“I wasn’t talking to you, though I do have an offer you may be interested in, as well. I am talking to her.” He looked at Gloria straight in the eye as she slumped downward into a royal blue lounge chair. “We found your notebook when we cleaned up the mess at headquarters. It had some information that has turned out to be more valuable than we could have ever hoped.”
“I don’t blackmail no more. I’m out of that after everything that’s happened.” Gloria was secure in this. She had no earthly desire to put herself back in danger like this.
“Not blackmail—I want you to scout for us. Men are always more eager to talk when there’s a woman around, and I want you to be that girl for us. I know you got some mad skills in this area.”
“Why would I ever agree to this?” Gloria was repulsed by Benni but intrigued by the offer. There were no women members of the Horsemen, or any other motorcycle club she had known. Most were just old ladies, whores, or groupies. It wasn’t anything Gloria ever aspired to be.
“Money, protection—and a chance to go home.”
Gloria’s eyebrows lifted in interest. While she had loved riding backseat with Vinny at the helm, she had still missed the comforts of her home and the thrill of singing on stage for a captive audience. She had wanted all of that once more, but she wanted it with Vinny. And there was no life outside of running left for the two of them to share together.
Benni continued, “You come back, and I offer you a few men to guard you. I’ll give you the assignments, you complete them, and I’ll pay you whatever you would have made with the blackmail. That seem fair?”
“What about Vinny? I’m not going anywhere unless he’s part of the deal.” She looked to where her partner stood against the bathroom wall. He was watching Benni like a hawk, waiting to pounce.
“I have an offer for you.” Benni turned his attention to Vinny, “Despite everything that has happened, you have proven yourself more loyal than my own men. While I’d like to offer you back your old job of enforcer, I think there is a better place for you at the Horsemen. I want you to ride number two—be the Vice.”
“What? Why would I want that?” Vinny thought of how the men had rallied to mutiny under Benni’s control. If Benni were a target once, Vinny would be shortly.
“It would settle the club down. More than half the men are more loyal to you than they ever were to me. They listen to you and want you as the leader. This way, they get the best of both worlds, and you get to be sure that Gloria is safe and out of harm’s way.”
There was a long pause as Gloria and Vinny looked at one another, each searching for the other person’s answer. Vinny walked slowly over to where Gloria sat and kneeled before her. Benni watched carefully as he whispered, “What do you think?”
Gloria had never had to make a choice like this before. Her gut told her to run, to break free from all of it once more. But her heart longed to find some kind of finality with her man.
She wordlessly nodded her answer as Vinny turned to face Benni. His hand was outstretched to shake, “We’ll be home in two days. I expect you can let us alone until then.”
EPILOGUE
“I’m headin’ out!” Gloria called toward the bedroom where Vinny was resting.
“Like hell you’re leavin’ without Matthew. He’s on his way.”
“I’m already runnin’ late. The band’s waitin’ on me. Text Matthew and tell him to meet me there. Same booth as last time.” Gloria pinned the last of the two earrings in her ear and reapplied the coral colored lipstick in her bathroom mirror.
As she looked up, she caught Vinny in the reflection of her mirror. His dark features were transformed since they had arrived back in town – they were lighter, almost weightless. A playful smile danced upon his face as he leaned down to kiss her bare shoulder.
“That dress…” He played with the backless back with his cold hand. He could feel the curve of her spine through the thin red fabric.
“…is stayin’ on…” Gloria finished, “I’m already runnin’ late.” She pushed back towards him, her body catching the warmth of his naked chest. “Plus you’ve already taken this dress off once. You can wait a couple of hours to take it off again.”
“I’m not a patient man, Gloria.” He gave her a deathly serious look from the reflection in the mirror.
“And I’m not a patient woman.” She broke free as she headed out the door, “So I guess we’ll both have to suffer.”
She walked out the door of the apartment and hopped into her car. Jackman’s Tavern was only a few minutes drive from her new home, but she still loved the car ride over. It was winter now. The fields around the road were barren and gray. But the stars above her shone brighter than ever.
That Tavern also glowed in the night. The bar had been revitalized as of late, with the Horsemen and the Devils claiming it as their own. After the Horsemen had found Junior—with the help of Gloria’s information—new turf boundaries had been drawn, and a small moment of peace had been settled while each club licked their wounds.
There was just enough time for Gloria to retake her spot as the Tavern’s resident singer. She was up on that pine stage three nights a week, just like she had before—the crowd demanded it, and the influx of Horsemen only made her a hotter commodity.
The band was already on stage setting up when she walked through the door. Gerald, her drummer, lifted his hands in protest as he saw her stride through the room. “Put your hands down, Gerald,” she sassed him, “I can tell time as well as you keep it.”
The boys laughed as they finished setting up the instruments and wires. Matthew walked in soon after, acknowledging Gloria as she stood on the stage. Vinny joined him in the booth shortly after. The two men whispered low as they watched the room fill up with friendly and hostile faces.
But Gloria paid them or the crowd no mind. Tonight, she was focused on her performance. The music started, a quick jazz piece, as she scatted and crooned her way through. It was a love song—a simple one, at that—but she sang it with such passion that the rest of the room had to take notice.
When her set finished, she planted herself at the bar. A new bartender had joined the Tavern’s crew and had his hands full filling mug after mug of beer to the thirsty men at the stools. He still took his time out to walk over to her, an envelope in his hands. “That’s from Warren,” he said, shoving the envelope towards her. “Payment for tonight’s show.”
Gloria smiled as she opened the envelope and surveyed the cash inside. She had gotten paid from the bar for her performances before, but every bit of honest earned money meant more to her now. She leaned in over the bar and whispered into his ear, “And what about Packer? What do we know about him this week?”
The bartender’s eyes grew wider as he looked towards where Vinny and Matthew were sitting. Their eyes bore holes in him, forcing him to remember their threat. His voice shook as he answered, “He’s working the quarry tonight with Devin and Marty. Something about a shipment from down south.”
Gloria sat back and smiled at her new partner. He was proving his worth almost every day. She went through the envelope and pulled out a couple of twenties. “For you, kid. Keep up the good work.” He pocketed the cash and poured her out a couple of shots of her favorite drink. One by one, she threw them back as quickly as possible.
Suddenly, Gloria sensed something: opportunity. She looked towards the door; a haggard-looking man walked in looking like he had just seen hell. His face was new to her, and he was looking more and more like dollar signs. She glanced over to Vinny and pointed to the guy. With a wink, she got up from her barstool and strode over to where the man was sitting. “Bad night?” she asked, sidling up to him and biting her bottom lip. “Tell me all about it.”
THE END
Other series by Sophia Hampton
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BOOK 1 of the Comanche Sons Motorcycle Club trilogy
Life as an
orphan taught Riley never to wear her heart on her sleeve.
Riley’s rough past taught her many things about the game of life. Like a merry-go-round, home was an ever changing concept and she never had the chance to control it. Now, as a seductress, she’s the only one in charge and she has all the power to control where she spends her nights..
Despite his name, Chance was all about calculated moves.
Chance already had his life planned out. The Comanche Sons provided solace, while at the same time gave him space to be free and write the chapters of his own life, laying his head wherever he wanted. Carefree or not, Chance's plans are about to be derailed by a woman with destiny in her eyes.
When love suddenly appears on the menu…
Riley is sure that Chance would be in her bed and out of her life once she’s done with him. But that soon proves easier said than done. Each day with Chance leaves her wondering—for the first time—about her future, about the idea of home. But Riley's past has a way of catching up and sooner or later, she knows that it’ll ruin her one chance at love.
***
BOOK 1 of the Devil’s Mafia Brotherhood Motorcycle Club trilogy
She doesn’t believe in catching flies with honey
Tania McGuire has a tongue that’s known to get her into trouble… in and out of the bedroom. But it’s also brought her to her position as a successful property negotiator with some enemies in the process, and she’s yet to meet anyone who can match her – or turn her down.
It's either his way, or the highway.
When it comes to life, Riley Rothko only knows how to get his own way. The Devil’s Mafia has helped make this happen. While expanding their business territory, he’s in charge of hand-picking the new locale that will be responsible for the storage of some of their most valuable wares yet, but he can’t help but feel something is wrong.
And they’re not ready for the sparks that are about to fly…
The last thing Riley expects when walking into the warehouse is a jaw-dropping woman ready to bite his head off, and Tania can’t say she’s happy to see the intimidating man prepared to ruin her perfect record. It’s a battle of hot-tempers that has the potential to end in disaster, but you know what they say about love and hate…
***
BOOK 1 of THE SUBMISSION FIGHTER Trilogy
Even a wallflower has wants…
Alice Cross was a safe bet. She learned a long time ago that being quiet was easier than sticking your neck out, and it had led her into a life of tranquility and normalcy. All she had to do was enjoy what she had, and not question the void that seemed to linger in her heart.
He knows he can take a punch.
Micah Anderson, with a crooked and bloody smile, has climbed his way to the top of his MMA division on brute strength and frightening tenacity. If there’s one thing he knows how to do, it’s talk with his hands – hit first, ask questions later. Easy.
But this woman might just be his weakness.
Micah thought he was tough as nails, but the second he locks eyes with Alice, he takes a blow like nothing he’s ever felt before. This girl spells trouble, and what’s worse, Alice is finding that for the first time in her life, she can’t stay away from temptation…
***
BOOK 1 of the Satan’s Cubs Motorcycle Club trilogy
Melanie is at the end of her rope
When she loses her job, Melanie Verratti joins Addicts Anonymous in the hopes of finding a way out of the self-destructive cycle she's put herself on and make something out of her life.
He's battling devils that haunt him on a daily basis
Being a convoy escort is no laughing matter, and Andy Manners has always been one of the best escorts among his brothers of ink and steel, the Satan's Cubs MC... At least, until he got himself addicted to the very product he's supposed to protect. Now with both his life and job on the line, he must find the help he needs or risk losing it all.
Often times, different roads lead to the same destination
Their common struggle unites the two lost souls and lets them give each other the strength to resist the temptations of their past. But the shadow of relapse looms above the blissful bubble around them. Can the two see the dangers that lie ahead of their paths, or will Andy's inked brotherhood make everything fall apart and plunge them--helpless--back to the crippling grips of addiction?
***
BOOK 1 of the Knights Disciples Motorcycle Club trilogy
Laura Mills isn’t asking for much.
Laura Mills wants only three things: keep her little brother Lucas out of trouble, finish her part-time degree in criminal justice, and do her best to not feel flustered every time she catches the sight of William Shriner riding out of the Knights Disciples MC club house.
William Shriner doesn’t forget a thing.
Laura is an old friend of the club who’s helped change the outlook the rest of the community had about the Disciples. Will—as the club’s sergeant-at-arms—is more than thankful for all that Laura does. The club still owes her a favor, and Will’s determined to see the debt paid.
A tiny spark comes alive in the endless sea of darkness
When Lucas gets into hot water with an out of town gang, Laura turns to the Disciples for help. But what she doesn’t expect is William Shriner taking a personal interest in the case, staying up with her late at night, and comforting her as her little brother flirts dangerously close to the fire.
***
BOOK 1 of the Headless Reapers Motorcycle Club trilogy
He's a Tribesman--and a sworn enemy
The VP of the Mountain Tribesmen MC, Rafael is a man that's lived his whole life in the fast lane. Having had more hot girls than hot meals, his need for reckless adventure and adrenaline causes him to end up in Headless Reapers territory.
She's just another club girl for the Headless Reapers MC
Just another club girl for the Headless Reapers MC, Emma Walsh is starting to get real tired of the life she's chosen. But once you were a Reapers girl, you had no other choice: it was a job for life. Her devotion to the Reapers is about to be seriously questioned when she spots a mysterious stranger at one of the Reapers' parties.
Their lives are about to change forever
Though both of them are fully aware of the consequence of their coming together, some temptations in life are too hard to ignore. A new connection will be forged--but only if Emma and Rafael can withstand their trial by fire.
***
BOOK 1 of the Broken Alpha trilogy
Rose innocently believed her life was perfect
She had it all: a job she loved, a beautiful home, a fiancé who was prince charming himself, financial stability, and a caring family. Rose Greyback’s life was a dream, and nothing could wake her from it.
Beckett is on the run and ready to take down anything in his way
Beckett Abruzzi was on the fast track to becoming Alpha of the infamous Adolfo Pack… until the once-defunct Del Diavolo Pack stages a violent uprising. Against all his instincts, he forces himself to lay low while he plans his revenge. But they’re not giving up so easily, and Beckett is running out of places to hide.
The last thing they expected was to crash
Relying on a total stranger who couldn’t be more different than them was never in the plans. But sometimes, fate has a way of changing things for the better, even if it’s in the form of an unassuming bride-to-be unintentionally saving the life of one vengeful Alpha, who belated realizes she is much more than what she seemed to be…
***
BOOK 1 of The Hardell Gang MC trilogy
Chelsie knows everyone in Mountain Grove, and they know her.
It comes with owning the only bar within thirty miles. She’s in everybody’s business whether she wants to be or not - usually not, particularly with the violence that’s been taking hold of her town. She considered leaving once, but she couldn’t leave her bar behind.
Special Agent Garrison is finally closing in
on the remnants of Hardell’s gang.
Garrison has tracked the Hardell Gang to a backwater town. The only problem? Small towns don't trust outsiders, even when the alternative is a brutal motorcycle gang, and he's having a hard time piecing together everything he needs.
He’s got to try.
When Garrison arrives at Chelsie’s bar looking for intel, Chelsie can’t get away fast enough. She’s seen what happens when people get involved in gang business and shows Garrison the door..
Chelsie never was a fan of cowardice.
When her friend falls victim to the violence she agrees to guide Garrison, and in the process catches a glimpse of true bravery, a quality the town has been sorely lacking. But how can one man take on a whole gang? Is Chelsie falling for a man who is not long for this world?
Reckless Abandon (Black Horsemen MC Book 3) Page 8