Rigger's Mistake (Sons of Erebus: Reno, NV #1)

by Misty Walker

Once outside, she slips her hand into mine and beams up at me. I don’t know if that’s normal for kids to do since I’ve never spent time with any, but I’m surprised at how good it makes me feel. This tiny thing I just barely met is trusting me, counting on me to keep her safe in a place she doesn’t know anything about. I don’t know if Dad and Laura will work out, but I know, in this moment, that I’ll always be there for Vivi. Someone’s got to look out for her, and it sure as shit ain’t her mom. That bitch moved her child in with a man she’d never even met in real life. How fucking stupid can you get?

My heart picks up as rationalization leaves and unwanted anger floods me. I’ve mostly talked myself into the fact that we’re both victims here, but sometimes, I want to shake her and scream in her face. Why isn’t she the one protecting me? Why didn’t she get us out of this house when he first came to my room at fourteen?

No two friends could be more opposite. I’m “white trash chic” without the chic. My stringy, dirty-blonde hair, thin frame from not eating well, and second-hand clothes scream social reject, while Olivia is the picture of health and vitality with her blue-black hair, glowing light brown skin, and voluptuous curves. She’s everyone’s type, whether you’re gay, straight, or anything in-between. My best friend is a full-on smoke show.

“What are you laughing at?” I ask. “When you said you needed to earn money, it made me think about how this girl I know is applying at a new brothel opening up in Sparks.” I quirk a brow. “Seriously?” “Yes. Can you imagine sleeping with nasty men for money?” She scoffs. No, but I can imagine sleeping with a nasty man to keep Mom safe and a roof over my head, which is way worse.

Olivia pushes the cash back my way. “I got it this time.” “No. Absolutely not.” I stand, throwing my purse over my shoulder. She stands, too, thrusting the money at me. “Yes. You need every dollar to get out of this place.” It’s a kind gesture, but I can’t accept it. When people do nice things, you start to believe they care and would never wrong you. Olivia’s a great friend, the best I could hope for, but I’d never be stupid enough to rely on her. That lesson was taught to me by my stepbrother, Colin. He was kind, protected me from Ray, and promised to always be there for me. Then one day, I woke up, and he was gone. No note. No explanation. Just gone. He left me alone, knowing full well what a piece of shit Ray is. The sting of that betrayal grows worse each time Ray sneaks into my room and each time I get backhanded or punched in the gut.

“My conservative estimate is in the upper seven figures. After operating costs and taxes, maybe take home three mil.” “And your liberal estimate?” I shrug. “Most of the other joints around here are rundown. They haven’t been updated since the seventies, and because of that, they don’t attract the right clientele or lineup. With what we built here, I expect to triple that figure.”

“I did a little remodeling based on what I remembered you liked,” he says sheepishly. “Green,” I whisper, taking in the sage-painted room.

I keep my eyes on the ground, not giving myself any more reasons to commit incest. Though is it actually incest if you’re not blood?

“She going with you?” Riot nodded to the monitor showing Vivi pacing around my bike. “Uh, yeah. I guess.” I still haven’t told anyone who she really is. Lucky, Cy, and Mary are the only ones who know, and they’ve been asked to keep their traps shut. As far as anyone else is concerned, she’s just a girl I gave a job to. I’ve heard a few rumors from those at the meet and greet who think I took her off the roster because I want her for myself, but I haven’t given them any weight.

It’s strange when someone who knew you so well when you were young knows nothing about you as an adult. If she did, she’d know I’ve been shot, I’ve wrecked out, and I’ve been in more fights than I can count. That tiny little flesh wound is nothing but a blip in my memory, yet it’s burned into hers.

Felt that

She holds on like her life depends on it for ten miles before loosening up. As her body relaxes, she unlocks her hands, and I feel her energy change. The fear I sensed before is gone, and now she’s buzzing with excitement. It’s a relief since I plan to take her on many more rides.

“Good crazy or bad?” I set the helmet on my bike and turn back to her. “At first, it was scary. Like legs shaking kind of fear. But then, I don’t know. I felt free.” She laughs, big and loud. Her joy is fucking beautiful. “It was like every single cliche I’d ever seen in ads was true. I just wanted to ride.” “Ride where?” “Anywhere. Everywhere.” She throws her hands to the side.

“I must look a mess.” She beams at me while I fail at setting her right. “Nah. You look fine.” “Fine?” Her nose wrinkles. “You know what I mean. You look beautiful.” My eyes meet hers, and the world around goes quiet. If she were any other girl, this would be the perfect moment to lean in for a kiss. She’s not, though, and she’s likely to run screaming, even if I could make it right in my head. “You think I’m beautiful?” she asks, then shakes her head. “Sorry. That was me begging for a compliment. How pathetic.” “You know you are.” I take a step back, needing to put more distance between us. “That’s the thing. I never did until I moved into the Honey Pot. It’s only been a week, but that place has changed me.” “Whatever, you’ve always been cute. Even when you were six years old with your nose in a book.” “Oh, right.” She tucks her hands in her pockets, her smile falling. “What did I say?” “Nothing. Should we go inside so you can show off your little sister?” “About that.” I lead her toward the entrance. “What?” I take a breath, readying myself for this. “I don’t think I’m gonna mention you’re my sister.” “Why not?” Yeah, idiot. Why not? “I don’t like people in my business, and I never told most of the guys about how things were growing up. I’d rather not get into it with them.” “Lucky, Cy, and Mary know.” I nod. “Yeah, but they won’t say shit. I’d rather keep this on a need-to-know basis.” “But you said you wanted to introduce me to everyone. So, how are you going to do tha...

I don’t miss that he didn’t try to further clarify our relationship. Was that on purpose, or does he just not want to get into it? I want to slap myself. Of course it’s the latter. You’re nothing more than his sister. I’m still not sure I believe his reasoning for not wanting to tell people, though.

“Tigg,” he calls out, gaining the attention of the ginger. “Keep an eye on her. Anything happens, it’s your ass.” “Gotcha.” After Colin leaves, Tigger leans over the bar. “Hey, Navy. You’re looking good tonight.” I blush at the compliment. “Thank you, Tigger.” The ginger prospect is one of my favorite security guards at the brothel. While most stay in their lane and do their job, Tigger interacts with us, makes us laugh. He’s lighthearted and fun.

“Never seen Rigger bring a girl to a party. You must be special.” I shrug. “I think he just wanted to show me what the club is like.” “Or he could be lookin’ for an ol’ lady.” I laugh at the absurdity. “Definitely not.” He shrugs. “I don’t know. Ever since you came around, I haven’t seen him hook up with anyone. And that’s not like him.” It shouldn’t please me as much as it does to hear that. “Really?” “Really.” He seems to think better about telling me, though, because he clears his throat and stares me down. “Maybe don’t mention I said anything.” “Don’t worry,” I reassure him. “My lips are sealed.”

look down. “You have to say that. It’s part of the whole brother thing.” “You and I both know I’m not your brother any more than Flint over there,” he says, and I bite into the side of my mouth because that’s how I feel, but I didn’t know that’s how he felt. “Not that I wouldn’t be proud to be your brother, and maybe had I stuck around, that’s how it would’ve been between us. But you and me? We’re more like friends who fell out of touch. And friends know when their friends are a smoke show.”

If I were sober, I wouldn’t think this was anything more than a compliment, but I’m not, so I read too much into it. Maybe he’s feeling the same connection I am. Maybe he doesn’t want to tell people I’m his stepsister because he doesn’t want it to be weird when he makes a move. Maybe he wants to take me into the alien room and plant an egg in my ass.

Lol

At some point, we reach an open stretch, and he rests a hand on my thigh. While I’m sure it’s meant to be reassuring and friendly, I’m still tipsy from the beer and a little turned on from the show at the clubhouse, so my body reacts in an overly friendly way. I’m suddenly aware of just how close we are. Every inch of my front, from my chest to my knees, is pressed firmly against him, including my pelvis. That, along with the vibrations of the bike, have my clit pulsing with awareness, desperate for attention. Slowly, so as not to alert him to my needy state, I tilt my hips up and squeeze my thighs against his, needing friction, even if it’s the smallest amount. If he notices, he doesn’t show it, so I do it again. And again. Colin’s speech from earlier replays in my mind, silencing the nagging voice in my head that tells me my attraction to this man is wrong.

“I love them so much.” She bends over, allowing me to take a quick peek at her ass. Fucking hell. I’d kill to know what it feels like in my palm. Pointing to one of the frogs, she says, “That one is Sriracha. He’s my favorite.” “How can you tell them apart?” “His little hand has a black spot on it. See?” She glances up at me, and for a split second, I see a hint of the little girl I used to know. My chest tightens with an emotion I’m not used to feeling. It fucks with my head whenever I have a flashback of a six-year-old Vivi. How can I have this affection for my little sister when I want to fuck the woman she grew up to be?

Ahhhhhh !!!!

“Well, I think it’s incredible,” she whispers. Fuck it. Gripping her by the back of her neck, I yank her the rest of the way, pressing my lips against hers. She sucks in a sharp breath through her nose but doesn’t pull away. Instead, her lips move with mine in a slow, fumbling kiss as we learn each other. I’ve never been much of a kisser, skipping it for the main event, but kissing Vivi is something I wouldn’t give up for anything. I lick the seam of her lips, hoping—no, praying—that she’ll let me in. I’m rewarded when she parts them for me, and I slip my tongue in. At first, I wonder if I’ve gone too far since she isn’t responding, but after a few seconds, she’s hesitantly stroking her tongue with mine. It’s a direct line to my cock that’s now a steel rod in my too-tight pants. And all we’re doing is kissing.

“You’re right. You’ve been telling me this whole time that this was temporary. I should’ve believed you. I’m sorry I even tried.” “Colin,” she says, chasing after me as I sprint out of the room. “Colin, wait.” It’s too late. The door is closed, literally and figuratively. Did I really think I could build a life with my fucking stepsister? It would never work. We’re both too fucked up over everything that’s happened. That’s clear as day to me now.

Ugh cfushed my heart

I wake up Saturday morning with puffy eyes and a heavy heart. Colin kissing me was more than I expected. All the sexual build-up I’d been feeling came flooding out of me the second our tongues tangled together, and the bone-deep need to let him take it further was hard to control. When he went to remove my shirt, I almost let him. I’ve never wanted anything more. But it was wrong, and fear had me pulling away. At first, I told myself it was because I didn’t trust him. He left me, after all. And yes, logically, I know he was barely eighteen when he left, still a kid himself. But I was too, and my young mind spent so much time berating him for leaving me that I don’t know what it’ll take to trust him fully again. Or if I even can. That’s not the real reason, though. Neither is the fact that I refuse to stay in Reno. If I’m going to fumble through my first consensual sexual experience, it should be with someone I don’t have a future with. That way, when I finally meet someone I can trust, I’ll be more comfortable. Those excuses are surface-level, though, because the real reason is that if Colin knew my darkest secret, there’s no way he’d want me. How could he, after finding out his dad has been coming inside me since I was fourteen? Even though it was forced, I’d imagine fucking the same girl as your dad isn’t a turn-on. He’d be disgusted if he knew.

he must’ve taken his anger out on Mom’s knickknacks because the little porcelain figurines she collects are on the carpet, shattered into pieces, small nicks in the walls where they must’ve hit. My heart hurts for her. That woman doesn’t ask for anything. She buys her clothes at the thrift stores and shops at the local Dollar Outlet for groceries. The phone she uses is older than mine. The only thing she does for herself is look for these cheap little dollar-store figurines. Now she doesn’t even have that.

I touch my mouth the same way I did last night, wishing I could still feel him. I’ve never experienced anything as powerful as the moment his lips met mine. It was as though the entire world fell away. A bomb could’ve gone off in the next room, and I’m not certain I would’ve noticed. It was perfect, and I’m so grateful I’ll have that moment to look back on when things get hard again because they will. For people like me, it’ll always be hard.

I pull my phone from my pocket to make sure no one’s looking for me, only to find the battery dead. A yawn escapes me, and I realize how utterly exhausted I am. Definitely too exhausted to get back up and search for a phone charger. It’s a mistake I’ll regret for the rest of my life.

Oh god ... Ughhhh

“I just need to find her and make sure she’s okay,” I say. He must’ve heard something in the way I said it or read something on my face because his eyes narrow and his ears perk up. “What’s this girl mean to you?” I feel my brothers’ eyes on me, all of them asking the same question, though only Cy and Lucky know our connection. Telling them she’s my stepsister feels wrong on all accounts, but there’s nothing else I can say. Maybe if I had dealt with last night differently and forced her to listen, I could proudly announce that she’s mine. I could stake my claim on her, and she’d become part of my family in a whole different way, but that’s not what happened. She pushed me away, and I fuckin’ ran. “She’s my—I mean, we grew up—” I run a hand over my head and face Golden and Dutch. “I don’t fuckin’ know, okay? Her mom married my dad when we were kids. I got kicked out at eighteen and hadn’t seen her until the meet-and-greet night. Y’all know I stopped her from being a courtesan, but you didn’t know why. That’s the reason. And now that we’ve reconnected, things have gotten. . . muddy.” “Dude, you’re fuckin’ your sister?” Dutch asks, grinning like an asshole. “No, we’re not fuckin’.” “But you’re something.” Golden’s knowing eyes read my expression. “Something,” I agree. That seems to pacify them enough to turn and walk back to their bikes. “Thought you guys were going to stay here and help get things back in order?” “It’s seven, so we have three hours to get your girl and get b...

Ahhhhhh

“I’m not leaving her.” Neither heaven nor hell could get me to abandon Navy right now. My dad, my own fucking blood, did this to her, but it’s not the guilt that has me cementing my feet to the floor. It’s something bigger, deeper. Somewhere along the way, I claimed this woman. Not that I’ve made any declaration or anything. I didn’t even know it until this very moment, but nothing has ever felt more right. Navy is mine. Now I just need to convince her of it.

“Not now,” I say. “Yes, now. We’re opening the gate in a half hour, and I need to know my girls are safe.” “Why wouldn’t they be, Mary?” I snark. “You just paraded Navy through here looking like she got beat the hell up. Is there a threat I don’t know about?” “What’s going on with Navy doesn’t concern you or the Honey Pot.” Mary’s stern expression loosens into one of concern. I realize she didn’t come here to bitch me out because she’s worried about the girls’ safety. She came because she’s worried about Navy. My girl has charmed everyone in this place. “Is she okay?” she asks quietly.

“Let’s get you cleaned up and into bed.” “I can do it by myself.” “No,” he says with a steely determination. “You’re not doing this alone.” Then he thinks better of his statement. “Unless you don’t want me in here. I’d understand.” I almost panic at the thought of being alone. “Don’t go. Please. I don’t want to be alone right now.”

Squirting body wash into his palm, he holds my eyes. “Tell me if I make you uncomfortable.” I nod. “Okay.” He rubs his hands together, building up a lather before rubbing them ever-so-gently over my shoulders and arms. Nothing about this feels sexual. Not for him. Not for me. Still, I can’t deny the way my skin heats under his touch. There’s nothing I can do about it; he just has that effect on me. I close my eyes as his hands massage my chest before his touch turns into a whisper across my side where I’m bruised. Soon, he’ll be to the dirtiest part of me, and while I was okay with everything up to this point, I don’t know if I want him washing his dad’s cum from between my legs. On instinct, my thighs squeeze together. When his hands leave me, I open my eyes to see him squirting soap onto a washcloth. My cheeks heat at the realization that he knows what I’m hiding. His voice is a whisper, rough with emotion. “If you don’t want me to do this, I won’t, but please know that I want to. I want to wash him from your body, make sure all of him is gone, and then I’ll make damn sure you never so much as hear his fuckin’ voice again.”

I quirk a brow with a smile. “You’ve been calling me Navy. Guess that means I need to call you Rigger.” “It’s a good way to start over.” I nod. “It is.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, buttercup.” “Buttercup?” My nose wrinkles. He shrugs. “Just trying out new nicknames. One’ll stick eventually.”

search for my answers in her hazel eyes but come up short. So instead, I say the only thing I know with certainty. “I love you, Navy Kennedy.” “Blue.” I give her a puzzled look. “Huh?” “My middle name. It’s Blue.” I smile and cup her face. “I love you, Navy Blue Kennedy.”

“I guess I don’t need to ask who you want to have sex with.” I cringe. “Is that weird?” “Hell no. Even if that man was my full-blooded brother, I’d still fuck him.” “Eww. That’s so gross.” She just rolls her eyes in response. “You know what I mean. He’s hot.”

Cy blows out a mouthful of smoke. “What about Clancy? What do we have on him?” “He’s a fucking Boy Scout,” Riot says, holding up a picture of Clancy as a kid in a blue and gold uniform. “Like, literally. Two-finger salute and everything.” “Even his porn is all romantic shit and nothing underage.” Satyr wrinkles his nose. “He really watches things like ‘nude massage’ and ‘gentle lovemaking.’ That shit nearly made my balls shrivel up.” “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with that,” Lucky says. “You’re fuckin’ lying.” Satyr shakes his head. “I’ve updated your laptop before; I know exactly what your freaky ass is into.” “There’s nothing wrong with my porn.” “One word. Granny.” Satyr’s face contorts with disgust. Lucky’s eyes shift to each of us. “That was an experiment.” I huff. “I don’t even want to know.” “It was one time,” he says in defense. “One fuckin’ time!”

“We have a couple contracts next month. We’ll need to pull some backup for one or two if anyone’s interested?” I lift a hand. “I could use some violence.” “Yeah, me too,” Lucky says, but I know his real reason. Ever since we were kids, we had each other’s back. So if I’m volunteering for something dangerous, I know he’ll be right by my side, no matter what.

“How’d you get around the rule about dating a Son?” “It’s not against the law for me since I don’t work on your side of the business,” I explain. “You mean fuck for money?” I laugh at her crassness. “Yes, that.” “It’s really too bad. They’re all so hot.” “Yeah, they are,” I agree. “How long have you two been dating?” “Technically, we only just became a couple, but we’ve known each other since we were little. My mom married his dad.”

I guess sveryone knows now

“This dating thing is going well, right?” I ask. “You tell me.” “It is,” I say with confidence. “So now I think it’s time we have sex.” Rigger chokes on his own spit. “You gotta start warning me before you say shit like that.” “I don’t know how else to say it. Danielle told me I need to be open and honest about it.” His face is beet red. “Yeah, but maybe clue me in before you drop the bomb.”

Her cunt is flush with my hardening cock that’s getting way too ahead of itself. I’ve already decided I’m not fucking Navy tonight. We’ll play, and I’ll make her come so hard she sees stars, but if I’m going to do this right, we need to go slow.

“But you have your brothers. You don’t need me.” I think for a second about how to best describe it. “My club is the air I breathe, but you’re the blood in my veins. If you left, I could breathe, but everything inside me would shrivel up and die. You’re my only reason for living.” She straddles my lap as if that’s all she needed to hear to be okay with her decision. “I love you.” “I love you too.”

“That went well.” Cy stamps out his cigar, his gaze on me. “I’m assuming you’ll be volunteering to take care of their business?” Before I can affirm, Riot speaks up. “It’s my area of expertise, so it should be me.” “No. I can’t ask that of you, brother,” I say. “You didn’t ask. I’m volunteering.” I give him a tight-lipped nod. “I appreciate that. Navy does too.” “She’s a good one,” he says. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him speak positively about anyone. Riot thrives on violence, negativity, and chaos.

“Okay. I’ll come check on you in a bit and have housekeeping get a room ready for your mom.” “She can stay with me,” she suggests. “Not a chance. I get your mom needs some support right now, but you do too. We’ll get her settled somewhere tonight while I take care of you.” Tears roll down her cheeks. “No, babe. Don’t cry. It’ll be okay.” She shakes her head, sniffling. “I’m not crying. Well, I mean, I am, but not for the reason you think. All these years, I’ve only prayed to God for one thing. For someone to put me first. What you said just now made me realize my prayers have been answered.”