Page 120 of Army
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Six weeks later
Army held Mia’shand and she glanced over and smiled weakly.
“Don’t be so nervous. None of the guys will say shit to you with me around.”
“That’s not exactly the most comforting thought. I want them to accept me, not hate and mistrust me.”
“Most of the brothers are cool, but the ones who aren’t will come around in time.”
“I hope so.” Mia leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I never thought the DA would dismiss the charges against you.”
“Yeah … I gotta call Hawk and tell him Cara did real good in referring Mitch. He’s a helluva lawyer.”
Mia squeezed his hand. “I know I’ve thanked you a million times for paying for Finn’s attorney, but thank you again. I talked to the lawyer earlier this morning, and Finn’s taking the plea bargain. Instead of twenty-five years in prison, he’s going to get twelve.”
Army nodded. “That’s a damn good deal considering what he was facing. With good time credits, he’ll probably be up for parole in about eight years.”
“Yeah. I’d like to visit him, but he doesn’t want me to. He didn’t even want me at any of the hearings.”
“I get that. You can write to him. He’s gonna get real bored in the pen.” He ran the back of his fingers down her face.
Since Army had made bail several weeks ago, he’d been living with Mia in Durango. One of the conditions of getting bail was not to leave the jurisdiction. Army was fine with the decision, and after the bond hearing, Mia had been outside the jail waiting for him. She’d driven straight to her house, and that was where he’d stayed until that morning when the judge dismissed all the charges against him. Army needed to get back to the Night Rebels, and he wanted to show the brothers that Mia was his woman, and she was here to stay.
“Taylor’s doing real well with his rehab,” Mia said as she ran her fingers through his hair.
“He’s a fighter—that’s for sure. I think he may even be able to get back in the ring in a year or so. I’m still pissed that I didn’t drag his ass outta there.” The guilt about that night still gave Army a sick feeling that would probably sit in the pit of his stomach for the rest of his life. He wanted nothing more than to have Taylor realize his dream and go pro. Army knew it was a long shot, but he’d told Taylor before leaving Durango that he’d be coming back regularly to make sure his brother did what the doctor ordered.
Mia ran her hand down the back of his neck and massaged it gently. “Taylor wants to get back in the ring in the worst way, so he’ll definitely follow the doctor’s orders. I’ll check up on him and report back to you.”
“My dad’s a good watchdog.” Army laughed. “Taylor’s already griping about how disorganized Dad keeps the house.” The physician had told Taylor that he couldn’t put any weight on his healing leg for at least six months, so the doctor gave him two choices: stay at the rehab center or get a caregiver. Army had suggested his brother move in with their dad, and Army paid for the caretakers. “The only thing I’m worried about is my dad’s crush on Maddie. I warned him to back off because she’s great with Taylor, and he doesn’t want to lose her. Good caregivers are hard to find.”
“Since meeting your dad, I can see where you got some of your Don Juan ways.”
Army glanced at her sparkling eyes and twitching lips, and laughed. “You probably have a point there.”
The closer they got to Alina, the harder Mia kneaded the nape of his neck. She hadn’t wanted to stay in his room due to the animosity some of the brothers had toward her, so Army had booked a room for them at the hotel Mia had stayed at when she’d come to Alina for the first time.
“I’m gonna get you settled in at the hotel then I’m going to the club. I made reservations at Flanigan’s. It’s one of the best steakhouses in town.”
“That sounds nice.” Mia fluffed his hair with her fingers.
Army caught her hand and brought it to his lips and kissed each finger. “Do you know how crazy you make me?” he asked.
“If it’s anything like what you do to me then I know,” she answered softly.
All of a sudden, Army pulled over on the shoulder of the highway and turned off the ignition.
“What’s wrong?” Mia asked. Her eyes were luminous in the sunlight, which intensified the toffee highlights in her hair.
Army slid his arm behind her back and pressed her against his chest, and crushed his mouth on hers. Mia moaned softly and kissed him back, their tongues tangling. She was lean and soft and he loved the way she felt in his arms. He loved every part of her, and as long as he lived, he’d never get enough of her.
“You’re mine,” Army whispered over her lips.
“And you’re mine,” Mia mumbled back as they kissed deeply. The soft sounds she made had his cock growing harder, and all Army wanted to do was drag her over the seat to the back and pound into her.
Army eased away from Mia, his heart pounding, his temperature soaring. “We better get going,” he rasped, turning the ignition.
