Striker: No Prisoners MC Book 1

by Lilly Atlas

  She tapped the computer case she’d pulled out of his saddlebag. “Sure. As long as I have a flat surface for my laptop, I’m good.”

  They made their way to the bar where a pretty woman with long blonde hair stood washing out some glasses. Dressed in a tight black tank top and ass-hugging jean shorts, she bopped her head to whatever music was flowing from her ear buds. Written in cursive across the front of her shirt was the words Take No, and Lila assumed Prisoners was scrawled across the back.

  When she caught site of them, she pulled her headphones out and waved. “Hey, Striker, church is about ready to start, you better get in there.”

  “Thanks, Marcie. Hey, this is Lila. She’s going to hang here while I’m in the meeting. Lila this is Marcie, Hook’s ol’ lady. I don’t think you met him yet. He’s been out of town the last week on club business. Keep her out of trouble, Marce,” he said with a wink.

  Striker turned to Lila, and slid one hand around the back of her neck, tugging her into his space for a lingering kiss. His other hand gripped her ass and held her flush against him. Their tongues tangled, and her knees grew weak. This was the first time she’d been involved in such a public display of anything physical, and she should have been embarrassed, but Striker ravaged her mouth so thoroughly, all thoughts of her surroundings slipped away.

  “Oh, motherfucker!”

  Lila jumped as the frustrated expletive cut through the spell of Striker’s kiss.

  “Hey watch your mouth asshole, there are ladies in here.” She recognized Jester’s voice, but not the one who’d spoken first.

  Striker broke away from her, and they both turned toward the noise in time to see Gumby slap some money in a grinning Jester’s palm with a look of disgust. What was going on? She glanced at Striker for clarification, but he just shrugged.

  “What are you to morons rambling on about?” Striker asked with a droll tone.

  “You just cost me fifty dollars, VP,” muttered Gumby.

  Jester sauntered over, and hauled Lila from Striker’s embrace to sling a heavy arm across her shoulders. “I prefer to think of it as the lovely Doc here won me fifty bucks,” he announced with a smile.

  “Come on, Striker, you said she was freaked out after the attack yesterday.” Gumby scowled at him.

  “Well, dumbass, that’s exactly when a woman is likely to put out. You act all sensitive and shit, and she’ll shed her clothes like they’re covered in fire ants. Tell me I’m right, Striker.”

  “What you are is a dipshit,” Striker answered.

  Lila’s gaze bounced between the three men. “Wait, you bet on how I handled being attacked yesterday?”

  Jester gave her shoulders a squeeze and shot her an arrogant smirk. “No, doll, we bet on whether or not Striker would finally be getting into your scrubs last night. I for one would like to thank you for giving it up.” He rubbed his new fifty between his thumb and forefinger.

  “Wow, you guys really are a bunch of pricks. And what did I tell you yesterday about putting your hands on her?” Striker faced Jester, his eyes narrowed and teeth clenched. It looked a bit like he was ready to attack.

  Lila burst out laughing. “How on earth did you even know you won?”

  Jester tightened his arm around Lila causing Striker to scowl further. “Well he kissed you in that I wish we had a bed instead of a meeting way.” Jester shrugged as though it was an obvious conclusion.

  Still laughing, Lila held out her hand to Jester. “Well, you gonna give me half? It’s only fair since I did win it for you. Though I have to say, my performance was definitely worth more than fifty dollars.”

  There was a chorus of howls and whoops from the guys, even Marcie got in on it, with a shrill whistle from her position behind the bar. Striker snickered, and lost the murderous look on his face. He took Lila’s hand and rescued her out from under Jester’s tree trunk of an arm, before he planted a kiss on her forehead. “Damn straight it was, baby.”

  “Let’s go. Church, now.” Shiv’s voice boomed through the clubhouse.

  “You good to stay here, babe?” Striker asked in a low voice.

  “I’m great,” she answered with a smile, the banter having put her in a light mood.

  “I’m glad you can laugh at those idiots. I was worried you’d be offended by their bet.”

  “Are you kidding? I love how ridiculous you all are with each other. I don’t mind at all. I can handle myself, Striker.”

  “Mmm, you sure can.” He reached around her, and grabbed an ass cheek in each hand, pulling her close for a quick kiss before he winked and sauntered after his brothers into the meeting.

  “Striker!” Lila gasped, as she felt her face flame. When she turned back to the bar she gave Marcie a slightly sheepish smile. “I’d ask if they were always like that, but I don’t think I need to.”

  “You don’t know the half of it. They’re all crazy.” Marcie’s smile was genuine, and Lila immediately liked the woman.

  “Do you mind if I work on my computer while I wait?” Lila asked Marcie. “I don’t want to be antisocial, but I have a long list of tasks to get through.”

  “Nah, girl. Go ahead. Anything I can help you with?” Marcie bustled around behind the bar with speed and efficiency as she stocked the now dry glasses on a shelf.

  Lila paused a second before she denied the need for assistance. “Actually, maybe there is.” She filled Marcie in on her plans for the concussion program. “I’ve been given a small budget from the school board, but I’d really like to update the safety equipment for the football team, and that’s going to take a lot more money than we were granted. Which means I’ll need to organize a fundraiser. Any ideas of something that might bring in the big bucks?”

  “Hmm.” Marcie rested her hip against the bar as she absently swirled a towel around the inside of a glass. “What about a casino night? That usually has a big draw.”

  “That was my first thought as well, but I’d like it to be teenager friendly so the players and their friends can participate. Some parents may not approve of gambling, even if it is for a good cause.”

  Marcie nodded and set the glass down on the shelf. “What about a silent auction? The club held one about a year ago to raise money for the widow of one of our guys. We had quite a few donations from stores and restaurants in town. The garage donated a free oil change and tire rotation. We ended up raising quite a bit more than our goal.”

  Excitement bubbled up at idea. “Marcie, that’s perfect! I love it! We can try to get some smaller items donated as well so the students can participate and bid.”

  “Glad I could help. Actually, I helped plan ours when we had it and I’d be more than happy to help you out if you need any extra people.”

  Marcie’s face reflected nothing but the sincere desire to assist, and Lila was touched. “Thank you, Marcie. I can use all the help I can get. The first planning meeting is Wednesday at seven, right at the high school. Think you can make it?”

  “Absolutely! This will be fun. Striker and Hook are closer than most brothers. We all grew up together, so I can’t wait to get to know you better. It’s about time Striker found himself a good woman.”

  All of the excitement that had risen while they talked about the fundraiser deflated faster than a balloon stuck by a pin. “Oh, I’m not Striker’s woman. I’m not really his anything. He just got saddled with me while the club helps me out with a problem.”

  Marcie laughed so hard tears tracked down her face and Lila frowned. She wasn’t sure why the other woman found her statement so funny, but she didn’t really appreciate it.

  “I’m sorry, Lila, but maybe I should have taken a video of that kiss Striker just gave you. You do not kiss a woman like that if she means nothing to you. You kiss a woman like that if you want to tie her to your bed and never let her leave.”

  Lila felt her face flame at Marcie’s description. “I’m pretty sure we’re looking for different things from the opposite sex, not to mention I’m in a little over
my head with the whole biker scene.”

  Marcie stared at her, and Lila had the distinct impression her worth was being sized up.

  “Can I give you some advice? Well, I guess it’s more like insight into this life.”

  “Please do.” Lila closed her laptop and gave Marcie her full attention.

  “These guys live fast and wild for a time, some never settle, but, as it turns out, even most crazy bikers eventually want someone to come home to. I’ve known Striker for a very long time, and can tell you with certainty that he’s a really good man. Now, I’m not going to bullshit you, he’s sampled quite a few of the skanks that come around the club. Hang arounds who are looking to party and hook up with a biker. It’s all a part of the game. But lately I’ve gotten the impression that the game’s getting old, and he may be ready for something lasting. Don’t sell him short, he just may surprise you.”

  “Thank you for telling me that. We haven’t even had a conversation about what’s happening between us, but it’s more powerful than I expected and stronger than I’ve experienced before.” She just wasn’t sure that was anything to build a foundation on. She had a career to consider, goals to accomplish, and, bottom line, she wanted a family someday. Despite Marcie’s reassurances, she wasn’t convinced Striker wanted to go that route.

  Marcie smiled. “I’ve wanted him to meet someone special for so long.” Marcie jogged around the bar, and gave Lila a quick hug.

  Lila smiled and returned the embrace. Marcie’s friendly and open nature was refreshing.

  “Oh shit, here comes the bitch,” Marcie muttered as she released Lila, and walked back behind the bar.

  Lila turned to see whom Marcie was talking about. “Who’s a bitch?”

  “Whatever happens next, don’t get into it with her.”

  “Don’t get into what with whom?” Lila looked around confused. “You mean don’t get in a fight? I would never. That is not my style.”

  Marcie shifted her gaze back to Lila. “You do seem too classy for that, but then Brandi has a way of making you forget yourself. I keep hoping they are going to run her ass off.” That last part was muttered half under her breath.

  “Oookay…” Lila wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “Hi, Marcie, who’s the new girl?”

  A woman approach the bar. She was gorgeous, with long, platinum, probably from a bottle, blonde hair, huge breasts, and a tiny waist. Her face, however, was heavily made up and she was dressed like a tramp.

  A skimpy, black halter-top with a deep V showed more of her breasts than it covered, and her denim shorts were so tiny, Lila wondered if she bought them in the children’s section. Her feet were encased in what could only be called fuck me heels. Lovely. What was she, twenty-two at the oldest? Who was this woman? Lila had a feeling she was about to find out, and she didn’t think she was going to enjoy it.

  Marcie resumed drying glasses, and didn’t bother to look up, making her distaste for the younger woman, girl really, quite obvious. “This is Lila, she’s with Striker.” The emphasis on with was not lost on either of them.

  Lila wasn’t entirely certain she was with Striker in the way Marcie meant, but she was feeling a bit possessive at the moment, and decided that what they’d shared last night, and the fact that she was staying at his house, gave her the rights to him for at least that day. She assumed a smile that no doubt looked phony, and decided to have a little fun. “Hey, Brandi, are you the daughter of one of these guys?”

  Marcie covered her mouth and coughed as she attempted, in vain, to disguise a laugh. With a nasty sneer in Marcie’s direction, Brandi answered Lila. “Oh no. I most certainly am not. I’m… close to many of the guys here.”

  “That’s true. You’ve spread through the club faster than a virus.”

  Brandi took a seat on the barstool next to Lila and ignored Marcie. “Striker, huh?” She gave a dramatic shiver. “Goood man. In fact I still have some beard burn on my thighs from him.”

  The urge to slap the smug grin off this girl’s caked on face was overwhelming, and Lila now understood why Marcie had warned her not to engage. She turned toward Marcie with a raised eyebrow, and Marcie shrugged at her as if to say, “Told you she was a huge bitch.”

  Before she could fire back, Brandi continued. “You don’t really look like you hang out in biker bars too often, Lila. You should probably run along, and I can tell Striker you had somewhere to be when I see him later tonight.”

  Marcie smacked the glass she was drying on the bar with a loud clank, and let out a harsh laugh. “Oh man, did you just make a huge mistake. I did tell you she was with Striker right? As in with. As in you are trying to run off the VP’s woman.”

  Warmth rushed to Lila’s cheeks. She was grateful Marcie hadn’t said ol’ lady, because that would have been too much of a stretch, though she was sure Brandi noticed the word choice as well. She felt stupid just sitting there not saying anything, while these two woman exchanged words around her, but she was out of her element. This kind of interaction was not familiar to her, and she truly had no idea what Striker thought of their relationship, or what his relationship was with Brandi. It caused her to hesitate in defending herself.

  Sounds from the back of the room caught their attention, and all three ladies turned as the meeting room doors were flung open. Striker was first to emerge, looking fierce. They must have come up with a plan to eliminate the threat from the Grimm Brothers. His eyes lit for a second when they landed on her, then narrowed in displeasure when he shifted them to the woman sitting next to her. Brandi’s huge smile faltered a bit under his dissatisfied glare, and Lila knew her own uncomfortable look had registered with him.

  She assumed they were working up to an unpleasant scene, when Marcie gasped and ran around the bar. “Hook! Oh my God, what happened? Someone help me with him.”

  All heads turned toward the entrance in time to see Hook stumble into the clubhouse. He was hunched over and his face was bleeding. It looked like he’d suffered a serious beating. Without hesitation, Lila sprang into action, and dashed toward him.

  Chapter Eighteen

  When Striker stepped out of church, his blood was pumping and his muscles were primed for action. After witnessing the bruises on Lila’s breasts, he was more than eager to shed a little Grimm blood. He could almost feel the satisfaction of his fists pummeling the man who had placed his hands on Lila. This was a payback he was eager to dish out.

  He’d hoped to sneak her up to his room where he could burn off pent up energy. He smiled when he spotted her at the bar, but the tense look on her face alerted him to the fact that she was not pleased about something. Striker shifted his gaze to the adjacent barstool. Fuck. Brandi sat next to Lila, her greedy gaze on him like he was some kind of prize she won at the fair.

  That damn girl was trouble plain and simple.

  “Stupid bitch,” Jester muttered under his breath. “This is what happens when you let them take their mouths off your dicks. They start causing trouble with them.”

  Striker ran a frustrated hand through his hair and started toward the bar. Marcie suddenly cried out in shock and ran toward the door. He twisted in her direction, and saw a bloodied Hook nearly collapse on the floor. He dashed over and wrapped his arm around Hook, who grimaced at the contact. Marcie was on his other side, and helped support him as well.

  Lila reached them seconds later, and barked orders like a seasoned drill sergeant. “Take him somewhere he can lie down so I can see what we’re dealing with.”

  Striker nodded and pointed to a hallway. “There’s a room down the hall for guests, it has a few beds. That work?”

  “That’s perfect. Can someone grab the supply kit I stashed in your room? I’m going to need it.”

  “Marce, hand him off to Jester so we can help him to the room. He’s too heavy for you,” Striker instructed, shouldering as much of Hook’s virtually limp weight as possible to take the load off Marcie.

  Tears streamed down Marcie’s face, but t
o her credit, she didn’t freak out. She whispered in Hook’s ear, telling him he’d be okay, before she gently transferred his arm from her shoulders to Jester’s. She winced along with Hook when Striker shifted some of his weight to Jester. Hook tried to smile at her, but it turned into a grimace when the muscles in his bruised face contracted.

  When they reached the room, Striker and Jester turned sideways to maneuver Hook through the door without jarring him. The room was large, though pretty sparse, with half a dozen bunks and a few chairs. They were used when brothers from other chapters were visiting, or if someone needed a place to crash, usually with a chick. No one was utilizing the room currently, so they carried Hook to the nearest bunk. After they set him on the edge of the mattress, Striker helped lower his shoulders to the pillow while Jester hefted his feet onto the bed as gently as possible.

  When he stepped back, Striker got a good view of Hook for the first time. The left side of his face was grossly swollen and bruised in a gruesome display of colors. Blood trailed from his nose and mouth, and had run down to soak the white fabric of the T-shirt Hook wore under his cut. Striker also noticed some long, horizontal tears in his shirt, and wondered if they’d slashed him with a knife. It seemed to be their weapon of choice. Christ, Hook could really be in a bad way. Thank God Lila was here to see to him right away.

  As he thought of her, Lila slipped in next to him, and whispered in his ear. “I’ll do what I can, but I obviously can’t X-ray here and I’m not a surgeon, so he still may need a hospital.”

  He nodded, and peeked at Marcie who sat perched on the edge of the bed whispering to Hook while she stroked a hand over his hair.

  “I’m also going to need to know what happened. I get you don’t want me to know club business, but I’m going to need details about what they did to him so I can get a better feel for his injuries. Not sure if you want Marcie to hear all that.”