by Ambere Sabo
So far, our name hasn’t been brought up in connection with anything, and hopefully, we can keep it that way. Angel and my baby are close as hell, and I’m glad Reine has someone who really understands and can help her. But I know eventually Angel will want to leave so she can take care of those responsible for her parents’ deaths. Rodeo has been teaching her how to shoot, and when the time comes, I know she’ll be able to handle her own.
As I pull up to the clubhouse, Wraith is waiting out on the front porch. I wasn’t sure if he would be here or out at Blue Bells. They decided to rebuild it a few weeks ago, and that has been The Reapers’ main focus, besides recruiting new members that is.
“Vic said you were headed here. Or rather she said if I didn’t see you shortly, she would have your ass,” he says with a chuckle. “Any reason that woman would be calling to scold me about bein’ nice?” he asks with a raised brow.
Fuck! I haven’t even gotten off of my bike, and I already want to high-tail it out of here.
Reine says I show every emotion on my face. But I think I have a damn good poker face, and she’s full of shit. However, right now, I’m sure I look like some punk kid coming to pick his girl up for the first time.
“Jesus, Venom. Get off the damn bike and come say what ya gotta,” he says turning to go inside.
I take a steadying breath before climbing off of Beauty—Reine said I couldn’t call them both baby, so I had to rename her. Fucking women.
I head inside, ready to get this the fuck over with, when Wraith catches me off guard, “How’s Maribel doing? Any better with English yet? I know Vic has been having a time with trying to communicate with her since she moved in.”
Maribel is doing just fine with learning English, she just doesn’t like to talk to a lot of people. Luckily, I’m one of the few she lets know what’s up, but that’s our little secret, for now anyway. When she’s ready to open up to everyone else, she will. She just needs time right now, and for some reason she trusts me. Although, God only knows why.
“Yeah, she’s comin’ around. Hopefully, we can get her enrolled in school in the fall. That’s the goal anyway,” I explain.
“Alright, you calmed down now? Well, at least enough to tell me why you brought your ass all the way out here instead of callin’?” he asks. Fucker.
“It’s about Cessy,” I tell him.
“Yeah, I kind of figured that and as it’s Valentine’s Day I’m guessing you're trying to do something sweet for her. Need some advice from the master?” he says wagging his eyebrows at me. “I know she found your toast in some daily quote calendar Dash has. Decided to ask a living person this time?” he finishes with a chuckle.
He sure is one cocky bastard for being single, but I’ll leave that alone for now. “I want your permission to make her my Ol’ Lady,” I blurt out.
He doesn’t say anything for a few minutes, and I’m starting to regret the decision to come out here.
“Why you askin’ me? Rodeo’s her godfather. Don’t you think that should be something you ask him?” he finally asks.
“I already asked him, Vic, too. Rodeo might be her godfather, but he wasn’t around for most of her life. It’s you she looks to about things she would’ve asked her pops about. It's only right that you be the one to give permission,” I explain.
He’s over to me in a heartbeat. Just when I think he’s about to deck me, he pulls me in for a hug, but as quick as it started it’s over. And he steps away from me.
“Treat her right, or they won’t be able to find the pieces, you got me?” he threatens.
“Yeah, I got you.”
We bullshit a little, and he gives me shit about Reine carrying my balls in her purse when I tell him that I have to go pick up her new cut. Rodeo helped me get it made special. To anyone else, it looks just like the rest, but there’s a hidden pocket inside the lining with the ring Vic and Lil helped me pick out.
My baby doesn’t like diamonds, but I pray she loves the custom sapphire ring we had made just for her. Now it’s time to make my baby mine, officially.
Acknowledgements
Lord, where do I even begin. I suppose first and foremost, my munchkins. You drive me crazy on a daily basis, but in the end, I want to make you proud of me. Thank you for being okay with the pizza nights and when mommy hides to write. I love you more than all the stars.
My sister, Barbara. I don’t know that Cessy ever would have made it to my screen without you. Thank you for listening when I was trying to work out a scene, even if it was via a voice recording just so I could remember an idea while I was driving. For being the first person to read Cessy and give me feedback. For never complaining when I sent you a million emails with nothing more than I changed some shit as the explanation. Thank you.
Michelle, damn you’ve been my best friend forever. Thank you for putting up with me all these years. For having the faith in me when I didn’t. Cessy wouldn’t have ever left my head without you telling me to “just fucking do it.”
To my tribe! Marie James, thank you for all the questions you’ve answered and help you’ve given. I can’t believe DDD wasn’t even a year ago. I feel like we’ve been friends forever.
Liberty Parker, Kayce Kyle and Darlene Tallman, hell where do I begin? You were the first authors I ever told I had started writing. It was at a time I was thinking about just throwing in the towel and saying, fuck it, I can’t do this. You all helped me, sometimes daily, pushing me to finish and make Cessy the best it could be. I will be eternally grateful!
Charlotte Stanley, I couldn’t be happier that you were recommended to me for editing. You helped my words shine better than I could even imagine. You’re amazing, and I look forward to working with you again.
Nicole Lloyd, you have helped me so much! I was nervous as hell when I asked you if you could be my PA. It was crazy to me that I even needed one, but you do so much to promote me and get Cessy out there. I would be lost regularly without you.
Elaine Holcolm, oh how I adore you! You were my bestest beta, but it’s been more than that. No matter what, I can always count on you to give me your opinion and help me with whatever crazy request I have. I am so blessed to have your support.
Lastly, to the readers. Thank you for taking a chance on Cessy, a chance on me. Thank you for every post you share and picture you like. You make this crazy ride worth it.
Sneak Peak
Havoc (Book 2 in the Silent Sons Series)
Prologue
Havoc
My father’s an asshole. It’s something I’ve known my whole life, but never in a million years would I guess he’s the twisted bastard he’s shown himself to be. Not only did he try to sell my best friend, Cessy, to the highest bidder, but my sister Lilly as well. His own flesh and blood!
What's even more fucked? There’s a possibility that he was successful in selling three of my half-sisters to the Infierno Cartel. Why would a father do that to his little girl?
Money.
And not only does the sick bastard get paid for his daughters, but he gets a bonus for every son they produce through their repetitive rape.
I’ve been hunting this motherfucker for five months. Every time I think I’ve got his ass, he slips through my fingers. There are no new leads as to where the hell he’s hiding out, and it just intensifies my shitty mood. I will not rest until I can put a bullet in his head and know he can never hurt those I love again.
As for my club? The Silent Sons MC have backed me the entire way. Snoopy feeds me leads whenever he gets them. As someone who was next in line to be the club Enforcer, I’m now considered a Nomad—only expected home if shit hits the fan.
What they don’t understand is even after I find this piece of shit, it won’t be over. If my sisters are still alive, I will find them and save them from the hell our father put them in. Going up against a cartel will likely lead to one thing—my death, but if I save them, it’ll be worth it.
Chapter 1
Havoc
The only reason I’m even here today, is that the three women that mean the most to me in this life would have my fucking head if I missed this day. Even now, standing up here next to my brothers, my mind isn’t in the moment.
I’ve had a one-track mind for the last five months, a single solitary goal—killing the piece of shit whose last name I carry. The motherfucker knows how to stay off the grid, and even with Snoopy’s help, I always seem to be one step behind.
I’m not the only one searching for him. The Infierno Cartel has their men combing the state, hell even the country, for him. That’s why I can’t waste any time. I want the pleasure of putting a bullet in his fucking head for what he did to my family, and I refuse to give that to anyone else.
Eventually, I’m sure Enterrador will turn his focus on us, The Silent Sons, for the part we played in that fateful day. But for now, he only has eyes for my father.
The music changes bringing me into the moment, as I watch the best friend I could ever ask for, walk down the aisle to meet my brother, Venom, and exchange vows.
Seeing her, reminds me of a night about three months ago when Venom called me…
When I answer a call from a familiar number back home, I pray that shit isn’t hitting the fan and I’m not needed back for club business.
“Hey, man,” I greet him, trying not to sound as annoyed as I am.
His voice is a bit nervous as he answers, “Hey, Havoc. How’s it going?”
“You know same ol’ shit, different day.”
“So, no new leads?”
“No, the fucker is in the wind. So, what’s up with you?”
“Well, I need to ask you something,” he informs me in a nervous tone.
“Oh, hell. Am I going to have to come home and kill you?”
“I hope not. I hope you’ll give your blessing and be happy for us.”
“No way, dude. Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I ask in astonishment.
“You know I love Reine more than I ever thought possible. I want to marry her, but I want to make sure her best friend isn’t going to take my fucking head off.”
“She loves you. I was worried when you first showed interest in her. But you two have been good for each other. I’m honored you asked, but if she’ll have your sorry ass forever, then I will support you.”
I look over at him all cleaned up for his wedding day and let joy take the place of all my rage, just for today. It kills me that I couldn’t be here when Venom asked her and gave her the cut he had made for her, but at least I’m here now.
He’s a braver man than I imagined, as he asked Rodeo and Wraith for their permission as well. I watch her walk toward the only man that could ever truly tame her. My Prez and Wraith are on either side of her, standing in for her pops to give her away.
She looks fucking amazing, but in true Reine style, she’s wearing a white lace see-through gown with only her unmentionables covered. Lil says Venom lost his shit when he saw the dress in the closet, but Reine won that fight in the long run. Hell, she usually does.
I watch as they become man and wife under strings of lights by the pool that’s been added to the back of the property our clubhouse sits on. The girls have done so much to the space, that I feel like a visitor in the place I once called home.
After the “I do's” are said, we move inside to the bar area for the reception. Mama catered the party, and instead of the traditional cake cutting, there’ll be pie for desert. By the time the party is in full swing, I’m itching to get back on the road again. I make my rounds, saying goodbye.
When I make it to the happy couple, a gorgeous Hispanic girl walks up to join us. I have never seen her before, but damn her eyes have me fucking staring.
“Did you hear me Havoc?” Reine asks drawing my attention to her.
“Uh, no sorry. What did you say?” I hear Venom chuckle—the ass— as she repeats herself.
“This is Angel. The woman I told you about from the cells.”
Damn, this is the girl that had her family killed by Martinez. “Nice to meet you,” I say putting my hand out to shake hers.
“She’ll be riding out with you when you leave tonight,” Reine throws in, and I pull my hand back with a quickness.
“The hell she is!” I roar.