"Don't. I want to hear that from her. I will clean out the front room. In thirty minutes I want her in my f.u.c.king office telling me that she's fine. And you'd better hope I f.u.c.king believe her Ratchet." Bone said shoving him back into the wall again.

"I will not have her embarra.s.sed that way. Bone, this is f.u.c.king ridiculous. You know me. I wouldn't hurt her." He told him p.i.s.sed that the other man thought he'd force himself on any woman, much less Mia.

"I don't know that. You're acting like you've lost your mind. I need to see for myself she's okay. I won't embarra.s.s her. Now, go." Bone growled anger causing him to clench his teeth.

Ratchet was grabbed by Tank and shoved towards the stairs. Tiny followed Bone into the front room. He didn't want to force Mia to talk to Bone, but it didn't look like he had a f.u.c.king choice. They weren't going to give this up.

"Get your f.u.c.king a.s.ses up, now." Bone was yelling as he and Tiny kicked the men and shook the women to wake them up. "I want this f.u.c.king room cleared in the next ten minutes or I start shooting. Now get the f.u.c.k out." He could see men jumping up and grabbing their clothes as they tried to dress while running out the door. Stupid p.u.s.s.ies, he thought as he climbed the stairs headed to the room where Mia was asleep.

Unlocking the door he moved inside to see Mia on the bed. Her red hair was fanned out across the pillow she was hugging to her chest. She'd kicked the covers off since he'd left the bed and only her a.s.s was covered by them. Her naked back was displayed making his c.o.c.k harden painfully. She was so d.a.m.ned s.e.xy. He leaned over the bed pulling her into his arms. He kissed the soft skin of her exposed shoulder.

He heard her moan. Then she was turning in his arms. "I'm not doing you again until my body recovers. You're going to have to keep your d.i.c.k in your pants, you evil beast." She muttered wrapping her arms around his neck. "Hey." She said when her eyes cracked open to meet his.

"Hey, beauty." He whispered back, kissing her lips lightly. She moaned and stretched against him. Making him want to forget that Bone was downstairs waiting on them. He kissed her again running his hands possessively down to cup her a.s.s as she leaned into him.

"Do I smell coffee? Because if I do and you didn't bring me any we're going to have problems, Ratchet." Mia glared at him.

"Sorry, I spilled it on the way up." Ratchet seemed suddenly uncomfortable.

"And you didn't go back to get me more because..." Mia asked waiting.

"Because Bone needs to talk to you." Ratchet finally rumbled.

"Why?" Mia asked, not understanding what the man could need to talk to her about this early in the morning.

"We didn't call anyone last night and they couldn't find you so...well he needs to talk to you. To be sure your okay." Ratchet hedged not wanting to tell her that they thought he'd raped her.

"So I have to talk to him before my coffee...about last night. Seriously?" Mia was getting p.i.s.sed.

"Yes, as soon as you're dressed."

"Fine." Mia snarled getting up and grabbing her underwear and jeans. Then she lifted her bra and glared at Ratchet. "You owe me a bra. I liked this one and its new d.a.m.n it." She growled then lifted her shirt and let out another one of those cute little snarls.

Ratchet reached into a drawer pulling out a black t-shirt handing it to her.

"So you do own shirts. Why don't you ever wear them?" She asked with a slight grin.

"Too hot. I'll wear them in the winter." He laughed as she pulled it on and stuffed her feet back into the flats she'd kicked off the night before.

"Let's go get this over with so I can get my coffee." Mia grumbled. Ratchet was beginning to wonder if Mia wasn't a little grouchy without her coffee.

Mia followed Ratchet downstairs into Bone's office where he was sitting behind his desk. Two other men were sitting on a couch along one wall. She recognized Tiny, Racheal's "old man". Not that she knew what that term meant. Seemed to be what a woman called her boyfriend or husband. She didn't get it. She stood in the middle of the room considering Bone. He didn't speak for a few moments and indicated she should sit. With a sigh she did. She needed her coffee she sure hoped this b.i.t.c.h session about her not calling Pearl last night didn't last long.

"Mia, good morning."

"Is it?" Mia asked snidely.

"Is it what?" Bone asked raising a brow.

"A good morning cause you're looking a little grim there boss man." Mia told him with a glare. Why was she even here? She was a d.a.m.ned adult and this was ridiculous. If she wanted to stay out all night that was her f.u.c.king business.

"I apologize for that. We are just worried that you might have been hurt." Bone said and he watched her carefully.

"I told you she was fine d.a.m.n it. Now can we go?" Ratchet demanded from where he leaned against the wall by the door sounding p.i.s.sed.

"Wait, let me get this straight. You brought me here this morning because you think you have the right to ask me about my s.e.x life because you believe that Ratchet might have hurt me and all that before I've had my coffee. Is that right?" Mia asked in a calm quiet voice, the rage that was building inside her at the man's stupidity almost making her head explode.

Ratchet almost laughed when Bone hesitantly said, "Yes." Oh boy, this was going to be good, he thought. He knew that with the mood Mia was in that was the wrong answer for Bone to give her.

"I thought so. I'm going to turn around and walk out of this office. I am going to pretend that this did not happen. Nothing is more important than my f.u.c.king coffee! Especially not this bulls.h.i.t." Mia turned and stormed out of Bone's office without another word headed in the direction of the kitchen.

Ratchet followed her snickering. She slammed into the kitchen and walked straight to the coffee pot only to find that the d.a.m.ned thing was empty. She grumbled as she found grounds and a new filter putting them into the pot and filling it with water. She leaned on the counter missing the dehydrator that would have already given her the perfect cup of coffee. Instead she had to wait for it to brew.

"That had better not happen again, Ratchet." She growled.

"Uh-ho...Mia hasn't had any coffee yet has she?" Racheal said entering the kitchen.

"Nope." Ratchet said laughing. That earned him a glare from the woman leaning on the counter watching the coffee pot.

"So then you've met scary Mia." Racheal said sitting down on one of the stools in the kitchen.

"I am not scary! I just want some coffee and that man dragged me into his office to ask ridiculous questions before I could get some." Mia grunted from where she leaned on the counter. Ratchet risked standing near her as she lifted the pot pouring coffee into her cup. Turning she saw Racheal gesturing to her and mouthing "Scary Mia".

"I am not scary!" Mia stamped her foot. Then took a sip of the coffee sighing with pleasure. Ratchet reached out pulling her into his arms.

"Of course, you're not beauty." Ratchet whispered into her hair. She smiled at him and leaned into his chest letting him hold her.

"Yep, once you've had your coffee you are a sweetheart. Before, not so much." Racheal said laughing. "Next time call me. Pearl and I were worried."

Mia felt bad that she'd made them worry, but she was an adult. They needed to know that she could take care of herself. She thought, but she just nodded not wanting to argue anymore this morning. It was bad enough that they had thought Ratchet would hurt her. They should know better than that. She knew he wouldn't and she barely knew the man. They were his friends they should have known better.

Chapter 12.

Mia sat beside Racheal at Tammy's diner laughing at Miss Pearl and Aunt Mea arguing. They'd been here about an hour and the two women had been arguing the whole time. It was funny. Mia had come at Racheal's insistence, and she was glad that she had. Two weeks in Devils Falls and she loved it here. It was hard to think that her two best friends weren't able to feel the freedom she felt here in Devils Falls.

"They're a trip aren't they?" Lisa whispered as she leaned over grabbing a few fries from the plate they were all sharing.

"Yes, it's like watching a comedy vid. I can't believe they're still arguing about who has a better looking a.s.s." Mia whispered back letting out a snort of laughter.

"So were you serious earlier when you asked if you could help me with the stall I run in the market? Cause I can always use some help. I can't believe that Travis is already a year old now." Lisa said looking a little wistful. "Anyway, he's getting into everything and help would be nice. I may have to stop bringing him, but I hate being away from him."

"I really would love to help. I'd like to see if I could get a message to my friends Raven and Marcus in the city. They have no idea that I'm okay. Also I'm sure my mother would want to know that I'm okay too." Mia told her smiling.

"Will Ratchet be okay with you being so near the city? And don't your brother and father want to know you're okay too?" Lisa asked.

"I don't know if they'd even care. Dad's not really going to understand what I was doing and as for my brother I doubt he'd even notice I'm gone." She made a face at Lisa's questioning look. "He's a Juice addict." She explained and Lisa had a sad understanding look overtake her face. "As for Ratchet he doesn't get a say in what I do. Just because we're dating doesn't mean I will allow him to make decisions for me." Mia grumbled grabbing a few fries.

Lisa chuckled. "You do realize that man has already patched you in his head right?"

"So?" Mia said, not understanding.

"So, that means he thinks he can make decisions for you. It also means that he will go a little nuts if something happened to you." Racheal said leaning forward. Her hand went to her slightly protruding belly. "Ugg...I ate too many of these d.a.m.ned fries I think."

"Ha, be glad you can eat them. When I was pregnant with Travis I wanted to throw up every time I smelled them. But she's right. Our men get a little nuts once they've patched a woman. They're extremely possessive and overbearingly protective." Lisa laughingly told her.

"I don't get that patch thing." Mia confessed earning a grin from the women.

"It's like marriage really. You wear a man's patch then you're his property. No other man can touch you." Lisa explained.

"Property? Like they own you? Like you're a house or a slave." Mia asked still confused that these women would allow themselves to be treated that way. It didn't make any sense to her. They were all strong women, and yet they all wore a man's patch. It was weird. She just didn't get it.

"Not like that. More like you belong to them exclusively." Lisa tried again.

"I still don't understand. It's fine. I don't need to know." Mia told them as she took another handful of fries.

"Oh honey, you will need to know. Trust me. That man has you patched and marked in his head already." Lisa laughed.

The door to the diner opened and Ratchet walked in with Bear and Tiny. They all came over to the booth the women were sitting around. Tiny reached into the booth scooping Racheal into his arms whispering.

"How are my darlin's doing today?" He kissed her, then rubbed a proprietary hand over her stomach.

"We're not so good. I ate too many fries, and they're protesting. I have heartburn again." Racheal told him with a grimace.

"Poor baby, let's go home and you can take that medicine Doc gave us. I'll rub your back." It was sweet and made Mia smile that the man was so kind to her friend. Tiny turned to Lisa saying, "Your old man was looking for you. He asked me to see if you'd bring him lunch. And could you tell Trick I'm taking off the rest of the day Racheal needs me." Then he scooped Racheal off her feet carrying her out of the diner despite her protests that she could walk.

"Hey, beauty." Ratchet breathed against her ear. He'd slid into the booth when Racheal had been scooped into Tiny's arms.

"Hi." Mia squeaked. A little nervous that he was always so focused on her whenever they were together. Not that she minded him being so attentive it was just new. He leaned over kissing her with tongue in front of everyone.

"Wow. Get a room." Lisa growled. Only Ratchet barely stopped kissing her to acknowledge that she'd spoken. Mia tried to push him away, but found herself clutching at his shoulders instead. "At least let me out."

Ratchet finally released her with a snap of his teeth in Lisa's direction. Making her laugh. Before she screeched, "Move you neanderthal! I have to get my man food." Mia was embarra.s.sed that Ratchet had just kissed her senseless in the middle of the restaurant. She felt the blush that lit along her cheeks with dismay.

Ratchet moved out of the booth but snapped back at her with a grin, "Your man will be fine for two d.a.m.ned minutes while I kiss my woman." Mia slid out of the booth and Ratchet pulled her to his side with an arm around her waist.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Mia now that he's made you blush by kissing you in front of everyone you should talk to him about going with me to the city tomorrow. I'll see you later." Lisa moved to the counter.

"You plan to go to the market? What if someone recognizes you? No, It's too dangerous." Ratchet said, squeezing her. His tone brooked no argument which made Mia mad.

"Look you can't stop me. You're not the boss of me. I want to help her and I am not going to do anything stupid like run up to a guard screaming I'm Hilmia Warner wanna arrest me! Really Ratchet. I don't have to get your permission." Mia told him is a low hissing voice.

"I said no, Mia. I will tie you to the bed if I have to. You're not going to the city, and that's final." He growled. His arm tightening around her waist.

"I don't think so Ratchet I will do whatever the h.e.l.l I want. No, release me. I'm staying with Pearl tonight. Alone. You can head back to the clubhouse. And tomorrow I am doing to the city market with Lisa." Mia said through gritted teeth.

"I don't f.u.c.king think so!" Ratchet roared, p.i.s.sed that Mia wanted to go anywhere near the city when she'd barely gotten away the first time. She was not putting herself into danger and he would make d.a.m.ned sure of that.

"Is there a problem sugar?" Pearl asked suddenly beside them looking at Mia.

"No there is not a problem." Ratchet barked, glaring at the older woman.

"Yes, I'm going to stay with you and Bear tonight. If that's okay Pearl." Mia pushed on Ratchet's chest making him finally let her go. He didn't look happy about it.

"You're not staying with them tonight."

"I am." Mia told him again through clenched teeth. It made her heart ache a bit saying it but he needed to know that he wasn't allowed to force her to do his bidding. They hadn't spent a night apart since they'd made love the first time, but she wasn't anyone's doormat.

"Fine. That's just f.u.c.king fine. I don't want to deal with this bulls.h.i.t. I have s.h.i.t to do anyway. I should go back to the farm." Ratchet said as he turned and slammed out of the diner without looking back. Mia almost started crying. So that was how much she meant to him. One time she defied him and he was going to leave. He was an a.s.shole. She didn't need him anyway, she thought sadly. Her heart felt battered letting her know that was far from the truth with a tight squeeze.

"It's okay, sugar. The boy's just angry. He isn't going anywhere." Pearl said as she pulled Mia into her side. They left the diner with Bear a few minutes later. Mia excused herself as soon as they entered the house and lay down on the guest bed to cry.

The next morning Mia headed over to Lisa's in the car she'd borrowed from Bear. He'd handed her the keys this morning without question and then kissed Pearl and left. She'd been surprised. Handing over something that was likely expensive without a word made her feel like she mattered to him and Pearl which warmed her aching heart.

Pulling up to the cabin she was surprised to see that there were six bikes outside the house. As she climb out of the truck shutting the door, she glanced up surprised to see Ratchet coming out the door of Lisa's house. She almost sighed, sure that he was here to tell her she wasn't allowed to go again. She watched him come towards her. When he was a foot away she opened her mouth to tell him she wasn't in the mood.

"I don..." was all she managed before his lips landed on hers and his arms were wrapped around her. He thrust his tongue into her mouth making her moan in pleasure. She'd missed his big warm body last night. She'd barely gotten any sleep she'd missed the infuriating man so much. Her arms wrapped around his neck of their own accord and she melted into him.

Ratchet had heard a truck pull up, and hoping it was Mia he'd headed outside. Last night without her had made him cranky, and this morning he'd known that if he didn't want to lose her he was going to have to give in and accept that she wasn't going to allow him to tell her what to do. He'd called Slim this morning to see who was going with Lisa to the city and found that Bone had four prospects going with them.

He'd told the man he was going too. This morning he'd meant to apologize sweetly and ask her to forgive him. But seeing her standing beside the truck he'd needed to kiss her, so he had. He was grateful that she hadn't pushed him away.

As he pulled back from her sweet lips he almost moaned and dragged her to the nearest bed. Last night had been h.e.l.l without her, and she had a look of hazy desire in her eyes that made his c.o.c.k stand at attention.

"Forgive me?" he whispered after a moment of silence.

Mia couldn't believe that Ratchet was actually apologizing to her. He was an arrogant man and the fact that he was able to say that without any prompting surprised her. She stared at him in astonishment. Her eyes wide and holding his. Why was he being so nice today when he'd been such a d.i.c.k yesterday? She didn't know, but she was glad he didn't want to fight today.

"I'm still going." Mia finally settled for as her reply. Trying to make sure he knew that she wasn't going to give in just because he was being sweet.

"I know. I should have talked to you about it before I flew off the handle. The thought of you getting hurt makes me crazy, Mia." Ratchet told her truthfully.

He didn't want anything to happen to her. It was one of the reasons he knew he was already a goner. He'd watched enough men in this club find their old ladies. He knew the signs, and he had every one of them. He was obsessively protective, possessive-okay so maybe territorial was a better word now if he could only convince her that she was his he'd be a happy man.

"Don't decide for me again." Mia said her hands resting on his chest.

"Okay." Ratchet grunted, he was eating crow but he sure didn't like it.

"Let's go inside and see if they need help then." Mia said as she pulled away from him and began walking into the house. He wanted to growl in displeasure at her dismissal, but instead watched her a.s.s as she walked into the house ahead of him. Then he felt like growling for a completely different reason.