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  "He didn't kill the judge. He was in Federal when Judge Cranley got murdered, and I have someone outside the club who can prove Merk is innocent," he said.

  "What?" She blinked, more confused. "How would you know Merk wasn't there?"

  "That's none of your business. Leave it to the club, baby."

  "No." She groaned in frustration. "You can't give me information like that and turn around and tell me to stay out of your business."

  At one time, Merk supported her and she'd taken his offer of friendship to heart. The whole time, he'd played her, waiting for Cam to get released from prison to show his true self. She'd punished herself for thinking she caused Merk's feelings to change from friendship to lust. When Merk tried to convince her Cam was out to hurt her, she lost all respect for him. She hated him and wanted to punish him for what he'd done.

  Cam yawned. "You know enough. Let it be."

  "Fine. Then tell me..." She sniffed. "How long have you known Merk and Jeremy were related?"

  Cam's legs twitched. "About a month before I got out of prison."

  "Which time?"

  "Which time what?" he asked.

  "You've been incarcerated a lot, Cam. Which time did you find out about Jeremy and Merk's relationship?"

  "The last time, when I took the fall for possessing a weapon while on probation."

  She gawked. "So, you illegally forged papers claiming Jeremy without knowing his uncle was a member of your club?"

  "Yeah." Cam inhaled deeply. "Almost eighteen years ago, Merk got picked up for burglary with intent to harm and requested I send his club wages to his sister, Roni. Then, I found myself in prison again soon after that...fuck, I can't even remember what crime I committed. Back then, we were dealing and using drugs. His sister hung around Moroad all the time, probably for the free drugs."

  "Merk never tried to stop his sister from using?"

  "Not that I remember, but times were different. We were all about the next high and then I got put away and came clean. I followed through with Merk's wishes and sent the money every month to his sister. I did my part."

  She trailed her fingers along his stomach being careful of his wounds. "I know you said you forged the papers to gain custody of Jeremy and prove you were his biological father to gain access to me, but you must've ran the idea past Merk."

  "Merk didn't know about Jeremy, baby. I don't share my plans with anyone, especially my MC brothers. It's safer that way."

  "But didn't Merk keep in contact with his sister? Didn't he know she died?"

  "No. Roni told him to stay out of his life, and he did." Cam stroked her hair. "It's not my business how he handles his family. Now, I'm asking him to tell the truth, and Merk's going to have to decide to man up. Everything will work out."

  "I hope so," she said. "I can't understand how his sister could keep Jeremy away from his uncle or why Merk would neglect his sister. He could've helped her get clean and become a better mother. Instead, Jeremy suffered and his mom is dead."

  "Not everyone has a good family life." He kissed the top of her head. "That's why there are people like you, who will raise someone else's kid and love him."

  To think of losing Jeremy to Merk, a man who'd betrayed Cam, her, and attempted to take away the person she loved the most confused her. Her forehead ached. Would Cam ever let her know the secrets that plagued him?

  Cam's breathing grew deeper. She moved her head and his fingers tightened in her hair. Even as he relaxed, he refused to let her go.

  "I love you," she whispered. "Don't ever let anything stupid come between us or Jeremy. We need to bring him home and keep everyone together."

  "I'm trying to do that." His breathing hitched and he held her tighter, mumbling, "You wearing my ring?"

  "Yes."

  "Good." He inhaled deeply. "Get some sleep."

  She closed her eyes and held on to him, running through all the information she learned tonight. Without confessing, Cam forgave Merk for shooting him. She thumbed her ring, sliding it around her finger, knowing underneath the band Cam had inscribed Dear Christina, I love you, Prisoner #18794.

  She loved him too, but she didn't agree with him. Merk deserved to spend time in prison for what he'd done. The thought of having Merk around her family frightened her. If he'd tried to kill Cam once, he'd try again. Especially since he found out Jeremy's his blood relative.

  Chapter Seven

  The sun shining through the bedroom window penetrated Christina's closed eyelids. She stretched and stilled, feeling Cam warming her back. Cocooned in his arms, she kept her eyes closed, not wanting to get up and face another day of uncertainty.

  Sometime during the night, Cam had rolled to his side, forcing her to go to sleep. He'd needed the rest and so had she. Neither one of them had moved again.

  Cam's cock hardened, pressing against her butt. She wiggled closer before catching herself. They hadn't had sex since before the shooting, and she desperately needed to connect with him. However, he was in no condition to exert or aggravate his wounds.

  His hand moved from her stomach to her breast. A wave of pleasure woke her fully.

  "No." Her breath caught. "You'll hurt yourself."

  "My dick already hurts." He let go of her nipple and slid his hand down to her hip. "You'll make me feel better."

  "Cam¸" she said on an exhale.

  She could no longer deny him what her body wanted. She gazed over her shoulder and studied his dark eyes. Eyes half hidden behind lazy eyelids. When he opened himself up to her, he made her world turn.

  Cam hooked her leg and slid his knee in between her legs from behind. Her thighs relaxed and her legs widened.

  "Maybe I can help you." She reached behind her and wrapped her fingers around his hardness. "I can give you a blowjob."

  "I want inside you, not your mouth." He pulled her ass back and placed his cock at the entrance of her pussy from behind.

  His length slid inside of her with more patience than her body exhibited. Her insides spasmed and heated as he filled her. She reached back and grabbed his hip to keep him from moving and hurting himself.

  "I can't do anything in this position to help you," she said, fighting the urge to move left her shaky.

  Cam's hips thrust back and forth. Slow and steady, caressing her deeper with each stroke.

  "Rock with me, baby," he said.

  She stretched, letting her body ride the motion he dictated. The bed barely moved. Her muscles remained lax and sleepy, contradicting the arousal coiling tighter within her.

  "That's it," Cam whispered at her ear, catching her lobe between his teeth. "I missed waking up inside of you."

  She closed her eyes and brought her leg down off him. He groaned in pleasure at the added tightness she created. The pressure on her clit intensified at the friction of her legs pressed together.

  Cam lowered his hand, slipping his finger between the lips of her pussy, and circled the aroused bud of nerves. Her hips jerked. Caught off guard at the sudden need to orgasm, she lost control. Her body undulated. His movements grew faster.

  "Oh, God." She hissed. "I can't stop."

  "Take it."

  She threw her head back against his shoulder, afraid to lose contact. His finger continued to assault her clitoris, demanding her release.

  Her sex convulsed, and pleasure burst out of her. She gasped, shocked at how little it took for her to orgasm.

  "Fuck." Cam slipped his finger out of her and grabbed her hip, planting himself deep inside of her.

  He shot his cum. Warmth and pressure consumed her. Her climax continued to squeeze him, taking and taking. Cam shuddered, involuntarily jerking his hips.

  Worried he'd exerted himself, she rubbed his hand. "Careful."

  His breath blew over her neck with each gasp. "Damn."

  She turned her head and studied him carefully. "Did you hurt yourself?"

  He chuckled. "Never thought taking you like an old man would be that good."

  "I love you."
She laughed softly. "I do."

  "I know." He kissed her hard and slipped out of her.

  His lack of committing with words no longer bothered her. She sat up and shook her head in amusing exasperation. He loved her. She wore his ring. Nothing else mattered.

  Cam stood with a groan, slowly straightening his upper body. She quietly watched him. He'd gone through more than any man should ever have to deal with, and she'd added on to his troubles by running away. She blew out her breath and scooted off the bed. To move on and focus on Jeremy, she needed to know where she stood.

  "Cam?"

  He rotated his shoulders. "Huh?"

  "About me leaving..." She crossed her arms. "What's going to happen?"

  Cam rubbed his side. "You went against the one thing I ordered you never to do."

  "Don't you understand why? I had to leave without asking, because you'd never let me go out on my own." She approached him, taking his hand away from his wound. "You were laid up and couldn't go looking for Jeremy. He needs me. If one of the other Moroad members find him first, I'll never forgive myself."

  "No, you'd never forgive me," he whispered.

  He never asked Merk to shoot him or for Jeremy to run off. She nodded in agreement. He started the whole mess when he broke the law, and he needed to fix the situation. She would blame him if anything happened to Jeremy.

  "I don't think either one of us will make it if we don't bring Jeremy back home," she said. "No love is strong enough to survive."

  "You're wrong. We're strong enough. I won't allow anything to break us apart." His eyes locked on her and she noted the intensity of his gaze before he kissed her, sucking the breath straight from her body.

  His lips crushed hers. His heavy breath fanned her lips. All the while, he held her in his firm grip. His aggression, something he'd held back since he got shot, spurred her to grab his arms, squeezing his muscles while he took control.

  He thrust his tongue into her mouth. She tasted his masculine growl. The slight vibration weakened her legs and she leaned into him.

  Abruptly, he pulled away, keeping his firm hand around her neck. She stared up at him. He refused to speak. She quivered, unable to hide her arousal. Her chest rose and fell. She hummed in submission, powerless to stop her body's reaction.

  He slid his hand to her chin, raising her face. "You were never alone, baby. I had Gunner and Stache on you round the clock. I watched you."

  "You did?" She knew it. Outside the Inn, she'd warmed and became excited for no apparent reason. Then she'd heard his motorcycle. Because he came for her, she decided to come back to the house on her own. She couldn't stay away. She needed him.

  "I won't leave again," she whispered. "I promise."

  "Say it." His eyes softened as he stroked her lips with his thumb. The tender touch and the deep bass of his voice lulled her.

  "I love you," she said.

  He nodded, stepping back. "I'll trust you to stay here when I'm out looking for Jeremy."

  She exhaled in relief and cleared her throat. "Okay."

  "I'm going to walk around and stretch before I need to get on my motorcycle. I'll start the pot of coffee." He kissed her forehead. "Go jump in the shower. I'm going to take off, so stay at the house, huh?"

  "You're going to find Jeremy, right?" she asked.

  "Yeah. I'm going to try."

  She hurried over to the dresser to gather her clean clothes. Stopping beside him, she kissed him quick. "You'll find him today. I feel positive we're getting close."

  He opened his mouth, and she rushed out of the room and into the bathroom. Hoping he'd share more of his ideas on where to find Jeremy and she could somehow help, she took a five-minute shower and dressed. No time for makeup, she walked into the living room to find Stache standing in the foyer.

  "Hey." She slowed down, taking in Stache's frown. "Where's Cam?"

  "He rode out a few minutes ago and wanted me to wait in here to tell you I'd be around today in case you need anything." He backed up and reached for the door handle.

  "Wait." She swept her wet hair over her shoulder. "He's making you watch me?"

  Stache's mustache moved before his words came. "Extra security. He wants to make sure you're safe."

  "Is there something else going on?" She studied him.

  Stache usually had no problem looking her in the eye. Today, he glanced everywhere, but at her.

  "Nah, everything is going good, except for Jeremy." He shrugged. "Since the other members are out looking for the kid, I get to stay back."

  Shit. Her stomach rolled. Cam kept something from her and nobody wanted to talk.

  "Okay." She shrugged. "I'm only going to clean inside the house and catch up with laundry, so if you want to go do something else or..."

  "I'm going to be outside working on my bike." Stache hesitated. "Are you okay?"

  She gave him a smile she didn't feel. "Sure. Thanks, Stache."

  Stache walked outside. She continued to the kitchen, shutting off the coffee maker. Cam made sure someone stayed behind to keep her from running off to find Jeremy on her own. She worried something else besides his fear of her running away kept security tight.

  She rinsed off the dirty dishes left on the counter for the last several days during her absence and loaded the dishwasher. She missed having dinner with Cam and Jeremy, and worried during Jeremy's absence if he took time to eat a proper meal.

  Jeremy carried enough money to afford a motel room and food. She wiped down the counter and carried the dirty washcloth to the utility room. She wasn't worried about him finding shelter.

  Desperation caused people to make bad decisions. At eighteen years old, Jeremy's anger and hurt could get him in trouble.

  She poured a cup of laundry soap into the washing machine and shut the lid. She groaned, realizing she'd forgotten one place to check for him. He had to eat. She should've gone to Country Mart and asked the cashiers if they'd seen Jeremy?

  Knowing Jeremy, he'd live off Butterfingers and energy drinks. She hurried into the living room, found her purse where she'd dropped it last night, and dug out her phone. The low battery light flashed.

  On the way to the bedroom to plug the cell into the charger, she texted Cam. Ask at the store and gas station to see if they've seen J. Please.

  Cam replied back. Ok.

  She plugged in the phone and stripped the bed, gathering all the dirty clothes scattered around the room. It'd take her a few hours to catch up on laundry. Remembering her bag she'd left in the truck, she dropped the unwashed clothes in the utility room and headed outside.

  On the porch, she stopped. Stache parked his bike right in front of the steps on her grass. Cam was the only person she allowed to ride on her lawn, and he only got his way because he refused to follow her rules.

  She planted her hands on her hips. "Really?"

  Stache scratched his chest. "It's hot out here, and there's shade on this side of the house."

  "You're lucky I have more important things to think about today." She shook her head. "Can you at least push it through the grass when you move, so it doesn't tear up any more of the lawn?"

  "Yeah." Stache grinned. "No prob—"

  "Shh.." Christina held up her hand and cocked her head. "Did you hear that?"

  A soft ringtone wafted out on the porch. She whirled and ran into the house as Three Dog Night blared out Jeremiah The Bullfrog. Jeremy used to get a kick out of singing the song and replacing the name Jeremiah with Jeremy. She always laughed when the ring she'd set for Jeremy's phone started, because it reminded her of the morning she'd overheard him singing in the shower and teased him. He couldn't hold a tune, but his carefree effort entertained her.

  She grabbed the phone, ripping it off the cord to the charger. "Jeremy?"

  After several seconds, Jeremy answered, "Yeah, it's me."

  "Are you okay? Where are you?"

  "So, it's true?" he asked.

  Her legs shook. Christina squeezed her eyes closed and sat down
on the edge of the bed. She wanted answers, but first she had to help him.

  "Yes, but there are reasons why Cam chose to do what he did. We really need to talk—"

  "I don't want to hear anything that comes out of his mouth." Jeremy's words came faster. "I need to know if you knew Cam wasn't my dad."

  Emotions clogged her throat. "Not at first."

  "When?"

  "After he went to prison I found out. I made him promise...Jeremy, I wanted him to tell you, but then you patched into Moroad MC and I found out the rules changed," she said, struggling to explain everything.

  "Fuck Moroad," Jeremy said. "I trusted you."

  Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. "I know, honey. I'm so sorry."

  Loud voices came through the background over the phone. "I got to go," Jeremy said.

  "Wait." She stood. "You need to come home. Cam's looking for you."

  "I don’t want to see him. I don't want to see you."

  "Jeremy, listen to me. You have to come back. If the others catch you, they'll hurt you for leaving the club. I'll help you. I promise. You can't stay away or let them know you want to leave," she said.

  Silence answered her.

  "Jeremy?"

  She pulled the cell away from her ear and looked down. A black screen lay in front of her.

  "Dammit." She dashed across the room, plugged the phone in the charger, and pushed the power button.

  Time crawled as the phone loaded and she pulled up her call log. The last phone call came from Jeremy's number, but because of Cam's overprotective nature, she'd never find out the location of where he called.

  A knock came from the other room. "Christina?" Stache called.

  "Yeah, just a second." She wiped her face, walked out of the room, and met Stache in the living room.

  Inside, her chest ached and heaviness settled in her stomach. She ignored how she must look. She only hoped Jeremy heard her warning before the phone cut out.

  "Was that Jeremy?" Stache asked.

  She wouldn't hand Jeremy over to the club. They'd never bring him home. The only person she trusted giving information to was Cam.

  "No. It was Jessie. She wanted to check in and see if I got home," she lied.