by E. C. Land
A Demon’s Bliss
Dark Lullabies #1
E.C. Land
Contents
Available Now
Coming Soon
Acknowledgments
Playlist
Pain of this world
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
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Epilogue
Authors Note:
Prologue
Available Now
By: E.C. Land
Devil’s Riot MC Series
Horse’s Bride
Thorn’s Revenge
Twister’s Survival
Cleo’s Rage
Connors’ Devils
Hades Pain
Badger’s Claim
Burner’s Absolution
Devil’s Riot MC Originals
Stoney’s Property
Anthologies
Guns Blazing
Rocked to the Core
Twisted Steel
Coming Soon
By: E.C. Land
Devil’s Riot MC Originals
Owning Victoria
Dark Lullabies
A Demon’s Harmony
Royal Bastards MC (Elizabeth City Charter)
Cyclone of Chaos
Inferno’s Clutch MC
Chains Trust
Anthologies
Twisted Steel Second Edition
A Demon’s Bliss
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
A Demon’s Bliss. Copyright © 2020 by E.C. Land. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in articles or reviews. For information, contact E.C. Land.
https://www.facebook.com/e.c.landauthor
Publisher: Knox Publishing
Publishing Link: www.knoxpub.com
Cover Design by Charli Childs, Cosmic Letterz Cover Design
Developmental Editing by Courtney Lynn Rose, Knox Publishing
Copy Editing by Rebecca Vazquex, Full Bloom Editorial
Formatting by E.C. Land, Knox Publishing
Proofreading by Jackie Ziegler, Knox Publishing
Created with Vellum
For those who have gone through the pain of this world— darkness surrounds us all and within, we must find the light.
If you have experienced this, know you do not have to stay silent. Speak up, let your voice be heard.
Don’t let history continue to repeat itself.
Acknowledgments
My Family – I’ll always be thankful toward my husband as he continues to show his support in my writing. No matter how annoying I become he lets me ramble on and on with the different things I come up with. Even sends me music when I need encouragement. My kids now are a huge part of this as I show them you can follow your dreams and shoot for the moon if you put your mind to it.
My Betas – Thank you all for being the first to read the stories as they come to life. It means the world to me. Especially when you all start to get mad. That’s when I know I’m doing something right. And in doing so pushing me to keep going with all the different plots that form in my head. I’m thankful to you all for being ready and willing to read and give your input.
My Knox Publishing People – I don’t know what I’d do without you all. You’re all wonderful in your own right and I wouldn’t have it any other way. From encouraging me to keep going when I feel like giving up to kicking my ass when it needs it. The best thing I’m grateful for is when you listen to the different plots and scenarios I come up with. As well as the family you all have become to me.
Liz and Courtney – I honestly don’t know what I would do without either of you. Both of you are two of my best friends. Working with you not only as Publisher/Boss/Editor but as a friend means more than you know. You allow me to be me and don’t try to change the way I am. Instead, you put up with my dorkiness.
Diane – I couldn’t be more grateful to you. You help me so much with all you take care of and have become one of my good friends. I don’t know what I’d do without you considering all that you do.
Playlist
G-Easy and Halsey – Bad Love
Murphy Elmore – Whoever Broke Your Heart
Lindsey Sterling – Shatter Me
Smashed into Pieces – A Friend Like You
Asking Alexandria – Moving On
Linkin Park – New Divide
Russell Dickerson – Yours
Linkin Park – Shadow of the Day
Spaceuntravel – Take the Day – Song for the Broken
Drowning Pool – Tear Away
Adelaide – Strong and Brave
Jon Langston – Forever Girl
Trigger Warning
This content is intended for mature audiences only. It contains material that may be viewed as offensive to some readers, including graphic language, dangerous and sexual situations, murder, rape, and extreme violence.
Pain of this world
There’s pain surrounding us
No matter where we go
Life doesn’t stop for those around
The world doesn’t stop spinning for those who hurt
Life is among us
Pain is ahead of us.
We all go through both
Both life with pain and hurt
Can this life be without the pain
The hurt belongs among the rest
The world doesn’t stop spinning for those who are in pain
In the end it’s all in how you deal
Deal with the pain
Deal with the hurt
Both can cause you misery
Or cause you to move on
The world doesn’t stop spinning for those who are around
Pain of this world
Misery loves company
Life will hurt
No matter what
The world will never stop to give you what you need
Learn to live through it all
Or die and become the shell
Your demons want you to be
~ E.C. Land
Prologue
Bethany
Two Months Ago
When did my life get so complicated? Oh right, I know. The day I let that scumbag, Jacob Davis, into my life. At first, I thought it was love, the way he courted me with chocolates and roses. He pulled the blinders over my eyes. That’s for sure.
I learned a little too late exactly what type of man he is. Now that I think about it, I should have known the first month we were together, I noticed the unfamiliar perfume on him. I’d written it off as something to do with his job. He is a cop after all and if he’d end up touching a woman it could have stuck to him. Okay, yep, that’s just plain stupid of me to rationalize it with. I mean isn’t that why they have female officers?
Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, that’s exactly what I
am. Not only didn’t I pull the wool over my own eyes, thinking Jacob was perfect. No, I let the man hit me continuously over the past two years. The first time I tried to leave him, Jacob threw me through a wall, breaking my wrist and cutting up my side.
Due to him, I’d been unable to play my violin for months and I’d had to tell my co-workers at the school I’d been in an accident. It was more believable than telling them I'd fallen down a flight of stairs. I didn’t need them knowing I was married to an abusive ass.
Shaking myself out of my dreadful thoughts, I glance up at the music shop looming in front of me. I swear the building seems to be laughing at me as I stare at it. This is supposed to be my second chance. I’d applied for a job to work here as a receptionist and part-time music teacher after losing my job at the school.
Jacob had put me in the hospital one too many times and my boss decided I was too much of a hazard to be around the children any longer.
Didn’t matter that I’d finally been able to get away from him. The bastard was able to ruin my life. It’s why I’m thankful when I’d applied to Music Lullabies, the woman was nice enough to look beyond the fading bruises and hired me almost immediately.
She’d almost seemed relieved to have someone new working here. Even warned me that all the guys who own the place can be complete assholes (her words not mine), they still look out for their own. I suppose she was trying to tell me without saying the words that I could talk about it if I wanted.
Yeah, that won’t be happening it’s embarrassing enough that I was fired because of my soon to be ex-husband. My lawyer filed the papers this morning, now it’s all about the waiting game for the judge to sign off on it.
Glancing at my watch, I sigh. “Here goes nothing.”
Time to get in there and start living a new life. A life I hope is filled with peaceful bliss.
Opening the door, I step in and am instantly serenaded by the most beautiful song I think I’ve ever heard. Following the sound around the partial wall, I spot the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen and that’s just by a side view, sitting in front of a keyboard singing next to a little girl. She couldn’t be more than five, maybe six years old.
As the song came to an end, the little girl giggles, “Again, Daddy, again. Play Mommy’s song,” she says.
“Sorry, baby, I gotta get to work in the recording area before students come in for lessons,” he tells her as he lifts her into his arms and stands.
When he looks up, I stop in my tracks. Holy shit, it’s Chaz Recker, the guy I used to admire from afar. My parents were strict, and I wasn’t allowed to play with anyone— let alone the boy next door.
I haven’t seen him in years. Well, that’s what happens when you move away for school and marry a man you never should have.
Taking in the changes he’s made since the last time I saw him, I can honestly say he doesn't look the same. What with the muscles that replaced the lanky arms and how he’s way taller than he used to be. Jesus if I’m not sounding like a stalker to be able to tell the difference between the younger version of him to now.
“Can I help you?” His deep voice sounds absolutely amazing. Bringing my gaze back to his, I find him grinning. Yep, he caught me checking him out. God, I hope he doesn’t say something to my boss.
Blushing, I clear my throat, “Um hi, yeah, I’m here for my first day as the new receptionist,” I say softly.
His brows frown at that. “You’re the new receptionist?” he asks.
“Yeah, I’m Bethany, the woman who was here the other day hired me,” I respond.
His features seem to change instantly as he holds his daughter a little closer to him. Pain whips through my chest. Is he able to see the bruises? I tried to hide them. He must think I’m pathetic and not want me around him or his beautiful daughter.
“Look just go ahead and sit at the desk, start doing whatever, when Alexis gets in she’ll help you figure everything out,” he says before stalking out of the room never once really looking back.
Great start to a second chance, huh.
Chapter 1
Chaz
Present
Over the past five years, I don’t know what I would’ve done if not for my family and I’m not talking about my blood. No, I’m talking about Tanner, Hunter, and Lex. Alexis as well. They’ve been there every step of the way in helping me raise Melody along with running Music Lullabies.
We might not always get along especially Tanner and Alexis, but we’ve always been there for each other.
Now that’s all changed. Thanks to Alexis. Why she couldn’t handle working at the shop anymore, I'm pretty sure I know the reason but it’s none of my business. Her hiring someone without mine or one of the others go ahead is my business and I could honestly strangle the woman for hiring Bethany.
As beautiful as the woman is, she gets on my last nerve. I should have told her she didn’t have a job here and that had been my intent after having a long argument with Alexis in the back nowhere near the beauty of a woman.
“What is it you're pissed off about more, Chaz? That she’s a beautiful person or that she’s a stranger?” Alexis had snapped.
“Don’t even try that bullshit. That woman isn’t beautiful. She is a plain Jane who just so happens to have doe eyes. No, all you did was see a stray and decide to let them in so you can feed and water it,” I growled leveling Alexis with narrowed eyes.
“Think what you want, but she’s not going anywhere. I need a break from this place. From all of you. From the groupies who conjure around you all when you decide to get on stage.” I almost felt sorry for Alexis as she did her best to hide the tears.
“Look, I get it you need a break, I do. You should have come to me or one of the others. We need to know who’s working here and will be around the kids who come for lessons. I need to know who is around Melody. I don’t trust anyone who isn’t one of us. Or a part of the Devil’s Riot MC. Other than our inner circle, Kenny and the rest of the women with the club are the only ones I’ll ever trust. Now, you can go out there and tell her she’s not working here.” Yeah, I know I’m an asshole. Sue me, I don’t care.
“I am not firing Bethany. Give her a chance. I’ve seen her resume and she’s well qualified to work here. She’s qualified to do way more than being a receptionist. The woman was a music teacher for God’s sake,” Alexis huffed as she walked away leaving the argument unfinished.
Great. I either get to be the bad guy, which I have no problem doing, but something about this woman . . . I don’t know what it is. And I shouldn’t even care. I either fire her or give her a chance. A chance to do what? I don’t know quite yet.
Shaking my head, I try to clear it of any thoughts of Bethany. Since she started working here, the woman has won over everyone except me. Normally, she gives me a wide berth and I have an inkling that she might have overheard Alexis and my argument.
Oh well if she did. Better for her to stay away from me.
But then again, it’s driving me up the wall as I watch her move around the shop. She normally stays in the front away from me. Though I catch her sometimes peeking around the corner when Tanner, Hunter, Lex and I are working on new songs or in the recording studio.
The four of us decided instead of sending out demos and trying to get a recording contract with a big-league label, we’d go indie with our music. This gives us a chance to be here at the shop working with the kids that come in and we get to sell our music online.
Best of both worlds.
So far, we’ve had a pretty great following with our music and have no desire to go in any other direction.
Leaning back in my chair, I close my eyes, and my mind instantly takes me back in time to when I didn’t have any worries. A time where I was whole with my other half. Jamie was my everything and though I’ve come to terms with her death, my heart still aches for her. She was my Pixie from the moment I met her until the day she left me. No woman can compare to her.
Every time I have a woma
n underneath me it’s always Jamie’s face I see in my mind. I know she’d want me to be happy, and I am with our daughter. No other woman will ever be able to hold my heart like she did.
Before Jamie, my life wasn’t pleasant. I barely had anything to call my own and if it weren’t for the music shop, we all now own, I would probably be dead.
Now though, she’s gone, and my mind keeps wandering to not just Jamie but another woman. A woman that just walked right into our lives and is beautiful and amazing.
Get that thought out of your head. Bethany isn’t anything compared to Jamie.
I know this but it seems my mind, body, and heart want to wage a battle of wills when it comes to this woman. Why is she so annoyingly intriguing to me?
The sound of the piano draws my attention. Who is that playing? No one had any lessons this evening and it’s close to closing time anyway. Melody is with her uncles as she calls Tanner, Hunter, and Lex. That leaves . . . no way. She can’t play any instruments. Not that I’ve even bothered to ask her.