Published 2018 by Trish Haill Associates
Copyright © 2018 by Manda Mellett
Edited by Brian Tedesco (pubsolvers.com)
Book and Cover Design by Lia Rees at Free Your Words
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
www.mandamellett.com
Disclaimer
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Warning
This book is dark in places and contains content of a sexual, abusive and violent nature. It is not suitable for persons under the age of 18.
ISBN: 978-1-912288-24-3
Author’s Note
Rock Bottom is the seventh in the Satan’s Devils MC series, but can be read as a standalone.
If you’re new to MC books you may find there are terms that you haven’t heard before, so I’ve included a glossary to help along the way. I hope you get drawn into this mysterious and dark world in the same way I have done―there will be further books in the Satan’s Devils series which I hope you’ll want to follow.
If you’ve picked this book up because, like me, you read anything MC, I hope you’ll enjoy it for what it is, a fictional insight into the underground culture of alpha men and their bikes.
Glossary
Motorcycle Club – An official motorcycle club in the U.S. is one which is sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The AMA has a set of rules its members must abide by. It is said that ninety-nine percent of motorcyclists in America belong to the AMA
Outlaw Motorcycle Club (MC) – The remaining one percent of motorcycling clubs are historically considered outlaws as they do not wish to be constrained by the rules of the AMA and have their own bylaws. There is no one formula followed by such clubs, but some not only reject the rulings of the AMA, but also that of society, forming tightly knit groups who fiercely protect their chosen ways of life. Outlaw MCs have a reputation for having a criminal element and supporting themselves by less than legal activities, dealing in drugs, gun running or prostitution. The one-percenter clubs are usually run under a strict hierarchy.
Brother – Typically members of the MC refer to themselves as brothers and regard the closely knit MC as their family.
Cage – The name bikers give to cars as they prefer riding their bikes.
Chapter – Some MCs have only one club based in one location. Other MCs have a number of clubs who follow the same bylaws and wear the same patch. Each club is known as a chapter and will normally carry the name of the area where they are based on their patch.
Church – Traditionally the name of the meeting where club business is discussed, either with all members present or with just those holding officer status.
Colours – When a member is wearing (or flying) his colours he will be wearing his cut proudly displaying his patch showing which club he is affiliated with.
Cut – The name given to the jacket or vest which has patches denoting the club that member belongs to.
Enforcer – The member who enforces the rules of the club.
Hang-around – This can apply to men wishing to join the club and who hang-around hoping to be become prospects. It is also used to women who are attracted by bikers and who are happy to make themselves available for sex at biker parties.
Mother Chapter – The founding chapter when a club has more than one chapter.
Patch – The patch or patches on a cut will show the club that member belongs to and other information such as the particular chapter and any role that may be held in the club. There can be a number of other patches with various meanings, including a one-percenter patch. Prospects will not be allowed to wear the club patch until they have been patched-in, instead they will have patches which denote their probationary status.
Patched-in/Patching-in – The term used when a prospect completes his probationary status and becomes a full club member.
President (Prez) – The officer in charge of that particular club or chapter.
Prospect – Anyone wishing to join a club must serve time as a probationer. During this period they have to prove their loyalty to the club. A probationary period can last a year or more. At the end of this period, if they’ve proved themselves a prospect will be patched-in.
Old Lady – The term given to a woman who enters into a permanent relationship with a biker.
RICO – The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act primarily deals with organised crime. Under this Act the officers of a club could be held responsible for activities they order members to do and a conviction carries a potential jail service of twenty years as well as a large fine and the seizure of assets.
Road Captain – The road captain is responsible for the safety of the club on a run. He will organise routes and normally ride at the end of the column.
Ronin – A biker who travels alone, sometimes wearing a patch denoting he’s Ronin. Not affiliated to any club, but often bearing a token which will help ensure safe passage through territories of different clubs.
Secretary – MCs are run like businesses and this officer will perform the secretarial duties such as recording decisions at meetings.
Sergeant-at-Arms – The sergeant-at-arms is responsible for the safety of the club as a whole and for keeping order.
Sweet Butt – A woman who makes her sexual services available to any member at any time. She may well live on the club premises and be fully supported by the club.
Treasurer – The officer responsible for keeping an eye on the club’s money.
Vice President (VP) – The vice president will support the president, stepping into his role in his absence. He may be responsible for making sure the club runs smoothly, overseeing prospects etc.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Author’s Note
Glossary
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Epilogue
Teaser: Joker's Fool
Other Works by Manda Mellett
Stay In Touch
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Chapter 1
Becca
3 months ago
Little tremors ripple through my body as I watch Hawk pacing the room, anger emanating off him like a palpable force, his hands clenched into fists at his side. Each time he reaches the window he pauses and shakes them out. By the time his long legs cover the six strides to the opposite side his fingers curl into his palms once a
gain.
Is he going to hit me?
It has happened before, but as long as I’m good and do exactly what I’m told I usually avoid physical punishment. Having been married to Hawk for coming up to three years now, I generally know what to say and how to behave in most situations. But today is an exception. Exactly how am I supposed to support my husband in these circumstances?
Staying silent, not wanting to say anything that might provoke this enraged man, my eyes follow him warily as he prowls back and forth. Women at church adore him. Try as I might to see him through their eyes, it’s impossible and leaves me feeling, like always, a failure when it’s hard to bring myself to even like him.
He’s a striking man. I suppose many would say handsome, his body tall and muscular—there’s no denying he’s kept himself in shape. But it’s his hair that everyone notices first. Jet black with a pure white lock over his forehead. The result of an accident years ago, he’d once said. However it had happened, it gave rise to his nickname, his grandmother having said he resembled an osprey. Liking the handle, Hawk preferred it over his given name.
It suits him. Ospreys are hunters. It used to be thought they can mesmerise their prey, which then rolls belly up and surrenders. A good analogy for our relationship. I had no chance but to succumb when he determined it was me his sharp talons would sink into. Today, Hawk’s as agitated as any caged wild bird, trapped like an animal. That the situation he’s in is of his own making won’t even occur to him. His focus will be solely on the part I played.
Hawk. My secretive husband. A man with so many sides to him. While he likes me to call him by his handle in private, in public he’s Pastor Alexis Gardner. It’s as if he has two distinct personalities.
I was thirteen when I was introduced to him. At thirty-six years old he, at first, seemed a breath of fresh air, the new pastor at the church my parents and I religiously attended every Sunday, as well as the Bible classes during the week. Shyly I’d shaken his hand, even then noticing the flare of interest in his eyes, but in my naivety at that time failed to recognise it for what it was.
It was only later that I came to realise my parents had been grooming me, preparing me for my future role when I became eighteen. That, together with teachings at Bible classes had laid the groundwork. God-fearing women submit to men. God-fearing women obey the man in the house who knows what is best for them, are quiet, and go about their daily tasks without complaint. God-fearing women never speak back or contradict.
A week before my birthday my mother had taken me to the doctor, and not the one I normally saw. The clinic surprised me. I’ve never been taken to another like it. I sat meekly as a local anaesthetic was applied to my arm, and turned my head away, though not before seeing something implanted into my arm. Something that wasn’t a normal vaccine. Obedient, I did my mother’s bidding without question. A good church-going girl accepts her parents know best.
The only birthday celebrated in our house was that of Jesus, and that only marked by extra outings to church. Any gifts were for the needy, none for ourselves. I wasn’t surprised that the day of my eighteenth birthday dawned unmarked. The only change was my mother’s pronouncement that I had finished with my schooling, and even that was not a remarkable difference. I’d been home schooled all my life.
When Pastor Gardner arrived I started to take myself off to my room, discreetly making myself absent for the adults to have their conversation, not appreciating that I, too, was now of age.
That was the day Hawk took me away from my home with my parents’ blessing and on to a brief wedding service followed by a quiet reception. That I had been given the honour of becoming his wife a cause for their celebration. Their daughter married to the pastor raising their status in the church.
Lost in my memories, I’m startled when Hawk suddenly swings around, his coarse voice thundering. “I’m going down today.”
The pause which follows cries out for a response, but I don’t meet his eyes, do nothing to make him suspect I’m challenging him. Realising I’m expected to speak, I search for some words which won’t anger him. “You don’t know that,” I reply, trying to inject optimism into my voice.
“Stupid bitch!” he snarls, and I sink back onto the pillows as I see those hands fist again. He stops pacing and stands, glaring at me, his reddened cheeks puffing in and out, looking like he’s short of breath after a long run. “With the evidence stacked against me, there’s not a chance I’ll get off.”
“You’re out on bail, they didn’t keep you on remand,” I remind him softly, trying to do my best as a supportive wife. “They might find you innocent…or just give you probation.”
His widened eyes show me he thinks I’m stupid. I shut my mouth, still not certain whether he’ll let those fists fly on my face. I’m part of the reason he risks being incarcerated. I wasn’t at fault. He hadn’t told me to provide him with an alibi, so I hadn’t given him one. That last nail in his coffin had seen him arrested and charged.
Shaking his head, he stomps to the wardrobe, and, as he’d done every day for the last thirty-two months, selects some clothing and lays them on the bed for me. “Dress,” he demands.
Naked, as he likes me to sleep, I get out of bed, noticing the flare in his eyes, praying to a God I’ve now started to doubt exists that he’s not got time to use me today. Trying my best not to entice him, I pick up the bundle of clothes and shuffle off to the bathroom to shower.
When I’d married Hawk I hadn’t known anything about him other than he was an upstanding citizen, as befitted a pastor. A man looked up to and respected, and one with an impeccable record. His violence, anger, and need for control hidden except for when he was inside his home. Then the other side of him would emerge. The one I soon became used to.
The members of our church believed I was his dutiful, loving wife. When I stood up beside him, handing him his sermon, passing out hymn books, wearing a fake smile in fear of what would happen to me if I displayed any other emotion, I’d catch glances of envy from those of the female persuasion, and of every age. Each one I’d exchange my place with in a minute. On the day of my eighteenth birthday the full extent of my services had become apparent. I had become his wife—or to be more accurate, his slave.
As my parents had schooled me to believe, I was just a woman, having no place or value in the world, existing only to serve a man.
My mother had shown no sympathy after he’d raped me. Her troubled eyes were because I’d come to her without first seeking permission from my husband, and she sent me back to him, telling me my duty was to obey. Her only words on the matter being to stress that Alexis Gardner was a man of God, and by serving him I was doing God’s will. I’d barely had time to notice the new car already on the driveway, let alone, at that time, realised the significance. It wasn’t later until it dawned on me prestige in the church may not have been all that they had received.
I dreaded the thought of having a child with Hawk, and with his healthy appetite for sex thought it would only be a matter of time before I fell pregnant. Until I learned the significance of that clinic visit the week before my birthday. The three-year implant my loving husband had demanded ensured that I wouldn’t. Hawk didn’t want children. My views on the matter not even asked.
No longer innocent, but still naïve and sheltered from the world, which in recent weeks has suddenly been turned upside down. I knew Hawk could be violent, but he hid it well from everyone else. Until he’d lost his temper with the wrong person.
I never knew who the man was, or his relationship to my husband. All Hawk would tell me is that disloyalty had to be punished. The easy-going pastor had personally half-killed him. Instead of being cowed, the man had gone to the police, got immunity from prosecution in exchange for information and pointed his finger and, well, the rest is history. It’s not an exaggeration to say the man Hawk had beaten had been left close to death. For one thing, he’ll never walk again. Unfortunately, they’d only managed to pin grievous bodily harm
on Hawk, failing to prove anything else. The fact they’d looked had verified my suspicions that there was more to my husband than the day job he was known for. But I had nothing useful to offer when questioned.
As I walk out of the bathroom, dressed, Hawk watches me, then takes out his phone and glances at it. “I’ll have to go soon,” he says, his voice suddenly calm. “But what to do about you is the question.”
His intense stare has me turning my head away. The way his brow creases suggests I’m a problem to be solved. “I can stay here. Or I’ll go back to my parents. Whatever you want, Hawk. If you do…if you go away. When you come out I’ll be waiting.”
He barks a laugh. “Somehow I doubt that.” He strides across the room and takes my chin in his hand, pinching the skin and making me wince. “Stay here as my obedient wife when I’m not here to tell you what to do? You’ll run as soon as my back is turned. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning.”
He’s right to be uncertain. The minute he’s put away—and I hope it’s for a really long time—I’ll be off. To another state, hell, another country. Out of this trap which he and my parents sprung shut around me. Return to my mother and father who all but sold me to him? Never. He must have money somewhere in the house, something that can get my new life started. Enough for a bus ticket, surely?
“You’d never survive. You know nothing of life. Nothing other than pleasing me.”
I swallow, my eyes watering with pain as his fingers dig in. “Hawk, you know I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Too right you will. You’re my wife. Mine to do with as I like. And as you’re mine, I’m going to make sure you will be waiting for me whenever I get out. I’ve got some friends who owe me a favour. You’ll be staying with them until I’m a free man again.”
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