Ruin (Kings of Carnage MC - Prospects Book 1)

by Hilary Storm

  I toss down a few dollars for the sweet tea I had already ordered and walk out of the restaurant with my head held high. By the time I’m sitting in my car, I’m so infuriated I’m shaking. “Fuck him.” This stings.

  Having such a shit mother, I just knew my father would’ve been a better person than what I’ve always known. I thought he’d want to know about his child and would at least be a decent fucking person. But I should’ve known better than my mother reproducing with decent. I’ve seen what she’s brought through the house over the years.

  My keys fall to the floorboard because I’m flustered, so by the time I’ve got them in the ignition and started it, I’m even more irate and ready to hurt someone. “Why am I so hard to love? Fuck.” My anger elevates even more when I see his picture staring back at me on the dash.

  “Motherfucker.” I flick it so that it flips across the car and then floor the gas pedal on a new mission. “I’m going to tell his ass off and then get the hell out of this fucking town. I don’t need this. I don’t need him to survive. I’ve been doing it just fine for twenty fucking years.” The words sounded better in my head than they did coming out of my mouth but that doesn’t stop me from driving straight to the King’s clubhouse.

  That was another thing I managed to do today… I did some research on who my father is and what he’s all about. I just happened to narrow down a few places where the Kings seem to congregate. They’re all right there together, so I’ll just go looking for motorcycles and go in to find him.

  I’m sure if I lead with “I’m Poe’s daughter,” I’ll stir up enough shit that’ll get his attention in a hurry. He wants to deny me and appease me with lies then I’ll leave, but I’m not leaving without telling him exactly what I think.

  It’s easy to see which building I should start with… the one with all the trucks and motorcycles looks like a good one. I yank my car into park and slam the door closed with the same energy I drove over here with. I’m pissed the fuck off.

  I’m about half way to the door when I see a group of guys come out, all of them holding guns. My fiery attitude is put out real quick with the view and any courage I had before seeps from my body along with the air in my lungs. “Shit.” I scurry to hide in a gravel parking lot with nothing but vehicles, so when I jump into the back of a truck bed and cower down like a coward, it’s the smartest option I have.

  The voices get louder and louder. They’re laughing and saying things I can’t clearly make out, especially when the roars of all the engines take over. I’m silently saying a prayer that they all leave without seeing me and then I can go back to my car and get the hell out of here.

  My nightmare begins when the truck I’m in beeps as if someone is unlocking the doors. It continues when I feel the truck dip and shift for the people getting into it. My breathing completely halts when I hear four doors close on it.

  I’m an idiot. I should’ve never come here. To this town or this house. My mom may’ve had men coming through often but there was never this many, toting guns, capable of god knows what. If my father is a part of this group, then he’s bad news and it’s no wonder that there’s guys out there who want to hurt their families.

  If I was looking for a sign to cut my losses and leave. This is for sure it.

  My hands begin to cramp from fighting to keep a tight grip on the bed of the truck; staying in place is nearly impossible with the way this person is driving. My shirt keeps riding up and I can’t adjust it with the struggle.

  We finally get on an open road, going the same direction for a while. I use this time to regroup and come up with a game plan. It should be cut and dry. When the truck stops… I will jump out and then hitch a ride back to my car. Then I will get the fuck out of Dodge.

  The problem is, we keep driving and driving. The sky turns pitch black before we stop and what seemed like the best idea before, now feels like the worst.

  When the truck slows down, I get a grip once again and tuck myself against the side, hoping like hell they won’t look back here and see me. Only one of the guys get out, his footsteps sounding quieter as he gets farther away. The rest of them don’t follow and I haven’t heard any of the other guys pull up with us.

  In a desperate attempt to have more information I need to save myself if it comes to it, I start to analyze the shithole position I’ve gotten myself into. I can tell we’re near water somewhere because the air smells of salt and fish. It feels like we drove about three hours from Uprising, but I’m not familiar enough with that area for that to be of any help just off of memory.

  I’m still thinking about clues when movement from inside the truck pulls my attention. Three doors close and then I listen to the sound of gravel crunching under their shoes while they walk in the opposite direction the other guy did when we first got here.

  The curiosity is killing me, and I can’t resist peeking my head out over the side of the bed, hoping to catch a glimpse of what’s happening.

  Headlights in the distance catch my attention right away, but I quickly scan the rest of the area to take in everything I can.

  The lights get closer and the silhouettes of three men become clearer. They’re standing in the road, blocking the big truck from coming through. I watch it stop and the driver get out with his hands in the air like he’s surrendering while another person climbs out of the passenger seat.

  The Kings go to the back of the truck to open it and that’s when all hell breaks loose. Gunshots ring through the air, ricocheting off of the run-down buildings beside me and I take cover and manage to stifle my screams. It’s so loud until suddenly it all stops and the only thing I can hear is my own breathing.

  It takes courage to look again, but I do it. I need to know who I’m about to deal with. It’s the three guys dressed in black that are still standing. I can see three other bodies lying on the ground until they’re being dragged to the back of the truck. It takes everything in me not to scream bloody murder because I’m scared to death, my teeth chattering from me shaking so hard.

  It’s when I hear the footsteps behind me that I get down even lower and force myself to be calm. Slow movements and prayers are all I have on my side.

  A door is opened on the driver side and then it’s slammed. The rev of the engine comforts me this time because I’m hoping whoever drove here is about to go back to the same place we started.

  This time the driving is crazier. We’re going somewhere fast and furious until we’re screeching to a stop.

  The engine is still running when a deep voice scares me from the side of the truck. “What the actual fuck, Tyra.” Ruin leans over, and it still takes so much for me not to scream. I think I’m in shock because I can’t even say anything. My mind is telling him everything I’ve just seen, and my body is trembling and a blubbering mess. “Get in the truck. And fucking hurry before someone sees you.”

  He gets frustrated with how slow I’m moving and hauls me over the side of the truck before he puts me in through the driver door and gets in himself. “Don’t say a word and get on the floor.” He shoves my head down and takes off again like a lunatic. Like he’s running from something. He’s supposed to be the cool and calm guy whose main mission is to get in my pants. This frantic guy scares me.

  “I’ve got the truck. I’ll meet you back at the house.” He doesn’t say anything for a while. He eventually slows his speed and tells me to sit in the seat. I guess we’re not in danger anymore.

  “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” He’s calm again. But it’s an eerie, wicked controlled calm that I don’t like.

  “I don’t know anything.” I know enough to know that you never ever admit to seeing a damn thing. Play dumb.

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “I’m leaving town as soon as we get back. You don’t have to worry about me getting in the way.” He brakes hard, causing me to jolt forward when he stops.

  “You’ll never make it out alive.” His somber response awakens my inner fight or flight spi
rit and I start talking.

  “Yes. No one saw me but you. I didn’t see a thing. I don’t know what happened or who anyone was but you.”

  “Don’t you see? That’s too much.” Where’s the guy from last night who couldn’t get enough of me? Or this morning who didn’t want to let me leave?

  I can tell I’m in way too deep by what he’s saying, so I do what any insane person would do next and I open the door and take off running.

  He’s calling my name, his footsteps getting louder and louder until I’ve been tackled to the ground. He’s pinning me face down while he’s cussing at me to ‘fucking stop’.

  Before I know it, I’m being picked up and hauled over his shoulder all the way back to the truck, no matter how hard I fought it. He flops me into the seat of the truck, causing me to hit my head on the dash.

  “Don’t fucking run. It’ll just piss me off that I have to catch you. Now scoot the fuck over and start talking. Why did you follow me?” I don’t answer him. After everything I’ve seen tonight, I don’t feel like I owe him an explanation.

  “I didn’t take you for a fucking stalker.”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. I wasn’t there to see you.” His eyes find mine quickly, confusion clearly taking over his face.

  “Who were you there for?” I contemplate not telling him, but I figure at this point my only saving grace might just be the truth.

  “My father.” And there goes more of those dumbfounded expressions where he’s absolutely clueless.

  “Who’s your father?” He’s visibly shifting to nervous now. He’s dreading my answer and I’m not sure why he would be.

  “Poe.”

  “Shit.” He says that before I can get the short word ‘Poe’ all the way out.

  “Is that a problem?”

  “Yeah, it might be. He’s sort of a big deal in my life. He’s not gonna love what I’ve done with you.”

  “Well, who’s gonna tell him? I’m not.” He doesn’t deserve to know a thing about me, but if he did I wouldn’t share my sex life with him anyway. “Plus, he doesn’t want any part of having a daughter.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “How he responded when I told him who I was. At first, he said the guy in my picture had died a long time ago. Then when he finally had the balls to man up and say it was him, he ghosted me.”

  “Tonight?”

  “Yes, we were supposed to meet at a Lucille’s. He stood me up.”

  “We had an emergency tonight. He was called in for it too.” It starts to click now.

  “How did you end up in the back of this truck?”

  “I was going to tell Poe off and leave town. When I got there a bunch of guys came out all dressed for war and I got scared and hid in the closest hiding spot I could find.”

  “Holy hell. I’m not even sure how to handle this. Chaos is going to lose his shit.”

  “Chaos?”

  “Never mind. How did you get to the club?”

  “My car. It’s in the parking lot.”

  “Fuck. We need to get back and get it out of there. And I need time to think.” He takes off driving and we both sit in silence while my mind is going ninety to nothing with what the future could possibly bring.

  Chapter Twelve

  Ruin

  I’m fucked. I’m not sure who’ll get me first. Chaos for botching up my first big club mission by allowing one of my fucks to go on a fucking ride along or Poe for fucking his daughter in seventy-seven positions and making her a porn star.

  There’s really no good way for this to go if anyone from the club finds out she was in the back of that truck. People have died for less.

  Maybe Poe won’t find out about the porn thing. What am I saying? That shit will be all over the club once we announce it. He’ll hear about it and boom he’ll not even know it’s his daughter he’s seeing because I never showed her face. That’s fucked up.

  I can’t let that happen either.

  “Tell me where you’re staying.” We’re almost to the clubhouse, so I need to come up with a plan.

  “The hotel on Jameson Ave.”

  “What room? I’ll be there as soon as I finish up here.”

  “311.” She’s otherwise quiet and I hate that this has happened. She’ll be forever changed tonight just as I will be after shooting my first real kill. I expected it to be harder than it was. Maybe feel some regret, but I don’t. Knowing all the facts about the group made it easier. We were lucky some great intel came through just before the drop.

  I have no idea how we beat everyone back to the clubhouse, but we do by a few minutes. “Hurry out of here so no one sees you. And don’t say a fucking word to anyone about what you saw tonight. Your life depends on it.” I try to scare her enough that she stays quiet but also rush her to get out of here fast, but we aren’t quick enough. She’s just getting to her car when the convoy rolls in. I guess if I’d really thought about it, it’s actually better that she faces Poe now since I’m not even sure who all saw her car here while we were gone. Fuck, I’m not thinking clearly.

  It’s been a long night and it’s going to be much longer before it’s over.

  It’s well after two in the morning now, so having a strange car here in the parking lot does stand out and draw attention from all the guys. Most of them park around her car just to swarm the out of place piece to an otherwise normal puzzle.

  “What’s Tyra doing here?” I’ve barely stepped foot out of my truck when Spade is by my side. He recognizes her car without even seeing her.

  “Long fuckin’ story and one I can only tell you. Follow my lead.” I purposely stand so that I can see what’s happening by her car. Since I didn’t park Poe’s truck close to hers, it’s not that easy to hear, but it’s not for lack of trying.

  After Poe pulls in with Saint and Sly, I watch him walk straight to her car. If she drove off now, she’d be followed by more than one of the Kings, but it makes me nervous as fuck that she’s about to be faced with answering why she’s here.

  I start walking toward her car and quietly witness Poe open her door. She’s sitting in the driver's seat with her arms crossed and a pissed off looking face, scowling at him.

  “I came here to tell you off because you stood me up.”

  “Look, Kid. I’m sorry. I had something big come up. I didn’t mean to miss meetin’ ya, it was out of my control.” Good, he thinks she’s just here now and has no idea she went on a joy ride and was witness to the hits we did tonight.

  “I just didn’t have your phone number to let you know the plans had to be changed.”

  “Okay. Here’s mine...” I start to walk away when I hear her giving him her phone number. I know for a fact that conversation is much calmer than it would’ve been had she not witnessed what happened tonight. That feisty girl I know is taking his excuse and allowing him a break without any resistance. That’s not like her at all, but I guess it works because she pulls out of the parking lot before I’m inside. Good girl.

  It doesn’t slip by me how protective I’m being of Tyra. In fact, it’s fucking with me how I’ve done nothing but plan how to get her out of harm’s way since I saw her peeking her head out of the truck bed through my fucking scope. That’s before I knew she was Poe’s daughter. Pushing all of those chaotic thoughts to the back of my mind, I bust through the doors to get back to club business.

  I’ve got to face Chaos before I leave here tonight, and I need to make that happen as soon as possible. I don’t want to give her enough time to bolt. I’ve got a few questions I need to ask her.

  Tyra

  I’m still shaking when I get to the hotel, but it’s surprising that I’m not crying as well. It’s probably because I’m thoroughly numb. Knowing I have to leave and say goodbye to the dream of having someone step up and be real family is heartbreaking. I’ve idealized the thought for so long that it’s leaving me empty feeling now that I need to leave without it having time to come to fruition.

  Unpacki
ng everything today was a terrible idea and it’s probably because I got comfortable that this has all happened. I let my guard down and now I’ve become a witness to murders and found out my father is part of a damn gang. Not to mention the guy I’ve been sleeping with… the guy who is supposed to be my boss, is all part of it too. I need to get the fuck out of here.

  I start tossing everything back into the bags I came here with in a hurry. I know Ruin will be here before long and I need to be gone when he gets here. It seemed like an okay idea to give him my room number when he asked, but now that I have a bit more clarity of how serious this situation is, I know it was a terrible idea… and now I know what I have to do.

  I’ve got all of my bags loaded and the straps hanging from both shoulders when I open the door to Ruin standing with one arm propped up on the door frame, blocking me from leaving. Fuck.

  “Going somewhere?” His presence is so demanding and powerful I take a step back. I wasn’t ready to see him on the other side of that door. He walks in, allowing the door to close hard behind him. “Put the fuckin’ bags down.” The chill in his voice is horrifying and the look in his eyes is nothing but cold anger. He’s mad mad. “You said you’d be here when I got here.”

  “I am.” I drop my bags to the floor and plop down on the bed I’ve yet to sleep on. Seeing him pissed is so much different than his normal playful demeanor. He’s acting like I’ve betrayed him or something, but I don’t owe him a thing. Besides that, I don’t care how he feels because the only person I have a loyalty to is myself.

  “You were trying to leave.”

  “Yes, I am leaving.” I say it quick and leave no room for misunderstanding.

  “I can’t let you do that.” He comes back at me just as fast and stern with a threat in his voice.

  “You can’t stop me.” I stand to make a point, grabbing my bags in haste, just waiting for his comeback.

  “Oh, but I can, sweetheart.” He doesn’t even stand or try to grab at my bags while I’m struggling to get them all. He’s so sure of himself that he’s sitting back in the office chair with his feet kicked up on the desk.