Returning Home
Colbie Kay
Blurb
Chatty
At 25 years old I never thought I'd have to bury my husband.
But I did.
When I left the club behind I never thought I'd come back.
But here I am.
I've always done what was needed and this is no exception my cousin needs protection so I brought her where I know she will be safe.
The Satan's Sinners Motorcycle Club.
In all the years I've known these guys I've never seen them as anything except family.
Until now - three years later.
I never thought I could fall for another man, let alone one of Ripper's brothers.
But I am.
How do I let go of my past to maybe have a future? I can't deny the chemistry between us, but do I really want to risk heartbreak again?
Gunner
I watched her for years knowing I couldn't have her. It didn't matter to me that she was my brother's wife, I still wanted her. I never overstepped my boundaries or let it be known how I felt about her.
Until now - three years later.
We've both returned home. The lust is undeniable.
But...
My club needs me once again and since I'm the Vice President how could I not do what is needed of me?
How can I put claim on what I want if I'm not even around? Am I always going to just be in the background to the only woman that could ever break me?
****
Chapter One
Chatty
Guilt sits heavy in my gut and has ever since the night with Gunner a week ago. I feel like I betrayed my dead husband and that’s a horrible feeling to bear. I could make excuses all day long for why it happened—Jesus, I’m the one that started it—but no amount of excuses would make fucking one of his club brothers acceptable.
I could say it was the alcohol, but realistically I wasn’t drunk enough to not know what I was doing.
I could say it was the fact I have been lonely since the day my husband got killed, but I went three years without another man. Why would I jump on Gunner the first chance I got?
I’ll tell you why: because he looks downright sexy, plain and simple. He’s changed since the last time I saw him; his long blondish-brown hair is gone now, it’s short in a buzz cut. His beard is no longer there, just shadowy stubble where he might grow it back. He’s still the same hard-bodied, tall, tattooed man as before, but I was looking at him in a whole new light last week.
Maybe that moment had been building between us for some time now and I didn’t realize it until we saw each other again. Gunner was the one to hold me and give me comfort the night Ripper died. If Crazy Girl wasn’t with me, then Gunner was. Up until the day I left, they took care of me when I couldn’t even bring myself to get out of bed. He would lay with me, hold me, and let me cry.
When I’d wake from nightmares of seeing my husband take his last breath, he would pull me in close and whisper soothing words, rubbing my back until I’d fall back to sleep. When Gunner got locked up, I knew he couldn’t talk to the guys and felt it was time for me to be there for him. I didn’t want him to be alone, so I wrote him letters. I wrote one letter, once a week for three years. I told him not to write me back, but to just enjoy what I was sending. The letters weren’t really anything special, just about how my week went, what was happening in the world, and I would tell him stories of when I was younger. I hope he got a good laugh from some of those stupid stories.
So…imagine my surprise when he came strolling up with Hanger on the exact same day I decided to come back. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him that day, and he was no longer Gunner, Ripper’s brother, he was Gunner, this sexy, built man that I’m attracted to. I knew he had gone three years without being with a woman, and after our ride on his bike I didn’t want him to fuck one of the whores. I wanted him to fuck me—that he did, and he did it well.
My emotions are all over the place now, and I don’t know how to deal with them or figure them out, because from the time I met Ripper, he was all I ever saw. I never once looked at any of the other guys in this club, until I returned here and laid eyes on Gunner again. I never pictured myself wanting another man, but I did or do. Hell, I don’t know. The only thing I do know is I feel fucking guilty for it, and I can’t let anything with Gunner happen again. One-time deal, that’s it!
Besides, why should I be able to move on with my life when Ripper can’t? He was taken from me way too soon, and it’s not fair that I have to be here without my husband. I should have died that day.
With the way I ran out of the clubhouse, the gunshots being exchanged and I didn’t even care if I got hit. I didn’t try to dodge the bullets—all I wanted was to get to my husband—but by some miracle not a single one hit me. Most people would be thankful for that, but I wonder if life would have been better on the other side with him, rather than being subjected to this fucked-up world.
I had a plan when I decided to return here, and it never involved another biker when I walked through those gates. Especially one of Ripper’s brothers. I wanted to work in the bar again and make some money while keeping my cousin, Tinsley, safe and hidden. That plan fell to shit when I looked into Gunner’s crystal clear blue eyes.
Later than night I was asking Gunner to make me forget and he did, but it wasn’t just during the amazing sex, it was from the moment I straddled his bike. I wasn’t Ripper’s Ol’ Lady anymore—I was just Chatty, the twenty-eight year old woman having a good time. The first good time I’ve had in so long, and not once did I think about being a widow. Not once did I think about Ripper, either, and he fills my thoughts day in and day out. Because of that, my heart feels heavy, and I’ve been beating myself up over my situation for the last week.
The girls wanted to get together today for lunch and shopping, no doubt to discuss what happened at the BBQ. I need this girls’ day more than anything. Friends, shopping, and gossip—I’m in.
Tinsley and I walk into the restaurant; it’s not overly packed for an afternoon lunch hour, which makes it nice because I am starving. Our table is in the back and as we head that way, I look around at the quaint little place. Lit candles sit on top of the white tablecloths so the lighting is dimmed some; empty wine glasses and silverware rolled in white cloth napkins are placed for each of the four wooden chairs per table. The décor is old—vintage antiques and black and white portraits hang on the walls, which are painted half turquoise and half chocolate brown, with white trim separating the two colors.
Already seated at our table is Crazy Girl, Jacey aka Lil Mama, Daphne, Sierra, and Audrey. The only one that’s still missing is Ever, Crazy Girl’s twin sister. I don’t know Audrey or Daphne that well and I’ve only been around Sierra a few times, but they all seem nice.
Five years ago, I didn’t have any friends outside of the guys. The whores were less-than-pleased that Ripper brought me in as his Ol’ Lady because I took my man away from them. I had to gain my respect and they had to learn I wasn’t the bitch to fuck with. Crazy Girl did it after me, followed by Jacey.
Crazy Girl and I immediately hit it off and she’s my best friend. Jacey, on the other hand… We had a rocky start, because I didn’t like how she did Bear—and, in fact, I thought she was a fucking bitch. That’s why I’ve never really adapted to calling her Lil Mama, the name Bear gave her. I know she had her reasons for why she put Bear through hell and she’s made up for her mistakes, but Jacey hasn’t won my respect yet. I don’t judge her for the choices she made and Bear got past all that, but those guys are family to me and when you fuck with them, you fuck with me. I keep the peace, though, for Crazy Girl’s sake.
Tinsley and I pick our seats and start looking at the menu. When the waitress comes over, I order a Pepsi with a big juicy burger and fries because, like I said, I’m starving, and I’m not a woman who is scared to eat. As soon as the waitress leaves from getting all of our orders, including Ever’s, the BBQ gossip
gets started.
“Why did you leave so fast, Daphne?” Crazy Girl questions before taking a sip from her wineglass, which the waitress filled with water.
“It’s too much for me, and I couldn’t be there any longer.” Her response is evasive, and the way she is fidgeting makes me wonder if there isn’t a whole lot more to her story. Daphne is gorgeous! Her hair’s long and black, with some platinum white underneath. Barely any of her skin shows with all of the artwork she displays, and not many women can pull off a septum piercing, but it looks good on her. Daphne’s eyes, though, tell so much; the anger shines behind the dark coating of mascara. Since she is a tattoo artist, I wonder if she hasn’t given herself most of the decorative ink she displays.
“I know I’m never going back there. I can’t deal with Hacker’s shit any longer. I’m sorry, I love you ladies, but it’s just not worth it anymore,” Sierra admits while shaking her head. I witnessed firsthand at the BBQ how he treats the doctor, and it’s a little uncalled for. I don’t know what the hell happened between the two of them, but I’ve never seen Hacker act the way he does when she comes around.
Sierra is a genuinely good person and the oldest of all of us. In her forties, she still looks amazing and could pass easily for being in her early thirties. She wears a little makeup to cover the dusting of freckles she has and her red hair is all natural. Black circles are prominent under her bright green eyes that scream she needs sleep. We don’t know much about her besides she’s an OBGYN, and I’m sure that’s a tiresome job.
“I don’t know what the hell his problem is when you come around, but I’d like to nut-punch the shit out of him for it,” Jacey says with a look of disgust. Bear always said Jacey was exotic-looking, and he wasn’t lying. Her tanned skin matches her dark brown hair, but what really makes her unique is the fact her eyes are two different colors. One is green while the other is brown. She seems so much happier now that she isn’t a doctor anymore, but is following her true dream and has her own record label now. She even signed on one of the hottest new bands, The Betrayed.
“Yeah, I’ve never seen him act so harsh before,” I put my two cents in. The doctor stays quiet.
“Well… I don’t know what’s worse—that, or being mistaken for a whore?” The words come from Tinsley.
“Better than being one.” Oh, no! There goes my mouth. I wasn’t thinking when I blurted out a response to my cousin.
“Who thought you were a whore? And what are you talking about, Chatty?” Crazy Girl furrows her brows in confusion.
Tinsley knows what happened because after I left Gunner’s room I came into ours crying. I like to consider myself tough—you kind of have to be in the club life—but I spilled everything, she held me and comforted me until I fell asleep, and she tried to reassure me that I did nothing wrong. In my heart, though, it feels like I did something unforgivable. My brain says it felt so right and good and amazing. The struggle is real! And this internal battle is one I’m not ready to battle publicly yet.
“He had the dark complexion, is good-looking, and has tattoos. I don’t know his name. He came up behind me while I was bent over looking in the fridge and grabbed my hips. He said he wanted me in his room in ten minutes. I spun around so fast I practically gave myself whiplash, and told him I was Chatty’s cousin not one of those…” Tinsley’s voice lowers so no one can hear her and she leans in closer to the table. “Whores.” She sits back in her seat again and with a wave of her hand goes on. “I’m sure my eyes were big enough to scare him off, because he backed away and walked out of the room without another word.” She takes a sip of her water.
Crazy Girl, Jacey, and I bust out laughing and say, “Romeo.” I’m sure if Romeo would have seen her from the front he wouldn’t have gotten her confused with one of those black hole serpents. Tinsley is a beautiful woman, but too sweet for the MC lifestyle. She has an innocence to her, even though she’s twenty-five years old. Tinsley has that girl next door look, with dark brown eyes that can pull you in, and hair to match. Her smile is endearing with her bottom lip fuller than the top and her cute little nose. She’s petite like me, but where I have the big ass and thicker thighs, everything about Tinsley is small.
“So, Chatty, out with it.” Crazy Girl sits back in her seat, arms crossed over her chest, and waits for me to talk.
“I fucked Gunner and now I don’t know what to do.” My head hangs, and now I’m the one fidgeting with my napkin.
“You what!?” Crazy Girl and Jacey whisper-yell at me.
“You heard me!” I say back louder. Why aren’t they questioning the others? They’re super quiet about each of their issues with one of the guys.
“Do you ladies want to talk about it, or vent?” Jacey asks before adding, “We’re here if you need anything.” That’s her I want you to tell us all about it because we are some nosy bitches and want all the juicy gossip voice.
Amazing timing! Ever walks up, looking a little nervous and shy as she gives a small smile and a little wave before taking the last empty chair. Ever grabs the menu, but Crazy Girl stops her and is probably telling Ever that she already ordered for her. Ever is deaf, so you have to use ASL to communicate with her, and I don’t know how so I just have to assume, but after a few minutes of signing between the two, Ever spits her water out of her mouth and I know Crazy Girl told her about me and Gunner.
Tattoos & Scars
C.G. Lee
© C.G. Lee
Blurb
Saxton Stone has taken care of himself since the age of sixteen. He keeps to himself, working in his garage and keeping his fathers dream of restoring classic cars alive. He doesn’t get mixed up in the underworld of Panama City because that is a one way ticket to hell. He hides the ghost that haunt his soul until his world is turned upside down…
He is ultimately thrust into a world of dirty dealings. Leaving everything he’s worked hard for behind he vows to protect the one woman who’s awakened his heart to a love he’s never experienced or expected.
Roxxi O’Brien is as fiery as her red hair, but she hides her pain in the form of body art. Helping others tell their story by her tattoo artistry. After years of being abandoned and broken, she meets the one man who makes her feel alive.
They’re both in over their heads, bracing themselves for a fight for life, for freedom, and for love…
(SAX)
The Beginning… Sunset Tattoo…This is where my journey begins. This is where all the tattoos on my skin start to make perfect sense. All it took was one touch….
There’s something to be said for flying down an interstate on a motorcycle at speeds exceeding one hundred miles per hour. The open road underneath your tires as they pound against the asphalt of the highway and the hum of the engine has the power to pull anyone out of the element they’re in and give them complete freedom.
Time passes in the blink of an eye. You can forget what circumstances bring you to the point and place you’re in until a single moment opens the flood gates of memories.
Right now, I’m following my best friend Jay to a tattoo parlor on the more questionable side of town. No one goes to what I call the underbelly of Panama City unless they have an intense need to screw several hookers, steal cars, do drugs or gamble, but Jay says it’s time my sleeve was completed and for once in his life, he’s right.
But seriously, sometimes I have no clue why I listen to him, he has the worst ideas and somehow they always manage to get me into trouble.
Skylar’s Salvation
Copyright © 2015 Erin Osborn
Blurb
Skylar
A single mom of twins, Skylar is a loner that has continuously suffered at the hands of those that are supposed to love and protect her. She’s always been told she’s not good enough, skinny enough, or that anyone will ever love her, so that’s what she believes. Then Cage and Joker blow into her life and shake everything up.
Cage
After losing his family at a young age, Cage has closed himse
lf off from everyone other than the brothers in his club. Instead of trying to find a relationship, he chooses to use club girls when he needs a release. They know what to expect from him and don’t pressure him for anything more that he can’t give.
Joker
He grew up wanting to follow in his dad’s footsteps and join the Wild Kings as soon as he was old enough. Cage and him have done everything together for as long as he can remember. Where Cage is closed off, Joker is the opposite. He loves to be the center of attention and the life of the party.
Everything changes for the three when they first meet. The guys are blown away by Skylar and vow to do what they have to in order to make her theirs. Skylar isn’t looking for a relationship. Her main concern is her children, and her daughter’s health. But, she can’t resist the temptation of Cage and Joker.
Can they survive Skylar’s insecurities? Will Skylar get the help she truly needs? Are Cage and Joker willing to stand by Skylar when her past comes back to haunt her? Is Skylar willing to put herself out there to see where a relationship with Cage and Joker will go?
Riding Resistance
Kayce Kyle
Copyright © 2016
Blurb
As the only child to the club’s President, Jenalyn feels the pressure to carry on her father’s legacy, only that’s not what she wants. Leaving her family, the club and Justice behind, she goes to California in pursuit of a Fine Arts degree. But things happen in California and she’s forced to return, only now, she refuses to give in and fall back in to old patterns and ways–she’s nobody’s property.
Charlee's Choices: DreamCatcher MC Page 20