by Jenika Snow
Evernight Publishing ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2015 Jenika Snow
ISBN: 978-1-77233-363-3
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: Karyn White
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
To all the readers! Thank you for your continued support. Thank you for making my passion a reality!
TUCK’S WRATH
The Brothers of Menace, 5
Jenika Snow
Copyright © 2015
Chapter One
Jana cleaned up the last of the beer bottles, wiped off the counter, and turned to look at the rest of the main floor. There were a few tables still overturned, but some club members and women were on the floor beside them. She wasn’t even going to attempt to fix that mess. She looked at the clock. It was going on midnight, and surprisingly the club had mellowed out and grown silent as people passed out. But the thing was they’d been partying since the afternoon.
She scrubbed a hand over her eyes, felt exhaustion settle inside of her, and was almost thankful her son, Braden, wasn’t here. She hated having him at the club, but not because the guys weren’t great with him. Some of them even played baseball in the backyard of the club. She hated having Braden around all this shit, but she couldn’t deny that having him in the safety of these walls helped her sleep at night, especially given the fact her ex was an insane motherfucker.
God, she didn’t want to think about William, but she’d left him and come to the club because of his abusive, volatile behavior, and the fact she feared for her life and her son’s. Breathing out and turning back toward the bar, she figured she would be able to at least sleep in a little. Braden was at Bobbie’s for the night, something her friend had insisted on because she missed “the little man”.
But even though the party was dying down, Jana was glad her son wasn’t here to witness the drunkenness and lewd behavior that was the norm during these parties. She was saving up, trying to work hard and earn money so she had enough saved up that she could get her own place. She’d left William, wanting to start anew and protect her son, and she planned on doing just that.
She finished cleaning the bar area, dried off her hands, and just as she was about to head upstairs and get ready for bed her cell vibrated in her pocket. Pulling out the phone, she stared down at the number that shouldn’t be calling her. William’s ten digit number flashed across her screen, and her fear, nervousness, and everything she’d ever felt when she’d been with that asshole came rushing back to the surface.
She declined the call, confused, and frightened as hell of how in the world he’d gotten the number for a pay-per-use phone, but she wasn’t about to think on that too deeply. She was safe in this club, and William didn’t even know about her friendship with Bobbie or who the other woman was. Braden was safe, but maybe she should go get him, ask one of the guys to go with her? If William had her number, maybe he knew where she was?
She should call Bobbie and let her know she was coming, just to be on the safe side. Bobbie should come to the club, too. Jana dialed Bobbie’s number, and when the voicemail picked up she decided not to leave a message. Worrying Bobbie with something like this when Jana didn’t even know details wasn’t going to help, and would only freak out the other woman. No, she’d just head over there and talk to her then. It was better that way.
God, Jana was freaking out big time. She grabbed her cell again, took her keys out of her pocket, and started making her way toward the back door. She would get Braden, too afraid to sleep easy tonight if she didn’t. She’d ask one of the prospects to come with her, and knew they wouldn’t question her if she asked. These men were hard and violent at times to anyone that crossed them, but they took care of everyone in the club.
The truth was Bobbie was the only person that really knew about her issues. Well, Lucien knew, but she’d never gone into the gritty details. She’d just told him what she thought he’d need to know for her to be allowed to stay here.
She wished she had the money to stay in a motel, or better yet could afford her own place, but that was what she was working toward now. Although the men in this club lived on the wild side for sure, Jana couldn’t deny that when it came to her son they were sweet and protective, always looking out for him and making sure he wasn’t subjected to the nastiness that happened here frequently.
She headed toward the backdoor, and just before she pushed it open she got a voicemail. Her heart was pounding as she lifted the phone to her ear and listened, knowing it would be William on the other end.
“It took me a while, Jana, but I’ve found you.” His voice sounded dry, and she heard him inhale from no doubt a joint or crack pipe. He exhaled again. “To think you thought you could just leave, up and take my kid from me. You stupid fucking cunt.”
She was shaking as she listened to William, hating that he still had this control of her even though he wasn’t in front of her.
“You can’t just take from me, Jana. If I can’t have you I’ll make sure I get my fucking money’s worth.” And then the phone went dead.
She pulled the cell back and stared at the now dark screen. She should go tell Lucien, find him and explain what was going on. She’d been here for a while now, and surely he’d help her and Braden, make sure they were safe? God, maybe she should just run. If William had her number he knew where she was. She had no doubt about that. No, she wouldn’t ask Lucien, or any of the guys for help in this. William had connections, and she didn’t want anyone else hurt because of her, didn’t want the club compromised because of her.
She quickly turned around and went to the room she shared with Braden. After packing two bags with the only possessions she and Braden owned anymore, she went back downstairs and left through the backdoor. She’d get her son, tell Bobbie that she had to go, and then she’d hit the road and hope William couldn’t find her. She hated leaving her friend, but she couldn’t risk anyone she cared about getting hurt because her ex was an intense, violent predator.
She stepped out into the darkness, the security light coming on when it sensed motion. But the light was all the way in the front of the clubhouse, and even if it sensed her walking toward it she was still a good distance away. Her shoes clicked on the asphalt, and her heart pounded hard in her chest. The night was silent, eerily so, and just as she was trying to calm herself and breathe easier she heard something behind her. Turning, she caught the glint of something silver right before searing pain filled her head and the darkness consumed her.
****
Tuck took a long pull from the bottle of beer he’d been nursing for the last twenty minutes, and then just chugged the rest. He tossed the bottle into the trash bin off to the side, wiped the back of his hand on his mouth, and felt the alcohol travel through his bloodstream. He was drunk, getting good and wasted at this little gathering the MC put together, but he wasn’t feeling this shit right now. He looked at the brothers of the club, the members all seeming happy.
He looked over at Cain, the man he thought would be the last, if ever, to find an old lady. But fuck, the brother had a fine old lady, one that had his back in all things, and was even pregnant with his kid. He thought about Jana, a woman he didn’t really know, but thought about constantly. He tried to push her out of his thoughts, had even tried
to fuck a woman in hopes that it was just the fact he wanted Jana’s pussy so damn bad. But no amount of cheap, loose cunt would ever come close to the fact Jana wasn’t a slutty bitch that spread her legs.
But the truth was he had a hard time even getting his dick hard for anyone else. Jana was all he thought about anymore, all he craved. He got hard just thinking about her, and after the one and only time he’d tried to fuck someone else, to get Jana out of his mind, he couldn’t even get his dick hard. That had been it for him, and so he’d been drinking, trying to numb out his desire for a woman that was too good for him.
His life wasn’t anything good or wholesome, and he sure as hell couldn’t give a woman a white picket fence and happily ever after. He was a violent man, one who would killed or be killed, and one that didn’t abide by any rules because they didn’t apply to him. His life hadn’t been anything to preach or brag about, but right now he was happy with where he was. Trying to be someone he wasn’t for a woman wasn’t what he could ever do. He knew that.
Even though Jana worked at the club she wasn’t a sweet-butt, not even close. He could see the fact she was trying to better herself for her kid, trying to make money so she didn’t have to be at the club. Hell, he didn’t blame her, and wished he could do something to help her and her son out, but he stayed back, not even trying to get to know her.
Damn, he was thinking about her during this whole fucking barbecue, where families were gathered and old ladies were all wrapped around their men like damn pretzels. He scrubbed his hand over his face again. He thought about the last time he’d seen her in the hallway. He’d been coming out of the room, drunker than fuck, and talked to her like she was some bitch. He’d embarrassed her, maybe even pissed her off, and he felt like a motherfucker because of it. Even now, as he closed his eyes, he could picture that moment when he’d been a piece of shit to her.
Tuck was drunker than shit, stumbled forward, and had to brace his hand on the wall to steady himself. He closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them again the room had stopped spinning. Moving out of his room he rubbed his eyes, knowing he didn’t need any more alcohol, but that was exactly what he was going to get. He ran right into a soft, clearly feminine body. The scent of apples slammed into his head, and for a moment he felt this warmth consume him. Jana stumbled back, but he reached out, grabbed her arms to steady her, and something inside of him shifted to pure, carnal desire for this woman. He yanked her forward with enough force she fell forward, and right into him once more. His cock jerked, grew hard and insistent.
Her skin was smooth, her arms fragile. She was so much smaller than he was, so innocent and vulnerable. “Whoa there.” He heard the slur in his voice and knew he probably looked trashed. He saw her look at the scar on his neck, and wondered what she thought, wondered if she wanted to ask how he got it.
“I’m sorry,” she said in a soft, almost timid voice.
He stared at her face, into her blue eyes, and this need to just press her up against the wall and kiss her until she melted against him slammed inside of him. He cleared his throat, knowing that she was too good for him. She looked up at him with desire written across her face, and he wanted to be able to give her what she wanted, what she deserved. The fact remained that he wasn’t a good man, and the only thing he could give her was a good, hard, and rough fuck up against the wall. Being gentle with her, wanting to be sweet and soft with her, wasn’t something he could do. No, he’d be the way he was, show her he was an MC member and did things his way.
“No need to apologize. In fact, I’m in need of some company tonight.” He didn’t hide his arousal for her, didn’t even try to pretend he wasn’t sloshed. She stayed silent, but he saw that her arousal wasn’t fading, and she wasn’t immediately disgusted by his clear inappropriate proposition. But then, just liked he’d thought, just like he hoped she’d realize, anger and surprise washed over her face.
Jana pulled out of his loose hold and shook her head. He instantly felt like a motherfucker, felt like this sick bastard that had just spit in her face and laughed.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, his gaze locked on hers. “I’m drunk, and that was a cock thing for me to say.” And here he was, apologizing for the first time in far too long.
But she didn’t say anything in response, and instead moved past him and went into the room. He stood there for a moment, feeling angry with himself for how he’d acted, and what he’d said. He really was a piece of shit bastard.
Pushing all thoughts and images of Jana out of his head, he walked over to where Cain sat. “Life’s good, man,” Tuck said once he was standing right beside the other biker, not really meaning the words. His life wasn’t that great, not like Cain’s or some of the other MC members.
He looked down at Cain’s face when the other man didn’t answer right away. Tuck lifted his gaze and took in the sight of the sweet-butts hanging out in a circle over by the cooler of beer. Damn, they wore some slutty ass clothes, with their tits and asses all hanging out. He was going to take one of them back to his room and fuck the hell out of her, or at least try to, try to forget about Jana. “Just need to wait for that sweet ass club pussy to get over here. I’ll take her to my room in the clubhouse, and then I’m going to fuck her until she can’t walk.”
He heard how drunk he sounded, how slurred his words were, and smelled the fucking liquor coming from his pores. Damn, he was a wreck, and probably making a damn fool out of himself. Cain chuckled, but Tuck focused his attention on the club pussy. The reality was even if he could get his dick hard for a piece of ass, getting it wet wasn’t even what he wanted, not with the skanks that put out to anyone and everyone.
“You’re already two sheets to the fucking wind,” Cain said and took a drink of his beer, his gaze still trained on his old lady.
Tuck looked over to where Violet stood, and a pang settled in heart at the fact he’d probably never have a woman that loved him, waited for him at home, and only wanted him no matter who and what he was. At forty-five he was getting damn old, had lived his life jumping from bed to bed, and not giving a shit about anything or anyone but his club. He’d never cared about a woman’s emotions, not even when a few of the sweet-butts had wanted more from him. But the truth was he had never wanted anything with them, not until he’d laid eyes on Jana, saw the way she was intelligent in her actions and how she spoke, and how she was so different from any other woman he’d surrounded himself with.
Tuck looked back at Cain, saw that the man was truly feeling good about everything, and was happy for him. Cain definitely deserved his own happily ever after, all the brothers did. But Tuck would probably never have an old lady and be able to raise kids again. He’d screwed up with his own adult children, and trying that road again would only be wrong. His past was one of violence, recklessness, and random hookups that even made him feel sick and worthless at times. He couldn’t be a good father to Aspen and Leif, so what fucked up world did he live in to even want to think he could have that again with another woman?
“You’re fucking lucky, Cain,” Tuck said, his words slightly slurring, and not really meaning to say that shit out loud. It was too late now, and as the brother stared at him, Tuck just let the words flow. “You got all the shit in the world now. Makes a brother jealous.”
Cain looked at Tuck, and Tuck wondered if any of the other brothers noticed that he’d been watching Jana. It wasn’t like he’d not made it obvious he wanted her. He watched her as she cleaned up after their dirty asses, watched as she interacted with the other members and club pussy. She was definitely a rose in a room full of thorns, and that’s what drew him like no other had. She was also drop dead gorgeous, made his dick hard as steel, and he’d be lying if he didn’t admit, if only to himself, that he’d rubbed one off more times than he could count thinking about her curvy as hell body under his.
Tuck looked around the club’s property again, hoping to see a glimpse of Jana, because yeah, he had it that
bad for her. But he didn’t see her. In fact, the more he thought about it, the more he realized he hadn’t seen her since last night during the part before he went to his room and he’d crashed early.
“If you want her as more than just a wet slit to slide your dick in, then hit it up.” Cain’s words had him looking at the other man again.
Tuck scrubbed a hand over his jaw, feeling the beard covering his flesh. He needed to shave, but he just didn’t give two shits anymore. He also needed a haircut, as his hair was long enough he had it in a man bun. “Nah, I would be no good to an old lady. Hell, I party too much as it is, like the raunchy kind of sex, and what woman wants to be strapped to a fucking mug like mine?” Tuck ran a hand over his scar and chuckled humorlessly. Yeah, he certainly was a fucking prized piece.
Tuck cleared the gruffness from his voice. He really didn’t want to go there and have this conversation with Cain, or anyone for that matter.
“Relax, man,” Tuck said when he noticed the territorial gleam in Cain’s eyes when a prospect walked up to Fallina, Cain’s adult aged daughter. “Hey, you hear about Pierce going to that tittie bar across town to see some stripper he’s gotten hard-up for?” Tuck said, trying to change the subject.
That had Cain relaxing marginally, especially when Fallina kept a good distance from the prospect. When Tuck saw Cain’s old lady walking toward them he felt a little out of place.
“Hey, baby,” Cain said to his woman, and Tuck glanced around the back of the club property, seeing if any sweet-butts sparked any interest. But the truth was his dick was softer than hell, and he knew the only woman that could get it like a damn lead pipe wasn’t even here.
Cain and Violet started whispering to each other, and Tuck turned away from Cain and his old lady, not about to watch that sappy shit.