by Nikki Landis
Copyright © 2020 Nikki Landis
All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover by Gray Creations
Edited by Kathy Denver, iPublishGlobal
Table of Contents:
Author’s Note
Dedication
ROYAL BASTARDS CODE
Playlist
Prologue – Bess
Chapter 1 – Papa
Chapter 2 – Bess
Chapter 3 – Papa
Chapter 4 – Bess
Chapter 5 – Papa
Chapter 6 – Bess
Chapter 7 – Bess
Chapter 8 – Papa
Chapter 9 – Bess
Chapter 10 – Papa
Chapter 11 – Bess
Chapter 12 – Papa
Chapter 13 – Bess
Chapter 14 – Papa
Chapter 15 – Papa
Epilogue – Shadow
The Tonopah, NV Chapter
About the Author
Ridin’ for Hell is the first book in the Royal Bastards MC Tonopah, Nevada Chapter (excluding the holiday novella The Biker’s Gift written to give a glimpse into this world and the characters). There’s dark and gritty content and is intended for mature readers only. I hope you enjoy the Crossroads, the club, and the members of the Royal Bastards MC. Devil’s Ride is Grim’s story about how the chapter started and the president. Papa Noel is the second holiday installment. Bodie and Sasha will have part two of their story release in Bloody Mine February 2021. Hell’s Fury will continue the series in July 2021. There’s much more to come for Grim and his Reapers.
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SPECIAL THANK YOU
A special thank you to both Esther E. Schmidt and Glenna Maynard for allowing me to connect my story of Papa with Murder and Petros. You ladies are amazing!
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NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
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To all the survivors of abuse, no matter how or why. Remember –
You are strong.
You are brave.
Keep your head up. You’re not alone.
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PROTECT: The club and your brothers come before anything else, and must be protected at all costs. CLUB is FAMILY.
RESPECT: Earn it & Give it. Respect club law. Respect the patch. Respect your brothers. Disrespect a member and there will be hell to pay.
HONOR: Being patched in is an honor, not a right. Your colors are sacred, not to be left alone, and NEVER let them touch the ground.
OL’ LADIES: Never disrespect a member’s or brother’s Ol’ Lady. PERIOD.
CHURCH is MANDATORY.
LOYALTY: Takes precedence over all, including well-being.
HONESTY: Never LIE, CHEAT, or STEAL from another member or the club.
TERRITORY: You are to respect your brother’s property and follow their Chapter’s club rules.
TRUST: Years to earn it...seconds to lose it.
NEVER RIDE OFF: Brothers do not abandon their family.
Devil – Shinedown
Raising Hell – Bullet for My Valentine
Limits – Bad Omens
Just Another Thing (feat. Crucifix) – The Lacs
I Am Above – In Flames
Bad At Love – Smith & Myers
All In – Adelitas Way
Trials – Starset
Low Life – Crobot
Loud (F**k It) – Motionless In White
Not Mad Enough – Smith & Myers
King of Misery – Saul
Time After Time – Ozzy Osbourne
Psycho – Breaking Benjamin
Scattering the Ashes – Trivium
Doubt – Through Fire
Dear Agony (Aurora Version) – Breaking Benjamin & Lacey Sturm
You’re Going Down – Sick Puppies
Be Kind – Halsey & Marshmellow
Lights Down Low – MAX
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus – Bobby Helms
All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
You can listen here: Papa Noel Playlist
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Royal Bastards MC
Tonopah, NV Chapter
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They call me Papa.
A tough and rugged old biker that's never been tamed by any woman.
I live by the code of my club and stand by it.
No matter what.
Hell, I'd die for my brothers and the MC we fought so hard to build.
In fact, I nearly did.
Loss has tarnished my soul and left me a bitter man.
I’ll never be anything else.
When a young kid goes missing and his single mother shows up on my doorstep,
I don't hesitate to go in guns blazing.
But this rescue mission isn't like any other.
Torn between duty, loyalty, and my selfish heart –
I'll have to make a decision that impacts more than just my own life.
This Christmas I'm bringing gifts . . .
And it’s a Noel full of hidden surprises.
Hands shaking, I bent down by the fireplace in the living room and found the familiar spot near the floorboards on the righthand side. The hearth was cold to the touch but that was only because I wasn’t allowed to keep it going more than a few pieces of wood at a time and when Chet was in a charitable mood. Didn’t happen often. Chilly air seemed to originate from deep inside the chimney and I sighed, glancing behind me to ensure I was still alone before I exposed my carefully hidden spot.
My heart was pounding as I carefully pried the loose brick away with my fingertips until I could pull it free. The heavy coarse texture felt strange in my palms and I paused, listening for any indication that Chet was awake. His thick, deep snores echoed throughout the small house and seemed to hover in the air, a reminder that my time was not only limited but precarious at best. If he woke up . . . I didn’t want to think what could happen.
Inside the hollow hole inside the wall was a burner phone. I scraped my fingers against the concrete depths but hardly cared as the device slipped free and I hastily shoved it into the pocket of my pajama pants. Reaching deeper inside, I felt around for the cotton pillowcase that held the cash I’d managed to scrape together over the last six months. I purposely never used plastic. Made way too much noise. The cotton was gripped in in my fist as I felt the familiar bundle that represented freedom and long months of preparation.
As I briefly clutched the bundle to my chest, I inhaled a shaky breath. Now that the moment had finally arrived, I was near to completely ruining everything by freaking out. Nervous, I picked up my handbag and shoved the cash inside, lifting the long leather strap over my head and draping the bag across my waist where it rested against my right hip.
Lifting the brick, I placed the heavy block back into its place. Chet would never know this was how I obtained my freedom. Months of shorting the grocery allotment and other bills just enough to gain a few dollars here and there. I practically starved myself to make it happen. A year of setting aside a tiny amount o
f my paycheck and putting it into a separate account in another bank under a fake name. I’d opened it using an I.D. I obtained from an acquaintance I met by chance. A part of me wanted to gloat but it was far too early to be congratulating myself.
Chet snorted in his sleep and choked, nearly swallowing his own tongue before his snores resumed. I supposed it was too much to ask that he succeeded. Sweat broke out on my forehead and my entire body stilled until I knew for sure that he was still in bed. As the quiet minutes proved I was alone, I rose slowly and headed to the bottom of the stairs, watching the landing above as my palms grew sweaty and I nearly dropped the cell.
Powering on the phone, I sent the text to the contact who was expecting the message tonight.
Sparrow: ready to leave the nest
Ghost: ogre is out?
Sparrow: yes
Ghost: sparrow’s baby bird?
Sparrow: ready
Ghost: 5 minutes
Sparrow: ready to fly
I made sure the phone was on vibrate and placed it back in my pocket. Beneath my pajamas I wore jeans and a t-shirt. I picked up my coat and paused, listening again as there was only silence. I heard a grunt and then more snores. My heart was sure to beat out of my chest as I headed into my son’s room. He was on the ground floor while Chet and I slept upstairs. I’d done that on purpose years ago to keep Noah away from the violence and loud noises.
Noah had slept in his clothes too. I’d dressed him in footie pajamas that zipped up and over to hide what was beneath. He thought it was a game. I knew it would help him stay warm and provide extra protection against the cooler night air.
Slipping inside his room, I approached the bed and smiled. His thick, dark brown hair hung over his forehead with a wayward curl and the innocent smile that lingered on his lips proved he dreamed of something fun. Love blossomed in my chest. I’d do anything for Noah and tonight proved I’d risk my own life to keep him safe.
My hand rested against his cheek and I whispered his name. “Noah.”
He didn’t stir and I was glad to skip his questions. The kid slept like a rock and once he was out for the night, he hardly ever stirred until morning. I stood and slipped on my coat, zipping it up over my purse. Carefully, I lifted Noah from the mattress, and he wrapped around my body, draping over my chest as his cheek rested on my shoulder. At nearly eight years old, he was far heavier than I anticipated but I didn’t have to walk far beyond the house before the ghost would arrive.
This was the scariest part.
I crept to the door of his room and stayed hidden from sight. Fear crept up my spine as I waited for what seemed like hours for Chet to make some kind of noise. The house was eerily silent. Even the old fridge didn’t make its usual humming noises. Noah mumbled in his sleep and I nearly panicked until he said “Mama” and fell back to sleep. I could see the front door from where I stood. Freedom beckoned and I moved a couple of steps, perspiration building under the heavy jacket and dampening my skin.
Chet made a few noises, farted loudly, and then I heard another deep snore.
Taking in a shaky breath, I bolted for the door as quickly as possible. When I reached the alarm system, I knew it was highly probably the beeps would wake Chet. The buttons were always loud. He liked the fact that it drew attention and had often mentioned he’d know the second I tried to leave him because the alarm would blare each and every single time I activated or shut it off.
My hand trembled as I paused, swallowing hard. The only way to do this was to do it fast and then get out as quick as possible. If I delayed too much, the space between the beeps would probably wake him up but if done fast maybe I had a chance. It was worth whatever effort or risk I had to take. Noah couldn’t stay here any longer. It wasn’t safe.
Pushing down fast, I entered the code and then reached for the door, swinging it open in a rush. The handle rattled as I closed the door with a soft click. I heard a noise, but I wasn’t sure if it was Chet waking up or another bodily function. I didn’t pause. Didn’t hesitate. My feet sped along the ground as I moved as fast as I could, clutching Noah close as my heart thudded in my chest and I practically ran down the driveway and into the dark night. My steps were quick as I refused to glance behind me. I didn’t want to know if Chet was after us.
For a few seconds, I almost wondered if the ghost would show up. My anxiety and stress were so high I was wound up and probably wouldn’t sleep for days. I nearly stumbled as headlights suddenly appeared and a vehicle rolled forward. A car window lowered, and a deep male voice uttered the only phrase that I would trust.
“Is the sparrow ready to fly?”
“She su-sure is!” I stuttered, reaching for the handle of the passenger rear left side. The door didn’t make a sound as it opened and I lowered Noah to the seat and scooted him over, hopping inside and closing the door at the same time. The vehicle lurched forward as I gathered my son into my arms, brushing his hair back from his face as my lower lip trembled. He was still sleeping and none the wiser. He didn’t know his mother had just ran away from the only life he’d ever known and at the same time angered one of the most dangerous men in Texas.
“You okay, sparrow?”
“I will be now.”
He nodded and the moonlight caught the sympathy in his dark eyes. “You’ll always have a ghost at each point of contact. I’ll be taking you to your next stop. For now, you can relax. We’ll be driving for the remainder of the night.”
My gaze caught the house I had just fled in the rearview mirror and it didn’t look any differently than it had for the last year. The same plain stucco exterior, white floodlights, perfectly groomed bushes, and trees. The picture-perfect frame that hid the nightmares within.
I never thought I’d be successful in my escape. Plotting and planning for so long, I nearly lost sight of the prize. Sighing, I swiped at my cheeks and realized silent tears had slipped down my cheeks. Noah shifted and I tucked him in on the seat, shrugging out of my coat and draping it over his small frame. A small hand rose, and his thumb went into his mouth. The act had my heart lurching inside my chest.
Noah was far too old to suck on his thumb. Most children outgrew these acts of comfort before age five. My son had continued to do so, and I knew it was because some nights Chet yelling was so loud there was no way Noah didn’t hear it. When I appeared with bruises and scrapes, he always started sucking his thumb. His anxiety was obvious. I could only hope this move finally provided the stability and safety he needed.
Leaning my head back against the seat, I watched the stars flying by in a blur and hoped one day I could snatch my own happiness. We both deserved a better life.
I was more than ready to begin.
“Harder!”
Blonde hair bounced around slender shoulders as I pumped my hips, my fingers digging into the soft flesh of the muffler bunny’s ass. I watched the sexy woman on all fours on the bed as she made noises of approval deep in her throat and the back of her thighs smacked repeatedly against me. I was pounding her hard into the mattress while she gripped the sheets and shouted out everything from Oh God to don’t stop. Her cheek met the mattress as her thighs shook and I reached around to strum her clit at the same time I slammed my cock hard into her eager pussy.
“That’s it! Right there. Yes!”
She sure was a vocal one. Kind of liked how she stroked my ego like her wet cunt gripped my dick. Firm and eager. I may even fuck her again some time but only if that meant she didn’t grow attached. I sure as hell wasn’t going to stick around if that happened.
When her orgasm hit half a minute later, I drove into her faster, shouting out my own release as she clamped down hard. Quivering flesh kept clutching at my cock like a fist in a warm glove and I lowered my head, pressing a kiss to the smooth flushed skin on her back. We separated as I withdrew and tugged off the condom, tossing it in the trashcan by the bed. There were several more and none from the same woman. Damn prospects needed to empty my trash.
“That
was great, honey. Just what I needed.”
I received a snort of derision as the female beneath me turned and flopped onto her back. She had a nice ass and generous tits and wasn’t hard on the eyes, but I felt nothing as I picked up her clothes and tossed them on the bed in her direction.
“Better get dressed.”
“What? No cuddles?”
I gave a light chuckle. “Told you when we met that I wasn’t the cuddling kind.”
She shrugged. “Yep. Me either if you want the truth. Both of us got what we wanted.”
We did.
“Then we understand one another. See ya around, sweet butt.”
She laughed and picked up her clothes. A minute later she was pressing a kiss to my bearded cheek before she left my room. When the door closed behind her, I glanced at the sheets and knew I wouldn’t be staying the night. I never did.
Once I grabbed my wallet, keys, smokes, and cut I was out of there. The room was locked before I strolled down the hall of the Crossroads. Club whores and ol’ ladies were wrapped around my brothers in the common room and I ticked my chin upward, greeting a few of them with a grin before I ventured outside.
The night was cool and crisp, sharp as a bitch’s nipples in December when the wind hit them just right, and I snorted with my own humor as I caught Shadow kicking at a few rocks along the ground. Rael was his sponsor, and he loved the kid. Tall, lanky, and with big brown eyes that always betrayed his feelings Shadow was the prospect that I personally liked the most. He had a big heart, and he was smarter than a lot of us old fuckers. Didn’t like his limp or the story behind it but wasn’t mine to tell.
I gripped his shoulder as he lifted his head and the rage within surprised me. Never saw this kid pissed about much. He was quiet often, but he wasn’t a hothead. Far from it.
“What’s eatin’ you, prospect?”
“Same thing that’s bothered me every single minute since those Russian assholes came into Nevada.”
Fuck. I forgot about Trish’s cousin Stefanie. Shadow was into her and it wasn’t hard to see why. The girl had been a beauty before she was kidnapped, raped, and killed to send a message to Grim and the club. Barely close enough to be legal, Stefanie was only 17 when she died. Grim’s Trish was devastated. Half the club was ready to go on a murderous spree and hunt those Russian assholes down, specifically Sergei Resnikov.