Brash: A Bad Boy Biker Romance (Black Reapers Motorcycle Club Book 1)

by Jade Kuzma

  Everybody looked around the table at one another. It was as if they were waiting for somebody else to speak up. But nobody said anything.

  “Nothing?” Garnet said, his hands on his hips in frustration. “None of you fuckheads could come up with anything?”

  “I got something,” I said.

  “All right, Brash. Let’s hear it.”

  The club turned their attention to me.

  “I was talking to someone,” I said. “She works at Amy’s Bakery.”

  “Yeah, the donut place,” Garnet said. “We’ve all been to Amy’s. What about it?”

  “She said Amy is struggling a little bit. She thought maybe there was some way she could figure out how to improve her business.”

  “And?”

  “And I told her that maybe we could help her out. We go into business with the bakery and make a little scratch.”

  “Are you serious?” Needle interrupted me.

  He leaned forward across the table. He did a shitty job of trying to hold his laughter back.

  “You want us to invest in a bakery?” he said. “What are we gonna do, sell cookies? Do we look like fucking Girl Scouts?”

  Everybody at the table started laughing.

  “Always looking at the small picture,” I said to Needle. “You’re not looking at the big picture.”

  I stood up from my seat and got everybody’s attention.

  “It’s not just Amy’s,” I said. “The place is an institution but there are a lot of places like that in Ivory. Take Finn’s, for example. The place is always packed.”

  “What are you saying?” Garnet said. “Do you want us to invest in Finn’s, too?”

  “No. What I’m saying is there are plenty of places in Ivory we need to check out. There are places that should never go out of business because the people love ‘em too much. Just like Amy’s. We help ‘em out and raise some money for them there, not only do we get our money back when the bakery starts making some scratch, but we get some goodwill, too.”

  “Goodwill,” Needle scoffed. “Listen to this guy.”

  “There are too many clubs in Ivory. We’ve gotta let the people living here know that we’re the only ones that matter. We’ve gotta let them know they can depend on us. When people are in trouble, they don’t go to the cops. They come to us. Why should it be any different with businesses?”

  Everybody was silent as they looked at one another. I put my hands on my hips in frustration. Trying to get through to these fucks was like trying to eat soup with a knife.

  “I’m sure you’ve got the best of intentions,” Garnet said. “But I still don’t see the money in it. You think a sweet old woman is gonna let us, a biker club, in on her cookie business?”

  “Why not? We’re just as much a part of Ivory as she is.”

  Garnet looked at me for a second then scratched his forehead. He sighed a deep breath and shook his head.

  “And how exactly are we gonna make any money to invest in the bakery?” he asked.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I haven’t figured that part out yet. But we could start with a fundraiser.”

  “A fundraiser?”

  “Yeah. We’ll hold it right here at the clubhouse. Everybody loves Amy’s. Once they realize she’s struggling, they’ll donate a few bucks. That’ll be enough to help them out. And I’m sure business will pick up for her after that.”

  “And then how do we get our money back?”

  “More people will come to us. Once they figure out what we’ve done for Amy, they’ll start asking us for financial help. We’ll be the place people will turn to when they’re down on their luck. We’ll be the ones who they can depend on. The whole town will support us.”

  “That’s a great idea,” Needle said, clapping sarcastically. “Let’s turn the fucking club into a charity.”

  “Shut the fuck up!” I barked at him. “I don’t see you coming up with any ideas.”

  “No idea is better than anything you’ve said—”

  “Settle down!” Garnet said. “Sit down, Brash.”

  Needle was smiling confidently at me. Even though he was a patch, he wasn’t my favorite person at the moment. I glared at him before eventually taking a seat back down.

  “All right,” Garnet said. “I think I get it. We can help Amy out and get some goodwill. People will start looking to us and maybe business at the clubhouse will pick up. Who knows, maybe Amy or another business will decide to let us in on their profits. That’s an option.”

  Garnet held his hand up in the air.

  “Any other ideas?”

  The chapel was silent.

  “All right then,” Garnet said. “Let’s take a vote. Everybody in favor of moving weight, let it be known.”

  Needle raised his hand first. Then every other patch followed. I looked over at Ghost next to me and he did the same.

  “Sorry, brother,” he said to me.

  I sighed when Garnet stuck his hand into the air. I was the only one at the table not raising my hand.

  “And all those in favor of Brash’s idea to help out Amy’s Bakery, let it be known.”

  I was looking down at the ground when I raised my hand. I didn’t have to look to know that I was the only one.

  “All right then,” Garnet announced. “It’s decided. I’ll talk to my connect and we can start moving soon. Keep your schedules clear. This is serious shit. Sheriff’s Department just bulked up their force, so they’ve got their eyes peeled. We don’t wanna get caught on our first job with our thumbs up our asses. We’d never be able to live it down. Meeting adjourned.”

  Garnet excused everybody from the chapel and they all dispersed.

  I slowly made my way back into the clubhouse. Everybody was all smiles but I wasn’t in the mood to celebrate with them.

  I made my way over to the bar and helped myself to a beer. All of the damn thoughts swirling around in my head made me want to knock myself out.

  “How you feeling, brother?”

  I felt a pat on the back as Ghost took a seat down next to me.

  “It’s all right,” he continued. “It wasn’t a bad idea. I see where you’re coming from. But shit is getting serious around here. The boys need more money to spend.”

  “Maybe they should consider getting real jobs.”

  “Yeah, what an idea,” Ghost said with a laugh. “All the boys only got loyalty to the club. That’s all the fucking matters. You know that. All that other shit is secondary. If there’s a job to score some good cash, they’re gonna take it.”

  “Yeah, I know how it is.”

  “What happened to you? Last time I remember, you were all about the job Garnet was talking about. All of a sudden, you’re changing your mind?”

  I didn’t respond. I wasn’t about to admit Lydia was on my mind. But he still prodding me like a fucking cattle.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked. “It’s been a few weeks since you’ve been out.”

  “I’m… I’m fine.”

  I downed the rest of my beer. The alcohol was bitter but it was enough to loosen me up so my thoughts weren’t racing.

  “What’s her name again?” Ghost asked suddenly.

  “Who?” I said as I looked at him.

  “Come on. Don’t bullshit me. I know it’s someone. You just mentioned you were talking to someone at Amy’s Bakery. And it wasn’t Amy and it wasn’t Gina either. I know that for a fact.”

  We shared a laugh. I shook my head and sighed, knowing I couldn’t keep anything from Ghost.

  “Lydia,” I said. “Her name is Lydia. She’s new in town.”

  “She must be. I would have remembered a name like that.”

  “She’s special, man.”

  “Oh, shit…”

  “What?”

  Ghost reeled so far back in his seat I thought he was gonna fall over.

  “What?” I said again.

  Ghost laughed to himself and shook his head at me.

  “Don’t tel
l me you’re falling in love. Already?”

  “I’m not falling in love,” I said. “Shit, I know better than that.”

  “Really? I can’t tell at the moment. You’re talking about this girl you just met and calling her special when I haven’t met her.”

  “She is though. She’s not like the bitches in this town. She’s not from here.”

  “She’s not from here?” Ghost said with a laugh. “That’s always a good start.”

  “It’s more than just that though. She’s smart. She’s hard-working. She didn’t just fall to her knees and start sucking my cock like all of these chicks trying to be an old lady.”

  “But she did suck your cock though, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “My man.”

  Ghost gave me a hearty slap on the back and laughed to himself.

  “But there’s something else about her,” I said.

  “Something else? Like what?”

  “That’s just it. I don’t know. It’s just… I can’t explain it. She’s special, man. You’ve gotta believe me on this.”

  Ghost sighed a deep breath and nodded.

  “I get it,” he said.

  “You do?”

  “Sure. You were locked up for three fucking years. I did my time, too. Not that long but I know it’s fucking rough. Your first time getting out and diving into some pussy… That shit is a fucking oasis.”

  He leaned in close to me and looked me right in the eye. It was easy to tell when Ghost was being serious because he always had that look in his eye.

  He held his index finger up to me.

  “I hear what you’re saying,” he said. “Maybe this Lydia chick is special. But you can’t ignore the possibility that you’re just fucking horny as shit. You’ve been holding back for so long. Now you’re telling me she’s special but you can’t explain it. Don’t fall in love with the pussy, my brother. That shit is more dangerous than anything else.”

  “I know it is.”

  “You be careful now.”

  Ghost patted me on the back again before standing up to leave. But just before he left me alone, he said something else.

  “When am I gonna meet this chick?”

  I looked over at Ghost and smirked at him.

  “You know damn well I’m not bringing a woman to the clubhouse before she’s ready for it,” I said.

  “Smart man. But if she is special, she’s gonna have to come around here eventually. You’re a Reaper. That’s who you are.”

  “I’ll bring her around. One day. I just need to make sure she’s down for it.”

  Chapter 9

  LYDIA

  I could never quite get over Finn’s Bar. It was only my second time there but I didn’t think I would get used to it if I went there a million times. The scene of bikers and women surrounding me was like being on a completely different planet. Thankfully, I wasn’t alone.

  “How do you know her?” I asked.

  “It’s a small town. Everybody knows everybody. Amy’s has been around for a long time, along with the people who work there.”

  “I suppose it helps that she loves drawing attention to herself.”

  “Yeah, she does. She definitely does.”

  Sean and I laughed as we watched my coworker dance off to the side of the bar. Gina was surrounded by a couple of bikers who were vying for her attention. They were both muscled and intimidating with tattoos up and down their arms. It was hard to tell which one would win if they got into a fight over her.

  “Who do you think she’s going to pick?” I said.

  “Who said she has to pick at all?”

  “That’s a good point.”

  “A girl like Gina… She knows exactly who she is and she’s not afraid to show it.”

  “That’s probably for the best. I’d hate to see a fight break out in the middle of the bar.”

  “Why not? Too much excitement for you?”

  “Excitement I can handle. Watching two guys take swings at each other? I would head back to the big city if I wanted to see that.”

  I looked over at Sean and he smiled back at me. He looked especially charming tonight. Maybe it was the atmosphere at Finn’s that made him fit in so well. But whatever it was, there was no other man I would rather be with at the moment.

  “I don’t even know why she bothers inviting me out,” I said. “As soon as we get here, she’s off gallivanting with the first guy to show her any attention.”

  “That’s what the bar is for. Just a bunch of horny men and women who are looking for a good time.”

  “And is that what you’re looking for?” I said, raising an eyebrow at him. “You’re just a horny man looking for a good time?”

  “Any man who tells you he’s not horny is a fucking liar. And if he says it to a woman like you… He’s definitely lying about it.”

  I felt my face blushing from the way he stared at me. I shook my head to distract myself from the thought of him wanting me. I sipped on my drink next to the bar while Sean kept me company.

  It was still early in the evening and the patrons in the bar were only just beginning to get rowdy.

  “I had an interesting visit today at the bakery,” I said.

  “Oh, yeah?”

  “I met a guy. He said his name was Ben.”

  “Ben?”

  “Officer Rose, I think he said his name was.”

  “Right. Officer Rose. I think I’ve heard that name before. What about him?”

  “He said the Sheriff’s Department was doing some investigations. They were looking into the activity of some of the motorcycle clubs in this town…”

  Sean wasn’t looking at me, his attention taken by the rest of the bar.

  “…You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

  He didn’t respond immediately. He sipped on his beer like he hadn’t heard what I said. Considering how loud it was in the bar, I considered that a possibility. But I waited patiently for a response and he eventually gave it to me.

  “I know something about it,” he said. “Cops and bikers. They just don’t mix. It’s like water and oil. The Sheriff’s Department is always getting on our case.”

  “That’s true. But do you have something to hide?”

  He slowly turned and looked at me. His brown eyes locked on mine, he stared at me with a seriousness I hadn’t seen in him before.

  “What if I did?” he said. “Would that scare you?”

  “I… I’m not sure. What are you up to exactly?”

  “Club business is club business. I’m afraid I can’t share it with you.”

  “Right. I get that. Still… I’m a little concerned.”

  “Concerned? For me?”

  “You just got out. I was there when you talked to Sheriff Sutton at the bakery. I’m sure they’re keeping a close eye on you. I just… I wouldn’t want you to do anything crazy and get caught, that’s all.”

  It was strange. I barely knew Sean but I was already worried about him. Knowing that he was possibly putting himself in jeopardy with the cops watching him made me feel uneasy in a way I wasn’t expecting.

  Sean stared at me like he believed what I was saying. He hesitated for a second before finally saying something.

  “You don’t have anything to worry about,” he sighed. “In fact, I was talking to the club about the bakery.”

  “You were?”

  “I told them about possibly supporting Amy’s. I told them it might be a good investment. For the club and for the city.”

  “That’s great! What did they say?”

  Sean shook his head. The disappointed look on his face told me enough.

  “They weren’t up for it,” he said. “But maybe you can change their mind.”

  “Me? What can I do?”

  “Just… be you. Talk to them. Garnet’s a good man. I’ve known him for a long time. He’ll listen. I’m sure you can convince him that this is a good deal. All you have to do is tell him how he could
make some money.”

  “Right… Make some money… Of course… Yeah, I’ll have to think about it but… Thank you, Sean. I really appreciate it.”

  “You know, if you really appreciate it, there’s something you can do for me.”

  He gave me a knowing look. I bit the corner of my bottom lip, trying to fight the smile from coming to my face.

  Dammit!

  His stare. That damn stare. That’s all it took to light a fire in my stomach and make me lose my sanity.

  “All right,” I said with a nod. “I do appreciate it and I will pay you back. But you’ll have to remind me of what it is you had in mind.”

  “I think you know what’s on my mind…”

  He leaned in closer to me. His face drifting toward mine, Sean was breathing on my lips.

  “You!”

  A loud voice interrupted our kiss.

  I jerked my head back and looked at the man standing before us. Everybody in the bar turned and looked at him, too.

  He was pale-skinned with a shaved head. In place of hair, there was a line of black tattoos across his head. They trailed down his neck and around his shoulders.

  He looked like a biker. Blue jeans, boots and a leather vest. I looked for patches but there were none.

  He had his eyes locked on Sean as he slowly moved toward him.

  “You,” the man said. “You fucking asshole. You’ve got some nerve showing up back here.”

  Sean was glaring back at the man. His jaw clenched, Sean stared at the stranger like he was trying to burn a hole through him. He put his hand on my arm and gently pushed me away. I gulped as a sudden nervousness filled my stomach.

  “Poison… What the fuck do you want?” Sean said.

  “You know what the fuck this is about,” the man said. “My brother—”

  “Your brother was a piece of shit.”

  He rushed up to Sean and put his face right to his. Everybody started crowding around, holding the man back before he could do anything more. I looked down and noticed that Sean had both hands balled into fists. Tension started to fill the bar and the rowdy conversation slowly started to quiet.