Twisted Steel: An MC Romance Anthology

by Knox, Elizabeth

  It’s him, Draven Hawke.

  “I don’t plan on dyin’ anytime soon, Princess.” He chuckles, but there’s no amusement in the sound. This is part of the life, part of being a family. Losing those you love is inevitable, but I don’t know if closing yourself off is something that could save you from the heartache.

  “Were you going to marry her?” I don’t know why I’m asking something that I don’t want to know about. The thought of Shadow with anyone else makes me angry. No. Not angry. It has jealousy coursing through my veins.

  “I wanted to.” His honesty is a slash to my chest. I don’t want to care, but I can’t deny that I like him, and that’s what makes knowing he wanted someone before me so difficult. “I know you miss your dad, and I know I promised to—”

  “You couldn’t have saved him. He was the one who pushed you out of the way. He saved you so you could live.”

  Shadow sighs, but I can tell he doesn’t agree with me. Perhaps he feels guilty for not being able to save the men we lost, but I know it’s not his fault. It might not be ideal because those were our brothers, friends, family, but now is not a time for guilt to play a part in our lives.

  “But I should’ve been the one—”

  “Well, you weren’t.” My words come out angrier than I expect them to, and for the first time since we walked into the bedroom, I look up to meet his beautifully shimmering gaze. “My dad always knew things before they happened. It was as if he could tell something had to happen so life could move forward.”

  “You’re far too philosophical for an eighteen-year-old.” Shadow smiles as he taps my nose with his index finger.

  “And you’re too grumpy for a twenty-seven-year-old,” I challenge him.

  “I’m going to have to head back in a few days, though, Syren,” he tells me seriously. I know he has his own life to live, and I certainly don’t want to be a burden on him.

  “I know.” The sliver of the moon is shining through my window, illuminating the shadows on his face. “You look good in the darkness,” I tell him suddenly, then I feel my cheeks heat in embarrassment for my admission.

  “You look good any time of day, Princess,” he tells me causing the heat in my cheeks to trickle down my neck to my chest. Thankfully, it’s dark because I wouldn’t want him to see me blush.

  “What happened in the office yesterday?” He stiffens at my query and I know he’s hiding something from me. He’s not telling me the whole truth which is worrying because Dad told me to trust him.

  Is Shadow trying to protect me?

  Or is he hiding something important?

  “Sleep now, Princess,” Shadow coos as he holds me in his arms. I feel safe, even though my world feels like it’s falling apart. If we stayed in this room forever, would the reality of what just happened pass me by.

  My eyes feel heavy as Shadow hums something unintelligible. His voice is low, a soothing sound, and I allow my eyes to flutter closed. Inhaling the scent of him, I can’t help but hiccup my sadness and feel his arms tighten around me.

  Sleep steals me while my hero lulls me to dreamland.

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later

  “We’re going to be just fine,” Kali says to me as we pack the trunk of the car. Dad’s old BMW is now mine. In fact, everything is now mine. My best friend has been trying to tell me how well I’m doing, but underneath the veneer of losing my father, I’m still broken from the heartache and torn between wanting to stay and wanting to run far away.

  I decided on the latter for now. College is calling, and we’re heading up to New York to scope out the lay of the land, so to speak. When I told Shadow we’re leaving, he didn’t seem overly happy about the idea. He insisted I have at least a couple of the guys watching over me, and only then did he and Beast agree to let Kali and I leave.

  Even though he still hasn’t told me what was said in the office that night, I know he’s keeping something from me. It doesn’t make sense that after my father’s death, he would be so insistent on keeping me safe.

  Granted, our relationship has changed somewhat. He’s been gone for most of the past two weeks, but when he is in Miami, he takes me out to the beach, the cinema, and even took me to dinner.

  But even though he’s done all that, he hasn’t once made another move on me. No kissing, no touching, not even holding hands. He spent the night in my bed the day my father died, but the moment the sun rose, he was gone.

  “Syren,” Kali’s voice breaks through my thoughts causing my eyes to lift to hers. She’s staring at me long and hard, and I know she wants me to be okay, but how can I be when I’m not even sure what I’m doing anymore.

  “Yeah,” I mumble. “I just don’t think leaving is a good idea, but I need to go.”

  “Dad will look after the place,” my best friend confirms. Beast is a good man, and I know he’ll care for the home I grew up in and the club. He and Shadow seem to be on good terms, so there’s that.

  “I know. I just . . .” I turn to look around me, the garden stretching out for miles of green, the trees Dad planted when I was a baby that are now growing into beautiful shaded areas, and even the lot where the bikes are all stowed away, Dad’s first in line, gathering dust because none of the men want to touch it.

  “You need time to heal,” Kali says, reading my mind as my gaze lingers on the bike and I feel the burning of tears threaten. “And what better way than to be in a new city for a few years to come to terms with being the biker princess who has a whole squad of grown men willing to be your family.”

  That’s one thing about Kali, she would always make light of anything, not in an insensitive way, but she’ll make things seem less stressful for me.

  “Yeah.”

  My gaze flits to the gate, but the bike that pulls in isn’t the one I was hoping for. It’s almost time to leave and I was hoping Shadow would be here to say goodbye. But I can’t expect him to ride all the way down from Arizona to see me.

  Shutting the trunk, I step out from behind the car to see four more bikes pulling in. The one that stands out causing my heart to thud wildly is the black and red Kawasaki.

  A small smile pulls at my lips and I fight to keep my expression schooled. Kali slides closer to me and whispers, “He likes you.”

  “No, he doesn’t,” I huff, but I can’t stop my stomach from tumbling at the thought. He’s been a light in the darkest times in my life. I shouldn’t feel that way because I know Amelia is still at the back of his mind, but for now, just this moment, I can’t stop myself from hoping.

  “Hey, Princess,” Shadow grins as he saunters up to me. He’s wearing his leather cut, underneath he’s draped in a white T-shirt that looks like it’s painted on his toned torso. His inked arms and hands are exposed to view, and I can’t help but blush when my eyes meet his.

  “Hey yourself,” I greet him.

  He reaches for my hand, which I allow him to take, and he tugs me away from the rest of the crowd. Catcalls come from Talon and Blade, and even the new guy I don’t recognize, but Shadow ignores them as he settles on the garden bench and pulls me to sit beside him.

  “I don’t like that you’re leavin’,” he finally says after a few moments of silence. He leans his elbows on his knees, and I notice his jeans are ripped. He’s the epitome of a bad boy, sex and sin emanating off him like a cologne, and I find myself aching to dive into the darkness with him.

  “You said I could,” I challenge.

  He doesn’t sit back, merely turning his head as he glances at me from over his shoulder. The corner of his mouth quirks into a grin, showing off a dimple in his left cheek. He looks every part the boy my father would’ve warned me against, but Dad’s no longer here and I feel like my heart is already in Shadow’s hands.

  “I know.” His voice is husky, rough, and raspy. “I just wanted to come and see you before you head off to your fancy school,” he tells me before he pulls out a pack of his smokes.

  “You should quit those, you know,” I
tell him.

  “Why?”

  “Could kill you,” I warn.

  Shadow chuckles, shaking his head. “Princess, if these kill me, it would be an easy way to go.” Sadness laces his words, wrapping around each syllable, and my chest tightens at the thought of him not being around.

  “Don’t say shit like that,” I bite out as fury races through me.

  “Watch your language, Princess,” he orders as he sits back, pulling deeply on the smoke that’s now positioned between his index and middle finger.

  “Why? You gonna spank me for cursing?” I arch a brow when he glances my way, and I notice both dimples deepen when he grins. His nose ring glimmers in the sunshine.

  “I can certainly do that,” he promises. “If you pass your first semester, I might even consider giving you what you so clearly want.”

  My brows shoot together in confusion at his words. I’m not sure what he’s talking about. “What is it that I so clearly want, Draven?”

  He flicks the burning smoke onto the ground before he leans closer to me, his lips brushing along my cheek, leaving white hot tingles in their wake. When he reaches my ear, he whispers. “My dick.”

  “Ugh, you’re so gross,” I bite out, but yet, I don’t deny that he’s right.

  “One day, Syren,” he confirms. “One day, mark my words.”

  And that’s when I know it’s time to leave because deep in my gut, I know I’d let him do it right here with everyone watching.

  About the Author

  Dani René

  Dani is a USA Today bestselling author of a variety of genres, from romantic suspense to dark erotic romance and even BDSM romance. She loves to delve into the raw, emotional journeys her characters venture on, and enjoys the dark, edgy, and sensual scenes that fill the pages of her books. Dani’s stories are seductive with a deviant edge with feisty heroines and dominant alphas.

  Dani lives in the beautiful city of Cape Town and is a proud member of the Romance Writer's Organization of South Africa (ROSA) and the Romance Writers of America (RWA). She has a healthy addiction to reading, TV series, music, tattoos, chocolate, and ice cream.

  www.danirene.com

  info@danirene.com

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  Also by Dani

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  Choosing the Hart

  Love Beyond Words

  Cuffed

  Fragile Innocence

  Perfectly Flawed

  Black Light: Obsessed

  Among Ash and Ember

  Within Me (Limited Time)

  Cursed in Love (collaboration with Cora Kenborn)

  Beautifully Brutal (Cavalieri Della Morte)

  How the Mind Breaks

  Taboo Novellas

  Sunshine and the Stalker

  His Temptation

  Austin’s Christmas Shortcake

  Crime and Punishment (Newsletter Exclusive)

  Malignus (Inferno World Novella)

  Virulent (collaboration with Yolanda Olson)

  Tempting Grayson (Exclusively sold on Eden Books)

  Gilded Sovereign Series

  Cruel War (Book #1)

  Volatile Love (Book #2)

  Exquisite Death (Book #3)

  Sins of Seven Series

  Kneel (Book #1)

  Obey (Book #2)

  Indulge (Book #3)

  Ruthless (Book #4)

  Bound (Book #5)

  Envy (Book #6)

  Vice (Book #7)

  The Stolen Series

  Stolen

  Severed

  Four Fathers Series

  Kingston

  Four Sons Series

  Brock

  Carina Press Novellas

  Pierced Ink

  Madd Ink

  Broken Series

  Broken by Desire

  Shattered by Love

  The Backstage Series

  CALLUM

  LIAM

  RYAN

  Forbidden Series

  From the Ashes - A Prequel

  Crave (Book #1)

  Covet (Book #2)

  Reckless Angels MC

  Part Two

  Amy Davies

  1

  Indie

  I rub my hands over my jeans, drying the sweat that is coating my palms. This is the last place I want to be, but I know he has a right to know. One time was all it took, one drunken night for us to end up in this position.

  I blink away the sleepy fog as I force my eyes open and try to work out where I am. I look down and see a beefy arm wrapped around my stomach. Where the fuck am I? The room is plain, a total man’s room.

  The arm around me tightens and then I feel his warm breath on my neck, his hand tightens on my bare stomach. Oh, the ache hits me.

  Oh, please let him be good-looking, oh and have a beard.

  “You need to leave. I got shit to do today.” His words shock the shit out of me. I leap out of bed, to see the man who I spent the night with. I spin around and see who I had sex with last night, I can’t stop the gasps that escape me, his eyes flash open and he growls, from the bed. In just as much shock as me, but he has the clear look of disgust on his face.

  “What the fuck, Indie?”

  “What?” I ask, my shock clearly coming through in my tone.

  Even though I am shocked, I am screaming like a girl in a shoe store in my head. I have wanted Rip for years, ever since I visited Pepper at the Reckless Angels MC clubhouse. Still he has made it abundantly clear he doesn’t want me— thanks to a dead wife and age gap issues. Don't get me wrong, I respect that he misses his wife, but she has been gone for over ten years. He fucks anything that moves but won’t touch me. Well until now that is.

  “You fucking plan this shit? I told you I wouldn’t fucking touch you, so what, you drug me or something?” I gasp and my eyes widen.

  My nose burns with unwanted tears at the shocking words he just spat at me. I refuse to let this man hurt me. I dash around the room, collecting my clothes and throwing them on, my heart racing and trying to escape my chest. Rip stands there, now in a pair of black shorts that hang low on his hips.

  I shake my head and walk toward the bedroom door; I give him one last look.

  “Nice to know you think so little of me. You win. I’m done.” With a broken heart, I walk out and vow never to see him again.

  A bike revs next to me bringing me out of my thoughts. I blink away the tears, wiping away one that escapes. Climbing out of the car, I take a deep breath. The vow I made the night he accused me of drugging him must be broken today. I need to see him and explain, but I know he won't be happy. One thing I do know about Rip, aka Brian Tatum, is he adores his son, Austin who is fourteen, but he doesn't want more kids.

  I walk up to the clubhouse and push the door open. Music is playing, but not too loudly. I see Pepper, Zero, and Rip, and my breath gets caught in my throat. I stand and stare for a few seconds before I pull up my big girl panties and stalk toward them.

  “Why didn’t you answer your phone?” I yell. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rip stiffen, but he doesn't say anything or move toward me. I mean, why would he? Pepper sees the look on my face, all red and puffy from crying, and comes at me.

  “What happened?” concern laces her voice.

  We have been like sisters from another mister for years now. I watch as her eyes take in my face and she frowns, resting her hands on my shoulders. I cast my gaze behind her and him. Breathe in and go.

  “Hey, Rip. We need to— ” I say, my voice softer than I would have liked.

  “Don’t.” He growls a growl that no human should ever be able to produce. He storms
out, leaving the room in stunned silence. My heart is racing as I cover my face.

  “Oh, God.” I feel my legs give out, but I don't hit the floor. I feel Pepper next to me, holding me tight to her body. Zero helps me over to the couch with Trace. My body shakes as I sob against Trace.

  “Indie, sweetheart, what’s happened?” Pepper asks me. I force words out to answer her.

  “I’m.” Sob. “Pregnant.” Sob. “His, baby.” I manage to say.

  “Oh fuck,” I hear Zero mutter before he runs from the room. I know he is going to track Rip down, but at the moment I wanted to curl up and sleep the day away. I have been so physically and mentally drained the past few weeks, this baby is sucking the life out of me. I feel like Bella in Breaking Dawn.

  “Shh, come here, Ind. You need to calm down,” Pepper soothes me. I shake my head and cry more. I can’t seem to turn the tears off, crying for days, worrying about what will happen when I tell him I am pregnant with his baby.

  But seeing him walk away confirmed that I am in this alone. I am twenty-five and I am a single mom-to-be. My stomach tightens even more, making me gag, and I run, hoping I make it to the toilet before I empty my stomach.

  “Oh God,” I moan, reaching the basin and emptying the contents of my stomach. I gasp and retch again but nothing else comes up. That’s what you get for having shitty morning sickness.

  I have no clue if Rip will stand by me. The doubt is there in my head and heart big time. I place a hand over my belly and cry, knowing it is just us.

  “It is me and you, pumpkin. Just me and you.”