by Nicole James
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
ROYAL BASTARDS CODE
Royal Bastards MC Series
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
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
EPILOGUE
CLUB PRINCESS
Royal Bastards MC: Durango, Colorado
By
Nicole James
CLUB PRINCESS
Royal Bastards MC: Durango, Colorado
Nicole James
Published by Nicole James
Copyright 2020 Nicole James
All Rights Reserved
Cover Art by Jay Aheer, Simply Defined Art
ROYAL BASTARDS CODE
PROTECT: The club and your brothers come before anything else, and must be protected at all costs. CLUB is FAMILY.
RESPECT: Earn it & Give it. Respect club law. Respect the patch. Respect your brothers. Disrespect a member and there will be hell to pay.
HONOR: Being patched in is an honor, not a right. Your colors are sacred, not to be left alone, and NEVER let them touch the ground.
OL’ LADIES: Never disrespect a member’s or brother’s Ol’Lady. PERIOD.
CHURCH is MANDATORY.
LOYALTY: Takes precedence over all, including well-being.
HONESTY: Never LIE, CHEAT, or STEAL from another member or the club.
TERRITORY: You are to respect your brother’s property and follow their Chapter’s club rules.
TRUST: Years to earn it...seconds to lose it.
NEVER RIDE OFF: Brothers do not abandon their family.
Royal Bastards MC Series
Second Run
E.C. Land: Cyclone of Chaos
Chelle C. Craze & Eli Abbot: Ghoul
Scarlett Black: Ice
Elizabeth Knox: Rely On Me
J.L. Leslie: Worth the Risk
Deja Voss: Lean In
Khloe Wren: Blaze of Honor
Misty Walker: Birdie's Biker
J. Lynn Lombard: Capone's Chaos
Ker Dukey: Rage
Crimson Syn: Scarred By Pain
M. Merin: Declan
Elle Boon: Royally F**ked
Rae B. Lake: Death and Paradise
K Webster: Copper
Glenna Maynard: Tempting the Biker
K.L. Ramsey: Whiskey Tango
Kristine Allen: Angel
Nikki Landis: Devil's Ride
K E Osborn: Luring Light
CM Genovese: Pipe Dreams
Nicole James: Club Princess
Shannon Youngblood: Leather & Chrome
Erin Trejo: Unbreak Me
Winter Travers: Six Gun
Izzy Sweet & Sean Moriarty: Broken Ties
Jax Hart: Desert Rose
Royal Bastards MC FaceBook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/royalbastardsmc/
Website:
https://www.royalbastardsmc.com
CHAPTER ONE
Lola—
I slide my hands up the young prospect’s leather cut. It’s bare of patches, but that will all change when he finishes his probationary period and becomes a full patch brother of the Royal Bastards MC. It will be a while before that happens though, because he’s new… which is exactly why I chose him. It was easy to get him to follow me outside the back door of the clubhouse. All it took was a curl of my finger.
He looks at me with hungry eyes, but there’s wariness in them, too. I’m sure he’s already been warned to stay away from me; after all, my father is the MC’s president. If this kid pisses Rock off, he’ll never get his colors.
Not that I really care. That won’t be my problem.
Some of my friends say I have a jaded attitude, and I suppose it’s true, but in all fairness, I have reason to be. Life hasn’t exactly handed me a fair deal. I suppose I’ve hardened, but I call it toughness. I’ve found the best way to deal with my pain is bury it under a thick layer of armor. Don’t let them see that you care, that you give a damn one way or another. Take it or leave it, boy; it’s no skin off my nose.
If you don’t care, they can’t hurt you, right? It’s a hard lesson—one I’ve had to learn more than once unfortunately.
This guy is cute in a boyish way. I think his name is Kyle, or maybe Kevin. I really don’t remember, but I’m getting bored by the indecision in his eyes, so I cup the back of his neck and make the decision for him, pulling his mouth to mine and kissing him softly.
It doesn’t take long for him to take the lead. His hands land on my ass and pull me against him. It’s a nice kiss, but there’s just no spark. I’m not all that surprised. I haven’t found a guy who really does it for me in forever. I guess I’m picky.
Suddenly he’s ripped from my arms, and my eyes fly open to see Utah yanking him away and slamming him against the wall.
Uh-oh.
Utah is the club’s Enforcer. He’s tall and muscular and no one to mess with.
“You don’t touch the fucking club princess. You got that?” he growls in the prospect’s face.
The kid’s eyes are huge as he nods once, his palms in the air. “Yes, sir. Won’t happen again.”
Utah points at me. “And you know better, Lola.”
I give him a flirtatious smile, stepping to him as he releases the prospect. “Aw, come on, Utah. I was just having a little fun.” I slip my arms around his neck. I love tormenting him. I know there’s no chance in hell he’ll cross this line with me. Not because of any restraint he feels where I’m concerned. No, it’s more about the loyalty he feels for my father.
He pulls my hands down and mutters, “Rock wants to see you.”
I roll my eyes and grumble, “What else is new?”
“Now.” He’s short with me, revealing that he’s not as unaffected as he likes to pretend. Though, I think he knows I just like to toy with him. It’s a game we play. I’m not that attracted to him. He’s more like family to me.
I flip my hair over my shoulder and huff, “I’m going.”
As I strut away I can’t help glancing over my shoulder coyly. I catch his gaze on my ass and grin. He’s so predictable.
His eyes flick to mine, and he shakes his head, the corner of his mouth pulling up. “You’re such a fucking tease, Lola.”
I blow him a kiss and move through the door of the back hall that leads into the main room of the clubhouse. I love this place. I always have, going all the way back to when I was a child and would come in and pretend to play pool, pushing the balls around the felt with my hands, barely able to reach over the edge.
Then when I was older, playing songs on the old jukebox and games on the pinball machines that used to stand in the corner. They’re long since gone, but the memories of the fun time
s are still with me.
There’s a bar against the wall and some tables and couches. A long porch runs across the front of the large structure, and that’s where many members often can be found, kicked back with a beer or joint in their hand.
I cross the room to another hall that leads to my father’s office. It’s one of my favorite places with its large picture window that looks out over the mountains.
I tap on the door, something I learned as a child to always do before entering.
“Come in.”
Rock sits behind the big desk in front of the window. I take one of the two comfortable leather chairs across from him.
“You wanted to see me?”
My father is in his late forties. He’s a good-looking man who’s responsible for giving me my great bone structure and blonde hair. His roots go back to the Vikings, he claims, and I swear he could be on the cover of one of those historical romances.
He looks up at me, and I meet his ice blue gaze. He runs his hand through his long hair that hangs around his broad shoulders.
“Seen your brother?”
“Nope.”
“When’s the last time you did?”
“I don’t know, maybe a week or more.”
“Where do you think he is?”
I shrug. “No clue. Maybe he just doesn’t want to be a part of this club. Maybe that’s why he wrecked his bike, some kind of subconscious act.”
“Bullshit. I don’t believe that and I don’t want to talk about it, so don’t bring it up again.” He points at me.
I roll my eyes. “Of course you don’t. Sweep it under the rug, and it’s not there, right?”
“He still with that girl?”
I’m not surprised by his change of topic. When my father doesn’t want to talk about something, it’s a tactic he often uses. I sigh and ask, “Which one?”
“Hell, I don’t know. The red-head.”
I chuckle. “She was like two girls ago, Dad.”
He runs a frustrated hand down his beard, and I notice the lines around his eyes.
“Why are you asking about him? Don’t pretend you’re worried all of a sudden.”
His gaze flicks to mine, and I read the irritation there. His voice carries a thread of warning when he responds to my taunt. “Lola…”
I can’t help doing a little interrogating of my own. “You still with Angie?”
“Nope, and I don’t want to talk about her.”
That’s not shocking; none of the women in my father’s life last long around here. “Touchy, aren’t we?”
Again he steers the conversation toward my brother. “He still on those painkillers?”
“How should I know? We barely speak anymore.”
“And why’s that?”
“You should know.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I stand, so done with this all. “Look. I don’t know where he is, but if I talk to him, I’ll tell him to call you.”
“Don’t bother. I’m done with him.”
I huff out a laugh. “Right. Look, I’ve got to be somewhere, so are we done here? Is your little interrogation over with?”
“Don’t get smart with me, Lola.”
I turn and head toward the door.
“Where’re you goin’?”
I look over my shoulder and wink. “I’ve got to see a guy about a car.”
CHAPTER TWO
Lola—
I pull up at Darko’s place. He’s the club’s VP. He works on cars out of his garage and does a good business. His specialty is American muscle cars.
I climb out of my crappy compact and stroll toward the shiny red 1966 Pontiac GTO.
“Lola.” He straightens from checking the oil. The sun shines on his dark hair and reflects off his wraparound shades. He grins. “She’s finished. Purrs like a kitten. I promised you first shot at it before I put it up for sale, and I keep my word.”
“She’s gorgeous.”
Wiping his hands on a rag, his gaze moves over the car. “One of my best rebuilds.”
“You know I’ve had my eye on this car since you first acquired it.”
“Yeah, I know. You’ve been wanting a muscle car since you turned sixteen.”
“Not just any muscle car… a GTO. I’ve been hooked since I first saw you working on that black one five years ago.”
He chuckles, stroking the beard on his jaw. “Right. That was a nice car. This one’s better. Like the color? It’s factory Montero Red.”
“It’s perfect.” I stroll around the car, admiring the sleek lines. “This car’s a piece of art. You do phenomenal work, Darko.”
“Don’t go butterin’ me up with compliments, girl. The price is firm.”
“No family discount?” I stick out a pouty lip and give my head a coquettish tilt.
“Nope, and don’t even try that shit with me. This is all business.” He nods toward the door. “Keys are in it. You want a test drive?”
I want one more than anything. I’ve been dying for one since the moment I laid eyes on this car. I grin. “Hell, yes.”
I open the door and slide behind the wheel. The black leather bucket seat gleams under me. I glance around, taking in the interior—the rear bench seat, the center console with floor shifter. It’s all so cool in a very retro way.
Darko slips in the passenger seat.
My fists close over the thin sixties era steering wheel. It feels good in my hands as I gaze at the stylish dash with its four round gauges.
“Fire her up,” Darko orders, his elbow out the window, his hand on the top of the frame.
I turn the key and the engine thunders to life, rumbling through the frame and up the seat through my body. I can’t hold back the giggle of excitement.
Darko’s white teeth flash at my enthusiasm. “Let’s buzz the gut.”
I know exactly what he means; he wants me to take it through the main drag of town, and I can’t wait. I close my hand over the shifter and put it in gear. We pull out onto the highway, gravel flying as I hit the gas. The rubber grabs the pavement and we surge forward. Oh, my God, I’m in love.
I glance down at the dashboard. “Tell me you upgraded the radio in this thing. I need some rock and roll.”
Darko bellows out a laugh as we fly down the highway.
Twenty minutes later, we pull back in the garage, and I put it in park.
Darko looks over at me. “Price is thirty-eight thousand. You said you’ve got twelve saved up. I’ll work payments out with you for the balance. Five hundred a month until it’s paid off, and I won’t charge you interest. That’s the best family deal I can give you, Lola.”
It’s a good deal, and I don’t hesitate to take it. “Deal.”
“You got the money for me?”
“You want cash?” I lift a brow. Surely he’s joking.
“You bank with Western Federal. Same as me, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Go transfer the funds to my account. I’ll text you the number. When it shows up, I’ll give you the keys.”
“You have trust issues, Darko.”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black, don’t you think?”
I grin. “Touché.”
We climb out, and I come around the car. I can’t help giving him a hug. He’s making my dream come true, and I didn’t have to ask my father for help or to cosign a loan. “Thank you, Darko.”
“Get out of here. I’ve got work to do, girl.”
His voice is gruff, but I hear the emotion under the surface. He’s my father’s age and has been like an uncle to me since I was little. I squeeze him again, and then dash to my car. I look in my rearview as I pull out, and see him watching me with a smile.
My phone dings with Darko’s text as I walk through the doors of the bank and approach a teller. I know this girl. She’s an old friend from high school.
“Hey, Carla.”
“Hi, Lola. How are you?”
“Great.” I smile
and give her my account number along with my ID. “I’d like to transfer twelve thousand from my account to this other Western Federal account.” I scribble the number down on a piece of paper, along with the name on the account.
“Sure. I can do that for you.” She takes the information.
I grin and can’t help leaning forward to whisper, “I’m buying the car of my dreams.”
She smiles back. “This is a big day, then.”
She taps on her keyboard, and I watch the smile fade from her face. She frowns.
“Um, Lola, there’s only forty-four dollars in your account.”
My stomach drops. “What? There was over twelve thousand dollars. I just transferred it out of my savings account last week.” Except for the small stash of cash I have at home, it’s every cent I have.
She nods. “I see the transfer from your savings—that went through—but then there was a check written on the account.” She taps on the keyboard some more and swivels the screen so I can see.
I lean over the counter to peer at the image of the check. It’s made out to Richard Garrison Rockingham III, my brother whom we all call Trez. My name is signed at the bottom in his handwriting. Oh my God. I’m going to kill him.
Carla gives me a stricken look. “That’s your signature, right?”
If I say no, he’ll be in a shitload of legal trouble. “Oh, sure. I just forgot I already wrote him a check. I thought he was ripping it up. He’d asked me to just transfer the money. You know, so he wouldn’t have to wait for the check to clear.”
She looks like she doesn’t believe me, but she nods. “Sure. Of course. Did you need anything else?”
“Nope, that was it.” I gather my ID and back away from the counter.
“Congratulations on the new car, Lola.”
I nod, my throat suddenly too tight to speak, and dash outside.
I jump in my car and try to breathe. I’ve worked so long to save up that money. God, I was a fool to transfer it out of savings. At least there, Trez wouldn’t have been able to get his hands on it.