Envy (Seven Deadlies MC Book 1) Read online

“Okay, everyone calm down. Esme may be old lady status, but she ain’t claimed anymore. Her old man is gone, which means she’s single. No one is trying to claim her-”

  Prettyboy snapped his gaze in Ox’s direction, his green eyes alight with anger and sadness and something akin to…hope?

  “I am.”

  Axel straightened up in his chair immediately.

  “No.”

  “Yes. And if you want to fight me for the right to do so in the cage tonight, I’ll let you.”

  Prettyboy had no idea what made him say those words; maybe it was the fact that he could see Esme fading. Maybe it was because he'd meant what he told her in the last note he’d given her.

  He did want to taste her.

  And hold her.

  And, maybe even keep her.

  “This is fuckin’ nuts, man. You don’t even know this chick!,” Limit said reasonably.

  “I don’t care what anyone at this fuckin’ table thinks. I want Esmeralda Quinn.”

  Ox’s dark eyes assessed him slowly.

  “You know what you’re sayin?”

  Prettyboy wasn't sure of a lot these days, especially when it came to women; there was a fifty-fifty chance Esmeralda would turn him down flat, and a part of him almost hoped that’s exactly what she did. Yet the other part of him, the part that dreamt about the way she’d touched his scorched skin, the part of him that yearned to sip her lips and finally find out what she tasted like…well, that was the part of him he was listening to.

  “I know exactly what I’m sayin’.”

  Axel pierced him with a fiery stare that would have fell a lesser man.

  “If you do anything, I mean fuckin’ anything to hurt her, I’ll fillet you like a fish and give her your remains.”

  “If I ever do anything to hurt her, I’ll let you,” Prettyboy said.

  Ox sighed and leaned back in his chair, his gaze still stuck to Prettyboy’s face.

  “If you’re sure about this, then fine. But, Esme has to want that, too.”

  Prettyboy slammed a fist down onto the table and nodded.

  “I’m perfectly aware of that.”

  Fury cleared his throat and glanced at Prettyboy before he dipped his head.

  “Prettyboy’s a good man, Axel. He won’t hurt her.”

  Axel nodded in Fury’s direction before he stood from his chair, his tattooed hand outstretched in Prettyboy’s direction.

  “I can’t leave Esme here for good until I hear it from her that staying’s what she wants, but I can give you my blessing. Understood?”

  Prettyboy also stood, his calloused hand gripping Axel’s tightly.

  “Understood.”

  Ox’s gavel slammed twice before he jumped out of his own seat.

  “Let’s get ready for this party tonight. Axel, you and Fury hittin’ the cage for old time’s sake?”

  Fury grinned like a madman and nodded his dark head.

  “You bet your ass we are,” He said.

  Axel finally cracked a crooked smile himself before he laughed.

  “What’s better than a fight between brothers?”

  ◆◆◆

  Esme strolled onto the Seven Deadlies’s lot like she was on a mission, and maybe she was.

  She wanted a drink, a stiff one, and maybe a cigarette too.

  Rayna was following closely behind, Esme’s wedding dress clutched to her chest.

  “Thanks again for this, Esme. I can’t wait to try it on.”

  Esme glanced back at her as they stepped into the clubhouse, which was crowded with people.

  “I can’t wait to see it on you.”

  Fury intercepted them before Esme could get within a foot of the bar.

  “I can’t wait to see it on her, either. Thanks for all your help with our wedding,” Fury said kindly as he cupped her shoulder.

  Esme’s hair fell into her eyes as she tipped her head back to look into his stormy eyes.

  “You’re welcome, Fury.”

  He smiled, a rarity for him, before he motioned towards the hallway that led to her bedroom.

  “You got someone waitin’ for ya,” He said.

  Esme smiled.

  Axel.

  Like the brother she never knew she wanted, Axel had grown on her over the years.

  “Okay. See you guys later.”

  Rayna waved excitedly as she leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss Fury, Esme’s dress crushed between them.

  As Esmeralda headed towards her room, she fingered the golden band in her pocket; the only souvenir she'd taken from her destroyed bedroom back at Axel’s clubhouse.

  She knew it was time to put it away.

  To let it rest.

  As she opened her bedroom door, she was greeted by the sight of Axel’s strong back. His cut was fitted to his tapered waist perfectly, and his long hair was wrapped around one shoulder. She closed the door behind her softly before she faced him.

  “How mad are you?”

  Axel finally turned around, his eyes dark and intense as he crossed his buff arms across his chest.

  “I ain’t mad at ya, baby. I’m worried.”

  Esme nodded thoughtfully as she leaned back against her bedroom door, her own arms crossing to match his.

  “I had an accident, back at your clubhouse.”

  “It’s our clubhouse, and Tango already called me.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “Big tattle-tale,” She grumbled.

  Axel surprised her when he smiled, and Esme was reminded of how handsome he could be.

  “When you first came to me and my club, I told Chris you were too good for him. Did you know that?”

  Esme’s eyed widened as he began to close the distance between them.

  “It’s the truth, Esme. You’re a good woman. The kind of woman men like us don't come across too often. You’re brave and loyal. You’re beautiful. And you’re so damn sweet it makes my teeth ache,” Axel said as he stopped directly in front of her.

  Esme looked up into his eyes, confused, when he nudged her chin up.

  He smelled like warm whiskey and menthol.

  “Chris died in an accident no one could have foreseen, baby. You losin’ your shit? I saw that comin’ from a mile away. I don't want you to change, Esme. But, I do think you need a wake up call.”

  Esme’s eyes welled with tears, and even though she tried to hide them, Axel gently tipped her chin up and shook his head.

  “Don’t hide ‘em from me. You know I understand what you’re goin’ through. You know I'm here for you whenever you need me.”

  “I need you now,” She said as she choked on her own tears.

  Axel’s expression softened like melted butter as he cupped her cheeks in his hands and frowned.

  “I’ve been here the whole time, baby. It ain’t helpin’ you. In fact, I’ve only enabled you to hide yourself away from the rest of the world. That ain’t gonna help you in the end, Esme. You gotta put yourself out there and face it, or you’ll always be hiding away in the dark. I can’t think of anything more tragic than people missin’ out on the light you bring to every room you walk into.”

  Axel followed his sweet words with a smile of his own, and Esme sucked in a harsh breath.

  “How come you believe in me so much?”

  Axel made a ticking sound between his teeth as he smoothed the hair out of her eyes, baring them to him.

  “Let’s just say I’ve got a soft spot for you, Esmeralda Quinn.”

  “A soft spot?”

  “Yeah, baby. A soft spot. Unfortunately though, I think there’s a better man out there for ya. And we both know who I’m talkin’ about,” Axel told her.

  Esme’s heart pounded in her chest and almost cracked against the inside of her ribcage.

  Axel has a soft spot for me?

  What the fuck does that even mean?

  “Who are you talkin’ about?,” Esme asked shakily.

  “Ah, you know who. I’ll tell you exactly what I told Prettyboy, baby.
If he hurts you I’ll skin him alive and let you decide what I do with the body. But, I’ve got a real good feelin’ about him, and my gut is never wrong. Take a chance, Esme. Put yourself out there. You’ve got someone waitin' for you," Axel said softly.

  Esme blinked away tears that Axel caught with the pads of his thumbs before he stuck one into his mouth, his dark eyes still trained on her.

  “How come you never told me?,” She found herself whispering.

  That you’re in love with me.

  It was written all over his face- Axel cared deeply about her, and it was obvious to her now that he always had.

  “You weren't mine back then, and you aren't mine now. If you were meant to be mine, it would be my love notes you’d be stuffin’ in your pillows, baby.”

  Esme’s cheeks heated at the idea of him finding her secret stash, but she didn't deny what he was saying.

  She couldn’t.

  She loved Axel like a brother, like a friend, but her affection for him didn't go much farther past that.

  Esme placed her hands on his chest and gripped the edges of his cut as she tugged on them.

  “It would be easier if it were you though, huh?”

  Axel didn't say anything for a long while, so long in fact, that Esme was sure she’d hurt him in some way with her honest question.

  Just as she opened her mouth to reassure him of her affection for him, Axel gently pressed his mouth to hers.

  Esme stiffened momentarily before she let him kiss her long and hard. Axel’s hands gripped her waist in a way she’d never been held, and it had Esme’s head spinning when he pressed her body against his.

  Just as soon as it started it was over.

  Axel pulled away swiftly, leaving both of them breathing heavily.

  “I just had to kiss you one time.”

  Esme pressed her forehead against his chin as he wrapped his arms around her.

  “Thank you for takin’ such good care of me, Axel.”

  His deep chuckle vibrated against her chest.

  “This ain’t goodbye. I’ll always be here for you, Esmeralda Quinn. So, do me a favor, okay? Get that perfect ass of yours dressed, have a couple of shots, and go get your man.”

  Axel’s dark eyes passed over her face one more time before he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

  “What if he doesn't want me?”

  Axel’s smile turned into a smirk as he opened her bedroom door.

  “Somethin’ tells me you don't have to worry about that.”

  Esme was confused, shocked, nervous- she was a myriad of things, yes, but her stomach was filled with butterflies.

  Butterflies.

  In the midst of everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours, Esmeralda Quinn found herself at an impasse.

  What the fuck do I do now?

  Chapter 15

  Esme was just pulling on a skirt when she heard a faint knock at her door.

  Thinking it was Rayna, she called out, “Come in!”

  When the grainy wood swung open, there stood Prettyboy.

  “Hey,” He said.

  Esme’s head snapped up as she buttoned the leather skirt Rayna had practically forced her to borrow for the night.

  “Hi,” She said.

  Prettyboy was leaning against the doorframe, his wide shoulders stretching a perfectly good white t-shirt to the point of almost ripping.

  His black jeans were tight in enough places to make Esme blush all over again.

  Fuck. Me.

  “How ya doin’?”

  Even though her mind was still reeling from her interaction with Axel earlier, Esme couldn't deny she was excited to see Prettyboy standing in her doorway.

  “Let me guess, you heard about my little…episode?”

  Prettyboy shrugged before he sauntered into her room like he fucking owned it, his green eyes trained on her outfit.

  Just as he reached her, he slipped one hand along the hem of her short skirt and tugged on it.

  “You sure you wanna wear this tonight?”

  She narrowed her eyes.

  “You tryin’ to tell me what to do? ‘Cause I gotta say, that shit doesn't fly with me.”

  Prettyboy’s eyes crinkled at the corners, something that made Esme want to rip the blasted bandana right off.

  “I ain’t tellin’ you what to do, Esme. I like what you’re wearin’. I like it a lot. I just wonder if you realize that every other man on this fuckin’ lot is gonna like it, too?”

  Esmeralda stepped towards him, his hand now brushing the tender skin between her thighs.

  His eyes grew hazy as she stared up at him.

  “So what if they do?”

  Prettyboy’s fingers twitched between her thighs, the edges of his nails causing goosebumps to break out across her skin.

  “You ain’t ready for me to touch you,” He breathed heavily.

  Esme wasn't sure what she was ready for, but Prettyboy touching her?

  Well, that sounded like a fantastic idea.

  Shit, it sounded like the best idea she’d had in a long, long time.

  Chris was the farthest thing from her mind for the first time in months, and the idea of moving forward was exhilarating.

  Esme licked her bottom lip before she clenched her thighs together, clamping his hand between them.

  His eyes widened and Esme was almost positive he was holding his breath when she asked, “Do you want to touch me?”

  Prettyboy’s hand inched higher, his fingers just barely grazing her pantyline when they heard a knock on the door behind them.

  Esme jumped and Prettyboy slowly retracted his hand from her skin.

  “Hey, Fury and Axel are about to fight, you two comin’ to watch?”

  Esme glanced up at Rider, who was watching the both of them curiously.

  “On my way,” Prettyboy said as he watched Esme closely.

  “Oh-kayy,” Rider said awkwardly as he left them alone.

  Esme breathed a sigh of relief and moved to step around Prettyboy, but he caught her by the arm.

  “Wait. I got somethin’ for you.”

  She waited for him to give her whatever he had to give her.

  She grinned like an idiot when he pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to her.

  “Read it later, when you find yourself thinking about me.”

  Esme snorted.

  “I always find myself thinking of you,” She admitted.

  When she realized she’d thought that out loud, she looked up at Prettyboy nervously.

  “I wish I could kiss you right now, but we’re not there yet. Come on, let’s head outside. I’m sure Axel will want to see you.”

  Esme froze, unsure of whether or not she should mention the kiss between her and Axel.

  “What? What’s the matter?”

  “I-Axel visited me. Earlier, that is.”

  Prettyboy nodded, as if he already knew that.

  “He said a…few things. About you.”

  “What did he say?,” Prettyboy asked.

  Esme sighed, her fingers nervously playing with the edges of the fringed halter top she was wearing.

  “He didn't say anything bad, he complimented you, but he just- he kissed me.”

  Prettyboy’s jade eyes were wide.

  “He kissed you?”

  “Yes, but it wasn't a romantic kiss. He said he just wanted one…before he let me go,” Esme told him.

  “Did you enjoy it?”

  “The kiss?”

  “Yes, Esme, the kiss. Did you want him to do it again?,” Prettyboy asked.

  Esme could tell he was pissed, and maybe she shouldn't have said anything, but she’d rather be up front about the fact that it happened with Prettyboy than have him find out about it later.

  “I let him have one kiss. He deserved at least that much after taking care of my crazy ass for six months.”

  Prettyboy nodded, but he didn't move to grab her hand again as he started walking toward
s the rear exit of the clubhouse.

  “Hey!”

  He stopped walking, but he didn't turn around.

  Esme sighed, aggravated, and caught up with him, his note still tucked into her palm.

  “Don’t you think it’s a little early for us to have a lover’s quarrel? I told you because I was being honest with you. I said he kissed me. I can handle a little jealousy, in fact I love it, but don't be pissed at him. It takes a big man to step aside the way he did today,” Esme defended.

  Prettyboy nodded, his hair falling down around his chin.

  “I know it does.”

  Esme turned him to face her, a small smile on her lips.

  “So, where are you going?”

  “I’m going to kick his ass in the cage.”

  His words had her mouth falling open.

  “Come on, no!”

  Prettyboy’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

  “You don’t think I can beat him?”

  Esme hurried to assure him that she didn't doubt him in the least.

  "Prettyboy, I may not know everything about you, but I know a determined man when I see one. I'm sure you could beat Axel if you wanted to. What I'm telling you is that you don't have to. You've already won."

  Prettyboy's shoulders relaxed as he looked over at her through his long lashes.

  "Okay. Message received."

  Esme smiled victoriously.

  “How about we separate for an hour? I’ll go have a drink, read your fifth secret, and then you can come find me. Deal?”

  Prettyboy slowly nodded.

  “I like you, okay? I like you a lot. It’s taken a lot out of me to finally be okay with that, so don’t fuck this up,” Esme said as she poked him in his rock hard abdomen.

  She heard him laugh deeply beneath the bandana before he finally held his hands up and nodded.

  “You’re right. I’m bein’ an ass hole. I’m sorry.”

  Her smile was blinding, but he didn't complain.

  “See you later,” She said as she turned back towards the great room.

  “See ya later,” He said softly.

  Esme didn't glance back at him even though she was practically dying to do so, and instead headed right for the bar.

  Torch was behind the worn wood, just like she’d expected him to be.

  “How ya doin’?,” He asked.

  She glared at him.

  “Are you being nice to me now?”