Raw Need (Book 3): Padre Knights MC, #3

By Kathryn Thomas

This is book 3 and the finale of the Padre Knights MC romance series! 

 

I need him to take me, even if he breaks me.

 

There's no fighting that raw need, that pure desire.

But I fell for him, and when he left, it broke me.

He's back now, ten long years later.

And he won't rest until I'm his again.

 

ALI

 

I knew from the start that he was a bad idea.

There was a little voice inside my head, echoing everything that my parents and my students and my friends and everyone I'd ever known was telling me.

 

He'll hurt you.

He'll break your heart.

He'll leave you broken and alone.

 

But there was another voice, too.

Deeper and rougher and far more persuasive.

 

It was Alejandro's husky rasp, whispering in my ear…

"You're mine now."

 

And he only had to look in my eyes to see that that's everything I ever wanted.

 

He broke me out of my good girl shell and showed me what the world looked like.

What it REALLY looked like.

On the back of his bike, with the wind in my hair and his leather jacket hot from the sun in front of me…

 

I was free. Really and truly free.

 

And then it happened – everything they promised would happen.

He hurt me.

He broke me.

And he left me all alone.

 

ALEJANDRO

 

I've dreamed of her every night for ten years.

None of the endless club girls I've had since I left home have compared to the one kiss we shared.

 

But I had to leave.

I had to become a man.

 

I've done that and then some.

I'm become a man that no one on earth would dare mess with.

My scars, my tattoos, the outlaw motorcycle club patch on my leather kutte all tell the same story:

I've killed before and I'll do it again if I must.

 

And death is the reason I'm back in my hometown.

There's a war simmering on the horizon, one that will threaten to tear everything apart and slaughter everyone I once loved in the crossfire.

 

Including her.

Ali.

The girl I left behind.

 

I came back for her most of all.

But she has a life now – a home, a job, a fiancé.

 

I don't give a damn.

 

She's been mine from the moment I first kissed her.

And I'll fight this war all by myself if it means getting her back in my arms.

I want her.

I need her.

 

And I'm not gonna stop until I have her again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBook Publishing World
• Release date: Apr 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393430797

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The image of Crockett 's old lady dying in her husband's truck would stay with Alejandro forever. No matter what Crockett had done, the woman was an innocent victim. She didn't deserve to die for his misdeeds. But she'd been in the truck with him, and there was no way around that. The worst part of the whole thing was that she'd taken longer than he had to die.

Her fate was what Ali risked every day being with him. Her life, too, could be cut short for his actions. Other clubs would know she was his Achilles heel, which meant she could be used as a bargaining chip. Forget snobby treatment from Arroyo Flats socialites, this was the real risk of their union. Though it didn't matter, snubbed at the grocery store or shot on the streets—she didn't deserve any of it. He couldn't guarantee her protection.

The Diablos Verdes already knew about Ali: what she looked like, where she lived, what kind of car she drove. He had no idea how long they'd actually been following her or how close they could get to her if they tried. He realized they had likely followed him and Ali on the bike intending for him to see them. It was a statement, one the Padres themselves had used to intimidate members of rival clubs. We're watching you. Any minute, we can bring chaos down on you and everyone you know.

He had to protect her, but if he pushed her away again there would be no turning back, no changing his mind, no third chance. She would not forgive another betrayal. If he decided to give her up, he had to be prepared to walk away forever. The thought of never seeing her again or touching her again made him ache in his bones.

The only way to guarantee her safety was to make sure she married the rich boy. Bobby's father was connected in ways most men only dreamed of. Their name, money, and connections could protect Ali from anything. Honestly, that was the life she deserved, a life free from struggle and danger. Not his life, full of crime and danger and heartache.

But the thought of her with Bobby turned his stomach. He didn’t want him touching Ali, let alone marrying her. It had been easier when she was still a memory and Bobby was just some guy he occasionally saw on TV. Knowing Ali now and knowing Bobby for the fucking scumbag he was, the thought of what he had to do made his blood curdle.

I should have never fucking touched her, he raged against himself. I should have left her well enough alone.

CHAPTER TWO

The words tumbled from his mouth before he was even through the door. One look at her eager smile and his heart was in a vise.

Ali, listen to me. He grabbed her by the shoulders and blurted it out before he lost his courage. You have to marry Bobby.

Wait—what? The immediate confusion on her face was replaced by wariness. What's going on?

If I keep touching her, I won't be able to do this. He stepped away from her and repeated himself. It's over between us. You need to marry Bobby.

Alejandro, what are you saying. What's going on? she breathed.

He nodded, his tongue thick in his mouth. I'm serious.

Am I—Are you—

He nodded again. Yes. And yes. But I'm not worried about me, I'm worried about you. Say you'll do this. It's for your own protection.

Ali shook her head, fat tears spilling from between her tightly squeezed eyelids. You know I can't do that.

You're not safe, and I can't justify placing you in any more danger.

No! Damn it, Alejandro! she wailed. In three steps she crossed the kitchen and battered his chest with her fists. You're being a fucking coward! You're not doing this for me. You're doing this because you don't want to love me and you do. And now you want to get out of it by sending me back to Bobby!

Alejandro grabbed her wrists and pinned her against the wall, holding her tight with his body. He stared at her incredulously. Is that what you really think?

She merely stared at him, her gray eyes defiant.

I swear to you, I'm trying to protect you, Baby, not play games with you.

I don't believe you. She narrowed her eyes and struggled against his hold. Why would you need to protect me? You're in an outlaw club, so what? I knew that when we started this. What's different?

Ali, Baby, just trust me on this—

No! she shrieked, her eyes wild, her hair whipping around her face like a madwoman. You better fucking tell me right now, Alejandro. What the hell is so different now?

I killed an innocent person, he blurted, and his heart lodged in her throat as he watched the look of horror slowly creep across her face.

What? she whispered, shrinking against the wall.

We were contracted for a hit. It was the only way to keep the DEA and ATF off our asses, so we agreed to do it. But when we went to take the guy out, his wife was with him. We did it anyway. We couldn't leave witnesses.

Ali stared at him like she'd never seen him before in her life, her face pale and the pulse in her throat hammering visibly. If you're lying... She turned away from him and shook her head. No. No. I don't believe you. You wouldn't do that.

I did it. His voice was grim. I didn’t pull the trigger, but I ordered the hit. I watched them die. I got rid of the bodies. He gave it a moment to sink in. Ali, if you stay with me, you'll be sleeping next to a murderer.

No.

He grabbed her face, forcing her to look at him, but she squeezed her eyes shut. No, no, no! she moaned, struggling against him. No, Alejandro, no... He let her go and she dropped to the floor, curling into a tight ball, her arms wrapped around her thin knees. She looked as fragile as a child there on the tiles, and though he felt like he was being slowly burned alive he knew her protection was his greatest duty now.

Ali.

She was silent.

Ali. Her eyes stared straight ahead, blinking slowly, but the rest of her body was motionless. They know about you. That's why the black Camaro kept showing up. I can't risk that, Ali, and I know Bobby can keep you safe. I don't want to do this. His voice broke, and it was the sound of his ragged grief that finally made her turn her head and look him in the eyes. I'd rather do anything in the world than let you go. But I just don't know how else to protect you.

She curled against his leg, slowly, as if it hurt every muscle in her body to move. Her face pressed to his thigh and she let forth an anguished moan, echoing the roaring in his brain. Alejandro sank to the floor and pulled her into his arms for what he knew would be their last embrace.

CHAPTER THREE

Ali stood in front of the full-length mirror, silent as Cristina smoothed her veil and bustled her dress. She was grateful to her friend for having the balls to face down the other women, including Cecile Dawson, and tell them to leave. Her body was in the throes of fighting back a panic attack, and she wanted desperately to just get through the next few hours and disappear to St. Maarten where she could forget the mess she’d made of everything.

She took a few deep, steadying breaths and looked at her best friend in the reflection, just over her shoulder.

I know what you're thinking, Christina said softly. Stop it. This is not a mistake. This is what you've been planning for a whole year. You are going to go out there and walk down that aisle on your Daddy's arm, and you are going to be radiant.

Ali blinked back tears as she gazed at her reflection. She didn't feel radiant. Though not a hair was out of place and not a single wrinkle marred her gown, everything was far from perfect. She felt like her heart was being squeezed by a giant,