Walking The Crossroad
Liberty Parker
Contents
Untitled
Character Bible
Blurb
Prologue
1. Jasper
2. Miracle
3. Jasper
4. Jasper
5. Miracle
6. Jasper
7. Jasper
8. Jasper
9. Jasper
10. Miracle
11. Jasper
12. Jasper
13. Jasper
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Liberty Parker
Copyright
Walking the Crossroad
Crossroad Soldiers MC
Copyright © Liberty Parker
Cover by: Dark Water Covers
https://goo.gl/mhVY1Y
Photo purchased from Istock
Edited by: Darlene Tallman
Proofread by: Kayce Kyle
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person or use proper retail channels to lend a copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text please contact:
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination. No part of this story is based on any true events or anyone’s life. If any MC names, places or events are used by any real or true person it is coincidental and in no way based on them or any real-life human being living or not.
Character Bible
MC Members
Jasper - President
Knuckles - VP
Reaper - Enforcer
Blaze - Sergeant At Arms
Bowie - Treasurer
Malice - Secretary
Prowler - IT
Machete - Patch
Kong - Patch
Dawg - Patch
Cobra - Patch
Old Ladies
Miracle - Jasper
Libby - Knuckles
Morgan - Reaper
Shey - Blaze
Bella - Bowie
Sissy - Malice
Jessa - Prowler
Layla - Machete
Sunny - Kong
Carson - Dawg
Chastity - Cobra
MC Princes and Princesses
Miracle & Jasper’s kids
Milly & Kobe
Libby & Knuckles’ kids
Sasha & Shelby
Morgan & Reaper’s kids
Jackson, Mason & Britney
Shey & Blaze’s kid
Amberly
Bella & Bowie’s kids
Garrett, Grayson & Gaston
Sissy & Malice’s kids
Alec, Mallory & Damon
Jessa & Prowler’s kid
Macon
Layla & Machete’s kid
Zac
Sunny & Kong’s kids
Branson & Dallas
Carson & Dawg’s kids
Josie, Hope & Jameson
Chastity & Cobra’s kids
Denton, Hudson & Colby
Blurb
Jasper
When I got out of the military I was at a crossroads in my life. But like any good soldier who longed for brotherhood, I started an MC with one of my closest friends, who’d also been one of my brothers in the special forces. It was hard for us to adapt and we longed for the bonds that we created. That’s when the Crossroad Soldiers was formed. That was twenty-years ago. Yeah, we’re not considered good men because of the dealings we have. But, we do have our boundaries and morals. I also married my high school sweetheart, and together we formed a family that is impenetrable. She is the love of my life, my one weakness in life other than our children.
Miracle
When my man Jasper left for the service, I never imagined he’d be changed to the degree he was when he returned. I knew at first glance that he was missing something. When he came to me about the idea of the MC, I knew that I could either stand by him and support him, or lose him forever. That wasn’t something I was willing to do. He was and is the love of my life. With me by his side, we formed a different type of family. One who would take a bullet for you and never ask for an apology for the outcome. As an old lady, we are prepared for the possibility that once our man walks out that door it may be the last time he’s held us in his arms or placed his lips upon ours. Is it a perfect relationship? No, but what fun would that be?
There is a new enemy in town. Can they come out of this unscathed? Or will their family and MC forever be changed?
Prologue
Jasper
“Church is called to order,” I slam my gavel down on the table to quiet everyone. “I’ve called this meeting because I got an interesting phone call last night and I need to get a vote before I agree to a meeting with the Valdez organization.”
“Fuck no!” Knuckles growls out, “those fuckers are more evil than anyone we’ve ever worked with or considered working with. I vote hell no.”
“They’re known to be in the skin trade,” Blaze speaks up. “I think we should consider this so we know if it will become an issue for the club and our town.” He makes a good point. I let that sink in for a minute before I look over at Knuckles and see him contemplating what he was just reminded of. Blaze spoke my thoughts out loud so for once I’m not the only voice of reason.
“There have been twenty-seven children, all ages, different races and sexes that have come up missing over eight surrounding counties,” Kong informs us. We knew that there had been a slew of missing kids, but I wasn’t aware it was that many.
“We can’t stand by and do nothing, this could be one of our kids,” Dawg says, and I see his hands go white from being in tight fists as he bangs them on the table.
“He makes a good point, Pres,” Reaper announces. I nod my head at him letting him know I agree.
“Fine, but you ain’t going alone,” Knuckles hollers out.
“Volunteers?” I ask the men sitting at my table.
“I’m in,” Blaze bangs on the table.
“Me too,” Cobra and Machete say in unison. I know I need some men with me, but I need men here to protect the families and compound as well.
“Knuckles, I need for you and Reaper to stay behind and protect our property.” They both reluctantly nod at me, I know they like to be at my side, but it’s important to have someone here who can be in charge in case this meeting goes wrong and I don’t make it back.
“Prowler, I want you to get on your computer and do whatever it is you do and get me as much information on them as you can. I want it done in an hour’s time.”
“You got it, Pres.”
This may be the worst decision we’ve made, but we need to know what, or who, may be getting our town into trouble. We vowed to protect this place where we reside, and I take my promises seriously. I pick up the phone and call my contact in the organization and let them know that I accept the meeting.
One
Jasper
It’s a hot July day, and I’m sitting outside this motherfucking warehouse sweating my balls off, waiting on this fucking prick to show up so we can get this meeting started and over with. This is a new contact for us, one referred to us by another business associate, so I’m going into this damn meeting with my eyes wide open.
I don’t trust easily, I have too many lives to protect and
I take that shit seriously. In my position as the president of the Crossroad Soldiers, it’s my job to always be one step in front of any individual or organization I am considering bringing into the fold.
I am considered one of the men you should fear the most when dealing with someone. I am known to be lethal, methodical and I am nearly always thinking one move ahead of the other person. I fear no one and am highly trained in the field of missions. I was the one who planned infiltrations and nearly have a perfect record in the military as one who never failed.
I look over at my Sergeant at Arms, Blaze, and notice that he, like myself, is observing our surroundings looking for all possible exit points and going over the strategic moves we put into place. We’ve heard rumors that this man we’re meeting with is conniving and manipulative, and will cut your throat before being told the word ‘no’. Makes me wonder if he truly knows who it is he wants to get into business with.
I left my best friend and VP of the club, Knuckles, and the club’s Enforcer, Reaper, back at the compound to watch over the safety of the women and children. They are known to all of our enemies as our one true weakness, everyone knows the importance of our families, and they will use any and all people we hold near and dear to us, against us if things go south. We don’t take those types of chances when it comes to them. They are guarded at all times and we’ve even set up a school in the back of the compound for them to attend. This way we control the safety and are always around if trouble should arise.
We own forty acres of land and each one of the men with families has a home built there. We’ve made our own commune that is protected by the best security the military has to offer. Considering who I am, and what I did for Uncle Sam, I have access to their programs.
We still do some undercover work for a special intelligence agency, doing the things that the government can’t sanction, but call on us when the need arises. We may do jobs for the military, but we are no longer considered good men in the actual sense of the word. We are one percenters who deal with drugs and guns. What we don’t deal with, or stand aside for, is fucking skin traders. We take all the jobs that come across our message board that have to do with the selling of people. That’s just fucking sick and those bastards need to be put to the ground.
I have a wife, daughter, and son, and there would be nowhere on earth someone could hide from me if even one hair on their head has been tampered with. When Knuckles and I got out of the service, we had a hard time coping without the bonds of brotherhood, which is why twenty years ago, this year, we started this MC. As time went by, most of the men we served with came to us wanting in. We couldn’t say no to them, we fought beside them and witnessed death and destruction together.
“Incoming,” Blaze calls out, getting my attention.
“Everyone be on guard,” I call out, as two SUV’s come barreling into the parking lot, squealing their tires in the process. This doesn’t scream out ‘friendly encounter’ to me, but then again, I’m always looking for the bad in every situation. I draw my gun, as do my men and watch as the door in the front opens and the driver walks to the back doors and opens them for the rear passengers.
The man that steps out of the back opens his arms wide with a sinister smile upon his face. “It’s a good day to do business, yes?” he hollers out in a Spanish accent while twirling a lit cigar between his fingers. My teeth grind in annoyance at his flamboyant attitude.
“It’s always a good day when you’re breathing,” I respond back with attitude. I already don’t like this motherfucker on sight, and can see this meeting isn’t going to go the way he would like for it to...oh well, that’s his fucking problem, not mine. I put my gun away, but my men don’t. They are prepared for anything, and I trust them to have my back and put my safety and well-being first.
“This is true,” he tries for a friendlier tone. I’m not buying his fake ass words, not for one minute. I take a closer look at him, and what I see is nothing but darkness in his soulless eyes. This man has no life left in him, he’s evil to the core. Men like him can’t be trusted, and I have already decided that when I take whatever it is he needs to the table, I will vehemently vote against working with him.
He begins to move closer to me, and Blaze gets off his bike and moves over and stands in front of me. He crosses his arms and puts off the vibes of he’s not in the mood to be fucked with and the man will only reach me by going through him. He usually is the one who keeps peace in the club, but I needed Reaper at the clubhouse so he’s taken over his position and is taking it extremely seriously. The president is protected by all members, regardless if they lose their life in the process.
He stops and smiles at Blaze and isn’t fazed by him at all. “My name is Lorenzo Calderone, and I am the boss’ right hand man and business associate. He has asked me to set up this meet so we may possibly start a business endeavor with you and your club.”
“What kind of business does your boss have in mind?” I question him. His smile widens and his eyes narrow, such a contradiction in contrast.
“May we sit and talk?” he inquires as he points to the picnic bench sitting next to the warehouse.
“Lead the way,” I wave my hand in that direction. My back will never be to anyone if I can prevent it from happening. Any motherfucker will stab you in it regardless of the trust you have in that person. The only people I trust to that extent are my brothers and family. Only because they’ve proven themselves to me over and over again.
I follow his lead, and sit with my back against the warehouse wall, and watch him as he sits across from me. He has no fear of my men, who are currently keeping their eyes on his. My men are impenetrable and won’t allow his men to follow their boss as he and I begin to have this conversation.
“Jasper. May I call you Jasper?” he slyly asks.
I nod my head in confirmation, since that is what everyone, including citizens, who are non-members of the club, refer to me as.
“Very well then, Jasper, we’d like to speak with you about a pipeline my boss is interested in extending and running through your town.”
“What kind of drugs?” I ask, before he has a chance to continue with his prepared speech.
“Not just drugs per se,” he says, clasping his hands together. He leans forward and I swear if this motherfucker were any closer he’d be kissing my ass. I’d give him a kiss alright, a kiss of my knuckles right in his smacker. But he just looks me dead in the eyes and says, “We have some very rich men who pay top dollar for girls, young girls.” He whispers the last part.
I don’t want to show my hand and the fury building within me right away, so I lean in and ask him, “How young are we talking about here?” Inside I want to pull my gun out and place a bullet right between his eyes, but the rational side of me knows I need as much information as he’s willing to share.
“Man, we’ve got some kinky motherfuckers who like them as young as seven or eight.” The pride in his voice makes me want to puke right in his face.
“That right?” I ask, leaning back and crossing my arms over my chest, trying to control my temper.
“You’d be surprised what people are willing to pay for. All races of girls who are virgins. We sell them for the highest dollar and make a fantastic profit.” Is this motherfucker for real?
“So, let me get this straight, you sell young girls for a profit to perverts and this doesn’t bother you in the least?”
“What would bother me about it? It’s about making money, brother.” The use of the word brother coming out of his mouth makes me ill. He’d never make it one day in my world without finding himself six-feet underground. He’d be pushing up daisies and no one would ever be the wiser or be able to find his remains.
“Let me ask you a question, do you have a daughter?”
“I do,” he answers.
“And, would you sell her for a profit?”
“You need money to live, man.”
“So these children live out their lives as sex s
laves?”
“I don’t know what happens to them once the transaction is made, I’m just the money man and the middle man.”
“And what is it you’d want us to do for you?”
“For a profit, say ten-percent, you turn the other cheek and let us use your town to transport.”
“You aren’t asking for our protection, or to help you in any way?”
“No, easy money, yes?” He takes a long drag from his cigar before blowing out a large ring of smoke.
“I’ll need to take this to the table for a vote. I can’t make these types of decisions without the approval of my club,” I inform him, standing up, needing to stretch my legs and get away from him before I start a war the club hasn’t sanctioned yet.
Key word there, yet, because my men all have old ladies and most of us have daughters and we won’t stand for this. Not using our town, and not being able to sit back once we know who is behind the missing children in the media over the last six months, which just happens to be the time frame from when they moved into our territory.
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