Code of Honor

Chapter Twenty-four

The strip in Reno was visible from miles away, a glowing oasis blotting out the stars under a mushroom cloud of dusty orange light. The Renegades, fifty strong, roared into town with Ramsey in the lead, Tricia in the bitch seat behind him, and the ranking members following behind in order of hierarchy. Loren rode third in line behind Quincy and Armeo. People on the street stopped to stare.

Sky kept her cheek pressed to the back of Loren’s shoulder to cut down on the windburn, riding with both arms around Loren’s waist. They’d been on the road most of the night before and all afternoon to reach Reno by nightfall. At this moment, the only thing she wanted was to get off the bike and get warm. Despite the black leather chaps Loren had given her, the denim jeans beneath, and her heavy sweater and leather jacket, she was frozen. Her fingertips and toes were numb. The front of her body, though, was warm, and she imagined that was Loren’s heat penetrating the layers between them. Fanciful, perhaps, but her body was convinced of the whimsy. Enough blood still flowed that her clit swelled and pulsed. Involuntarily, she tightened her hold around Loren’s waist, and when Loren’s gloved hand settled over hers, the pulsations turned to pounding. The casual touch might’ve been fingertips dancing along her naked flesh. Pleasure seared through her and she moaned softly into the wind.

“Hold on just another minute or two,” Loren shouted above the roar of the engine throbbing between Sky’s legs.

“I’m all right,” Sky shouted back. Oddly, inconceivably, despite the danger ahead and the insanity of the two-day ride, she’d never felt more all right in her life. When they’d stopped the night before at a roadside motor court and she and Loren had staggered into their room, legs wooden from the cold and hours on the bike, she’d never felt more comfortable in her life. Because she’d been with Loren. They’d fallen onto the bed fully clothed, and sometime in the night when they’d shed their leathers, she had curled up in Loren’s arms, and that’s where she woke midmorning, her head on Loren’s shoulder and Loren’s arm around her waist. Loren’s eyes were open, watching her with lazy privilege, and the heat had flared again.

“We better get something to eat,” Loren finally said, her eyes still on Sky’s. “We’ll hit the road as soon as everyone is up.”

“Why don’t I go see what I can find for breakfast? You worked hard last night getting us here.”

Loren’s arm was loosely clasped around her waist and she stroked the curve of Sky’s back slowly. Sky held very still, wanting the touch, wanting more.

“I’ll shower while you’re gone,” Loren finally said. “Coffee. Bacon and egg sandwich would be great.”

Sky smiled softly. Such a simple thing—bringing breakfast, but the idea gave her pleasure. The intimacy was more poignant than a kiss. All the same, she kissed Loren quickly and smiled again with satisfaction when Loren’s eyes widened in surprise. “Don’t take too long. I’m next.” She slipped away. “And don’t use all the hot water.”

They’d barely had time to eat before the sound of engines revving in the courtyard signaled they were ready to go.

“We’d better get out there,” Loren said. “Ramsey will be kicking in the door if we’re not.”

“I guess the concept of privacy doesn’t extend to him.”

Loren grimaced. “Nothing extends to him. He has absolute power—as long as he can hold on to it by force.”

“And if he can’t?”

“It’s a wolf pack—the strongest rules.”

“Even a woman?”

Loren smiled. “Never been done except in a women-only club, and there are some, but I don’t see why not.”

“You have aspirations?” Sky asked, half-serious. Loren had the physical and mental strength to dominate.

Loren shook her head. “Too visible.” She grabbed her leather jacket. “And I don’t like politics.” She slung an arm around Sky’s shoulder. “Come on, woman. Let’s ride.”

Sky had climbed on behind Loren feeling like the luckiest woman in the club. Three hundred miles later, all she could think about was getting off the bike and into a private room away from prying eyes, taking a hot shower, and finding a change of clothes. Maybe a nap. They’d be expected to party all night, and she’d need to be alert to protect her cover—and Loren’s.

The line of bikes streamed around the corner off the strip and began to fill up a side street next to the Last Chance Casino. Eventually, bikes lined both sides of the small street and everyone climbed off. Loren grabbed her and pulled her close. “Doing all right?”

“I might survive if you can find me a couple of fingers of scotch and a two-inch steak.”

Loren laughed. “That I can handle.”

“What happens now?”

“We wait for Ramsey to sort out the room situation. Supposedly we all have reservations made by national. Doesn’t always work out that way, though. You want to go to the bar first?”

“I want to go anywhere that isn’t outside in the cold.”

“Come on. I’ll find Ramsey later.”

Inside, the usual cacophony of dinging slots and loud voices filled the casino floor. The New Year’s Eve crowds hadn’t yet arrived, and they were able to find standing room at the bar. The scotch burned with a delicious bite, warming Sky all the way down. She sighed. “That is so much better.”

Loren swallowed a quarter of a mug of beer. “About tonight—stick close to me and keep a low profile. I don’t want people remembering your face—or wondering who you are.”

“Don’t worry. There’s going to be so much going on, no one’s going to be paying attention to us. We’ll pretend to be having a wonderful time, and maybe if we’re lucky, we can sneak away before dawn.”

“I might get pulled away—a lot of chapter business gets done here behind the scenes. With this big deal coming up, you never know.”

“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Loren’s eyes darkened. “Sorry. But I do.”

The intensity of her words struck Sky like a fist. Dan was always worrying, fretting about her whenever she went into the field. His concern had never really registered with her, but Loren’s did. That Loren cared what happened to her made her feel special in a way she never had and never thought she needed. Sky hooked her fingertips inside the wide strap of Loren’s black leather chaps and tugged her forward by the heavy silver buckle. Loren’s hard thighs collided with hers. “You know what?”

“What?” Loren’s voice was husky, her black eyes blazing.

“I won’t do anything crazy if you don’t.”

Loren smiled, a crooked smile that made her look impossibly handsome. “You ask a lot.”

“I know.”

Loren cupped Sky’s jaw with the palm of her hand. “I liked you behind me on the bike today.”

“I liked being there.” Sky brushed her fingers over Loren’s lower lip. “But I better warn you—don’t get used to it.”

“Oh yeah?”

“I don’t plan on riding in the bitch seat forever. I expect my own bike if I’m going to be your old lady.”

Loren’s smile widened. “Optimistic.”

“Always.”

Ramsey was suddenly beside them, his hand clamped hard on Loren’s shoulder. “There you are.” He dangled a keycard in front of Loren. “Thought you might want this. Room 2010.”

Without taking her eyes off Sky, Loren plucked the card from his hand. “Perfect timing again.”

Ramsey smiled down at Sky. “See you later?”

Sky shot him a smile. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Then I guess you’d better take care of business so you don’t miss anything.”

Loren took Sky’s hand. “Exactly what I was thinking.” Without glancing at Ramsey, she led Sky away.

“You’re going to piss him off,” Sky murmured, gripping the back of Loren’s chaps.

“I don’t care. He needs to get the message.”

“What message is that?”

Loren stabbed the elevator button and slid her hand onto Sky’s ass. “That you belong to me.”

“Optimistic,” Sky murmured.

“Nah.” Loren yanked her into the elevator, pinned her to the wall, and kissed her. “Just sure.”

*

“Oh God.” Blair leaned back on the sofa in Diane’s living room and propped her feet on the coffee table. “I can’t eat or drink another thing.”

Laughing, Cam settled beside her and slid an arm around Blair’s shoulders. “I think there’s cake.”

“No,” Blair moaned.

Diane emerged from the kitchen with a tray bearing a chocolate layer cake with a single candle burning in the center. She placed it ceremoniously on the coffee table. “Happy birthday, Blair.”

Valerie followed with a bottle of champagne and four flutes. She set them down and began to fill them. “It’s not quite New Year’s, but since it’s your birthday now, we should start the celebration.”

“This has been great.” Blair threaded her fingers through Cam’s. “The best birthday ever.”

“We haven’t even given you your presents yet,” Diane protested.

“Believe me, you guys are the only presents I need.”

Cam kissed her temple. “Happy birthday, baby.”

Blair kissed her. “Thank you. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Somehow, Blair managed to make it through the cake and her champagne, and before she knew it the countdown to the new year had begun on TV as the illuminated ball descended above Times Square.

“You sure you don’t want to head down there?” Diane said.

“God, no.” Blair pointed to the television. “I can do without the crowd and the cold. I’m happy right here.” She was more than happy. Cam was with her and she was celebrating with friends. At the stroke of midnight, she kissed Cam. “Happy New Year, darling.”

Shortly thereafter they said their good-byes and caught a cab home.

“Tonight was the perfect birthday,” Blair said, shedding her clothes and climbing into bed. “Thank you for being here.”

“I can’t think of anywhere or any place I’d rather be right now than right here with you.” Cam undressed quickly and joined her.

“Me neither. This is perfect.” Blair slid on top of her and kissed her. “And I have you for two more whole days.”

Cam kissed her. “You have me for a lot longer than that.”

Blair rested her forehead on Cam’s. “Like I said, perfect.”

*

Sky got her wish—a hot shower, a surprisingly good room-service steak, a quick nap, and clean clothes. Loren went out while Sky slept to check on her bike and collect the rest of their gear. Warm, full, and refreshed, Sky pulled on low-riding jeans and a stretchy scooped-neck tank that left a few inches of belly bare and a lot of breast showing. From the way Loren’s eyes flared when she walked out of the bathroom, she figured the outfit would work. Loren was heart-stopping as usual in boot-cut jeans, heavy boots, and a black leather vest over nothing but skin and ink. Sky’s throat was suddenly as dry as the desert. “You sure we have to go so soon?”

Loren grinned. “You want Ramsey in here?”

“I’ll pass.” Sky took Loren’s hand. “Are you armed?”

“Just a blade. We get caught carrying here, the casino can lose its gaming license, and we lose our welcome.”

“Be careful tonight,” Sky murmured.

“You too.”

They found the Renegades congregated six deep at the casino bar. Chapter after chapter poured in all evening, and bikers in leather and denim overflowed the bar onto the casino floor. Eventually, the noise and increasing advances from bikers toward any woman, attached or unattached, drove the ordinary citizens out into the night in search of less intimidating surroundings.

At midnight, a roar filled the casino. Loren grabbed Sky, slid a hand into her hair, and covered her mouth with a hard kiss. She’d been fending off men all night who’d wanted to get over on Sky before she could set them straight as to just whose old lady Sky was. Her patience was gone and her hold on her temper thinner than air. The ear-shattering din in the room was nothing compared to the thunder in her head when Sky’s warm lips melted against hers. She hadn’t been hungry earlier, but she was starving now.

“We need to get out of here,” Loren gasped.

“It’s still early,” Sky whispered, running her hands up and down Loren’s back. “And Ramsey has been watching us.”

“Fuck Ramsey.” Loren couldn’t catch her breath. “I want you alone.”

“Loren.” Sky stroked her cheek. “Baby, we need—”

A heavy hand appeared out of nowhere, closed over Sky’s upper arm, and pulled her away. A beery voice demanded, “Come on, sweet stuff. Give me a little of that.”

The filament holding Loren’s last sliver of control snapped. She caught the biker’s arm, spun him to face her, and punched him in the face. Her knuckles screamed at the impact, but a flood of satisfaction filled her chest. The gratification ended just as quickly when the burly, bearded stranger rocked on his feet for a second, then shot out a fist the size of a cinder block and knocked her back into the bar. Someone grabbed her from behind, another fist connected with her abdomen, and she doubled over as all the air left her body. Her knees wobbled, and a blow to the back of the head put her down. She tried once to get up, but a boot to the side and a wave of nausea pulled her into the black.