Bound by Family (Ravage MC Bound Series Book One)

by Ryan Michele

  As I’m about to ask him what’s so funny, a woman walks in.

  Holy hell. This can’t be my father’s nurse. She’s about my height, dark hair, impeccably green eyes, and a body to kill for. She looks to be in her thirties, maybe. Doesn’t she have a family to take care of or something?

  “Hi, I’m Bristyl. Are you sure you’re supposed to be here?”

  She smiles wide, and my father coughs.

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ll just need a little help bringing in my bags, and we’re good to go.”

  Cooper full-out laughs as I look over at my father who has a shit-eating grin on his face. Guess this is going to work out well, after all.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  My brother and sister are the first to run up to us. I didn’t expect any differently. They’ve been blowing up my phone, wanting to meet Bristyl. We just needed time together and that’s what we did. We needed to heal, and luckily, that is getting better. It’s now time to branch out into the family, ready or not.

  Nox is pretty much a younger version of me, scary but fucking true. He has a little bit of a darker tone to his light brown hair than me, but his features—no one would mistake him being my brother.

  My sister on the other hand, she took after our mother in more ways than looks. Her hair is dark brown, on the verge of black. She’s growing up too damn fast, and judging by the skirt she has on, I’m surprised my father let her out of the house.

  “Hi! I’m Austyn,” my sister says to Bristyl.

  In the three weeks we’ve been MIA, her bruises have turned more yellow, which you can’t see with her makeup, even as light as it is. She had nightmares for a while and would wake up in cold sweats. I know those all too well. Once I had Bristyl in my arms, though, mine disappeared. I feared they would return after the ordeal, but I’ve been lucky. My woman, not so much. They have gotten better, though, and are coming more rarely. With time, I hope hers disappear as well.

  “And I’m Nox,” my brother adds, and my sister elbows him in the chest. “What the hell?”

  “You didn’t even let her talk before jumping in with who you are, dumb-dumb.”

  “Introductions, Austyn. Hello!”

  “Alright you two, enough.” Their bickering has to stop, or I’m going to have to duct tape them to something and cover their mouths. “What the fuck are you wearing?”

  Austyn shivers. It’s slight, but it’s there. “It’s fine.” Her eyes dart around. I have no doubt the man they are trying to find.

  “Dad see you in that shit?”

  Her face turns red in embarrassment. “I’m only wearing it for a little while.”

  “Change.”

  “You’re not my dad!” she screams, and I chuckle.

  “Dad sees you, he’ll tan your ass.”

  Bristyl smiles beautifully at them, interrupting, which I’m grateful for. “Hi, I’m Bristyl. Nice to meet you.”

  “Wow, you’re pretty. Will you teach me how to do my makeup?” Austyn asks with stars in her eyes. It would probably do her some good to learn to be subtle and not slap red on her lips.

  “Uh, sure, if your mom says it’s alright.”

  Austyn turns. “Mom!” Then she runs off to no doubt get permission for her face.

  I watch as my mother looks at Austyn. She points her finger toward the clubhouse, and Austyn’s head goes down. Told her to change.

  “You’re screwed now. She’s not going to leave you alone until you show her everything you know,” Nox says on a snort, looking over at me and shrugging. “Seems nice.” With that, he takes off.

  “Well, that was interesting,” Bristyl says as I wrap my arm around her and pull her to me.

  “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”

  My mother rushes up to us. She’s been over several times since we got back and has demanded to teach Bristyl how to fight. I couldn’t agree more. Bristyl needs to learn to defend herself. Truth be told, I haven’t let her out of my sight for long these past weeks, needing to make sure at all times she’s safe.

  The whole thing was my fault. If I would’ve gone with her to see her father, I could have prevented it. That eats at me. I vowed it will never ever happen again.

  “How are you?” my mother asks Bristyl, and not me, grabbing the sides of her arms softly.

  Personally, I’m fine. Had some stiches, but luckily, no broken bones and everything is healing fine.

  “I’m good.”

  “Don’t lie to me.” My mother’s tone turns serious, and I hear Bristyl exhale.

  “Really, the nightmares are getting better. I feel fine. It’s just in my head. Cooper and Buzz put in a security system that I need an instruction manual to figure out, and that helps at night. My dad is healing well with his nurse.” She rolls her eyes.

  I have not one single doubt good ol’ Regg is doing great with his hot as fuck nurse.

  “It’ll just take time, but I’ve got this. I refuse to let it control me or define who I am. And besides, during the day, Cooper and I are so damn busy with supervising the workers for the storage units that I don’t have time to think. That’s nice. I like keeping busy.”

  “Well, once those things are up and going, you and are I sparring. I’m going to teach you how to get out of certain holds and the best combinations to use on an attacker. After I’m done with ya, no one will fuck with you.”

  Bristly lets out a giggle. Damn, that’s music to my ears. After not hearing it for a while, I cherish each time she lets it free.

  “I’d like that.”

  “Alight, let’s go. You’re due in the kitchen.”

  My mom reaches out for Bristyl’s hand, but I pull my woman back to me and kiss her hard.

  As she walks away with my mother, an anxious feeling sweeps over me. Logically, I know she’s safe with her, but on another level, it scares the shit out of me that she’s out of my sight. Everything is going to take time, and I got all of it in the world.

  “Son.” My father comes up to me and wraps me in his arms. I’ve always loved how he doesn’t give a fuck where he is or what he is doing. If he feels like doing something, he does it. I picked up that trait well.

  Once he releases me and steps back, his eyes look hurt. I hate it.

  “I’m good, Dad. Bristyl’s good. We’ll be just fine.”

  “I’m happy those fuckers got what was comin’ to them. Bristyl’s brothers are like three of Rhys on steroids. Not sure if they’re always like that or if it was just because it was their sister caught up in the mix. Dagger said he saw Rhys cringe once, and you know that motherfucker doesn’t cringe at anything.”

  “Yeah, they’re gone. That’s all I give a fuck about.”

  If things would have been different, I would have loved to get my hands on those fuckers just for a little while. Regardless, I trust her brothers and mine to make sure they got what was coming to them. Sometimes in life, you have to know your top priorities, and that is Bristyl.

  “Glad to have you home, son. Missed the fuck out of you.” While true, we’ve been home for a couple of weeks, I took some time off from coming to the clubhouse.

  I look around the space, watching the kids run and holler. “Deke doin’ okay?”

  “GT says the withdraws are bad and he’s angrier than a motherfucker, but he’ll get straight. Let’s see if the women are ready for us to eat. I’m hungry as shit.”

  Entering the clubhouse, laughter comes from the kitchen. One distinctly is Bristyl’s. Something on my shoulders lifts at hearing that sound.

  “Woman! I’m hungry,” my father yells into the back.

  My mother throws down a towel and marches up to the bar where we stand. “Good thing it’s ready.” She tilts up, and my father comes down for a kiss. Instead of watching, my focus goes to Bristyl.

  Her and Angel are in a conversation that has her smiling from ear-to-ear. Tanner joins in, and that beautiful sound from Bristyl comes again. Yeah, we’re all going to be fucking fantastic.

  We eat and e
njoy our time together, Bristyl fitting into the fold perfectly. As the sun shines down on us, this day couldn’t be more perfect.

  “Son,” Pops says by the fire pit as I stand there, watching the flames move in the sky.

  “Yeah?”

  “My office.”

  Not thinking twice, I follow him and find my dad and Uncle GT already inside, waiting. My first thought is something’s happened to Deke. I mean, why else would Pops pull us in individually?

  “Take a seat, everyone,” Pops orders, going around to the other side of his desk and taking his seat.

  “What’s this about?” GT asks, his eyes looking utterly exhausted, if not haunted in a way.

  “Which one of you is takin’ over the club?” Pops blows this question out like it’s not rocking the entire foundation we stand on.

  From the silence, I can tell it catches my father and uncle off guard as well.

  “Gettin’ old and need a break. This club is my life, will be my life until my dying breath, but it’s time for the pressure to come off my shoulders and onto one of yours. Coop, you’re young and not ready, but you’re a part of this, and I want you here. GT, you’ve got a shit storm goin’ on.”

  “I don’t think I can right now, Pops. Deke is …” He trails off, rubbing his hand over his face, then looks at my dad. “I’ll be your second if you want me, but right now, with this shit storm, I gotta take care of my kids and wife.”

  My dad leans back in his chair, laces his fingers together, and puts them behind his head. “You really want to do this? I mean, ya got more good years in ya than you think.”

  Pops nods. “Ma and I have made this club our world and that won’t change. But keeping up with everything and making sure money, product, contacts—everything is on point is getting harder for me. I want to sit back, let you boys run things, and enjoy life. I’m still a member one hundred percent, but I want to be in the background more now.”

  The room again goes quiet. This is such a huge decision. Ravage is an entity all on its own, and I can see how it would be overwhelming, even for a strong man like Pops. In Ravage, the rules are clear. If something happens to the president, the vice president automatically takes over. If the president for any reason wants to step down, they have the right to hand the gavel to whomever they want to serve that spot.

  If my father says yes, that means he’s the new president after our next church.

  “I’m in. GT, you’re at my side. Coop, you’re on the other.”

  My startled eyes meet my father’s. “Me?”

  “Yep. Treasurer, you’re handling the money. Everything in this club goes in through you and out through you.”

  Fuck me. Talk about moving up in the ranks. I know I’m more than capable of doing whatever needs to be done in Ravage.

  “Done.”

  Pops claps his hands together and rises. “You’re a good team. You’ll do well for the club. I’m proud of you all.”

  I rise in stunned shock, not letting it show on the outside. A lot just happened in that little room, and no one outside is the wiser.

  Bristyl comes up to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Are you okay?”

  I look down at my woman. “Never been fucking better.”

  Epilogue

  A scream escapes her mouth as I remove the blindfold I made her wear for the past hour.

  “You brought me to see Demon’s Wings?”

  “It’s the group you didn’t get to see because of those assholes.”

  She grips my leather and pulls me to her. “And because of that asshole, I got you.” She rises on her tiptoes and kisses me hard on the lips.

  Being together for a year hasn’t changed the passion or the love I have for this woman. Every time our lips touch, it’s that same spark as the first time in that dingy diner parking lot. Every moment with her is better than the next.

  I reach around her and yank open my saddlebag. She’s already wearing my leather on her back, but I’m a greedy son of a bitch, and I want it all, including my ring on her finger.

  I get down on one knee, and Bristyl’s hand goes to her mouth in shock.

  “Make me a happy man and be my wife.”

  “Yes!” she screams.

  Her hand shakes as I rise and put the solitaire round diamond ring on her finger. Then her arms fly around me and our lips connect.

  I had the damn ring for two months now, damn near burning a hole in my jeans. But I wanted to do this, have this memory with her. And I’m happy I did. Only thing I’m not happy about is I didn’t drive my truck, so I’ll have to fuck her in the bathroom later.

  “We’re getting married,” she says excitedly, staring at the ring. “This is so beautiful.”

  “You’re gonna be mine forever.”

  “Forever.”

  Bonus Deke

  I fucked up. Majorly. My dad is so damn disappointed in me. I never knew that could hurt so damn much. My mom, all she does is cry. And my sister can’t figure out what end is up or down. Me, I’m off the shit and not going back on.

  My dad said three months, but it ended up being a year because I relapsed. It won’t happen again. I’m staying clean and will fight like hell to stay that way. I’d rather die than let that shit control me and cost me or my family anything more.

  The door swings open.

  “Deke, what’s going on?” Princess asks in a rush, no doubt concerned I’m here. I’ve only been out for a little over a week, but I can’t stay cooped up at my parents’ house anymore. I’m over it. I’m over everything.

  “I need you to teach me how to fight.”

  “Why now?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “Because now’s when I need it most.”

  Bound by Passion (Ravage MC Bound Series #2) Preorder today!

  Releasing: June 2017

  Have you ever wanted something so badly it consumes you?

  There is a fine line between needs and wants.

  Deke Gavelson has wanted his Ravage cut for as long as he can remember. He’s earned it. He was born to be in this club. He’s not afraid to fight for his place, either.

  Then she barreled into his world, and Deke suddenly desires something more than his rag and winning the next round.

  Rylie Hollister has lived through hell and back. Each event makes her the strong, independent woman she is today. Until a bitter underground fighter threatens to turn her plans upside down.

  These two are bound by their desires, but oh, how that changes when his intensity meets her passion.

  Preorder Today:

  CLICK TO GET DEKE

  Acknowledgments

  First and foremost, my sinners. You are the bright spot in my day. Being able to chat with you about the craziest shit possible has given me more than I can describe. Without your support and ass kicking, this book wouldn’t have come to life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  Chelsea, there is so much I can say, so much I could tell the world, but I’ll be nice and just say THANK YOU for being a pain in my ass!

  To my wonderful beta readers who took apart this book bit by bit so I could stitch it together to make it perfect—thank you. Suzanne, Kimberly, Cola, and Amy, you are fantastic!!

  Terri Anne, thank you for letting me use your Demon’s Wings!

  Leah, thank you for having a wacky life and sharing it with me.

  To my family. You supporting me in what I love is everything to me. I love you.

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  About the Author

  Ryan Michele found her passion in bringing fictional characters to life. She loves being in an imaginary world where anything is possible, and she has a knack for special twists readers don’t see coming.

  She writes MC, Contemporary, Erotic, Paranormal, New Adult, Inspirational, and other romance-based genres. Wh
ether it’s bikers, wolf-shifters, mafia, etc., Ryan spends her time making sure her heroes are strong and her heroines match them at every turn.

  When she isn’t writing, Ryan is a mom and wife, living in rural Illinois and reading by her pond in the warm sun.

  Join my Reader Group: Ryan’s Sultry Sinners

  Find me here:

  @Ryan_Michele

  AuthorRyanMichele

  www.authorryanmichele.net

  ryanmicheleauthor@gmail.com

  Other Books by Ryan Michele

  Ravage MC Series:

  Ravage Me

  Seduce Me

  Consume Me

  Inflame Me

  Captivate Me

  Ravage MC Novella Collection

  Ride with Me (co-written with Chelsea Camaron)

  Ravage MC Bound Series

  Bound by Family

  Vipers Creed MC Series:

  Crossover (co-written with Chelsea Camaron)

  Challenged

  Conquering

  Conflicted (Coming soon)

  Ruthless Rebels MC Series (co-written with Chelsea Camaron):

  Shamed

  Scorned

  Scarred (Coming in May)

  Schooled (Coming in July)

  Loyalties Series:

  Blood & Loyalties: A Mafia Romance

  Raber Wolf Pack Series (Available in KU):

  Raber Wolf Pack Book 1

  Raber Wolf Pack Book 2

  Raber Wolf Pack Book 3

  Standalone Romances

  Full Length Novels (Available in KU):

  Needing to Fall

  Safe

  Wanting You

  Short Stories (Available in KU):

  Hate to Love