Bet On Me: Royal Bastards MC: Baltimore #1

by Knox, Elizabeth

  We can both hear her screams for a moment but she stops or gives up. I’m not really sure and I don’t really care. The only thing I want to do right now is get back in the club and check on Gamble.

  It’s fucking weird if I’m being honest with myself. She isn’t my type and yet I constantly wanna keep my eyes pinned on that tight ass of hers, and if I’m not staring at her ass, I’m waiting for those few moments where she darts that sinful little tongue of hers against her bottom lip. All I do is think about how it’d feel to have her mouth wrapped around my cock. Shit, one day soon it’ll happen.

  I walk back into the club and see she’s now sitting on a barstool, blankly staring at the ground. I can’t even imagine what’s running through that head of hers. If it were me, I’d be thinking about any moment I might’ve been able to figure it out. Hell, I’d be riddled with guilt. I walk up to her and place my hand on her shoulder, “How you doin’?” My accent comes out even thicker than usual, but I can’t help it.

  “I’m . . . trying to figure out how I didn’t see this. I’ve been here for months . . . I should’ve recognized her from all those years ago. It was right in front of my face . . . how did I not see it?”

  “How could you have? No one would’ve, Gamble. It’s been ten years since you saw her. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one with countless bodies piling up around you.” She snarls back at me.

  She didn’t mean anything by it so I won’t get shitty with her. “I’m more interested to know how Rancid knew I fucked you.”

  Butcher snorts from beside Gamble and moves to cover his face. “What’s so funny, Butcher?” Gamble hisses her question.

  “You two don’t realize how obvious you are. Do ya? Hart, you had your arm wrapped around her back last week when you walked back in here. Surely any brother wouldn’t have been doing that.”

  Fuck. He’s right. I was being dumb. “Fuck, I’m sorry.” I apologize to her.

  She draws her brows together and looks at me with confusion. “Why are you apologizing? There isn’t anything you need to apologize for.”

  “If I had been smarter Rancid wouldn’t have known.”

  “You’re totally right. He wouldn’t have any clue and he probably wouldn’t do anything to me since I’m pregnant with his child. Everything would be different. Right?” She sarcastically asks, rolling her eyes. Truth be told, I’m not appreciating her sarcasm right now.

  “I’m just saying what I did to an already shitty situation.”

  “Cheryl would’ve fuckin’ told him regardless. In the grand scheme of things it doesn’t really matter, does it Hart? And why would you apologize for showing me affection? Do you not want to show me any? Is that why you’re apologizing?” She shoots out her questions quicker than an AK-47 firing rounds.

  The room grows dead silent and from the corner of my eyes I see brothers and clubwhores scurrying off to get away from the impending bomb. “Let me make one thing clear. I will never apologize for putting my hands on your body. The same way I won’t apologize for shoving my lips down onto yours or making you scream my name. I know you’re upset, but don’t you play this game with me, Gamble. I’ve been playing for far longer and I’ll crush you.”

  She scoffs, “Cockiness doesn’t look good on you.”

  “Everything looks good on me, baby.” I feel my phone buzzing in my pocket but ignore it. The fight Gamble and I are having right now is far more important. “You wanna keep fighting? Or you gonna stop your shit? I know you’ve just gone through a hell of a lot, but I won’t be your punching bag. I don’t have to be.”

  “Oh, now I get it. You’re the type of man that runs when shit gets tough. Now everything makes sense,” She stands up from the barstool and presses her breasts against my chest. She’s a bit shorter than me but her nose is at my chin and she peers up through thick lashes, “You’re a coward, Hart. Go run. I’m sure you’re so fucking good at it.”

  I close my eyes for a second before I take in a deep breath. A chill runs through my body and it takes everything in me not to tell her off right now. She’s been through a lot, so I’ll be sure to keep my shit together and not look like an asshole.

  Stepping back I offer distance between the two of us, “As you wish, Prez.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Through every dark night there is a brighter day

  ~Unknown

  Gamble

  “You know, I don’t normally put myself in the middle of shit . . . but that was a bit intense.” Mammoth mutters as he walks up to me.

  “I don’t remember asking for your input.”

  “Ow, you’re in a mood.”

  “Don’t I have the right to be?” I question. With everything I just learned, I sure as hell do.

  “Yep, didn’t say you didn’t. But you didn’t need to go off on a guy that obviously has a thing for you.”

  “Not sure he does, I’m not his type.” I grumble, really wishing I could have a damn drink right now. I place my hand on the front of my stomach, feeling the small bump that grows every single day.

  “Gamble, you don’t have to be such a sassy bitch.”

  “Did you just come up here to irritate me? If so, you can take a hike with Hart. Maybe you two can bond over how shitty I’m being toward you.” I suggest, flipping him the bird in the process.

  “You know what I’ll take you up on that. In the meantime, figure out what the fuck you’re doing with Cheryl. None of us want her here.” Mammoth huffs, walking toward the front door of the club.

  I’ve already figured out what I’m going to do. Demon, the Prez of the Savannah, Georgia charter has a reputation for breaking women. He doesn’t physically harm them, but he breaks down their spirits and turns them into the perfect submissive. I’ve heard rumors that he contracts jobs to break women for some of the most elite men. If the rumors are true Demon will find a way to get his ass up here and take Cheryl off my back.

  I grab my cell and tap on his name. Within a minute he’s answered my call. “Gamble, what’re you buggin’ me for?”

  “I have a treat for you.”

  “Oh, do tell.”

  “Her name is Cheryl. She’s as wild as a mustang and I need her off my back.”

  He chuckles on the other end. “You’re leavin’ some shit out. I can hear it in your voice. What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Oh, nothing much. She’s just the reason everyone I’ve ever cared about is dead.”

  “Fuck, you’re joking.”

  “Do I sound like I’m joking? Word on the street is you love a bad bitch. I just happen to have the vilest of them all. So, you want her or not?”

  “I’ll be there in a couple of days to collect.” He replies to me and hangs up the phone.

  I take a deep breath, feeling pretty good about the fact Cheryl will be out of my hair soon. The screeching sound of the barstool next to me being scraped against the floor causes me to look to my right and Ravage has taken a seat by my side.

  “Smart of you to get her off our hands by giving her to Demon. Not gonna lie. I want her blood.”

  “And I want her gone. Ravage, no matter how angry and hurt I am I refuse to lose that part of myself. I’m not like Cheryl or Rancid, and I won’t ever let myself get to that point. If I ever get close, you do me a favor and shoot me down.”

  Ravage pulls his head back, looking at me like I’ve lost my mind. I know what I’ve said is a bit extreme, but it’s the way I feel. “You can’t be serious.”

  “What part of me seems to be joking? I will never be corrupted like them. So, as my second in command I’m telling you that if I start teetering the line or becoming someone you don’t recognize anymore, you kill me. I won’t bring suffering to this charter. Not when there’s already been so very much of it.”

  Ravage nods his head a couple of times and shuts his eyes, “He loved you so much you know. More than he’d loved anyone else. Before he . . . died, Dog told me how
he was gonna do right by you and make you his. He wanted you with his name tatted on your skin, his kids growing in your belly. He wanted you by his side, Gamble. And I know you probably don’t need to hear this, but he’d be proud of you for all you’ve done over the last few weeks. You’ve stepped up in a way we never expected.”

  “Thank you for saying that.”

  “No thanks needed. I’m gonna say some shit you don’t wanna hear right now, though.”

  I give Ravage a stern look in the hopes he won’t meddle in my personal business, but something I’ve learned about him recently is he’s the type of man who truly doesn’t give a fuck. “Do you have to?”

  Instead of answering my question he starts speaking, “I think you’re self-sabotaging the happiness you’re starting to find. Now, this is what I know. Dog would be furious with you. He’d want you to grasp that thing that makes you happy and hold it as tightly as possible, even if it is another man. When you came back, I could tell something happened and for the first time in weeks your smile wasn’t forced. That shit was natural. Gamble, roll with it. Stop fighting it and enjoy your life. If not for you, do it for Dog.”

  I’m left here staring blankly at Ravage, listening to everything he’s just said. Every single word of what he’s spoke is true. All of it. I didn’t even know the man knew me that well, or Dog, but he does.

  For the first time in weeks my emotions best me and tears come spilling from the corners of my eyes. Ravage stands up and pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me and holds me close. “We all suffered a great loss, but you felt it the worst. This might sound dumb as shit, but I don’t want you experiencing a loss you don’t have to. Not when I think this guy could be the best fit for you.” He rubs his hand over my back and I pull away from him, giving him a half smile.

  “I never thought we’d be having a conversation like this. I figured you hated my guts.”

  “Why?”

  “‘Cause, Rancid made me Prez.”

  “You think I wanted to be Prez?” Ravage busts out into laughter, smacking his knee. “No, girl. You keep that title. It’s far too much bullshit for my liking.”

  “I see. Alright, I’m gonna go find Hart now.” I state.

  “Uh, he just started riding up to Staten Island.” Serpent says as he walks by us.

  I furrow my brows together, “What?”

  “Yeah, Mammoth rode with him. He was makin’ a big fuss about Rancid doin’ something to his family. Not sure what, but Mammoth offered him some back up.”

  Oh my God. Rancid found a way to get back at Hart for being with me sexually. Fuck! “I need someone to head up to New York with me.”

  “Ravage?”

  He nods, confirming he’ll come.

  “Butcher, you’re the VPP. Alright?!” I holler out, looking over to him. He gives me a curt nod and I run out the front door with Ravage two steps behind me. Whatever Rancid’s done, I can only hope we can undo it.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Those who escape hell however never talk about it and nothing much bothers them after that

  ~Charles Bukowski

  Hart

  I cursed under my breath the entire ride up to my hometown, hating the fact I haven’t been home in years, and I’m coming back because of this. Because my mother called me leaving a screaming voicemail telling me my baby sister, Gianna, has been taken.

  There’s only one person who would be capable of such an act— Rancid. Obviously, he couldn’t have been the one to take her. Or at least I don’t think it was him . . . but the man has connections.

  Mammoth volunteered to come along with me, not knowing a damn thing. When all of this is said and done, I’ll thank him for offering to come with me. Only pretty solid people do things like this, offer to be there when shit is the toughest. He’s one of the good ones, that’s for certain.

  We pulled off not too long ago to fill up with gas, and Mammoth told us about a club he has a connection to in Queens. So, we’re headed up there to see if they’ll give us some back up ‘cause God knows we’ll need as much manpower as we can get.

  It took us about thirty minutes with the city traffic to get where Mammoth said, but the two of us rolled our bikes into one of their garage bays with no problem. I pull off my helmet and place it on my seat. As soon as I look up, I see an Asian looking woman pointing a gun straight at me. “Who in the fuck are you and while you’re at it, tell me who said you could come here too.”

  I look straight over to Mammoth who said these Iron Vex motherfuckers were friends of ours. It sure doesn’t look that way. “You’re Boss, right?” Mammoth questions.

  The woman blinks a couple of times, “You obviously know who I am and I still don’t know jack shit about you. I’ll give you to the count of three to tell me why the fuck you’re here.” She pulls back the safety.

  “One.”

  “Gamble said your club helped the Knights of Retribution. I was hoping you could help us.” Mammoth spits out his words.

  “Gamble. How do you know that name?” Boss questions, looking between the two of us.

  “She’s my Prez. She’s the Prez of the Royal Bastards Baltimore charter.”

  Boss cracks up with laughter, “That’s adorable. Gamble is dead. She was killed by Rancid ten years ago.”

  “No, she wasn’t. That fucker kept her as his toy for the last ten years.” I clear up this woman’s obvious confusion.

  “I think you two must be confused. Rancid killed everyone in the Knights of Retribution. He made sure every other club knew about the massacre he caused. If Gamble was alive, I would’ve known.”

  “You must not pay much attention,” I hiss, “I’ve told you Gamble is alive. Rancid, the sick fuck, kept her as a prisoner. His own personal clubwhore. She was only able to get back to Baltimore a few months ago. Long story short, he just capped the previous Prez and named her Prez so she’d fail and he could off her too.”

  “She told me you were friends when you were kids. It’s the only reason I’ve come here,” Mammoth states.

  This chick is obviously processing everything Mammoth and I have just said. “And why have you come here?”

  “Rancid took my little sister. She’s seventeen. If you’re only going to waste our time let me know so we can get moving and figure out what he or his men have done to her before it’s too late!” I hiss.

  “Calm down, spitfire. I’ll help you, even though I don’t believe you about Gamble being alive. We hate Rancid for the pain he’s caused so many of us. Ricochet, Abyss, Venom, Chuckles!” Boss hollers, and two men come out with two women. “Give our friends here anything they need. Rancid took a child, and they need our help.”

  “You got it, Prez.” The older man answers her.

  “Rancid . . . you mean the Royal Bastards National Prez?” The other man asks.

  Boss nods.

  “If we come across him, he’s mine.” The younger man states.

  “Take it up with them, Ricochet.”

  “Oh fuck!” Mammoth hisses.

  I turn my head to look at him. “What? What’s the matter?”

  “Sly texted me. Gamble and Ravage are on their way up here.”

  “Why would they follow us?” I ask.

  “Because we don’t let our people fight their own battles,” A familiar female voice says from behind. I turn to see Gamble standing there, hair blowing from the slight wind with Ravage a couple of paces behind her.

  “Holy fuck. Am I seeing a ghost?” Boss mutters, rushing over. She comes right up to Gamble and the two women look at one another like they’re long lost souls.

  “Tala?” Gamble asks, furrowing her brows while her friend touches her face and jumps from pure shock.

  “I go by Boss now, babe, but yeah. . . I can’t believe you’re alive. We all thought you were dead too. Rancid had everyone believe you were dead . . . Oh my God. Everything he said was true. Holy fuck.” She’s in complete disbelief. The silver lining here is the girls have been reunited.


  “Nope, but we can catch up later. We have other stuff to sort out. I take it we can count on your support?”

  Boss nods, “Yes, you have these four and they’re great.”

  “You’re not coming?” Gamble questions.

  “I . . . I can’t. I’m sorry, but I can’t.” Her friend seems saddened that she can’t go.

  “Okay, are you alright?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’m just knocked up. Having a baby on board changes everything. I need to protect them more than anything else, so I’ll stay back here.”

  “So will you, Gamble.” I state, thinking her friend has a good thing going. No way is she going to come and potentially get in danger. No way.

  Gamble turns to face me, showing me she’s pissed. “Don’t even test me right now. If you care about me in the slightest you will sit your ass up here with your friend and let those of us who aren’t pregnant handle shit.” I seethe, making sure she understands this isn’t up for debate.

  “You’re pregnant too?” Boss laughs.

  “Yes,” She responds nicely to her friend, but gets catty with me. “Fine, but you’re only getting off this easy because I was a bitch to you earlier.”

  “Perfectly fine with me. C’mon everyone, let’s get going.” I say to the group who are tagging along.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage

  ~Jack London

  Gamble

  I almost argued and gave him hell, but some part of me knew staying back was the better thing to do. Not only that, but I find myself with a friend I haven’t seen in eons with a world full of catching up to do. She thought I was dead, and I’m having a hard time trying to figure out why she’d think that way.