Chapter 15 Wagers and Wishes
Valentina’s POV
As the clubhouse settles after Ramsey’s exit, I glance over at the table, taking in the aftermath. Slate and Gia are doubled over, laughter shaking their shoulders. The men are abuzz, girlfriends and old ladies chattering excitedly around them. Blaise simply keeps eating, unfazed, shovel meeting plate with machine-like dedication. And then there’s my man-eyes locked on me, a grin stretched wide across his face.
“What?” I challenge, arching an eyebrow.
He just shrugs, gaze never wavering. “Nothing. I just love watching you defend your claim.”
“My claim?” I scoff, shaking my head. “Pretty sure it’s you who has the claim, not me. I’m just your
woman.”
He doesn’t give me time to argue. Suddenly, I’m swept into his arms, legs dangling in the air. “Damn right you are. But you got it twisted, angel. I’m yours just as much as you’re mine. Watching you put someone in their place? Sexiest thing I’ve seen all year.”
- ing. The room erupts-whistles,
That pulls a real smile out of me. I rise on my toes, meeting him for a kiss that’s all heat and promise. He lifts me higher, and I wrap around him, not caring who’s hoots, laughter. We break apart, eyes still tangled, and he carries me back to the table, both of us grinning.
Dinner winds down. The men file off for their meeting, leaving the rest of us to gather plates and bottles, a gentle chorus of conversation drifting through the room. Gia and I help clean up, stacking dishes and wiping down counters. Anna-Jester’s old lady-bounces over, excitement lighting her
face.
“Hey, girls! Just wanted to say how happy we all are to see you two finally part of the fold. Especially you, Gia. We’ve all watched Slate moon over you for years. We actually had a bet running on how long you two would keep dancing around each other.” She winks. “I won, by the way. Guessed it’d happen this month. Scored a thousand bucks, so-thanks.”
Gia laughs. “You should really thank Raptor. He’s the one who pushed Slate to make a move.”
Anna waves her hand. “That was me, too. I wanted that win. Jester’s birthday’s coming up and I’m putting together a boudoir album for him-needed the extra cash.”
Gia grins. “Who’s taking the photos? Pretty sure Jester would tear the head off any poor guy who tried to do that job.”
“Oh, my mom’s the photographer. I’m paying her five hundred. She does family portraits, owns a studio and everything.”
A wild idea sparks. I nudge Gia. “We should do something like that for Slate and Killian. Give them a little going-away present for those long rides. Something to stash in their spank bank.”
Gia laughs, eyes lighting up. “Hell yes. Anna, think your mom could fit us in, too?”
“For sure! Hand me your phone, I’ll put her info in.”
Gia passes her phone over, and I can’t help the rush of excitement buzzing in my chest. I’m already
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planning outfits, colors, poses in my head.
“Gia, let’s go shopping tomorrow. Call Anna’s mom, see when she can squeeze us in. Sooner, the better.”
She’s already dialing, and I’m scrolling through my favorite sites, hunting for the perfect lingerie. I know exactly what I want-something that will haunt his thoughts long after he’s out on the road.
Killian’s POV
Raptor plants his elbows on the table, eyes dark. “The Ravagers have to disappear. The intel’s solid- they’re moving girls, young ones. Thirteen to sixteen.”
The weight of it hangs in the air. Medic, always the voice of reason, leans forward. “It can’t look like us. We need it quiet, like a ghost. The Marauders and Inferno’s Sons agree-no heat on the MCs. Options?”
I drum my fingers, thinking of our contacts. “We could outsource. We know plenty of psychos in the death clubs who’ll do anything for the right price.”
Blaise shakes his head, scraping his fork across the plate. “Those freaks charge a fortune. Sure, three clubs could foot the bill, but do we really want to get tangled up with the Marauders and the Sons? We aren’t friends, but there’s no beef, either.”
Slate’s gaze pins me, a silent challenge in his eyes. His brows lift, glancing toward the doors. Suddenly, I get it-he’s thinking about the girls’ past. I shake my head. He nods, relentless. I shoot him a glare: No fucking way. He answers with a look that says, Got a better plan? I scowl and look away.
Blaise catches us. “What’s with the soul-gazing, you two? Sisters or not, you want to share something
with the class?”
I throw him a smirk, wiggling my eyebrows. “Sarge, you sure you want to know? Things might get
weird.”
He rolls his eyes, but the tension cracks, laughter bubbling up.
“Watch it, or I’ll knock you on your ass.”
“With that big, fat-”
Blaise growls, cutting me off. “Killian, finish that and I swear I’ll shoot you.”
Jester pipes up, grinning. “Sarge, you want Luna Fiera mad at you? She’s hot, but she’s nuts.” He nods to me. “No offense, brother, but your woman’s got fire.”
I grin. “Don’t I know it.”
Blaise pulls us back. “Enough. The looks-explain.”
I meet Slate’s stare. He nods, silent understanding passing between us.
“We need to bring in the girls,” I say.
Medic’s frown deepens. “No women in church. You know the rules.”
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I lean back, unfazed. “You want the truth? Then you need to know what kind of jewels this club’s got. These girls could take us out in our sleep and you’d never hear a sound. Especially Valentina. Remember her ex? The one who got turned into paste in his own office? That was their father, avenging Valentina.”
Blaise’s eyes go wide. “What’s that got to do with the girls?”
“Let’s hear it from them.” He nods. I step out, heading for the bar.
I find Valentina and Gia deep in conversation with Anna. “Hey, baby. Gia, need you both in church. Time to share your story.”
Valentina’s voice is low, worried. “Killian, you promised-”
Anna picks up the cue and disappears. I meet Gia’s eyes-she looks pale.
“Gia, does Slate know it all?”
She nods, voice tight. “He knows.”
“You’re protected. The club’s got you.”
Valentina’s mouth is set. “There’s a million on our father’s head. He’s not under club protection.”
“He’s family. That makes him ours.”
Valentina glances at Gia. After a moment, Gia nods. They follow me down the hallway.
Inside church, Slate stands, offering his seat to Gia. I give mine to Valentina. She turns to Gia, asking,
“You or me?”
S
Gia gestures for her to go ahead. Valentina faces the room and tells the story-who they are, where they come from, the life they ran from.
Riff, the club’s newest skeptic, crosses his arms. “Bullshit. Can you prove it?”
Valentina doesn’t blink. “Of course. Gia, get our cases. Meet on Road 385 at Pioneer Ranch, one hour. Riff, you’re coming. Who else?”
Raptor shoots up a hand, grinning like a kid in class. Valentina flashes him a smile that makes something twist in my gut.
“Perfect. We’ll see you there. Babe, I’m riding with Gia in the SUV. We need to talk.”
“You and I need a word too,” I murmur, shooting a look at Raptor before turning back to her. She gives me a puzzled look, then shrugs, leaning in to kiss me-her hand squeezes my cock, just because she can. I can’t help the grin that spreads as she sashays away, the promise of chaos in every step.
This woman will be the death of me-and I can’t get enough.
