by Bec Botefuhr
CHIEF’S ANGEL
All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written permission of the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the Author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this Author.
Copyright © 2013 Bec Botefuhr
Published by Bec Botefuhr, Jan 2013
Chief’s Angel is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the Author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the Author. Please do not take offence to the content, as it is FICTION.
Books in this Series
Phoenix Rockstar (Book One)
Heart Song (Book Two)
Chief’s Angel (Book Three)
Join my Facebook page “Author Bec Botefuhr” to get updates on more of my work!
Coming Soon
Forsaken – Book Two in the Witness Series (March 2013)
One Single Moment – Stand-alone Erotica/romance. (March 2013)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For everyone who believed in me, who knew that I could do it even when I didn’t believe it. My family, friends, co-workers and everyone who said “You can do it.” Thank you.
For my husband’s patience and love, and for not hitting me over the head for all the hours I have spent working on my novels. For my gorgeous daughters who are the best children a Mother could ask for.
For all my fans, for their encouragement and belief, for their kind words and amazing hearts. You all make this possible for me.
I would like to put out an extra special mention, to an amazing editor and friend Ryn Hughes. She did this editing for me, and put hours and hours of work into it. Not only did she do all this, but she talked me through it, helping me learn and grow at the same time. Without her, this book wouldn’t be what it is. I owe her my sanity, and I want to share her with the world. She is looking for extra work; she is starting out as an editor and is AMAZING. You can find her on Facebook – her page name is ‘Delphi Rose’ Please go on and support her, she is doing an amazing thing.
PROLOGUE
SUMMER 1983
“Screw them, screw them all. I’m tired of doing what they tell me all the time. I’m sick of being treated like a child, treated like I get no say so in my life. I get a say so, it’s my life!” I mumble to myself.
I push the glass door open, and step into the small studio. I look around at all the bright, in-your-face pictures on the walls. I can hear the buzzing sound of tattoo guns, mixed with the sounds of people talking. It smells clean, like a hospital almost. I swallow down my nerves and step forward. A burly man walks out from what appears to be some sort of office and runs his eyes over me.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes, I’m here to get a tattoo.”
He raises his brows. “Have you got identification?”
I nod, pulling out a fake ID that my close friend Jaxson had gotten for me. He was the king of fake IDs and getting into places he wasn’t allowed to go. The man runs a thumb and forefinger over his goatee, and then nods.
“Fine, Caden will be done in ten. Know what you want?”
I swallow; nerves are causing my stomach to turn in the worst possible way. I know I look pale and I’m probably sweating unnecessarily.
“Yes, I do.”
He nods and shows me to a couch before returning to the office. I wait nervously, with my head down. I’m doing something for myself, something I have always wanted to do, I can’t chicken out now.
“You next?”
I hear the husky, male voice and look up. My eyes widen at the young man standing in front of me. He has dark hair, almost black and it is tousled and messy looking. His eyes are a smoky grey, and stunning against his light olive skin. He is tall with broad shoulders and has tattoos covering his arms. He narrows his eyes at me, and suddenly I can’t find my own voice.
“Well?”
“Yes?” I whisper.
“Do you know what you’re doin’ here, girl?”
“I’m getting a tattoo.”
“Are you old enough?”
I swallow. “I have ID.”
He eyes me for a long moment, then nods.
“Come on through then.”
“Y-y-you?” I stammer, “You’re doing it?”
He’s so young.
Overhearing our conversation, the man from earlier responds before Caden can speak, “Caden is an apprentice, but his work is amazing. He has been with us for just over two years. You can look beforehand if you like?”
“Oh no, it’s okay.”
Caden stares at me again, giving me shivers all over. He turns and I follow him into another office furnished with a long, black chair and a lot of needles and guns. He begins preparing his station and draws out the little butterfly I chose.
“How old are you?” I ask.
“Twenty One this year.”
Wow, he is young.
“Oh, that’s good.”
He turns and studies me, “You sure you should be in here?”
“I’m sure.”
“What’s your name, Angel?”
Angel? My heart skitters.
“Um, it’s Mandy.”
“Well Mandy, you ready?”
“Yes.”
I lie on the chair and pull down my jeans to expose my hip. His eyes widen and I can’t help but notice them moving over my body. I suppress a smile; knowing I’m filled out for a seventeen year old. When he puts the needle to my skin, I grit my teeth but don’t make a sound. His eyes narrow in concentration as he moves the needle over my skin. He is so beautiful; something about him has my throat tight with want.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re rebelling?”
“I just wanted to do something different, something for me,” I reply through gritted teeth.
“Tough family?”
“Not tough, more over protective and obsessive.”
He snorts, “And that’s bad?”
“No, of course not,” I sigh, “but when your family has a lot of money and you don’t get a say so in how your life goes, it gets draining.”
“Yeah, I get you. I’d rather be free too.”
I smile and he looks up at me with a dazzling grin. My heart flutters, I’ve never had a crush on a boy; I’ve never had time to. Yet this man is causing all sorts of reactions in my body.
“You look real pretty when you smile Angel,” he says, and turns back to his work.
“Do you enjoy tattooing?” I ask, watching the needling glide across my skin.
“Well I love art, and this is my kinda art.”
I chuckle, “I suppose so.”
“What about you? You like art?”
I grin, “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
He laughs, “No, I guess you wouldn’t.”
“Is this all you do?”
“Nah, I work as a mechanic here and there.”
“Oh?”
“I like cars.”
“You look like you prefer bikes.”
He looks up at me and grins, “I ride bikes, I like cars.”
“Do you drive cars?”
“Nope.”
“At all?”
“Nope.”
“Seriously?”
“Yep.”
“Man of many words I see?”
He meets my gaze, “You always talk so much?”
“I tend to have a bad habit of it, yes.”
“Well, with a pretty mouth like yours, you might as well put it to use.”
Did he just say that?! I feel my cheeks turn crimson. Finishing the tattoo he stands back and wipes it one last time. I look down at the pretty blue butterfly on my hip and smile.
“I love it.”
“See, just ‘cause I’m young, don’t mean I’m stupid.”
“I didn’t think you were stupid,” I whisper.
His eyes meet mine and he stands, offering his hand. I take it and shake it, his grip tightens and I’m sure he pulls me a touch forward.
“It was nice meeting you Mandy. Be sure to take care of that tattoo.”
I smile, meeting his gaze and a shudder runs through me. I have never felt this drawn to a complete stranger before and it’s overwhelming.
“Thank you,” I say, reluctantly letting his hand go and dragging my gaze away from his.
“Take care, little Angel.”
~*~*~*~
“Oh. My. Goodness!” My Mother screams.
“Stop, Mother, it’s nothing.”
“You’re seventeen!”
“Who did this?” My Father hisses.
“Please, it was my choice.”
“There is only one tattoo shop she could have gotten to herself. I’m going down there.”
“Daddy, please don’t,” I cry.
“How could you?” My Mother says, clutching her chest.
“I wanted it.”
“You disappoint me Amanda.”
“Mom!”
She turns and walks out, and my Father grips his keys.
“Daddy please?!” I beg.
He doesn’t answer me; he just storms out the door. I feel hot tears stream down my cheeks. I wasn’t careful enough; my Mother walked in when I was changing and she saw the tattoo. I don’t know why I thought I could hide it. I put my head in my hands and sigh; I wish just for one moment in my life, I could live how I wanted to live. Just for one, damn, moment.
CHAPTER ONE
TWO YEARS LATER – SPRING 1987
“Happy Birthday Girl!” My best friend Jaxson grins.
I beam and throw my arms around his neck.
“Oh thanks Jaxson! I can’t believe I’m finally Twenty One!”
“I can’t believe you’re finally moving out of your parent’s house.”
“Hey now, give me a break; I had to find a job and a place.”
“We are going to have so much fun, you know that don’t you?”
I grin at Jaxson. He’s been my friend for as long as I can remember. He is the epitome of camp and everyone hated him for it during school; everyone except me. I knew what it was like to be different, to have people tease and taunt you for not being like everyone else. Jaxson is a sweet, loyal friend but no one ever wanted to look past the fact that he was gay. I’m grateful though, because, in doing so, they sent him to me.
He smiles at me and his hazel eyes twinkle. Most girls swoon over Jaxson; at least until they find out he's gay. His honey colored hair is stylishly messy, his body is long and lean, and he has a face to fit the cover of a magazine. He could be a model if he wanted to; he has the perfect look for it. He has big dimples when he smiles, and could wear a potato sack and make it look hot.
“So when do we get your things and get moving?”
“I’m doing it tomorrow. I’ll let my parents have my birthday; they don’t need me causing them anymore heartache.”
“Their baby is moving out and they’re losing control!”
I laugh, “That’s exactly it.”
He sighs and then another smile spreads across his face.
“You keen for the beach party tonight?”
I frown, “It isn’t exactly how I expected my birthday night to go, but I suppose it is my first proper party.”
“It’s huge and everyone will be there. You’ll love it.”
“I’m sure I will,” I laugh, walking over to my closet. “What do you think I should wear?”
Jaxson and I are digging through my closet, when my parents walk in.
“There she is. Happy birthday sweetheart!” My Mother smiles.
I stand and rush over, letting her embrace me. She lets me go, and stands back whilst my Father does the same. When I pull back, he hands me a box. I beam and tear open the packaging. I open the box to find a key. No way…
No.
Freaking.
Way!
“No…” I whisper.
“Happy Birthday baby! Go look in the driveway.”
I squeal and leap up and down. Jaxson runs over and looks inside the box.
“Oh no you did not!”
We run down the stairs, and out in the driveway is a hot little red convertible. I feel my mouth drop open; Jaxson makes a squealing noise beside me. I spin around and beam at my parents.
“I can’t believe it! I love it! I love it! Thank you,” I gush, hugging my Mother.
“We thought since you’re moving out, you needed a way to get home and visit.”
“Oh thank you, thank you!”
I hug them once more before Jaxson and I jump into the car and take it for a spin. It’s so beautiful and the ride is so smooth; I feel a million bucks sitting in it.
“I can’t believe you got a car for your birthday.”
“Oh God, this is the best day ever!”
CHAPTER TWO
“You look smoking tonight.” Gary says, sliding up beside me.
Gary is my parents’ idea of the perfect man. They’ve been trying to set us up for years and while I try, I just can’t seem to get close to him. He’s handsome enough, with his blonde hair that is cropped short and his blue eyes. Most girls swoon over him when we are in public, and I can see why. We’re just so different; chalk and cheese.
“Thanks,” I finally say.
“How’d you like the party so far?”
I look around at the hundreds of people on the beach; a large fire lights up their happy faces.
“It‘s cool.”
“Want a drink?”
“Sure.”
I don’t drink much as a rule but seeing as tonight is my birthday I’ve been told very firmly by Jaxson - who is currently grinding with a man - that if I don’t drink he’ll give me the biggest wedgie of my life; which, considering he has a huge fascination with them, is a threat I have no doubt he will follow through with. I sit down in the sand and stare around at the people chatting, kissing, dancing and enjoying themselves.
A soft breeze tickles my face and I breathe it in; combined with the scent of smoke it’s actually quite enjoyable. I smile and lean back against an old log, relishing the warmth of the fire. Suddenly, a pair of heavy, black boots stop right in front of me. My gaze travels upwards to set on an extremely attractive man. His face is so familiar, grey eyes with dark hair. Where do I know him from?
“It is you.”
I shake my head slightly. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
He grins, and my heart does a flip flop. It hits me hard and fast and I remember those eyes as if it were yesterday; the tattoo artist, Caden.
“You don’t remember me?”
“I…yes…Caden right?”
“Right.”
He kneels in front of me and I feel my heart thump wildly. He would only be twenty five now and his face is dazzling. His jaw is square, his lips are full and his eyes are so full of sex and lust I have to look away. I get a glimpse of his body. He has filled out over the past two years; his body is solid and defined. He has more tattoos, and is decked out in all black, giving him a very dangerous look.
“You know your Father beat the shit out of me for tattooing a seventeen year old girl, don’t you?”
I look up and flush.
“I’m sorry.”
“Then, I couldn’t even find that girl to give her a piece of my mind,” Those full lips of his tilt up as he grins, “But what do you know? Two years later, I show up to check out a beach party and here you are.”
“I’m sorry, I really am.”
“Shit like that coulda had the shop closed down! What were you thinkin’ girl?”
“I…look, I’m sorry okay?”
He looks away and shakes his head, “I should kick your ass.”
I frown.
“You wouldn’t kick a girl’s ass, would you?”
He looks back at me and laughs, “No, but at the time I probably would have.”
Relief floods through me. “Why are you here?”
“Me and my crew were just checkin’ the party out.”
“Your crew?” I ask, confused.
“The Phoenix Motorcycle Club.”
“You’re in a Motorcycle Club?” I gasp.
“It’s not like that; keep your shirt on. So I’m part of a Club but don’t go getting yourself all riled up; we aren’t about to pull a gun and go crazy.”
A Motorcycle Club?! Why does that scare and excite me all at the same time?
“Oh, okay, well it was good seeing you.”
He narrows his eyes and grins lazily at me.
“Moved out of your parent’s house yet, Princess?”
Outraged by this presumptuous nickname, my temper kicks in. “Don’t call me a Princess! And, not that it’s any of your business, but I move out tomorrow.”
“Good, when can I take you out?”
Temper deflated, I feel my eyes widen and a gasp escapes my lips, “You can’t.”
Caden tilts his head questioningly, “Why not?”
“I’m kind of seeing someone.”
“Kind of? That isn’t enough to stop me.”
“But I don’t know you.”
“No, but I figure you don’t know anyone you take out for the first time, do ya?”
“What if I don’t want to?” I protest, crossing my arms defiantly.
“Oh Angel, you want to. Heck, I can see the pretty pink in your cheeks. Here’s how I see it; you owe me for getting the shit kicked out of me, and nearly having my shop closed down, yeah?”