Claiming Menace (Ruthless Sinners MC 5)

“I’m sure you do, especially when it’s that kind of feeling.” There was a twinge of jealousy in her tone when she added, “I bet you have it a lot with all the beautiful women coming into the club.”

“Not as often as you might think.”

I was tempted to tell her that I’d never had that feeling with any other woman, not the way I had with her, but I decided to keep that bit to myself. I didn’t see the point in freaking her out. Hell, I was rattled enough for the both of us. I’d thought fucking her would get her out of my system, but as I lay there next to her, I was having my doubts that would ever happen. She gave a little huff to my response, then mumbled, “If you say so.”

“Wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t true. Can’t exactly say the same about you.” I cocked my eyebrow. “Aubrey Cash.”

“Yeah, well I have my reasons for fudging the truth.”

“I’m sure you do, and I’m ready to hear ’em whenever you’re ready to share ’em.”

“It’s kind of a long story, and there are going to be things you don’t want to hear.”

“That’s fine. I’ve got no place I need to be.”

“But—”

“No sense in stalling. I’m not going anywhere until you tell me what the hell is going on with you.”

She paused for a moment, considering whether or not she should open up to me, but eventually, she said, “Fine, but it’s not going to change anything.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Parker

“Okay, then...For starters, my name is Parker Weston, not Aubrey Cash, and I’m from Sausalito, California, not Cleveland or whatever I put on my application.”

“I’m aware of that. Knew it the day you applied.”

“You did?”

“Oh, yeah.” He chuckled. “I knew the second you walked into my office you were hiding something.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I was curious to see how far you’d take it, and I have to say, I was pretty impressed when you actually started taking off your clothes.”

“Well, just so you know, I was absolutely mortified.”

“I was well aware.” He looked down at me and smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, it was hot as fuck, but there was no way in hell I was ever going to put you on the stage.”

“Oh, really? It was that bad?”

“No, it was that fucking good. I wanted you all to myself.” He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead. “No one gets to see that hot little body of yours but me.”

I rolled my eyes as I teased him. “Well, aren’t you just the sweetest?”

“Nothing sweet about it. I don’t share. You best remember that.” He gave me a quick wink, then said, “So, you’re from California.”

“You know... we should be cuddling and enjoying the haze of our sexual bliss, not talking about where I’m from or how I got here.”

“Well, I’ve never been one for cuddling.”

“No surprise there,” I scoffed. “I’m guessing you aren’t one for spooning either.”

“You’re procrastinating, Parker.”

“Yes, Menace. I’m from California. I’d still be there if my family was still alive.” I nestled into the crook of his arm as I told him all about the night I’d returned from my date to find that my parents and sister had been murdered. I told him about Rossi and how I’d testified against him. I was a blubbering, sobbing mess when I looked up at him and asked, “Remember how I told you I worked for the Brants before I went to college?”

“Yeah?”

“That wasn’t true.” His brows furrowed as I went on, “The trial was all over the news, especially in California, so they placed me in witness protection and moved me to Colorado. That’s when I actually met the Brants. They were the family I was placed with. I lived in the loft above their house and worked in their diner.”

“Oh damn. It wasn’t really a robbery, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t. It was Rossi. All Rossi.” I wiped the tears from my nose and face as I continued, “Poor Peter and Sally. They had no idea what they were getting themselves involved in.”

“I’m sure they knew more than you think,” Menace assured me. “Besides, it’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.”

“Maybe not, but it doesn’t make me feel any better about it.” I wiped the tears from my cheek. “They were so good to me, especially Mr. Brant. He was always bringing me little treats. Cookies or candy he kept hidden from his wife. He was like the grandfather I never had.”

Anguish riddled Menace’s voice as he whispered, “He was a very good man.”

“If I had known what was coming, I would’ve left, but I thought things were okay. The last I’d heard, Rossi had been denied an appeal. No one told me that Rossi’s lawyer had presented new evidence to the judge and had gotten the appeal, so I had no idea what was going on when I heard gunfire in the diner.” I took a moment to gather myself. “I was in the kitchen helping Mr. Brant when it happened. I wanted to try and help, but Mr. Brant wouldn’t let me. He forced me to go in the hidden cellar and wait. I did as he said, and I hid down there while all those innocent people were murdered.”