by Khloe Wren
Forging Blade
Charon MC Book 11
Khloe Wren
ISBN: 978-0-6486896-2-1
Copyright © Khloe Wren 2020
* * *
Cover Credits:
Model: Robert Kelly
Photographer: Jean Woodfin of JW Photography and Covers
Digital Artist: Khloe Wren
* * *
Editing Credits:
Editor: Carolyn Depew of Write Right
* * *
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.
If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, please delete and purchase it legally. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Books by Khloe Wren
Charon MC:
Inking Eagle
Fighting Mac
Chasing Taz
Claiming Tiny
Saving Scout
Tripping Nitro
Scout’s Legacy
Mac’s Destiny
Losing Bash
Finding Needles
* * *
Fire and Snow:
Guardian’s Heart
Noble Guardian
Guardian’s Shadow
Fierce Guardian
Necessary Alpha
Protective Instincts
* * *
Dragon Warriors:
Enchanting Eilagh
Binding Becky
Claiming Carina
Seducing Skye
Believing Binda
* * *
Jaguar Secrets:
Jaguar Secrets
FireStarter
* * *
Other Titles:
Fireworks
Tigers Are Forever
Bad Alpha Anthology
Scarred Perfection
Scandals: Zeck
Mirror Image Seduction
Deception
Kings of Sydney: Daniil
Acknowledgments
As always, my wonderful husband and kids get the first round of thanks. They always support me and help me get my stories written. I’m extremely blessed to have such a wonderful family.
* * *
To my editor, Carolyn, thank you for the continuous support and assistance with so much more than just editing.
* * *
A huge thanks to Jo Carol and Johnny, along with Stacey and Claudia for your help with various research on this one. My PA Andrea Rhoads, thank you for once more doing what you do! Fiona G, woman, your skills have turned things around for me, I can’t thank you enough.
* * *
My Night Writer sprint buddies, I can’t thank you all enough for keeping me going. And of course, my street team, thank you ladies for all your words of encouragement.
* * *
Just this once, I got the book written with enough time for my betas to read it! Thanks Andrea, Vicki, Stacey and Miranda for helping get this baby all polished up.
* * *
Lastly, to you who’s reading this. Thank you so much for taking a chance with me and I hope you enjoy reading Forging Blade as much as I did writing it.
* * *
xo
Khloe Wren
* * *
PS. You know how authors say we get even in our writing? It’s not a joke, people. Elita was the meanest of mean girls who made my life hell back in my late primary and early high school years. So, when you get to her demise, just know: She’s had it coming for over 25 years now.
Biography
Khloe Wren lives in rural South Australia with her husband, two daughters and an ever changing list of animals!
She started writing in 2013 and has published over 30 books since then in the romantic suspense genre. She writes both paranormal and contemporary stories, including her best selling series Charon MC.
Khloe enjoys writing outside of the box and she loves her heroes strong, and her heroines even stronger.
Contents
Charon:
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Afterword
Charon:
Char·on ˈsher-ən, ˈker-ən, -än
In Greek mythology, the Charon is the ferryman who takes the dead across either the river Styx or Acheron, depending on whether the soul’s destination is the Elysian Fields or Hades.
* * *
Chapter One
Blade
Every step down the hallway had my rage boiling hotter. In my soul, I knew the room of kids we’d just found wasn’t going to be the worst thing I saw today.
Together with a handful of Charon MC men, I was cracking open the L.A. mob’s stable. Technically, it was my boss’, Antonio Sabella’s, business I was about to help destroy, but considering I’d just come from putting that fucker in the ground, I was guessing I could comfortably say that he was my previous boss and that I was definitely now out of the mob. Finally, I was free from my cage.
My mind was still spinning at what we’d discovered in that first room we’d opened up. The smell had been bad enough I’d nearly gagged, but the sight of all those kids was something that will haunt me for years. I cleared my throat past the lump that was still lodged there. Boys and girls, some just toddlers, had all been huddled together in that room. They’d all tried to get away from the door when it had opened, all except one. A teenage girl had stood strong, ready to fight.
I mentally shook my head at how gutsy the kid was. They’d all shown clear signs that they’d been abused. Their naked bodies told stories that should never have been written. Yet that teen hadn’t cowered, hadn’t tried to hide. Instead, she’d demanded a weapon to defend the others in case we didn’t make it back to her as we told her we would. That kid was way too calm for what she’d been through. I was fairly certain I wouldn’t have been that fucking calm in her shoes. Not that she was wearing any.
The sight of all those kids was enough to trigger my fury on its own, but my rage had been churning since long before I stepped foot in that room. Before we’d ended Antonio Sabella’s miserable life earlier, he’d told me he had suspected I might have been trying something when I arranged the meeting for today, so he had handed my girl over to his men to enjoy while he’d come to meet us. Fucker had thought I’d spare his life so he could call and have his men stop their games with her. Stupid bastard forgot I’d been trained under his reign. I knew full well he wouldn’t have made that call no matter what happened. Once he’d handed her over, her fate had been sealed as far as he’d been concerned. I was here to attempt to change it. The sounds of men enjoying sex echoed around the hallway as we marched toward the source of all the noise. With every step, I was praying we were going to be in time to save her.
I didn’t need to see through the walls to know she was in that room. Deep do
wn, I knew. I fucking knew that those men had my Josefina in there. Sabella had kept her all to himself for seventeen fucking years, apparently not allowing anyone else to abuse her. By doing that, he’d made her into an unattainable object. So today, when, before he’d come to meet with me, he’d told his men they could take her and have their fun with her, they would have jumped at the chance. They’d have been worked up and been doing the vilest of things to their boss’ favorite toy.
I’d first met Josefina when I was twenty-one. She’d been a kid, just sixteen years old. Unfortunately for her, she’d already had an adult’s body. Lush breasts to go with her curvy hips and ass. She was a young man’s wet dream, but I hadn’t gotten aroused when I’d first seen her.
Antonio had sent me and another of his men, Gino, out to collect protection money from a few places when we’d found her. Her clothes had been torn up and she’d clearly been recently drugged. Gino, the fucker, had made a comment about easy pussy and had moved to grab her. Before I knew what I was doing, I’d growled out a claim on her, making threats to kill Gino if he dared to touch her.
At six feet, I was only slightly taller than Gino, but I easily outweighed him in muscle. Since being forced into the mob, I’d focused on keeping myself not only strong, but skilled in how to fight. There weren’t many men around who would even try to take me on, which was why Gino had not even attempted to argue with me. With a laugh, he’d backed off and told me to have fun, that he could wait till I was done to have his shot at such a pretty puta. I’d grabbed the clearly frightened girl and dragged her off with me, leaving Gino to do the rest of the collections for the day on his own.
I knew he’d assumed I was taking her some place to fuck her, but that had never been my intention. Never once did I touch her in a sexual manner. From the first moment, I saw her as a little sister. A scared, lost, little girl who needed protecting. I’d taken her back to my small apartment and told her she was safe. That I wouldn’t hurt her. I’d grabbed one of my clean shirts, a pair of boxers and guided her to my bathroom.
It had taken her a few days before she stopped jumping every time she saw me. Before she believed that I wasn’t going to hurt her. She only knew a few English words so I’d been grateful that I’d paid attention during Spanish classes in school. Still, it had taken over a month before she’d trusted me enough to answer my questions about how she’d come to be on that street where we’d met.
She’d finally confessed to me that she’d been snatched from her parents’ farm in northern Mexico by a local gang and sold to a white man. By the time she’d finished her story I knew we were both fucked. Sabella had been testing me, seeing if I’d fuck her then bring her in like he thought I should have. But I hadn’t.
Three months later, I’d come home to find my place had been trashed and Josefina gone. I’d known who’d done it and I’d gone directly to Sabella to call him on it. Fucker had simply shrugged his shoulders and told me he’d paid good money for the girl and had simply taken back what was his before he moved his merchandise. He’d also informed me she hadn’t survived the trip to her new owner and was now dead.
I’d never wanted to kill the man more than I had in that moment, but I couldn’t fucking touch him. If I did, my old man would take it out on my mother and my little brother. I couldn’t risk their lives like that. Especially since I’d believed Josefina was already dead. But it hadn’t stopped me from setting up a long-range plan for revenge.
“Everyone loaded and ready?”
I was pulled from the past by Mac’s deep and steady voice. We’d all stopped in front of the door where the noise was coming from. Like the other men, I pulled my gun. Checked the safety was off then put my hand, not holding my weapon, to the grip and waited for Mac to give me the word.
“Do it, Blade.”
I’d shoved the door wide open and lifted my gun, took aim at Gino, who had been enjoying finally getting a chance with Josefina, and shot my former colleague through the middle of his fucking forehead. The others all took their shots too, and a thunder of sound filled the small room, making my ears ring.
Men dropped like flies until only one stood. I didn’t recognize the fucker. He had Josefina’s naked body pulled up in front of him, a knife to her throat. I’d purposefully not looked at her first, because I knew I’d lose my mind at the sight. And I’d been right. She’d matured over the years, grown more beautiful. Even through the blood and bruises covering her naked body I could see what she should look like. Her head and torso were off the table, blocking the fucker holding her while her legs lay listless on the surface she’d been violated on. She blinked as she looked straight through me. Her eyes were lifeless and saw nothing.
My heart shattered into a thousand pieces, my soul cried out in agony. She’d never done anything wrong in her life. Why did she have to suffer so damn much? Without thought, I released a scream as I lunged toward her. She was still alive, though. So long as she breathed I could fix her. Find help to get her put back together again. She could still live her life, if I could just get to her…
Mac’s thick arm curled around my shoulders, pulling me back against his solid frame.
“Stop and think. He’ll kill her.”
A noise left my throat that I didn’t recognize as I watched helplessly as her skin grew paler, the bruises grew darker and the blood trailing down her thighs now dripped to the floor.
I jerked against Mac’s hold when Eagle came out of nowhere and slammed a blade into the back of the fucker’s neck, killing him instantly. It was too good for the bastard. He deserved to suffer, but not at the risk of making Josefina suffer more than she already had. At the same time that Eagle caught Josefina as she fell, Mac released me. I bolted across the small room, taking her from Eagle before dropping to the floor with her cradled against me.
I gently stroked her face and rested my forehead against hers before I whispered to her in Spanish.
“I’m sorry, Josefina. So fucking sorry. I didn’t know. He told me you were dead. I would have come for you sooner. Fuck, I shouldn’t have left you at my place unprotected like that.”
“Not your fault. You helped me. Did all you could. Not your fault.” She paused to take a breath that rattled in her chest. “He was right. I died years ago. Nothing left now.”
Her words were a quiet rasp, barely discernable. With a sigh, her body went still, no longer breathing, but I couldn’t move. I’d been too late to save her. She was dead, killed in a brutal way after years of torture and it was all my fucking fault.
I didn’t flinch when Mac crouched beside me. Mac and I had been colleagues for a time. Antonio had blackmailed both of us into this mess. Mac had been smarter than me, though. He’d enlisted in the USMC to get out of Sabella’s hands. Pity that hadn’t been an option for me. My old man made sure I’d known it, too. Mac reached over her body, pressing his fingers to her neck in search of a pulse. I knew what he’d find, or rather, not find.
“Don’t say it.”
“I’m sorry, brother. But we gotta keep moving. We need to find the other women and any other men who are here. We can lock you in here and come back for you—”
I shook my head, cutting him off. I wasn’t going to be like those kids. Locked away, waiting for someone to return to tell me it was all done. “I want blood for this. No way am I going to sit this one out.”
Rising to my feet, I laid her out on the table as though she were still breathing, kissed her temple and ignored the tears that ran down my face as I whispered my final words to her.
“Rest easy, baby. It’s over now.”
Guilt and rage fogged my mind and fueled my actions as we’d cleared out the rest of the warehouse. I was on edge, looking for an outlet, but we found no more guards. Which, considering how many had been in with Josefina, I guess made sense. There had been a few johns in with the women, making the most of being unsupervised. But those fuckers barely put up a fight. I needed something more than taking down a couple cowards to burn off my r
age. I managed to bank my fury as we uncuffed the women and helped them out of the warehouse. They’d all been through enough, last thing they needed was to fear their rescuers.
When we had almost all the women and kids free of the building, Mac had me call in the authorities. I’d already made contact with a cop I knew was clean in anticipation of what we were going to find here. So I walked away from the others and dialed her number.
“Lopez.”
“It’s bigger than we thought. Haven’t done a solid head count, but you’ve got at least twenty women and nearly that many kids. They’re all in a bad way. Gonna need a few buses.”
“Any life threatening injuries?”
My fucking eyes stung as I wished I could answer her yes. That Josefina was alive. I cleared my throat. “No. Nothing life threatening. There’s one woman who didn’t make it. We weren’t fast enough to save her.” My fucking voice cracked and I cleared my throat again. “There’s several of Sabella’s men too. We’ve left ‘em where they fell. We’ve got all the women and kids out in the parking lot.”
“Why’d you put them outside?”
Lopez’s voice was firm but I knew the shit I was telling her was affecting her. No matter how weathered a cop was, this shit was going to leave a mark.