Hostile Saint (Steel Stallions MC Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  He tied back his long blond hair. “Still got Tequila in my veins, kid. That’s all.”

  I knew he was lying but didn’t push for more. Life wasn’t letting us hide away anymore. He had to face the loss he and Elle had experienced, and I had to face my past. The rental house and dented rental car, which had been a part of my beginning with these men, had to be left behind.

  Lynx handed me a helmet. “You’re with me.”

  I held and stared at the black item. “Off to a new chapter of life.”

  He stopped prepping his bike and studied me. A grin finally broke free of his gloomy state. “Yeah, I guess so, Pup.”

  After slipping the helmet on, I buckled it under my chin. “I’m ready for it, wherever it leads.”

  Was it late at night or very early in the morning, I don’t know, but we both watched the garage door open as the roar of waiting dragons seeped inside.

  Lynx’s engine kicked on, answering the call. Putting on his own helmet, he quietly observed all the bikes waiting in the road. At the end of the driveway, there was an open spot, in between the row of bikes, as if a planned convoy.

  I chuckled over all the noise bouncing off the garage walls and surrounding houses. “Think the neighbors will miss us?”

  His head flew back as he laughed freely before getting on his Harley.

  There were a few other bikes, but they were in the yard, unattended. They belonged to the men collecting our stuff that we hadn’t been given enough time to grab. I had been nervous they would forget a precious item of mine, so when getting dressed, I quickly snatched my new toothbrush and stuck it in my back pocket.

  As I got on the back of Lynx’s bike, Dagger teased, “You sure are a funny-looking Elle.”

  Again, Lynx laughed. “Feel honored, kid. That’s her spot.”

  With my hands in the air, I asked, “Umm, I’m presuming you don’t want these where she would put them?”

  All the laughter in the garage competed with the engines.

  Holding on to some bar behind me, Lynx’s bike rolled forward. “Kid, be sure to not fight my leans when we turn corners and such. Just go with me. You’ll be fine.”

  In such awe to finally be on a dragon, all I could do was reply, “Got it,” while taking it all in. It was like I could sense this dragon wanting to take flight. The power was liberating. And I don’t think I was hiding it well.

  At the back of the line of bikes waited the Redemption Ryders. Diesel pointed at me. Then his men all laughed as if recognizing I had just been bit by the Harley love-bug.

  They were right. I was instantly addicted.

  As if these men had some sort of simultaneous telepathy connection, the front of the dragon line started pulling away before we even made it to the end of the driveway. By the time we got there, the bikes that would be right in front of us in the line were already moving. Lynx, with Vice and Dagger in tow, simply drove into the now moving line like they had rehearsed this a million times. Then the bikes behind us followed.

  No one was out there with a flag directing traffic. They just all moved as one, like a school of fish, anticipating each other’s movements before they were even made.

  This brotherhood on wheels was nothing if not absolutely impressive.

  The sky was dark, the air brisk, but my leather vest was warm.

  Life was such an unknown road, but on a dragon, there was no road I wasn’t willing to travel. I thought to myself, Someday I will have Lacey on the back of one of these, and we can ride, together.

  The Colorado Stallion clubhouse was tucked away, a little outside of the city. No surrounding homes or businesses were near this massive-sized two-story log cabin. There was no fencing around the compound, but lights in the ground, on poles, and in trees lit up as we drove down the widest driveway I had ever seen. It was dark asphalt, for what felt like half a mile of us triggering more lights. I had a feeling there was nowhere on the property anyone could approach without being lit up, announcing their arrival, invited or not.

  And, if that wasn’t enough of a deterrent, the slew of waiting Doberman Pinchers certainly was. There were five of them, all paced at some sort of invisible barrier as if their collars didn’t permit them to wander too far from the inner property they were to protect.

  There were lights on inside the beautiful clubhouse. I just couldn’t believe it belonged to tough bikers. And I couldn’t believe Lynx had preferred our modest little rental!

  As if reading my mind, Lynx hollered over his shoulder. “Badass, right? Their Prez took advantage of a foreclosure and renovated it to his specifications.”

  Whoever used to own the home must have also once owned a very large plane. Off to the right was a huge hangar.

  I peered over my shoulder. That hadn’t been a driveway. It was a landing strip.

  As the front of the line of dragons got closer to the hangar, two massive sliding doors separated to welcome the bikes into a brightly lit warehouse.

  Not pausing or minding the dogs, each bike drove inside, and one by one veered off into designated parking areas that each looked personalized. There were couches, chairs, mini-fridges, dartboards, posters—anything the biker seemed to favor and crave in his little domain.

  As soon as brake lights lit near the designated areas, engines were cut. I assumed it was for exhaust reasons, seeing the ventilation units along the ceiling.

  At the far end of the hangar was a vast bar area. Liquor bottles galore. Pool tables, tall tables, normal four-tops, and more couches. Massive TVs. Small monitors. More dartboards. An area that had axes hanging on the wall, as if while consuming alcohol, throwing axes was wise.

  Lynx soon cut his engine and let momentum carry us into a parking spot that, on the wall in front of us read, Lynx, the Stallion of us all.

  Vice and Dagger pulled up behind us.

  All of us unloading, a man approached. “I’m glad you’re finally here, where you belong when in my state.”

  Like Dagger and Diesel, this man was also older than Lynx. He had a long grey beard and was covered in tattoos. He was wearing a backward ball cap and a sincere smile.

  Smiling, Lynx hugged him and said, “Eagle,” loudly patting his back, showing he thought highly of this man. “You’re right. Just had some shit to work out. Thank you for your help through all this. Much appreciated.”

  A lick to my hand caught my attention. “Hey, buddy.” I started petting the curious dog, his nub of a tail wagging a million times a second.

  While hugging Dagger and Vice, Eagle replied, “Not doing a damn thing you wouldn’t do for any Stallion yourself.” He saw me petting the dog. “Hey! Charlie likes ya! He don’t like many. His nickname is actually Dickhead.”

  I smiled at all the licks as I played with his ears. “Nice to meet you, Charlie.” I told the man, “I’ve never had a dog before. You’re really lucky to have five. Wow.”

  He paused… then held out his hand. “I’m Eagle. I see everything I’ve heard about you is true, Saint.”

  I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing but shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, sir. Thank you so much for having some of your men watch over my Lacey.”

  Eagle dipped a chin. “Old Ladies are sacred and treated as such.”

  Lynx chuckled. “Mine is probably cursing my name due to all the eyes on her right now.” He widened his stance. “Okay, talk ta’ me, Eagle. What do we know?”

  “Not enough.” Eagle rubbed down his grey beard after crossing his arms. “Kansas chapter is on high alert.” Lynx nodded as if very aware of what that meant and kept listening. “The Stallion has yet to wake but is said to survive. Oz is trying to get more intel on the inside, but with two deaths and a poisoning, the prison is on lockdown.”

  Dagger quietly explained to me, “Oz is that chapter’s Prez.”

  I nodded as Lynx asked Eagle, “So, no idea how the Stallion was tagged?”

  Eagle shook his head. “Oz says his Stallion was not to approach this Ted and Ed scientist duo.”
>
  Dagger was concerned. “There’re eyes in there. Someone saw or heard the Stallion do something that grabbed their attention.”

  Lynx paused for a moment, then spoke as if lost in thought. “Both dead… Not protected… Being watched—” He gazed at Eagle. “They were sent there. My money is on them being set up. Neither had any prior record, no registered guns, then all of a sudden playin’ with big ones?” He shook his head. “Nah, they were being silenced. Stowed away.”

  Eagle agreed, “Wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen that shit.”

  “But who put them there?” asked Dagger.

  Lynx eyed me while answering, “Gotta be something with that satanic shit.”

  Eagle shivered a whole-body roll. “Torque filled me in on that. Jesus.”

  Slightly uncomfortable, I petted Charlie while thinking of the cameras in the rental. Torque must have heard everything I had said. I told myself what Lynx had told me once; intel must be shared to keep fellow brothers safe.

  Thankfully, Eagle turned away, gesturing over his shoulder. “Let’s get you guys settled. You must be ready to drop.”

  Charlie trotted next to me as I followed. Through a side door off to the left, we exited the most impressive ‘garage’ ever and ended up in the backyard of the cabin, amounting more to acres of land.

  Eagle asked, “Need any food?”

  “Nah,” replied my Prez, “Just a pillow.”

  Charlie took off running, then returned with a lime green ball in his mouth. Eagle warned, “Hey, be careful—” as I reached out for the ball. “He tends to bite—” Charlie dropped it in my hand. “Or not.”

  I threw it.

  Charlie took off running.

  Smiling, because that was super cool, I stopped when noticing the men all staring at me. “What?”

  Eagle stared at Lynx, who just shrugged at him. “You feel me now?”

  The Colorado Prez shook his head. “And to think I doubted you.” He started walking again. “You’re just like your father. Damn.”

  Passing an outdoor kitchen made of light tan bricks, Charlie caught back up to me with his ball. I looked around for the rest of the dogs, but they were nowhere in sight. I did see a child’s sandbox and swing set. There was also a crude hole-in-the-ground firepit that looked so out of place compared to everything else that screamed wealth. Around the pit were a bunch of chairs that had seen better days. I smirked. Even though this clubhouse could be in a magazine, these bikers were still keeping it real.

  Eagle said, “We’ll talk in a few hours, after some shut-eye,” as he led us through a back door. We entered a laundry room the size of the rental’s living room. There were stacked washers and dryers, and a couple of deep laundry sinks. A bunch of laundry baskets and rows of detergent were on shelves.

  “Uh, Eagle, is Charlie allowed inside?” I asked because he was right next to me.

  Eagle chuckled. “Yeah, they have doggy doors to have full range over the property. They’re supposed to bite.” He laughed. “Not become pussified and domestic.”

  Next, we entered an enormous kitchen that was part of a colossal living room surrounded by many windows. There was a titanic-sized island between the kitchen and living room that must have had thirty barstools on the living room side.

  A blond-haired, middle-aged woman in flannel pajamas approached. “Hey there.”

  Eagle introduced her. “This is Georgia, the one who runs this kitchen and household. If you need anything, she can make it happen. Just ask.”

  Lynx didn’t hesitate. “Georgia, I could use some Advil and water.”

  Dagger and Vice raised their hands.

  She giggled. “I’ll bring them up to your rooms.”

  We then followed Eagle up an impressive staircase to the second floor. The stairs continuing up told me this beast of a home was three stories.

  Eagle took us down an open hallway and to the left. Tapping his hand on a door to the right, he announced, “Dag and Vice, get you some rest in here.” The next door, he rattled his knuckles, “Lynx and Saint, have sweet dreams.” He gave us a salute. “I’m back to hitting the sack myself.” He went in the opposite direction as we went into our rooms.

  Lynx smirked as Charlie shoved his way into our room. “I guess he’s with us tonight?”

  It was hard not to keep petting him. He was so friendly. “Looks like it.”

  “I’ll leave the door cracked so he can go do whatever dogs do.”

  On each side of the bedroom, there was a twin bed tucked in the corner. Lynx took the one to the right. He rapped on the wall next to his bed. Within seconds, a rap answered.

  When I lifted a brow, Lynx explained, “During stressful times, Enforcers tend to get a little restless. If he knows where I am, he’ll sleep better.”

  “Would you rather I go sleep in Dagger’s room, so he can be in here?”

  “No, because then I’ll be restless.”

  It didn’t get old. Hearing him care just didn’t get old.

  Not bothering to fold down the covers, Lynx let his body fall into the bed. “Fuck, I’m tired.”

  Charlie clearly had the same idea. “Hey!” I stood there, shocked when he jumped in my bed, laying down, then stared at me as if it were my turn.

  Before Lynx’s eyes slid shut, he laughed. “Good luck with that.” His breathing went heavy in a second flat.

  After kicking off my shoes, I was removing my shirt when I heard a gasp. It was Georgia, staring at my stomach I was now trying to cover.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “The door being open usually means not to knock and wake them.” She gestured to an already sleeping Lynx.

  I whispered, “No problem.” I shooed at the dog so I would have room when ready, but only succeeded to move him to the foot of the bed.

  She giggled. “Charlie, behave.”

  I admitted, “I’ve never had a dog in my bed before.”

  She placed water bottles and Advil on our nightstands. “Need me to kick him out?”

  “Nah. I have a feeling I might like it.”

  I did.

  Saying goodnight, Georgia left the room, so I removed my jeans and slipped under the blanket, sure to leave room for Charlie. My eyes drifted shut as soon as my head hit the pillow. The warmth at my feet took away any loneliness I may have felt by being in another new place, unsure of what was to come.

  What was to come was a road trip… back to where it all began.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Offering Dreams

  The screams were chilling. Even as a young child, I knew a female was in grave pain. Since her screams were so desperate, I couldn’t determine her age. All I could do was listen to the calls of agony as they bounced down all the hallways in this facility.

  Standing at a bedroom door, my heart thundered. I wasn’t alone. Many of us—all different ages—were outside our rooms, all staring at each other, trying to figure out who wasn’t accounted for. It was Missy. The pregnant teenage girl.

  It was nighttime, the best time to try to escape, but the ones who had tried before were only brought back by the police. No one believed them when they tried to tell them what was happening here—

  Tiny breaths beat against my back. She was now awake and terrified, hiding against my dirty t-shirt.

  Reaching behind me, I grabbed Lucey’s hand and whispered, “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Then I backed us both up into her room and shut her door.

  Returning her to her bed, I ended up laying down with her because she wouldn’t release my hand. “Tate, I’m scared.”

  We held on to each other. “Me, too.”

  Grrrrrr… growled Charlie, still at my feet in the bed, waking me from the nightmare.

  “Watch it furry fucker,” grumbled Vice. “I lead this protection duty.”

  The dog went quiet.

  My sandpaper eyes were slow to open.

  Vice had no pity. “Do you want Dagger to come in here and give you a coffee enema?”

  My
body sat up. “Nope. I’m up.” Charlie army crawled across the mattress to me to offer some licks. “Hey, pup. Hey! You’re a pup, too!” Scratching behind his ears, I peered over to notice Lynx’s bed was already empty.

  Vice was leaning in the partially opened door. He pointed to a dresser near the end of my bed. “There’s your clothes and shit. There’s also a new toothbrush. They couldn’t find yours.” He went to duck out of the room until he caught my guilty look. “What did you do?”

  I reached to my jeans on the floor and retrieved my toothbrush. Holding it up, I shrugged apologetically.

  Vice sighed, then came into the room, flipping Charlie off when he growled. He sat across from me on Lynx’s bed. “Hey… I know what it’s like to have to fight for the little things. Maybe not to your extent, but I get it.” He rested his hands on his knees. “It may take a while for you to get accustomed to having what you want or need, and that’s okay. Just try and catch yourself if doubting you deserve things like a new toothbrush. You can have forty if you want.” My face lit up, causing Vice to smile. “And three hundred tubes of toothpaste. Who are we to judge?”

  Trying to be brave about something so simple, I set the toothbrush on the nightstand, telling myself I could have a hundred if I wanted them. It’s bewildering what we can treasure after such abuse. “Vice, I think I just dreamt of a place I have been before.”

  He sucked on his lips as he stared at me. “Just now?”

  I nodded.

  “No wonder that fucker was growling.” He eyed Charlie.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Dogs can be very aware of things. Sensed your nightmare and possibly my nervousness with what the boys and I just heard.”

  “Heard?”

  He exhaled. “Yeah. Doc had Lacey under again this morning.” He shook his head as if he knew I was going to blow his mind. “Tell me what you dreamt of.”

  “There was a hallway, with many rooms. Kids of all ages. And one girl that I didn’t see anywhere, but she was screaming. I think she was a pregnant girl they called Missy.”

  Vice watched Charlie lay his head in my lap. “Recognize where you were by chance?”