I ducked my head out of my office and pulled in the closest officer. “What's your name?” I asked him.
He shivered in his boots as I sat back down on my desk. The skinny and frail man saluted me, his uniform immaculate and straight. “Moore, sir.” He quickly shook his head, sweat pouring down his forehead. “I mean miss.”
A tiny laugh escaped my lips. “At ease soldier, this isn't the army.”
Moore removed his hand from his head and rested it at his side. He still stood at attention though. Moore was the exact opposite of Johnson. What was he so scared of?
I looked over the files of the MC's. “Moore, you seem like a trustworthy guy.”
He nodded and grinned. “Yes, ma'am.”
“You can just call me, Sheriff.”
“Yes, Miss Sheriff.”
It was going to be a lot harder than I thought to get everyone on board for a female sheriff. “Moore, I have a big job for you to do. Do you think you can handle it?”
Moore gulped. “Well Sheriff Mendoza mostly kept me inside the station. Told me I'd do more harm out there than good.”
“Well there's a new sheriff in town and I need you to go out and set a meeting with the heads of the Rabid Dog MC and The Death Merchants MC for tomorrow morning. Do you think you can get that done?”
Moore looked as pale as a ghost. He swayed back and forth, ready to pass out. Maybe I picked the wrong officer? Moore took a deep breath. “It would be my honor, Miss Sheriff.”
Moore saluted me again and I couldn't help but salute him back. “Dismissed, soldier.”
Time to rock the boat in Sacks County.
Chapter Three
Sawyer
The morning air smelled of fresh brewed coffee and booze. My head was pounding and the pressure behind my eyes was building. My whole body felt sore like I ran a marathon during the night. Hangovers were a daily occurrence for me. Nothing that a shot of whiskey couldn't cure.
With my eyes closed, I groaned and shielded my face from the burning sun. I just needed a few more hours of sleep. I rolled over to get more comfortable and pulled the sheet over my head.
A soft voice whispered next to me, “You're one hell of a fuck, Sawyer. I can barely move my legs.”
My eyes shot open to find a blonde under the sheets next to me—Sadie. I'd slept with her once before but told myself that it would never happen again. Fuck and forget, Sawyer. It's not that hard. Apparently my drunk alter-ego had a mind of its own. Sadie was one of the MC groupies, meaning she'd fuck anyone with a patch and some ink. She gave one hell of a blowjob but she was a pretty lousy fuck. Over the years she had been passed around from member to member like a used bike. Her long fake eyelashes batted at me and I wanted to melt further into the covers.
I jolted out of bed and started putting my clothes on. “I need to go downstairs,” I told her, avoiding eye contact.
Sadie sat up and tucked the sheets around her heaving breasts. “We can go one more time.” She winked, dropping the sheets and exposing her big tits. The thought of coming all over her chest crossed my mind.
In your dreams, slut. I laughed at her as I slipped my leather cut on. I rushed out of the room without another word. She was trash and it was time to throw her out. Luckily the alcohol prevented me from remembering any of the details from last night.
I came downstairs to find Leland sitting at the bar, nursing a drink. His wedding ring reflected in the sunlight. He was the only member that was married which everyone thought he was crazy. Now he was going to be father which was absolutely insane. Cole came close once with Claire but that was ages ago.
“Rough night?” he asked me, taking a sip of liquor.
“You don't want to know.” I sat down next to him on the creaky barstool. “Get me one of those will ya?”
Leland reached behind the bar for an empty glass and poured me a shot of whiskey. I downed it in seconds, embracing the burn, feeling the hangover dissipate slowly. “What are you doing here so early in the morning? Don't you have a wife that needs tending?”
Leland finished his drink and nodded. “She had an early shift at the hospital. Couldn't fall back asleep after she left.”
“She's still working, even with the baby coming?”
Leland laughed. “Constance has a mind of her own. No amount of talking could convince her to stay home. She says that if the baby comes then she'll already be in the hospital.”
I poured myself another glass. “Can't argue with that.” I raised my glass and clinked it against Leland's.
“What's on the agenda for today?” Leland asked.
“We have a MC meeting in a couple hours. Or whenever everyone can get there drunk asses over here.”
“Know what the meeting is about?”
Should I tell him? Cole giving up the presidency was huge news. He was going to find out anyways in a couple hours. “Don't tell anyone else but Cole is stepping down as President and nominating me.”
Leland's eyes shot open. “No fucking way! Congratulations!”
I put my finger to my lips. “Shh. Keep it a secret for now. I want everyone to hear it from Cole first.”
Leland nodded. “Of course. Let's have another drink, shall we?”
There was still more to tell him but that surprise could wait until the meeting.
—
Cole slammed down the gavel on the wood table with a Rabid Dog spider engraved on it. All the members surrounded the table except for one empty seat that used to sit Isaac. The finances had become a fucking disaster since his death. We needed a new Treasurer and it would be up to me to find one.
“I'd like to just get it out there,” Cole began, “I'm stepping down as President of the Rabid Dog MC and nominating Sawyer to take my place.”
Everyone's jaws dropped except for mine and Leland's. I gave him a slight nod and turned my attention back to Cole.
Cole rubbed his wrinkly eyes. “I've been the head of this club for way too many years. I think it's time I finally let some new blood control the future. I'll still be around as an active member. But it will be nice to not have to deal with all the stress. Everyone in favor of Sawyer as President say aye.”
The table erupted with “Aye's” and fists slammed down on the wood. In one fell swoop, Cole ripped off my Vice-President patch and began stitching my President patch on. “Looks good on you,” Cole said, grinning. He stepped out of the way and gave me the head chair.
The applause roared through the small meeting room. There had only been two presidents of Rabid Dog before me and now I made the third. A new era. I waved my hands down for everyone to be quiet. After a moment of silence, I cleared my throat. “Thank you all. You don't know how much this patch means to me. First order of business is to nominate a Vice-President.” The club looked at each other, eyeing who could it be. “I nominate Leland to become Vice-President of Rabid Dog.” I didn't even get to call for a vote as everyone hammered their hands on the table.
Leland looked stunned as he sat down in my old chair. I'm glad I was able to surprise him. Leland thanked the room as Cole stitched my old patch on his chest. I'd need Leland during the dark times to come.
“As you all know,” I began, “The Death Merchants are about to wage war. Slade talked to the Blacks and they confirmed it. All of you need to step up and do your duty.” I looked into the eyes of every member. “We won't lose.”
There was a knock at the door and a prospect peeked his head in. “I have a police officer outside.”
“What does he want?” I asked.
“The sheriff wants to see the President tomorrow morning at ten.”
I looked over at Cole and he nodded to me. Everything fell to me now. “Tell the officer, I'll be there.” The prospect looked confused for a moment as he left. He would find out soon enough. I picked up the gavel that Cole had used so often over the years. The wood was cracked and old. Splinters were spiked out and threatened to pierce me. This job was going to be painful. I brought down the gavel w
ith all my might. “Meeting adjourned.”
Chapter Four
Charlotte
The sun was barely rising as I walked out of the Main Street coffee shop. The owner had moved on and the new management hadn't picked a name yet. I took a sip and the mediocre coffee warmed my throat. I'd die for a Starbucks right about now. The police station was empty as it should be at six in the morning. I turned on the lights to my small office and sat down. I took another long pull of coffee and threw away the rest. I was going to have to learn how to make my own coffee.
Today was going to my first real day as sheriff of Sacks County and I wasn't going to waste it. I opened the folder for the Death Merchants and grabbed Garcia's thick file. His rap sheet was longer than entire gangs I put away in Los Angeles. Kidnapping, rape, murder. This man had done it all and somehow got away with it. I looked over the trial notes and a common theme ran through each one—the star witness for the prosecution was nowhere to be found.
Officers came through and said good morning. Johnson was absent and I was kind of glad. He could stay away forever for all I cared. I didn't need such womanizing men in my station.
Officer Moore walked in and almost tripped over the threshold. I bit my bottom lip to keep from giggling. He was trying so hard to impress me. “Sheriff White, I have a Mr. Garcia here for his appointment.”
“Thank you, Officer Moore, you're dismissed.” I closed my eyes and chanted to myself. You got this, White. Don't let him run all over you.
A Mexican biker strolled in wearing all leather. A small mustache hugged his upper lip and a black eye-patch was over his left eye. Tattoos of all kinds covered his arms including a gun pointed at the Virgin Mary. He was only a tiny bit intimidating. “Where's Sheriff Mendoza?” he asked, standing in the doorway.
“You didn't see the press release then.” I stood up and put out my hand. “Name's White, I'm the new sheriff in town.” My inner schoolgirl was giggling off to the corner. I'd been waiting my entire life to say that.
Garcia laughed and ignored my hand. “They hired some chica to run this town. I knew Mendoza was an idiot.”
This town was going to need a wake-up call. I disregarded his remark and motioned for him to sit down. Garcia glanced behind and noticed two armed guards at the door. I knew he wouldn't try anything in the middle of a police station but I wanted him to know that I didn't take chances. The biker reluctantly sat down and crossed his arms.
“Look Mr. Garcia, I know we're enemies here. But we have one thing in common: a desire to see less blood on the streets. I know about your upcoming war with the Rabid Dog MC and I want to try and stop it. I didn't come here to try and shut any of of the MC's down. I know I need to work with them to make sure this town runs smoothly. But I can't have innocents dying on my watch.”
Garcia listened intently and leaned forward when my speech was over. His right eye twitched and I wondered what happened to his left. “Listen here, puta, I don't work with the cops. I kill cops. The Rabid Dog MC is going down and there's nothing you can do to stop it.” Garcia pushed my desk and made me jump out of my seat. The two armed guards rushed into the room but I waved them away. “Better sleep with one eye open, Sheriff.”
That meeting was a disaster. A woman running this town was going to be harder than I thought. So many preconceived notions that women are trash that are only to be used for sex. I'd have a long uphill battle to change everyone's minds.
My watch read 9:30 AM which meant I still had a little time before the president from Rabid Dog showed up. I pulled out the MC folder and found Cole's file. He was older than Garcia and his rap sheet was almost non-existent—a few speeding tickets, breaking-and entering, and illegal use of firearms. He spent six months in jail but that was it. Either this guy was a saint or knew how to cover his tracks. He'd been president of Rabid Dog for a long time and probably racked up a lot of bodies.
Moore came in and looked nervous. Sweat was beading on his brow and he kept fiddling with his glasses. “The president of the Rabid Dog MC is here.”
“Well you don't have to be shaking in your boots. He's not going to kill anyone. Man up, Moore.”
Moore kicked his feet together and saluted. “Yes, Sheriff.” He marched out of my office and I couldn't help but laugh a little. He was the only man I could trust in this whole town and he barely had any brains.
I closed the Rabid Dog MC file when a towering figure entered the office. He wasn't Cole. I expected a tired old man. This guy was younger with shoulder-length blond hair and sleeves of tattoos on his arms. He was built like an ox and wore jeans with the famous motorcycle club leather cut. What was so cool about motorcycles and leather?
“I was expecting the president of the Rabid Dog MC,” I stated.
“And I was expecting the sheriff of Sacks County,” he replied, sitting down in the chair. He leaned back and put his boots on my desk, knocking over the few pictures I had. “Where's Mendoza?”
I tried my best to ignore his monstrous display of manners. “Mendoza retired. I'm the new sheriff.”
“Well isn't that funny. I thought the man would die before giving up his badge.”
I shifted my legs underneath the desk. “So where's Cole? I need to speak to the Rabid Dog MC leader.”
The stranger pointed at his left breast, tapping on a white patch that said: President. “Ours retired too. I'm the new leader of Rabid Dog, Sawyer Taylor.” He squinted his eyes and read my name tag. “Charlotte White, a female sheriff isn't going to last long here.”
I felt like taking out my gun and shooting him in the leg. That would show him who's in charge. The name Sawyer sounded familiar. I mentally scrolled through the list of Rabid Dog members and remembered Sawyer as the vice-president. The logical choice to replace the president.
“Well since we got that squared away, can we get on with business?” I asked.
Sawyer grinned. “By all means, Sheriff.” His dark eyes looked right into mine and then down my neckline.
Every man I'd encountered in Sacks had checked me out. Wasn't much different than LA. Except here, it felt like the men actually believed I'd be that easy. I took down some notes in the Rabid Dog file. “Sawyer, I'm sure you're aware that The Death Merchants are about to start a war.” I waited for him to acknowledge it but he just kept on staring at me. “I want to keep this town safe and I was hoping that we could work together. Maybe stop this war before it starts.”
Sawyer's eyes were glazed over. His lips were partly open and breathing heavily. Was this guy even listening to me? I pounded my fist on the desk and Sawyer blinked, waking from his daydream. “You're not paying attention.”
Sawyer lifted his boots off my desk and set them back on the ground. “Sorry Sheriff, what were you talking about?”
This man was so fucking frustrating. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to remember how to meditate from my karate sensei. “As the President of the Rabid Dog MC, I was hoping you could prevent the war between the clubs.”
“Hey I don't want any collateral damage either. I'll do everything in my power to stop this war from starting.”
This was a lot easier than with Garcia. “That's all I ask,” I replied. I stood up to signal that it was time for him to leave. Sawyer sat in his seat, looking me up and down one more time before rising. What a creep.
“Nice to meet you, Sheriff.” He winked at me before leaving.
Not going to happen, buddy. Not in a million years.
Chapter Five
Sawyer
I pulled up into the police station on my Harley and parked in between a couple black-and-whites. I'd been here plenty of times before. Mostly for bullshit charges like carrying a concealed weapon and getting in bar fights. I can thank Slade and Leland for that. Those guys were one second away from blowing up when they had alcohol in their system.
I swaggered into the front office, loving the fact that I didn't have bracelets holding my wrists together. The brunette secretary behind the counter lo
oked up at me from behind her glasses. I recognized her from the bar a few weeks ago. I took her home and fucked her so hard she cried. I didn't remember her telling me she worked for the cops though.
“What can I help you with, sir?” she asked, ignoring the elephant in the room.
Cole: A Bad Boy Romance Page 10