse.

Skintight leather dress it is.

“Fuck,” Chaser groans. “You know I can’t keep my hands off you in that.”

I dangle the dress in front of me and wiggle my hips. “I’ll require your assistance to squeeze into it.”

“I swear to fuck if one of my brothers looks at you sideways, blood’s gonna be spilled tonight.”

“Stop.” I rifle through the tiny closet in Chaser’s clubhouse room. “Shoot. I wish I’d brought those silver heels with me. All I have here are black ones.”

“Wear those black lace, fingerless gloves with it then,” he suggests.

“Chaser Adams, are you helping me accessorize?”

He squeezes his eyes shut and holds one fist in the air. “No, I’m picturing you giving me a hand job while wearing those gloves and your engagement ring.”

I fling one of my shoes at him and somehow he opens his eyes and catches it mid-air. “I got the reflexes of a cat, baby.”

“And the urges of a tom cat.”

“That too,” he agrees.

The bedroom door rattles on its hinges and a few seconds later, flies open.

“Knock much, old man?” Chaser growls at his father.

“Sorry.” Stump grins. “Heard you yapping, so I figured you were both decent.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “Can we have a word, son?”

“Sure.” Chaser leans in to kiss my cheek and whispers in my ear. “I’ll help you with the dress when I get back.”

After they leave, I rummage through the closet, wishing I’d brought more stuff from the house with me. There’s a knock at the door and I rush over to open it.

“Mallory!” Doe squeals and wraps me up in a big hug. “Stump told us the news. I’m so happy for you, darling.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re going to be a good old lady for Chaser. I feel it.” Her eyes sparkle.

I step back and must not look too sure.

“What’s wrong, hon?”

“I don’t think I can be his old lady if we’re out in Hollywood.” I meant it as a joke but it comes out so serious, Doe pushes the door closed and nudges me over to the bed to sit down.

“Sweetheart, I get that the club is…unfamiliar to you but it’s in Chaser’s blood. Accept who he is now or don’t marry him.”

My eyes must be snapping fire because she sits back and holds her hands up. “The club will be your family now too, Mallory.”

“I…” I turn and take in the small bedroom. “My father’s in prison. I don’t want that for Chaser.”

“Chaser’s a smart man. Like his father. Trust him. Always have his back.”

“I do.” I swipe at a stray tear. “Sometimes I feel like it’s us against the entire world.”

“It’s not, honey. I promise. The club always has your back too.” She lifts her head and stares at the door for a second. “I can’t tell you how many times Stump was ready to ride straight to California and kill some of those pricks who write that garbage about you two in the papers.”

“What?” I moan and hang my head. “Stump’s read that crap? He knows it’s all lies, right?”

“Of course. We all do. Hell, honey, you two never stop eyeballing each other long enough to notice anyone else in the room. No way you’re seeing anyone behind Chaser’s back.”

“Sheesh.” I blow out a breath, mortified they’ve read those stories.

“The only thing stopping Stump is that he knows how much Chaser wants to keep the music thing separate from the club. It’s more for the club’s protection, than Chaser’s.”

I can see that. While news spreading about my father would probably kill my career. Chaser’s connection to an MC would only enhance his rock-n-roll “bad boy” image. But it would also draw unwanted attention to the MC.

“I know Stump likes to t

ease and call you princess.” She pats my back. “But you’re made of strong stuff, Mallory. Let go of your fear. There’s no room for it in this life. Shit gets ugly sometimes.” She twists her wedding ring around a few times. “But you can’t appreciate the beauty of life without the ugliness.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, let me see this ring.” She reaches for my hand. “Then, it’s time for a celebration.”

Chaser

Dread settles in my stomach as I follow my father into his office.

“How’d the visit with DeLova go?” he asks once we’re both seated.

“Even better than last time.” I give him a quick rundown of our meeting. Complete with Mallory’s threat if her father comes after me.