I lied when I told Mom that I’m not lonely. Not having Duke around sucks, and my apartment is too quiet. I miss him. Sure, I could invite some friends over or something, but I don’t like many people in my space. Maybe I should take my parents up on their offer of another dog…but that would feel like I’m dishonoring Duke’s memory getting another so soon. It’s hard feeling so unsure about things when a couple of months ago I thought I had everything planned out and life would be easy. There’s nothing easy about any of it, and I’m beginning to learn that the hard way.
I end up texting Magnolia anyway. I don’t have much to talk about if I leave Sterling out of it, and I’m definitely not wanting to bring her into the middle of it. She’s my closest female friend and a good one, but sometimes I have to remind myself to keep my distance. She’s not affiliated with Kings of Carnage, and while it’s not a requirement or anything to be my friend, it does mean I have to be more cautious about what I say to her or bring her around. The carwash fundraiser, for example, she could’ve hung out and helped with me, but she had to work. Going to the club on a church day when all the members are around—not a good idea. I learned all this when I was a little girl, so it’s not a big deal anymore.
Magnolia and I became friends because I was often left out of stuff, like birthday invitations or sleepovers. People have always been fearful of my dad and his club, but not me. I know what kind of man he is, and I’ve always been proud to say he’s my father. Magnolia, unlike others, never looked at me like a pariah, but as her best friend. I’m grateful, too, because I’m sure school would’ve been a fairly lonely place had I not had her by my side through it all. It sucks we’re apart more with her having college, but I’m proud she’s going after her dreams.
“Hey,” she greets, letting herself in. I’d unlocked the door as soon as she’d texted me back saying she’s stopping by. I keep forgetting to make her a copy of my key. I have one to her place, so it’s only fair she has one as well. My father would be thrilled with that bit, but what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.
“Hey, how was work?”
“Same as always. Bob Holland showed up, asked me for a hand job.”
“No freaking way,” I gasp, spinning around to face her.
She’s grinning like a fool, sitting on my couch. “Kidding.” Her smile drops as she takes in my swollen face. “What happened to you? Are you okay?”
I nod, deciding to just turn on my dishwasher. I could fit a few more things, but I’m not in the mood to wait for clean dishes. “I’m fine. This is from yesterday.” I gesture to my puffy eyes. I’ve cried a few times over the last couple of days, and now I’m done with it. I’ve never been much of a crier, but lately, I feel like I’ve turned into a freaking crybaby with all the shit that’s been happening. I won’t beat myself up over what happened anymore so long as he won’t speak to me. It’s time I pull my big girl panties on and roll with it, so I’m trying.
“You were crying that bad?”
“Yeah. I pissed Sterling off and it upset me.”
“I don’t understand why you let him toy with your emotions. You deserve so much better.” She’s never understood the appeal Sterling’s held over me. She thought he was cute, but once she found out he was all I could think about, she backed off. See, that’s a top-notch friend right there, one I’m never letting go of.
I shrug, not wanting to get into it anymore. “I don’t want to talk about him. What are you doing tonight?” I could use her distractions. She’ll have me laughing in no time. She always manages it somehow.
“Same as usual: hitting up the bonfire and drinking some beer. I may flip a few assholes off in the process. Want to join me? We can flip them off together, really leave a lasting impression.”
I shrug, offering a small smile. “Who’s going?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll be there, and we all know I’m the only one who counts,” she retorts with a wink, and I can’t help but laugh at her ridiculousness.
“Maybe for a little while. I can meet you out there.”
“No way. You’ll end up ditching before you make it out there. You and I both know it. You have a tendency of getting lost and ending up in your bed. You’re coming with me.”
“Fine,” I give in with a wider smile. Thankful I have a good friend who wants to hang out with me. If only Sterling would show up and let me explain myself, but I know that’ll never happen. “You need to help me figure out what to wear, and no hoe-bag shit,” I comment, and she’s off my couch in a flash, yanking me towards my bedroom in the next breath. This night will surely end up interesting. With Magnolia, they always do.
The only thing I know is this: I am full of wounds and still standing on my feet.
- Nikos Kazantzakis
I glance at Ruin. “What the fuck’s going on?” I chin lift in the direction of a group of unfamiliar bikes. They’re parked at one of the convenience stores on the way out of town. There’s one more light then it’s off to the highway. We’re headed to Atlanta to do some partying and happened to be pulling into the other gas station not even a block away.
He reaches for the gas pump, but pauses and stares. “You know who they belong to?” he finally asks and moves to fill his tank.
“They don’t look familiar to me. I take it Chaos hasn’t mentioned anyone coming through town to you.” And wearing their colors, nonetheless. Fucking ballsey, for sure. Everyone knows this is KOC territory, and if you don’t, you’ll quickly find out. The Kings are quick to lay down the law and rule their territory with a heavy hand. You’ve got to be when there’s always some asshole or another showing up to stir shit up.
He shakes his head, watching the other gas station. I haven’t heard shit from my dad or around the club, for that matter. This has to be a ride-through, but they’ve got nerve filling up here with the potential shitstorm that could develop with it. I watch him for a beat, until my gas clicks off.
I place my pump back in its receiver and take my printed receipt, stuffing it in my jeans pocket. Closing the gas lid, I twist it tightly and I hop on my bike, moving it to point towards the road, and wait for Ruin to finish. I keep my gaze pinned on the other club, noticing the moment one gets to his bike. “Want me to text Chaos or my dad?” I can see this going downhill if they’re not being respectful with their cuts already.
“Bash. He’d know if someone was coming through and whether to mention it to Chaos or not. Don’t want prez to think you’re trying to be a kiss ass with everything going on.”
I nod, pressing out a text to my dad, thinking I should probably give North or Poe a heads-up as well. “I’ve never been a kiss ass,” I grumble more to myself, but Ruin still catches it.
“Exactly why it may seem odd to Chaos.”
“Gotcha,” I reply, understanding his point of view. A rumble coming down the street momentarily distracts us as Bear pulls in next to me. I chin lift to the nomad and he returns it, looking a bit tired. “What’s up, man?”
“Ready to drink a few beers and take a break for the night,” he sighs, and I feel the same way in the moment. I need a breather, my feelings for Leigh, as well as shit still being a little weird with Chaos and Ruin, have me ready to kick back and cut loose for a bit. I heard from one of the guys I used to go to school with that Leigh was at one of their bonfire parties. That stung a bit after everything that went down. I let Ruin know about it, though, and he blew up her phone all night, telling her to get home safely and if any dudes speak to her he’d mess them up. It was entertaining and worked to my advantage, as she went home alone. I saw it with my own eyes, her pulling into her parking spot and going inside by herself. I do that some nights, sit by and make sure she gets home safely.
Several motorcycles start up, my attention snapping in their direction. Ruin climbs on his bike, walking it near mine, and we both start ours as well. We sit still, idling, watching as a handful of rough-looking bikers pull onto the main strip. Rather than head for the highway, they come towards us. They
’re weathered and older, definitely looking like they’ve been through their fair share of shit to make them a nasty bunch.
I’m so busy trying to read their cuts to text my dad again who they are that I don’t notice two pull weapons. One lets off a shot, and before I can blink, Bear has his drawn in return. The dude is fast. Those motherfuckers will pay for that shit. I shove my cell in my pocket, ready to ride.
Glancing to Ruin, I make sure he’s okay and wasn’t hit, then I take off after the dumb fuckers. I lean low and reach for my calf with my right hand, yanking my jeans up a bit to free my firearm from my ankle holster. It rests right at the top of my boot so I wear it often when riding, as it gives me easy access and is still concealed. I don’t realize the others are with me, until I get close enough to return fire. Ruin shoots right after I do, and the bikes in front swerve with the echoes of our shots.
They turn right, heading deeper into town and the residential area. I’m fucked if they have any idea as to where they’re headed. They can keep turning to end up behind us, unless we veer off in the opposite direction. I’m not one with a death wish normally, but I need to figure out who these fuckers are, and I want to know what spurred them on to shoot at us out of their territory while we’re wearing our club colors. I’m trying to get patched. There’s no way I can let them go after all this. I may only be a prospect, and Bear a nomad, but our vests still advertise which club we’re affiliated with. Ruin’s a fully patched member now, too, so he has the full set on his cut. I’m fairly confident Dad would call it an act of war against the club. I know Chaos, though, being prez, he always needs all the info he can get to figure out whatever decisions he needs to make. It’s partially why he’s a good leader, in my opinion, at least.
“Let’s get the fuck outta here,” Bear shouts. “We’re outnumbered.”
“Hell no, man,” I yell back. “Gotta see who the fuck they are!”
“He’s right,” Ruin hollers, and we gun it as much as we can around the corner. We speed around a second turn and the bikers aren’t too far ahead to get behind us…They’re sitting, waiting on us, weapons drawn.
“Oh fuck, this is going to end badly,” I comment to myself, but no one can hear me over the roar of our motorcycles anyhow.
I hit my brakes, turning away, and my bike tips, and the momentum has me falling to the side. I manage to get my leg out of the way before five hundred pounds of heavy black and teal metal hits the pavement and we slide. Ruin and Bear veer off in opposite directions into adjacent alleys, narrowly missing the buildings. Thankfully, I’m wearing a shirt under my cut or I’d be shredded with road rash right now. My jeans and boots help protect me as well, but I can feel my arms split open, on fire from the impact. Wetness trickles down my leg that hit the asphalt first, but my adrenaline is pumping too hard for me to pay my wounds any real attention at the moment.
Fresh shots are fired, drawing my attention. I keep my head down, finding Bear positioned at the corner of a building. He ducks behind it, then lets off some rounds, continuing to pull the riders’ attention in his direction and off me. I use it to my advantage and run for my discarded gun. I slide homerun style, tearing a patch of skin from my lower back in the process. I know it has to be gone because the air hitting it feels cold and sharp. It’ll hurt tomorrow, that I’m certain of. It’s all good. It’ll mean I’m still fucking breathing after this shit.
Getting to my feet, I hightail it for the alley I saw Ruin turn off into. A bullet hits the ground merely a foot away from my feet. “Fuck!” I shout and push myself to run harder than I ever have in my life. I plan to shoot back at these stupid fuckers when I get some cover, but I’m not trying to turn around now and die to return some fire.
The side of Ru’s face comes into view as I get closer. “Hurry the fuck up, Spade!” he yells, waving me forward with one hand. His other has his gun up and pointing, but he’s waiting to shoot until I’m out of the way. I pump my arms, hauling ass around the building, breathing heavily and not caring that I’m bleeding.
“Fuck!” I huff, my hands shaky with the adrenaline overload. Thinking you’re going to be shot will jumble a person up inside. I don’t care how much of a badass you may be, it’s true.
“North, Sly, Poe, and Saint are on their way. We have to manage to hang in here until they arrive. I couldn’t get ahold of anyone else,” he informs and pops off a shot to offer Bear some backup.
“You had time to fucking call people?” I’m shocked. It felt like mere moment’s I was laid out on the ground.
“Yeah, while you were playing Billy Badass shooting and chasing these dipshits, I was voice calling everyone my Bluetooth would allow me.”
“That’s what’s up,” I mutter, dipping into position. He shoots high and I peep around the corner staying low, letting fire rain-free. Brick and debris fly all around us as their bullets ping off various surfaces. “The cops will be here soon. This is so fucked up!”
“North will have Chaos putting a call in to his deputy contact. Don’t plan on doing too much time for being shot at, bro.”
I nod, releasing a tense breath. It feels like forever before the roar of a group of bikes approaching thunders over the bullets flying. The assholes in front of us must realize our club has arrived as they’re not in their territory and they scramble. We manage to clip a few in random spots as they clamber onto their bikes and haul ass. I wasn’t shooting to kill. I don’t think any of us were, but we were aiming to hurt them and send a message.
Ruin’s gaze finds mine after he glances over me, his brows furrowed and mouth in a severe frown. “Fuck, man, you’re bloody everywhere.”
He’s worried, and for a beat I was too. The shitshow was too close to us this round and I nearly paid for it. “It’s nothing serious. Just scraped up,” I reassure, wanting to set him at ease. He’s a good friend, always has been.
“Let’s hope so. You hit the pavement hard.”
I nod. I know I did. I felt it, but there was too much going on to process it at the time. “My elbow’s screaming, but it’ll heal. Nothing I can’t handle.” He holds his fist out and I bump it with mine. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Always, Spade.” Him calling me by my last name brings a sense of comfort after what we just went through.
North, Sly, Poe, and Saint quickly stride towards us. It looks like they left their bikes parked on the side street closest to us. “You all right?” Poe calls as we step out of our spots.
Ruin answers, “We’re fine. Sterling dipped his bike, but he’s only scuffed up.”
Sly meets my stare, “You sure you’re not shot?”
I shake my head and Ru asks, “Chaos on his way?”
North grunts out a firm, “No.” He flicks his gaze between us and says, “I decided to wait until we got here to call Chaos and Bash. Regardless of them being the prez and VP, they’re still your fathers. I can’t have them both rolling in guns blazing, risking their necks for you guys, and I know they would in a heartbeat. I needed to handle this myself and call them in. Chaos has the club to run, and Bash is too deep with his business. I spoke to them both. They know we’re here and you’re fine.”
I know Dad and Chaos are probably pissed about not being alerted right away, but North is right. They would’ve raced over here without a second thought, and that can’t happen. It’s probably a good thing that Ruin didn’t get a hold of them first.
Sly crosses his arms over his chest and asks, “You get a club name or anything useful? Were they wearing cuts? We need info ASAP.”
“I was able to get a decent look before my bike dipped. The vests had a Twisted Snakes center patch, but I missed the rest.”
“Nasty fuckers. I’ve heard of them,” North affirms. “Let’s get back to the club. Chaos will want to hear everything for himself.”
Saint moves to help me lift my bike. “Looks scratched and dinged up. Damn sure needs sanded and painted.” I nod, gritting my teeth. I can’t believe my bike is fucked up. “Get on and
see if it’ll start or if we need to call for Jinx’s trailer.”
I do so, carefully. The scrapes on my body beginning to silently scream at me. Surprisingly, my Street 750 starts right up, and I release a breath of relief. “Thank fuck,” I mutter, and Saint bobs his head in agreement. “Hopefully, she rides as good as she sounds. I’m so fucking pissed I lost control like that.”
“I’ll stay back so we can take it slow,” he offers.
“I appreciate it, man, but I need to ride her like I normally would, to see if anything’s fucked up or if it’s all cosmetic.” I’ll be putting in a call to Jupiter to see when she can fix this mess. I walk my bike towards the guys, silently stewing inside over my ruined paint. “I guess Atlanta’s out of the question for the night. This fucking blows. I really need some liquor now.”
Bear shakes his head. “We were just shot at and you’re bummed we can’t party?”
I flash him a grin. “Hey, I was looking forward to that cold beer. Can you blame me?”
Poe interrupts, “We can have a beer at the club, but first you two assholes need to update your daddies. They’ll be blowing my phone up before long, if you asshats don’t get to the club and show your ugly mugs.”
Ruin and I both give him the bird, but he only grins, and they all head for their bikes. I walk mine with Ruin until he’s back on his. “For real, Ru. I’m sorry this shit went down like it did. I fucked up.”
He shrugs. “It wouldn’t be our life if it were boring, you know what I mean, Spade? And you did what you needed to. Shake it off.”
I nod. “Glad it happened here and not in the city. Cops would be all up our asses.”
“I’m just thankful Tyra wasn’t on the back of my bike today. I’d have gone ballistic if she’d been hurt.”
Sterling: Kings of Carnage MC - Prospects (Kings of Carnage - Prospects Book 2) Page 9