He handed me a helmet as I slung my leg over the back of his bike. I snapped it on, my hands holding onto the bars next to me as he took off with a roar. He headed to the outskirts of town and I started to wonder if this was where they hid the bodies. He slowed, turning down a gravel drive, finally coming to a stop in front of an old RV.
“Oh God,” I whispered as I looked up, my fingers numb against the helmet I tried to remove. Johnny reached over and unsnapped the strap, lifting the helmet from my head. “He’s,” I couldn’t finish, staring in horror.
“A warning,” Johnny stated, unbothered by the sight. “Of what happens when you betray your brothers.” I nodded faintly, my gaze still stuck on the sight of Fat Willy’s crucified body. “He’ll be found tomorrow,” Johnny murmured, tilting his head as he stared at Willy critically. “A reminder that we don’t tolerate snitches.”
“Are you warning me?” I asked curiously.
He glanced back, arching an eyebrow as he stared at me. “No, Jailbait. This isn’t a warning for you.” He surprised me when he said, “I don’t think you’ll betray the Rebels or Creed. You’ve proven your loyalty.” He leaned forward, propping his arm on the handlebar. “Monty is being charged with the murders of two men. One of them Grant Ericson.” He sucked on his bottom lip, staring contemplatively at Fat Willy’s corpse. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“He had Deacon killed,” I replied emotionlessly. “We couldn’t prove it.”
Johnny nodded, never taking his gaze off the dead man. “And Nina suddenly decided to take a job out of state.”
I licked my suddenly dry lips.
“You don’t have to answer, Jailbait. There are a few things I’m well known for not tolerating. Drugs and liars.” His eyes cut down toward me. “Don’t become the latter.”
I nodded and he exhaled. “This is what happens to those who betray the club, not the ones who protect it, Jailbait.”
“Good to know,” I answered as I took my first deep breath since I’d seen Willy hanging. “Um, can we go now?”
He chuckled and handed back the helmet. “I think I like you.”
“I think I like you too,” I replied hesitantly, glancing once more at Willy’s dead body. “You’ve definitely got a flair for the dramatic.”
We roared back down the road, his laughter drifting back to me, as he shouted, “Welcome to the Rebels.”
Chapter Fifteen
Creed
13 Months Later
The door buzzed and I moved forward automatically, accustomed to the sound after so many months. This time though, it meant freedom. I stepped out into the sunlight, squinting against the bright glare. I knew someone would be there to pick me up, but I didn’t dare hope it would be –
“Creed,” she called out and my heart clenched at the familiar sound of her voice. I thought I’d memorized it, but my memory hadn’t done her justice. I stepped out from the shadow of the prison as she ran toward me, catching her when she leapt into my arms.
“Jailbait,” I murmured as I buried my nose into the soft strands of her hair, inhaling the citrus scent. Her legs wrapped around my waist as she squeezed me in a tight hug.
“Technically, I’m no longer jailbait,” she whispered in my ear, planting a soft kiss on my earlobe. “All legal.”
“You’ll always be my Jailbait,” I informed her, lifting my head to meet her eyes, seeing the corners of them crinkle as she gave me a wide grin. “I missed you.”
“The weekly care packages weren’t enough?” She teased, looping her hands around my neck.
“They couldn’t replace this,” I replied, bouncing her lightly. “They did make me extremely popular with the other inmates though.”
She laughed, the sound so carefree and joyous it was contagious. I couldn’t stop my own smile as I studied her. “I didn’t think you’d be here,” I admitted and her head lowered as she gave me a mock frown.
“Oh, I know you didn’t,” she reprimanded. “Ye of little faith.” She bopped the tip of my nose and I flinched reflexively. “I’m here to stay, Creed Hayes.” She cocked her head. “Can you handle that?”
A slow grin formed as I answered, “Yes, ma’am.”
***
It was a couple of days before life settled back into a routine. The welcome home party had lasted from the time we’d pulled into the parking lot of the club until the next day as it seemed everyone in Friendly came to welcome me home.
“You were missed,” Jailbait reminded me, leaning down to kiss my cheek as I sat at the kitchen table, a stack of envelopes piled in front of me. She bounced the little infant seat when Deacon fussed and he quieted.
“You look good doing that,” I told her and she smiled.
“Ready for one of your own,” she teased, her hair spilling around her shoulders, the color once again her natural blonde.
“We might wait till you’re of legal drinking age,” I suggested and she laughed. It seemed she’d become the resident nanny while I was gone, and I couldn’t imagine a better fit. She loved kids and they seemed to love her. “Norah enjoying her job?”
Jailbait lifted one shoulder, her face worried. “I’m not really sure she enjoys anything,” she answered, one finger stroking baby Deacon’s cheek. “At least she’s trying though.”
I nodded, scrubbing my hand over my face as I stared at the stack of welcome home cards. No doubt several had money in them, the club members’ way of helping out since I’d been incarcerated. I sorted through them as Crew came in, grabbing an apple and taking a bite. He made funny faces at baby Deacon as one envelope in particular caught my eye. I stilled, my hand hovering over it as I recognized the block lettering.
This one had a stamp, but no return address, and a cold sensation crept over me. I checked the postmark and saw it had been sent over a month ago. It was addressed to me so no one had opened it, and I knew it was only because Crew hadn’t recognized the handwriting.
I swallowed, their idle chatter fading as I picked up the envelope slowly, the damn thing a time bomb ready to explode. I peeled it open, unsurprised to see only a couple of lines scrawled inside, each one precise and to the point.
“Creed,” Jailbait’s voice broke through the roaring in my ears and I glanced up from the letter to find both of them staring at me curiously. “Is something wrong?”
I held up the paper, my gaze settling on Crew as I told them, “Cord’s coming home.”
Author’s Note
The idea for writing a motorcycle club series has been rattling around in my head for a long time. The idea of a group that is singularly loyal to one another and lives by an unshakable code appeals to me. The men of the Southern Rebels are far from perfect, but they’re brothers, both by blood and choice, and they’ll do anything to protect their family.
Jailbait evolved past my original intentions after I started writing as the guys demanded their own stories. I plan to have a total of five books in the Southern Rebels MC series, each a standalone. Next up is Cord’s story, Outcast, as he returns home to atone for past mistakes. Look for it April 2019.
Again, I hope you enjoyed Jailbait and if you have a moment, please leave a review. Just a few words is a huge boost for a book and I truly appreciate the feedback.
Happy reading,
Kristin
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
ks on Archive.
Jailbait (Southern Rebels MC Book 1) Page 24