Hostile Saint (Steel Stallions MC Book 1)

by India R. Adams

  “Evermore,” is what I whispered as my hips surged into the warmth made of our dreams.

  In that quiet room at Serenity, I kissed her, I fucked her, I loved her.

  Every stroke better than the last, my body shook. It panted. It possessed.

  Then it shuddered a release I would treasure for the rest of my life.

  Did it end there? No.

  That ravenous woman grabbed a hold of my ass, demanding more.

  I delivered… until we both came again.

  This time, her tears weren’t of pain or caused by a cruel life that had forced her to suffer.

  This time, her tears glistened with the joy we brought each other, on a level I can’t believe many ever reach.

  She smiled, more tears falling. “Only happy ones.”

  Yin and Yang.

  Good and bad.

  Lacey and Tate.

  “Yes, only happy ones,” Hold on, baby, it’s time… “Lacey.”

  As her true name sunk in, she lay under me, blinking…

  The sun that my toes would touch every morning, that is what her remembering looked like. It was as if her mind was reaching out and touching those rays of warmth. A glow took over her whole face as tears refilled her eyes. “T-Tate?”

  Sex had stolen my breath, but her recognizing me filled my lungs with air—with life. “Lace?”

  Naked, bare, and raw, tears spilled as she nodded. “I remember. I remember.”

  Even though I had just been inside her physically, we now were truly together in spirit.

  It felt like I had finally found my long-lost best friend. “Oh my God.”

  Her arms flew around my neck as she cried so hard. “I remember. Tate, I know you. I really know you.”

  We held each other with such adoration, I was sure I would never release her. “My Pretty Girl, I missed you so fucking bad.”

  Everything I knew about this young woman came racing back to her. Knowing who she was again, she even sounded different. “Tate, I was so scared. I was so alone.”

  I kissed her sweet lips over and over as I tried to express how much I had hurt without her, and how I refused to give up. That I wanted her, no matter what that meant. No matter what she was or would be.

  “More,” she begged of my lips.

  Tears continued to mix with endless love that night.

  She gasped, holding my face as if she would never love anyone more than how much she loved me. “The trunk. Our brothers.” She struggled to breathe. “Are you okay? Where are they?”

  “Lace, I have so much to tell you. My new friends, they have helped me so much…”

  I told her everything. I told her as much as I could remember, the things that she had missed while trying to find herself.

  I cried, “I killed them, Lace. I’m sorry—”

  Instead of judgment, instead of thinking less of me for being as cruel as the ones who tried to destroy us, Lacey Young kissed my lips and thanked me for saving her life.

  I told her it was worth every fight I had to face. Having her back in my arms, as the girl I fell in love with, made it all worth it.

  “Make love to me, Tate.”

  Never have I experienced what happened between us that dreamlike night. Again, our bodies blended, molded… just like our hearts.

  Afterward, she lay in my arms and slept.

  Believing danger no longer was circling me, I felt more peace than ever before.

  She slept as I got dressed.

  She slept as I kissed her forehead.

  She slept as I left her for the last time.

  “You look so happy.” Elle held a hand over her mouth. “So happy.”

  Charlie was on my bed, watching me while I packed my duffle bag the next morning. “I am. She remembers me, Elle.” I grabbed my chest, shaking my head. “Me. My girl remembers me.”

  “You made love to her, didn’t you?”

  My mouth fell open. “How’d you know?”

  In a motherly fashion, she touched my freshly shaved head. “You have young love all over you.” Her eyes watered. “And now we get to take her home, Noble.”

  My head tilted. “Noble?”

  Nodding, she took my hand and led me from my room.

  In the living room, Dagger and Lynx were carrying bags, headed for the garage door in the kitchen. Lynx took one look at Elle and stopped.

  He smirked. “You can’t wait, can you?”

  She shook her head. “Please. Tell him.”

  He and Dagger set down the bags and came to the living room, waving for Vice to leave his headphones and laptop for a minute.

  As Vice came to us in the living room, Lynx pulled something from his cut’s inside pocket. He handed me two IDs. “Love you, kid.”

  Staring at them, one with my picture, one with Lynx’s, my vision blurred.

  It was so hard to see through all the water in my eyes when trying to read the names that, unbelievably, matched. They read:

  Duke Wolf Bryant

  And

  Noble Lycan Bryant

  Lynx, the man who saved my life… was also giving me his last name.

  Not sure how to express how honored I was, I opened my mouth to try but then he handed me another ID and piece of paper. “If Pretty Girl still wants a ceremony, we can give her one, but I wanted you two legal,” he rolled his eyes, “illegally,” he smiled, “so that no one can separate you again.”

  Speechless, I read the third ID:

  Jamie Lace Bryant

  The piece of paper was a marriage certificate.

  I was now complete.

  And passing on the family’s name.

  Strong arms grabbed me and held tight. “You are my boy.” He wiped his face from over my shoulder. “Thank you for being a gift that reminds me there is a God. Thank you for teaching me to not be afraid…” he choked out, “of a name.” He kissed my head then shoved me away.

  Then, he faced Elle.

  He took a knee. “This time away from you has been the worst,” he peered over his shoulder at me, “and the best.” He looked back to Elle, who was temporarily in shock. “If this kid can face his demons and become better for it,” he began to cry, “then so can I.” He shook off the tears and lifted his chin.

  Even on his knees, he was regal and proud.

  “Elle, will you be my wife?”

  Elle dropped to her knees and stared at him. Finally, her mouth moved. “I already am,” she tapped her chest, “right here, but yes, Duke Wolf Bryant, I would be honored to share the name Bryant with you and your son.”

  “Pussified!” yelled a crying Vice. “I am absolutely pussified!”

  The laughter was almost as beautiful as that couple kissing on their knees.

  Finally, all composed again, I went back to packing, and Vice went back to his earphones. I had no idea he would start yelling. I had no idea, amongst all our joy, there was a devil I never saw coming. “Lynx! Lynx! Goddamnit!”

  Lynx, Dagger, and I came running, guns drawn.

  Vice was on his feet and more livid than I had ever seen him. He threw his headphones into the wall with such force they practically exploded. “He’s taking her memory!”

  “What?” Roared Lynx, so confused.

  Vice hit a button on his laptop.

  My ears were ringing so hard I could barely make out Doctor Landon’s voice as he spoke to a hypnotized Lacey, telling her not to remember… “No.” I stumbled back. “No.”

  That man, the one my instincts tried to warn me about, was now betraying his patient. She had trusted him, and he was punishing her for it.

  Dagger punched the wall. “Motherfucker will pay!” He yelled at Lynx, “It’s because of her fucking blood work! He wants to keep this ‘special’ girl to his fucking self!”

  Lynx turned to face me, his expression full of the horror quaking my heart.

  After all I had been through, everything I fought for to have my girl back, that bastard was taking her from me, all over again. It was so evil
, so selfish that I could barely stay on my feet.

  I had just held her, made love to her… This was the most severe breaking point for me.

  My heart went… cold.

  Numb lips that no longer felt like mine—the ones that had kissed Pretty Girl last night—spoke to Lynx, “You once told me that I have to be responsible with the power I have in you.”

  I had almost accidentally killed the doc. Now, there would be no accident about it.

  Lynx’s eyes went sinister as he nodded, his voice packed with danger. “I did.”

  “You said you would kill anyone who hurt me.”

  His stare was bursting with malicious wishes. “I did.”

  I took a deep breath before I said, “He just hurt me more than anyone ever has,” I turned and headed back to my room, “or ever will.”

  Walking to my room, I hoped the doctor would soon be taking his last breath.

  It was faint, but I heard Elle growl, “To the ground. Make. It. Count.”

  I heard, “Yes ma’am,” repeated a few times before dragons raced toward vengeance.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Walking Blind

  With the garage door open, I could easily see the Colorado Stallions outside, watching over us while Lynx, Dagger, and Vice were gone. Elle and I loaded the SUV that we would be driving back to Texas, being careful not to hit our shins on the hitch of the trailer that would be carrying Lynx’s dragon home. Dagger and Vice were riding, but Lynx wanted to be with Elle, Lacey, and me. I think he knew we might need his help. Now, with what damage the doc had caused, there was a strong chance it was going to be an even rougher ride than first anticipated. I was clueless as to whether or not Lace would remember me at all.

  It was happening again; me, afraid my girl wouldn’t know who I was. It felt like an impossible outcome, yet here I was, facing another grim future.

  “Baby.” Elle was suddenly in front of me, cupping my face in her hands. “You listen to me, and you listen real good. Right now, I am speaking to you as a woman who hasn’t owned her own heart for some time. It belongs to the man who is…” she nodded in thought, being wise to the biker world, not willing to voice the crime we knew was happening, “righting a wrong committed against you. Lacey? She is like me. Everything in my bones is telling me so. Her heart will remember you. Even if it takes time, it will happen.”

  We stared at each other for a few moments until I finally nodded and whispered my appreciation. Then, as if we hadn’t just shared a powerful moment, we went back to our chores.

  Elle and me…

  It was eerie. We had both requested a death. It was now happening.

  Frustrated to have already resorted to murder again, I sneered, “I warned that man, Elle. I told him shit would pour down on him if he tried to interfere with me and my fucking wife.”

  “As it should be.” She continued to load the suitcase she had flown in with.

  Seeing eye-to-eye on the dreary subject, we never spoke of it again.

  It was simply, yet unforgivably, complicated; Doc had royally fucked up. He crossed me and so was paying with his life.

  The sun was going down by the time Lynx, Dagger, and Vice returned. Lynx gave me a nod, then spoke in a way to not incriminate himself. “Dag was right. Doc knew he had a one-of-a-kind on his hands.”

  What else had transpired while they were gone wasn’t discussed. Nor did I ask. I didn’t give a shit how it was done as long as Doc was gone.

  Dagger, grabbing a water bottle, was in VP mode and spoke in a clipped tone. “Let’s get your girl. Record time. State lines behind us.”

  Vice added, “Unnoticed. No trails.”

  A plan was in place.

  After a late dinner, we cleaned the kitchen for the last time. Cuts were placed in a duffle bag and ball caps were put on heads to better hide identities. Elle twisted her locks into a cap, doing her best to hide her long blond hair. Then, we turned off the lights and said goodbye to the rental, where we knew we would never return. I wasn’t sure I would ever step foot into Colorado again.

  On the way to Serenity, Charlie sat in the back with me. Lynx drove with Elle in the passenger’s seat.

  Lynx explained that, on the way back to Texas, Elle, Lacey, nor I were to get out of the vehicle anywhere with high traffic. He told us that Justice had mapped out our trip and was sure to add old country roads where security cameras weren’t available. That way, we would be permitted to use restrooms and stretch our legs.

  He also informed me that, once at Serenity, Vice and Charlie would watch over his fiancé, while he, Dagger, and I went to go retrieve Lacey.

  In the woods near the institute, Lynx parked our SUV and trailer in a way to hide it, taking no chances, even though the dirt road was isolated and obviously rarely used.

  Bikes followed and parked next to us.

  Vice got off his dragon and stood next to Elle’s door. With a gun in her lap, she rolled down her window, but no words were spoken. Everyone was on high alert and feeling the pressure of how one mistake could get us unwanted attention. As soon as someone noticed that Doctor Landon was missing, we knew the coincidence of a missing patient would be impossible to ignore. There would be a hunt for both.

  “Fuck,” whispered Vice while reading his phone. “Waitress. Orderly never came in.”

  He’s not drugged. Does this mean Lynx will abort?

  Elle glared out the open window, telling Lynx, “No one knows I’m here—”

  “No.” He was already shaking his head.

  She sneered, “If that orderly is awake, you may need extra eyes.”

  Lynx sneered back, “Vice stays with you—”

  Elle bit out, “No, he doesn’t. I want my family whole.” From the dashboard, she threw a stack of packages of gloves out the window. “Make it happen.”

  Her window rolled up.

  Lynx’s chest rumbled. “Fucking stubborn woman.” Nostrils flaring, he told me, “I want the dog out and on guard.”

  Lacking the guts to question Lynx or a pissed-off Elle, I opened the door and took off his collar. “Charlie, stay.”

  He planted his butt on the ground next to Elle’s door.

  Handing us gloves, Lynx growled, “Let’s go.”

  Running through the woods, my heart was pounding. Was I charging toward our salvation? Lacey? Or was I getting my new family thrown in prison?

  Lynx gave out commands, “Dag, get them Stallions to head toward Elle.”

  I had forgotten about the ones watching over Lace. It was an out-of-body experience to cross paths with them as they followed their orders. Never slowing down, guns were all pointed at each other until we confirmed who it was running toward the other.

  Guns down, a Stallion told us, “They were busy today.”

  Parting ways without missing a step, Lynx told us, “Hopefully, we still only have the one orderly to deal with. Vice, if our plan goes to shit, I need him unconscious.”

  “Done.”

  The night was silent, but this time, we had a moon to light the way. The institute was quiet, all patients asleep for the night, as I was to run to Lacey’s window. I appreciated that Dagger and Lynx were going to be crossing the lush green lawn with me for what would be the last time. Them with me? It suited the situation.

  As soon as I went to break the line of trees and pick up speed, Lynx’s gloved hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. Shocked, I looked as he pointed up. “Kid, bars are back on.”

  My stomach sank. “No.” But, there it was, Lacey’s window, no longer an option.

  Vice quietly said, “I got money on them bars being more than superglued on.”

  Dagger grumbled, “That fucking doctor knew we’d be coming for her.”

  Not able to get enough air into my lungs, my mouth hung open as I panted. Lacey.

  “Breathe, Pup,” said Lynx. Then he gazed at Vice. “Plan B a go?”

  He nodded. “Yep, the new security system doesn’t get installed until tomorrow.”


  Dagger smirked. “I’m likin’ the one day too late, shit.”

  Lynx faced the building. “Kid. Stay by my side.”

  There was only one car in the parking lot as we ran toward the entrance—the one we saw almost every night we had been there.

  Keeping a lookout for anyone, I glanced over to see Vice tinkering with the lock on the door, then heard a pop. Bodies moved behind me, so I turned around and followed the men inside. Vice pointed to the old sweeping staircase, then pointed up.

  We all kept scanning our surroundings, but the hallways were empty. In the clear,

  as I headed up the staircase, I wondered how many times Lacey had walked them. I also thought about how her doctor would never do so again.

  In the lead, Vice suddenly ducked down on the stairs. Not asking questions, we all did the same, not moving, but peering up. I gulped, watching a big man in all white walk past us.

  Lynx laid a hand on my back, telling me not to move before Vice quickly rose and finished the last step, only to disappear around the corner.

  Thump! The vibration told me the orderly was no longer an issue.

  Lynx’s hand came off my back and we were on the move again.

  By the time we turned the corner, stepping over the unconscious orderly’s body, Vice was already halfway down the hallway. It felt like everything was moving in slow motion, even though I knew we were now jogging to catch up. Maybe the sensation was because I anticipated we were about to see a sight that none of us expected.

  Vice stopped in front of a door and pointed, informing us he was at Lacey’s room. Then, as if having seen something so horrific he was instantly rocked to the core, he was fumbling with the orderly’s set of keys. By the time we got to him, he had swung open the door to the darkened bedroom.

  Dagger and Lynx came to a stop.

  I think I pushed them out of my way to get inside the room, where I had been many times. Throughout all the secretive late-night visits, with the beautiful moon shining the way, I’d never seen my girl on the floor, unmoving, with blood pooled around her body.

  Massacre of the heart…

  Instantly, my hearing and ability to think properly vanished.