Sexy Bastards Anthology: Bad Boy, Biker, Alpha, Motorcycle Club, Contemporary Romance Collection

by Lexy Timms

  Morgan stepped out of a door near the back just as men began pulling guns out all around her and firing. The stink of the gunpowder, and the deafening crashes of sound propelled her forward. She scrambled on the floor and up as she ran as fast as she could—right into Morgan, her body colliding with his. They both fell to the floor. “Stay down!” Her scream was high and thin. “They’re shooting people!”

  His arms encircled around her. He rolled them across the floor. His scent filled her nose and his broad chest cradled her close. He rolled them into his office and pushed her against the desk, his body sheltering hers as more gunfire erupted behind them.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” His voice, right in her ear, cleared her head.

  “I came to talk to you.” More gunfire. She heard screams and she flinched, burying tight against his chest.

  “You have lousy timing.”

  He was actually laughing! His chest shook as he chuckled. If she wasn’t so freakin’ scared for her life, she’d have hit him and then kissed him.

  “I need my gun. I have to get out there. You. You stay here.”

  Then he was gone.

  Katie crawled along the floor, her hands and knees meeting broken glass and ruined carpet. Morgan grabbed several guns from behind the desk and headed out of the door shooting. He slammed the door behind him.

  Katie caught her breath. Her father had forced her to take target training, saying she might need it one day because she was a Wilkes. She wouldn’t admit it to him at the time, but she’d enjoyed holding and aiming a gun and as she trained she earned several sharpshooting awards.

  She spotted a rifle still sitting in the gun cabinet behind the desk and grabbed it. Without a second thought, she loaded it and took the box of shells with her as she dashed back into the bar.

  Morgan was walking toward the fray, not even ducking and her heart raced. He was either the craziest man to ever live or the bravest. A man with an OutKast jacket on raised his gun, the barrel pointed towards Morgan. He didn’t notice the guy taking aim, he was too busy shooting at someone else.

  Her heart slammed hard into her ribs. She’d shot targets and game, never people.

  But today seemed to be a day for doing things she had never done before.

  Her finger found the trigger and pulled. The man who’d been aiming at Morgan let out a loud yell as the gun that had been in his hand flew out of it.

  It didn’t take a genius to figure out this had something to do with a gang war. Club war, she corrected herself as she connected the dots. Morgan wore on Orphans patch. The Orphan Pint was a motorcycle club bar. The Orphans. The OutKasts.

  The gunfire slowed as bullets ran low. Most of the men were locked in physical combat. Beatin’ the shit out of each other more like. Katie hugged the rifle tight against her and darted behind the huge bar, aiming at a man who was shooting at everything and everyone, loading his double-barreled shotgun with practiced ease.

  She grit her teeth and considered her options. He was a big guy, and she knew she would have to hit him in a way that debilitated him but didn’t kill him. The asshole wasn’t discriminating at what he was aiming at. He shot up a row of bottles and several tables as she watched and reloaded her gun with shaky fingers. The dummy was obviously interested in shooting, and nothing more.

  Taking careful aim she shot, right in the left cheek of his large bottom, hoping that would be enough to make him stop shooting.

  As she fired that bullet it came to her how ridiculous the whole situation was—she was involved in a gunfight! How the hell had her day turned so drastically from just another boring day of a prescribed life to being a participant in a gang war?

  Club war she corrected herself again.

  Morgan was fending off two men who both looked like they boxed professionally. Morgan managed to hit one guy enough to make him stumble back. The other OutKast seemed to be waiting for that moment and threw a left hook to Morgan’s jaw.

  Katie sprinted into the fray, raising the rifle high over her head. She brought the butt down hard on the skull of the man and he dropped to the floor with a loud grunt and didn’t move. She stared at him. “Is he dead?”

  Morgan gave the man’s prone body a kick. He moaned. Morgan shook his head. “You’d have to do a lot more to Nate to kill him.” He grinned as his chest heaved. “Thanks for having my back.” Then he swept her into his arms and kissed her.

  That kiss was fierce and passionate and she melted against him. His body pressed against hers and she felt the telltale hardness at his crotch pressing against her belly. He was turned on from the fight? What the hell was she getting herself into?

  Someone yelled, “Cry off!”

  The bar quieted, until someone grunted and cried out, “The fuckin’ bitch shot me in the ass!”

  Morgan stiffened and turned slowly. “Don’t call her a bitch.”

  The fighting stopped and men inside the bar began to stand and gather themselves together. The two clubs faced each other. They all had injuries, but besides the big guy, no one had been shot. It was crazy.

  Nate stirred, slowly got to his feet and muttered in a groggy voice, “That was dirty, Morgan.”

  “I didn’t know she would sucker punch you Nate.” Morgan smirked.

  Katie shrank back from Nate’s glare. Morgan knew him? “Sorry,” she offered lamely.

  Nate chuckled. “She’s a keeper. You don’t want her, I’ll take her.”

  Morgan put his arm over Katie’s shoulder and pulled her tight. “Not going to happen, Nate.”

  Nate shrugged and touched his head, looking for blood. He winced at the bump but when he saw no red on his hands, he straightened and glared at Morgan. “Where the fuck’s my money?”

  “We’re working on it. Just like I told you,” Morgan said evenly and then crossed his arms over his chest, no hint of fear in his eyes. “Now, I’d like to know what the hell happened to the dudes who took it off Craig.”

  Nate didn’t blink. “I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”

  Morgan held his ground. “Someone killed them. All of them. We rode in to get your shit back, and they were all street grease. The news has been covering the story, surely you saw it.”

  Nate rubbed his head. “I assumed your crew did that.”

  Katie looked between the two men, back and forth. Terror had taken over again and her limbs shook fiercely. Morgan pulled her closer to his body. Murder? Money? What had she gotten herself into?

  Morgan said, “No. You guys did it.”

  Nate shook his head and started laughing. “We might be fighting each other for no fucking reason.”

  The sound of sirens shouted in the background. The men burst into movement. Chairs were righted, the front door thrown open and shattered bottles tossed into trash cans. Instant clean up. Katie had never seen a group of men move that fast in unison. Both clubs worked to hide the damage. Even Jack, the barman worked with some OutKast to clean behind the bar with a broom while the other fixed the shelf and restocked it. Those with blood on them ran for the back end of the bar where it was darkest. A few women, who’d been hiding behind the bar and Katie hadn’t even noticed, began to run around scooping up shell casings off the floor.

  Morgan took the rifle from her and tossed it to Jack, who hid it below the counter. Morgan grabbed her by the arm and hauled her to the bar too, and then plopped her down on a chair. “Jack, whiskey.”

  Two tall glasses appeared. The music was turned back on. Morgan ordered her, “Drink.”

  “Can I have a twist of lemon?”

  He chuckled. The door opened and a whole bevy of cops swarmed into the place, their guns and shields drawn. The men pretending to play pool looked up and then went back to their game.

  Two cops walked right up to Morgan.

  Katie took a long swallow of her whiskey, grateful for the warmth it spread through her body.

  A cop snapped, “We got a report of gunfire.”

  Morgan shrugged. �
��Some asshat decided to set off a handful of firecrackers as a prank. Sorry about that fellas.” He looked around. “Who called it in?”

  The other cop stared at Katie. His eyes narrowed. “Miss Wilkes? What are you doing here?” His gaze moved quickly to Morgan and then back to her. “You here on your own choice?”

  She felt the weight of Morgan’s gaze. She lifted her glass and said, calmly, “Having a drink. Is that against the law?”

  He blinked. “I…several of us… work as security detail for your father from time to time. No offense, Miss Wilkes, but this is hardly the place for you.”

  “Did my father send you?” She pressed her lips, knowing that would make the man hesitate. “I believe I can handle myself, officer.” Outwardly she was calm. Inwardly she was anything but. She had just been ratted out and by a damn cop! There had just been a freakin’ gun fight, where she was responsible for shooting someone in the ass! She stifled a giggle. Could things get any crazier?

  Morgan swept the room with his arm and gestured around. Ironically, none of the cops were searching the place. “There’s nothing to see here boys. We appreciate your concern. Why don’t you move along?”

  “I’m talking to the lady, Miss Wilkes. Not you, Orphan.”

  Katie glanced at Morgan, worried he might get up and slug the policeman. “I’m fine. Like I said.”

  “We should check to make sure everyone here is all right. There’re no dead bodies hiding in the back is there, Morgan?”

  Morgan shook his head and grinned. “Can’t do that anymore, Serge, they kept stinkin’ up the place. Bad for the customers.”

  The sergeant rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah.” He pointed to an OutKast member standing by the pool table with a cut lip. “You clubs intermingling now?”

  Nate kept his head down and Morgan didn’t even glance his way. “It’s an f’in high school reunion.” Morgan caught himself before swearing. He set a smile on his face, but Katie knew it was forced. The cops knew more than they were letting on, but they obviously weren’t going to push anything to prove a gun fight had been going on, especially with no one complaining in the bar. “Can I offer you boys a drink?”

  “We’re on duty.” The sergeant shook his head and motioned to his men. “Let’s get out of here men. Our assistance is obviously not needed here.” He glanced one more time at Katie. “Miss, I suggest you find yourself a new bar to mingle at.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Katie held her breath as the police filed out and the cruisers out front pulled onto the road again. The calm that descended on the bar was as frightening as the fight had been. She swallowed hard.

  Morgan took a long drink and turned to her. “Miss Wilkes, huh? What the fuck, Katie?”

  CHAPTER 11

  Morgan continued to stare at her. “As in, the Wilkes?”

  “Yes,” her voice was a whisper.

  “I see.” The look on his face told her he did not.

  “No, you don’t. I …I never meant to lie to you Morgan.” She did not want to have this conversation here, in front of a bunch of scary looking men she didn’t know and who were all watching her with interest now. “I didn’t lie, not really. I…walked off today. I…I just…” She fell silent. Tears stung her eyes but she refused to let them fall. The shock of the past life-threatening moments was wearing off. She began to shake. She clutched her glass to hide the tremors in her hands.

  Morgan frowned. “You have to go.”

  She shook her head. “No. Not until you hear me out.”

  He stared at her, his face completely unreadable. “Katie, I want to hear you out. But I have a whole lotta things that need to be sorted out here first. Go.”

  A wizened little guy was busy plucking the bullet out of the buttock of the big guy who’d been gleefully shooting up the place moments before. Nate bellied up to the bar and stood behind Katie. “It looks like we have a mutual problem Morgan.”

  Morgan nodded as he looked past Katie to Nate. “I agree.” He focused back on her. “Katie, go home.”

  “No.” The word came out more forcefully than she meant. She lowered her voice, “No. I won’t.”

  Nate chuckled behind her. “Feisty, isn’t she?”

  She spun around to look at him. “How much do they owe you?”

  Nate grinned, one of his teeth was apparently missing. “Is this your business?”

  “No, but I can pay it so maybe it should be.”

  Morgan moved around her and stood between the two of them. His face went dark. “The hell you will. This has nothing to do with you, rich girl. Now get your ass off that stool and—”

  “I saw the news,” she blurted out. “I didn’t think anything about it then but I remembered just now. That place, it’s right near the highway, right? By some new corporate condo line they’re building. There was someone who wanted that land and it was owned by a guy who wouldn’t sell. Maybe that’s the answer to your problem.” Suddenly she knew that was what had happened. This had nothing to do with motorcycle clubs, alliances, drugs or money. It had to do with property. She had a pretty good idea who might be involved.

  Both men stared at her.

  Katie swallowed hard, hating the fact that her hunch was probably right. “That land’s worth a lot to the right people.” She’d assessed the land in the neighborhood, surveyed it and written a property value estimate not that long ago. She forced the lump forming in her throat back down. “It might be those people sent in someone to make sure they got the land.”

  Morgan asked, “What the hell are you saying, Katie?”

  She looked down and wanted to pretend this wasn’t happening. She’d seen the property she was talking about and another one with it… just hadn’t realized what it was till now. “This bar and that house, the land around it, are part of what will be a major project. Next year, not this year. I’ve seen the plans for it. Today. It didn’t register until just now. There’s going to be a whole subdivision of high-end homes and shopping built. I’m talking a two million-dollar project, all geared toward people eager to stay in the city itself, and have larger houses with property. Like country living with all the amenities they want. Twenty million dollars is what it’ll cost up front, but it’ll sell for more than double that, way more.”

  Nate stared at her. “That’s a whole lot of friggin’ money.”

  And if there was anything Blake Wilkes was interested in, it was making more money. The thought that her father might have had someone killed seemed too hard a pill to swallow. “Blake Wilkes, my father, he has guys who…who work for him.” She couldn’t believe he’d do something illegal. Dirty, yes. Illegal, no. “They’ve been known to get rough with certain people, but nothing illegal.” She stared at the men around her, none of them having believing looks on their faces. She ran her tongue over her lower lip as she turned to Morgan. “There are people who own places the Wilkes’ company is interested in acquiring. They would never murder anyone though. That would be going too far. He’d never do something to jeopardize the company.”

  “It’s possible. All men are snakes.” Nate shrugged like it was no big deal. He nodded at Morgan. “But none of this shit excuses you from your debt, Morgan.” He stood, his hands on the barstool. “I tell you what. Give me her and we’ll call it even. Or Craig. My boys want Craig. They’d be happy to take her instead though. We can ransom her. Or whatever.” His grin turned nasty.

  Katie’s heart dropped into her belly. She stared at him. He had to be kidding, right? Nope. He was completely serious. She swallowed, not sure if she should try and make a run for the door. A smart girl would have gone with the cops.

  Morgan said, “Fuck off. No dice.”

  “I’m taking one or the other, Morgan. It’s her or your dude. Take your pick.”

  Someone muttered by the pool table, “Bros before hoes.”

  Horror filled her. She didn’t know a lot about motorcycle clubs, but she knew Morgan was loyal. To his guys. He wouldn’t trade her for a debt owed, would h
e?

  “It’s Craig’s debt, so it’s my debt. Miss Wilkes here had nothing to do with any of this shit.” He scoffed. “You can’t be crazy enough to think you’re going to walk out of here with her, or Craig, when your guys are already hurting and mine are still out for blood.”

  Katie sat still. Her eyes travelled to the butt of the rifle, barely visible from where she sat. If Nate tried to take her she intended to go for the gun, and this time she would be aiming for a vital organ. “I can pay the debt. Consider it an act of goodwill. A once in—”

  “I don’t want the money anymore,” Nate cut her off. “Let’s face it, the bitch is way more valuable than what the Orphans owe me. I, and my guys, want blood for what they’re owed.” He smirked at her. “It’s a matter of principle now. Plus interest.”

  “I see,” Katie said. Her eyes fled to Morgan’s face.

  Morgan didn’t glance her way; he was too busy shooting knives at Nate with the glare in his eyes. “I’m not going to say no again Nate. Get the fuck out of my bar. Now.”

  Nate didn’t move. “Don’t make me force your hand Morgan. I’ll put it to a vote right here and how many of your crew do you think will stand for her? I don’t give a shit about the broad, she’s just a means to an end. I want Craig, but I know I’m not getting him. Her,” he said and nodded at Katie. “I have a chance to piss her old man off and make some money in the process. I’ll even knock a small percentage your way.”

  “I’ll kill you,” Katie said softly. “Don’t doubt it.”

  Nate smiled. “I’ve seen your shot. You might have a chance, but I promise pretty girl, that you’ll never get near a firearm before we wreck you.”

  “You won’t fucking touch me.” She smiled at him, the smirk cold like her father’s. “You can bet on that if you like.” Her fear had dropped away. She didn’t know how or why, but it had. She was beyond angry.

  Morgan stopped her. “You’ll take the money Nate. You can run up on me one on one and get your money or you can run against my whole crew and get nothing but blood.”