PROLOGUE
Two Months Ago . . .
Oakleigh
Ithoughtcomingherewasgoingtobeamazing.
TheplanwasI’dseemyfatherandmyauntJadaandgetawayfromallthechaosanddramabackhome. Insteadofenjoyingtheircompany,Ifoundmyselfinthemiddleofachaoticbikerbar,tryingtostaycalmasgunshotsringout aroundme
WhatIneverexpectedwasforoneofthebulletstohitme
Painsearsthroughmyabdomenlikeahotiron,andtheshocksetsin
Aseaofpeoplearerunningaroundme,rushingtowardthenearestexit Ican’tblamethemforwantingtogetthefuckoutofhere
Mylegsgiveoutfromunderme,andIstartfallingtotheground Screamsechooutaroundme,andI’mcaughtmid-airbysomeone. Itrytofocusonwhoever’scatchingmeandrealizeit’smyauntJada. Everythinghappenedsofast.
Meninmaskshadstormedthebarwithguns,andatfirst,Ithoughtitwassomekindofcostume untiltheystartedfiring. Myauntlowersmetotheground,keepingmefromfalling.
Ilookdown,tryingtofigureoutwhereIwashit.
Myaunt’sworriedvoiceisdrownedoutbythescreamsandchaosaroundus.
Ifranticallyscanherface,mymindstrugglingtograsptherealityofthesituation. Isthisreallyhappening,oramIabouttowakeupfromsomegod-awfulnightmare?
Isearchhereyesforanswers,desperationcreepingintomyvoice.“Jada,whathappened?Ohmygod,isthisreal?”
Idon’tcallherauntJadabecauseit’stooformalfortherelationshipwehave. IonlycameintoherlifeacoupleofyearsagowhenIfinallymetmyfather.
Shepressesdownashardasshecanonthewoundinmystomach.
Asearingpainradiatesthroughmybodylikearaginginferno.
Ican’tstopthecryofagonythatescapesmylips.“God,thishurts.”
I’mtryingsohardtobestrongrightnow,butIcan’tdenythewayI’mfeeling.
MyattentionstaysgluedtoJada’shandsasInoticebloodseepingbetweenherfingers.
She tries to reassure me ina steadyvoice, butIcandetectthe underlyingterror withinit. “You’re okay. Everythingis okay, babygirl.Don’tyouworry.”
Myfather,Hammer,comesslidingupbesideJadaandplaceshishandsontopofhers
Panicsetsinasheuttersastringof“no’s,”hisusualcooldemeanorshatteredbytheurgencyofthesituation
Theseverityofthesituationhitsmelikeatonofbricks
Mybreathbecomesshallowandlaboredasrealizationdawnsonme
Thingsaren’tokay,andI’mstrugglingtostaycalmandconsciouswithallofthechaosunfoldingaroundme
Ibeginhyperventilating “Dad,Idon’twanttodie Oh,fuckI’mscared AmIdying?Thisissobad”I’mstrugglingtobreathe asIgeteverywordout.
Tearsspilldownmycheeksasfastastheycanfall,andInoticeJadaiscrying,too.
Withalltheemotioncoveringherface,IknowthisismuchworsethanIoriginallythought.
“There’s no need to worry, baby.” Mydad is tryinghis best to comfort me, but Ican’t miss the wayhis hands are shaking uncontrollably “I’mgoingtotakecareofyou”
DadyellsovertotheSatan’sRaidersMC’spresident,“Breaker!”
Breaker’sbarkingoutorders,tellingChainstogetthecar
Aretheydrivingmetothehospital?
Theymustbe,andit’sprobablybetterthattheydo
Theambulancecouldtakeatleasttenminutestogethere
Istarttospeakup,lookingbetweenmyfatherandaunt,“Ithoughttheywereincostumes Ididn’tk-know”
Jadaimmediatelyspeaksup,emotionthickinhervoice “Babygirl,don’tyoudoit Thisisn’tyourfault There’snowayfor youtohaveknownthatthiswasgoingtohappen.”
Tearscomerollingdownmycheeksevenharder.
Dadspeaksup,“Holdon,babygirl.I’mhere.Igotyou.”
Breaker’svoiceringsoutfrombehindthem.“Weneedtomoverightnow.”
Myvoiceisweakaspaintakesovermybody.“Dad,ithurts.Ithurtssobad.”
MydadturnsandlooksupatBreaker.Ithinkhe’sabouttosaysomething,butthenFurychargesovertous.
Helooksatthegroupofus,hiswordsfrantic.“Comeon,man.We’reready.Weneedtomove.”
Daddoesn’tmoveatall,andIstruggletomaintaincontrolovermybreathing.
Jadasnarlsatmyfather.“Hammer,lookatme!Weneedtogetupnow.Youguysaregoingtocarryhertothecar,andwe’re gettinghertothehospitalasquicklyaspossible.”
Henods,finallysnappingoutofit.
Jadalooksatmeandspeakswithacalmvoice,“Oakleigh,babygirl.Thisisgoingtohurt,butjuststaywithus,okay?Weneed tomoveyou.Theboysaregoingtoliftyouup.They’llgoslow.”
Itakeinacoupleofshortbreathsandnod.“Okay,I’mready.”
ShekeepsherhandovermywoundasmyfatherandFuryliftmeup.
Ablood-curdlingscreampassesthroughmylips.
Jadapleadswiththemassheletsgoofmywound.“Hurry,please.”
Inwhatfeelslikehours,theygetmeintothebackoftheSUV.
I’mlyingonmyback,andmyfatherhashishandspressingagainstmywound.
ThepainissohorribleIfeellikeI’llpassoutatanymoment.
WitheverybreathItake,mylipstremblewithamixoffearandhope.
Myfather’sstronghandsarepressedagainstmywound,hiseyeslockedontomine.
Heinhalessharplyandspeakswithasteelyresolve.“Don’tyouworryaboutanything,Oak.You’renotdyin’today.Iwon’tlet theReaperhaveyou”
Ifinditalittleironiche’sintheReapersRejectsMC,andhereheistalkingtomeabouttheGrimReaper
Emotionoverflows inmyvoice as Irespond, “Ifsomethingbad happens, Iwantthemto do everythingtheycanto keep me alive.I’mnotreadytodie,Daddy.”
Heshakeshishead,hisruggedfeaturessofteningwithloveandconcern.“You’renotgoinganywheretoday.Youhearme?”
Hiswordsarelikealifeline,givingmehopeandstrengthtofightthroughthepain. Whoever’sdrivingtheSUVisactinglikewe’reinafuckingGrandPrixrace.
Icanfeeleverybumpandturn,ultimatelyslammingintothesideoftheSUV.
Iscreamoutinpain,andmyfather’ssoftdemeanorchangesentirely.
Dadroars,“Chains,forfuck’ssake,canyoulearntodrive?!”
Chainsgritsback,“AllI’mdoin’istryin’togetyoutwotothehospitalasquicklyasIcan.” Angerformsovermyfather’sface.
Iclearmythroatandspeakup,“It’sokay.Justgetmethere.”
Theurgencyofoursituationhangsheavyintheair,eachsecondfeelinglikeaneternityasweracetowardhelp. Thedeeprumbleoftheenginefillsmyears,competingwiththefranticsoundofmyownbreathing.
Myheartbeatslikeadruminmychest,aconstantreminderthatI’mstillaliveandabletofight.
I’mnotgoingtodie
Irefusetofuckingdie!
But,astimepasses,myvisionbeginstodeteriorate,spotsdancinginfrontofmyeyesandblurringmysurroundings
Desperately,Ilickmydrylips,tryingtoholdonastheedgesofmyvisionstarttofade
Ilockeyeswithmyfatherandopenmymouthtocalloutforhim,butbeforeIcanformthewords,darknessovertakesme
Theworldfallsawayintoanabyssofdarkness
Present Day . . .
Razor
TheglaringneonlightsofLosAngelescastasurreal glow onthestreetsasIcruisethroughthecity,exhaustedfrommylong ride
I’mdeadasstiredfromthelengthyjourneyI’vebeenon
IlefttheMontanacharteryesterday,handlingsomebusinessforAmara mycharter’spresident
Shedoesn’tlikeleavingMexicotoooften,andsoIvolunteerateveryopportunitytohandlethingsforher
SinceI’vebeenanomadmywholelife,Idon’tmindridingacrossthecountry,orinthiscase acrosscountries
Exhaustionsettlesinmymuscles,achinginplacesIneverknewIcouldache
Atthirty-nine,you’dthinkI’dgivemybodyabreakeveryonceinawhile,butallIknowishowtolivelifeinthefastlane
Normally,I’dstopinLasVegasatourcharterthere,butthistimeIcameheretoLA
IhavesomebusinessIneedtotendto,soI’llkilltwobirdswithonestonewhileI’minthecity.
Breaker,thepresidentoftheSatan’sRaidersMC,offeredmeaplacetostaywhileI’mhereinLA.
It’soneofthemanypositivesofbeingallieswithmultipleclubs,wecancalloneachotherandofferasafeplacetorestour headswhenneeded,andthey’llbethereforuswhenshithitsthefan.
HeknowsI’llbetherelatertonight,butrightnowIneedadistraction.
There’sbeensomuchchaosgoingon,andIneedsomethingtotakemymindoffallmystressors.
There’sonlyonethingthatcancalmmedownafteratriplikethis.
Beautifulwomendancingprovocativelyinfrontofme.
Iscanforastripclub,andluckilywithinafewminutes,Ifindone
Aflashingtealandpinkneonsigncallsmyattention
Itdoesn’tlookupscale,butitwilldofortonight
Imakearightintotheparkinglotandparkmybike,revelinginthefeelingofremovingmyhelmetforthefirsttimeinhours
TakingadeepbreathasIdismount,thescentofgasolineandtheinnercitywaftsthroughmynostrils
Itakeamomenttostretch,looseningupmymusclesafterthisride
Placingmyhelmetdown,Imakemywaytothefrontofthestripclub
ThemomentIpushthedooropen,stalebeerandsweathitmelikeaslapintheface.
Iheaddownawide,darkhallway,walkingtowardtheflashingneonlights.
As soonas Imake mywaytothe endofthe hall,a woman’s voice purrs frommyleftside.“Welcome toHiddenTreasures, handsome.”
Thebartenderisbehindthebarwithagroupofmenscatteredaroundher
Eachandeveryoneofthemhaveadrinkintheirhands,appreciatingthewomenwalkingaroundhalf-nakedintheclub
Thebartender’scuteenough,maybeinherearlythirties,wearingatightredcorsetandamini-skirt
Sheeyesmycutandgnawsonherbottomlip
IfIhadanyounceofenergyleftinme,Imighttakehertothebathroomrightnowandblowherfuckingmind
WithmygruffvoiceIsmirk,“Hellothere”
Asmiletugsatherlips “Gotakealoadoff Oneofthegirlswillbearoundtoseeifyouneedanythingshortly”
InodandmumbleathanksbeforeImakemywaytooneofthestages
Slidingintotheworn-outleatherchair,Ileanbackandmakemyselfcomfortable
Ihaveaperfectviewofthestage,upcloseandpersonal,tothebeautifulwomenwhoareabouttoputmeinanamazingmood
Thepulsingbassofthemusicreverberatesthroughmybody,oddlyenoughofferingmeasenseofsolace
ALatina woman wearing a see-through green lingerie set comes over to me, talking sweetly “Can I get you something to drink?”
Iblinkacoupleoftimes,takinginherbeauty.“Abeer.DosEquisifyouhaveit.”
Shecocksherhipstooneside,aplayfulsmileonherlips.“Anythingforyou,sugar.”
Iwatchhersashayaway,herassbouncingwitheachstepshemakes.
Yep,thisistheperfectplaceformetochillafteralongday.
Asthefirstdancertakesthestage,myattentionshifts.
Iappreciatethesightofhertonedbody,watchingasshemovesrhythmicallytothebeatofthemusic.
TheshortLatinawomancomesbackwithmybeerandIhandherafreshtwenty-dollarbill.“Keepthechange,sweetheart.” Shesmilesbrightly “Thanks,baby!”
Itakeaswig,thecoldliquidrefreshingmeinwaysIcan’tcomprehend
Myeyesdriftbacktothedancerinfrontofme,whoexpertlyspinsaroundthepole,herlegsspreadwide
Imutterundermybreath,wonderingwhatitwouldbeliketohavethoselegswrappedaroundme
But,it’suseless Idon’thaveenoughenergytofuckawomantonight I’mfuckingbeat
Backintheday,therewereplentyoftimeswhenIsleptwithstrippers
It’sbeenawhile,though,soImighthavetoindulgewhileI’minLosAngeles
TheonethingIloveaboutthemishowcarefreeitis
Theydon’texpectanythingfromyou arelationship,tocallthemback it’saone-and-donedeal
Thethoughtalonesendsshiversdownmyspine
Ikeepmyeyestrainedoneveryperfectmoveshemakes
Afewminutespassby,andthewaitress’ssultryvoicegreetsmeoncemore “Enjoyingtheshow?”
Iavertmyeyestoherforamoment,herlipstuggingupinaknowinggrin.
“MorethanIthoughtIwould,”Iadmit,chucklingsoftly.
Itakeanothersipofmybeer,myeyesflickeringbacktothestage.
Thefirstdancerfinisheshersetandthesecondonestepsout.
The waitress stays right beside me, lickingher lips as she watches the womanonthe stage move to the beat of the music. “Ebonyisgreat,butjustwaituntilyouseeOak She’ssomethingelse” Oak?
It’sanoddnameforastripper,butI’veheardsomepeculiaronesinthepast Irepeathername,“Oak?Sheatreeloverorsomeshit?”
TheLatinawomanthrowsherheadbackinlaughter “NotthatIknowof,butyou’llseejusthowgoodsheisonthepolewhen shecomesonstage.She’supnext.”
Iarchasinglebrow.“GuessI’llhavetoseeaboutthat.”
“Trustme,”shesayswhilegivingmeaplayfulwinkasshestartstowalkaway.“Youwon’tbedisappointed.”
Thedanceronstage,Ebony,movesonstagewithintentandprecision.
Herbodysways,exudingconfidence,andsheshowsthestrengthofherbodyasshehooksalegaroundthepoleandspins.
Shegetslostinthemusic,herfaceshowingamixtureofpassionandconcentration.
Strippingismorethanajobforher it’salmostasifit’saformofself-expression.
Glancingaround,Inoticemenhavetheireyesgluedtoher.
So,whyisOakbetterthanthiswoman?Ebonyseemstokeepeveryone’sattention.
Continuingtosiponmybeer,Idigintomypocketandpulloutmywallet,slidingatwenty-dollarbillonthestagebeforeme.
Ebonysquatsdown,herbig,bouncytitsrightinmyface,andleansoverthestage.“Thankyou,sweetheart.”
Withawinksherisesandproceedstocollecttherestofthecashthrownonthestageforher.
Sheleavesthestage,andthelightsdimuntilwe’repracticallyinpitch-blackdarkness.
Anewsetofupbeat,emotionalmusicbeatsthroughthespeakers,andabodycomesthroughthecurtainsleadingbackstage. Inoticethedeepeggplantpurplenumbershehasonfirst,lovinghowitlooksagainstherlightmochaskin
AsIrakemyeyesslowlyupherbody,Itakeinherbountifulbreastsandlockeyeswithher
That’swhenIrealizewhoOakis
Oakleigh,Hammer’sdaughter
Hammer’stheregentforourBillingscharter,who’shereinLosAngeleswiththeSatan’sRaidersMC MybreathhitchesinmythroatasIbegintoprocessthis
Shelooksmorestunningandseductivethanever,withpurple,black,andwhitebraidscascadingdowntoherass
Theyglistenundertheclub’slights,showinghowperfectandwell-put-togethertheyare Imetherafewyearsbackunderstressfulcircumstances
HammerandIwereinBillings,andshewasabouttopurchasesomedope
Weintervened,andtherestwashistory
NeverinmylifedidIthinkI’deverseeheragain
IfIwasadecentman,I’dgetuprightnowandwalkoutofhere...butthat’sthething,I’mnotagoodman.IfIwas,Iwouldn’t beabiker.
MyeyesarefixatedonOakleigh,unabletoripthemawayfromhersinuousmoves. Imightknowherfather,butitdoesn’tmatter.
Howthehelldidsheendupdownhere?
Maybeshemovedwhenherfatherbecameregent
Idowntherestofmybeerandraisemyhand,signalingtothewaitressIneedanother
Thisisgoingtobeonehellofanight
Thestagelightsshift,castingasultryredglowonher
Itoozessexappeal,seduction,andforamoment,Iwonderwhatitwouldbeliketobewithher
Herbodycontinuestoswaysensuallytotherhythmofthebeat
Thevibrantcolorsofherbraidedhairilluminateundertheredhue
Mygazedriftsoverherathleticform She’stoned,butisn’toverlymuscularlikethosewomenwhoreligiouslygotothegym everyday.
Ifindwomenlikethattobeunattractive.
Itdoesn’tmattertomeifyou’reasizesix,orasizetwenty-six,butIrefusetogoafterwomenwhoaretinyashell.It’snever beenmything
Myeyesaretrainedonherasshegracefullyspinsaroundthepole,archingherbodyandbendingwithitasifthey’reone
Mypulseracesasshecontinueswithherset,owningthestagewitheverymoveshemakes
Hereyesarewarmwithconfidence,catchingmineeverynowandagain
Shelicksherlipsandhereyeslockontomine
Inaway,Ifeellikeshe’sdancingforme
Surely,sherecognizesme
Oakleigh’sheelsclickagainstthestageasshecontinueshermovements,maintaininganenticingrhythm.
Myheartcontinuestopoundinmychest,eachbeatremindingmethatIshouldleave.
Ishouldbegettingupandwalkingaway,butthelongerIstayhere,themoreIknowIwanttoplaywithfire.
Oakleighwalksaroundthestage,droppingitlowandtakingasmuchcashasshecanbeforegettingbackonthepole. Sheallowshertoptoslideoff,andtheredlightscastanetherealglowonherbody.
Anytimeoureyesmeet,Ifindmyselfdrowninginthedepthsofhers.
Shehasasmoldering,intensestare,onethatpullsyouinlikeamothtoaflame.
Oakleighslidesdownthepole,herlongbraidsflowingaroundherlikearagingwaterfall.
Myhandtightensaroundmybeerbottle,knucklesturningwhitefromthestrain.
Sheendshersetwithafinaltwirlaroundthepole slowandcalculated keepinghereyestrainedonminebeforeshestruts offthestage
Ifinishmybeerandputmyhanduponcemore,signalingtothewaitressIneedanother
Shecomesbackoverwithinafewmomentsandhandsmeanotherone
Ihandheranothertwenty-dollarbillandgratefullytakethedrinkfromhergrasp
IglanceuptocatchOakleighwalkingoutontothefloor,aflirtatiousglintinhergaze.
Shesurveysthecrowdandcomesstruttinguptome.“Longtimenosee,”shepurrs,placingonehandonherhipasshelooks meupanddown.“Youlooklikeyoucouldusesomecompany.”
Iswallowhard,amischievoussmirktuggingatmylips.“Imight,butonlyifit’stherightkind.”
Oakleighdragshertonguealongherbottomlipandleansdownuntilherlipsareagainstmyear “Trustme,I’mexactlywhat youneed.”
Iarchabrowandsnicker.“Isthatso?”
Oakleighgiggleslightlyagainstmyear.“Oh,I’mcertainofit.Isawthewayyouwerelookingatme,Razor.”
Oakleighpullsherheadawayfrommyearsandlooksatme.Butit’smorethanjustlookingatme.She’seye-fuckingthehell outofme.
Itakeaswigofmybeer,sizingherup,tryingtoseewhatshe’sfuckinglookingfor.“Isthatso?Proveit.”
Oakleighsnickers “Alapdanceiseighty,bigboy”
OakleighhoversovermeandalreadystartsbeforeI’veevenagreed,butIdon’tevengiveadamn
Idiga few twenties outofmywalletandhandthemover toher She stuffs theminher bra andturns her headbackslightly, smirking.
Curiositygettingthebestofme,Ihavetoaskher.“Doesyourfatherknowyou’reworkinghere?”
Oakleighcontinuesswayingherassovermycrotch.“Myfatherdoesn’tneedtoknoweverythingthatgoesoninmylife.It’snot likethisisthefirsttimeI’vekeptasecretfromhim.”
Inod,understandinghersentiment Afterall,sheisanadult “Still,youknowhowprotectiveheis” Ihaven’t kept up withthemover the past couple ofyears, but Ido know how protective he was ofher whentheywere in Montana.It’sonlynaturaltoassumenotmuchhaschanged.
Oakleighstopsmid-sway,hergazewhipsbacktome,playfuldemeanorevaporatinginstantly.“I’mgoingtostopyourighthere, Razor.I,forone,don’tneedareminder.I’magrown-asswoman,andIcandowhateverthehellIwant,includingstrip.You, forone,don’tseemtoobotheredbyit”
Damn,Ididn’texpectshe’dhavesomuchspirit.
Ichucklelightly,myeyestrainedonherassheturnsaroundandstraddlesme.“Clearly.”
Ourbodiesaremereinchesapart,hergazelockedwithmine.
The playfulness fades fromher darkchocolate eyes. “I’mnot here to talkabout myfather, and we’re not goingto continue talkingabouthim.I’mworking,soletmework.”
Oakleighexpertlyplacesbothofherlegsonthearmsofthechair,grindingherbodyaboveme.
Ileanmyheadbackandwatch,appreciatingeverymoveshemakes.
Herskinisperfectlyyouthful,andshemoveswithacombinationofconfidenceandseduction. Iclearmythroat,confirming,“Saynomore”
She nods slightly, continuing to move against me “Good I like what I do here, and I like being my own boss It has its advantages.”
Oakleighboreshereyesintomyown,andachillrunsdownmyspine.There’ssomethingbrewingherebetweenus lust. Fuck,I’mburnedoutafteralltheridingI’vedone...butImighthavetofindasuddensurgeofenergy.
“Youmightwanttostoplookin’atmelikethat,Oakleigh,”Iwarnher,myvoicebarelymorethanawhisper.“Playingwithfire cangetyouburned.”
Aplayfulsmirktugsatherlips.“MaybeIwanttogetburned.”Hereyesarefullofdefianceanddesire.
Oh?Well,ifshe’sgame,soamI.
Mypulsequickensatthethoughtofwhatmightcomenext.“Maybeweshouldseehowhotitcanget.” Hervoiceisthickwithanticipation.“Mmm,Ithinkweshould.”
Oakleighcontinueswithherlapdance,grindingagainstmetothebeatofthemusic. I’mhavingahardtimenotgettingturnedonbyher.
There’ssomethingeroticaboutthis.
Idon’tknowifit’sthefactshe’sanacquaintance’sdaughterorifit’sthesettingwe’rein.
Oakleighcontinuestogrindagainstme,andIbreatheoutheavily,myvoiceroughwithneed.“Whatareyoudoingtonight?”
Shelooksrightbackatme,lickingherlipsslowly,hereyesdarkwithpromise.“Nothing.Working,andthengoinghome.” “Wrong,”Ismirk,myhandskirtingagainstherupperthighasthemusicchangesinthebackground.“You’redoingme.” Iknowthiscouldverywellgetmeinsomedeepshit,butit’llonlyhappenifherfatherfindsout.
Thethingis,notevenHammer’swrathwillkeepmeawayfromhisdaughter.
She’snotalittlegirl,andI’mthetypeofmanwhoalwaysgetswhatIwant.
Oakleigh
MyheartcontinuestoraceasImakemywaybackstage,justfinishingthelapdanceIgaveRazor.
Ibitedownonmybottomlipandmakemywayovertomylocker,turningmycombinationlockuntilitfinallyopens.
IpulloutthestackofcashI’veearnedforthenight,countingthestacksofones,fives,tens,andtwentiesinfrontofme.
Ishimmyoutofmylingerieandsliponapairofskinnyjeans,throw onalong-sleevet-shirtthathasagoodview ofmytits, andgivemyselfaonceoverinthesmallmirrorIhavehanginginmylocker
Mybraidslookawesome
TheywerefreshlydoneyesterdaybySapphire,thesamechickwhodoesEbony’s
Sapphire canpracticallydo everythingfromcornrows, locs, boxbraids, Ghana braids, Senegalese braids, knotless braids, lemonadebraids,andsomuchmore.
Ihadhergivemeboxbraidsandaddthecolorin.IliketothinkIhaveaveryvibrantpersonality,soIchangemyhairevery fewweeks
IlovethefactshewasabletofindabrighterpurplethanIwanted Itoldhereggplantwouldbefine,butsheconvincedmeto getamixtureofeggplantandadeeplavender.
Shewentinandaddedwhite,abitofgold,andblack,makingitlookbetterthanIeverimagineditcould.
AsIlookatmyreflection,mymindisreelingfromseeingRazor.
WhatthehellishedoinginLosAngeles?
I know he was officially made the VP for the Mexican charter a while back, but I never thought I’d see himhere in LA, especiallynotinthestripclubwhereIwork
Hell,I’mnotcomplaining
RazoristhesexiestmanI’veeverseenonthefaceoftheEarth
AdecadentreplicaofahotMexicanGodwithabeardmenwouldkillfor Idragmytongueoutandlickmybottomlip,thinkingabouthowdivinehelooks Themomentmyeyeslandedonhim,IthoughtIwasgoingcrazy Iwasn’t
Therehewas,sittingattheendofthestage,watchingmysetwithhisintensebrowneyes. Ebonyrapsherknucklesonthelockernexttome,pullingmefrommythoughts.“Youokay,Oak?”
Iblinkacoupleoftimesandturntolookather,forcingasmile.“Yeah,I’mallgood.Justlostinthought.”
Ebonycocksaneyebrow,andaplayfulsmirktugsatherlips.“Anycertainreasonyou’reoffinla-laland?”
Isuckinashortbreathanddebatetellingher.
Ebonyistheonlyrealpersonatthisclub.Everyoneelseisinitforthemselvesandwouldthrowoneoftheothergirlsunderthe busjusttomakemorecash.
Imakesuremyvoiceisbarelyaboveawhispersonooneelsehearsme “Iranintoanoldfriendtonight”
Ebony’seyeswideninexcitement “Oh?Givemeallthedetails”
Igodownmemorylane,pickingandchoosingwhatI’mgoingtoconvey “ImethiminMontanaacoupleofyears ago He’s friendlywithmyfatherinthesamemotorcycleclub.”
Ebonycrossesherarms.“So,he’sfriendswithyourdad?”
Ishakemyhead.“No,they’renotfriendsperse,buttheydoknoweachother.Theclubthey’reinisprettybig.”
Ebonycraneshernecktothesideabit.“Yousaidhewasyourfriend...wherewashesitting?”
Ifessupandtellher,“Attheendofthestage.Guywiththebeard.”
Ebonyraisesherbrowsandsnickers.“Damn,hewasahotone.Icouldn’tmakeouthisvest,butIsawhehadleatheron.”
I’mnottryingtobeabitch,butI’mgoingtocorrecther.“Cut,notvest.”
Ebonygrabsthewaterbottleontopofthelockersandtakesasip.“What’sthedealwithyoutwo?Youfuckhimonoccasionor somethin’?”
Ishakemyhead “Ihaven’t,butthere’sbeensomesexualtensiontonight,that’sforsure” Ebonygiggles “Thengoforit Weonlygetonelife,youknow?Nopointinlivingwithregrets”
She’sright
It’snotlikeI’mthekindofwomanwhobacksawayfromsomethingshewants,anyway Razormightbeintheclub,butthatdoesn’tchangeanything
Heisn’tfriendswithmyfather,andIhighlydoubthe’llgoadvertisinganythingwedo Mybusinessismyown,andI’llmakethatfuckingcleartohimbeforeIeventouchhiscock
There’saloudknockatthedoor,andGino’sthickItalianaccentgreetsus.“Ebony,yougotaVIPbookedforthenexthour.” Ebonygroans,butIknowshe’shappyfortheextracash.“Shit,I’dbettergogetready.”
“Plasteronthatfakesmileandgetyourbag,”Igentlyremindher.
Shenods,forcingherfakesmileonassheheadsovertotheothersideoftheroom.
Precious,oneoftheoldergirls,comesovertome.
Hereyesaredarkandsweatbeadsdownherneck.
Shemightbeinhermid-thirties,isabox-dyeblonde,andispetite.Ithinkthat’swhyshemakesalotofcashhere.Alotofguys haveafantasyofbeingwithatinywoman.
Shelicksherlipsandlooksaroundtheroom,makingsurenooneispayingattention
Preciousflashesmeasmall,clearbaggiewithagoodbitofcocaineinit
I’mgonnaguessit’saroundaneighth “Wantany?”
I’mnotevenfinishedcountingmycashtonight butI’mrunninglow Ilookrightintoherpiercingblueeyes “Howmuch?”
Shesmirks,“Sellingtotheclientsfortwo-fifty,butI’llletyouhaveitfortwohundred”
Inod,countoutthecash,andslipittoher.
Preciousdiscreetlypassesthebagtome,andIslipitintothepocketofmyjeans.
Icontinuecountingoutmycash,finishingthenightaroundeighthundredafterIboughttheblow.Notbad.Notbadatall. Ipackmyduffelbag,slidemycashin,andheadtothenearbybathroom.
OnceIhavethedoorshutandlocked,Ipulloutthekeystomycarandfishoutthebaggy. Openingthebag,Igetabumponmycarkeyandlickmylips.
Iknowthisisabadhabit,butithelpsmegetthroughthedays.
Eversincetheshooting,Ihaven’tbeenabletogetthroughitwithoutsomeblow. ThememoriescomerushinginfasterthanIcanhandlethem,andthecocainedistractsmecompletely.
Ittakesmeoutofthatnegativeplaceinthebackofmymind,forcingmetogosomewherehappier. Ilinemynoseupoverthekey,pressoneofmynostrilsdown,andbreatheinhard. Afamiliarrushofeuphoriawashesoverme,forcingthedemonsinmymindtogobacktotheircages.
It’sabattletokeepthematbay,butatleastIhaveanoutlet.
Igivemyselfaonceover,makingsuremyeyelinerisn’tsmearedandthateverythingisperfect.
Forgoodmeasure,Iliftmyheadupandlookupmynose,makingsurethereisn’tanyresidualresidue.
There’sasmidgeofwhitepowder,soIwipeitaway.
Okay,I’mgood.
Myhearthammersinmychest,andsweatformsinmypalms Idon’tknowwhyI’msofuckingnervous,butIam
Thiscouldbeahugedisaster,oritcouldbeadoseoffunIdesperatelyneed Eitherway,I’mreadytofindoutifRazor’sgoingtorockmyworldorwreckit
Suckinginadeepbreaththroughmynose,Imakemywayoutthroughthefrontoftheclub
Wedon’tcloseforanothertwohours,butconsideringit’sinthemiddleoftheweek,Idon’tanticipatemakingenoughtostay untiltheendofthenight.
WitheachstepItake,myemotionsbegintofloodthroughme.
There’samixtureofexcitementandfearcollidingwitheachotherliketwosoldiersatwar. Imovedoutheretobewithmyfatherandstepmother,Shiloh,butonHalloween,everythingchanged.
Iwascaughtinthelineoffire,aninnocentbystanderleftfightingforherlife. Ididn’tdoanythingtothe17,butitdidn’tmatter.
All theywanted to do was send a message to the Satan’s Raiders MC, and because myfather is the regentfor the Reapers RejectsMC,itmeantIwashangingaround
Ifmyfatherwasatanotheroneoftheirallies’clubs,Iwouldn’thaveevergottenshot I’vetriednottobeangrywiththeclubormyfather,butit’shard
Overthepastcoupleofmonths,I’vekeptmydistance
Sure,Iliveintheclubhouse butIrefusetomingleinareaswherethepublichasaccess
FuryandAgony,theirprospects,triedtotellmethatitwouldn’thappenagainandIshouldhangoutwitheveryonelikeIused to...buthowdotheyknowhistorywon’trepeatitself?
So,Istayintheactualpartoftheclub,wherethepublicisn’tpermitted.
Itrynottospendtoomuchtimethereingeneral,usuallyonlysleepinginmyroomortheretoseemyfamily.Otherwise,Iuse anyexcusetogetoutoftheclub.
SinceIwasshot,it’sbeenaconstantstruggletoforgetthepain. Notjustphysicallybutemotionallytoo.
LookingbackonthemomentsafterIwasshot,Isomehowkeptmyselftogether,butIdidn’tafterIwokeupfromsurgery. IscantheclubandfindRazor’sstillseatedinthesameleatherchairhewasinearlier. Iforceeverynegativethoughttothebackofmymindandthrowonmyconfidencelikeasecondskin.
Withanextrapepinmystep,Iheadstraightovertohim.
Hehasn’tcaughtmeinhisgazeyet,soItakethisopportunitytosoakineveryounceofbarbaricmanthatheis.
Hisbackisbroadandsturdy,coveredinablackshirtandhiscutthatclingstohisbulkymuscles.
Evenfrombehind,hisdominanceisintoxicating,andIwanttodrowninit.
Hisshouldersandthenauticaltattooswindingdownhisrightarmonlypullmeinmore.
Hisskinholdsasun-kissedtan,astarkcontrasttothesmoothsheenofhisbaldhead.
IwatchhimcarefullyasIapproach,myheartthumpinglouderwitheachstep.
He’severythingI’vefantasizedabout:roughandruggedmasculinity.
Hislargehandsrestonthewornleatherarmsofhischair,fingerstwitchingtothebeatofthemusic. MycheeksburnhotterthaneverasInearhim.
It’sasiftheheatfromhispresenceisenoughtomakemythoughtsdissipatecompletely.
Feelingastrangeknotofnerves,IslowmypaceasIapproachhim.
Ibrushmybraidsbackovermyshoulderandstraightenmyshoulders,forcingasmileonmyface.
Hisvoiceisgrufffromyears’worthofcigarettesandbeer,yetitholdsanunderlyingtenderness.“Don’tyoulooknice.” Iforceaconfidentsmirkontomyface “Don’tIalways?”
Razorsmirksbackatme,hiseyesglintingmischievously
Hestandsup,toweringovermewithhisbroadshouldersandmuscularframe Hisgazesweepsupanddownmybodybeforemeetingmyeyesagain
Razor’s expression turns serious as he speaks “You do, but I’m not trying to boost your already inflated ego,” he says teasingly.
Hisplayfultoneinstantlyputsmeatease,andIfeelmyselfrelaxinginhispresence.
RazorandImakeourwayoutsideofthebusyclub,menglaringathimaswewalkside-by-side. Theywanttobehim,walkingwithme,damnsureknowingwhatI’mabouttodotohim.
Hell,theymightbeenviousbecausetheythinkwe’retogether.
Ilickmylipsaswewalkdownthelong,darkhallway,knowingalltoowellRazoristhekindofmanI’dgofor.
IfIcouldbuildaman,itwouldbeRazor.
Ipushopentheheavymetaldoorofthestripclubandstepoutintothecoolnightair.
Iinhaledeeply,afamiliarrushofadrenalineandanticipationcoursingthroughmyveins. It’seithernowornever.
Icontinuewalking,speakingwitheverystep.“Weneedtogotomycar.Iliveattheclub,andI’mnotabouttohavesomeone tellingmyfatherwhatI’mdoingwithyou”
Razorgrabsontomyarmandforcesmetostop Iturnandlookrightathim
Hisdarkeyeslightupwithsurpriseandpleasure “Restassured,youdon’thavetoworryaboutthatgettingbacktohim Idon’t kissandtell,Cola.”
Ifurrowmybrowstogether.“Cola?”
Herakeshiseyesupanddownmybodyonceandmore.“Yeah,you’reshapedlikeanold-fashionedglassbottleofCoke,so Colasuitsyou.”
Geeze,IneverthoughtI’dhearamansaythat
IusedtogetbulliedformyathleticbodywhenIwasakid
Idragmytongueagainstmybottomlip,movingclosertohim
Swayingmyhipswitheachstep,Ileaninforakiss
Razorrespondseagerly,hishandsroamingovermyhipsaswebothstumbletowardmycarinaheatedfrenzy
Hepressesmeupagainstthecoldmetal,thechillsendinggoosebumpsallovermybody
Idon’tcareabouthowcoldthecaris
Hislipsonminearetoointoxicatingtothinkaboutanythingelse
Eachkissislikeasipofthefinestliquor,burningyetmakingyoucraveitevenmore
Hepullsawayslightly,leavingmepantingwithdesire
Idon’twanthimtostop
AllIwanthimtodoisdevourme
Hiseyesarefilledwithrawdesire,andhedragshistongueagainsthislipsexually.“Damn,Cola,”heraspsbeforecolliding hislipswithmineoncemore.
Razorcontinuestoravageme,bitbybit,untilIwrapmyhandsaroundthesideofhisthroatandyankmyselfawayfromhim.
“Weneedtogetinthecar,”Iwhisper,breakingawayfromthekiss.“Someonemightseeus.”
Razorgivesmeacurtnod,openingthebackdoortomycaruntilwe’rebothinthebackseat.
Hisbodypressesagainstmineaswebothstruggletoremoveourclothesinthetightspace.
Razoruseshismammoth-sizedhandsandpalmsmybreasts.
Heat-filledgroansofanticipationfillthecarashegrabsthetopofmyshirt,yankingitovermyheadhastily.
Ifumblewiththebuttononmyjeans,relievedwhenitpopsopenwithasoftthud
Heskimshisfingersovermybarestomach,causingachilltorundownmyspineintheprocess
Razormanagestostripmedownuntilthere’snotonepieceofclothingonmybody,tossingeverythingonthefloortohisleft
Razorleansbackslightly,rakinghiseyesovermelikeastarvedhyenaabouttodevourableedinggazelle
Ilookintohisdeepgoldenchocolateeyesandsnicker “Comeon,bigboy Iwon’tbite”
Abitofplayfulnessappearsinhiseyes “Oh,youwon’t?MaybeIshouldjustleavethen”
Instinctively,Ishootoutandgrabhisbeard,yankingitashardasIcanuntilhisbodyismostlypressingagainstmine.
MyheartpoundsinmychestasIreachoutandgrabhiscottonshirt.
Itugatitroughly,needingtofeelhisskinagainstmine.
God,Iwanttoknowwhatitfeelslike.
Hereleasesalowmoaninapprovalashetakeshiscutoff,tossingitinthefrontseatofmycar.
Iyankhisshirtwithallofmymight,practicallyrippingitoffhim,revealingaperfectlytonedanddecadentchest.
Fuck,I’vebeenwithsomehotguysinmypast...butRazorisbyfarthehottest.
Withhisbroadshoulders,hugemuscles,sexybeard,andtattoos,heisperfect.
AssoonasI’vefinishedhelpinghimgetoutofhisclothes,Iallowmyhandstoexplorehishardenedmuscles.
Inkcoversaboutfiftypercentofhisbody,andGoddamn,it’sdivine.
I,too,havequiteafewtattoosandamnaturallydrawntomenwhohavethemriddlingtheirbodies. Forsucharoughandruggedman,hisskinissmooth.
Irunmyhandsagainsthisshoulders,downhischest,andultimatelypalmhiscock.
Hebeginstouchingme,atfirsttracingtheoutlineofmybraidsbeforelettinghisfingersroamacrossmychest.
Chillscontinuetoshootdownmyspinewhilemycenterjumpstovolcanic-levelheat.
Razorgrowsquietandgazesatme,asexyglintinhiseyes.“IknowI’venevertoldyouthis,butdamn,you’rehot.”
Hecollideshislipsdownonmineoncemore,andIpalmhiscock,tightenmygripandpumphimasheclaimsmymouth.
Fuck,I’msohotandbothered
Razortakeschargeandhisdominanceleavesmepanting,beggingformore
Hegrabsmebythehipsandyanksmeclosertohim “Ineedtobeinsideyou,now,”hemurmurs,breakingourkiss
Thebackseatbecomeshot,foggingupthewindows
Ireleasehiscock,andhegrabshisjeans,pullsacondomoutofapocket,andripsitopenwithhisteeth
Iseductivelydragmytongueagainstmybottomlipandwatchasherollsitoverhismonstrouscock “Readyforthis?”Hesnickers
Igivehimanod “Shutupandfuckme,Razor”
Razordoesn’tneedtobetoldtwice
Hegrabsmeoncemore,forcesmybodyagainsthis,andflipsusaround
Nowhe’slyingdownonthebackseat,andI’mstraddlinghim
Hishands,roughfromyears’worthofbarfightsandhardwork,aresurprisinglygentleasheteasesandtauntsmynipples
Ibitemybottomlipandmoan,givingintotheeuphoricfeelingspreadingacrossmybody.
Hiseyesaredarkwithlust,watchingmyeverymovement.
“YoulovewhatI’mdoin’,don’tyou?”hisstatementishardlyaquestion.
Inod.“Youhavenoidea.”
Razorrollshishipsagainstme,hiscockglidingdownmylips,smearingmygrowingessencearound.
Itakeadeepbreath,releasingitslowlyasIlowermyselfdownontohishardcock.
Razorgruntsashefillsmeupinchbygloriousinch.“God,you’refuckin’tight.”
Thewayhesaysitmakesmefeelsogood.
EventhoughI’mastripper,I’veonlysleptwithfiveguysmywholelifeandonewoman,sothismakesmybodycountseven. Igrinddownonhim,rollingmyhipsagainsthisasIbounceupanddown.
Razorgripsmyhipstightlyandbeginsguidingmeupanddownhislength.
Withhishandsplantedfirmlyonmyhips,Razortakescontrol.
Hisgripisintensebutisn’tpainfulintheslightestbit.
HisjawclencheseachtimeIbounceupanddownhislengthwhilethelinesinhisheadgethard.
Razorliftshishead,takingasinglenippleinhismouth,suckingandnibblingwhileIridehisfatcock.
Mymoansgrowlouder,andIlosecompletecontrol,feelingmycoretighten.“Razor,I’msofuckin’close,”Iwhimper. Hereleases mynipplewitha popandgoes tothe other,lookingupatmewitha mischievous glint.“I’mfar fromdone with you”
Forsomereason,hiswordssendasurgeofpleasurethroughme,andIcomehard Iclutchontohistattooedshouldersasmyorgasmrollsthroughme,andhecapturesmynipple,suckingharderthanbefore
Razorramshiscockinandoutofme,continuingmyorgasm
“Fuck,Razor!”Imoanloudly,knowingifthere’sanyoneoutside,theycanhearhowgoodhe’sfuckingme Hethrustsharderthanbefore,andIdigmynailsintohisshoulders.
Rollingmyhipsagainsthim,hehitsmyG-spoteverysingletimehethrustsintome.
Finally,alowgrowlrumblesfromhisthroatashebucksupinsidemeonelasttime. Hefindsrelease,gruntingandgroaningasheholdsmeclose,upagainsthissweat-riddenbody.
Thesexwasintenseandmind-blowing,ourmoansfillingtheconfinedspace.
I’dbelyingifIsaidIdidn’tlosemyselfinthemoment.Razor’scock,andthedrugsareagoodcombinationtokeepmeoutof myhead.
Iknowalltoowellthatthismomentwon’tlastforever,butatleastI’mcontent.
Razorpullshimselfoutofmeandleansupagainstthedoor “Thatwasfuckin’great”
Ileanbackagainsttheseat,nodding “Yes,itwas”
InRazor’sarms,Isomehowfoundamomentofpeace andIwonderifitwouldbepossibletofinditagain Internally,Ishakeawaymythoughts
It’snotlikeitwouldmatter
Razorisprobablyonlypassingthrough,andthisisaone-off
Iknowhowcruelandintensemylifeisonaday-to-daybasis
Clearingmythroat,Ibreakthesilenceinmycar “Ineedtogetgoing”
Razornods “Yeah,I’dbettergetonmyway”
RazorandIbothproceedtogetdressedandasIslidemyclotheson,Iwonderhowlonghe’saroundfor Itcan’tbetoolong,consideringIhaven’tseenhiminacoupleofyears,butIsecretlyhopehe’llbeintownforatleastafew days.
Razor onlyopens the door once I’mcompletelydressed, and witha shit-eatinggrinonhis face, he speaks up. “I’ll see you around,Oakleigh.”
BeforeIcanevenreply,Razorshutsthedoor,andhe’swalkingofftoGodknowswhere. Isuckinadeepbreaththroughmynose,readytohitthehayassoonasIgetbacktotheclubhouse.
Ileanagainstthewornoakbar,slowlysippingaglassofwhiskey.
OutofalltheclubhousesI’vebeentointhelastyear,theSatan’sRaidersisthemostbusy. Peopleareconstantlymovingaround,goinginandout. Theyallmusthavedifferentschedules,butitmakesalotofsense.Noteveryonecanbeintheclubatthesametime.
Bootsthudagainstthewoodenfloorsandmostofthewomenarewearingsneakers. Theonlyonewhoisn’tisFury’swoman,Chloe,who’sateacherbyday.
Thewallsarelinedwithphotographs.SomeweretakenfromwhenIce,Breaker’sfather,originallystartedtheclub. TheirfamilyhastheirrootsdeepintheMClife.IcestartedtheSatan’sRaidersMC,whilehisbrother,Zeus,isthepresidentof theSonsofGodsMC
Bothclubsareallies,butweonlyhavearegentwiththeSatan’sRaidersMCfornow
I’msuretherewillbeatimewhenoneofourmengoestoBirminghamtobewiththeSonsofGods,butthere’stoomuchcrazy shitgoingon.
MygazedriftstothecornerwhereHammersits,chattingwithOakleigh.
Shelaughsatsomethingherfathersays,tippingherneckbackslightly.
Ipaycloseattentiontoherbraids,seeingtheminthelightforthefirsttime.Theysuitherwell.
She’ssomuchdifferentfromthewomenwhotypicallyfrequentaclub. Oakleighhasanedgetoher,andIlikeit.
She’sgotthistoughnessabouther,andwhileIdon’tknowwhereitcamefrom,somethingmusthavehappened.
ThefirsttimeImether,therewasaninnocenceabouther,butIcantellit’slonggone Lifehashardenedher,andI’msureatsomepoint,I’llfindouthowithappened “How’sitgoing,man?”IturntoseeOps,alongtimememberoftheSatan’sRaidersMC,approachme Hisarmwaswrappedaroundhiswoman’swaist,apleasedsmileonhisface Iraisemydrink “Can’tcomplainonebit”
IglanceoveratOakleighforasplitsecondbeforelookingbackatOps Opsfollowsmygazeandchuckles “She’sareallygoodkid,isn’tshe?”
Inod.“Yeah,seemslikeit.Don’tknowherwellenough.OnlymetheroncebackinMontanaacoupleofyearsback.”
Opspullshisgirltighteragainsthim.“She’sgotagoodheadonhershoulders,that’sfordamnsure.”
Hiswomanlicksherlipsnervouslyandextendsahand.“I’mMabel.It’snicetomeetyou.” Ishakeherhand.“Razor,andlikewise.”
MabelforcesasoftsmilebeforelookingatOps.“Shedoes,butwe’reallkeepingacloseeyeonher.” Herwordspiquemyinterest.“Oh?”
Opsshootsheraglare,almostasifhe’squietlytryingtosilenceher,butMabelcontinues.“Yeah,shewasshotonHalloween, andsincethen,hermoodhasbeenabitdifferent She’salittlemorejaded”
IrememberthefirsttimeImether Shewastryingtobuydrugs,butHammerandIintervened I’llstandbythefactshewasalittlemoreinnocent,buttherewasabitofdarknessinhereyes
SinceseeingherinLosAngeles,Icanhonestlysaythereisadifference Thedarknessismoreobviousinmyeyes
Breaker’svoiceboomsthroughtheclubhouse “Ops’,comehere!”
OpsandMabelwalkoff,leavingmebymyself
ThingsherearesomuchdifferentthaninMexico
Ourcharterisstillinthebeginningstagesofbeingformed,soit’squietashellthere
Here,thebrothersarestartingtosettledownandhavingfamilies,andI’dbelyingifIsaidthesesortsofchangeswouldmake mehappy.
Sure,I’dloveagoodwomanatmysideatsomepoint,butIdoubtI’dbereadyforchildrenanytimesoon.
Ipulloutmyphone,tappingawayonmyscreen.
Ihaven’tcheckedinwithAmarasinceIarrivedinLA,soIneedtotaketheopportunitytodosonow.
Afterbeingontheroadforsolong,IsawmyfairshareofMCpresidents.
Thereweren’tmanytimesIsawwomenpresidents,butI’mgladforthechange.Amara’sadamngoodonetoo.
She’sthekindofwomanwhodoesn’tneedamantheretoholdherhandandcoddleherthroughlife.
She’sstrongandcapable,andwhileshe’swithDante,anyonecantelltheybothhavealphamentalities.
I’mgladtofinallyhaveahome,onewhereIfeellikeItrulybelong
Beinganomadhaditsperks,butatthirty-nine,I’mreadytocalmdownalittlebit
Icontinuetowatchthesceneunfoldaroundme,seeingthewomenchattogether,watchingasShilohwalksofftowardthestairs andtheguysshootingpooltogether.
Soonenough,ourcharterisgoingtolooklikethis,andthatmakesmehappy.
Overall,I’mluckytobepartoftheReapersRejectsMC,especiallyinthebeginninglikethis. Astheyearspass,itwillonlymeanmyseniorityandrespectwithintheclubwillgrow. Itakeanothersipofwhiskey,mygazedriftingbackovertoOakleigh.
Hammer’ssincegottenupandleft,likelyfollowinghiswifeupstairs.
Oakleighmightnotknow it,butsheandtheotherclubkidsarethefuture.Whenall ofusaredeadandgone,they’ll keepthe clubrunning,andsowilltheprospects
Isupposethat’swhyIfinallydecidedtopickaspottoland
Iwanttobeapartofsomethinggreat,andwiththeReapersRejects,Ihavetheopportunitytodothat
Thingsarechanginginmylife,butitisn’tabadthing.
Ihaveasenseofpurposenowandaclubtocallmyown.
Ileanagainstthebar,continuingtosiponmywhiskey. Killercomesupbesideme,leaningagainstthebar.
Fury’swipingthebardown,probablydisinfectingitorsomething.“Wantadrink?” Killernods.“Whiskeywouldbegood.”
Furygrabsaglass.“Gotit.”
WhileFurymakesKiller’sdrink,Killerlooksoveratme.“Youhearaboutwhathappenedlastnight?” Ishakemyhead.“No,Ihaven’t.Dosomethin’crazy?”
Killersmirksmischievously,“Youcouldsaythat.Wefinallymadeamoveagainstthe17.”
I heard the name brought up once or twice by Zane and Amara. The two of themwere on a call with Damon, discussing whetherweweregoingtosendpeopletoLAtoassistthem
TheRaidersdidn’taskforourhelpatthatpointintime,sowedidn’tsendanyone Iarchmybrows “Good How’ditgo?”
Killerproceedstotellme,“Itwentgood Wehitoneoftheirpartieslastnightandshottheplaceup Theirleader,Carlos,was killedintheattack,sowedamnwellsentamessage.”
The17havebeencausingproblemsfortheirclubforabitnow.
“Good.Thelastthingyouneedisforanenemytonottakeyouseriously.”
It’sgoodforthemtopluckthethornoutoftheirside.Hopefully,withCarlosgone,itwillmeanthe17pullbackcompletely. But,foraslongasI’vebeenaround,Iknow better.Someonewilllikelyriseupwithintheranksandcausemorechaosinno time
Inaway,itmakesmethankfulbecausewedon’thavetoomanyissuesatourcharter Iknowintime,we’llbegintohavemoreproblemsarise,especiallyaswemakeourselvesprevalent
Therearen’tanyclubsclosetous,buttherearesmallergangswhoconstantlywanttopissonourterritory,markingitastheirs. Myphonebeginsvibrating,andIglancedownandseeAmara’scallingme.
Ipickitup,acceptthecall,andbringittomyear.“Hey.”
Thesecondshespeaks,Icantellshe’sstressed.“Hey,youhaveafewminutes?”
LikeIhavetheoptiontosayno.“Ofcourse.What’sgoin’on?”
Amarahesitatesforamomentbeforeanswering.“Wehadabitofasituationearliertoday.Caughtateenagersellingdrugsnear theclub.”
Ifurrow mybrows,tryingtofigureoutwhointheir rightmindwouldbeonour turf.“It’s nottheRamirezes or theLopezes, right?”
Immediately,Amaraconfirms,“No,Dantedoesn’thaveaclueaboutit,andtheRamirezestrytofunnelthedrugstoAmerica. Theydon’twanttotaintMexicowithdrugs.”
Ilaugh.“Yeah,butotherswilliftheydon’t.Theyshouldhavecontroloverthesituation.”
Amara agrees, “Iknow, butdon’tshootthe messenger. Iknow those two families aren’tbehind it, whichmeans someone’s testingthewaters,seeingwhattheycangetawaywithinourterritory”
Isighheavily,knowingall toowell thiswasgoingtohappenatsomepoint.“Webetterfigureoutwho’sbehinditbeforewe
haveabiggerissueonourhands.”
SituationslikethisaredangerousenoughinAmerica,butinMexico,thingsaresomuchdifferent. InAmerica,peoplepussyfootaroundabitmore,butinMexico,thestakesaremuchhigher. IneedtogetbacktoChihuahuaassoonasIcan.“I’llcomebackstraightaway.”
Amarainstantlystopsme.“No.You’resupposedtobemeetingPythonwhileyou’reinLA.Meethim.DanteandIcanhandle thefuckerygoingonaroundhere”
Inod,eventhoughshecan’tseeme “Okay,justletmeknowifyouwantmebacksooner I’llridelikehelltogetthere” “Willdo,”Amaracomments,hertonesofterthanbefore “HowdidthingsgowithZane?” Ididn’ttellhertoomuch,justthatthingswentthewaywewantedthemto Ismirk,happytotellher “He’ssendingafewprospectsdowntotheMexicocharter” Amaraseemssurprisedbutgrateful “Amazing Ididn’tknowifhe’dsendthemdownyet Didhesaywhohewassending?” Ithinkfor amomentandlistthemoff “Boulder,Brick,Rooster,Doom,andLashes They’ll bearrivingmaybeaweekor so afterIgethome.TheyneedtoapplyfortheVisas.”
Luckily, Ididn’thave to deal withanyofthatshit. Iwas borninAmerica butlived inMexico for a few years inmyearly twenties
Atthattime,Iappliedforcitizenshipandgotit TheUS doesn’tmakeyougiveupyourcitizenship,soI’mfreetocomeandgo asIplease.
Amaraletsoutasighofrelief.“That’sgreatnews.Wecouldusesomeextrabodiesdownhere.”
She’sright.Weneedpeople,andweneedthemsoon.“Yeah,Iknow.Wemightnothaveallofourofficers,butprospectsare something”
Amara’squietforamomentbeforespeakingupagain “Yeah,you’reright KeepmeupdatedonwhathappenswithPython If hedoesn’tcomethrough,youandIneedtotalkaboutwhoelsewecanpullintotheclubasanofficer.”
It’soddtohaveprospectsbeforeourofficerpositionsarefilled,butI’msurewe’llfigureitout.
“I’llbeasconvincingasIcan.Knowinghim,hemightaccept,”Itellher.
PythonandIknoweachotherfrombeingontheroad.
Wewouldrunintoeachotherfromtimetotime,shootingtheshit,tellingeachotherstoriesaboutbeingontheroad. ThelasttimeIsawhimwasyearsago.
IwasinMaine,cruisingthrough,andstoppedatarandombarinacoastaltown. Sureenough,Pythonwasdrinkingabeer.
Wehadahabitoflosingtouch,butwe’dusuallycatchupwithoneanothereveryfewmonths. Amaraclearsherthroatandspeaksinarushedtone,“Ihavetogetgoing,butI’lltalktoyoulater.” “Bet.Talksoon,”IsayasIendthecall.
Islipmyphoneintomypocketandtakeinadeepbreath.
AsmuchasIwanttofocusonseeingPython,apartofmethinksIneedtobebackhomehelpingAmaradealwithwhoever’s tryingtostirupproblemswiththeclub
Ishakemyheadinanattempttoclearmythoughtsanddowntherestofmywhiskey
Nomatterwhat,shit’sgonnabefine
