Fury: Book 2 in the Vengeance MC series (7 page)

“We know the guy, he’s decent, might even be good for her.”

“Who?” I snarl.

“Deke’s cousin, Lawson. You met him last year in Sturgis,” Gage answers swiftly.

Whispering darkly, I ask,

“How long?”

“Couple of weeks,” Boss mumbles. “He’s into her, though, brother. And when I say that, I mean he’s into her in a big fucking way. He’s willing to wait until Avery feels the same way about him too. Came down from North Dakota to visit his cousin, was supposed to be a fly in, fly out, but he stayed. He wants to see where this is going with her before he makes any decisions, but you’ve gotta know, Fury. He’s planning on sticking around.”

A million thoughts go through my head all at once, all of them starting and ending with ‘fuck that.’ I remember the guy Boss is talking about, barely, but what I do remember I don’t like. He’s a fucking douchebag, and nowhere near good enough for the likes of Avery.

The last time he was at the clubhouse he was all over a few of the hang around’s. Lawson thought it was his due as a man – not that he’s much of one which he proved later – to have a taste of the local talent. A few of the girls weren’t down with that, let him know as much, and he didn’t take their rejection well. By not well, I mean, he was a complete asshole about it.

Look, I’m not saying my brothers and I are saints, we’re fucking not, but we understand the meaning of the word no. Lawson, on the other hand, didn’t. Deke swore it was because he was drunk off his ass, he didn’t usually behave like that, but I had my doubts then, and I have them now. But that’s not the only reason I don’t want him anywhere near Avery.

“No disrespect, brothers, but now I’m back, Avery and I have some shit we need to sort out. I’ve given her time and space like everyone asked, but it’s time.”

“That’s good, Fury, real good, but I’m not sure she’s all that fired up to hear what you’ve got to say. It’s been months, brother. Months she didn’t hear a word from you so you can bet she’s nursing one hell of a grudge over that, among other things,” Gage grumbles.

Pushing out of my chair, I stand looking at the men I not only respect but am lucky enough to call my family.

“I don’t doubt it, but she’ll get over it. I’m not giving her a choice. She and I have to talk, and if that means I have to tie her to my bed for the next however long it takes for her to calm the fuck down and hear me out, then so be it.”

Boss stands chuckling, clapping me on the shoulder saying,

“Good luck with that, you’re gonna need it. Let me know how it goes would you because if that shit works, I might use it on Beth the next time she decides to ignore my ass.”

“Forgot to ask,” I say stopping him in his tracks. “Where’s Diesel?”

Boss and Gage both shake their heads, grimly.

“I’ve got no idea what’s going on with that fucker. He shows for church, puts his hours in at the garages, pays his dues, but we’re lucky if he’s here an hour most weeks. Cami’s had some troubles dealing with the shit her brothers involved in and I know he’s been helping her work that out, but I’m getting set to sit him down and have a serious discussion about where his head is at. He’s overlooking his responsibilities and not answering his phone when he gets called in. I’ve let it go on long enough, giving him space to work it out, but his time is up. He’s my brother, always will be, but he’s also my VP. If he’s not here to have my back, then we’re gonna have to have a conversation about him stepping down. I don’t want it to come to that, but that looks to be the direction it’s heading.”

“Jesus,” I hiss. “Fuck, I’m sorry, Boss. I didn’t know shit had gotten that bad.”

“How would you? You weren’t here, and I’m not saying that to be an asshole.” Waving it off, he says, “All in a day in the life of an MC President, Fury. Don’t sweat it. Diesel and I’ll have words, they’ll probably come with me kicking his ass, and then he’ll sit down and tell me what his fucking issue is. We’ll work it out.”

“Yeah,” I grunt. “Well, keep me posted. If you need someone to have your back, I’m in.”

“Will do,” he nods. “Now, get out of here and go see that girl of yours. By now the news of you being back would’ve spread through town like wildfire, so no doubt she’s expecting you. Church at ten tomorrow morning, brother.”

Saying goodbye to the guys left in the main room, I head back out to my bike, fire her up, and head toward Avery’s apartment. I’ve got no idea whether she knows I’m home or not, but she will soon. I can only pray she’s happy to see me because I’m not leaving again until we clear the air. And if that means I have to make good on my threats to tie her ass up, I will.

Stepping out of the shower wrapping a towel around my hair, I throw on my robe which is hanging on the back of my bathroom door and call out,

“I’m coming, keep your pants on.”

I heard the steady pounding at my front door which has been going on for the last five minutes, but nothing, and I do mean nothing would have dragged me from the euphoria of my shower. Not even the impatient dick at the door. And yes, I know exactly who it is. I’ll even admit, I may have stayed in a little longer than necessary because I did too.

There’s only one man determined and annoying enough to continuously bang on my door when he’s getting no response, and that would be Fury. He knows I’m home seeing as my cars in the drive, and he knows I can hear him, which means he’s got no intention of going anywhere until he’s, at least, seen me.

Opening the door a crack leaving the chain on, I glare at him.

“No thanks, whatever you’re selling I’m not buying,” I spit attempting to shut the door in his face.

I fail when he sticks his huge booted foot in the gap.

“Unchain the fucking door, Avery. You and I need to talk and I’m not doing it standing in the breezeway.”

“Ah, I think not,” I retort with a smirk. “I don’t invite strangers into my home, so whatever you’ve got to say, you can say from out there.”

“Stop being a smartass and let me in,” he growls.

Oh, hell no. I think fucking not. If Fury is under the false assumption he can just breeze into my life, stir shit up and walk out again, he’s got another thing coming. I haven’t spent the last nine months reliving and trying to cope without him just to have him waltz back in like nothing happened.

“Just in case you’re hard of hearing, I’ll repeat myself. I’m not letting you in and we are not talking, so would you kindly remove your foot from my door and fuck right off?” I snap, impatiently tapping my bare foot.

“Jesus Christ, Ave,” Fury huffs looking to the ceiling. “I fucked up, I know I did, but if you give me five minutes, I’ll explain it to you so you get why I had to do what I did.”

Again, hell fucking no.

Fury had his chance. No, he had many. All the times I cried myself to sleep stupidly waiting for him to call like he promised he would. Every time I’d snatch up my phone to check for messages from him, or race to my mailbox to see if he’d written but didn’t, hardened another small piece of my heart toward him.

I get that he needed time, I did too, but that doesn’t mean he should have taken off and forgotten all about me. In essence, he left me behind. He was selfish and self-centered, disappearing without a word. And I don’t think I can forgive him for that.

I’ve thought long and hard about what I’d say to him when he eventually came home. As I said to Bella earlier, I knew he would, it was only a matter of time. I spent long, lonely nights going over and over everything in my head, what I’d say to him, what he’d say to me when he got back. But never, not once, did I imagine it going like this.

The worst part is that I know he isn’t going to leave me alone until I let him have his say, which in this case is going to involve him yelling at me, and quite possibly me throwing things at him. Not the nicest welcome home, but he deserves it. He knows he does.

“Now's not a good time, Fury. Give me a day or two and then we’ll sit down and talk,” I try reasoning with him.

“Why, you got somewhere you’ve got to be, Ave?” He asks with no small amount of anger in his tone.

“That’s none of your business. It stopped being your business when you stopped being my friend. Now, why don’t you go and have a drink, find a slut and cool off and then we’ll try this again later.”

“Not going to happen, sweetheart. I’ve given you time, but that came to an end the second I rode back into town. Now, open the goddamned door and let me in,” he snarls.

“Yeah, about that,” I smirk at him through the crack in the door. “You made the decision to leave and you made the decision on how long you’d be gone, but you won’t be making the decision on when or if I talk to you. So stop being an asshole and get your foot out of my door,” I snap finished with playing nice.

Obviously, I misinterpreted how determined the jackass is to have this conversation, his next words proving as much.

“You’ve got until the count of three to step the fuck back before I kick this door in, Ave. Don’t test me because like it or not, you and I are having a chat. And we’re having it now.”

God save me from bossy, alpha males.

“One,” he warns.

“Just go, Fury. I promise we’ll talk later.”

Ignoring me completely, he growls,

“Two.”

“Freaking seriously?” I screech. “Go home.”

“I’m not kidding, Ave. Now, step back because I’m planting my boot in this door and kicking it the fuck open if you don’t unchain it.”

Score one for crazy ass biker because as much as I don’t want to see him, it looks like I don’t have a choice. I have no doubt he’ll do exactly as he says, and I like my door. It’s nothing special, but it’s mine. And I have to admit, being able to lock it is a bonus, one I won’t have if he does what he’s threatening to.

“Fine,” I huff. “Move your foot and I’ll let the chain off.”

Snaking his hand through the gap, grabbing hold of my forearm before I can pull away, he prompts,

“Promise me that if I move you’ll open up. I don’t want to have to bust it in, but I will if you try shutting me out, sweetheart.”

Jerking away from him, I hiss,

“I promise I’ll let you in if you promise you’ll leave when I tell you to.”

I know it’s a long shot, but I have to try. I also know he’s a lying asshole when he replies,

“I promise, Ave.”

Hmm, I call bullshit but we’ll see, won’t we?

I wait until he’s moved back so that I can close the door and swiftly unlatch the flimsy chain keeping him from getting in. I’m not stupid enough to believe that would have kept him out for long, but it’s nice to have a sense of security, albeit false.

Fury doesn’t hesitate in barging his way in, stalking toward me the second he crosses the threshold. Throwing my hand up to ward him off, all the while moving backward across my living room until the backs of my thighs are pressed hard up against the couch, I caution him.

“Not one step closer.” Gesturing to the chair across from me ordering, “You can sit over there.”

“I don’t fucking think so,” he answers, getting in my space. Then, a few seconds later, I’m engulfed by two powerful arms holding me tightly against a broad, muscular chest.

I can’t say I hate Fury holding me, I don’t. He’s so gentle with me, holding me like I’m something precious – something to be cherished.

“Jesus, I’ve missed you, babe. You’ve got no idea how much,” he admits quietly in my ear.

The heat of his breath against my neck, the feel of his arms around me, his solid bulk at my front, has a tear escaping from the corner of one eye. Because truth be told, I’ve missed him too. Fiercely.

Fury doesn’t let go for long minutes and every one that passes, a little more of my tough exterior cracks. I’ve been strong for so long. I’ve fought back against the darkness that threatened to overwhelm me, and for the most part, I won. Sure, there were days it was a draw, but in the end, I survived and came out the other side a better woman for it. No thanks to him, though.

And that’s what burns the most. Fury should have been here. He promised he’d be here for me no matter what. Whatever I needed, whenever I needed it, he would make sure I was safe.

The fact is; he failed. I didn’t feel safe when he was gone, and that had nothing to do with the men he left to watch over me not doing their jobs. They did, and I’m thankful they checked on me so often, but it wasn’t the same. No one makes me feel as safe as he does, and when I needed him most, he disappeared.

“Can you let me go please?” I whisper brokenly.

“Never,” is his reply. “I’m never letting you go again, sweetheart. It doesn’t matter if you hate me, yell, scream, kick my ass out, I’m not going anywhere so best you get used to that now.”

“That’s not your choice to make, is it?” I ask looking up into his devastatingly beautiful face.

His piercing sky-blue eyes peer down at me through long, thick, dark lashes, full of emotion and promises. The line of his jaw is set, covered in a few days’ worth of stubble and the neatly trimmed goatee I love so much. Soft, full lips that are neither smiling or frowning is surrounded by a mustache that travels down the sides, ending just before the hair on his jaw.

Fury isn’t traditionally handsome, he’s too rugged for that. Instead, his facial features along with his muscular six-foot-two height makes him dangerously attractive. In essence, he’s a tattooed bad boy, built like a Greek God with the temper of the devil himself. Which sadly is not a turn-off, although it should be.

I should know better by now not to forgive him based on one of his soft looks and sweet words, because without fail, he’ll let me down again. Not intentionally, but he will. It’s part of who he is. Fury isn’t capable of giving me the things I need, the first being security. He isn’t built like that.

After losing his family, and suffering the loss of his wife and child, Fury switched off that side of himself – refusing to acknowledge its existence. And I need that. I need someone to rely on, someone who will be there for me when I need them, not run away at the first sign things are getting too difficult.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Ave,” Fury answers breaking me out of my perusal of him. “I might have fucked up, left you when you needed me most, but that shit’s in the past and I can assure you, it won’t ever happen again. I needed time to get my head straight too, sweetheart. Shit was intense, and while I know I should’ve stayed and worked through that with you, I couldn’t. I had too much going on that I couldn’t see my way clear of that I wouldn’t have been any good to you. You needed your Mom and Dad, your friends, the club, you didn’t need me no matter how much you say you did. Think about it, Ave. Think back to how fucked up I was after finding you there like that, and then tell me you believe I would’ve helped, not made things worse for you.”

Placing both of my hands on his biceps, I think back to what I was like in the first few days after I was rescued, and while I hate to admit it, he might just be right.

I wasn’t in a place where I could talk to anyone, let alone him. I spent every hour, every minute just fighting to make it to the next, I couldn’t focus on anything that wasn’t getting through one day to see another. And in saying that, I’m talking about the physical pain, although that was bad enough. I mean the mental anguish and emotional rollercoaster I was on.

Every day was filled with ups and downs, it could change hourly depending on the memories that infiltrated my mind. For a while there, I vividly remembered the feeling of their hands on my skin, heard the words they spat in my ears as they tried to break my body and soul.

Sometimes it all came back in a rush, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me. I could almost conjure the image of them if I tried hard enough. But eventually, after months and months of talking about it to anyone and everyone who would listen, the memories faded – became hazier.

Don’t get me wrong, they’ll never go away, not entirely, but I don’t panic every time I smell a scent that reminds me of one of them or hear a voice that sounds like theirs either.

“That’s something we’ll have to agree to disagree on then,” I finally counter. “Because let me tell you this. It didn’t matter to me how badly what you saw broke you, Tanner, I needed you regardless. I thought we were friends, but I was wrong. Friends are there for each other no matter what, and you weren’t. You took off when things were too hard for you to handle, when what you should have done was stay.”

Fury tucks his head in the crook of my neck, pulling me closer because he knows he’s losing me.