by Bella Jewel
I glance around the room, and I'm hooked up to machines still. I can see a large sign outside my room on the nurse's desk that reads ICU. I'm in the ICU for a few days. They told me I would be; they said it's because I need to be monitored around the clock, and then I'll be able to go back to the ward. I don't mind. I'm just so damned thrilled I got out of there alive.
Alarick isn't here, but I figure the poor guy had to go and eat or drink eventually. Maybe even sleep. I know he won't be far, I know he will be back.
"How are you feeling?"
I see an unfamiliar nurse coming into the room, smiling at me. "My name is Cheryl. How are you, Briella?"
"I'm okay," I croak. "Thirsty?"
She goes over to a little counter in the corner and pours me a glass of water, bringing it back. I carefully sip it as she takes all my observations before asking me, "How is your head feeling?"
"It feels fine, but I'm super groggy, so it's hard to tell."
"No pain? No strange sensations?"
I shake my head.
"That's wonderful. The doctor is on his way in now, he's going to discuss the surgery with you, but as far as I know, everything went well. You're recovering beautifully, and we're pleased with your progress."
"Thank you," I say, and I genuinely mean it.
"There's my most stubborn patient."
I glance over to see Dr. Peterson walking into the room. He's wearing scrubs, and he's smiling like he has had the best day ever.
"Dr. Peterson, hi," I say, my voice still sleepy.
"How are you feeling, Briella?"
"I'm feeling okay. Tired."
"That's to be expected. Are you able to move your legs and arms well?"
I move my legs and arms, flex my fingers, and curl my toes. Then I smile. "I'd say that's a yes."
He smiles back. "Wonderful, and you're feeling well? Nothing unusual happening?"
"No."
"Perfect. The surgery went well, we were able to remove the entire tumor, and you'll be pleased to know that I just got the results back that it's benign. You're cancer-free, your labs look great, and I think you're going to make a splendid recovery."
"Really?" I whisper, and my eyes burn with unshed tears.
"You're going to be fine. We're going to monitor you for a few years, just to make sure there is no regrowth, but I think you're going to be perfectly fine. Recovery will be at least six weeks, so in that time, you're going to have to take it easy, but after that you can resume your normal activities."
"Thank you so much," I smile, and I mean it.
Oh, do I mean it.
"You're very welcome. Now, get some rest. You're going to be quite tired until this time tomorrow, I'd imagine. Your lovely Alarick told me he's going to be back in an hour, he was just going to get something to eat, and if I didn't keep an eye on you, he'd make me wish I was never born."
I laugh softly. "He doesn't mean it, of course."
Dr. Peterson laughs. "He hasn't moved from your side. I think he's a good one."
The two of them leave, and I lean back into my pillow, feeling the most incredible amount of relief.
I drift back off to sleep once the nurse fills up my drip with the excellent pain killers once more.
This time, when I wake, it's to an extremely familiar voice.
My eyelids flicker open, and I stare up at...King.
Looking down at me is the man I considered a father for so many years.
His eyes are the same soft, yet hard, and his face slightly more aged, but equally as beautiful as the last time I saw him.
I must be dreaming.
The drugs are making me hallucinate.
"King?" I croak.
"How are you, sweetheart?"
His voice is soft and oh so familiar. My heart aches, because I've needed a parent, I've needed comfort, I've needed him. Our parting wasn't kind, but I can't deny that when I heard he had died, it broke my heart. It just broke me.
Wait.
He's dead.
This isn't real.
Damn you brain, for making me dream something I need so badly.
"You're dead," I whisper, and a tear rolls down my cheek.
"No," he says, his voice a low whisper. "No, I'm not. It's a long story, but I need you to know that you're going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay."
"I'm dreaming," I croak.
He shakes his head, reaching down and placing something into my hand. I hold it up to see a necklace, one he gave me when I was younger, one I left behind when I ran away. One that meant so much to me. I curl my fingers around it.
"You're not dreaming. I'm here."
"H-h-h-how, I don't understand?"
"I can't tell you everything right now, but you gotta know that I have information about your momma. When I heard about Magnolia, I knew I needed to come back."
"You're...I don't understand."
"I'll tell you when the time is right. I just needed to see how you were. See you were okay. Don't tell Alarick I was here, you gotta promise me?"
"I don't understand," I say again, shaking my head slightly.
He cups my face; the same was Flick does. "You will, I promise you. For now, you have to pretend you never saw me. Okay? Can you do that for me?"
I nod, confused.
He leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. "You're going to be okay."
I close my eyes, and the drugs take over again.
I drift off into a fitful sleep.
"HEY."
I open my eyes and see Alarick leaning over me, gently running his fingers down my face.
"Flick?" I croak.
"It’s me, baby. How are you?"
"I..."
King.
I open my eyes wider and glance around the room, but nobody is here.
Just Alarick and I.
"Was...was someone here?"
"Nobody, just me. You feelin’ okay?"
"Have you been here all night?"
He nods, but looks concerned. "What’s goin’ on?”
I look around again.
I must have been dreaming.
I must have been imagining it.
My heart hurts, just a little because part of me wishes it was real.
Part of me wishes he was here.
I have so much to be sorry for.
So much.
"I must have been dreaming," I whisper. “It’s nothing, just these good drugs.”
"Pretty normal, but if you start feelin’ weird you let the doctor know, yeah?"
I nod. “Yeah.”
Then he leans down and kisses my lips, his stubble scratching my cheeks in that way I love. "I'm goin' to get you something to eat, and some books to read, yeah? Anything else you want?"
"I...no. That's fine. Please, come back soon."
"Not leavin' you, baby. Promise."
I nod, and he turns and walks out, going to the cafeteria and bookstore to get some supplies.
I stare around the room again, and as I do, my hand brushes over something in my bed.
Narrowing my eyes, I slowly sit up and carefully pull back my sheets to see a necklace tangled up in them.
Shock rolls through my system as I lift the necklace and hold it in front of me.
It's my necklace.
The one King gave me in my dream.
The...
Oh god.
It wasn't a dream.
It...was real.
He was here.
He had to be.
He is the only one who would have this necklace.
But how?
I don't understand.
So many questions swirl around in my brain, and I can't make sense of a single one of them. Everything I thought I knew, just proved to be completely wrong. The secrets, the lies, the mysteries of my life are all suddenly being questioned again.
King knows something.
King has been hiding.
King isn't dead.
King...is alive.
TO BE CONTINUED....
FLICK
BELLA JEWEL 2020
DEDICATION
To Lance
For believing in me and kicking my ass to keep writing even when I didn’t want to.
For this awesome title. I suppose it’s pretty good ☺
For always making me laugh, even if I occasionally snort.
For loving me harder than I’ve ever been loved.
For being the best damn thing to ever happen to me.
This is for you.
It’s always for you.
~*FLICK*~
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written permission of the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.
FLICK
Copyright © 2020 Bella Jewel
FLICK is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
~*ACKNOWLEDGMENTS*~
As always, my heartfelt thanks to every single blogger, reader and author that has supported my journey. From reading my books, to sharing them, to raving about them, to being there for me. Thank you. My career would be nothing without any of you.
A huge thanks to the gorgeous ladies from Give Me Books for organizing my reveals and blitzes. You all do such an amazing job. No matter how many times I use you, I am always blown away by how efficient you are. Nothing is ever a drama. Thank you for giving me so much support.
A massive thanks to Ben Ellis from Tall Story Designs for this gorgeous cover. You’re the easiest, most efficient person I’ve ever worked with. You make my covers absolutely gorgeous every single time. I couldn’t do it without you.
To my favorite editor Wendi from Ready, set, edit, for always coming through for me on my edits, whenever I need them. You’re amazing and I’m so thankful to you. You’re super easy to work with and so nice. I’m glad to team up with you for these things.
And of course, to my admin, MJ, for ALWAYS keeping my page running beautifully. I couldn’t do it without you, girly. I love your teasers and your passion; thank you for taking the time out of your life to help this poor girl keep everything running.
And, last but certainly not least, to my loyal readers. To each and every one of you that picks up my books and give me a chance. To the reviews you write, good or bad. To the time you take to make me a better person. You make this real for me; never stop giving such love and passion. You make our journey so amazing.
PROLOGUE
FLICK – THEN
I look into my dad’s eyes and my heart thuds against my chest. My ribcage feels like there is no way it’ll be strong enough to hold it. No way it’ll keep me intact. My eyes move over the bloody mess that is the man who raised me, battered and bruised, fingers dripping with blood. He holds my eyes with desperation, a look that pleads with me to understand.
Pleads with me to get it.
“You’re makin’ a mistake, Dad,” I say, my fists clenched by my side. “I’m not fuckin’ ready for this.”
“You are ready,” he growls, his panting suddenly becoming drowned out by the wheezing of his labored breaths. He’s going to pass out soon, I know he is, and when he does, I’m going to have to do the thing I am most afraid of in the world.
Lie to fucking everyone I love.
Lie to the brotherhood that has come to trust me almost as much as him.
“I’m not fuckin’ ready.”
My voice is strained and frustrated. My head is spinning. My life has already been turned upside down, Briella is gone and nothing is making sense to me anymore. Now this. Now him.
“You don’t get a choice,” he growls, then coughs, blood splattering across the sidewalk in front of him. “I’m not givin’ you an option here, Alarick. You’re takin’ over this club, it’s yours now, and you’re goin’ to do what I’m askin’ you to do. This is important to me, more important than you’ll ever begin to understand. I need you to step up.”
“You want me to fuckin’ lie to them all,” I bark, shaking my head in frustration. “You want me to go in there on false grounds and lie. They find out I lied, I’ll never be respected again.”
“Trust me on this, will you, boy?”
I grind my teeth. “You’re not going to give me a choice.”
“I have to do this. Have to fuckin’ do this. You need to understand and respect that. I don’t need you questionin’ me, I just need you to make this real.”
Make it real.
He wants me to make it so fucking real everyone believes it.
He wants me to spin their worlds until they’re so dizzy they don’t look through the gaps and find the lie.
He wants me to walk in there, take over that club, and move on with my life.
A life that will be lived without him.
He wants me to do the unthinkable.
“I have nobody else,” I say, my voice rough and jagged around the edges, much like him.
My father, King, steps forward and puts his hands on my shoulders. He’s crumpled over, he’s exhausted, and if he does manage to live through this, I’m not going to know about it.
“You’re the best fuckin’ thing in my world, Alarick. You and Sissy are goin’ to be just fine without me. I have to find my answers, this is the only way I can do that. I’m in danger, and I’m not goin’ to put the club in danger because of my actions. If I’m gone, they’re goin’ to back off you. If I’m gone, you start again clean.”
“If you’re gone, I’m fuckin’ alone ...”
He leans forward, pressing his head against mine. I can smell the scent of bitter blood wafting over my face, but I don’t move back.
I can’t fucking move back.
“I’m proud of you, boy. I love you. This club is yours, and I know you’re goin’ to do right by it.”
I step back and look at my father, I take him in, and I pray he’ll fucking walk out of this alive.
Then I turn and walk away from him.
I know what I have to do.
He knows what I have to do.
I just don’t know if I can stand here a second longer.
“I love you, my boy,” he calls out, and then I hear him cough again.
So forcefully I wonder if I turn back, he’ll actually be dead.
On the ground, drowning in his own blood.
I don’t look back.
I put one foot in front of the other and keep walking forward.
I’ll walk all the way into the club and tell them the lie.
The lie that’ll change everything.
I’m going to tell them King is dead.
I’m going to tell them that, I, Alarick, will be the new president.
I’m going to lie to every single one of them.
And pray they never find out.
1
BRIELLA
It has been four weeks since I got Rupert removed from my brain.
Four, long, frustrating weeks.
You could say I’m irritated because for the first two weeks, I couldn’t do anything, and then for the last two weeks, all I could do was think about King. My mind has been a scramble ever since the night he came into the hospital. I’ve wanted to ask so many questions, but he asked me not to tell anyone, so that’s exactly what I’ve done.
There have been times Alarick has been sitting beside me, stroking my hair, and I’ve wanted to blurt it
all out.
But it’ll hurt him, right? I mean, of course it will.
He doesn’t want to find out his father is alive, that all this time he has been grieving someone who isn’t dead.
So, I’ve sat on my little secret, keeping it locked away tightly where nobody can unleash it to the world.
I don’t know what King wants from me, I don’t know if he’s going to show his face again, I don’t know what it is he’s been doing all this time, but I could almost guarantee it has something to do with my mother and her death.
There are so many mysteries surrounding her death, around Magnolia’s death, around everything that I once believed. Nothing has been right, nothing is true, and all of it is messing with my thoughts.
I have to go back to the beginning, start again, trace their steps and find out what it was they were so afraid of, only I don’t know where the beginning is. Is it with my mom? Is it with Aviana? Is it with Magnolia? Is it with this mystery Dax? Constable Bennett? I just don’t know.
“Hey lady, how’s things?”
I look up from my spot on Alarick’s bed at the club to see Mykel strolling into the room, one button on his jeans undone, his hair all messed up, shirtless, and looking as gorgeous as ever.
“Been busy, have you?” I ask him, snorting when he glances down at his button and then quickly does it up.
“You know how it is, a man has to find relief ...”
“Just imagine,” I say, pushing up from the bed, “if we ladies did that? Just fucked whatever moved for relief?”
“Why don’t you?” He grins, cheekily.
“Because we’d be labelled a slut and no man would ever want us.”
He chuckles. “I’d want you, honey.”
I shove his shoulder and murmur, “Where’s my favorite biker?”
“He’s runnin’ a meeting. Told me to let you know he’ll be longer than he thought.”
“Ugh,” I murmur. “I’m so ready to be out of this room. He’s meant to take me out today. I really need to be away from these four walls.”