PHOENIX ROCKSTAR

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Copyright © 2013 Bec Botefuhr

Published by Bec Botefuhr, January 2013.

Phoenix Rockstar is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. Please do not take offence to the content, as it is FICTION.

Books in this Series

PHOENIX ROCKSTAR (Book one in the Rockstar Series)

HEART SONG (Book two in the Rockstar Series)

Join my facebook page “Author Bec Botefuhr” to get updates on more of my work!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For everyone who believed in me, who knew that I could do it even when I didn’t believe it. My family, friends, co-workers and everyone who said “You can do it.” Thank you.

For my husband’s patience and love, and for not hitting me over the head for all the hours I have spent working on my novels. For my gorgeous daughters who are the best children a mother could ask for.

For all my fans, for their encouragement and belief, for their kind words and amazing hearts. You all make this possible for me.

This one is for my sister Belle; though she is a hard ass on the outside, she is totally loveable on the inside. I love you sis!

PROLOGUE

“Baby, can’t you stay this weekend?” My mother pleads, giving me that look.

“Mom, you know I don’t want to do that. We do this every weekend.”

“Your daddy and his world; I don’t like it.”

“I have been visiting Chief every weekend for eight years now and have I ever come home with a cut or bruise?”

She pouts. “No but…”

“And have I ever been hurt, emotionally or physically?”

“No, but Violet…you’re getting older now and those men...”

“Have never treated me like anything but a princess. I am twenty one Momma and I know that you don’t like it, but you don’t get a choice. I respect you because this is where I live most of the week, but I want to see him.”

“Alright, ok, I can’t stop you. I just get so worried.”

“I will text you every day.”

“I thought Caden had a ride this weekend?”

“He does.”

“Are you sure it is ok to go?”

“I will text and ask.” I sigh, rolling my eyes.

“Who will be there if he isn’t?”

“He always has someone to watch me if he goes.”

“I don’t like when he leaves you with Jaq.”

“I don’t either, but I stay out of her way.”

“I can’t believe he is still with her.”

I frown. “Neither, she is such a cu…”

“Don’t you dare say that word in my house young lady.” She snaps, throwing her hands over her hips.

“Sorry Momma, I can’t help it. She is not good enough for daddy, not nearly. He is devilishly handsome, and she is a drag queen look alike.”

Mom laughs. “I love how you put things.”

“Only you were good enough for him.”

She smiles, but her expression is pained. She loved Chief; he owned her soul, and she never got over him. They were sweethearts and best friends. Chief chose a dangerous life that Momma could not handle, so she took me and left. Chief is the president of the Phoenix motorcycle club; he is dangerous, deadly and lives a scary life. My Momma was the valedictorian of her school, brought up in a life of luxury; some might have called her a princess. They were so opposite and yet…so in love.

“Thank you angel; now find out if he is ok with you coming, I will drop you off.”

I stare at her, shocked. “You will drop me off?”

“What?”

“You haven’t dropped me off for like three years.”

“Well, I want to make sure things are ok now you are twenty one and able to do things you weren’t before.”

“Ok, whatever you say.”

I pull out my mobile and punch in Chief’s number.

Daddy, can I still come this weekend?

Baby girl, of course you can. Why, is mom giving you grief?

She knows the ride is on this weekend, and you have to go.

Only 4 a night.

Ok then, she is dropping me off. See u soon.

She is dropping u off?

Yes, she wants to make sure all is ok now I am the big two one.

Uh oh.

“Well?” She asks.

“All is good, can we go now?”

“Alright, just let me get my keys.”

I shake my head as my mother walks off. She loves me to death, maybe too much sometimes.

CHAPTER 1

“Caden, it is nice to see you.” My mother says when Chief walks out.

I try to picture them in my mind, such a beautiful couple they would have been.  Chief is handsome for his age and often has women hanging off him. He has dark hair, all ruffled and thick. He has the same grey eyes as me, and a killer smile. He is covered in tattoos and is built; I think he keeps his body so toned because of the fights he is constantly getting in. I look most like him; I have the same grey eyes and dimpled smile.

My mother and I share the same hair color; it is dark brown with flecks of gold. My mother is stunning and petite with sparkling blue eyes. Daddy always said her eyes reminded him of the sky, of heaven; a place he wanted to go when he died. I watch as they stare at each other; so many emotions flow between them. There are so many unspoken words, so many things they want to do, to say, but they can’t. Love is like that sometimes; it just can’t be explained and even worse, sometimes it just isn’t enough.

“Good to see you Mandy.” He grins, dropping his cigarette and crushing it with his heavy black boots. My mother flushes.

“I just wanted to drop her off and make sure all is ok while you are away.”

“I am gone only an afternoon and night. She will have protection; you know I don’t leave her unprotected Mandy.”

“I know Caden, it’s just she is twenty one now…”

“And smart as hell. She ain’t gonna do nothing stupid.”

He winks at me, and I grin back.

“Alright, well listen…she wants to go to a party tonight with her friend Reagan. Can you make sure she gets there and back safe?”

“Done.”

“Alright baby, call me if you need.”

I hug her and let her hold me just a bit too long.

“Love you Momma.”

“You too angel.”

When she is gone, I turn to Chief who is watching her leave. His eyes swing to me, and he grins.

“Come on Mischief, let’s go.”

He has called me Mischief since the day I was born. It is a little spin off from his nickname in the club, which is Chief.

“Is Jaq here this weekend daddy?”

“Yeah baby, is that a problem?”

I frown, and he stops, turning to stare at me.

“Why do you like her so much daddy, she is no good for you.”

He laughs and his grey eyes twinkle. “My little one looking out for me, you flatter me Mischief.”

I huff and cross my arms. “I am serious daddy. She is nasty.”

He looks serious now; he steps forward and rests his beefy hands on my shoulders. “If she is ever fucking nasty to you, I will knock her fucking block off.”

Chief is scary when he swears and even scarier when he fights. I have seen him in a fight, and it is not pretty.

“It’s fine daddy, I can take care of myself.”

He strokes my cheek. “You’re my little girl; you ain’t gonna take care of yourself. That’s what I am here for.”

“Yes Chief.”

He grins and shoves me inside. I step into his massive house; I know he probably got it with stolen money, but I love it all the same. The outside is white, two stories with blue shutters. The front has a white picket fence and to a person passing by it looks like a quaint home that holds a quaint family. How wrong they are. It holds a bunch of misfits I like to call my family; the Phoenix Motorcycle club members.

The inside is all polished wooden floors, black furniture and has an unusually manly feel. All except my room, which I begged Chief to pain bright pink when I was eleven. He did, but he grunted the entire time and the boys teased him for weeks after they saw him coming out with pink splattered coveralls. I smile at the memory, but it soon fades when Jaq walks in. Her gritty fingernails slide over Chief’s arm, where she proceeds to squeeze his biceps.

“Ah Violet, nice to see you honey.”

Honey; we all know that is a bullshit cover up. The woman is a dragon; she is only polite when Chief is around.

“Sure, you too.”

I whisper a particularly nasty curse under my breath, which Chief catches and gives me a warning look.

“Caden, I just got a call from Travis. He will be here in an hour.”

Travis? As in…Travis Phoenix. My heart stops beating. Chief catches my look and sighs.

“Yes Mischief, Travis is back.”

“Back? Since when?”

“About two months ago.”

“Two months, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Didn’t think you had any interest.”

“He was my best friend; of course I wanted to know.”

“Well, he is a grown man now and running businesses of his own. He doesn’t need a girl running around after him.”

“We were friends; I would have liked to know he was home.”

“Well you know now. He will be here soon. Jaq, in my office.” Chief says to Jaq, and they walk off.

Travis and I grew up together; he is six years older than me, but I knew him from the day I was born. He left about four years ago, just upped and left. I had been devastated; Travis Phoenix was my first love and unquestionably the most beautiful man on this planet. He gave me my first kiss; he gave me my first heart palpitation and he changed me. Then he left me. No explanations. He just left. He is a huge rockstar now and likely has no time for someone like me. My mind goes back to when we were young for a moment.

“Hey Mischief, look what I found.”

I smile at Travis walking towards me holding a bundle of fat rolls. Is that a puppy? I squeal.

“Trav, is that a puppy?”

“It sure is, got him from the shelter.”

I run over and coo over the small puppy in his arms. Its little nose is all squashed up, and it has rolls everywhere.

“Oh Trav.”

“He is a bulldog.”

“I love him!”

“What do you think we should name him Mischief?”

“I think we should call him Bruiser.”

“Bruiser?”

“Yeah, he has to fit the image.”

Travis laughs. “Bruiser it is, I got you something else.”

“Oh?”

He puts Bruiser down and the pup whines at his feet. He digs into his pockets and pulls out a small box. He hands it to me and with trembling fingers I open it. Inside is a bracelet, a beautiful gold bracelet. On it dangles three charms. One is a guitar, the other is a bike and the last is a heart. Travis takes my hand, and his fingers graze over my skin as he snaps the bracelet on.

“The guitar is because one day I will be a rockstar and you will be my groupie, the bike is for your dad and the heart…”

I look up at him; he rests my palm over his chest. “Is mine.”

I smile and reach up to stroke his cheek. “Travis, I love it.”

He runs his finger over my bottom lip. “If you were older Mischief, I would wrap you up and run away with you. Away from all this…”

“I don’t want to run away Trav, I just want you.”

“I wish I could give that to you, but for now, you have my heart.”

I am snapped back into reality when dragon lady giggles; I wrinkle my nose, knowing exactly what they are doing in there. I have learnt to ignore the women in Chief’s life over the years. He never exposes me to any of it, but I hear them moaning and crying out his name often enough. This one though, she does it on purpose. She screams extra loud to piss me off, one day…one day I will get her back.

I walk into my room and smile at the fading pink walls. It always brings me some comfort. I hear the rattling of Chief’s office desk, and I crank up some music. Ew. There are some things one does not need to know about her father. I unpack my clothes and plonk down on my bed to enjoy the music. I hear the doorbell an hour later; it rings once, and then twice…why isn’t Chief answering? Too tangled in drag queen to notice I suppose. With a sigh, I walk downstairs. The doorbell rings again.

“Alright, I am coming, keep your shirt on.”

I swing open the door and let out a strangled sound. Standing in front of me, is the one and only Travis Phoenix. My heart does a stupid flip flop and I curse myself for reacting this way. He upped and left me; no explanation, nothing and now he is here and he is…why the fuck is he smiling at me like that? Jesus. I am hoping that my face is showing what my body clearly isn’t, and that is that I am mega pissed.

“Mischief,” He drawls. “Girl, I missed you.”

Travis is thirty times more gorgeous as a man then he was as a teenage boy. He is stunning, with these wicked grey eyes and dirty blonde hair. His face is that of a gods or maybe a poster child. Definitely a poster child. He has grown taller, broader and hell he got some tattoos. I had watched his shows over the years on television but seeing him up close does crazy things to me. God help me; I am behaving like a stupid teenager. Think Violet think.

“Sorry, do I know you?”

Yeah, like that is going to work. Great, now he is laughing at me.

“Baby, you wound me.”

“Why are you here Travis?”

He cocks his eyebrow and leans on the door frame.

“Last time I checked, I lived around these parts.”

“Till you ran off.”

“Well, I am back now.”

“Why?”

“Business and boy am I glad I came back; you grew up Mischief, looking mighty fine now days.”

I growl and look away; back two minutes and he is already under my skin.

“Are you going to invite me in; or is there a secret password?”

“Grow up!” I snap.

“Still sour that I ran off?”

“No Travis, I am not.”

“TRAV!”

I turn to see Chief rushing out grinning. Ugh! I mumble a protest under my breath, then turn to walk back up the steps. Jaq comes out a moment later, and I nearly gag at how she is dressed. The woman has wrinkles where wrinkles should not be. She is older than Chief; I know that much. It’s not that she is ugly, if you took her features and separated them, they would be pretty but together on her face; they just seem pointy and severe. Her dark hair would be pretty if she let it out of that severe bun. Her blue eyes once would have been beautiful, until she did too many drugs. She just doesn’t have it anymore.

“Ew.” I mutter out loud.

Travis and Chief turn and stare at me.

“Sorry daddy but shame on you.”

I walk upstairs and listen to Travis’s loud laughter behind me; I can’t help but smile. I get into my room and shut the door, trying desperately to slow my pounding heart. I can’t believe he is back; I resigned myself to the fact that I would never see Travis again and now here he is. I rub my forehead and stomp into the bathroom; I stare at myself in the mirror, wondering what he sees? All I can see is grey eyes, pale skin and long dark hair. Nothing special. Nothing different. I decide to shower, and then I might go for a walk down to the beach. I need a break.

I shower, slip on some fresh clothes and then walk downstairs. Chief, Travis and Jaq are all drinking and talking; they stop when I walk in. I give my best smile and try hard to avoid eye contact with Travis, but I can’t help my gaze. It travels over him, landing on the gorgeous dimple in his cheek when he grins. My grey eyes meet his, and I can see he is amused at the effect he is having over me.

“I am going for a swim.”

“Alright baby, don’t be long.” Chief says.

I turn and walk out, steadying my pounding heart. As I walk over to the beach across the road, I think about the first time Travis and I went swimming. I was seven, and he was thirteen. He was just becoming a teenager, and his body was growing taller and leaner. His light blonde hair had begun to darken a shade, giving it a sandy look. His grey eyes now turning into a steel color.

“Mischief, you have to get in that water sometime.”

“I don’t want to Trav, it’s cold and salty.”

“Of course it is, it’s the ocean.”

“You can’t make me, I will tell Chief…”

“Now don’t go being a brat, come on.”

“Where’s Lillian, go and make her swim.”

“She chickened out and went home.”

“I will get her for that.”

“Three seconds Mischief and I am tossing you in.”

I squeal and run in the opposite direction. Travis chases me laughing, and when he catches me, he wraps his arms around my tiny body and tosses me over his shoulder. He runs towards the surf and barrels in; I scream when the waves wash over me, and when I surface I pummel tiny fists into his chest.

“Hate you Travis Phoenix.”

“You love me!”

“Do not!”

We swim and play a little longer, then walk back up onto the sand.

“Hey Trav?”

“Hmmm?”

“Are you going out with that girl Sandy?”

He laughs. “No, gross.”

“Why does she always walk past your house?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe she likes you Mischief.”

I giggle and shove him. “Trav?”

“Yes?”

“Will you promise me that I am the first girl you kiss?”

“I promise Mischief; I promise.”

“What are you thinking about?”

I spin around and Travis is leaning against a tree, staring at me.

“Nothing.”

“You were thinking about the day I threw you in that ocean, weren’t you?”

I sigh. “Yeah.”

“It was a good day; you made me promise you would be my first kiss.”

“And I wasn’t.”

“I was older than you Mischief, it was a promise I couldn’t fulfil.”

“Then you should not have made it.” I snap.

“Maybe not, but you were just a kid.”

I stare at him; I know I look hurt. “Is that all you ever saw me as, a kid?”

“You know I didn’t.”

“I don’t know anything anymore; I believed in you and you left. I thought I knew you, but it turns out I didn’t.”

“You did know me, everything we had was true Mischief.”

“No Trav, it wasn’t.”

“We were never going to get further; you were too young.”

I snort. “Well that’s great.”

“Why do you hate me so much?”

I spin on him. “Because you left, because you were my friend and you left me. You never said goodbye. That is why I hate you Travis.”

I turn and run into the water, diving into the surf. When I surface, Travis is gone and I am left feeling that gaping damned hole in my heart re-opening.

CHAPTER 2

“Oh my freaking God!” Reagan cries down the phone.

“So what Reag’s!”

She goes silent a moment.

“You can’t be serious? So what?”

“It’s just Travis.”

“It’s Travis freaking Phoenix.”

“Whoopee!” I cry, rolling my eyes.

“Has anyone told you lately that you are mentally challenged?”

I grin. “Most days.”

“Well, you might not care; I, however, will be dressing up and accidentally dropping my pen in front of him…if you know what I mean? Can I come over now while I have it all planned out?”

I snort. “You need help.”

“Seriously…short dress, do you think we will go to my place or his?”

I laugh and flip my dark brown hair over my shoulder. “His.”

“See, I knew you would get into the spirit!”

“Later Reagan, I will call when I am ready to go tonight.”

“I will think of you,” She laughs, “While we are making sweet little Travis babies.”

I am ready for the party early, so I head downstairs while I wait for Reagan. When I get out back, half the club is here drinking. When I walk out they all stop and stare. What? My dress isn’t that short…is it?

“Well look, Mischief got titties.” Biker Bill laughs.

“Shut it Bill.” I grin, giving him a wink.

“Chief is gonna flip his lid; where you headed tonight?” Harry asks, running his fingers through his burly beard.

“Party.”

“Not fucking dressed like that you ain’t.”

I turn to see Chief with Travis, both are standing in the door way.

“Daddy, I am twenty one. You can’t stop me.” I protest.

“Can’t I?”

“Don’t make me come over there Chief because I will.” I growl, shoving a fist up.

He grins. “Come on over then Mischief; I will tie you and gag you…there will be no partying for this little princess.”

“You’re an ass daddy! There is nothing wrong with what I am wearing!”

“I never said there was anything wrong with it; I said you ain’t wearing it.”

The men are laughing; enjoying watching me challenge Chief yet again.

“Get a longer dress princess, or you ain’t going.”

“I hate you, you do know that right?” I snap.

“I’ll take that risk. Now get changed.”

I mutter a string of curses before storming out. I change into a longer dress, and then stomp back downstairs. I run straight into Travis Phoenix who puts his hands on my shoulders to stop me.

“Still as fiery as ever, I see.”

“Get your hands of me Phoenix.”

He laughs and lets me go. I step back and glare up at him; his eyes are not so subtly staring at my body.

“Still sour?”

“Yes, he ruined my night.”

“Chief put his foot in; I ought to slap him on the back for that.”

“What does it matter to you what I am wearing?”

He meets my gaze; god damn those smoky grey eyes.

“You think I just forgot about you Mischief?”

“I know you did Travis, you didn’t even say goodbye. I thought we were friends.”

He reaches out to stroke my cheek, and I shudder beneath his touch.

“We are.”

“Were Travis, past tense; I moved on.”

“Really?”

“Yes really, now I am going out so if you don’t mind…”

“You changed Mischief.”

“I grew up Travis,” I say, staring at him. “Alot lot has happened in the last four years, I am not the love struck little girl you once knew.”

Then I am gone, leaving him to ponder that.

~*~*~*~*

“Vi, I cannot believe he is at your house.”

“Are you still talking about it?”

“Yes, I can’t get over it.”

“He was there, you perved, move on.”

“I can’t; he will be forever burned into my mind. You just do not realize how lucky you are do you? I mean you two were like sweethearts and all.”

“We were not sweethearts, we had one kiss when I was sixteen, and he left. End of story.”

“It is so more than that.”

“Reagan!”

“Ok sorry.”

“Can we just drink, dance and kiss some random men?”

“Oh hell yes we can!”

I walk over to the bar and order a beer, then I sit down and begin drinking it. Reagan has disappeared onto the dance floor with a very cute, young man and so I am alone. A dark haired man, with pitch black eyes sits beside me and grins. He is handsome, if you like the dark look.

“Can I get you another drink?”

“Oh, no thanks.”

He raises his brows and smiles; he has these big dimples.

“Can I ask for a dance then?”

Ah, what the heck?

“Ok, sure.”

He takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. We begin moving to the music, he is actually extremely decent and doesn’t try to touch me.

“My name is Violet.” I cry over the music.

“Josh.”

“It’s nice to meet you Josh.”

He grins again. “You too Violet.”

We dance some more, and after a few to many drinks we are curled up in a booth pashing. It isn’t my usual behaviour, but I am extra feral tonight considering the return of my long lost lover. I am enjoying the moment when suddenly Josh is being reefed off me and thrown into a nearby pool table. I gape with wide eyes as Travis picks up the cue and drives it into his face. I scream and rush towards Travis, gripping his arm and yanking him backwards.

“Stop it, what is wrong with you!” I scream.

“What is wrong with me?” He hisses. “What is wrong with you? Do you even know him?”

“God Travis, who cares?”

“Is this what you are now? I thought you were better than that.”

I shove him hard in the chest and turn, storming out of the bar. Reagan runs out behind us, giggling like a schoolgirl. Yep she is drunk. We storm down the street back towards Chief’s house.

“I can’t believe you did that!”

“What is wrong with you, he could have had anything, and you were just going at it.”

“We were kissing.”

“You changed!”

“Don’t start on me Travis, you don’t know me anymore.”

“Oh my god it’s Travis Phoenix!” A girl screams.

“Fucking great!” I snap.

Two girls rush over, their faces bright with excitement.

“Can we get an autograph?” A pretty brunette girl begs.

Travis sighs and signs their shirts and lets them take a photo with him. I roll my eyes and stand beside Reagan who is giggling stupidly still.

“Let’s go.” Travis says when he is done; yanking my arm.

“What is up your ass?” I snap.

“You are!”

When we reach Chief’s house, Travis drags us inside. We are both drunk, and both laughing about a random man we saw on the side of the road.

“What the fuck?” Chief snaps, walking out.

“Found your girl drunk in a bar, pashing a random bloke.”

“She what?” Chief roars.

I snort. “Stop your nonsense Chief, I wasn’t doin anything wrong.”

“Like hell you weren’t. I raised you better. I ought to tan your hide.”

I giggle, and Reagan does too.

“Tan your hide, what does that even mean? Shouldn’t you say I will red your hide, considering your hide turns red?"

Chief glares at me. “Bed now, before you see how red I can make that ass.”

I stand and salute. “Aye aye.”

“BED!”

Reagan grips my hand, and we giggle the entire way up the stairs. We fall onto the bed and bounce a few times before settling in.

“Who was the dude you were tongue bashing?”

“Um, Jake…or Josh…”

“That’s so bad that you don’t remember.”

“He was sweet.” I protest.

“We really have to stop this,” She giggles. “Or Travis will have a fit at you.”

I snort. “Screw Travis; overgrown bully.”

We begin laughing again when Chief pounds on the door.

“Sleep now you two before I come in there and put my boot up your asses.”

We giggle again but quieten down.

“He totally went crazy for you.” Reagan whispers.

“I know, it was kind of creepy.”

“No, it was totally sweet.”

I smile into my pillow. “Totally.”

Reagan and I fall asleep instantly, or pass out, whichever way you want to look at it. I wake during the night and desperately need to pee, so I walk out of my room and across the hall. Travis is stepping out of his room, clearly to do the same thing but he stops when he sees me.

“Oh, I was just using the bathroom.” I whisper.

He sets his eyes on me and begins walking forward, he backs me against the wall and puts his hands either side of my head, so his palms are flat against the wall.

“You made me crazy tonight.”

I swallow. “I don’t see why.”

He leans down and grazes his lips over my ear. “If you think I didn’t think about you, or miss you, or worry about you while I was away; you are so fucking wrong.”

Then he leaves and I am left trembling against the wall.

CHAPTER 3

I wake in the morning, and my head is thumping. I get out of bed and stare down at Reagan, who is out to the count. I walk out of the room and downstairs into the kitchen, where Chief and Trav are cooking breakfast. I scrunch up my nose.

“Ugh.” I murmur.

They turn to look at me. “Not hungry then?”

“God no, I am going for a run. I need to sweat out this alcohol.”

“Be careful will ya.” Chief orders.

“Yeah yeah.”

I avoid Trav’s gaze as I turn and head into the laundry to find my running clothes. When I am changed, I am out the door and jogging before anyone can stop me. I am mid-way down the street; it is early and the sun is just rising when a hand lashes out and grips me. I am dragged into a side alley, a hand firmly clamped over my mouth. I try to see who has me, but he or she is behind me.

“Ah Mischief, it’s about time we met.”

I squirm, but I can’t get out of his grip.

“Boys; it’s time to send Chief a message.”

Four men step out from behind a large brick wall and loom towards me. My heart skitters and I squirm desperately, trying to get away. The first man punches my face so hard my head slams back into the man holding me. I kick out, having learnt to fight and think quickly a long time ago. I hit a set of hard shins, and hear a bellow.

“Someone’s coming.” One of them says.

Then they are gone, and I am left bleeding. I get to my knees; my body begs me to stop. I crawl out of the alley and pick myself up. I look around, but I can’t see anyone. I drag myself home, fighting my emotions. When I step through the door, Chief sees me and he drops the skillet he is holding on the ground and comes running over.

“Fuck, my baby, fucking…”

“Jesus Christ!” Travis yells, rushing in.

“What’s happening?” Bill grumbles from the couch, he sits up and is suddenly standing and yanking on a shirt.

“Chief, we are going down the road. Gunna see what we can pick up.”

“Who did this to you, tell me?” Chief roars.

“I don’t know.” I croak.

“You don’t fucking lie to me, tell me?”

“Daddy, I don’t know.”

“What did he say?”

“Said…it was time for revenge.”

“Demon.” Henry mutters, coming out from the room.

“Travis, get over here and take my daughter.”

“Daddy where are you going?” I cry.

“To fucking gut him.”

He shoves me towards Travis; he wraps his arms around me and I watch Chief run out the door before I can say another word. Travis helps me to the couch; his eyes are frantic. He sits me down and strokes my cheek. He rushes out and comes back a moment later with a first aid kit and some damp cloths.

“He did a real fucking job on you.”

I peer up at him. “I know.”

“Sit still for me now baby, let me clean you up.”

He gently cleans me up, taking the time to go over each cut and bruise. When he is done, he helps me change; I am grateful for him being here.

“Thank you…for helping me.”

He stares at me. “I hope those fuckers run, because if your dad gets them…”

“Travis?”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you hanging around my dad again, I thought you moved away from the club…you aren’t part of it, you are a rockstar so why are you back?”

“I decided the life in New York wasn’t for me, so I came back, I help Chief out here and there.”

“It doesn’t work like that, even I know that. If you want to hang with them, you become one of them.”

“It’s different for me.”

“Why? Just because you are Max’s son?” I say, reminding him that he is the son of the top biker who began the club before Chief took over it.

“Yes and no. I have known your dad all my life, and when Max died he took me in. I don’t involve myself in the criminal side of the club, but I hang with them. I didn’t come back for that Mischief; I came back for a change.”

“You won’t find it here; stepping back into the past isn’t always the best thing.”

He strokes my cheek and stares at me for long moments. “Maybe, maybe not.”

“Travis, why did you leave like that?”

“I had no choice.”

“You always have a choice, we were friends.”

“You were young, I would have broken you Mischief; you deserved better.”

“That wasn’t your choice to make.”

“Maybe not, but I made it anyway.”

My phone rings; saving me from this awful conversation. I look down at the screen.

“It’s my mom, later Travis.”

He leans against the chair and gives me a smouldering look. “Later baby.”

“Hi Mom…I am fine…”

~*~*~*~*

“You look stunning Vi.”

“I look like a hillbilly in a dress.” I pout.

Reagan gives me a look. “Why do you honestly think you look like a hillbilly?”

“I have brown hair, pale grey eyes, pale skin and freckles!” I cry, throwing my hands in the air.

“God woman, do you see the men who check you out? You have stunning eyes, porcelain skin, cute little freckles and silky thick hair. I am jealous.”

I glare at her, looking hot in her tight red dress. She looks Latin and is utterly stunning.

“Now you are just insulting me.”

She grins, taking my face in her hands. “You are gorgeous.”

“You have to say that, you are my best friend. You aren’t going to say ‘gee Vi, you look like a bush pig’.”

She steps back blank faced, then roars with laughter. I join in and soon we are giggling like two school girls.

“Ok, stop. We have to be collected for tonight; we want to be sexy…smooth.”

I nod, swallowing. “Ok.”

“Are you ready?”

I look down at my tight black dress and knee high boots. “Do I look rock?”

“Oh hell yeah!”

We are heading to one of Trav’s concerts. He gave me a couple of tickets, and I couldn’t say no to the obsessed Reagan who would have literally thrown herself on the floor if I denied her. We are staying with my mom this weekend; Chief is out all weekend, and I know what he is doing. He is looking for Demon. My mother had a fit when I arrived home beaten; she slapped Chief so many times he had to walk away otherwise I am sure he might have slapped her right back. I had to beg to be let out tonight, she reluctantly agreed, but she isn’t happy about all this.

Reagan and I head out front and wave down a cab. When we arrive at the pumping concert, people are screaming and waving around Travis posters. I spot one on the wall; Travis half naked…he is sweaty, rippled and causes my mouth to go dry. I swallow and peer at the screaming women again, why the hell am I here? I must be mad. The doorman checks our tickets and smiles.

“The two lucky girls, Phoenix is waiting. Jock here will take you through.”

He points to a big, burly man who gives us a brief nod. Reagan grips my hand and leaps up and down as we begin squashing through people to get backstage. When we walk out, I am engulfed by smoke and the smell of alcohol. The beefy bouncer walks us into a back room, and then opens the door. We step in and four men are sitting and chatting; laughing about something. They all look up and two whistle. I spot Travis right away and feel my cheeks flush.

“There you are Mischief.”

“Did he just call you Mischief, OMG, I am going to die.” Reagan fans herself.

“Boys, these are our guests tonight. Vi and…”

“Reagan.”

“Nice to meet you Reagan.” He grins; taking her hand.

I think Reagan just pissed her pants.

“N-n-nice to meet you too.”

“Thanks for coming. These are my boys, Greg, Harley and Marcus.”

I smile at the three men, but I can’t take my eyes off Trav. His messy hair is swishing around his face as he moves. His black shirt is tight and clinging to a very…very hard and toned body. He has a black belt with a solid silver buckle that is wrapped around black jeans that fit him oh so well. He is wearing a pair of black boots and the look combined just makes him look dangerous. His grey eyes twinkle as I stare in awe at him.

“Like what you see?”

I snap my head up. “What, I wasn’t…”

Everyone is laughing now. Great.

“It’s ok beautiful, you are only human.”

“Don’t call me beautiful.”

He steps closer. “Why not? You are.”

I flush and look away quickly. Take a breath Violet, breathe.

“So would you girls like to hear the song we got going tonight?”

I stare at the handsome blonde man; I forget which band member he is. He smiles at me, and I admire his spiky blonde hair, pierced lip and tattooed body.

“Sure.” I beam and sit down beside Travis. Not intentionally, it just happened.

They pick up their instruments and begin to play lightly. The music is the kind of music that takes you away and changes how you perceive the moment. When Travis starts to sing, I pretty much melt. He has that voice…the voice that can be soft and beautiful or hard and rock like. Right now, it’s soft and beautiful, and I feel my skin tingling as he sings. I am lost in the moment; I don’t even realize he is staring at me until the song ends and I re-focus my star struck gaze.

“Wow.” Reagan stammers, her cheeks rosy red.

I can’t get Travis’s gaze from my face; he is just staring at me. I stand and smile.

“I am going to get a drink.”

“I have a private bar, I will take you.” Travis offers.

I nod, cursing that I didn’t think that one through. Of course he has a private bar!

“So did you like my music?” He asks as we walk through a door and into a quiet room with rich red carpets and a wooden bar. I can see scattered tables and chairs throughout the large room; it is all very rustic.

“Of course I did, you are Travis Phoenix. You wouldn’t be so popular if you sucked.”

He laughs, and it’s a rich, husky sound.

“Was that a compliment Mischief, because I thought you hated me…”

“I am being honest. I don’t lie Travis. Your voice rocks…you do not.”

He grips my cheek. “You didn’t say that four years ago.”

“I grew up idiot; maybe you should to.”

He laughs. “You are too easy to wind up.”

“And you are an ass.”

He grins and slides me a martini, apple I think.

“A beautiful ass.”

“Don’t flatter yourself; I have seen better.”

“In your dreams?”

I feel a smile touch my lips. “Perhaps…but that still means there is better.”

“If you say so, now tell me Mischief, are you seeing anyone?”

I choke on my martini and quickly try to cover up my spluttering with a cough.

“What?” I croak.

He is grinning again; damn that grin.

“No I am not right now, but you already know that.”

“Did I?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Of course you did, or you wouldn’t be hitting on me.”

He laughs again. “Is that what you think I am doing?”

“Isn’t it?”

He steps closer. “Beautiful girl; when I hit on women, they are fucking me in less than five minutes; last time I checked we still have our clothes on.”

I gape, and blink, did he just say that? Well now I am offended; I turn away flushing. God, how could I be so stupid as to say he was hitting on me when clearly he isn’t. I feel his warm fingers grip my chin and lift it. I meet grey eyes that are deadly serious.

“Don’t give me those pained beautiful eyes Violet, I have seen them in my mind for four fucking years. You are the daughter of the most feared biker on this side of the world. Not to mention, you are beautiful, sweet and far too good for the likes of me. You are the forbidden fruit Mischief, the girl I could never have.”

“Why?” I whisper, hating that my voice sounds so desperate.

“You know why, believe me I want…”

“Travis, show starts in ten.”

The moment is ruined when Marcus walks in the room. Travis let’s go of my chin and my heart thuds against my chest. I want him to finish the sentence; I want him to tell me what he was going to say, but he walks out, leaving me wondering yet again.

CHAPTER 4

The show is crazy, and Travis is crazier. I have never seen a man look so hot on stage while banging his head and screaming into a microphone. He is half naked now, having lost his shirt during the evening to some lucky girl. His bulging muscles have most of the women running off with wet panties. He has the body of a rockstar – I mean literally. His abs move when he does; his chest muscles are defined and bulging. His chest is covered in tattoos, and there is one across his stomach, just under his belly button that reads “Eternity” in some thick, black lettering.

“He is so fucking gorgeous.” Reagan screams.

I can’t deny that.

“I know.” I yell back.

Travis is sweating, making his body glisten. I am staring so hard at him, admiring his stunning good looks that I don’t realize the crowd has gone quiet.

“Vi, oh my god, Vi.”

I snap my head towards Reagan. “What?”

“Travis just called you on stage.”

“Excuse me?”

I look over at Travis who is grinning at me.

“Come on Mischief; get up here.”

All the women in the room are staring at me as if to say ‘What does she have that I don’t?’ well if I could answer them I would say ‘Fucks me.’

“Don’t be shy, get up here or I will come and get you.”

I shake my head, feeling the five drinks rushing through my body as my blood begins to pump. Travis jumps off the stage and I gape in horror as he strides towards me; his fans scream and reach out to him. When he reaches me, he leans down and suddenly I am up and over his shoulder. I scream and pummel my fists into his back. When we land on stage, he sets me on my feet.

“This gorgeous girl is my guest tonight, everyone say hello to Violet.”

The crowd clap and scream.

“Now, she is going to join in and sing a little song with me.”

“No, Travis…” I protest but he cuts me off.

“OR she has to kiss me.”

I gape and shake my head again.

“What’s it going to be?”

“Neither.” I say, feeling a slight amount of dutch courage creeping in.

“I guess I will have to make the choice for you then or perhaps the crowd will, what will it be ladies? Sing or kiss?”

“KISS KISS KISS!” The women scream.

“It’s settled then.”

I can’t say a damn word because suddenly his lips are on mine and oh god, they are soft and tasty. I put my hands up to push him away, only to find my palms resting on a rock hard chest that is covered in sweat and smells divine. I melt; I am a woman all the same and I have all the same needs. Travis kisses me with skill, with passion and hunger. I move my mouth with his, relishing in his taste. I can taste Travis with just a hint of whiskey; he has always had this mind blowing taste. He crushes my body against his and deepens the kiss. God I missed his kiss. My head is dizzy; my ears are ringing from all the screaming. When he lets me go, I sway on my feet.

“I think she liked that.” He laughs, but his gaze is hungry and set on me.

“I have to go.” I whisper, dazed.

I jump off the stage quickly, and I run. I am through the crowd and out the door before I hear Reagan calling my name. She grips my arm outside and swings me around.

“What the hell just happened?”

“I have no idea. God, I have to go.”

“Why? Why do we have to go?”

“You don’t understand Reagan, what Chief would do to Travis if he knew about that kiss. You also don’t understand the past between us…”

“You are a grown woman and whatever happened in the past can stay there. It’s why it’s called the past Violet.”

“Look, we have to leave.”

“Fine,” She huffs. “I am not happy about it though.”

I grin at her. “Sorry, I will make it up to you.”

“Mischief!”

I turn to see Travis running towards me; when he stops in front of me, I give him a glare.

“What was that?”

He grips my face. “I have needed that kiss since the day I kissed you all those years ago, your lips have haunted my dreams.”

“Travis, you know this can’t happen.”

“And yet I can’t stop myself.” He whispers, stroking his fingers down my cheek.

Reagan walks away, traitor. Travis grips my hips and pulls me closer.

“Dangerous grounds Travis.”

“I like danger.”

“Chief will kill you.”

“I’ll risk it.”

He plants his mouth over mine again and I fall into the kiss, how can I not? His body is hard against me, his hands soft as they stroke my hair, my face, my back. His tongue slides into my mouth, and I whimper at the contact against mine. I pull back after a heated moment and stare at him.

“Until next time, Mischief.”

Then he is gone.

~*~*~*~*

“You have to be kidding me!” I cry, throwing the newspaper across the room.

“It’s amazing.” Sarah, my office assistant, sighs.

“It’s not amazing Sarah, I am on the front page with my body crushed against Travis Phoenix!”

“And you are complaining why?” She asks, horrified.

“Because I don’t need my name being flaunted around like that, fuck, I need this removed. Get me Trav’s number NOW!”

She nods and hurries out; I stare down at the paper. I was enjoying my morning at work until this. It is a picture of me wrapped around Travis and kissing him on stage. I sigh and close my eyes, rubbing my temples. If Chief sees this paper…if he sees this paper, I could be in deep shit. I have to get this off, and fast. Sarah comes back with a strip of paper and hands it to me; I stare down at it.

“Travis is CEO of a company? Since when?”

“I heard it’s very flash, and the top place to go for music records. He had a place in NYC, but he moved up here and started it up here a few months ago”

I shake my head, and dial the number on the piece of paper.

“Phoenix records, how may I help you?”

“Yes hello, I was wondering if I could speak to Travis please?”

“Sorry Travis doesn’t take phone calls from…”

“I am not a fan!”

“You can imagine how many women ring each day and say that…”

“Tell him it’s Violet.”

“Oh Violet, just one moment.”

Why did she sound like she knew me, I bet she is reading the paper right now. I listen to the sing song voice on the hold line for about ten minutes, when finally it picks up.

“Mischief, the tables have been turned.”

Travis’s husky voice flows across the phone.

“Don’t get your hopes up rockstar; I am calling about the paper.”

“You saw that huh?”

“Yes I saw it, and I need my picture and name removed ASAP.”

He goes silent a minute. “Why?”

“Travis, have you forgotten about my father?”

He mutters a curse. “Right, I am on it.”

“Thank you Travis, I appreciate it.”

“Call me Trav.”

“Only friends use nicknames.”

“And we aren’t friends?”

“We were, we don’t know each other anymore so Travis it is.”

“Then let me change that; let me take you out.”

“Travis…”

“I will pick you up at seven.”

“Travis…”

“Yes?”

“Are you always so pushy? I don’t remember you being so pushy.”

“Most days.”

“As nice as that is, you know I can’t go out with you.”

“Look Chief doesn’t have to know; I will take you far away from his territory.”

“That is a big risk, and you know it.”

“I am willing to take that risk.”

“Why would you want to risk that for me?”

“You are insulting me again.”

“Just answer the question.”

“Why not, Mischief?”

Well I have nothing to say to that one.

“Someone watches far too many movies.”

He laughs. “We are going out because I want to, there doesn’t need to be any more to it. I will pick you up at seven.”

“You don’t have my mother’s new address.”

“Don’t I?”

“That’s creepy.”

I can nearly see him grinning on the other side of the phone.

“Seven, beautiful girl.”

“Fine Phoenix, I will go out with you IF you get that picture out. Fair is fair.”

“Done. Can I have your number?”

I give it to him, what is the point in arguing?

“Alright, see you tonight.”

“Bye Trav.”

He chuckles. “Atta girl.”

When he hangs up, I am smiling from ear to ear. He makes my heart thump; my brain go foggy. He is unbelievable and so completely different to the boy I once knew. Of course, it could all be just a ploy to get me in bed but…for now Travis Phoenix is charming and utterly gorgeous. I pick up my phone to text Reagan; we haven’t spoken for nearly four days because I have been so busy with work.

Reag’s can we talk? I have news! X

Of course, I was wondering when you would text. I missed you Vi.

Me too, Lunch?

Date. What time?

Twelve?

Usual spot?

I will be there. Luv u x

You too Vi xo

I smile and go to put the phone down, only to receive another text. I glance down at the unknown number but soon figure out who it is.

Wear something sexy tonight.

I smile and reply.

For whose pleasure Mr Phoenix?

Mine, of course.

In that case…rags it is.

Stubborn Chit.

Don’t you know the word Chit went out in like…the seventeenth century?

I am laughing. Wear red.

I don’t own red.

Black?

Black I can do.

Atta girl

You say that a lot.

Do I?

Yes.

Sorry Mischief. See you at seven?

I am sus about you Phoenix, but I will be there.

Have a little faith…it goes along way.

Ok rockstar, later.

I meet Reagan at our favourite eating place, and when she hears my news, she beams.

“I am so proud of you!”

I swallow. “I am nervous as hell; I can just see this ending in disaster.”

“Well, it’s a freaking hot disaster.”

“It’s not just that; if Chief finds out…”

“Your dad loves you Vi, I don’t think he would mind if it was serious.”

“I hope you are right Reagan, but I think you might be wrong.”

We order lunch and chat, by the time I get back to work my afternoon flies by and I am finished before I know it. I head home and begin dressing for the night. After throwing about ten dresses to the floor and stomping on them, I finally pick one; a short number, with shimmery material and a swooping neckline. I dress and style my hair loosely on my head, then put on a light layer of makeup. My mother is out on a date tonight, so I leave her a note telling her where I am; then I text Chief.

Going out tonight daddy.

Where you going Mischief?

Dad...

Who are you going with, don’t fuck with me baby girl?

A friend daddy.

My phone rings then and I sigh, answering it with a pout.

“Mischief, you tell me who you are going out with.”

“Daddy, no, you will only flip, and I don’t want you to.”

He sighs. “Fucking death of me girl; is he decent?”

“Oh yes daddy.”

“I don’t know…”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Really? That’s why you got the shit beaten out of you.”

“Low blow.”

He grunts. “Baby girl, you are my life.”

“Yes and I am also a young girl. You can’t stop me seeing people daddy…”

“Alright fine, but if he hurts you I will fucking…”

“Gut him. Got it. Love you daddy.”

“Yeah I know Mischief, love you too baby.”

Travis arrives at exactly seven, on a motorbike. He looks gorgeous tonight, decked out in all black as always. His hair has been trimmed and is still shabby but doesn’t fall over his eyes. God he is stunning. When he steps in front of me, his gaze rakes me from head to toe.

“Well fuck, you look gorgeous.”

I flush. “Thanks.”

“Ready to go?”

“On the bike…in this dress?”

“Sure, why not?”

“It’s too short.”

He grins. “No one will see, it will be pressing against my back.”

I feel my cheeks swell quickly.

“You look so fucking gorgeous when you blush.” He growls.

“Is that what you say to all the girls while trying to lure them onto your bike?”

He chuckles and pulls a helmet over my head. “You are the only girl I have ever taken on my bike. I usually take the limo.”

“Gee, I can’t guess why.”

He laughs and up close I can see two small dimples in his cheeks. He has shaven and so his usual dark stubble is no longer there, giving me a clear picture of his face. He has a chiselled jaw, so manly and rugged. His lips are full and soft; he is the perfect specimen of man.

“Now now, you read me all wrong.”

“So you don’t have crazy hot sex in your limo?”

He leans close. “I can have crazy hot sex anywhere,”

I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off.

“Even on my bike.”

I close my mouth.

“Good to know.” I finally say, brushing his comment off.

He gets on the bike and jerks his head, ushering me to get on. With a sigh and a silent prayer, I do. I grip my dress, yanking it down but it insists on riding far up my thighs. Travis grips my hands, forcing me to let go, then turns his head and stares down.

“Sexy legs.”

I give him a glare, and tug my hands, but he has them wrapped firmly around his waist. He pulls and forces my body closer to his, so my pussy is pressed against his back. Jesus.

“Right now, beautiful,” He says gunning the engine. “I wish I had no shirt on.”

I smile as the bike zooms forward. His comment has me flustered in ways I have never been before because I know exactly what he means by that and it arouses me. We zoom quickly through the streets, and then pull up at a large bar slash restaurant. Travis parks the bike and I get off, straightening my dress. He slides off the bike and takes my hand, leading me inside. Surprisingly, nobody jumps all over him. Yet.

“Table for Phoenix.” He says to the waiter.

“Travis Phoenix?” A woman shrieks, well that lasted long.

He glares at her, and she backs down right away.

“Keep all fans away from me, and I will give you one heck of a tip.”

The waiter smiles and nods, then turns and gives the staring women a warning. They pipe down right away. He leads us through the restaurant, which is decked out with yellow lights, red carpet and beautiful wooden booths. The booth we sit in is right down the back and very private.

“What can I get you to drink?”

“Your best wine, the whole bottle.”

“Very well sir.”

The waiter walks away, and Travis smiles over at me.

“What if I don’t drink wine?”

His face falls, and I laugh.

“Sorry I just had to!”

He puts his hand over his heart. “You are a cruel woman.”

“I try.”

“So tell me, woman with a cold heart, what do you do at the firm?”

“A secretary.”

“Ah.”

“What about you? I have pictured your office, but I just can’t get skulls, black curtains and colorful lights out of my head.”

“I am CEO; I sit in a very big office, no pretty lights or skulls, but I do have a wicked couch.”

I laugh. “Interesting; go on.”

“I wear a suit, just like any CEO and sort out shit on a day to day basis. I play on the weekends at night, and during the day I hang out with the club.”

“Wow, I just can’t see it. You are two different people, don’t those two worlds collide?”

“Sometimes, but I usually make it work.”

“I notice you don’t do as many shows as you used to, is that because of your work?”

“Yes and no, I enjoy playing, but I like the break from the craziness too.”

“So, how did you become CEO of your own company?”

“It’s not hard when you are a rockstar; everyone wants a piece of you. I love music; I love recording, so I figured why not use some of my money and give another person that chance.”

“That’s kind of…sweet.”

He grins. “I am not all bad.”

I smile. “So, aside from music and work, what do you do?”

He shrugs. “Hang out with the club, date, swim, ride…whatever takes my fancy.”

“Ok, fair enough.”

“What about you, what do you do aside from working?”

How to answer that?

“Not a lot really; I go to Chief’s on the weekends but otherwise… a party here and there if Reagan begs enough.”

“Not a lot? So you sit at home on weekends and do…nothing?”

I blush.

“Oh my fucking god, you are shitting me right?”

“No, I am not. I had…look it’s just a thing.”

“You don’t have fun, go crazy?”

“Does it matter if I do or don’t?” I huff, crossing my arms.

“Oh it matters, you and me…we are going to have some fun.”

“Whoa, back that up a bit. I never said I was going to do anything with you.”

He grins and leans back in his chair, fiddling with a napkin. “I am giving you no choice.”

The waiter brings us our wine, and we put in our orders. I sip the sparkling white wine, and feel myself relaxing. Chatting with Travis is easy; our conversation just flows with no awkward pauses. It has always been so natural with him, and it makes my heart ache. He is the missing piece in my heart; he always has been. I don’t know how I could ever let him go again.

“So have you been dating?” I ask, shoving away my plate after finishing my meal.

“Yes, and I will have you know I have been in relationships that were long.”

“Longer than a day?”

He laughs. “Longer than a day.”

I laugh too, and he gazes at me for a long moment. “What about you Mischief, have you been in love in the last four years?”

I stiffen and he notices. “You have?”

“It’s a long, boring story.”

“Ah ah, I am intrigued, do tell or I might have to kiss you again.”

I grin at him and then lean back with my third glass of wine.

“His name was Dan, we got together a year after you left. I cared about him, and he helped me…cope with things. It was good for so long, and then he just stopped looking at me. You don’t realize how much you take someone looking at you for granted until they aren’t anymore. I found out he had a mistress, and when I confronted him he told me he was with her and had been for a year. It crushed me, mostly because of his betrayal but partly because…well…I didn’t even know and he was with her for one whole year out of our two year relationship. I felt stupid.”

Travis stares at me for a long moment.

“He is stupid.”

I laugh. “Yes, I could have told you that.”

“To cheat on a girl as beautiful as you, he is stupid.”

I stop laughing and stare at him. “You really mean that?”

“Every word. Men who cheat are weak minded because they don’t have the balls to break it off first. Same goes for women. How hard is it to say ‘I just don’t love you anymore?’

“I guess too hard for most.”

“Well, his loss is now my gain.”

“I am sure you have better girls to look at Travis; I am not tall, gorgeous and blonde.”

“Is that what you think men really want?”

“Are you going to tell me it isn’t?”

“Yes, in fact, I am. Look, I have had enough women and do I regret some of it? Yes, but they weren’t all hot models. Women are beautiful for what’s inside, not what’s outside. You are beautiful; it radiates off you. It’s not all about looks Violet.”

“So you are saying I am ugly but that’s ok because I am beautiful on the inside?”

He laughs and stands, walking around the table and sitting beside me.

“I am saying you are beautiful on the outside AND the inside, and that is a rare combination.”

I stare at him, flattered. My heart stammers against my chest, he is so close.

“Thanks.” I whisper.

“Now, it’s time for some fun.”

“No Travis, can’t we just sit and talk?”

“Life is too short to sit and talk, come on beautiful.”

“No.”

“It’s that or the kiss?”

“I am not kissing you Travis.”

“Then we play my way.”

He stands and drags me to the jukebox, kicking and protesting. He flicks through the songs, and I glare at him, which he doesn’t notice. He pulls out two microphones and plugs them in, then the song begins and he stares at me with a wide grin.

“Really Trav, Mr bombastic?”

He winks and turns to face all the people watching. The women aren’t screaming because they have been threatened not to, but their faces say it all.

“Mr lover lover…” Travis sings in a husky, deep voice. I blush and everyone finally cheers.

“Sing with him!” They all cry.

“Come on beautiful, live it up for once; you won’t regret it.”

I stare out at the crowd, and I repeat Reagan’s words in my head. With a deep breath, I take the microphone from Travis’s hand and begin singing along with him. The crowd go crazy, and Travis laughs beside me.

“Mr lover lover, mmmm, Mr lover lover…she call me Mr bombastic.” Travis purrs in a voice so close to the original singer, it gives me shivers. His voice is filled with sex, lust and pure raw need.

We sing the song, belting it out at the top of our lungs and I feel free. I haven’t laughed so much in years; I haven’t been happy for so long. When the song is finished, Travis and I take a bow, and he takes my hand and holds it above our heads.

“Big round of applause for my beautiful girl here.”

Everyone cheers and I laugh, bowing again.

“Now, before we go I have another problem. My little petal here, just refuses to kiss me since our first experience, I think she needs a little encouragement.”

The people cheer and begin chanting. “Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him.”

Travis gives me a grin and I flush. He steps forward, I step back. The crowd screams louder, their voices filling my ears.

“Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him.”

Why do I feel like I have been here before?

Travis wraps his hand around the back of my neck and pulls me close; his mouth goes over mine and I moan into it. This time, his tongue snakes out, and I can’t help but move mine with his. His kiss is hot, burning hot, and his lips are soft like silk. He presses me close to his body and everyone cheers, here we are again kissing in front of everyone. When the kiss breaks, I am flushed and panting. Travis stares down at me.

“You…are…killing…me.”

He takes my hand and leads me back to the booth to collect the bill, and then he throws a bundle of cash at the waiter who thanks him furiously. When we get out to his bike, he gets on, and I slip on behind him, then we zoom off into the night. Silently. He doesn’t take me home; instead he pulls up at a secluded little cove right on the beach. It’s beautiful and the moonlight shines down on the water, creating a beautiful shimmering path.

“What is this place?”

Travis pulls my helmet off. “I come here sometimes, when I need to think.”

“And why are we here now?”

He grips my face and pulls me in towards him, slanting his lips over mine. I melt into the kiss; it’s hard not to. He has this feel, this deep pull that drags me in each time he touches me. We fall back onto the sand, and I moan when his body falls over mine. His tongue snakes out and slides across my bottom lip before he drags it into his mouth and sucks. I grip his shoulders and thrust my hips upwards, not even realizing how sexual that must seem.

“I want you, so fucking bad. I can’t stay away. I have thought about you for years, seeing those eyes in my mind when I sleep. You changed me Mischief; you made me what I am. Everything I have done; I have done for you.” He rasps into my mouth.

“Trav…” I whisper.

“Don’t turn me away; I made a mistake…I need to possess you, to have you, to feel you…”

He slides his lips over mine again, and I crumble. I want him, for so many years I have wanted him, and I need to feel him against me; to feel his heart beating against my chest, to feel his breath on my ear. I need him; so badly. He lowers me to the sand, kissing and nipping a trail down my neck and over my shoulder. I whimper and cling to him, so desperate, so ready. He runs his hand up my side and squeezes, edging me closer to him until we are pressed together.

He slides his hand up under my dress and strokes my thigh while dragging his tongue across my collar bone. I moan; my head hits the sand and I have no protest. He slides his fingers into my sex and growls raggedly. I reach up under his shirt, resting my palms on the hard planes of his back. God he is beautiful, so fucking beautiful. I press my lips to him again, dragging him in for a desperate kiss.

“Trav…” I whimper when his finger slides into my flesh.

“You’re so wet, so fucking wet.”

He slides his finger up and down, and my body tenses. The feeling shoots hard and fast through my body and I wail. Travis deepens the kiss and presses a finger to my entrance while his thumb circles my clit. He slides his finger out, then slowly back in while lazily rubbing my clit. I clutch him, pleasure shoots through my body, and I can’t think, can’t breathe, can’t do anything but feel this pleasure.

“Oh god, Trav.”

“Come beautiful, come for me.”

I do, erupting around his finger. My nails grate down his back and I scream, my voice echoing through the trees. When I come down from my high, Travis is staring down at me. I can just see his features through the moonlight, and he looks utterly beautiful. He pulls me up and crushes me to his chest; I can hear his heart thumping wildly.

“I missed you Mischief, you were always on my mind.”

I look up at him, and his lips are glistening from my kiss.

“You scare me Trav.”

“Right back at you.”

We sit staring out at the ocean for the longest moment, and not once does he push for more. He doesn’t try and take me on the sand, or ask me to return the favour. He is a perfect gentleman, and it only makes me want him that much more.

“Trav?”

“Hmmmm?”

“Can you sing without your guitar?”

He looks over at me. “Sure, any good singer can just sing.”

“Will you sing to me?”

He smiles, and it’s a truly beautiful smile. Then he begins singing, and his voice, oh god his voice, it makes my skin crawl in the best possible way. It’s like honey; it’s smooth, silky and so damned sexy. My heart kicks up a notch, and I stare at his beautiful lips as they move…

Give me love like her, cause lately I’ve been waking up alone,

Paint splattered teardrops on my shirt, told you I’d let them go

And that I’ll fight my corner, maybe tonight I’ll call ya,

After my blood turns into alcohol, No I just wanna hold ya,

Give a little time to me, to burn this out,

We’ll play hide and seek, to turn this around,

All I really want is the taste that your lips allow,

My my, give me love, my my, give me love….

I don’t realize I am crying until he stops singing and grips me. I feel my cheek press to his chest, and I breathe in his scent, realizing just how much I have always adored Travis Phoenix, and that scares me.

“Hey, stop that. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to; you sing so beautifully.”

He chuckles and holds me close for a long moment.

“Trav?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you believe in love?”

He pulls back and looks down at me. “Of course, don’t you?”

I shake my head. “Love is something people believe in until they get hurt by it, and then they realize love is a waste of time and heart space.”

He looks at me painfully. “No, you are wrong. Love can change everything.”

“It can also break everything.”

“Life is a risk; if it wasn’t then it wouldn’t be worth living.”

I look away and think about his words.

“Hey, I haven’t seen Lil around. Has she moved away?”

My body stiffens and I struggle to breathe. I stand.

“Can we go home?”

He looks up at me. “Did I say something wrong, did you two have a fight?”

“Travis, did you not talk to Chief at all for the last four years?”

“Not really.”

“Travis…Lillian is dead.”

CHAPTER 5

“So he hasn’t called, he could be busy.” Reagan says, sitting on my kitchen bench and staring over at me pacing the room.

“I think I scared him off.”

“How? Tell me everything that happened, stop being so tight lipped about it.”

“We went to dinner, we kissed and then…well after the kiss he took me somewhere and we…”

“Oh my god you had sex?”

“No, of course not but he touched me.”

“Travis Phoenix fingered you?”

I blush. “Do you have to be so blunt about it?”

“You lucky…oh my god…fuck.”

“Now we have that out of the way, afterwards we talked, and he sang to me…”

“He SANG to you, Jesus Vi…”

“Then we got talking, and I may have said I don’t believe in love.”

“Violet!” She whines, shaking her head. “Why do you kill good moments? A gorgeous rockstar touches you, sings to you and then you say that! Woman, I ought to strangle you.”

“There was something else, he asked about Lillian.”

Reagan’s face drops, and she grips my arm. “What did you say?”

“I said she was dead, and I didn’t want to talk about it. Then he took me home.”

“I don’t think that would have been the problem, it was likely your little speech on love.”

I grimace. “So I should text him?”

“I would, look it is simple…do you like him?”

“That is a stupid question; you know how I feel about him.”

“Do you want to see him again?”

I sigh and whimper helplessly. “So much.”

“Then text him and break the ice.”

“Alright, ok…”

I pick up my phone and stare at her, then punch in Trav’s number.

Hey rockstar.

“Rockstar?” Reagan asks, looking over my shoulder.

“He will understand.”

We wait ten minutes, then fifteen, then half an hour.

“He isn’t going to text back, and now I feel like an…”

My phone buzzes.

Hey beautiful.

“Oh my god he replied, and that is a good answer.” Reagan cries, laughing.

“I have to play this cool.” I say, taking a deep breath and replying.

How have you been?

Really good, you?

Good. I had a good time the other night.

Me too, sorry I didn’t call. Work has been mad.

That’s ok.

Have you been sleeping well?

Mostly.

Mostly?

I had a good time; I was wound up for a few nights after…well you know.

“You devil Vi!” Reagan laughs.

I am hard now, thanks for that.

“Oh my god!” We both squeal and laugh.

TRAV!

Kidding...maybe…sorry to leave you wound up? Can I help?

Behave.

Come and see me for lunch, I have a surprise for you.

Oh? What is it? Is it in your pants?

Bad girl and it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you…now would it?

Fun spoiler.

I will send a car around, see you at lunch.

What if I say no?

Careful I like challenges.

Maybe I do too…

Behave Mischief, I will see you soon.

Later Trav.

“So that went well?” Reagan grins.

“I think so, what do you think the surprise is?”

“His hard…”

“Stop it!” I laugh, falling onto the couch.

“We need to find something for you to wear, sexy but sophisticated.”

“Hey Reagan…”

She turns and stares at me.

“Thanks; for being the best friend in the world.”

She grins. “Always.”

“Do you think I should tell him about Lillian?”

“When you are ready, you will.”

“I can barely speak her name; it scares me to think he might hate me.”

She grips my shoulders. “What happened with Lillian was not your fault. Why do you do this to yourself?”

I frown. “You know why, I taunted her and…”

“And she did something to prove you wrong, it doesn’t mean it was your fault Vi. You guys were young. Friends play with each other; they tease each other and taunt each other…it doesn’t mean if something went wrong that they are horrible people. They are friends.”

“But I am all dark and freaky because of it.”

She rolls her eyes. “You are not, you are beautiful.”

“I am not who I used to be, Trav can see bits of that in me. What if he decides he doesn’t like it?”

“Look, Travis is back and chasing you. If he doesn’t like you or something he sees, then you be honest and tell him why. If he still doesn’t like it then it wasn’t meant to be.”

I sigh. “Why are you so smart?”

She flips her dark hair out of her face. “It’s just good genetics.”

I snort. “Let’s find me something sexy to wear.”

After an hour of dressing, I have settled for a short pair of black shorts with a white blouse. I pull on some lacy black sandals and pin my hair up loosely. When the limo arrives to get me, I am nervous. Reagan walks me down, and we watch as an older man gets out and smiles at us.

“Violet?”

“That’s me.” I say, giving Reagan’s hand one last squeeze.

“Get in and we will be on our way, it is lovely to meet you, I am George.”

“Hi George.”

He opens the door for me, and I slide in the large Limo, wow. It’s all black and leather, with mini fridges and loads of space. The ride to Trav’s work is smooth and gentle; the car almost feels like it isn’t moving. When we arrive, George opens the door for me, and I step out. I gape up at the huge building in front of me; it is at least ten stories high. Right at the top, in giant letters it has “Phoenix Records.”

“Wow, I have never seen this place.” I gasp.

“It’s a beauty. Go on in the front door, ask reception for Travis. He is expecting you.”

I thank him and walk in the front door, staring at the vast reception area with its white tiles, light colored walls and spacious wooden desk. I step up to the desk, and a young, blonde woman stares up at me.

“Can I help you?”

“I am here to see Travis, my name is Violet.”

She studies me, rather rudely. “Violet is it? Fine, take a seat, and I will call him.”

I sit down and wait, finally after fifteen minutes she gives me directions and sends me on my way, very rudely. I step into the elevator and press the top floor, and wait as it slowly goes up. When it opens, I step out into a large area filled with desk and clerks busily tapping away at computers. To the left is a huge recording studio, with blue and red lights. I stare in awe. To the right is a massive office, with dark windows and a closed wooden door.

“Hello, can I help you?” A woman greets me; she is much nicer than the receptionist.

“I am here for Trav…”

“Violet.”

I hear my name and turn to see Travis walking out. Oh sweet Jesus. He is wearing a suit and holy crap it looks good on him. Black skirt, black vest and a white shirt that is unbuttoned at the top.

“Hey Trav.”

“Thanks Lucy, I got it from here.” He says, dismissing the woman who is staring at him with need. I bet all the women here want a piece of the rockstar.

“How you doing?” He grins, stepping up close to me.

“Oh, I am doing very well now.”

“I will show you my office, but first, how would you like to see the recording studio?”

I beam. “Yes, please.”

He takes my hand and leads me to the studio. Inside is a group of three girls, all with headphones and microphones. They are behind a large glass wall. In front of the glass wall, people work away pushing buttons and tapping computers. I stare at all the buttons, switches and volume keys, and my mind goes hazy. How do they remember all this stuff?

“Wow.” I whisper.

“It’s crazy right?”

“Yeah.”

“Boys,” Trav yells and the four men turn. “This is my girl Mischief; she is here to watch you work a while.”

“No problem Trav.”

“How are the girls going?”

“The left hand singer is a bit shy, and her pitch isn’t right.”

Travis stares at the girl. “How is her voice aside from that, maybe she isn’t helping the group and should be out of it?”

“No, actually she has the nicest voice she is just overdone by the two others girls. I can’t seem to get them to even it out.”

Trav turns to me. “Time to watch me work.”

He sits me down on a chair, and gives me a grin before disappearing into the studio with the three girls. I watch as they squeal and fan themselves. Rolling my eyes, I get comfortable and watch Travis work.

“You girls need to step out a minute; I want to hear Rose sing.”

The two girls pout, but step out. Travis sits by the girl named Rose and starts talking with her.

“You want to be a singer Rose?”

She nods. “I do.”

“Are you nervous?”

“I just feel like I am in their way, they out do me.”

“Can I tell you a secret Rose?”

“Yes.”

“You out do them, that is why I sent them out. You have a lovely voice, but the pitch is wrong. I am going to help you with that.”

She flushes. “Oh…oh ok.”

“Give me some music!” Trav yells and the man beside me presses a few buttons and cranks the volume switch.

“Ok,” Travis says to the girl. “I am going to start out; I want you to sing along with me…”

“But…”

“Don’t tell me you can’t, because you can. Copy my tune, my pitch.”

Trav starts singing, and my heart does flip flops. He looks gorgeous perched on that stool, his elbows on his knees and his foot tapping. He looks over at me and grins; I can’t help but return that grin. The girl begins singing with him, and they are right, her voice is beautiful. They sing together, and I envy how beautiful it sounds. Travis fades out and the girl continues on with the song. Everyone stares in silence.

“Wow, she is good.” I whisper.

“It’s not often we find a gem in the pile of rocks, but I think we just got one.”

Travis works with the girls for half an hour more, getting them to even out their singing and soon they sound phenomenal together. He walks back out and takes my hand.

“What did you think?”

“I think you are amazing.”

He grins down at me. “Right back at you.”

“We will give you a finished song by the end of the day boss.” One of the men says.

“Thanks.”

Trav takes my arm and walks me out of the studio and into his office. I smile when I see a skull sitting on his desk.

“Just for me?” I question.

“Just for you. How do you like my building so far?”

“Your receptionist is not very nice, but the building is beautiful.”

“She is a brat and has obsessed over me for years. She worked for me in NY but got a transfer when I opened up here.”

I nod, understanding. “Well she is only human.”

He laughs and leans back onto his desk as I look around. I take in the huge area, with its filing cabinets, book shelves, couch, desk and even a television. Heck the room has its own toilet for Christ sake. Everything is a dark color; his desk is a dark pine, his book shelves are the same, the couch is black leather and even the curtains are dark. When I have finished admiring, I turn back to Travis who is staring at me with a hungry expression.

“Trav, you like dark things.”

He grins. “I do.”

“It’s so male in here.”

“Is it now?”

“So what is the surprise?” I ask, my voice going weak.

“First…”

He steps forward and takes me into his arms, bringing his lips down on mine. Oh, how I have missed those lips. He moves them slowly at first, encouraging me into the kiss and then we are in a deep pash, our tongues twirling, our lips moulding together. I pull back panting; my skin is on fire and my sex is aching.

“Now that is out of the way,” He growls a little, “I can show you the surprise.”

I swallow and nod, putting my hand over my pounding heart. Travis takes me to his computer and pulls me down onto his lap. Ok then. I can feel his erection jutting against my bottom, and I try hard not to squirm and make it worse. He stretches his arms around me and begins typing in google, he is writing my name. When nothing shows in google, he goes to the newspaper pages and does the same. Nothing. Travis Phoenix has basically made me disappear.

“Trav…” I whisper, “You made it all disappear.”

“I said I would.”

“Oh…thank you.”

He spins me around, forcing me to straddle him. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you for days. I want you, and it scares me because I haven’t wanted something so badly for such a long time.”

“I…don’t know what to say Trav. I am all dark and twisted and, I think I will just hurt you or scare you off. I have had a lot happen in the last four years.”

“You might think you are dark and twisted Mischief, but I see so much more.”

“Trav…”

“I want you Mischief, and I will not stop until you are mine.”

I stare at him, overwhelmed by his confession.

“Can we just…try and…”

“We are trying, we have started trying. I want to keep trying…I want to try until you can’t think of anything else but me....”

“I don’t know Trav…”

“Give me a chance.”

“Trav, I don’t do this stuff. I don’t date; I don’t fuck. I got hurt, and it damaged me.”

“I damaged you, didn’t I?”

I sigh, rubbing my head. “Look I won’t lie, you tore my heart out Trav, but it wasn’t just you. Alot lot happened after you left and it all damaged me in some small way.”

“Mischief, I want you and I won’t give up. I am possessive, jealous and crazy when I want something the way I want you. Let me have you, god, give me a chance.”

“It’s dangerous Trav, if Chief finds out you know what he will do. You don’t have to be a part of the club to have that rule applied to you, nobody touches me, and that includes you.”

“I will risk it,” He whispers, stroking my cheek. “Because you have haunted me for four years and I am not letting you go again.”

His words crush me and tug at things I have shoved into the deepest, darkest parts of my soul.

“I can’t say no to you,” I whisper back. “I just can’t.”

“Then don’t.”

“I need you Trav; I have needed you for so long.”

“I am yours, just say yes Mischief…say yes…say yes.”

“Yes.” I say, and his lips are on mine before I can say anymore.

With a flick of a button the room darkens as the windows frost over, allowing us some privacy. The door is closed, but I hear it lock. Oh…Travis leans up and kisses me, driving his tongue into my mouth with skill and precision. I groan and grip his shoulders, letting him kiss me harder, hotter. He moves his lips down my neck, suckling on my skin and making little swirls with his tongue. When he reaches my breasts, he grips my blouse and yanks it open.

“Trav here?”

“Here, I need to taste you. I have needed this for so long…god you are so fucking beautiful, so fucking perfect.”

He drags his tongue over the swell of my breasts, then reaches around to unclip my bra. When it slides down, he hisses and pulls a hardened nipple into his mouth. I moan and tangle my fingers through his hair as heat courses through my body. When he swaps to the other nipple, I feel electric bolts surging through my veins. He reaches down and grips my hips, lifting me and depositing me on the desk. He shoves a bunch of papers out of the way and slides me back.

“Spread your legs for me, I need to see your beautiful pussy.”

I feel heat rising in my cheeks, but I do as he asks. He grips my knees and spreads my legs, then grips hold of my panties and slides them down. I can feel my heart hammering against my ribcage as he tosses my panties and edges my legs further apart. He makes a ragged, husky sound and stares up at me.

“Fuck. That is the prettiest pussy I have ever seen.”

“Trav.” I whimper, desperate.

His head is right there between my legs, he is still sitting on his chair making me that much higher than him. He slides his fingers into my sex and strokes; I cry out and my head falls back. He swirls his thumb around my clit, then inserts two fingers. I tense a little at the pressure, but that is soon replaced with wild pleasure. When he leans in and grips my hips, yanking them forward, I whimper.

His tongue hits my flesh and everything in my world stops. I have never been licked before. I bite down on my cheek to keep from screaming as Travis swipes his tongue up and down my flesh, slowly, painfully. I plead and squirm, lifting my hips in an attempt to force him deeper. He chuckles and the vibrations shoot right through me.

“Travis,” I cry. “Please.”

“Please what?”

“Please, don’t stop.”

“Stop…what?”

He stops licking me and I whine, gripping his arms and glaring at him.

“Stop what Mischief?”

“Don’t make me say it.” I pant.

He grins at me, and his grin tells me he won’t go further until I say it. I close my eyes and mumble. “Please don’t stop licking me…”

“What, I can’t hear you?”

“Travis.”

“Violet.”

“Lick me Travis, fucking lick me before I kick your sorry ass from here…”

He leans in again and swipes his tongue over my clit, harder and faster this time. I am so close to the edge already, and he has barely begun. When he slides a finger in and finds that sensitive spot, I scream. I quickly muffle it by clamping my own hand over my mouth. He quickens the pace of his fingers and his tongue until I am arching and panting; my nipples rock hard.

“Trav…I can’t…I am going to…come.”

I erupt with a bellow and my body thrashes on the desk as wave after wave of pleasure shoots through me. When Travis has wrung every last shudder from me, he lets me go. I prop myself on my elbows and look over at him. My legs are still wide, and my skirt is hitched up, but I don’t care. He stares at me for the longest moment, then stands and lifts me from the desk and puts me on my feet.

“Trav…I have never…I mean…”

“No one has ever licked that sweet pussy, have they?”

I flush and shake my head.

“I could tell, and let me tell you they were missing out.

I look down, and he grips my chin, lifting my head.

“You make me crazy baby.”

I smile up at him, though it’s a lazy, lopsided smile. His phone rings and he stares over at it.

“Damn, I have to take that. Stay a bit longer, please?”

I nod and sit on the couch, watching him take the call.

“Well what the fuck do you mean he isn’t going to pay?”

Silence.

“Fuck it John, he has no choice. I will find him myself.”

Silence.

“Right, fine. Schedule a meeting with him and I will go over it with him.”

Silence and a laugh.

“Yeah, I am hearing you.”

I get an idea as he is talking, though it is a mad, crazy idea. I look around the room, and then drop to my knees and begin crawling over towards him. His eyes swing over to me, and they narrow. I reach his knees and lean up on them, running my tongue over my lip. His eyes widen, but he continues his conversation. I wonder how long that will last? I grip his belt and undo it, sliding it off.

When I have unbuckled his pants and pulled them down, I gaze at his hard erection. The man isn’t wearing any underpants. I stare at the sheer size and thickness of it, and all I can think is ‘That could hurt’ I take him in my hands and his voice hitches as he talks to his friend on the phone. I stroke up and down, feeling the veins pulse in my palms. When I lower my head and take the head of his cock in my mouth, he hisses.

“What? Sorry buddy, just a rude email.” He grates out, his hands white on the phone.

I slide my mouth down his length and suck hard. I can hear his voice cracking, but mostly he keeps his composure. I can tell he is all but cool though, his body is rigid; his eyes are flaring and he has nearly snapped that phone in his hand. I wrap my hand around the base of his shaft and stroke as I suck. He tangles a hand through my hair and thrusts his hips upwards, driving his cock deeper.

“I gotta go, call you later.”

He slams the phone down and lets out a ragged groan. “I am going to come Mischief, so fucking hard.”

I lick and suck until his hips are jerking and his seed is shooting hot and heavy into my mouth. He bellows and his fingers tighten in my hair as pump after pump of his seed continues to empty into my hungry mouth. When he finally pulls back, I swipe my mouth with the back of my hand and grin up at him.

“You bad, bad girl.”

“I couldn’t help myself, I saw you there and I just had to.”

“Fuck, you felt so good. Where did my little reserved girl go? I never saw that coming from someone like you.”

Someone like me? I stand on wobbly legs, feeling utterly slutty. His words hurt, someone like me…someone who in his mind is sweet, innocent…someone he doesn’t know.

“I have to go.”

“Mischief, baby…”

“Don’t call me baby!” I cry, then rush to the door.

“MISCHIEF!” He calls.

I swing open the door and rush out; I run past the desks and staring clerks. I get to the elevator and punch the buttons furiously. It opens just as Travis comes running out. I hit close and see him running towards the door.

“WAIT!”

It closes before he gets to me. I slide down the wall and cup my head in my heads. What the hell is wrong with me? I am better than this and yet there I was sucking his dick like…oh god. What am I doing to myself? I have fought so long to gain control again, to keep myself safe and sane. When the elevator pings open, I rush out and straight past the staring reception girl. When I step outside, George rushes over, but I put my hands up.

“No George, I am taking a cab.”

“Travis insists.”

“Travis can shove it up his beautiful ass!”

I rush off and wave down a taxi. I get in and give him my address. When I am safely away from the building, I slump back. I feel so guilty, so cheap. I would have never done something like that. The girl Travis wants so bad wouldn’t have done something like that. Maybe he is right, maybe I have changed. My phone buzzes furiously beside me and I look down to see the text messages and missed calls.

Mischief, it was a joke. Answer the phone.

I ignore the text message and punch in Reagan’s number.

Are you home, I need you? X

Yeah I am here, are you ok?

I don’t think so. Be there in ten.

Ok x

I give the taxi driver Reagan’s address instead. When I arrive, I pay the cab driver and make my way into her apartment; Reagan is waiting and comes rushing over as soon as she sees me.

“What happened Vi?”

I tell her everything in a babble, and she just stares at me.

“Wait, you went in there and he told you he got rid of the pictures. Then…you two basically mouth fucked each other, and you freaked out?”

“I freaked out because he said someone like me…someone he remembers who didn’t do those things. Someone who was sweet, who was different.”

“So what Vi? So what? You changed a bit; you did something you usually don’t do. Is it really the end of the world? Did you enjoy it?”

“At the time…”

“Did he?”

I blush.

“Then who cares! It’s not as though you just met him today and dropped to your knees. You two have known each other forever. You didn’t sleep with him; you just enjoyed him. I think he is good for you Violet; I truly do. It’s time you let a little crazy into your life and Travis Phoenix is just the man to do it.”

“What if you are wrong Reag’s?”

She rolls her eyes. “I am never wrong honey.”

I give her the eye and slump back.

“I am hungry.”

“Pregnant already?”

“Up your ass you fool; I haven’t slept with him.”

“Oh, can you image how good it is going to be when you do?”

I blush.

“Did you just blush?” She laughs.

“No, I did not.”

“Oh my god you blushed.”

“Shut it.”

“Violet’s in love,” She sings dancing around the room. “Violet’s in love.”

“Reagan!”

I chase her out of the room and leap onto her back.

“Ow, get your fat ass off me.”

“It’s not fat.” I laugh, shoving my hands over her eyes.

“Fatty fatty.”

“Not!”

She drops me on the bed and leaps on beside me. “No, you have a totally fine ass.”

“Reagan, are you a lesbian?”

She snorts. “Like ew.”

“Did you just say ew?”

“I totally just said ew.”

CHAPTER 6

Lightening scares the crap out of me. Actually that doesn’t even cut it; it puts me into a state. Storms, wind, but mostly lightening. No matter how many years I live through it; it still gives me the same reaction. That night, after arguing with Reagan for hours about how normal my actions were; the storm set in. Trav has been trying to talk with me at every chance. What can I say to him? I am fucked up Travis; I am a mental case and you are better off without me?

I don’t know that it is going to storm, I usually pick up the wind or the rain, but tonight it just hits hard. I am at Chief’s house, and sitting outside with him and the gang. Travis is here, but because of my dad he can’t talk to me. He gives me looks, pained little stares and I want to go over and make it better, but I am not sure that is the right thing to do. Chief is sitting with that hag on his lap, and she is stroking his arms and kissing his neck.

“Daddy please, you are testing my gag reflex.”

He gives me a grin. “Sorry baby.”

“Get a room or something.”

He laughs and turns to Trav. “Where is your usual line up of women Phoenix?”

“Slack tonight buddy.”

“Rena, get over there and show Travis some fun.”

Rena, one of the bimbos from the club stands and saunters over.

“Nah it’s cool.” Travis says, putting his hands up.

“Travis, you never turn down a fuck...why I remember about a month ago we had a good time…”

That is the cold hard truth of it too; this club fuck like a bunch of rabbits on heat. They are all unfaithful, all dirty perves. Except for with me, none of them would dare to touch me. It’s the code, the rule. You don’t touch Chief’s daughter, so I am safe, mostly. Rena saunters over and straddles Travis’s lap. I want to go and rip her off by her hair, but that would only end with a bullet in Trav’s brain.

“My room or yours baby?” She purrs. Ugh.

“Not tonight Rena.”

“I miss you Trav, come on, we have so much fun.”

“I said not tonight.”

“Aw Trav, you playing for the other team?” Marcus laughs.

“Fuck of man.”

Rena slides her lips over Travis’s neck, and he gives me a sorry look. I glare at him, and turn away. That’s when the lightening cracks, out of nowhere it just cracks. I freeze; the glass slips from my hand and I can’t move.

“Aw shit, baby, come on.” Chief says standing and tossing Jaq off his lap.

I can’t move; it cracks again and I can see her face. Lillian, my best friend…I miss her and her death was all my fault. I can see it, her beautiful blonde hair, and her smiling eyes. I scream when the next crack sounds out.

“Inside with her Chief, you know the drill.”

The club members are used to this, used to how I react when this happens. Chief grips me in his arms and lifts me; I am stiff and still.

“Come on baby, daddy will get you some earplugs ok?”

“Chief, what is wrong with her?” Travis asks, standing.

“Long story for another night.”

“Can I help?”

“Find me some earplugs.”

I scream again when the lightening cracks against the roof. Chief soothes me with useless words and carries me upstairs.

“Wasn’t your fault. All over. Going to be ok.”

He says these words every time this happens. Every time. He takes me to my room and puts me on the bed, then takes the earplugs Travis brings in. He gently shoves them in my ears and strokes my hair while the sound slowly drowns out. Then he stands.

“Leave her be Trav, she will be fine now.”

They both leave me alone in the dark room, where I sob and cry myself to sleep like I always do. I guess people have gotten tired of helping me every time a bit of thunder comes about. I can’t blame them really. I wake during the middle of the night crying, the sound rings out in my ears even though the storm is gone. My door swings open, and Travis rushes over to the bed and is on it in a second.

He wraps his arms around me, whispering useless comforts in my ear. I cry against his shirt, gripping it for dear life. Travis rocks and I wail; I know fair well how this must look to him, but he doesn’t say anything. He just holds me like the sweetheart he is. When I stop sobbing, I pull back and look up at him through my puffy red eyes.

“Baby…” He whispers.

“Trav, you can’t be in here.”

“I won’t leave you. Just be quiet.”

“Trav…”

He drags his lips across my cheek, and I know he will taste my salty tears there. My trembling subsides and when his lips meet mine, I am beyond desperate for comfort. Before I can even think; we are tearing at each other’s clothes with desperation. It isn’t meant to happen like this and yet…I can’t stop it. I don’t want to stop it. Travis is naked in a flash, and I am close behind. Our hands search desperately for things to touch, to feel, to knead.

My hands claw his back; his hands squeeze my breasts. Fingers are inside me; my hand is wrapped around his cock and we are moaning desperately. I have never felt so desperate in my life, never needed something so damned much. Travis is over me in a split second, and I can’t think, I can’t find the words to tell him that I have only done this a few times. He slowly pushes into me and stills a little.

“Mischief, tell me you ain’t this tight because you are a virgin?”

“I’m not a virgin. It’s just I never did it a lot because…well things weren’t great with Dan, and he was cheating. Since then, I haven’t…”

He pulls out and runs his hands through his hair. “I shouldn’t be fucking doing this.”

“Please Trav, don’t walk away now.”

He kneels on the bed, taking my face in his hands. “Tell me what happened out there tonight?”

“Not now, please.”

“Then accept my apology before we go further, what I said the other day was out of line.”

“I just took it wrong…”

“You are so beautiful, it just shocked me, but it wasn’t a bad thing.”

“Trav, I haven’t wanted something as much as I want you and it scares me.”

“Me too.”

“Please make love with me.”

He stares at me for a long moment, before sighing. “Lie down.”

I do as he says; he grips my ankles and slides them so my feet are flat on the bed and my legs are apart, then he leans in and swipes his tongue through my flesh. He is gentle, sweet and soft. I groan as quietly as possible as his tongue works me until I am thrashing on the bed. When he is satisfied that I am aching enough for him, he leans over me. He sucks my nipples, licks my neck and then steps back to roll on a condom. When he is sheathed, he leans over me again.

“Gunna hurt baby, I’m sorry.”

He thrusts in with one hard, full thrust. I scream into his shoulder at the pain that slices through me, he whispers a sorry as he lets me adjust. I am glad he did it like that; I couldn’t have bared it going it slowly and painfully. When my body adjusts around him, he begins to pull out and slide back in. Soon, the pain is overtaken with intense pleasure.

Travis thrusts his hips slowly, dragging his length in and out, in and out. My body is reacting now, and oh god I am moaning. Pleasure I have been without for so long, possibly even my entire life, is now coursing through me at a rapid rate. My nails are dragging down his skin, and I grip his ass to spur him on. His thrusts become harder, faster, and I erupt around him as my first orgasm screams through me.

“Trav harder; I need it harder.” I snarl, shocked by my own voice.

Travis curses and then thrusts his hips harder; our skin slaps together causing faint sounds to echo through the room. The bed creaks, our bodies are slick with sweat. I explode around Travis once more before he growls is release into my neck. We lay panting for a long moment before he turns and looks down at me. He growls and stands, beginning to pace the room as though he regrets what we just did.

“You scared the shit out of me the other day; don’t run off on me again like that. Fuck, I didn’t know what I did wrong.”

“You didn’t do anything.” I whisper.

“And what just happened in here? Why were you screaming and crying? Why did we just fuck like that? Fuck! I don’t know you; I don’t fucking know you anymore Mischief.”

He grips his hair, confused. I peer up at him and try to think of something to say, but I have nothing.

“I am sorry.”

He sighs and gets back on the bed. “I had plans, I wanted that to be…nicer.”

“Trav, I loved it.”

“I know, but it is killing me here alright?”

I smile, and he can’t help but return one. “Don’t you smile at me.”

“I can’t help it; you worry so much for a rockstar.”

He laughs and puts his hands on my shoulders. “You are so fucking beautiful, I hope you know that?”

“I do now.” I whisper.

“Next time, I will make that better for you.”

“That was good for me or did you miss the part where I screamed your name over and over again?”

“I didn’t miss that.” He grins.

“I’m sorry you saw me like that Trav.”

“What happened? Tell me.”

“No, please…not now.”

He sighs. “Fine, but you will tell me one day won’t you?”

“Maybe.”

“I have to go baby, I know that sounds really bad, but if Chief finds me here, I am dead.”

“Do you think he would really hurt you Trav?”

“You are his baby girl, yeah he would. I am twenty seven this year Mischief; I am too old for you.”

I snort. “Twenty seven isn’t old. I am nearly twenty two.”

He gives me a look. “Look, Chief wants you out of this world. He wants you to marry a man that will cherish you and keep you away from violence for the rest of your life. He won’t accept me as that man.”

“That’s my choice to make Trav.”

“I wish I could believe that.”

“I don’t want you to go.” I whisper.

He stops and closes his eyes a moment. “You know I can’t stay.”

“Trav, you make everything better for me. I don’t want to hide you.”

He kneels on the bed and strokes a finger over my lips. “But for now you have to.”

“Will you sing to me, please?”

He smiles and lies down beside me, then in the softest voice he begins singing to me. He sings a song to me that he knows I loved when I was a child. When my parents used to fight, Travis would sneak over and curl up with me, singing this song.

That’s the way it’s going to be little darlin,

We’ll go riding on the horses yeah yeah,

Way up in the sky little darlin,

And if you fall I’ll pick you up, I’ll pick you up….

~*~*~*~*

“Good morning Mischief.”

I open my eyes to peer at Chief stomping through my room and yanking the curtains open.

“Daddy, it’s early.”

“It’s seven, and you have work.”

“Like you care.” I pout.

He looks over at me. “I care about your future, don’t doubt it.”

“Whatever.”

“Are you feeling ok this morning baby girl?”

“Fine daddy, I have learnt to deal with it.”

He stares at me. “Wish you knew it wasn’t your fault, then you might deal with it in a different way.”

“I’m sorry you have to put up with it, next time I will hide when I see a storm coming. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you!” I snap.

He storms over, gripping my chin.

“My baby ain’t ever embarrassed me, and she never will…”

“Daddy?”

He nods, still glaring at me.

“Will you let me love whoever I want?”

“Don’t like where this is going Mischief.”

“I get to make that choice, don’t I?”

“If he is decent yes, if he is a fuckwit, no.”

“Daddy…”

“Mischief, you are my daughter, and I ain’t letting no fucker hurt you.”

I sigh and shake my head; this conversation is pointless. “I should shower.”

“You have a big day today?”

“Yeah, I have a case with Sally.”

Sally is our big boss and lawyer, and I am her assistant. I often go in when she is with her clients. I hope to become a lawyer some day and so I enjoy learning as much as possible.

“Do you know what it is about?”

“No, she doesn’t either. The person has been very hush hush.”

“Well good luck and all that. You going back to your Ma’s tonight?”

“It’s Monday daddy, I have to.”

He strokes my chin, and then lets it go. “You ain’t ever gotta go, but your Ma don’t do so well without you.”

“What about you old man?”

He smiles. “I don’t do so well either.”

“I love you daddy.”

He grins and kisses my head. “Right back at you, now get to work.”

When I arrive at work an hour later, the office is buzzing. Sally comes out and grips my arm.

“He is here, ready to go. Bit of a strange one but he is paying good money.”

“Ok Sal, we got this.”

She straightens her blonde hair and runs her hands down her pinstripe suit; then we walk into the room. I freeze, literally. I can’t take another step. Jeremy turns and stares at me, then grins.

“Hello Violet, long time.”

This isn’t happening. It isn’t happening.

“Jeremy…what…why are you here?”

“I need some help; I saw your name and thought why not come to this firm?”

“You two know each other?” Sally asks.

I feel sick, like I might throw up right on this floor. I grip the door and stare into the cold blue eyes of Jeremy Willis.

“I…can’t deal with this.”

I turn and flee from the room; I can’t breathe, can’t think. I stumble into the women’s toilets and fall to my knees. Why the hell is Jeremy Willis here? He isn’t meant to know where I am…he isn’t meant to be here. I remain curled up on the floor until Sally comes rushing in an hour later. She is pale and staring at me with a sorry expression.

“Violet, we have a problem.”

“You don’t say! You didn’t think to get his name before letting him hire you?”

“I didn’t know. Listen, I don’t know how to tell you this but…the case he is making is against you.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“He is calling for manslaughter.”

“No, you have to be kidding me. No.”

“He said you killed his sister, and he wants justice for her.”

I turn and throw up into the toilet. Sally drops down beside me and rubs my shoulders.

“I won’t let him get to you; I can see he is a creep. I will figure out a way…”

“He bashed me nearly to death, a few years ago.”

“That will help, do you have records?”

“I was at the county hospital. They should have them.”

“You need to tell me everything Vi.”

I stand and flush the toilet, then wash my mouth out. I tell her my entire story, from start to finish.

CHAPTER 7

“Are you serious?” Reagan gasps, gripping my shoulders.

“Yes, don’t tell Travis please. I need to deal with this on my own.”

“Are you in danger?”

“No, I don’t think so. Jeremy is back for revenge, and he is going the right way about it. If he hurts me, HE will be the one to end up behind bars, but if he gets me, he can send me away without getting his hands dirty.”

“I don’t like this Vi.”

“Me neither.”

“I do like this limo though.”

I smile, it’s weak, but it’s there.

“Trav said he was a touch possessive. He likes to know where I am going, apparently.”

“I think that’s kind of sexy. So, what time is his show tonight?”

“Eight.”

“I can’t wait; you are the lucky bitch that is in his pants but my god I love to look at him.”

I laugh. “Me too, believe me.”

My phone buzzes and I stare down at the screen.

See you tonight?

“Is it Trav?”

I smile. “Yes.”

Yeah, I will be there.

How was your day?

How to answer that?

Ok.

Just ok?

Just ok rockstar. See you later.

Later baby x

We spend the rest of the afternoon getting ready for Trav’s concert and by the time we arrive, it’s packed. I don’t get to see Trav before he goes on stage, but boy do I know when he does. He looks absolutely gorgeous when he steps out. He is shirtless by choice tonight and his chest shines under the blue lights. He is wearing black jeans that are ripped and torn. I feel my heart kick up a notch. He drops to his knees and slides across the stage, and that is it…we are all under his spell.

I dance and cheer to his songs, like a good…girlfriend? would. Reagan wiggles beside me and we enjoy the music and drinking. When a woman shimmies onto the stage for the final performance, I try hard to ignore her touching Travis. I mean, he is a rockstar and it’s likely part of the act, but when she leans up and kisses him, and he returns it, I crumble. Jealousy rips through me. I am drunk, that much I know because when I turn, I stumble. I fall into a man’s arms who grins down at me.

“Whoa there little darlin.”

He is handsome with a thick western twang. I peer up at him and smile, well it’s more a drunken grin, but I am grateful, he saved me from landing on my ass.

“What the fuck.”

I hear someone scream those words, then the crowd parts as a raging Travis comes barrelling through, and lands smack bang into the man holding me. I stumble backwards and fall onto the floor, landing with a thump on my ass. Travis drives a fist into the man’s face causing him to bellow loudly. A loud crack, followed by a crunch and then Travis is being pulled off.

He looks over at me; his eyes filled with rage and they are screaming ‘How could you?’ I think he has read this all wrong. Now I think about it; that man was holding me horribly close. God. Travis walks over, grips my arm and leads me out into the back room. He slams and locks the door, then turns on me, giving me a truly horrible glare.

“What the hell were you doing? What part about me being possessive and jealous didn’t you understand?”

I blink stupidly. “Excuse me?”

“If you have the need to fuck around Violet, then you shouldn’t have agreed to being mine.”

I lose it now. I throw my hands up and then bring them down with a thump on the bench.

“I beg your pardon rockstar, but you were tongue bashing that woman on stage, but it’s ok for you…”

“It was part of the fucking act; I do it all the time.”

“Well I didn’t like it!” I cry, gripping my head.

“And I didn’t like turning to see you grinding against that man.”

“Excuse me? You are being a hypocrite.”

He growls and leans in to grip my shoulders. “You are mine Violet, what part of that don’t you understand?”

“ALL OF IT!” I scream. “You left me Travis, for four fucking years and you broke my damned heart and now you are back, and you just want it all to be so fucking perfect. It’s not perfect; I AM NOT PERFECT!”

He grips my face. “You are to me.”

His lips are on mine then; I didn’t even see it coming. He slams my body back into the bench, and I groan at the impact. His kiss is desperate, hungry and forceful. Mine is just the same. I grind my hips up towards him, desperate, needy. He leans down and grips my legs, throwing me up onto the counter top. He yanks up my dress and pulls aside my panties, then his tongue is inside me, sliding up and down my flesh.

“Travis, god…”

I am about to come, when he stops. I growl in frustration as he yanks his jeans down and pulls out his cock. It is throbbing, and he groans at the release of pressure. He pulls out a foil packet, ripping it open with his teeth. I watch as he rolls it over his length, slowly. When he presses against my sex, he slowly inches in. He is driving me crazy, fucking crazy. He slides fully in, then drags it back out.

“Travis please.” I beg.

He quickens the pace, bringing me to the edge and then he stops. I cry out and grip his shoulders.

“Travis, please…” I whimper again.

“Why were you with him?”

“What?”

“Why were you with him?” He grates out, sliding his cock back inside me.

“I…don’t…”

“Did you want him Violet?”

“No.” I cry.

He slams into me hard and fast, bringing me to the edge again.

“Why were you with him?”

“Please Travis, I want to come.”

“Tell me why!”

“Because I saw you kissing that girl and I turned so angrily I slipped. He caught me. That is all.”

“You were jealous?”

“Of course I was fucking jealous.”

He stares at me for a long moment, then flexes his hips again. In and out he drives until I finally come around him. I scream and grip my own hair, yanking at it as my body convulses beneath his. I feel his body tense around me, and he roars his own release. I feel him pulsing inside me, his body flexing around me. When he slows, he pulls out and stands back.

“You were punishing me just then, weren’t you?” I whisper.

He stares at me.

“Oh my god Trav.” I stand and pull down my dress.

I storm towards the door, furious at him and myself.

“Wait.” He yells.

“What for Trav? So you can humiliate me some more? I said I would be yours, and I meant it. I can handle your possessiveness; I can even handle jealousy, but I can’t handle being punished for things I didn’t do. You kissed another girl Travis, not the other way around. I hate that, just so you fucking know!!”

I leave then, and he doesn’t follow me. Perhaps Travis and I are lining ourselves up for disaster.

~*~*~*~*

“Your mom is worried, call her.”

“I will, I am staying here tonight. I want to talk with Chief.”

“Just call her; she is frantic with your behaviour at the moment.”

“Ok Reagan!” I snap. I glance down at my phone ringing, Travis again.

“You and Travis fighting again, why bother I say? If you can’t get along now…”

“What crawled up your ass and died Reagan?”

She sighs and stands.

“You did Violet. Grow up, stop acting like a child and face your life for what it is. You have a man who wants you, a friend who loves you and parents who adore you and yet it’s still not enough. Wake up to yourself Violet, before the world abandons you and you end up alone.”

I manage to hold back my shock as she walks out; when I am alone I sink into the lounge chair. I get dressed and call a cab, time to face Travis and sort this out because she is right about one thing, I do have a man who wants me and I am being far too standoffish for him…and me. I catch a cab to Phoenix records and make my way into the reception area and face the sour faced receptionist.

“Travis please.”

“He is in a meeting.”

“Then I will go wait in his office.”

“Travis doesn’t like unexpected visitors.” She argues.

“Listen love, whatever fantasies you have about Travis Phoenix better leave your mind quick smart. He is with me now, and he will NOT be going anywhere near you, if you value your job, I suggest you stop the rude attitude and start acting like a receptionist!”

She gapes at me as I turn and walk away. I feel reasonably good by the time I get to Trav’s office. The girls upstairs let me in, and I sit reading while I wait. Travis comes in about an hour later, and smiles when he sees me.

“Hey you.”

“Hey Trav.”

I stand and walk over to him, taking his head in my hands and planting a hot, steamy kiss on his mouth. He steps back bewildered and then smiles.

“Is that a sorry kiss?”

“Trav, I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did but…you have to understand something about me, and that is that I don’t share well.”

He grins. “Yeah well, neither do I, so we are even.”

“I want this…I want you…”

He sweeps a kiss across my lips. “Right back at you beautiful.”

“So, can we start again?”

“We can.”

“Will you come around tonight?”

“I have a better idea; you come around to my place.”

I have never been to Trav’s house, and the idea thrills me.

“Ok…sure. What time?”

“Seven, I will pick you up. Stay the night, I missed you.”

I flush and peer up at him through my lashes. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah I will make it up to you, in the bath, on the bench and in the bed…at least once for each.”

“You are a deviate rockstar.”

He leans in and kisses my earlobe. “Only for you.”

“Is there anything I should be pre warned about?”

He laughs and steps back. “No, well maybe one thing…”

“And that is?”

He steps closer. “You are in for the night of your life, that is your warning.”

“Would you like to elaborate?”

“Hand cuffs, spanking and wild hot sex.”

I give him a lopsided grin. “Well ok then, I can live with that.”

“I have another meeting, I would love to bend you over right now,” His gaze is hungry, “But I have to go. I will pick you up at seven, ok?”

“Ok rockstar.”

He kisses my head. “Tonight Mischief.”

“Tonight.”

I head out with a grin on my face. I have so much to do before tonight. I get home just as mom is pulling fresh cookies out of the oven. I figure I had better come and see her, knowing she is worried about me.

“Hi honey, where have you been?”

“Hey mom, sorry I was with Reagan. It was a long few days.”

“You promise to text Violet, and you don’t, I worry.”

I kiss her cheek. “I won’t do it again, I swear.”

“Why are you smiling like that?”

“Is it that obvious?”

She rolls her eyes. “Yes it is.”

“Oh…just a special boy.”

“Travis?”

I grin.

“You know your father isn’t going to like that…”

“He will get over it.”

“Be careful honey, Chief doesn’t do so well with his little girl disobeying him.”

“I am not a little girl; I am a grown woman, and I don’t have to ask him for permission every time I do something.”

“Travis is different, you know he is.”

“I don’t care.”

“You are a grown girl, I won’t tell you what to do, but I do ask that you tell your dad soon.”

I sigh. “I promise I will.”

“So, what is happening tonight that has you smiling like that?”

“I am staying at Trav’s.”

She frowns. “Do I need to ask if you two are sleeping together?”

“No!” I flush. “You don’t.”

“You are being careful aren’t you? Tell me you are?”

“I am. I started taking the pill, and we use protection mom.” I whine.

“Ok, I just need to know…”

“What about you, how are your dates going?”

She wrinkles her nose. “Not great.”

“Still hung up on one sexy biker?”

She gives me a smile and tosses a cookie at me. “Maybe, now go on and get dressed.”

“What do you think I should wear?”

“Black honey, men love black.”

I laugh and walk down to my room. I shower, shave, primp and fix myself until I feel brand new. I pack some clothes, wondering if men really do like black? With a grin, I pull out my phone.

Do men love black?

That depends, if you are dressed as a nun…no.

I am laughing. What about black lace?

Stop it, I am in a meeting right now.

And texting? Shame on you.

I know, bad boss.

So, black lace and thongs?

I just got hard.

That is a yes then?

That is a hell fucking yes.

Maybe I will give you strip dance.

I think I just came…

Lol. Later gorgeous.

Later baby x

CHAPTER 8

Travis’s house is…wow. It is massive. It has four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a massive kitchen and two living areas. It is ultra-modern with top notch fittings. It is very manly, and it’s clear there hasn’t been a woman in this home. His couch is black leather, his furniture all top notch black and silver. His kitchen is black marble, and his bathroom tiles are also black. The man likes black.

“Wow Trav, nice place.”

He ushers me in further, his hand is on my lower back.

“Thanks.”

“I love all the black.”

He laughs. “Rockstar baby, it goes with the image.”

“Do you live alone?”

“I have a house keeper, but yes, I live alone.”

“So you have four rooms for what?”

“Guests.”

“Ahhh, can I see them?”

“All but one.”

“Why?”

“It’s…a long story, but it remains locked. It’s the only rule, stay away from that room.”

Curiosity burns, but I will respect his rule. Dammit.

“Are there dead bodies in there rockstar?”

He laughs. “Nothing sinister, just…business that is my own.”

“Ok, hey whatever happened to Bruiser?”

He frowns. “He passed two years ago.”

“I loved that dog.”

“Me too.”

We stand in silence a long moment.

“So, are you hungry?”

I gaze at him. “Starving.”

He gives me a wolfish grin. “For food…”

I step forward, gathering all my courage. “For you, Trav.”

He stares at me with pure lust and admiration. I can see how much he wants me; I have never seen a man want me so much. He strokes a piece of hair away from my face and grazes his knuckles down my cheeks.

“You do crazy things to me Mischief, crazy things.”

I smile up at him. “Right back at you rockstar.”

“We are going to eat first; even though I want to take you to my bed right now and fuck you so damned slowly…you need energy and sustenance.”

I laugh. “Ok, whatever you say boss.”

He grins and walks to the kitchen counter. “Italian?”

“Perfect.”

He dials for some pasta and wine; then we sit on the couch waiting. He takes my hand in his, stroking my knuckles with his fingers.

“You know, you have to tell me something new about yourself Mischief, something that has changed in the last four years. I have given you some; it’s my turn.”

I kiss his fingertips. “You know my family, friends and you know where I work. It doesn’t go much further than that.”

“What about the lightening? I don’t know about that. Or how many men you have dated. Or what collage you went to?”

“Trav, I will tell you about the lightening just not tonight. The rest you just have to ask.”

“Alright, I will take your word for it. So, how do you know Reagan?”

I smile. “We met through work; she and I just clicked.”

“She really cares about you.”

I sigh. “I know, and I am not easy to care about sometimes.”

He leans in and grazes his lips over mine. “I beg to differ.”

The doorbells rings, and with an exaggerated groan Trav gets up and answers it. We spend the next hour eating and drinking, laughing and joking. When we are cleaned up, a silence falls over the room. He is gazing and me, and I am gazing at him; we both know what we want. Every other time has been this mad rush of lust but this time…we have both been building up to it. I take the first step, and he follows closely behind. Soon, we are moulded together, lips and tongues, arms and legs.

“Where first? I need you Mischief, god, I need to fuck you.”

“Anywhere,” I pant. “Anywhere.”

He lifts me into his arms and carries me down the hall, not breaking the kiss. He takes me into his room and lays me down on the large black bed. He stands, and I watch him slowly remove his clothes until he is naked. My throat goes dry and tight, my heart hammers. Travis Phoenix is without a doubt the most beautiful man on the face of this earth. He leans over me, removing my top, bra and then my panties. When I lay naked, he gazes at me and makes a grumbling sound in his throat.

“You are so beautiful, so perfect…”

He kisses me slowly, softly and then moves down to nip my shoulders.

“Can I do some things with you Mischief?”

“Like?” I whisper.

“Do you trust me?”

“You know I do.”

He stands and pulls his belt off his jeans. I freeze, but when he only secures my hands with it, I manage to relax. He binds my hands above my head and then secures them to the bed. I stare up at him as he pulls out a feather duster looking thing, and begins to slide it over my skin. The soft feathers are silky against my body; I moan in delight. He drags it down between my legs, letting the feathers just stroke over my sex.

“Oh…” I whimper.

When he raises it and brings it down with a light slap on my thigh, I yelp. Pleasure jerks through my body until I am squirming for more.

“She is a good submissive, you are beautiful like this.”

I peer up at him through heavy lashes.

“More Trav, please.”

He grins and leans over me, drawing a nipple into his mouth. He sucks and licks until it has formed a tight peak, then he moves to the other. By the time he reaches my belly button I am moaning and writhing on the bed. He licks around my naval, then slowly drags his tongue down and into my sex. I cry out when he licks deep and long; I want to touch him, but my hands are tied. He brings me to the edge; my body is coiled as tightly as it can go, then he stops.

“Travis!” I cry.

“You are going to come when I say.”

I glare at him. “That’s unfair.”

“Trust me baby, you said you would.”

I close my eyes; my body is heated and swollen in the oddest of places. Travis kneels between my legs, edging them apart with his thighs. He grips his cock and strokes it slowly; causing me to squirm and become so damp I am sure I feel my own arousal run down and over my backside. He slowly unwraps a condom and slides it over, making me watch every slow, painful move.

“Travis, please.”

“You like that beautiful?”

“You know I do.” I mewl.

He leans forward and presses the tip just inside. I squirm and beg; he is enjoying this. Suddenly, he plunges deep and hard inside me. I bellow and thrash in my bindings. He slides out slowly, then plunges in again. I am going to come, I can’t stop it. He stops; as if reading my mind. My orgasm slips away and I roar in protest, kicking my legs out.

“Shhh, trust me.”

“I hate you Travis!” I cry, desperate.

He laughs huskily, then slides himself back in and out until I am building again. This time it is higher, harder, and I am desperate for my release. He leans down and sucks my nipples until I am nearly blacking out with pleasure. Just as I am about to release again, he pulls out.

“TRAVIS!” I scream.

“Patience, beautiful girl. I promise when you come, it will be out of this world.”

He teases my body to the brink again and again until I just can’t take it anymore. He is thrusting inside me again, bringing me higher and higher. I can feel myself coming; I can feel it down to my toes.

“Don’t come.” He grates out, thrusting his hips slowly and deeply.

“I can’t…stop…Trav…”

He stares down at me, then suddenly he is thrusting hard and fast. I scream, so loudly it shocks me. I feel my body erupt and tremble beneath Travis; he is groaning and thrusting, his fingers are down gripping my backside and pulling it forward. He tenses and erupts with me, growling into my shoulder as he shudders. He pants my name as my own orgasm rings him dry. When we have both stopped shuddering, he reaches up and undoes my hands. I let them fall limply.

“You are amazing.” He whispers, dropping down beside me and pulling me to his chest.

I mumble, unable to speak. It’s just too hard. He was right; that was the best release I have ever had.

“Mischief?”

“Hmmmm?”

“I want you to come away with me.”

I open my eyes and roll, staring over at him. “Come away with you?”

“I am going to Vegas next weekend for a show, I will be gone two nights, and I want you to come.”

“To Vegas?”

“Yes, bring Reagan.”

“Travis, we can’t afford a trip like that, I’m sorry…”

“I will pay, don’t say no, please?”

“I can’t let you pay.”

“I can be very persistent.” He says, his eyes full of warning.

“Can I think about it?”

“No.”

“No?”

“Just say yes, please? The band will be there; it will be a whole new experience.”

I think about it for a moment; it would be fun, and Reagan would murder me if I said no.

“What about Chief?”

“Say you are staying at Reagan’s that weekend, he won’t question it.”

“Alight Travis, because Reagan will kill me if I say no and I owe her.”

He grins and rolls, so he is looking down at me. “Atta girl.”

I laugh and press a kiss to his lips. “You will be the death of me rockstar.”

~*~*~*~*

I wake up with a body covering mine, a hard, hot body. Pleasure is shooting through me as I feel a hard length sliding in and out of me so slowly. Oh God, what a way to wake up. I always dreamed of waking like this…

“Trav…” I croak.

He doesn’t say anything; he just leans down and pulls me into a deep, heavy kiss. He tastes phenomenal, his mouth is hot; his lips wet. His body is slick with a light sweat, and he is moving with such perfection it drives me to heights I never knew. I grip his shoulders, thrusting my hips up and whimpering his name. I come quickly, clenching around him. His silent release follows close behind mine and his body trembles. I love to feel him release, love knowing that it is all for me.

“What a way to wake up.” I whisper.

“I couldn’t help myself; you rolled over and ran your hands over me in your sleep…”

“Hmmmm.” I moan as he kisses my neck.

“I got some work to do beautiful.”

I can’t see him, but I pout. “It’s like four am.”

“I know, but I have a huge contract and need to sort it.”

I huff.

“Sleep baby and I will wake you in a few hours.”

“It better be like that again.”

He chuckles softly. “I will endeavour to try.”

He tucks the blanket back over me, and I hear him leave, I fall back into a light and restless sleep. I wake on my own, when the sun beams through the window. I sit up and stretch, my body is beautifully sore. I glance around, then spot one of Travis’s t-shirts and pull it on. I plod into the bathroom and stare at my just fucked hair. I brush it out, then brush my teeth. When I am a little more refreshed, I walk out to find Trav.

I find him in his home office, on the phone to someone. He is facing the window, staring out and wearing only a pair of black jeans. My lord. Travis has the backside of a cowboy, one of those rounded, small and firm asses that look terrific in jeans. His back is smooth, hairless and sculpted. His hair is messy and just has that gorgeous dirty blonde color. I walk over slowly and put my hands on his back. He jumps a little, then turns and grins down at me.

“Yeah Marcus, sort it all out. What time does the flight leave?”

Silence and a soft kiss from Travis.

“We will be there.”

He hangs up the phone, and his grin is lazy and content.

“Well good morning sunshine, you look well ravished this morning.”

“I didn’t get woken up…” I pout and he laughs.

“I can make that up to you, how does the shower sound?”

I stroke my hands down his chest. “Perfect.”

When the shower is over and boy what a shower it was, we head into the kitchen.

“Hungry?”

My stomach grumbles. “I am starving.”

“Want me to make you my famous egg toast?”

I smile. “Like you used to?”

He grins, and I know he is remembering, just like I am.

“Mischief, check it out.”

I am sulking because he went on a date last night. I don’t want to talk with him. I am fifteen, and he is my everything. I hate the girl he went out with, Annabelle. Can’t stand that girl.

“Aw, stop sulking.”

“Did you kiss her Travis?”

He frowns. “It doesn’t matter, come on Mischief…”

“I want to know!” I cry, folding my arms across my chest.

“Yes, but it meant nothing.”

I feel my eyes well with tears. He sighs and walks over, swiping it away.

“Can’t have you Mischief, you know that. I have to move on…”

“I don’t want you to.”

“Chief would kill me, I can’t have you. Please don’t hate me?”

I look into his grey eyes; I don’t want to hate him.

“Come on, I made this for you…”

I look down at the plate, and my heart does flip flops, written on my egg toast is ‘Forgive me?’ I smile, I can’t help it. He knew before I asked that he would want my forgiveness. I look up at him and smile.

“I will always forgive you Trav.”

He leans in and kisses my head.

“We had some fun didn’t we?” Trav says, snapping me back to reality.

“Yeah, we really did.”

“So, what little note can I put on your egg toast today?”

“Suck my…”

He cuts me off with a kiss. “Careful baby, I might just hold you to those words.”

I grin. “Get in the kitchen and make me some breakfast.”

He slaps his hand over his heart. “Wounded!”

“Go on, before I whip you with a tea towel and you know I am the tea towel queen.”

“Oh yeah?” He grins, grasping a tea towel off the sink and spinning it around.

I stand and giggle, gripping another one, and I whip it at his leg. It makes a loud crack.

“Oh hell no, you are going to pay for that.”

He runs after me, and I squeal as I bolt down the hall way. I side step into his room at the last minute, and he skids to a halt. When he enters the room, I whip him once more.

“If I catch you Mischief, you are in trouble.” He grins.

I whip out again, just missing him, but he manages to grip the tea towel and yank it free from my hand. I scream, throwing my hands up.

“I surrender.”

“Oh no, surrender is not an option.”

I drop to my knees. “Please rockstar, I will do anything.”

He drops to his knees too, and begins crawling towards me.

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

He gets to me and presses his lips to mine.

“I want to play.”

“Oh?”

“Romeo…”

I flush. “Oh hell no Travis.”

“Come on, I need this scene. We loved this movie.”

“Travis…” I warn.

“It’s that or the tea towel.”

“Yes Mickey…” I whisper.

“How do you call your lover boy?”

“Come here lover boy…”

“And if he doesn’t answer?”

“Oh lover boy…” I coo.

“And if he still doesn’t answer?”

“I simply say…baby…oh baby…my sweet baby…you’re the one…”

I grind up his body, just like baby does in dirty dancing. Our lips mesh together, and we fall backwards on the floor. I am straddling him, grinding my hips against his rigid erection. He groans when I slide my tongue into his mouth and grip his chest; dragging my nails over his skin. I yank at his boxer shorts, sliding them down. He moans when I lean back and grip his length.

“Like this Johnny?” I purr, still playing.

“Yes, baby…”

He tosses me a condom, and I rip it open with my teeth; I roll it on and enjoy his groaning. When I begin sliding my drenched sex down over him, he growls. I sink onto him, letting out my own pleasured moan. I grip his stomach and lean back, sliding up and down, up and down. I can feel my climax nearing, and I can’t fight it off. I need it, need to shake and rattle around him. I explode and whimper as I shudder. His release is close behind, both of us climaxing faster than usual. I guess it was the sexy moment.

“That’s totally how the movie should have ended.” He rasps.

“Oh hell yeah.”

CHAPTER 9

“Are you serious?” Reagan cries over the phone.

“Yep, he said we could go with. I can’t wait.”

“Vegas, oh my god, with those hot band members.”

I laugh. “I know, it should be interesting at least.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Well, I have to go; I am just about to walk into the shop to get some food.”

“Ahhh, food to replenish from all the sex?”

I giggle, oh my god I giggled.

“Something like that.”

“Did you just giggle?”

“I think it was a giggle.”

“Oh my god it was a giggle.”

“I have changed.”

“For the better, see you later?”

“Sure will, behave!”

I click the phone shut and walk into the shop. I came for a walk on my own, only because it was a few blocks down, and Travis was working. I scour the isles and pick up some subs, ham, salad and some cold drinks. I am just putting a bottle into my trolley when a voice calls my name. I turn and stare at the man walking towards me. The years haven’t changed him, not an ounce. He is still tall, blonde and devilishly handsome.

“Dan?” I say, squinting.

“Violet, it is you.”

Oh crap.

“It’s me, what are you doing here?”

“I moved back.”

“Oh.”

“I can’t believe it’s you, you look amazing.”

I lose the smile. “How is Lila?”

His face falls. “She broke up with me.”

“How sad.”

He narrows his eyes. “Violet, I have been looking for you. I made a mistake, a huge mistake and…”

“Don’t Dan, please not now.”

“Can we talk, please?”

“She is taken.”

I hear the rough voice behind me and feel the arms that wrap around my waist. Dan eyes Travis, and then looks back at me.

“T-T-Travis Phoenix?”

“Um, Dan this is Trav. We are seeing each other.”

“Violet, can we have a word?”

“I said she is taken, what part of that don’t you understand?” Travis hisses.

“I just want a word.”

“Trav, it’s ok.” I say, stepping out of his grips.

He glares at me, and I know I am in trouble.

“A minute Trav, I won’t be a minute.”

He snatches the trolley away from me and hisses a curse, before turning and walking off.

“You are dating Travis Phoenix?”

“Yes I am, so what?”

“What is wrong with you? After what he did!”

“He is different.”

“You have stooped Violet; I thought you grew up.”

“Don’t you lecture me about stooping Dan, I cared about you and you cheated on me and broke my heart.”

“I made a mistake, the biggest of my life. I still love you Vi.”

“Stop, right there…I don’t want to hear it.”

“Violet, just let me talk with you please.”

His eyes are pleading, and it tugs at that broken part of my heart.

“I can’t do this right now; don’t contact me or speak with me again.”

I rush away from him and out the front of the shop. Travis is gone, and I dread what I will walk into when I get back to his house. All my ideas and fears are wrong; Travis is standing at the bench making salad subs. Ok, so maybe he knew he was over reacting and just got over it? I step in and walk over next to him; he doesn’t look at me.

“Trav…”

He doesn’t speak. Uh oh, this is far worse than I could have imagined. He is silent and silent means beyond furious.

“Trav, I didn’t know he would be there.”

He spins towards me. “Do you still want him?”

“No, of course not.”

“Are you going to see him?”

“I don’t…know.”

“You are mine Violet.” He growls.

“Trav, it’s complicated and…”

“Mine.” He rasps, gripping my face and bringing his lips down on my so forcefully I bite my lip.

I tangle my hands through his hair, as desperate as he is to confirm these feelings between us. The feelings neither of us want to admit are there. He grips my pants and yanks them down, then deposits my bottom onto the bench. He releases himself just enough so he can fuck me on the bench. He angrily shoves on a condom. When he presses inside me, I groan and thrash. He plunges deeply, growling at the intense pleasure.

“Trav…please.” I beg.

He slams harder, faster until the bench creaks beneath us. He explodes before I get the chance to, bellowing my name. He pulls out and yanks up his jeans with a curse. I stare, my eyes wide, tears tumbling down my cheeks. He looks at me, then grips his head and growls.

“Fuck…why do you test me like that?” He snaps, walking out of the room.

I should walk away; I need to walk away. Travis will break my heart, or worse; I will break his. We are opposites and yet the attraction is intense between us, so strong it tugs at my heart strings. I have never wanted anything in my entire existence the way I want Travis Phoenix, and I know, know deep down in my soul that he will either make…or break me.

I find him sitting on the deck, staring out at the city. I sit beside him and open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. What can I say to him? I don’t think anything in this moment will make it better. He is hurting, and I don’t know how to comfort him. Then I remember something, a song I used to sing to him when we were younger. Anytime he was mad at me, and I couldn’t work out how to say sorry; I would sing it. I open my mouth and start singing.

The grey ceiling on the earth well it’s lasted for a while,

Take my thoughts for what their worth, I’ve been acting like a child.

Your opinion, what is that? It’s just a different point of view.

What else, what else can I do? I said I’m sorry, yeah I’m sorry

I said I’m sorry but what for, if I hurt you then I hate myself.

I don’t wanna hate myself, don’t wanna hurt you…

Why do you choose your pain, if you only knew, how much I love you…

Love you…

He turns to me, and his eyes are glassy and red. He strokes my cheeks and pulls me onto his lap.

“You are my life Violet, my soul, my heart. My world changed the day you were born, and it will never be the same again.”

I snuggle into his chest, and continue singing; he begins humming along with me.

I won’t be your winter; I won’t be anyone’s excuse to cry.

We can be forgiven, ohh yeah.

And I will be here….

~*~*~*~*

“He was so mad at me Momma.” I sigh, sitting on the kitchen table and staring at my mother baking cookies.

“Trav has always been a little crazy when it comes to you honey; he was just jealous.”

“I hesitated, and I don’t know why. I should have told Dan to screw off, but I sent Trav away and listened to him.”

“Look, you and Dan were together a while, and he broke your heart. It’s not un natural to have some softness towards him.”

“I suppose.”

“You two will be fine; you just need to be honest with him.”

“He asked about Lil the other day.” I whisper.

She stops and stares at me. “What did you say?”

“I said she died.”

“You didn’t tell him why?”

“No, I couldn’t. If he hated me, I couldn’t bear it.”

“Oh honey, Trav would never hate you. He loves you.”

“Do you think I should tell him?”

“I think honesty is a must, I think you should tell him everything because only then will you know if what you have is real.”

I nod, swallowing and knowing she is right. I have to tell him; I have no choice. To gain trust and friendship alone, we have to be honest…the love part will take so much more. I open my phone and glance down at the text message he sent me yesterday after I left.

Mischief, I am sorry. I keep doing this to you, and I know it’s not helping. I can’t imagine my world without you in it right now, you have attached yourself to my very core, and I need you.

I reply.

Trav, can we meet? We have to talk.

Name the time and place.

The cafe next to your house, now?

I will be there.

I say goodbye to mom, then make my way to the cafe. Travis is already waiting for me, looking gorgeous in his grey shirt and blue jeans. He stands when I reach him and reaches out for my hand.

“Hey beautiful.”

“Trav, I have something’s I need to say before we go any further.”

He nods and sits down. I swallow and then begin speaking.

“I haven’t given enough to you, and it’s likely my fault. I have lived a long time being this person; I have forgotten who I was. I have to be honest with you Trav, you scare me, but I want this as much as I want you. To get past it, I have to tell you something’s about my life in the past four years as you know, so you can make the choice…”

“It won’t change the fact that I want you.”

“Just let me tell you, and then you can decide that. You remember how close Lillian and I were? Well we remained that way until three years ago. One day, we were out swimming at a lake, and there were storms around, but it didn’t stop us. Lillian was hesitant; the storm was closing in, and she was hesitant. I teased her, saying what a sook she was and how she didn’t live…She was hurt, and she dived into the water, to prove me wrong. The lightening hit, I didn’t see it coming…I didn’t even realize she was hurt until…until…”

“Hey, shhh.”

“I saw her head resurface, and it wasn’t attached to her body. It cut her head clean off because it was the only part of her body out of the water. They told me it is because the lightening sends a current along the water top; that cuts like a knife. It was my fault; I picked on her, teased her when she was unsure, and she got in and died because of me.”

I am sobbing now, and Travis has moved around the table to hold me in his arms.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“It was my fault Trav, and I have learnt to live with that. I became secluded, scared of everything. I stopped living; every time I had fun all I could think about was how I taunted her for not living and having fun, so I stopped doing it myself. Like a punishment, or so my shrink said. Anyway, after the accident her brother grew a hate against me. He blamed me, told me it was my fault for changing her and trying to make her rebel against the world like I did. He went a bit crazy; Jeremy was her twin brother and they were close.”

“What happened with him?”

“Well, I saw him one night, out on the town. I was wild by then; it had only been a month and I was drinking myself into a stupor. He beat me so badly I nearly died.”

Travis clenches around me and hisses through his teeth.

“He got charged, and I went into hiding. I didn’t hear from him again…”

“That is why you didn’t want your name in the paper.”

“Yes, but it didn’t work. Trav, he came into the firm the other day, and he is putting a manslaughter case against me, he wants me locked up. He is trying to claim that I forced her into that water and killed her.”

“He what?” Travis’s voice is icy.

“He came back.”

“You didn’t tell me.” He snaps, glaring at me.

“I didn’t know how.”

“Give me all the details on that case; I am going to fight this for you.”

“How Trav? You can’t have the resources to do that.”

“I will get the resources. I know good lawyers.”

“Sally had to take on his case, she wants to so she can keep him close. She is worried for me.”

“That’s a conflict of interest Violet, and it will have to stop.”

I sigh. “I know. I am scared Trav.”

“From now on, I am putting security with you wherever you go. That creep isn’t getting anywhere near you.”

“That’s not what I want!” I cry.

He grips my chin. “Violet, don’t fight me on this because you WILL lose.”

“Trav.”

He kisses me.

“Your life, you, it has all become so much to me. My world changed when you came into it Violet, and I won’t lose you.”

His words burrow right into my soul. What can I say? Nothing. I simply step forward and lean into his chest.

CHAPTER 10

“Mom, I am staying at Reagan’s tonight and tomorrow night.” I yell out from my room as I pack.

“Alright baby, have you spoken to your father and told him you won’t be coming?”

“I will drop by on my way to Reagan’s.”

She comes into my room and leans her hip against the door.

“He has been very kind to me since I slapped him a million times.”

“It wasn’t his fault Momma, that man was crazy.”

“And that is the world he is in; bad people go after his family to get back at him. It worries me honey.”

“I know mom, but what will you have me do? I can’t just get rid of him and pretend he isn’t my father.”

She sighs. “I know that angel, I know. Look, just be careful. Carry that gun he gave you, please.”

I laugh. “Be careful but carry a gun.”

“Just looking out for you honey.”

“Alright Momma, I love you and I will call over the weekend.”

“Alright baby.”

I finish packing and then drive over to daddy’s to let him know I won’t be there at all this weekend. The house is quiet, but the garage lights are on so I walk in. What I see reminds me hard and fast about the world Chief lives in. A man, I don’t know who, I strung up with a hook in his back. His mouth is gagged, and he is being tortured in ways I do not wish to explain. I feel bile rise in my throat. Chief sees me and his eyes widen, he snaps his fingers and the torturing stops instantly. I turn and rush out.

“Hey Mischief, wait…”

He grips my arm when I reach my car and spins me around.

“Daddy what were you doing in there?” I cry, covering my face with my hands.

“He has information about Demon, I am sorry you had to see that baby, but you know it’s what we do.”

“And you judge me about people I want to see!” I scream. “When you are a monster yourself!”

“That’s exactly why,” He bellows. “Because I fuckin know what can happen to you.”

“I am going, I came to say I wouldn’t be here this weekend, and I am glad I did now.”

“Mischief, don’t you fucking walk away while I am talking with you.”

“Back off!”

I get in the car and slam the door, hitting the accelerator hard and fast. I cry all the way to Reagan’s house, and after telling her what happened, she sits with me while I cry. God, what the hell kind of shit do I live in?

~*~*~*~*

“Holy sweet lord, check this plane!” I cry, leaping up and down next to Reagan.

Travis laughs at us, and so do his band members. The only one who isn’t laughing is the snot nosed receptionist.

“Why did she come again?” I ask Trav, glaring at her.

“She is seeing Marcus, though I am fairly sure it is a ploy to get to me. He wanted to bring her.”

“She better watch her back.” I snap.

He laughs and shoves me down onto the seat. “Behave my little ball of fury.”

I giggle and slide onto the large leather seat, sighing. Reagan plops down beside me and pulls me close.

“Who is the hotty staring at Trav?”

I glare at her. “Hotty?”

“She is a hotty, you are much more so though. So spill…”

“His receptionist, she is mad about him.”

“Well that isn’t half obvious!”

I laugh. “Her name is Janice.”

“Janice has stalker tendencies.”

“I hope you two are behaving.” Trav says as he walks past, giving me a wicked grin.

“Yes boss, we are.”

He laughs and disappears down the back.

“I can’t get enough of him, you are going to have to live with the fact that I am crazy about your boyfriend, and I have wicked sex dreams about him.”

I shove her with a retarded sounding giggle.

“I can help with those dreams, I could give you just a touch of an idea what he is like in bed.”

“Do tell, I need some more visuals.”

“Well, he has this, god this body and his…you know is huge. He loves it rough, he loves it slow, and he loves to kiss everything.”

I hear a gasp behind me and Janice stands, storming down the back of the plane. Reagan and I burst out laughing, and she shoves me.

“Keep going, I must know more…”

“Yes, please do.”

I spin around to see Trav leaning against the seat behind us grinning. My cheeks flame and Reagan sputters her drink.

“Can we have a little word angel?”

I grin up at him and stand; I follow him down into the back room of the plane. It is tiny, but enough for two people to sit, just. He shuts the door behind him and then slams me against the wall.

“You ought to be careful talking about me like that.”

“W-Why?” I whisper.

“Coz it makes me crazy hard.”

He thrusts his hips against my pelvis, and I groan.

“There’s no room.”

“We make room.”

He grips my hips and spins me around, shoving the front of my body into a small gap. My bottom is the only thing hanging out. Travis grips my dress and slowly inches it up, leaning down to kiss my backside as he does.

“You are beautiful here.”

I practically purr.

He slides my panties down, kissing right down my legs. When he is free of his pants, I hear the crackling of a condom packet, then he is inside me so deep and beautiful. I grip my arms; I am so squashed in this space but nothing matters. His hand touches the top of my neck and slowly drags down my back, causing me to shiver. He thrusts his hips, not hard because he doesn’t have the room, but that’s ok because I don’t mind it slow like this.

“Travis, I need you, need you so bad.” I whimper in ecstasy.

“God baby, you…”

A knock sounds on the door.

“Trav?”

It’s Marcus.

“Marcus fuck off man.”

“Are you getting laid in there?” He yells out so loudly the whole plane would have undoubtedly heard.

“Dude! Fuck off!”

“Travis is getting laid in the fucking closet! Woooo!”

I flush and groan. “Oh my god.”

“Baby I can’t stop.”

“Don’t…don’t stop.”

He slides in and out faster as if he doesn’t care if anyone can hear. I am building higher and higher; Trav reaches down to stroke my clit, slowly thumbing it until I explode around him. I shudder and cry out as my orgasm racks me. Travis isn’t far behind, and he grates out my name as he pumps his seed into me over and over. When he pulls out and gets me standing straight, I am a little dizzy.

“You dizzy?”

“A little.”

“Come on, it’s stuffy in here.”

He does up his pants and ties the condom, then helps me with my panties. When we are straightened up, we come out and everyone cheers. I feel my cheeks blazing as they all clap and pat Trav on the back. He laughs, like he always does, and helps me back to my seat. We all sit chatting for the hours that the flight takes. At one point, the boys pull out their guitars. I notice that Reagan is cozying up against Harley. I give her a wink; he is uber hot.

“What would the lovely ladies like us to sing?”

“Sweet home Alabama.” I cry out, slightly under the weather from all the cocktails the air hostess has been feeding me.

“Anything for my lady.”

I notice Janice glower. In your face psycho. The men begin playing, and me and Reagan sing along at the top of our lungs.

“Big wheels keep on turning…”

When the boys join in, I conclude that we all sound super wicked singing together.

“Take it away Vi.” Trav sings, strumming his guitar and winking at me.

“Sweet home Alabama…” I sing, while he strums the chords.

By the time the song is over, we are all laughing.

“You should join the band!” Harley laughs. “You rock!”

“I know right?” I grin.

“My girl rocks!” Trav grins, kissing me quickly.

“Sing me something rockstar; blow my heart strings to pieces.”

He winks at me, and begins strumming lightly on his guitar. When he starts singing the song he sang me on the beach that night, he really does blow my heart strings to pieces. It was beautiful then, but with the music it has the whole plane going silent and staring in awe. It takes you to another moment, another place; you forget who is around when Travis sings like that.

“Give me love like her, coz lately I’ve been waking up alone…”

I stare into his eyes as he sings, and it is at that exact moment I realize I am totally in love with Travis Phoenix. I have been falling hard and fast, and I couldn’t be happier. His eyes and his gaze tell me he is far ahead of me and that I have trapped his heart, his soul, and I could break him as quickly as I gained him. When the song is over, everyone is silent and are staring at the eye contact Travis, and I didn’t even realize we were making. The look passing between us is enough to melt most people on the spot.

Reagan clears her throat, and I spin around to stare at her, blinking to clear my gaze. It feels as though it has gone hazy, am I crying? I stand, mumbling an apology before dashing into the bathroom. Thank god it’s a little larger than a normal plane. I stare at myself in the mirror, what is happening here? I am falling hard and fast for Travis, and I am still not sure if that’s the right thing. Reagan knocks on the door a moment later, and I let her in.

“Are you ok?”

“Sure, I just needed a minute.”

“You are in love with him aren’t you?”

I stare at her and my lip trembles.

“Aw honey, you have known this for a long time, it’s just hitting hard now. It will ease off.”

She holds me while I sob stupidly, when I manage to stop; she helps me wipe down my face.

“We should get out of here, someone might need it.”

I nod. She helps me up, and we walk out, when we get back to the seats, Trav is sitting and staring out the window. He turns to stare at me as I walk past, our eyes meet for a moment and then he turns and stares back out the window. What that tells me is that he is feeling what I am, and it scares the hell out of him too.

CHAPTER 11

The hotel we are staying in is beautiful; we have our own adjoining rooms and in between them, situated on the balcony is a massive spa. It can hold over ten people, and it is the first thing we all vow to get in. I am in my own room, which surprises me a little. Travis is gone as soon as we get in, mumbling something about needing to do work. With a sigh, I join the others in the spa. They are already on the way to being extremely drunk, and soon I am not far behind.

When Travis arrives four hours later, we are giggling and squealing like a bunch of school kids. Reagan is on Harley’s lap, and even Janice is smiling. He stops at the tub beside me and looks down into my eyes.

“I see you have intoxicated my girl.”

I giggle. “They didn’t make me; I did it on my own.”

He smiles, but it’s only half. Oh Travis.

“Come in Trav baby.” I say, stroking his cheek.

Those words look like they pain him, but he removes his shirt all the same. Reagan whistles and Janice flushes. Yes, my man has the best body in this spa. Trav slides in and pulls me onto his lap. His body is hard against mine, and I relish in the feeling of him pressed up against me. I notice Janice staring at us, she frightens me a touch. She is one of those women likely to go crazy on a man she wants that much…or his girlfriend.

“Where’d you head off to Trav?” Marcus asks.

“Just work.”

I feel Trav stroking my stomach, his fingers sliding up and down gently. The water is bubbled thanks to our bright idea of putting bubble bath in it. When his hand slides lower and tucks under my bikini bottoms, I tense. He wouldn’t make me come right here would he? He leans in and nibbles on my ear lobe and then whispers “Don’t scream.”

When he inserts one finger and rubs my clit with his thumb, it takes all my strength not to scream. I grip his arm, and I can feel his muscles moving as he gently fingers me in the spa with five other people. Reagan is pashing Harley now; thank god they don’t know what we are doing. Marcus begins chatting with Trav, and he responds as though he isn’t finger deep inside me right now. I claw at his arms as I rise higher and higher.

“So Vi, what do you do for a living?” Marcus asks.

“What?” I stammer.

“Are you ok, you look flushed?”

“I…um…stomach ache.”

“Uh oh did you drink too much?”

“Think so.” I whimper.

Travis is sliding in and out, touching that soft spot and stroking it. When I come, I begin to cry out and quickly cover it with a strangled moan that sounds painful. Reagan looks over at me and her eyes narrow.

“Are you ok Vi?”

“Just a stomach ache.” I groan, gripping Trav’s arms as my body tightens and releases against his finger.

“You should lie down if it’s that bad.”

“Oh, it will go away.”

When my body stops shuddering, I breathe a sigh of relief. Trav kisses my neck.

“Bed…now.”

“I might go lie down.” I say, pretending it still hurts.

“Ok, I hope you feel better.”

“I will go with.” Trav says, standing behind me. I wonder why he is pressing me so close and then I realize he is so damned hard he could crack a walnut.

“Trav, can we have a word?” Janice asks.

“Now?” He says, with a growl.

“It’s important.”

“Fine.”

There goes that hard on. He helps me out, and then follows Janice into the kitchen. I wait in the lounge, but curiosity gets the better of me. I step around the corner, only to see Janice wrapped in Travis’s arms, and he isn’t fighting her. I gasp, and he lets her go, turning to face me.

“It’s not…”

“Oh my god!”

I turn and hurry out, Travis calls my name, but I don’t stop. I get to my room and lock the door; he bangs and bangs on it, but I don’t open. Reagan comes past and knocks next, but no, I am not opening it for her either. What was he doing with Janice? I need to know, now. I go out the other door and stomp down to her room; I bang on the door. When she opens, it’s with a satisfied smile.

“You are fucking with the wrong person lady, what do you want with him?”

“Travis didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what!”

“I am not fantasizing about him Violet, I have had him. I was with him for a year.”

“Bullshit.”

“No bullshit.  He was fucking me for a year, the longest relationship he has had.”

She is lying.

“Well he left, it’s over, get it through your head.”

“I left Violet, broke his heart and left.”

“Stop it!” I cry, gripping my hair.

“I have kept my distance, but I can’t just stand back and watch him fucking with an idiot like you. He is better than you; he deserves so much more. He isn’t damaged, isn’t fucked up, and you are. You will ruin him Violet, and you know it. You are no good, walk away.”

“Fuck you Janice, you know nothing.”

“I know everything. You think I don’t know what he was doing in that hot tub? You think I didn’t know he had his fingers deep inside you? I know because he used to do it to me. You are a faze, nothing more. He will get over you, and come back to me like he always does.”

“You are wrong; it’s deeper than that.”

“If you say so.” She grins, shutting the door in my face.

“Fucking bitch!” I snarl.

I kick her door and then turn and stomp off down the hall. Travis comes out just as I am going in; I see him and begin crying uncontrollably. He rushes over, gripping me in his arms.

“It was a long time ago.”

“That is meant to make me feel better? You didn’t tell me Trav, you were with her?”

“It was a mistake.”

“The longest relationship you have had, did you love her?”

“No it wasn’t the longest and no I didn’t love her.”

“So it’s no different to me then?” I snap, “I will last a year, and you will move on to the next poor girl.”

“It is different.” He yells, shaking my shoulders.

“Tell me how Travis, because I fail to see how it is different.”

“Because I am falling in love with you, I never EVER got that close with her.”

I gape at him. “You… are falling in love with me?”

He strokes my cheek, painfully. “I can’t help myself; you make me crazy, I don’t know how many times I have to say that. I want you Violet, so help me god, I want you more than my own life.”

I leap at him, wrapping my legs around his waist and kissing him with fierce intent.

“Trav?”

He pulls back and looks over at a shocked Janice.

“Try that again Janice, not only will I fire you but I will NEVER speak with you again. Back off, move on and stay the hell away from me.”

She gapes at him, he kicks his bedroom door open and swoops me into the room. He kicks the door shut behind him, and we fall onto the ground, we don’t make it as far as the bed.

“Travis.” I whisper, gripping his shoulders. “I am dark, no good for you. She is right about that.”

“Sometimes all darkness needs is a little of the right kinda light. I am your light Mischief.”

~*~*~*~*

“Violet, where are you? I went past Reagan’s, and you ain’t there. Fucking hell girl, where are you?”

I shut my phone after listening to Chief’s voice message. Boy are we in trouble. Travis is in the bed sleeping, looking as beautiful and peaceful as ever. The show last night went really well, and as promised he didn’t have any women on stage. It will take a bit on my behalf to get used to the fact that he is forever being swarmed, but I know he only has eyes for me. That is comforting. I walk out onto the deck and call Chief; I know he will be furious but what the heck, he will have to get over it. I dial, and he answers on the first ring.

“Where the fuck have you been Violet?”

“I am out daddy.”

“With fucking who!”

“Dad, stop now. I am a grown woman, and I don’t have to check in with you and mom all the time.”

“You also have a fucking lunatic after you; I raised you better.”

“Don’t dad.”

“Who is he?”

“What?”

“Who are you with?”

“Reagan.”

“Bullshit.”

“I am, you can talk to her if you like.”

“Don’t play with me girl, get your ass home.”

“Kind of can’t.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Um…I am in Vegas.”

I can practically hear him busting at the seams.

“Fucking stay the fuck there, I am coming to get you.”

“NO! I will come home, keep your shirt on.”

“Don’t you tell me to keep my shirt on; I am fucking up to my limits with your shit Violet.”

“My shit? What am I doing that’s so wrong? I am being a girl, doing what normal girls do.”

“You ain’t a normal girl. Wait a second…Travis is in Vegas this weekend.”

Crap, crap, what is wrong with me.

“So we came to see his show.”

“Fucking find that boy now and put him on.”

“He is out with some woman daddy, I don’t know where.”

“Bullshit!”

“I am serious!”

“You are lying to me girl, I ain’t stupid. You been hiding from me; you and him? Get that little fucker here now; I am going to blast a fucking hole…”

“STOP IT!” I scream. “I am sick of this. I am a grown woman daddy; I don’t have to do as you say anymore.”

“Like hell you don’t.”

“If you love me, and you want me in your life, stop this now. I…daddy…I love him.”

He falls silent for such a long time; I wonder if he has gone.

“Well fuck it Violet. You know the rules.”

“He isn’t part of the club daddy.”

“I have had that boy around since he was a fucking kid Violet, he might as well be.”

“The guys won’t care; daddy please…”

“I have to punish him baby; you know I do.”

“Please daddy.”

“I will go easy, get home now before I change my mind.”

I rush into the bedroom and wake Travis, when he sees my face, his falls.

“What’s wrong?”

“Chief knows.”

He sighs and rubs his head. “Well, I guess I had to face it one day.”

“Trav he will hurt you!” I cry, gripping my hair.

“He will go easy.”

“How can you be so calm?” I scream.

“Because I have known this would happen eventually.”

“We can stay here, he won’t find us…”

“Mischief, you know he will and even if we manage to hide, eventually he will catch up with us and it will be so much worse.”

I feel a tear trickle down my cheek. “Trav, I don’t want you to get hurt.”

He kneels and strokes my cheek. “I will do anything for you baby, anything.”

CHAPTER 12

I can hear him screaming, and I thrash as two of the club members hold me back. I know what they are doing to him; I know because I have seen it. Chief had to do it; said he had no choice otherwise all the members would run off the rails. Travis went forward and accepted it; no argument at all. He is going easy on him; I know that, but I hate him all the same right now. Travis finally stops screaming, and Chief walks out, his eyes are glassy and red. Travis is like his son.

“I fucking hate you!” I scream. “Fucking hate you daddy.”

He looks like I have slapped him. He stops in front of me and tears are thundering down my face.

“You know the rules; you have known them from day one. You knew I had to punish him, but you snuck around anyway. I ain’t gonna stop this relationship girl, but I had to do what I had to do.”

“I am your daughter, you asshole.”

He closes his eyes. “Enough.”

“Get away from me, I never want to see you again.”

I kick the two people holding me and run into the garage. Travis is on the ground, and all I can see is blood, so much blood. His skin is sliced; his back whipped and his face beaten. I drop to my knees and scream, taking his body into my arms. I rock him backwards and forwards, trembling heavily. I manage to get my phone, and I call an ambulance; then I wait.

“I’m so sorry, so sorry.” I whimper.

Travis grips my hand; his head is still hung low.

“I knew…” He croaks. “I did it anyway and would do again.”

He spits blood on the floor, and I rock harder.

“I am sorry Trav, so sorry.”

“Hush,” He whispers. “Hush now.”

The ambulance arrives a moment later, and takes Travis to the hospital. I get in with one last glare at Chief; then we disappear. I will never forgive him for this, and he knows it. Trav gets treated quickly, and when he is done and put back in his room, I crawl into the bed and lie with him. I feel his body shake every now and then, and it breaks my heart into a thousand tiny pieces.

“I am sorry Trav.”

“Stop saying that; I did it baby. I knew what would happen if we got caught; it’s done now.”

“I should have said no; I knew even better than you what would happen.”

“It’s done,” He croaks. “No more hidin now.”

“No more hiding.” I whisper and nestle into him.

“Mischief?”

“Hmmmm.” I say, stroking his hand.

“It was worth it for you, don’t feel guilty…”

“I can’t help it Trav, I do.”

“I wanted you, I pushed you, this is something that had to happen. Don’t hate him over it…”

“Right now I do Trav, he hurt you and I can’t like him for that.”

“He loves you.”

“He hurt you.”

“Forgive Mischief, he is all you have.”

~*~*~*~*

“Tell him I said goodbye.” I say to the nurse, and give Trav’s hair one last stroke.

“I will.”

“I will come by later; he needs rest.”

“No problem honey.”

I walk out of the hospital and drive home in silence; my heart aches for Travis. When I pull up and see Chief’s Harley Davidson, I feel anger swell in my chest. I storm inside the house to see him sitting at the dining room table with my mother. He stands when I come in, and I hiss out a curse.

“Why is he here?”

“Honey…let him talk with you.”

I shoot a glare at my mother. “You have no right to force that on me.”

“Mischief, let me talk with you.”

Chief grips my arm, and I yank it out.

“Don’t touch me! You knew I loved him; I told you I loved him and you did it anyway with no thought about me.”

“I had no choice.”

“It’s about that club, always about that fucking club. No one ever comes before it, not me, not Momma. You tore this family apart for that club.”

“I made vows,” He chokes, looking like he might actually shed a tear. “I made vows that I can’t get out of. I had no fuckin choice.”

“There’s always a choice daddy! ALWAYS.”

“No; I made a vow. What would you have me do, take a bullet? Because that is what I would have to do to get out. Would you rather me dead?”

“Right now yes!” I scream. “You ruined my life!”

He takes a step back and grips his chest. “Violet…”

“I love him daddy, and you did that to him; I love him!”

Chief lunges at me gripping my shoulders and shaking me. Feral tears slide down his cheeks.

“You think I wanted to fucking hurt him? That is my boy, like my fucking son, and I have loved him from the fucking day he came into my life. I never fucking wanted this for him. I had to do it; I had no choice. You knew that, and you lied to me, you never came and asked you just lied knowing what would happen if I found out. You knew, and you didn’t stop…”

I crumble, my knees buckle from underneath me. Chief goes down with me and I grip onto his shoulders, pulling him close. I cry into his shirt, and he strokes my hair, holding me so tightly I can hardly breathe.

“Baby girl, I had no choice. I am sorry.”

“I know.” I wail. “It’s my fault.”

“I hid you Mischief; I never made things clear to you. I am going to now; it’s time you saw the way I live because you are never going to understand until you do.”

“Caden no…” My mother cries.

“She is twenty one Mandy; she has to see it.”

“What for?” She cries again, gripping her apron.

Chief stands and walks over to her, and I watch as he grips her face in his hands. I can see the love there; it radiates off him. He leans in and brushes his lips over hers; her knees buckle, and she grips his shoulders. He strokes his lips so softly, so gently over hers that I am frozen on the spot watching the love pouring off him. He tangles his hands in her hair and whispers just loud enough that I can hear.

“I am giving her a choice; I never gave you a choice, I never showed you the life you were getting into. I am showing her; she needs to see it so she can make that choice.”

He lets her go and she stumbles backwards, gripping the table. Chief turns and reaches his hand out.

“I am taking you to the club, it’s about time you see how the men and I live.”

He grips my hand and goes to leave, but I turn and rush towards my mother. I grip her face and pull her towards me.

“You are my heart Momma; I might turn away from daddy, but I will never turn away from you. I love you.”

“I love you, my baby. I love you.”

I kiss her once more and pull away; I rush down the stairs after Chief. He is already on his bike. He tosses me a helmet, and I catch it, then I slip on behind him. I have never been to the club, and I don’t know if I want to, but I know it’s time I see these things. Time I see what Chief is truly like. I have only ever witnessed him at home; the men have always been placid there.

We pull up outside, and it’s a smoky hazed junk heap. Wooden and old, there are bits of timber peeling from the sides. Bikes line the outside and surrounding the whole thing is a massive barbed wire fence. I get off the bike and stare, shocked. Chief takes my hand and leads me inside. The first thing that I see is smoke and red lights; when it clears I get a good look at my surroundings.

“Chief, oh…Mischief…” Biker Bill, Chief’s second in charge says.

“It’s time Bill.”

“I don’t know about that…”

“It’s time.”

He leads me in further and I come into a clearing. It is filled with a bar, couches, pool tables and rude posters on every damned wall space in the place. That isn’t the shocking part however, what is shocking is the men and women mingling in ways that are just…wrong. I see one of the bikers leaning against the wall; a woman is kneeling between his legs, sucking him slowly while he tangles his hand through her hair.

Off to the side another man is sitting on a couch, two women are butt naked and dancing all over him. I gasp and look around some more. Drunken men, some covered in their own spew. Two are fighting over a game of pool, whacking each other with the cues. Women are strewn about everywhere; all of them are topless, and some are naked. One saunters up to Chief and runs her hands down his shirt.

“Chief, I haven’t sucked your cock in weeks…”

“Fuck off Sandra, this is my fucking daughter.”

She blushes and peers down at me. “Very sorry.”

I glare at Chief, and he stares at me with a ‘sorry’ look.

“Daddy, you cheated….didn’t you?”

He takes my arm and leads me down to a quiet part of the bar. He tells me to sit, and then joins me. The couch smells like cigarettes, sex and booze. Grosse.

“I am going to tell you things tonight Mischief because it’s time you knew. Travis had rights to this club; he could have been president if he wished, but he didn’t. He still has a certain involvement. He still follows the same rules. Travis didn’t join, so therefore he lives his own life, but the rules with you are the same as they are for all the men. Nobody touches my daughter, or they die. End of story.”

“I know that…”

“Travis is a good man and he isn’t tangled in this world, but he is in a world just as dark Mischief. All I ever wanted for you was a life without darkness.”

“You are wrong daddy.”

“Travis is a rockstar, they do drugs, fuck women and do all the things we do; just in a different location.”

“No, Travis isn’t like that.”

“Maybe not now but that is only because he has eyes for you. What if that fades in a few years and he decides it’s boring? I knew Travis before he got with you baby; he slept with women every weekend. He did drugs…he drank. You slowed him down, but you didn’t stop him, it will come back Mischief, and I don’t want you being in the firing line.”

“Daddy, don’t you believe in love? I told Travis once that I didn’t, but I was wrong. Love changes people, love makes us want to be different. I trust Travis, and I know he won’t hurt me.”

He strokes my cheek. “I know all about love Mischief, I also know how much it can hurt.”

“Momma loves you daddy, you were the one who let that go.”

“I know that.”

“Why?”

“You know why; I was tangled in this world, and she couldn’t take it. I couldn’t get out of it; I was trapped. It was better for her without me.”

“It could have worked daddy.”

He sighs. “Maybe, but it didn’t.”

“It might not for you but I won’t stop seeing Travis daddy, please don’t try and stop me.”

“I ain’t going to stop you, but I will tell you to think long and hard about it. I don’t want my daughter being hurt.”

“I’m a big girl.”

“No,” He says, pulling me into his arms. “You will never be anything but my baby.”

CHAPTER 13

Trav is released two days later and goes home when I am working. As soon as I am finished, I hurry over. When I get through his front door, I hear the music right away, and I follow it. Trav is on the balcony, strumming away at his guitar. He is shirtless, and the sun glistens against his skin. I walk over, just listening for a long moment. When he hears me move, he spins around.

“Hey rockstar.”

He smiles at me, but it’s weak. He looks lost. I get on my knees and crawl over to him, considering he is sitting on the ground. I take the guitar from his hands, and I carefully straddle him. I kiss his cheeks and his neck, then move up until I am kissing his lips. He runs his hand up and down my back, then pulls back and stares at me.

“Why do you keep coming back, when you know I am no good for you Mischief?”

“That is my choice, and I see it the other way around. I think my life changed the day you came into it; I don’t want to be without you Trav.”

“I don’t deserve you.”

“I will be the judge of that.”

I lean in and kiss him, hard and long. He responds with a groan, but winces when he moves his hands up to touch me. I lean back and slowly remove my shirt, knowing that is what he was going to do. He looks into my eyes, and I can see the pain in his. I stroke his cheek, then raise my chest so he can take my nipple into his mouth. I moan when he does, relishing in the feeling of his tongue tweaking my hardened tips.

“Trav, I am going to do this real slow.”

I lean back and stand, slowly removing my clothes; I don’t give a crap if anyone can see, this moment is ours. I reach down and undo his jeans, then slowly slide them down over his hips until he is sitting naked. He doesn’t take his eyes from me; he just stares and begins panting. There are so many unspoken emotions in his eyes, so many things he wants to say, wants to feel but he is stopping himself.

“Slowly baby.” He croaks.

“Slowly.”

I lower myself over him until my knees hit the ground. I place my hands on the wall behind him, careful not to touch his battered body. He is covered in bruises, stitches and whip lashes. His eye is black; his lip is puffy, but I don’t care. Travis Phoenix is as beautiful to me as he always is. I reach into his pocket and pull out his wallet, taking out a condom. I slide it over his length slowly, then I lower myself inch by inch onto his cock and he hisses through his teeth.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, fuck, no.” He pants, gripping my legs.

I slide down further, and whimper when he is fully sheathed. He growls as I thrust my hips and begin sliding up and down, up and down. His breathing becomes laboured, and his moans are jagged. I slide slowly, not wanting to hurt him in any way, my orgasm is building higher and higher, sending electric bolts of pleasure through my body.

“God, Violet, you are so fucking beautiful. Can’t let you go, never let you go.” Travis grates out.

“Trav.” I cry, shuddering around him.

He grips my hips and pumps his upwards, growling in pain and pleasure as he does. His muscles flex, his eyes are clamped closed as he thrusts with desperation. He bellows my name loudly and I feel him pulsing into me, his ragged cries tugging at my heart strings. He sounds like a man in pain, a tortured soul. I crush his head against my chest, stroking his hair and whispering his name softly in his ear.

“Violet, my heart started beating again when you came into my world. I can’t think about anything but you; I wasn’t living before, I merely existed and now…you are the sunshine…the rain…the darkness…the light; you are my soul.”

I feel tears stream down my cheeks because I know that is Travis’s way of saying I love you. When we finally pull apart, I help him to his feet. I lead him inside and begin the daily cleaning of all his wounds. He winces in pain as I wipe them over and my heart breaks once more. Guilt courses through my body. It hurts. It all just hurts.

“Stay with me.” He whispers.

“Of course.”

I help Travis dress and we spend the evening making soft love, watching movies and eating pasta. It is at that exact moment I realize that I am bound to Travis Phoenix, nobody in my life will ever compare, and that scares the hell out of me. Chief’s words haunt me. “All I wanted for you was a life without darkness.”

~*~*~*~*

“Momma?” I yell, the house is bright, but I can’t see her anywhere.

I walk into the kitchen, she isn’t baking or singing like she usually is.

“Momma?”

No answer. I walk towards her room, and I hear a faint sound. I begin running. I burst through the door, and I scream. My mother is on the bed; she is naked and her body is beaten so badly I can hardly recognize her. I run to the bed, and call her name over and over again. She is alive; I know she is alive, and I have to get help. I pull out my phone, and I ring an ambulance.

“Momma, it’s going to be ok. I got you.” I whisper, stroking her mattered hair.

“Vi…” She croaks.

“Going to be ok Momma.”

I dial Chief’s number.

“Chief.”

“Daddy, help please. Help. I don’t know what to do.”

“Baby slow down, where are you?”

“Home…daddy someone has hurt her. Momma…oh god.”

“What? Violet what has happened?”

“Someone has beaten her daddy; she is in a bad way. I am taking her to the hospital now.”

“I will be there.”

I flip the phone closed and swipe my tears away before calling Travis. I can’t drive right now even if I wanted to.

“Phoenix records, Janice speaking?”

“Janice, I rang Travis’s office. Where is he?”

“I don’t know.” She snaps.

“Don’t fuck with me right now Janice, where is he? It’s an emergency.”

“I will put you through.” She sighs.

About five minutes later, the phone is picked up again.

“Travis Phoenix.”

“Trav, it’s me. I need your help.”

“Baby, what is happening?”

“My mother has been bashed, the ambulance is coming. I need you please.”

“Shit, I will be there in five.”

I hang up and drop beside my mother. I stroke her hair, talking to her and trying to keep her awake. I scan the damage, broken ribs; five at least. Broken arms and legs, bones protruding. Beaten face, possibly a broken jaw. She has been raped; I just know she has been raped. I feel sick. I swipe my tears again, desperately trying to keep myself from hyperventilating. Got to be strong, she needs me to be strong.

The ambulance officers arrive ten minutes later and are horrified with the scene they witness. After answering as many questions as I can, they tell me I have to wait for the police. Travis arrives ten minutes after they took my mother to the hospital to find me screaming on the ground. He runs in and pulls me into his arms, rocking me backwards and forwards. When I settle down enough, we wait for the police to arrive. When they do, I am given the third degree.

“You have no idea who did this?”

“No sir,” I whisper. “I came home and found her like this.”

“Has she been getting any suspicious phone calls, any threats?”

“Not that I know of.”

“If there is anything you remember, please call. You will need to make a statement.”

“Yes sir.”

When we arrive at the hospital, I run inside. I hurry down the bland corridors and skid to a halt at the reception desk.

“Amanda…she just got brought in?”

The nurse smiles. “She is in surgery.”

“What, why?” I cry.

“Mischief, baby…”

I turn and am crushed firmly against Chief’s chest, where I finally allow myself to crumble.

“S’all my fault daddy, all my fault.”

“No baby, no.”

“It is.”

“It’s mine. Not yours.”

“Should have run, should have let her run with me when she wanted to.”

“Come now.”

“Was it demon?”

He pulls me back and stares over at Travis who has just got in, he looks over at him and winces.

“Chief.” Travis says.

“Trav.”

“So was it daddy?”

“I think so.”

“She isn’t safe; she needs to get out of here.”

“So do you Violet.”

“Daddy no; I can’t leave. I have a court…”

Chief’s eyes flare. “A what?”

“Nothing.”

“What did you say Violet?”

“She has a court case Chief.”

“Travis!” I cry, glaring at him.

“For what?”

“Jeremy is back.”

I glare at Travis again. “Stop.”

“Jeremy, as in that little fuck who beat my baby?” Chief roars. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me.”

“It isn’t the time daddy.” I whisper.

“Why is he back?”

“He wants me put away.” I cry.

Chief pulls out his phone and begins dialling.

“Bill, we got a problem…”

He walks off, and I turn to give Trav a truly awful look.

“Why did you do that?”

“He had a right to know, he can help.”

“By killing him and getting me in more trouble!”

“No, by scaring the fuck out of him and making sure he never comes back.”

“I can’t deal with this right now.”

“You are staying with me until Chief gets Demon; you are staying.”

“Trav…”

“No arguments.”

“Best idea I heard all night.” Chief says coming back.

“I need air.”

I turn and walk outside, needing to get away. I sit out in the blackness a while until Trav comes out and sits beside me.

“She is out and awake, do you want to see her?”

I am up and gone before another word can be spoken. I run into her room; Chief is by the bed. I see her and my lip quivers.

“Oh baby.” She says in a hoarse voice.

I run over and bury my face into her neck. “I’m so sorry Momma.”

“It’s not your fault honey.”

“I…it is. He wants me.”

“Not your fault.”

“I am so sorry.”

“I am sending you away Mandy,” Chief says. “To your Ma’s.”

“Ok.” She whispers, she doesn’t even argue.

He strokes her cheek. “I’m real sorry.”

“I only ask one thing of you Caden, don’t let anyone hurt my baby. I couldn’t bear it.”

“I swear it to you.”

CHAPTER 14

A week passes and my mother comes home from hospital; Chief sends her away immediately. She goes to my nan’s house but not without intense protest. She wants me to go; she doesn’t want to leave me. When I tell her about Jeremy it only gets worse. I know she needs to be away from all this; her mind is in a bad place and her body is even worse. She cares about me more than all that though, and I can’t go safely away with her.

She finally gives in when Chief tells her I am staying with Travis and the building will be fully secured. I will be dropped to and from work and have an escort at all times. I promise to call her twice a day, and when the case comes I promise to go with her until Demon is found. I don’t like that because it means months without Travis and I don’t know if I can deal with that right now. I hate that I have to be watched and guarded at all times. I hate this situation.

“There’s my gorgeous girl.”

I am in the tub at Trav’s house and he has just come in from working in his office. I grin and wiggle my toes at him.

“Hey handsome.”

“Handsome? You wound me.”

“I always wound you. Sorry, hey there hot stuff.”

He laughs and slides off his shirt. “Shift over.”

I do, and he slides in behind me, when his hard chest presses against my back; I sigh.

“Oh Trav, I have missed this.”

“Mmmmm; Reagan called before.”

“Oh?”

“She wanted to know where I lived so she could come and get on the ‘charge’ with you.”

I laugh. “That’s Reagan.”

“Your mother also called, I told her you were in the bath but perfectly alive.”

I snort. “Maybe you strung me up and fucked me to death?”

“Maybe.” He chuckles.

“Speaking of which…” I say, shoving my bottom against him.

“Now?”

“Travis, have you turned gay? You can tell me? We can be friends.”

He bites my shoulder. “No.”

“Then why have I been deprived for two weeks?”

He stills. “It’s been a hard time.”

“My mom is ok, she is safe. I am ok…I am doing ok.”

“It’s still been a hard time.”

“So we can’t make love? Can’t fuck against walls?”

“Of course we can…”

“Trav…are you unattracted to me?”

He groans. “No, god, no.”

“Then please…” I plead, pressing against him. “I need you.”

“Oh yeah?” He whispers, nipping my ear.

“Yeah.”

I stand and enjoy the hiss of his breath; I turn slowly and look down at him.

“I need you to fuck me every which way you can, and I need you to do it now.”

He grips my legs and turns me in a swift movement so I am perched on the side of the bath. He spreads my legs and growls with satisfaction. He leans in and swipes his tongue through my flesh. I moan and let my head fall back, it slams against the tiled wall. I don’t care. He sucks my clit into his mouth, bitting and licking it until it is swollen and aching. He slowly inserts one finger, then another until I writhing and calling his name, begging for more.

“Patience, my beautiful girl.”

“Travis, I need you now.”

“Slowly.”

He pulls away, and I mewl in protest as he lifts me and carries me out.

“Trav?”

“Hmmm.”

“I don’t want it on the bed. I want you to fuck me against the wall, hard and fast.”

He stills and looks down at me.

“I am fairly sure I just about blew my load.”

I grin and pull him in for a deep kiss. He puts me on the ground and backs me against a wall. He reaches over to the bedside table to get a condom and slowly rolls it on, then he has my legs around his waist. He grips my bottom and squeezes, causing a yelp to come out of my mouth.

“Trav, one more thing?”

“God, you are killing me as it is.”

“Spank me; I want you to spank me.”

His eyes widen, and he makes a rough sound with his throat. He nips my ear and then my neck before releasing one of my legs and keeping hold of the other. He bends his knees just a touch and drives upwards. I moan when he slips into me, and I scream when his hand comes down on my ass. I bite down onto his shoulder as he repeats the process, thrust, slap, thrust, slap.

“Travis, fuck, Trav…”

“Come around me, let me feel that pussy come.”

I do, erupting around him with an intense scream. He thrusts harder, faster, bringing me to the edge once more. I am hoarse by the time my second orgasm erupts.

“Going to come so fucking hard.” He pants.

He lets out a strangled groan and slaps my ass once more as he releases. My head falls onto his shoulder; I have nothing left. He picks me up and carries me to the bed, then lays me down and crawls in next to me. I lean up on my elbow and stroke the tattoo on his lower abdomen, the one that says ‘Eternity.’

“What is this for?”

He looks down. “Oh…just a saying.”

“And the rest?”

“Just ink.”

“Tell me something about yourself Trav, something I didn’t know.”

He thinks a moment. “I love kids.”

Wow, that one came out of nowhere. “You do?”

“Yeah, always have.”

“Me too.”

“I always wanted to learn how to play the violin.”

I still and stare at him, waiting for him to say ‘Just kidding.’

“You did?”

“I love the way it sounds, I think it is one of the most beautiful sounds on this earth.”

“You know what I think is one of the most beautiful sounds? Your voice.”

He smiles. “Oh yeah?”

“Hmmmm and hearing you sing to me is even better.”

He strokes my cheek. “Your turn.”

I think for a moment. “Did you really think of me when you were away?”

He strokes my hair. “Every damned minute.”

“Why Trav?”

“That’s four questions.”

“Please?” I plead.

“Why? Because you were my heart.”

I stare at him. “I…was?”

“Yes, I loved you from the minute we sang in the rain when you were twelve, and I was eighteen. I was a boy; I should have been out grinding against girls, but all I wanted to do was hang out with the twelve year old and her dark pigtails.”

“I remember that day, so clearly. The rain was extra heavy, back before I was afraid of storms. We lay on that grass, giggling and playing like we always did. It was the first day I noticed you Trav, the first day I truly saw you. I remember realizing you had grown muscles, your body was thicker, bigger, and you were so handsome.”

“And then when you were sixteen, and you begged me to kiss you.”

I close my eyes and take myself back to that memory.

The moon is shining down on his face; I can see his grey eyes so clearly under it. He is smiling at me; he has these beautiful dimples. I can see Annabelle in the corner, staring at him. She wants him; she likes him…but he doesn’t want her. He never wanted her. He moves with the music, his arms are wrapped around me tightly, and I am breathing in his scent.

“I am going to kiss you now Mischief because if I don’t I may just die.”

I look up at him and his grey eyes narrow. He strokes my hair, moving it from my face. His arms are still around me; the music is still playing. He leans closer, and I can hardly breathe, I have wanted this for so long, wanted him for so long. He grazes a kiss over my cheeks, then over my chin until finally he touches my mouth. Oh. His lips move softly, they are wet and plump; they feel so perfect against mine.

I reach up to tangle my hands through his hair; I want to feel it, I want to feel all of him. I open my mouth and let his tongue slide into it, I let it graze across mine. I can taste him now, and oh he tastes sensational. Like beer, and Travis, and all the beautiful things a man can taste like wrapped up in one. I can smell the ocean on his skin, I could get lost in him and never…ever be afraid…

“Hey.”

I open my eyes.

“Do you remember it Trav?”

“Every damned minute of it.”

“I never had a kiss like that again, never felt for anyone what I felt for you in that moment.”

“I remember the day you left Trav, it haunts me. You know that day; I was bringing you a card I made for your birthday. I had this bracelet; I spent hours on it and when I got to my dad’s house you were…gone.”

I wonder if he will love this bracelet. God what if he hates it? What if he runs? We are friends; he would be nice even if he hated it right? I walk up the stairs to Chief’s house, knowing Travis will be here. He wasn’t at his house, so I figure this would be the only other place he is. My father doesn’t know of Travis and my relationship, he has no clue at all. We hide everything…

“Mischief, baby girl what you doin here?” Chief asks from the front porch.

“I was just bringing Trav his birthday present.”

Chief’s face falls. “Trav ain’t here baby girl.”

“Oh, where is he then?”

“He is gone.”

“Gone?”

“He left a note, said he has left and not to follow him. New York. Stupid idiot just went and left, not an explanation, nothing.”

My heart breaks, then and there, it just tears in half. My lips tremble, but I force a smile on my face.

“Oh I will just go on and post it then.”

“I don’t have his address darlin.”

“Oh, well when he returns I will give it to him.”

“Alright baby. Where you headed?”

I have turned on the path and am walking down the steps.

“I have to meet up with a friend, I was just dropping this off on my way past.” I say, forcing a smile.

“Come and visit your old dad tomorrow?”

“Ok daddy.”

I turn and walk down the street, when I am far enough away, I fall to my knees and I scream…

“Hey, baby, I am so sorry.”

“You just left me Trav, you never even said goodbye.”

“I had no choice.”

“You couldn’t have given me a note, a hug, anything?”

“I couldn’t because you would have wanted me to stay, and seeing you beg would have broken me. I wasn’t giving you a chance to be yourself, to move on and find love…”

“I never did anyway.” I whisper.

“If I could change it…”

“Well you can’t.” I say, standing.

I walk out into his kitchen and glance down at my phone. I had better check in with Mom.

Hey Mom, how are you feeling today?

Sore honey, but I am getting on. How are you?

I am ok, with Trav.

Are you safe?

As safe as can be.

And has Caden gotten closer to finding those…monsters.

I don’t know, I am swinging by this afternoon to see him.

Please don’t stay long, and take Travis.

I am ok Mom. How’s Gran?

She is well, she misses you like crazy.

Me too. I should go, I love you ok?

Ok angel. Love you too.

Trav walks into the room, and he is giving me a pained look.

“I am going to visit Chief.”

“Alright, let me get dressed.”

“I can go alone.”

“That ain’t going to happen and you know it.”

I sigh. “Ok.”

“Mischief, don’t hate me forever. I can’t take back what I did to you, but I can give you all I have now. Don’t go being mad at me…”

I take his face in my hands. “I am not mad at you Trav, it just hurts.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know. Come on, I will wait for you to get dressed.”

He nods and walks out. He is dressed and ready in minutes, and we are on his bike and zooming down the freeway. We pull up at Chief’s house and see the club members have settled in for the night. They are all drinking on the porch, laughing and chatting. I get off the bike and smile at them all as I walk in.

“Well hi there Mischief.” Ken says.

“Hi Ken, is Chief around?”

“Inside banging that no good woman.”

I shudder. “God, I need to do something about that.”

“Right there with you.” He winks.

“How’s your Ma?” Bill asks.

“Good Bill, thanks.”

“Good to hear girl.”

“I am going to slam a few doors and interrupt Chief’s fuck fest.”

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you girl, he is going at it right on the lounge.”

“God, he is so gross. CHIEF, CHIEF!” I scream.

“Mischief, what the fuck?” I hear him yell from inside.

“Get on out here!”

He walks out a moment later with only jeans on; he is panting and his chest is covered in sweat.

“Dad, gross…”

“What you doin here?”

“Oh so I’m not welcome now?”

He runs his hands through his hair as Jaq walks out. She steps beside him and glares down at me.

“Oh, ruining a good moment just like her mother did…getting raped and bashed while we were having a good time. What is with your girls Chief?”

I have my gun out of my purse in a split second, and I am holding it up towards her.

“What the fuck did you say?”

“Whoa there, baby settle down.” Travis says, he has stayed quiet until now.

“What the fuck did you say about my mother you no good piece of shit?”

“Mischief, put the gun down baby.” Chief says, putting his hands out.

“She is bad mouthing Momma,” I scream. “You will never be good enough for him, you will always be second best, you will never compare to her, and you know it you trash heap.”

“And yet he is fucking me you snot nosed little…”

I pull the leaver and the gun loads.

“Mischief, baby…”

“She won’t do it Chief.” Jaq snaps.

“Don’t put it past her, I taught the girl to shoot myself, and she is a damned good aim with that thing.”

“Take it back you filthy piece of shit.” I snarl.

“I ain’t done nothing wrong.”

“Fucking take it back Jaq, NOW!” Chief roars.

“I take it back, Jesus.”

“Put it down baby.”

“She didn’t mean it.” I whisper, my hand trembles.

“Hey,” Trav has his arms around my waist, I didn’t even notice. “Come on, give it to me.”

His hand slides out over my arm and he grips the gun, he twists it, and it is out of my hands in a second. Everyone seems to breathe a sigh of relief.

“You ever speak about my Momma again, I will not hesitate, I assure you.” I hiss.

“Jaq, go home.” Chief orders.

“I didn’t do nothing.”

“You disrespected her Momma; you stepped over the fucking line now get the fuck out of my house, and if you ever insult my daughter or her mother again I will personally plug a bullet in your brain!”

“Fuck you asshole; I have done good by you, fucking you all these years.”

“I would have rather licked the fucking toilet seat you stupid bitch now get out.”

“You piece of shit!” She bellows, slapping him.

He slaps her back, and I stand watching the two of them go at it. Shocked.

“Why did you go and keep me around all these years then?”

“Too lazy to fucking wank myself.”

“Asshole!”

“Get out, and if you come near my baby again, I will personally make sure you pay.”

She storms down the stairs and as she goes past me, she shoves me hard. I spin around, but Travis has her by the throat.

“Touch her again, and I will rip your fucking arms out of their sockets…”

She gapes as he tosses her on the ground. She stands and throws rocks and sticks at us while letting off a string of curses. Then she gets in her car and is gone…

CHAPTER 15

“Mischief, come on and open up.”

I am curled in the bathroom, my legs up to my chest. I locked them all out; I couldn’t control my intense emotions.

“Mischief, baby, come on.”

It is Chief and Trav, begging me to open the door. I pull my knees tighter, feeling the hot tears burn my cheeks. I don’t cry a lot, but that hag of a woman took me right over the edge.

“Call Mandy.”

“No Chief, that won’t go down well.”

“Well I don’t fucking know what to do.”

“It was your woman who started this…”

“So now it’s my fault, watch it Travis, I will…”

I stand and swing the door open. Two eyes meet mine and both look shocked at my expression.

“Will you two shut up! Chief, go away and leave Trav here.”

“Excuse me missy, but this is my house.”

I give him a look, and he sighs.

“Fine, bossy little shit. I am going.”

He walks off, and I grip Trav’s shirt and pull him in. He lets me wrap myself around him, and he holds me there for long moments.

“You’re alright baby, I got you.”

“Trav, I need you…”

“We can’t here Mischief.”

“We don’t have to; I said I want you…”

He looks down at me and watches as I lower my body slowly down his. I grip his jeans and unbuckle his belt. I undo the button and slowly lower his pants. He is commando, and I love it. I look up at him, and his gaze is lusty. He grips my hair and strokes a thumb over my cheek.

“Lean on the vanity.” I growl huskily.

He steps back and supports his weight on the vanity, moving his hands around to grip the porcelain. I grip his cock in my hands, rubbing my thumb over the silky smooth skin. He clenches his teeth and his lids droop. He leans back and I lean forward, taking him into my mouth. I slide my tongue around the head, then sink him in as deep as I can. He groans and his fingers tighten on the vanity.

“God, you feel so good.” He rasps.

I suck slowly at first, dragging him in and out until he is panting and thrusting his hips forward for more, then I take him deep and fast, using my free hand to stroke the base while I work the head with my mouth. His breathing becomes frenzied, and his eyes roll slightly. His mouth is open, and I watch as he pulls his bottom lip into his teeth to keep from yelling out. I feel him getting harder and harder and then I hear his strangled cry as he pumps his seed into my mouth.

“Oh…god…Mischief…”

I take it all and only pull back when he has begun to soften. He takes my arms and pulls me to me feet; he gives me a lopsided smile and his expression is hooded.

“You have a beautiful mouth.” He murmurs, stroking his thumb over my bottom lip which is full and swollen.

“You have a beautiful cock.”

“God, say that again…” He growls, fisting my hair and bringing me close.

“Beautiful cock…”

“You make me crazy, crazy…”

“Oi, what are you two doin in there?” Chief bellows through the door. “Better not be fucking my baby in my house you little…”

Travis does up his pants, and I swing open the door to reveal two fully clothed people.

“Talking father…”

Chief narrows his eyes at me. “Calling me father, you wound me girl.”

“You wound me by assuming I am banging Travis in your bathroom.”

He gives me a look, then stares over at Travis.

“Boy’s got rosy cheeks.”

“It’s hot in there.”

Chief snorts. “I fucking bet it is. Get out here now, before I cause some damage.”

“I am going home anyway, I am tired.”

“No you ain’t, you are staying here tonight.”

“No daddy.”

“Yes Mischief.”

“Stay,” Trav says walking up behind me. “It is safer, and Jaq is angry…”

“Bring it!” I say.

Chief laughs and grips my face. “You are a feisty little girl, ain’t ya?”

“Learnt from the best.”

“Come on, we got some food going; stay.”

“Fine father, because you asked so nicely.”

I turn and walk past him; his boot connects with my ass and I squeal.

“Call me father again and I am going to kick your ass harder girl!”

I laugh the entire way down the stairs.

“What’s for dinner?” I yell when I get to the bottom of the stairs.

“Nothin if you keep that attitude up!”

I laugh and plod into the kitchen. I dig through the cupboards, looks like spaghetti is the only thing I could make out of this tragic pantry. I begin preparing the sauce when Trav walks in.

“Hmmmm, garlic.”

“Ew Travis, don’t you know that makes your breath stink.”

“You would kiss me anyway Mischief; you always loved my garlic breath.”

“Gag.”

“Hey, remember when you put garlic in my dresser?”

I snort a laugh. “Do I? I remember thinking it would work too.”

This ought to show him, no girl is going to want him when he smells like garlic. I shove piece after piece through his clothes. In your face Travis. I rush out of his room, grinning at his father Max who is sitting in the kitchen.

“Up to no good again Mischief?”

I giggle. “Maybe sir.”

“Don’t go calling me sir.”

I grin. “Sorry Mister Max.”

He laughs. “Mister Max.”

I smile at Max; he is a handsome man for his age. Even though he has grey hair, he has the same grey eyes Travis has. He is a devil of a man, but he is sweet to me. I rush out the front door and run into my house. I wait all afternoon, knowing Travis is going on a date tonight. I grin when I hear him bellow and come running next door.

“Where is she Chief, I am going to spank her sorry ass.”

Chief laughs and says something I can’t hear, then Travis runs up the stairs and bangs on my door.

“You better open up Mischief; I am going to kick your ass.”

I open the door and smile sweetly at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong,” He bellows. “What’s wrong is you put garlic all through my damn clothes and now I can’t go out tonight.”

I giggle.

“Did you just giggle at me?”

I giggle again.

“That’s it.”

He rams me with his shoulder, and I fall onto the bed, he leaps on and begins tickling me.

“Say you are sorry.”

“No!” I squeal.

He tickles harder. “Say sorry.”

“No.”

“Say it!”

“I’m sorry,” I laugh. “Sorry.”

He kisses my head. “Mischief, you are going to kill me.”

Travis laughs. “That was so cruel.”

I grin, chopping the garlic.

“I thought it was kind of funny.”

“I was so mad at you, and yet I couldn’t yell at you.”

“You can punish me now if you like.”

“Enough of that.” Chief grumbles walking into the kitchen.

“Says the king of random fu…”

“Oi, I will kick your ass if you finish that sentence.”

I grin, and Travis winks at me.

“Beer?” He asks.

“Mmmmm, please.”

Trav pulls two beers out and opens one for me. I swallow the liquid down and sigh.

“So tell me girl, how is the case going?” Chief asks, lighting a cigarette.

“Not sure, I haven’t heard a lot.”

“I have gotten a lawyer for her.” Trav says, swallowing some beer.

“Good good. If that mongrel so much as steps foot…”

“We have more to worry about daddy.” I say, giving him a look.

“Don’t you go worrying about the rest of it; you just leave that to me.”

“Yes father.” I grin.

~*~*~*~*

I am chewing on a piece of garlic bread and laughing with the club members; I love hanging out with them. They just feel like home.

“Stop chewing like an animal Mischief.” Chief snaps, staring at me with a fowl look. Boy is he cranky.

“Still mad because I scared off your booty call?”

“Where has this attitude come from?”

“It came right out of my as…”

“Enough, don’t you smart mouth me girl.”

I roll my eyes and continue munching. I pick up a strand of spaghetti and suck it into my mouth. Travis laughs and shoves me.

“Behave.”

“Listen to your booty, Mischief.”

I give Chief a glare. “Touché.”

When the night has settled, and we have gone to our ‘separate’ rooms. I try hard to fall asleep, but I can’t. I miss my mom; I am worried about Jeremy and I feel guilty for treating Chief so miserably. I get up and plod down the stairs, wondering what Travis is doing. Sleeping I bet. The man can sleep through a bomb. I walk out the front and see Chief sitting on the front porch, smoking. I sit down beside him; I see him glance from the corner of his eye, but he doesn’t turn.

“You beat me, I was about to come and check you were in your bed.”

I smile. “I might challenge you daddy, but I always listen.”

“I know you do.”

“Why are you out here all by yourself?”

“Just watching, I can’t sleep.”

“Because of Momma?”

“I can’t get her face outta my mind, seeing her bashed and raped. It killed me Mischief, tore my fuckin heart out.”

“Do you love her daddy?”

“Loved her from the day she was sixteen and stumbled into my tattoo shop.”

I smile. “Tell me about that.”

“I tell you every damned year girl.”

“Tell me again anyway.”

“She came in, all beautiful and defiant. She wanted to show her family she could be bad, that she could rebel. She was so sick of being pushed around, told what to do. She came in, and she picked this flower off the wall. Told me she wanted that, and not to dare argue. I put it on her hip, and she blushed the whole time. Strong as nails, she never flinched. Her dad found out and beat the crap outta me for tattooing a young girl, but after that we were inseparable.”

I smile. “Did you ever wish you had other kid’s daddy?”

He flinches. That was weird.

“No, I got my girl. You know you’re my number one girl, don’t ya?”

“I know daddy, you told me every year.” I grin.

“You scare the shit outta me Mischief, you are too much like me.”

“What is Demon after daddy, why does he want me so bad?”

“Long story, but I will never let him get you. You know that don’t ya?”

“I know.”

“You know, the minute you were born you wrapped your finger around mine, and you never let go. I was young and scared as hell when your Momma told me she was knocked up. Then I saw you and my life had a meaning; you are my meaning Mischief and god help anyone who gets in your way.”

I take his hand. “I love you daddy, and I know you try so hard to take care of me. I have Travis for that now, and he won’t hurt me.”

“Think I don’t know that? The boy is crazy about you. Always fuckin has been.”

I flush. “Huh?”

“You think your old dad didn’t know you two were mad about each other, even back then? Course I did, I just hoped it was a fling. When that boy left, it was the best thing at the time. I thought it was anyway until I heard you screaming down the street.”

“You heard that?”

“I heard you whimpering and cryin, fucking broke my damned heart. I knew how that felt. He came back, and I knew it would happen again, but I hoped to god you two would be honest so I didn’t have to hurt the kid and you weren’t.”

“I know daddy, and I am sorry.”

“He’s a good boy, dark but good. I only want you to be careful, that boy has a powerful secret. I can feel it.”

“He would tell me if he was hiding something daddy.” I whisper, my mind travelling back to the room in his house. The one I can’t see.

“Well, I hope so. Now go on and get to sleep, you don’t need to be sitting with me all night.”

“I miss you daddy, I miss when we all lived together, I miss when we used to laugh and play. I really miss it all.”

He wraps his arm around me. “Me too Mischief, every damned fucking day.”

CHAPTER 16

I sneak upstairs and into the room Travis is sleeping in. I crawl into the bed and slide under the sheets, shoving my body against…a hairy fat one. I scream; he screams and suddenly the lights are on, and Chief is running into the room with a gun. Travis isn’t far behind. I look down to see biker Bill butt naked and laughing his sorry ass off.

“Well, what a good dream that was. Sleeping like a baby and next minute there is a pair of tits crushed against my back.”

Chief looks at me, and I can feel the blood rising to my cheeks. Then, he bursts out laughing. I haven’t seen Chief laugh like that for years. Travis falls in close behind until we are all laughing and wiping the tears that fall from our eyes. Bill pats my hand and gives me a wink; I give him a glare.

“I thought you were Trav.”

“Why thank you.” He grins.

Travis walks over and wraps his arms around my waist.

“Come on Mischief, before you give another man a heart attack.”

“I thought he was you!” I cry.

Travis leads me to his room and shuts the door behind him. He is still chuckling. I slap his back and he turns, wrapping me in his arms.

“Would have made his night.”

“Lucky I didn’t take my clothes off first like I planned.”

“Oh,” He whispers against my hair. “You planned that did you?”

“Yes, but now I am embarrassed so nobody will be getting a piece of this booty.”

“Come on Mischief, climb in with me and let’s get some sleep. I don’t mind missing out on booty for a night.”

“You’re a charmer Phoenix.”

“I know baby.”

“Hey Trav?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you tell me if you had a secret?”

He flinches, and it worries me.

“Course.”

“Ok.”

He rolls me to my side, and we fall into a deep, quiet sleep. I wake during the night because I can hear Travis talking. I sit up and look down at him; he is mumbling something in his sleep.

“Amber…” He says and my heart thumps.

“Amber, sorry baby…”

Who the fuck is Amber? I stand and rush out of the room, my heart slowly breaking.

~*~*~*~

“Violet, phone!” Chief calls the next morning.

“Go away!” I mumble.

“Girl, I will come in if you don’t get your ass up. It’s Sally, and she said it’s urgent.”

I shoot upright. I stand and rush out, gripping the phone from Chief’s hands.

“Sal?”

“I don’t have good news. Jeremy came in this morning; he dropped the case which at first was a good thing. He said he couldn’t be bothered, and it was a waste of his time and money…”

“Well that’s good right?”

“He then said, it would be easier to sort out himself.”

My blood runs cold. “What do you mean?”

“He is dangerous Vi, I have called the police, but they can’t locate him. He had this sick smile on his face; I think you are in serious danger.”

“Ok,” I whisper, “I will deal with it.”

“Please get some protection. Don’t worry about work next week, just stay safe.”

“Thank you Sally.”

“Take care.”

I hang up and look over at Chief, who is giving me a ‘come on spill’ look.

“Jeremy dropped the case.”

“Well that’s good.”

“He said he is dropping it because it is a waste of his money, and it will be easier to sort out himself.”

His face drops.

“Sally called the police, but she thinks I am in danger.”

“I am going to call the club, get them around here. Violet you stay here, no arguments. I want you under my watch, and the clubs watch.”

“Yes daddy.”

He turns and pulls out his phone, dialling. I turn and see Trav standing at the door.

“Hey, what’s happening?”

“Nothing, I am going for a shower.”

He narrows his eyes at me. “You got out of bed last night.”

“I was tired.”

“Mischief what’s wrong?”

“Nothing Travis.” I snap.

“What did I do?”

I turn and walk into the bathroom, slamming the door. Travis is in behind me a few minutes later.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

I spin around. “Who is Amber?”

He freezes. “What?”

“Answer me, who the fuck is Amber?”

Did he just swallow?

“No idea.”

“Don’t you fucking lie to me,” I scream. “You said her name twice last night.”

“I don’t know.”

“You liar!”

“Look, I can’t talk about this right now.”

“Is it your lover?”

“No, I swear to god she is not another woman. I swear on my life.”

His eyes are telling the truth. “Then who Travis?”

“I can’t talk about this now, I will…I swear.”

“Can you get out?”

“Mischief.”

I stare at him as I am shutting the door in his face.

“Don’t break my heart Trav; we can’t come back from that.”

I shower and ponder everything he said. He knows who Amber is, but he swears it isn’t another woman. So maybe he is telling the truth. I wonder who she is then? A friend maybe? I dress and walk into his room, to find him strumming away on his guitar. I sit down beside him, going back to when he taught me how to play. I was thirteen.

“No Mischief, you aren’t listening. You need to put that hand on the other side…” He yells, frustrated.

“Well, it doesn’t feel right.”

“It never does at first!”

“I think you are teaching me wrong.”

“No I am not, you aren’t listening.”

“I am so Travis.”

“No you ain’t!”

“Whatever.” I cry, throwing it on the ground.

“Sit down girl.”

“No!”

“Sit down.”

He yanks me by my arm and pulls me between his legs, so he is behind me. He reaches around and takes my fingers, putting them on the strings. His hands cover mine, and I can feel his body pressed against my back. He moves his fingers, forcing mine to go with them.

“It has to be flowing; just let your fingers go, feel the music. Don’t think about it Mischief, just do it.”

He moves out fingers over the strings and then after a moment he moves them off, and I am playing on my own.

“Travis, I am doing it!” I cry.

“Well done, I am so proud of you.”

“I remember when you taught me to play.” I say.

Trav spins around and looks over at me.

“Yeah me too.”

“I’m sorry Trav; I shouldn’t have reacted that way.”

“No, I would have done the same.”

“I just don’t want secrets.”

“I know, just give me some time ok; I will tell you everything.”

I take his face in my hands and kiss his lips softly. “Ok.”

“Come on, we better go and talk with Chief about this case.”

“Ok.”

We spend the afternoon going over our plan and how we are going to deal with it. Chief decides it’s best to keep me here and to keep me guarded at all times. They would keep a watch in the area to make sure that if he came looking, they would find him. I feel mildly comforted by this, and pray that they get him before he gets me.

“Vi, are you hungry?”

I turn to stare at Trav, who hasn’t left my side.

“No thanks.”

“You need to eat baby.”

“I will soon. Trav, do you think he will get to me?”

“We ain’t going to let him get anywhere near you.”

“Trav?”

“Hmmmm?”

“I am glad you came back, into my life…”

“Me too.”

He sits beside me on the couch and takes my face in his hands.

“I would never do anything to…”

His phone rings. He stares down at it and his face screws up.

“I gotta take this.”

I nod and watch him walk out. He seemed awfully tense by that phone call. I pull out my own phone and text Reagan.

I am in lock down x

Oh no, why?

Jeremy dropped the case and decided he was going to come after me on his own.

Violet! Are you in danger?

I have Chief’s crew looking out for me. What are you doing?

I am hanging with Harley.

Oh la la, do spill.

It’s nothing, we are just friends…

Meow.

Violet!

Come and see me later, I am going to go crazy in this lockdown.

I can’t, have to work x

I hate you right now.

No, you love me. I will come by tomorrow, ok?

Ok Reag’s. I miss you x

I miss you too, I miss your mom as well. How is she?

She is going well, I haven’t told her about Jeremy.

Oh? Do you think that is wise?

I will ring her now boss.

Lol. I love you, behave.

You too. Say hi to Harley for me. Wink Wink.

Bitch.

Hearts and kisses.

I am smiling when I put the phone down; I can’t wait until this shit is over and I can move on with my life the way I want; with Reagan, with Trav and with my family. I hear the sound of rain splattering on the roof and I feel my body instantly become tense. I haven’t felt the rain on my face for years; I can’t bring myself to go out in it, afraid it will start storming.

“Hey…”

I turn and Trav is back in the room, staring down at me.

“Oh hey.”

“Do you trust me baby?”

“Of course.”

“Then come with me.”

He takes my hand and begins leading me outside. I still.

“No Travis.”

“I won’t let you get hurt, I promise you that. There is no storm.”

“It might be close and…”

“If you don’t get over this soon Vi, it is going to eat you up.”

“I am afraid.”

“Being afraid is good, but facing what scares you is better.”

“Please…”

“Come on, just stand in it for a minute. I am going to be with you every step of the way.”

I swallow, and my feet move slowly forward, when we step outside the wind touches my face and the smell of rain invades my nostrils. I haven’t smelt rain for so long and how I have missed it. Travis smooths his fingers over my hand and leads me further out. When we are on the edge of the patio, he brings my fingers to his lips.

“You can do this, I know you can. You gotta let go; an accident happened, but you gotta let go.”

I take the step. When the rain hits my face, I feel so many different emotions. The first is fear, and I instantly recoil, but Travis takes me in his arms and holds me tight. What comes next is relief, pure and utter relief. I am facing it; I am in the rain. Lastly, I feel pure joy; I haven’t felt the rain for so long and oh how I have missed it. Travis slowly lets me go and I raise my face to the sky and relish in the feeling of water dripping down onto my face.

“Atta girl!” Travis grins.

“I am doing it Trav, I am doing it.”

“I am so fucking proud right now.”

He lifts me and swings me around; I squeal and giggle as the rain soaks my skin. We laugh and chase each other. The feeling inside me is a feeling I haven’t felt since I was a child. I don’t know if I could feel the same in a storm, but this step, is a huge step for me. The trembling in my legs is replaced with energy that makes me want to leap and jump.

Travis swings me again, and we tumble onto the ground. He rolls on top of me and brings his lips down on mine. I can taste rain; it has a distinct taste; it’s fresh and natural. Our tongues meet, and our moans carry off with the wind. Travis rakes his fingers through my hair and licks droplets of rain from my cheeks. He looks down at me, his eyes full of pride and love.

“Mischief, I love you. I want you to know I love you.”

I feel my heart stammer, and I reach up to grip his cheek.

“You do?”

“I love you with every part of me. I have loved you since the day I met you and it will never change.”

“I love you too, god so much.”

His lips come down on mine again, and I reach up to stroke his wet hair. He gathers me in his arms, lifting me and carrying me inside. He takes me into his room, and into his shower. He turns the hot water on, then turns to me. He brings his lips down onto my shoulder; his tongue swipes out and licks the moisture beading on my skin. I shiver and take hold of his hands, bringing them to my shirt.

He slowly lifts it over my head, leaning down to trail kisses up my stomach as he moves. When he has me naked, he slowly removes his own clothes until we are standing and staring at each other. Desperate, wanting. He grips my hands and walks me into the shower, when the hot water hits my skin I moan and tilt my head back. Travis leans in and slides his tongue over my throat.

“Trav, I want you; I want you so bad.”

He crushes our bodies together and brings his mouth over mine so hard I bite my own lip. I don’t care though; I pull him as deeply into the kiss as I can get him. I want to feel all of him, need to have him inside me. He slides his fingers down my body and then over my nipples. They harden under his touch and he continues rolling them in his thumb and forefinger.

He slides his hand lower then and traces little circles over my hips before sliding his fingers into my sex and stroking. I whimper into his mouth and deepen the kiss; I can feel him pressing against me hard and ready. I want every ounce of him tonight; I need to feel him against me, inside me and around me.

“Trav, no condom. I want all of you.”

He pulls back and looks down at me. “Are you protected?”

“I’m on the pill.”

“God…”

He reaches down to grip my legs and wrap them around his hips. He presses me against the cold tiled wall, and I shiver at the mixture of sensations shooting through my body. He presses his cock against my entrance and I whimper, wiggling my hips and desperately begging for him to drive home. He presses in just a touch, then pulls out, then presses back in.

“God please Trav, don’t play with me.”

He slides back in slowly, inch by inch, he sinks into my flesh. A strangled groan escapes his lips, and he nibbles on my earlobe as he slowly pulls out and thrusts back in. I grip his shoulders, dragging my nails through his skin as he thrusts in and out, jerking his hips in that perfect way. I feel the heat soaring through me, starting at my toes and building higher and higher.

“I can’t hold on.” I cry.

“Come, god Mischief, come.”

He is thrusting hard and fast now; his back muscles are building with each pump. I release hard and fast, clenching around him and crying out his name. He bellows, and I feel his seed hot and hard spurting inside me. I have never felt this before, and the feeling is overwhelming. Travis’s release is more powerful, his cries more intense, his growls deeper.

“God, Violet.” He pants against my skin.

“Why do we do this to ourselves rockstar?”

He chuckles. “Coz we are crazy girl.”

“I am not crazy.” I grin.

“No, you are beautiful.”

“You know Trav, you are pretty alright yourself?”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Trav?”

“Mmmmm?”

“Tell me something about your life in New York?”

He thinks a moment. “What do you want to know?”

“Was it crazy?”

“Yeah, the city is mad. People are moving all the time, just constantly.”

“And what about the music, was it cool playing there?”

“Oh yeah, it was unreal. I just like it here more…”

“Did you have a girl Trav?”

He stiffens.

“You did?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Did you love her?”

He looks at me with pained eyes. “Not how I love you.”

“That isn’t what I asked.”

“Yeah, I did love her.”

“What happened?”

“It wasn’t what I wanted, we just weren’t getting along.”

“So you left her?”

“A few months before I moved away.”

“Trav?”

He looks at me; his eyes search my face.

“Do you ever regret coming back?”

“No, I only regret one thing in my life Mischief, and that was leaving in the first place.”

CHAPTER 17

“Mischief girl, stop drinking all that beer.”

I give Chief the finger, and then stumble backwards with a giggle. Trav’s arms encircle me, and I smile stupidly up at him.

“You are drunk.”

“I love you rockstar, hmmmm, yes I do.”

He snorts. “You love the dirt, the ants, the trees…I am not sure I feel flattered right now.”

“Oh my god, I do love ants.”

“Travis, get that girl some water.”

I run over and high jump onto Chief’s lap; he lets out a loud ‘oomph’.

“Jesus girl, way to kill me.”

“Daddy, don’t be so uptight.”

“Uptight.” He snorts.

“Yo Mischief, give the old man a good kick will ya?” Henry bellows and all the boys laugh.

“Now back down there fellas, don’t give her ideas.”

“Daddy, I am your favvvvvorite girl right?”

“Yes Mischief, you are my favvvvvvorite girl.”

“Ever?”

“Maybe not ever.”

I kick his shin.

“Alright, ever.”

“Hey daddy?”

“Yes Mischief?”

“Do you think I’m real pretty?”

He laughs, and Travis rolls his eyes. I pout at him.

“You’re real pretty, like a damned sea lion.”

I snort loudly and begin laughing like crazy.

“That was mean.”

“Sea lions are cute girl.”

“Sea lions are fat!”

“Well right now, this ass is making my legs go numb.”

“Are you calling me fat Chief, I will pound your nose right in.”

He laughs. “Boniest ass I ever had on my lap.”

“Oh so now I am too skinny.”

“Just perfect sea lion.”

“You hurt me real bad daddy.”

“You will live girl.”

“Hey daddy, isn’t the annual biker charity car wash on tomorrow?”

“It sure is. Gonna help your old man out?”

I smile. “I might; can Reagan come?”

“More help the better.”

“Hey Trav, you should play!” I grin.

“Already on it baby.”

“Oh, you devil. You didn’t tell me.”

He grins. “I was getting there.”

We enjoy the rest of the night; when morning comes I text Reagan and tell her our plans. While the men are setting up at the beach car lot over the road, we get ready. We pick the skimpiest bikini’s we can, mine is red and tiny while Reagan’s is fluro blue and just as tiny.

“Your dad is going to flip!”

I laugh. “He will live, you ready?”

“Oh, I’m ready!”

We walk out of the house and over the road, hearing whistles to no end. When we get in clear view of the bikers, they all stop. Chief slaps a hand over his face and mutters a string of curses. Travis drops the cord he was holding on his stage set up and jumps off, running over.

“What the hell is that…”

“A bikini.” I grin.

“Hell no!”

“I agree, hell no!” Chief growls.

“Can’t stop me boys, might as well get used to it. We will make more money than you lot!”

“I am a rockstar; people will pay to see me play. You don’t need to get half naked!” Trav growls.

I stroke his cheek. “You will get through this.”

I grip Reagan’s hand and we skip towards the cars and boy do we have fun. We re-enact every damned car scene from every damned movie. We slide over them, sponge ourselves, do sexy little dances. Chief sits with a towel over his head, refusing to watch and Trav glares at me the entire time. That is until I saunter over to him with a wet sponge and run it over his naked chest. That gets most of the girls watching his show’s attention. I grip his chest, rubbing the soap in.

He backs me over to a car and slides me over the hood, leaning his body over mine. He kisses me with such passion it takes my breath away. The women whisper and some cry out in disappointment. I wrap my fingers through his hair and hook my legs around his waist. After a moment he stands back, taking me with him and carries me over to the stage, plonking me down.

“You are driving me fucking crazy.”

“Are you all possessive and jealous?”

He nips my neck. “You know I am.”

“We have made heaps of money.”

“I wonder why!”

I grin up at him. “I have to get back to work.”

I leap of the stage, and he slaps my ass. I giggle and run over to Chief, throwing him a wad of cash.

“See, we are good for something.”

He glares at me, giving me a hard expression.

“You got half an hour and then you are getting some clothes on.”

“Fun spoiler.”

“I just sent a picture message to your Ma, you are lucky she ain’t here or your ass would be red!”

I laugh. “Yes boss.”

I run off and finish cleaning the cars with Reagan. When Trav’s show is finished, and the day has ended we all make our way back to Chief’s for a cook up. We are mid-way through, happily laughing and chatting about the day when Biker Bill comes in with an odd look on his face.

“Chief, you got a visitor.”

“Send em in then.”

“Ummm.”

“What are you waiting for, send em in!”

“You asked for it.”

The gate opens, and a young girl walks in. She is about eighteen or nineteen years old and damn pretty. She has long blonde hair, grey eyes and big beautiful lips. Chief stiffens and before I can ask why, she bellows ‘Daddy’ and comes rushing forwards. My whole world stops. Daddy? Who is she calling daddy? I realize she is looking at Chief, and my beer bottle slips from my hands and drops to the floor.

“Fuck!” Chief snarls.

Trav grips my arms, and I spin around to watch this all unfold in front of my eyes. The girl runs towards Chief and throws herself into his arms. My knees buckle. His eyes are on me; they haven’t left me. I feel my lip quiver; I feel my world begin to stop. Everything around me becomes a crazy blur.

“Trav…” I whisper, “Get me out of here.”

“I got you baby, I got you.”

He begins walking me away, when Chief calls out.

“Mischief, wait!”

I spin around, and when he reaches me I ask him one simple question.

“Is that your daughter?”

He winces. “I wanted to…”

“How long Chief?” I scream. “How long have you known?”

The girl looks pleased with herself; the little bitch looks pleased. Did she know about me? Did she want revenge? Did she want to hurt me for some reason? Why is she smiling? ‘You are my favourite girl, you know that don’t ya Mischief?’ All those years he spoke those words and I never understood why he repeated them, now it all made sense.

“I have known for ten years.”

I slap him, so hard he stumbles back.

“I HATE YOU!” I scream.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Travis growls, glaring at Chief.

“Mischief, wait.”

“Chief, don’t!” Travis warns. “Not now.”

“I…”

I catch a glimpse of Chief; his eyes are pained and he is panting. He is helpless, but I don’t care. He has broken my heart, and I don’t know how to feel about it. As I am about to step out of the gate, I stop.

“Momma knew, didn’t she? She found out, and she left you.”

He closes his eyes. I feel tears coursing down my cheeks.

“Well, I hope you are happy. You gained one daughter, only to lose the other.”

I step out of the gate and hear Chief’s pained bellow. I crumble, but Trav has me, he always has me.

~*~*~*~

“Hey now, you need to eat.”

I turn away, my world has crumbled around me, and I can’t think. My father, my mother, all of them….too much pain.

“Baby come on, eat for me?”

I look up at Trav, who has been by my side since I found out about Chief two days ago. I swallow and nod weakly, taking a bite of the sandwich he has placed in front of me.

“He loves you Mischief, he has been going crazy trying to get to you.”

“He lied to me for half my life. He had another daughter, and he lied…”

“How would you have had him explain? He couldn’t have even if he wanted to.”

“He should have told me Trav.”

“Yes, but he made a mistake.”

“He has made too many mistakes, I need time.”

“I know. Have your rung your mom back, she has been ringing me crazily.”

“No, I will. Pass me the phone.”

“I know you are mad at her, just hear her out.”

“She lied to me too Trav, she knew all along.”

“She was protecting you.”

“She still lied.”

He hands me my phone, and I dial my mother’s number, I love her enough to let her know I am ok and I need answers. For the first day I cried myself into a stupor, the second day I was furious, and I needed time to process it. I feel betrayed, alone and hurt, but now, I need answers. I need to know why. She answers on the first ring.

“Violet baby, oh baby.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She has been crying; I can hear it in her voice.

“Because I didn’t want to hurt you. Caden adored you, and you loved him, I couldn’t bear to take that away.”

“He has a daughter Momma; you didn’t think that might be something I would want to know. I have a sister.”

“Jasmine isn’t the kind of sister you want honey. She has been a problem since the day Caden found out about her.”

I remember the cold smile she gave me when she barged in the other night.

“All the same, it was my right to know. You and Chief shouldn’t have kept that from me. Is it why you left?”

“That amongst many things.”

“How could he have done that to you, to us?”

“It was a mistake, I believe that.”

“You are naive Momma, Chief doesn’t make mistakes.”

“Look, Jasmines mother knew Chief before me, and the reason…the reason he slept with her was for revenge.”

“Excuse me?”

“I am going to tell you this because it’s time you knew. Jasmine’s mother Clarice was married to a biker. Chief hated him, and he wanted to get back at him, so he slept with Clarice. It was only once, but it was enough. Clarice kept it from him for eight years and then ten years ago he saw her again. She told him about Jasmine, and he began seeing her. It was fine up until about three years ago when Clarice’s husband found out the daughter he thought was his, was his enemy’s. He started a war with Chief, and it is still going. Clarice’s husband is…”

“Demon.” I whisper.

“It’s why he is after you. He wants revenge; he wants to take from Chief, what Chief took from him. His daughter.”

“Oh god.”

“Jasmine is no good, but Chief won’t turn her away.”

“Momma,” I whisper, my eyes well. “Does he love her more than me?”

I sound like a venerable child, but that’s how I feel right now. My father, my hero, now has another daughter to love. I have always been his girl; his Mischief and now…my heart is breaking and I don’t know how to deal with it. I feel like my heart is being stomped on every time I take a damn breath.

“Oh baby, he loves you so much. You will always be his baby. He has been frantic these past two days, ringing me six or seven times a day to see if I knew how you were.”

“I miss him Momma, I love him, and he broke my heart.”

“I know honey, just take some time. Things always look a little better with time.”

“I miss you.”

“Oh honey, I miss you too. Listen, why don’t you come and visit for a week? Trav can come too.”

The idea puts a little brightness into my heart. “Ok, I will talk with him.”

“Call me if you decide to come visit ok? Until then, please just take some time.”

“I love you Momma.”

“You too baby.”

I hang up the phone and glance down at my messages of Reagan.

You better answer me, I am going crazy with worry.

I am sorry, I have been off.

OH MY GOD YOU ARE ALIVE! Where have you been Vi? I have been so fkin worried! Chief came by and he was all red eyed and freaking out. It’s fkin weird to see some big ass biker cryin on my doorstep.

Don’t tell him anything about me Reagan, I don’t want to see him.

He said you found out about another child, god baby, what happened?

He has another daughter. He lied.

Oh honey.

Look, I am sorry I didn’t text. I have been all over the place.

Do you want me to come over?

I am thinking I will just go visit mom for a week or two.

That’s a really good idea x

I promise to call every day, I love you x

You too, please call if you need me. I am always here.

I glance down at some of the other messages on my phone; I see one from Chief and my heart clenches.

Mischief, answer the phone. I am dying here. Call me, let me talk with you.

I know Jasmine is Demon’s step daughter. I know what you did. I know that it’s your fault I got bashed by him.

Mischief, that’s all fuckin true but I am sorry. I want to explain.

There is nothing to explain. I am going away for a while.

To your mom’s?

Doesn’t matter.

I need to know you are safe.

You don’t need to know anything anymore Chief. We are through.

Fucking don’t do that to me, come on Mischief. I made a mistake…

You broke my heart; please leave me alone.

I ain’t going to push you right now, but I want you to know this. I meant it, all those years. You are my girl and no one will ever compare. I love you Mischief.

I feel the tears pouring down my cheeks yet again. I turn and stare at Travis, who is just watching me with a pained expression. He takes me into his arms, and we fall back onto the bed, where he holds me until I can’t cry anymore. When I wake I am alone. I get out of bed and walk into the office where Trav is on the phone. He is shoving a massive bag of letters in the bin.

“Is that all fan mail?” I whisper.

He spins around and rolls his eyes. Holy crap. I never knew Trav got so much attention. He must get mauled everywhere he goes, speaking of that, we have never really gone out aside from the night we went to dinner; and I guess that’s why. Will it always be this way with us? I flick through some of the messages while Trav is on the phone.

Travis, you are my idol. I am your biggest fan. Please write to me. I love you so much, please, it would make my day, my month, my year. I will do anything. I will be anything. Just write.

I snort and open another one.

Travis I am dying of cancer in two months. My last wish is to see you, it’s all I want. Please help out a dying girl. I only have six months left.

I thought you had two? Idiot. I pull out a third, and my blood goes cold.

Travis. You have been ignoring my letters. I don’t appreciate being ignored. I will find you; you can’t hide forever. I will take down that girl you are with. No-one is safe. I will put her blood on my hands, and then you will be mine. Forever.

“Why did you just go pale?” Travis asks.

“Trav, have you seen this letter?”

“I don’t read them.”

“Read it.”

He takes it from my hands and skims through it. He shrugs and throws it in the pile.

“People get psycho, it doesn’t mean anything.”

“What if it does?”

“Baby it doesn’t. It’s just crazy fans.”

Something tells me he is wrong; that this is so much more than that. I tuck the note in my pocket.

“Trav, do you get this many letters often?”

“That’s a small amount compared to usual.”

“Is that why we don’t go out very much?”

He sighs. “Yes, I can’t say it’s easy going out when everyone attacks you.”

“Is it really worth it?”

“Look, I lived my dream, and it was fun, but maybe it is time I slowed down.”

“I don’t want you to do that for me Trav.”

“It’s not just for you Mischief, it’s for me too.”

I smile and tuck myself into his arms.

“Hey Mischief?”

“MMMMMM.”

“I want to ask you something.”

“Ok?” I say, feeling my nerves rattle.

“I want you to move in with me.”

I look up at him. “You do?”

“Yeah, I do. I need you with me; I just need you.”

I am shocked; I don’t know what to say.

“Can I think about it?”

He grins. “Do you think about everything?”

“Yes, of course.”

“My logical little girl.”

I grin. “You know it.”

“Let’s get some food, I am hungry!”

“Fancy going out for it?” I say, with a smirk.

“You know what, let’s do it. On one condition…”

“Oh?”

“You let me take you to some of those shops.”

I frown. “What for?”

He rolls his eyes. “Are you arguing with a man offering to take you shopping?”

“No, not at all Mr Phoenix.”

We head down to a cafe and order some food; once we are done we begin walking down the street.

“Travis Phoenix!” A girl screams and suddenly he is surrounded.

I roll my eyes and throw myself down onto the sidewalk. A girl screams and suddenly they are all staring at me. I close my eyes as people tap my face; thinking something terrible has happened to me. Suddenly, I am being scooped up, and Travis is running; we are laughing like two teenagers. We duck around a side alley and he puts me down.

“Oh my god, that was hilarious!” He roars with laughter.

“I will always save you Phoenix.”

“I can’t believe you did that.”

“We need a disguise, wait here.”

I run around the corner and into a corner shop. I pick up a hat, a fake moustache and a pair of dark shades. I run back around and dress Travis up, bursting out with laughter at the finished project.

“You look like the monopoly guy.” I giggle.

He wiggles his eyebrows.

“How you doin?”

“Trav! Come on.”

We begin walking, and this time no-one notices. I turn when we are in the middle of the footpath and begin humming the pretty woman tune. Travis laughs and sings it to me while I wiggle my hips and walk down the street flicking my hair.

“Pretty woman, walking down the street, pretty woman, the kind I’d like to meet….”

Passers-by stop and laugh at us, just assuming we are a couple in love. Which we are, aren’t we? Trav takes me into a shop and hustles me into the changing room with five expensive dresses.

“Did you put me in here for the dresses or for your own pleasure Phoenix?”

“Both.” He grins.

He shoves me against the wall, jacking my dress up and sliding his tongue across my neck.

“Travis, I think they have cameras. They could see.”

“Lucky them.”

“Travis!”

“Shhhh.”

He reaches down and slides my panties to the side, swiping his fingers through my sex and bringing them to his mouth and sucking.

“So fucking sweet, so fucking ready.”

“Trav.” I whimper.

He slides one finger inside me while stroking my clit with another. I whimper into his shoulder, feeling so alive and desperate. Someone could be in the next change room, or outside and hear us. He grips my leg and wraps it around his waist, then lowers his jeans just enough to free himself. He pulls his fingers out and replaces them with his throbbing cock.

“Oh god.” I whisper.

“Don’t scream, everyone will hear.”

He jerks his hips, and I bite down on his shoulder. He has one hand flat on the wall beside my head; the other one grips my ass and yanks me hard onto his cock. He thrusts slowly, making sure not to shake the wall. I bite his shoulder harder, and I can feel his deep breathing on my ear as he thrusts slowly in and out. I try and hold my climax back, knowing I will make a noise and embarrass myself.

“Do you need any help in there?” A woman calls out.

My eyes widen in alarm and Trav plants his hand over my mouth.

“We are fine in here, just trying on some dresses.” Trav yells.

“Oh…of course. Please let me know if you need help.”

“No problem, thanks.”

He thrusts again, and I explode around him, he catches my moan with his mouth by crushing it down on mine. I bite down on his lip and suckle on his tongue as he drives every last shudder out of me. He thrusts a few more times, then explodes himself with a silent shudder. I grip his shoulders and flex my hips, then he lets me slide down. He pulls up his jeans and looks at me with a lusty expression.

“That was so fucking hot.” I whisper.

He holds his hands up. “No words.”

“We should go, that woman was totally sus.”

He grins and helps me straighten up, then he grips my hand and takes me out, buying all the dressed with a saucy grin to the sales lady. God love him.

CHAPTER 18

When we get home, we fall onto the bed, laughing about our shopping experience. We talk until we fall asleep together, a tangle of arms and legs. We are woken sometime later by the doorbell ringing. Travis gets up with a groan and walks over to answer it. I stand at his bedroom door, listening to the rain pounding down on the roof. I shiver.

“Annabelle?”

“Daddy!”

Daddy? Daddy? I have heard that word so many times in the last few days; it is no longer a beautiful word to me. It is the word that has crushed my soul, and I feel like it is about to do it again. I step out and stare at the girl standing at the door, holding a young child. I recognize her, from when we were younger. It’s Annabelle, the girl who was mad about Travis.

I swing my eyes to the little girl, with her blonde hair and grey eyes. I feel everything in my world stop, and suddenly it all pieces together. Travis left, then he came back and he had secrets. The room, the one I can’t go into. I turn, and I run towards the room now, I can hear Travis screaming my name. I kick the door, furiously, but it won’t budge.

“Violet,” He yells, gripping my arms.

“Open this fucking door Travis.”

“Listen…”

“Open the fucking door!” I scream.

He pulls out a key and opens it; I swing it open and gasp. It is a little girl’s bedroom. I lean over gripping my stomach, my world spins.

“Violet baby…”

“You left for her, didn’t you? Oh my god.  All those years I thought…I thought you loved me.”

“I did love you, I do.”

“You were fucking her!” I scream. “While letting me think…”

“It was a few times, it was a mistake.”

“You left to be with her, didn’t you?”

“It didn’t work out, so I came back.”

“You lied to me!”

I grip my phone and keys and begin running towards the door.

“VIOLET!” Travis yells.

Annabelle is standing beside the door now, clutching the little girl. I skid to a halt and stare at the little girls beautiful face. All this time he lied, in the past, now. The one person I loved more than my own life lied to me. I can’t breathe. I shove past Travis who is standing by the door and I run towards the exit.

“PLEASE!” He calls.

I run faster, managing to get to the elevator before he does. It closes and I fall to my knees, screaming and gripping my head. When I step outside, it is pouring rain, and I can’t see anything in front of me. Lightening thunders down and I still, my whole body just freezes. I can’t move, can’t walk. I need to get out of here; I need to run. All I can hear is that song in my head, the song he sang me so often.

I told you I should let you go…

All I can see is Annabelle, walking in that door and holding that little girl. My mind overtook my heart in this instance and forced my feet to move. I have to move. I slam into a hard form and leap back. Out of the mist steps Jeremy, I don’t even know what I feel in that moment. Fear is beyond me now, all I can see is Lillian when I look at him. I have lived with her face in my mind, for so long. Maybe I deserve this, maybe it’s how my life is meant to pan out.

Give a little time to me; we’ll burn this out,

We’ll play hide and seek, to turn this around…

Everything in that moment happens so slowly, yet so quickly. He lifts a gun, a shining grey gun. I hear my name being called, and I turn to see Travis running. He is calling my name, and yet all I can hear is his voice in my head. He sees Jeremy, sees the gun and his face…I will never, in my entire life forget his face. He picks up his pace, but I know it’s too late; Jeremy came here for one thing and one thing only: Revenge. I hear the sound of the gun blast a shot out; I don’t really feel it hit my chest. All I can think in that dark moment is ‘I don’t have to feel this pain anymore.’

All I want is the taste that your lips allow,

My my, my my, oh, give me love…

Continue Travis and Violet’s story in the second novel in the Rockstar series “Heart Song.” Released March 2013.

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If you want something else to read while you wait for the next book, check out my other series.

The Pirate Series

Damned (Book One)

Betrayed (Book Two)

Vengeance (Book Three)

The Witness Series

Witness Protection (Book One)

Forsaken – Released Feb 2013 (Book Two)

Table of Contents

Copyright

Books in this Series

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

The Pirate Series