Havoc (Los Desperados MC) (22 page)

“To my new second in command, Julian Gonzales,” Marco called out over the sea of Los Desperados members. He raised his beer and we did, as well. Marco was standing on the bar his arm wrapped around Julian who was looking to the side and nodding. I could tell the attention made him nervous and I smiled up at him.

“And to Daniela! Who has proven her worth to me. She is now officially a full member of Los Desperados and she’ll be in charge of her own heists moving forward. So take note, she chooses her own crew, so I suggest you start kissing ass now!” He raised his glass again and from my seat on the bar stool I raised mine to him and the then the room and I threw my shot back. I was officially a member of Los Desperados.

There must have been two hundred people here; the place was filled with bikers and their ladies and their kids. The night was festive and, most importantly, safe. The Bandits had finally been beaten into submission. They had sent over a message to beg for a parlay, a break in the fighting. Marco was only too happy to agree. They would stay on their side and we on ours and I could only hope we could keep that peace alive for a very long time.

“Congratulations,” I said to Julian as he jumped off the bar and came to stand next to me.

“And to you, as well,” he said and we clicked our beer glasses and took deep sips. He rested his hand on my knee and I smiled at him before I grabbed him by the collar and kissed him fiercely. Around us a cheer went up as everyone laughed and clapped and I finally had to break the kiss. Everyone knew now; there was no more hiding it.

“So, what do you have planned for your first heist?” Julian asked. “You and I should really discuss it since you’ll have to run it by me. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but I’m second in command.”

“Well, well, look who’s suddenly gone mad with power,” I said with a smile. “As for my first heist I was thinking somewhere warm and tropical where I can get a drink in a pineapple brought to me while I lounge on the beach.”

“That doesn’t sound like work,” Julian said, sidling up next to me and resting his hand on my thigh.

“Oh, I’m not worried about it,” I said.

“Really? Why not?”

“Because the boss will be the one bringing me the drinks, of course,” I said giving him a peck on the cheek as he shook his head at me and laughed loudly.

“That is a lovely picture,” Julian said. “But I was thinking something more fun, a night in the city. We could go to Vegas, stay in a hotel suite, gamble our money away, party with rappers late into the night, drink champagne until the morning.”

“Well, that does sound tempting,” I said.

“You two,” Marco said coming up to us through the crowd. To my surprise he threw one arm around Julian and one around me. “I’m so very proud of you. Ten million dollars! Just think what we can do with that kind of money.” He clapped us both on the back and then hurried on as he congratulated everyone he passed.

“I didn’t know he smiled,” I said as I watched Marco leave. There was a bounce in his step and he was almost dancing.

“I’d never seen it myself until now. I thought it was just a myth,” Julian replied. I stifled a yawn and Julian looked at me and raised his eyebrows. “Tired already? I thought you were a tough biker chick who could party until dawn.”

“I might be a little tired.” I said giving a long, dramatic, fake yawn, stretching my hands above my head for affect. “It’s such a shame I live in the basement of this place. It’s so loud out here I’m sure I won’t be able to get any sleep,” I looked up at him through my lashes as I spoke and I saw understanding brighten his eyes.

“You know, I live right upstairs and it’s much quieter up there. What do you say we make our way up there and put you to bed?” he asked leaning over to kiss my neck and I sighed as I relaxed under his touch. I smiled as I realized that it would be like this every day. I could have him anytime anywhere. There was nothing keeping us apart anymore.

“Sounds perfect,” I said as I took his hand and jumped down off the barstool and followed him through the crowd. We passed the members of Los Desperados who gave us knowing smiles and patted us on the back as we made our way through the crowd. They were my family now and Julian was my family. I was welcome here, and I was grateful for it. We reached the stairs that led to Julian’s apartment and I closed the door behind me and smiled as I realized I was finally home.

THE END

For as long as she can remember, Kara Parker has been fascinated by old westerns and the thrill of the open road. Irresistible rogues, seductive heroines, and explosive plots are things she loves reading and writing about.

When she’s not writing her next book, Kara can be found tending her backyard garden and playing with her two kids.

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