Policy of Truth (Sacred Heart Continuum Series Book 1)

by Scarlett Holloway

  The week was uneventful, full of laughter, smiling faces, and relaxation. It’d been a long time coming with the events that transpired over the last few months. Vader and several of his crew were at the county lock-up, awaiting their trials. Vader was faced with several charges ranging from assault and battery, kidnapping, to murder. He wouldn’t be seeing the light of day any time soon.

  Durty acquired his forty-nine percent of the bank, due to his inability to perform his duties, per the will her father left specific instructions for. She promoted her father’s executive assistant to the bank president, pissing off a few of the old cronies that worked there for years.

  Today was going to be epic. The Revelations were going to patch over, and it couldn’t get more exciting than that—more sisters to join the already large crew. She knew several were backing out because they didn’t like the idea of being in a one percent club; the others were having to do their prospecting phases again, but as a Probationary member, since they’d already done a year with the support club. The Revelations prospect, Goldilox, would transfer over, but an additional six months would be tagged onto her time, since Lace required a minimum yearlong prospecting term.

  Nytemare and Chaos would transfer over losing their officer status, but would become full members with no probation, since they’d prospected originally with the mother club.

  Arriving at the Black Rock Canyon Park, Durty dismounted the bike with a little wobble, not used to riding behind someone. Setting her helmet to the bitch pad, she looked across the way to all of her sisters jaws dropped. She knew there was about to be some serious teasing going on.

  Lifting her head up, she took Sting’s out stretched hand, letting him lead her to the crowd. Wraith and Frost had come back after delivering the cargo to the Muerte, having too much fun with one of Steel’s toys that Jet was working on; the other Rojas mingled around the meat pit, while the girls got the tables set up and ready.

  Steel looked up from the grill, glancing to the couple. “Hey Sting, did you forget to tell me something?”

  Sting went still, turning to look at him in confusion. She could tell he was trying to wrack his brain, thinking about what he might’ve missed.

  “Uhh, not that I know of, boss,” Sting said hesitantly, not returning Durty’s look of concern.

  Steel chuckled, waving over to Spock, who grabbed a three-wheeler that was meant for toddlers and brought it over. “You forgot to choose which bike you wanted, so I chose for you, since you might need training wheels again, since you’ve got an ol’lady now.”

  The roar of laughter from his brothers was infectious. Durty joined in, finding it hilarious that Steel got a good joke in on Sting. He was the one who usually got the jabs in, not the other way around.

  “I can’t guarantee it hasn’t been wrecked though. It did belong to one of the Warriors.” Steel grinned, nodding toward the bike.

  Sting playfully grabbed Steel in a headlock, wrestling around for a moment. Letting his president go, he smiled. “Yeah, thanks. I needed training wheels and a new bike.”

  Steel cracked open a beer, handing it off to Sting. “Seriously though, thank you for handling the loading of the cargo and handling the manifest.”

  Durty kissed Sting on the cheek, whispering to him that she was going to go over to the girls and help them out. He nodded, though his attention was directed toward his brothers.

  Not bothered by his lack of attentiveness, she knew the world she lived in, all too well. She might’ve acted the same way if she was interacting with her sisters in that manner, plus, Sting needed some bro time, and he was being praised by Steel. Not exactly something she wanted to openly interrupt, since she was there as an ol’lady, not as an Angel.

  Walking over to the picnic table Lace, Stellar, Curby, and Viper were sitting at, she slid in next to Curby, searching for Flames. Spotting her talking to Octane, she snickered with a shake of her head.

  “Are you going to tell Steel my brother gave you his bike?” Stellar quizzed Lace, wrapping her hands around a can of soda.

  “He’s on a need to know basis, and right now, he doesn’t need to know,” Lace grumped, frowning as she looked in the direction of the men.

  Durty grimaced, nose crinkling up. “Trouble in paradise?”

  Lace sighed, dragging her fingers through the short pink strands. “I have no idea. He’s shut down on me again. You know how we get.”

  Viper snorted, tossing her empty beer bottle into the trash, the metal clanging when it hit the bottom. “Do we ever.”

  Curby’s phone rang just as Nytemare and Chaos came over, sporting their new white cuts. She quickly excused herself to take the call, the two women taking her seat.

  “Those colors look mighty fine on you two. How’s it feel?” Durty asked as her face split into a wide grin.

  “Took fucking forever to remove our other patches and get these put back on some new leather, but hey, we love it.” Nytemare returned the smile, sweeping her bangs out of her face.

  Chaos tossed a bottle cap at Lace, who was scowling at Barbie making her way over to the girls. “Retract the claws, boo.”

  Lace hissed under her breath, teeth ground together as she spoke to Durty. “Hope you got your switch blade on you.” Clearing her throat, she plastered that fake smile Durty knew oh so well, onto her face. “How’s it feel being an ol’lady, Durty?”

  Durty sighed to herself, not wanting a confrontation with the Shade, but if she had to prove who the Alpha Bitch was, she would. “I feel naked. For real. I’ve worn my cut for so long, it feels like a little piece of me is missing. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed riding bitch, and will again. I was even debating having my name stitched into the back pad.”

  Barbie cleared her throat when she came to a stop by table. “Durty?”

  Durty heard the hesitation in the Shade’s voice, making her smile on the inside. “Yeah?” She swiveled slightly to look at the girl.

  “I wanted to apologize for the way I acted the other night. I wouldn’t have been trying to get with him again, if I had known you were serious.” Barbie smiled sweetly, though it never met her eyes.

  Durty caught the tattle on Sting, but chose to ignore it. Her coy attempt to start drama wasn’t worth the effort it’d take to put her in her place. She knew Barbie was going to keep hovering around until she found a new conquest. “Well, thanks for apologizing. Maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for one day.”

  Barbie knew a dismissal when she heard one, and Durty made it very clear she was done with that conversation.

  Once the Shade walked away, making a beeline for the guys, Viper snorted. “You’re a fuck ton nicer than I would’ve been. That bitch deserved being put in her place or on the ground for that shit.”

  Durty lifted her shoulder dismissively. “She’s not worth it. She’s nothing more than a cut slut who’s desperate to find love.” Durty drew in a breath, stretching out her legs. “She beautiful, and I’ve seen her dance. She’s got moves that scream she’s been classically trained. So, I know she’s not dumb, by any means.”

  Nytemare watched Barbie as she walked off, shaking her head with a slow whistle. “I’d hit that shit.”

  Lace groaned in good humor. “I don’t know who’s worse; you or Stiletto.”

  Curby took that moment to walk back to the group, Flames hot on her heels. “Good news, Lace. The papers are ready for you to sign. Chuck looked them over and said they’re perfect.”

  Durty rolled her eyes, making a raspberry noise at Curby. “I happen to know how to sell a damn house.”

  Lace smirked, her gaze sweeping over to Durty. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to sign unless you’re one hundred percent positive you don’t mind me buying your dad’s place.”

  “I’m very much okay with it. Sting is moving in with me, my house is bought and paid for. I can visit the house when I want. Just leave my room untouched for me?”

  “It’
s a deal.” Lace nodded in agreement. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Curby’s phone chirped again. Looking down, she pursed her lips, texting back to whoever the message was from. “I’ll message him that you’ll be there in a couple of hours to sign. Also, I just got a text that the tithing you sent to Revered was received and blessings will be bestowed upon you.”

  Lace smirked and nodded, not saying anything. By the looks on the girl’s faces, they were just as confused as she was.

  The guys started moving toward them, carrying trays of meat to the tables, which caught everyone’s attention. The circle grew rather large, with both clubs and several Shades surrounding the table that held the food.

  Steel waved everyone quiet, waiting until everyone quit talking before he spoke loud enough for the people standing in the back to hear him. “I want to thank Lace and the Angels for inviting us to the patch over. The Rojas want to welcome the newest members to the sisterhood. We’re here for you if you ever need us.” Looking around the small crowd of family, he pointed to Sting. “I believe my brother has an announcement he’d like to make. Sting, the grass is yours.”

  Durty’s stomach sank. What was he doing? She knew that mischievous grin. He was up to no damn good.

  “As most of you know, an ol’lady is the foundation of what we are. They keep the home fires burning when we have runs, they stay up late waiting for us, praying we make it home in one piece. They help organize fundraisers, cook for our get togethers, but most of all, they love stronger than any other woman out there, and nothing can break their bond with their ol’man.”

  He turned and motioned for Spock to hand him something. Grasping a black leather vest, he moved over to Durty, opening the cut, exposing the back to her. It was the Roja reaper with the sacred heart in the middle and wings spread out behind him. There were two rockers that surrounded the center patch. The top read Lady of, the bottom read Sting.

  Durty swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that welled up in her eyes. Rapidly blinking, she tried to dry her eyes, but it was of no use, the tears fell, sliding down her cheeks, betraying the tough woman she was supposed to be.

  “Durty, will you please honor me and wear my colors.” He quickly looked to Lace. “When you’re not in your own.” Sting smiled, speaking once more to Durty. “You mean the world to me, we’re in this as a team, whether it be you in your own cut or wearing mine. Would you please take this cut, as my show of faith and my love for you?”

  Durty’s hands flew to her face, covering it for a moment, allowing her to regain control over her emotions. This way by far, the most precious gift anyone had ever given her. It wasn’t about the money, it was about the respect, compassion, and love that came with wearing his colors, along with her own.

  Not trusting her voice, she was half laughing, half crying, looking at Lace and the girls. Taking in a breath, she managed to choke out, “Did you girls know about this?”

  Lace burst out laughing. “Why do you think I gave you permission to ride without your cut?”

  “Damn it!” Durty scolded her, sniffling, looking back to Sting, nodding. “Yes, I’ll wear it.”

  Nytemare called out from the side, “Put the damn thing on already, I’m hungry.”

  There was a titter of laughter from the family as she turned her back to Sting, moving her arms out for him to place the cut on her. Pulling it close, she smiled warmly at him. “It’s perfect.”

  Flames let out a whoop, and with everyone else clapping, she yelled, “Shots!”

  Fenix, Poe, and Lox were passing out shots of Durty’s favorite liquor, Hennessy, to everyone present.

  Once Durty and Sting had theirs, Lace lifted her shot glass in a toast. “I’d like to make a toast to the Roja’s newest sister, and the Angel’s newest Brother, who will be wearing a patch that says PODA, that was approved by Steel.”

  Steel gifted Durty the small square patch that meant Sting was now Property of the Death’s Angels.

  Lace continued her toast though Durty had tuned it out. She kissed Sting and slipped the patch into his pocket. If she was going to wear his patch, he damn well could wear one of hers. Returning her concentration to Lace, she felt complete for once in her life.

  “In nomine Patris, et Filli, et Spiritus Sancti,” Lace finished the toast, murmurs of ‘amen’ came from the spectators as they all took the shot together—as one family.

  Sting pulled Durty to him, kissing her tenderly.

  Durty couldn’t stop the giggle as she pulled away, quoting Sting’s favorite movie and she grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the area where his bike was parked. “Hey, Sting, ya big stud. Take me to bed, or lose me forever.”

  Epilogue

  Vader didn’t look good in orange. He traded in his three thousand-dollar suits for a piece of shit jump suit, two sizes too big.

  He’d been in this shit hole for over a month.

  His dumb ass defense attorney wasn’t making the waves he expected. Plus, this had given him all the opportunity in the world to dream up all the ways he was going to make Lace and Durty suffer.

  He was done making snap plans and getting pissed to the point of mistakes. Every day in the yard, during their exercise time, he’d meet up with his fellow Warriors, arrested with him, and make plans on how to get revenge when they got released.

  Today was no different.

  “What about the Rojas and that other group that burnt down the clubhouse?’ Tito asked.

  Vader rolled his eyes, handing off the barbell to Chevy. “Fuck Steel and his band of merry men. Fuck the Santa Muerte for burning our shit down. Who the fuck do they think they are? A bunch of fucking pussies is what I think. Anyone can start a fire if no one’s there. That shit wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t of been arrested.”

  Vader stood confident and pushed out his chest. He wasn’t going to show any weakness when it came to the rival clubs. That wasn’t his style. Vader never bowed before anyone and he’d be damned if he’d start now.

  The yard bell rang, alerting everyone their exercise time was over. A voice boomed over the loud speaker, “Inmates, line up! Pod one to the right, Pod two to the left!”

  Standing in line, waiting for the gates to open, Vader thought to himself. He knew he was going to make the Angels pay, but his sole focus was on his spoiled fucking sister and that devious bitch’s attempt to take control of his portion of the bank. He also wanted to taste Lace’s blood, wanted her to suffer in every way imaginable. Vader was going to enjoy taking his time with her.

  He envisioned having Lace tied to a chair, bound and gagged─”Ooof!”

  Snapped out of his day dream as the line started to move, he was at a complete stand still. His body refused to obey his commands, feeling like he’d been punched in his lower back. All of his breath rushed out in a single whoosh, his mind screaming for him to turn around and see what the fuck just happened.

  Vader couldn’t move.

  He could only stand there, his eyes wide with shock. A hand rested upon his shoulder, hot breath grazing the meaty lobe of his ear, followed by a dark, ominous voice.

  “Santa Muerte is the Father. The Reverend is the Son. I am the Holy Ghost. The memory of Him perishes from the earth; He has no name in the land.”

  The heat from the hand on his shoulder was gone in a blink of an eye. Still unable to turn he went into panic mode. There was wetness on his lower back and leg as his body crumbled to the dirt flooring in what felt like slow motion. As his face hit the ground, so did the object he’d been attacked with.

  His vision faded as he desperately tried to focus on his breathing, which was now a wheeze in his chest. Tiny bubbles of blood formed at the corners of his mouth as the life slowly drained from him.

  Hearing the guards rush over to him, Vadar’s vision blacked out, his thoughts fuzzy and almost incoherent, even to himself.

  The last sound to reach his ears, mixing with his final breath, was an alarm
going off in the yard.

  ****

  The house was turning out to be one of the best investments Lace ever dreamed of making. A couple of the girls had moved in, others picked out rooms for when they needed them. She was staying in the master bedroom, since her apartment lease was up.

  She’d found solace with the horses, and was kept busy with them, when she wasn’t shopping for a building to house the custom shop she wanted.

  Curby found the perfect spot for her. It was about a block from H&T Transport, a perfect location, just outside the city limits. They’d purchased it, and she was waiting two more weeks for the escrow to close.

  Grabbing the trash bag out of the can, she ignored Sinclair as he scolded her for doing his job. “I’m not used to having a butler, Sinclair. Let me do some of the little stuff, okay?”

  Opening up the kitchen side door, she stepped out to the trash cans. Dropping the bag into the can, she glanced over to where her newest acquisition was—Vader’s bike. Laughing to herself, it was poetic that she was there enjoying his house and bike, especially being able to look at it daily when she took out the trash. Victory was indeed hers.

  Her back pocket vibrated with the Avenged Sevenfold ringing out. Pulling it free, she swiped the accept button. “Hey Rev.”

  Except the voice wasn’t Reverend’s. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

  The line went silent.

  A smile formed as she tucked her phone back into her pocket and closed the trashcan lid. Making her way back inside, she laughed to herself. “I take it back. That thirty-grand was the best investment I ever made.”

  For the rest of the day, Lace remained giddy. All of their problems were solved. Vader was gone. The Warriors were exterminated. Soon, the sheriff would be in her pocket. She had everything to celebrate.

  After bathing the horses, she’d gone to her room to shower and put on some shorts to lounge around in. Bouncing down the stairs, she made her way toward the kitchen, only to be stopped by the beeping of the security line.