Nash: A Rough Romance Read online

  Nash

  Piper Stone

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Afterword

  Books of the Montana Bad Boys Series

  Books of the Alpha Beasts Series

  Books of the Club Darkness Series

  Books of the Dangerous Business Series

  Books of the Mafia Masters Series

  More Stormy Night Books by Piper Stone

  Piper Stone Links

  Copyright © 2021 by Stormy Night Publications and Piper Stone

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published by Stormy Night Publications and Design, LLC.

  www.StormyNightPublications.com

  Stone, Piper

  Nash

  Cover Design by Korey Mae Johnson

  Images by Shutterstock/Mike Orlov and iStock/mrod

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults.

  Prologue

  Brothers in arms.

  Soldiers.

  Cowboys and Marines.

  We’d been called so many things.

  Heroes. Monsters. Sinners and saints.

  Above all we were men honoring our country even while our pasts continued to haunt us.

  Some said we could never return, that we were damaged beyond redemption.

  Others would stop at nothing to prevent us from doing so.

  But we were determined to protect those we loved.

  Six men determined to right the wrongs from our past.

  Six men prepared to do what it took.

  No matter the cost.

  Then…

  Chapter 1

  Reaper

  “You’re nothing but a killer, a monster. You’re going to burn in hell.”

  The words had remained with me for months, the statement made by an asshole Marine who’d made the mistake of getting in my face.

  He’d paid the price with a smashed nose and a broken arm.

  And I’d enjoyed every second of his pain.

  I’d never claimed I was a good man, nor had I performed my duties without knowledge that insurgents would die by my hands. I just hadn’t anticipated that one of our own would lose his life.

  Especially not someone I cared about.

  Sighing, I took a deep whiff of the cold mountain air, grateful I’d had the forethought to purchase the cabin a few years before. Maybe I’d had some kind of fucking premonition that I needed a place to retreat to in order to get my shit together.

  Like that was going to happen.

  Montana.

  It had once been home long before several grueling albeit amazing years. Years spent protecting our country as well as freedom. Years spent protecting those who didn’t have a chance of doing so themselves.

  And several years working and serving alongside five men I’d known since junior high.

  Hell, I missed the old days living in ugly barracks, enduring the strict regimen and seriously bad food.

  I actually allowed myself to smile as the memories rushed in, something I’d been trying to avoid since returning to Missoula.

  After taking another deep breath, I swung the ax, smashing the blade down on the solid piece of oak. The cracking sound was the only music I wanted to hear at this point. After splitting several pieces, I rubbed my arm across my forehead. I could tell by the clouds that a snowstorm was rolling in, the Montana mountains due for a doozy. I chuckled at the thought. I had everything I needed to survive the rest of the winter. Then I’d likely be forced to face society.

  I hadn’t even told my buddies that I’d arrived a little over a week before. In truth, I didn’t really have anything to say to them. I knew what they’d tell me. It was time to move on, something our fallen buddy would have wanted. But I didn’t have the same drive I once had. Still, I had to believe they weren’t faring any better than I was. We’d been through a hell of an ordeal and I doubted anyone wanted to relive the horrible experience anytime soon.

  I sure as shit didn’t.

  All I wanted was to be alone. Period.

  After splitting several additional pieces of wood, I yanked them into my arms, moving toward the woodshed. What I’d managed to cut should keep me warm for a few nights anyway. That is, if the bourbon or scotch didn’t do the trick.

  Rounding the corner, I stopped short, slowly lowering the wood to the ground and reaching for my weapon. It didn’t matter I was in the middle of the freaking mountains, a solid fifteen miles from anyone else, there was always a chance that assholes could attempt to take what belonged to me. That shit wasn’t going to happen.

  I bent down, studying the solid footprints in the snow. While the impressions were definitely from a pair of boots, the size was somewhat smaller than a typical beast of a male. Then again, maybe I was used to seeing my size thirteen boot. I cocked my head, eyeing exactly where the asshole had gone. When I inched closer to the door to the woodshed, I released the safety on the Glock, holding it in front of me with two hands.

  Now I was pissed.

  “You have exactly five seconds to come out with your hands up or I will shoot and trust me, I’m damn good at what I do.”

  I waited for what I considered an obligatory ten before starting to count.

  “Five.”

  There were no sounds, no sudden movement.

  “Four.”

  Now I heard some kind of shuffling.

  “Three.”

  I was almost positive I caught the sound of a groan.

  “Two.”

  I’d singlehandedly taken out several men at once, including killing the bastards who’d attempted to break into our compound. I’d crawled through mud ten inches deep, holding that position for a full two hours before getting the perfect shot. Hell, I’d even tangled with a damn alligator before blasting his brains out.

  It was all about my training. I wasn’t known as the Reaper for nothing.

  What I hadn’t anticipated was the intruder charging the door, bursting through at full speed then managing to race around me. What. The. Fuck?

  The force used on the door tossed me backwards. I hit the snow with a hard thud, my gun knocked out of my hand. Stunned, I saw a flash as whoever the asshole was took off running toward the bank of trees. It was obvious the idiot had no freaking clue where they were going. I picked myself up, taking my time to brush the snow off my ass before trudging in their direction.

  Whoever was responsible was going to find themselves hurting something fierce. No one bested me on any level. Period. I took long strides, used to the thick snow and crackle of ice beneath my feet. Whoever had been hiding in the woodshed obviously wasn’t. I was able to catch a glimpse as the person fell to the ground several times, even though I was shocked to see the asshole had made pretty good time in his attempt to get away from me.

  The poor bastard didn’t know that he was nearing a dead end.

  Either that or his jumping skills were legendary.

  I grinned as I continued on, taking my time u
ntil I heard a solid bellow. Sniffing, I thought about the sound and bristled. “You have to be kidding me.” The asshole refused to stop. What the fuck did he think he was doing?

  Within a minute, I moved to within a few yards of the jerk, the poor chump tumbling back from the precipice, falling not once but twice in the snow.

  “I don’t think you’re going anywhere, and I don’t suggest jumping unless you’re ready to die. The impact will bury you several feet into the ground.”

  The asshole dared take two long strides away from me.

  Motherfucker.

  “You might as well give up, my friend. I’m a reasonable man, at least to a point. If you put your hands up and turn around, we can talk about this nicely. If not, my original promise still stands.”

  The gruff voice ignited the fuel burning deep within.

  “Fuck you!”

  Okay, I was finished with playing games.

  When the asshole took off running again, attempting to backtrack in order to head back toward the cabin, I lunged forward, managing to catch the jerk by the scruff of his neck. “You ain’t going anywhere, buddy.”

  “Let go of me, you worthless prick.” The intruder flailed, actually managing to jerk out of my arms.

  And face down into the snow.

  I took a deep breath and shifted my gaze toward the sky as the first few flakes of snow began to fall. I had a feeling the idiot was pretending to be hurt, which pissed me off even more. “Get up.” When there was no movement, I crouched down, turning him over.

  Only he was a she. I’ll be damned.

  “I said, get up.”

  When she opened her eyes, staring into mine, I had a flash of visions rush into my mind that were entirely too filthy, especially for the situation at hand.

  However, even with snow covering a portion of her porcelain skin, I could tell she was absolutely gorgeous.

  Yet her blue-eyed stare was ice cold, her gaze full of venom and hatred. What the hell had I done to this girl?

  “Are you all right?” I finally asked, offering a hand.

  That’s the very moment she punched me square in the face, the force just enough to pummel me backwards and into the snow.

  Again.

  She scrambled to her feet, once again taking off.

  I eased onto my elbows, staring after her, both amused as well as shocked at her behavior. I still didn’t know what to think given the fact I was miles away from anyone else. I hadn’t seen or heard a vehicle, the road leading to my place likely treacherous given the recent snows. What the fuck could she be doing here?

  After shaking my head, I rose to my feet, watching as she swerved through the trees, darting her head over her shoulder only once. She really didn’t think I’d be able to catch her? I retrieved my gun, surprised that she hadn’t taken it with her, then proceeded to follow. I was able to catch up with her easily, only I had no intention of shooting her.

  However, she was going to talk.

  After she faced my wrath.

  She finally slowed, bending over and taking several deep breaths, jumping when I came within a couple of yards. After she stuck her hand into her pocket, she gave me a defiant look. “Stay the hell away from me. I have a gun.”

  “Uh-huh. Then why didn’t you use it before?”

  “Because I didn’t know who you were.”

  “And you do now?”

  Her jaw clenched, her lips pursing. I finally took the opportunity to get a good look at her. She definitely wasn’t dressed for the elements, at least other than the boots. The jacket was thin and she wasn’t wearing any gloves.

  “You’re a bad man,” she said without reservation.

  I slipped the weapon into my jacket and folded my arms, my amusement turning to curiosity. Maybe she’d heard about me from down in the valley. No, that wasn’t possible. “Yeah, you’re right on that point. I’m a very bad man with an even worse demeanor. That doesn’t give you the right to trespass on my property.”

  “I wasn’t trespassing!” She shifted from foot to foot, darting glances to her right.

  “Oh, yeah? Then what were you doing hiding in my woodshed?”

  She opened her mouth then snapped it shut as she glanced down the length of me, contempt remaining in her eyes.

  “Cat got your tongue? Who are you?”

  Her silence was yanking my last amount of patience. I didn’t need this shit.

  “I’m going to count to five one last time. If you don’t answer, I’m going to be forced to punish you.” While I wasn’t entirely certain where the statement had come from, I meant what I said. I didn’t need a foul-mouthed woman to act as if I was in the wrong.

  “Over my dead body,” she snapped, backing away another few feet. “No man will ever touch me again.”

  “One. Two. Three. Four.” I hesitated, amazed at her rebellious bullshit. I also had the feeling she was running away from something or somebody. Either that or she was some kind of reporter sent to find a scoop on a story. Montana Bad Boy Returns Home After Near Scandal. I could see the headlines now. “Well, that’s it. Time’s up.”

  “I’m nobody important. Just let me go,” she demanded, spouting off the words in an abrasive tone. I couldn’t believe her arrogance.

  “In case you haven’t figured out, a storm is rolling in. You ain’t going anywhere for a while. I suggest you confide who you are and what you’re doing here.”

  “Not a chance in hell.”

  That was it. I was cranky as fuck, hungry, and needed to tend to the fire.

  “Well, you’re coming with me.” I didn’t give her another chance to object, storming toward her. The second I was within a few inches, she reached out to smack me. “Nice try, sweetheart, but that’s going to cost you. Punishment it is.”

  “Fuck you!”

  “And there’s your mouth. I think you need a hard lesson in following the rules.”

  “Whose rules?” she snarked, her entire face pinched.

  I laughed softly and lifted her easily off her feet, tossing her over my shoulder. “Mine.”

  Chapter 2

  Mitch

  Brute.

  Asshole.

  Enemy.

  The three words summed the stranger up pretty nicely. What the hell had I gotten myself into? I’d been such a fool. Now I would pay the price. He had to be one of them. Then why hadn’t he killed me yet? I shivered from the intense breeze as the snow continued to fall, struggling to get out of his powerful arms.

  “Let me go!” I challenged, although I knew that wasn’t going to happen.

  “Not a chance, sweetheart. We need to have a long talk but only after I give you a nice, hard spanking.”

  The man was huge, rugged as hell, and looked the part of a mountain man with his long, scruffy beard and hair reaching his shoulders. When he stormed toward his cabin, my anger at being caught turned into fear.

  Wait a freaking minute. The asshole actually thought he was going to spank me? I would find a knife and carve out his insides. I would rip out his eyeballs one at a time. I was floored by his words, uncertain I could even respond.

  He stormed inside, kicking the door shut with his boots then stomping further into the room. After putting me on my feet, he snatched the woolen cap from my head, his eyes opening wide as my long hair tumbled down over my shoulders. I’d done everything I could to hide my identity, including disguising my voice. A lot of good that had done me.

  We stared at each other at least a full minute until a sneer curled on his lip. There was a crackle of electricity between us, an attraction that was both ridiculous as it was maddening. However, the vibrations were difficult to deny. I cut through the crap by giving him a defiant look.

  His chest rose and fell, his eyes drifting slowly down the front of me then back to my eyes.

  My God. The asshole was actually undressing me, thinking about what I’d be like in bed.

  I bit back a whimper, uncertain whether it was at my filthy thoughts or the way he
continued to stare at me.

  “Take off your jacket,” he barked as he pulled his from his massive shoulders, tossing the thick parka across the back of the sofa.

  I crossed my arms, pursing my lips as I glared at him.

  “Have it your way.” He yanked me around to face the other way, wrangling my coat off.

  “Damn you.” Struggling proved to be useless.

  “I assure you, sweetheart. I’m already damned. You might as well take a number.”

  I almost stumbled over the table when I swung around to face him, fisting both hands and holding my arms in front of me.

  “A little fighter, are ya?”

  “Hell, yes. Don’t you dare think about touching me or I’ll kill you.”

  “Uh-huh. It’s time to make good on my promise.” His words were little more than a dark and dangerous whisper, but his chocolate brown eyes were just as enigmatic as before. He was one powerful man, the kind who was used to getting what he wanted.

  When he thumped down on the couch, I let out a screech as he drew me over his lap, proceeding to swat me on the bottom.

  Hard.

  Brutally hard.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Wiggling, I clawed at the arm of the couch, my heart racing from the shock that he’d followed through on one of his promises. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t fathom this kind of thing happened any longer.

  At least not to a grown woman.

  One who was ready to break into a man’s house.

  The truth was almost as bad as what he was doing.

  “Giving you what you deserve. I warned you. Then I promised you. I’m the kind of man who makes good on his promises.”