Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology: Second Edition

by Elizabeth Knox

  “How are you liking things here?” Kasi, the other bartender, asks me. I say bartender, but she’s more like the only other employee here in this joint. Luckily for me, Delilah, the woman who rented my room before me left behind a job here at Fishie’s. I needed one and they had a bit of a hard time filling it because the type of people who come here are a bit difficult.

  It’s now my third shift here and I don’t think it’s as bad as some of the locals have said. Fishie’s is a biker bar on the interstate. Colors are respected here, but the bikers have been told many times to not get in any shit, that they’ll be thrown out on their ass and won’t ever be allowed in again.

  I shrug my shoulders and grab a clean towel to wipe down the bar. “It’s honestly not bad at all. I think people just like to scare others.”

  Kasi inhales sharply. “We’ve had an easy couple of nights the past few days. I know a few people have been out of town at Sturgis, so the issues are gonna start slowly comin’ in. You know where the bat is, right?”

  The bat they have with barbed wire around it. “Yep, I do.”

  Kasi nods. “Okay. I don’t want to freak you out but you will need it eventually, so don’t be afraid to use it. We know what our customers are like and while most of ‘em are sweet as pie, there are a few rotten apples, Calli.” Kasi’s calling me by my nickname and no one’s ever called me Calli before. It’s odd, but I’m not opposed to it.

  My life has changed so much over the last week and a half, it’d only make sense I have a new name to go along with it. I left my job, left Detroit, and left the only family I’ve ever known. Why? Because I promised myself as a young woman, I’d find my father. With the help of Beretta Bosco, New York’s best private investigator, we found him. I’d hoped to discover he was here in Alabama, but Beretta gave me more info than just his location. She gave me information on the club, the people in it, and one of their club members has a younger sister who had a room for rent. It seemed flawless, figuring I’d either run into a biker from the club here, or at the house where I’m renting a room.

  “If you say so.” I laugh nonchalantly, trying not to let it bother me too much.

  She raises both her brows and looks me up and down. “Girl, I know you’re new here and you think some of this might be a bit extreme, but I promise you it isn’t. As soon as everyone gets back from Sturgis you’ll see.”

  “What’s Sturgis?” I know Kasi’s talked about it before, but I can’t remember if she told me what it’s for. For some reason, the word hits somewhere in the back of my mind, but I just can’t figure out why.

  “Only the biggest biker rally in the world, so a lot of our regulars aren’t around because of it,” Kasi says, getting Toad a new beer. Toad’s one of the regulars, an older biker from the Vile Serpents MC.

  “So, why aren’t you there?” I question Toad.

  He instantly scoffs, “If you think my fat ass wants to ride all the way to Sturgis in the middle of summer, you’re crazy. I’d be nothin’ but a pile of sweat, and this ol’ bastard, shit . . . do I look like a camper to you?”

  Both Kasi and I break out into laughter and Toad smirks. He’s probably in his mid-fifties and from looking at him you can tell the guy really enjoys dessert. Just as I’m about to reply to the old clown my phone vibrates in the back of my jeans. So, I pull it out and my eyes widen as I read who it’s from.

  From: Mama

  When should I expect you home?

  Wow. She’s got some nerve thinking I’ll come crawling back to Detroit.

  I think about not responding to her, but I know if I don’t respond she’ll simply think I’m on the way, and I don’t want to give her the satisfaction of thinking she talked some sense into me.

  To: Mama

  I’m not. I just got here. I know you’re not happy I’m here, but know I love you, even though words that were said before I left were extremely hurtful.

  She’s not supportive I’m looking for my father, and she’s really not happy about the fact I want to speak to him. In her mind, speaking to him is somehow betraying her. Because of it, she said some nasty things to me before I left and I know they weren’t said because she meant them . . . she only did it because she was hurting and wanted to take it out on me.

  I figure it’s best to shut off my cell and put it back in my pocket. It’s a bit past nine and we close at midnight, so I don’t want her texts to overflow into my work, even if it is just refilling drinks. Hell, I never thought I’d be working in a bar at almost thirty years old, but sometimes life has other plans for us.

  I worked in aviation for the U.S. Navy aboard the ship in San Diego for over nine years, and then I transferred to the recruitment office. My mother was pressuring me to come home and I wanted to be back on shore duty for a while anyway. Only, I didn’t know what stepping into that recruiting office would be like. The men in my office thought I slept my way to the top and right at my eleven-year mark I chose not to reenlist. I didn’t have a lot of bills since the U.S. Navy paid for my apartment with the basic allowance for housing. So, I have a good bit saved and am able to pretty much live here without having to stress too bad because of money. The last two days I’ve brought home about three hundred bucks in tips. Considering the bar hasn’t been super busy, I’m making out pretty well.

  The door creaks and Toad smiles from ear to ear. “Prez, what’re you doin’ here?”

  An older gentleman who looks to be a few years younger than Toad comes walking over. He’s tall, has salt and pepper hair, and his dark eyes make me a bit nervous. He’s the type of guy you can instantly recognize is bad news. His hair is up in a fuck boy kind of style and he has a thick beard coming down his jawline and it spreads across his chin and over his upper lip. While it isn’t long and unkempt, it’s kind of hot. Dangerous, but hot. I think any woman around gets conflicted about men from time to time because of guys like this. Me, though? Nope. He’s too much trouble and it’s evident.

  “Figured I’d come back and see what all the talk was about,” the man grumbles to Toad, but his eyes rake over my body slowly.

  I toss the towel I’m using to wipe down the bar into the bucket we keep under the bar top. Kasi looks over to me. “Can you grab the shot glasses from the back? They should be dry enough to bring out, and if Thorn’s back it means his band of brothers will be here soon.”

  I look over to Kasi and give her a nod. “Sure, no problem,” I say and head back into the kitchen. I go over to the industrial sink and grab the case of shot glasses, carrying them through the swinging door, I set them on the counter.

  “You exotic or somethin’?” Thorn questions me. His gaze rakes over me and I mean rakes over my body, from the tippy top of my head down to my ass.

  “Why the hell would you ask that?!” Kasi snaps. “And honestly it’s rude as hell.”

  “She looks like she could be one of them damn Kanashians.”

  “You mean Kardashians?” Kasi grumbles, rolling her eyes in the process. Meanwhile, I’m taking glasses off the crate and am putting them on the shelf so they’re easier for us to grab later.

  “Yeah, whatever, same thing. You a foreigner?” Thorn replies to Kasi, then questions me.

  I turn and look right at him, cocking a brow ‘cause I don’t give a fuck who he is. He could be the pope himself and I’d still be a sassy bitch. “No, I’m an American citizen. My mom is Iranian and my father is white, so it’s why you think I look so different.”

  “Mhm, you’re one of them Kardashian lookin’ bitches. Don’t mind when I take a bite out of you,” Thorn grimaces, sure of himself.

  “As if,” I grunt, turning away from the creeper. If he thinks he’ll ever get close enough to touch me, he’s got another thing coming.

  Breaking Storm

  Devil’s Riot MC Tennessee Prequel

  E.C. Land

  Trigger Warning

  This content is intended for mature audiences only. It contains material that may be viewed as offensive to some readers, in
cluding graphic language, dangerous and sexual situations, murder, rape, and extreme violence.

  Proceed with caution. This book does entail several scenes that may very well be a trigger to some.

  Also, tissues are a must with other scenes.

  Not for the faint at heart.

  If you don’t like violence and cannot handle certain subjects, then this is not a book you’ll want to read.

  Breaking Storm

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  Breaking Storm. Copyright © 2021 by E.C. Land. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in articles or reviews. For information, contact E.C. Land.

  With there being characters mentioned from Elizabeth Knox’s series, I have her permission to use these characters.

  Publisher: Knox Publishing

  Cover Design by Charli Childs, Cosmic Letterz Cover Design

  Editing by Kim Lubbers, Knox Publishing

  Formatting by E.C. Land, Knox Publishing

  Proofreading by Jackie Ziegler, Knox Publishing

  For those who encourage me to keep it going.

  Playlist

  I Break Down – Savannah Dexter & FJ Outlaw

  In My Blood – Shawn Mendes

  Lose You to Love Me – Selena Gomez

  Comfortably Lonely – Struggle Jennings & Jelly Roll (Brianna Harness)

  Ain’t No Fool – OverTime

  Wolves – Selena Gomez & Marshmello

  Preface

  Night’s Storm

  Thunder in the sky’s rumble

  Lightning fills the night

  The storm’s brewing

  Wind gusting all around

  Damage is sure to come

  No sleep in the night

  Storms will keep you awake

  The thunder and lightning comes

  The night’s storm brews

  Coming for you and me

  There’s nothing stopping it

  No way to hide from it

  The storm will blow through

  But not before it leaves its path of destruction

  Night’s storm is nothing to fear

  As long as there’s you and me

  Thunder and lightning fill the night

  The storm’s brewing

  ~ E.C. Land

  Prologue

  Storm

  Age 18

  Holy smokes. I can’t believe I’m finally graduating from this hellhole. It feels like the days have been dragging on while I attended this God-forsaken school. Sure, I might have made good grades, but it wasn’t that hard. Being smart as I am, I’m graduating only second to the top of the class.

  A lot of people would classify me as a nerd, but I’m definitely not that. See, I grew up in the biker world with a hippie mom. Yes, a hippie mom. How she fits into my stepdad’s world is beyond me, but she does, and so do I. See, I never knew my dad growing up, and the only man I’ve known to take that spot in my life is my stepdad, Sniper. When he and Mom got together, he also came with a kid, my brother, Nick. He’s now a part of the Devil’s Riot MC, the same club as my stepdad, well, I guess you can say dad since he raised me. However, Nick left, transferred to the national charter. I talk to him on a regular basis, but it’s not always easy between the two of us, considering I’m a lot younger than him.

  Sighing, I readjust the cap on my head, not liking the frilly thing dangling pretty much in my face. It’s annoying. I sit and wait for my name to be called so that I can get this over with. I want to get out of here and get to my after-party.

  Now that I’m eighteen and finished with school, I can finally seduce Blow, a member of the Devil’s Riot MC. Okay, so he’s not just any member of the club, he’s the President. He’d just gotten the title when the club voted for it when I’d been fifteen. His brothers voted him in after Nine’s father, the previous President, died of cancer. See, I’ve been in love with the man for the past three years, and he knows it. I’ve not hidden my feelings from him. Shoot, even Sniper and Nerd know how I feel about Blow.

  He simply has this aura around him that draws me to him. My mom says it’s the connection between our souls that draws me two him. Unfortunately, Blow refused to acknowledge anything between us until I finished school.

  My name being called draws me out of my thoughts. Slowly so I didn’t trip going up the stairs, I make my way onto the stage. The principal hands me my diploma, and all of a sudden, the entire auditorium is filled with hoots and hollers. Glancing in their direction, I give them all a shit-eating grin.

  With my diploma in hand, I make my way back to my seat and sit down to wait impatiently for the rest of the ceremony to conclude. By the time it’s over with, I’m antsy to get out of here. I plan to make Blow mine tonight, and I cannot wait to get started.

  Okay, so that might sound crazy and like something one of those clubwhores at the clubhouse would say. Those skanks aren’t just clubwhores, they’re what I like to say are fallen harlots. I’d gotten into it with more than one, and that’s what the members of the club started calling them, rather than clubwhores.

  I’d said this because those girls have no problem falling to their knees for one reason or another when it comes to those men. I cringe at the fact I’ve seen more than one of the guys getting their cocks sucked.

  Thankfully, one of those men was not Blow. I know he’s not a choir boy. Those bitches have no problem talking about how good the man is in bed.

  I’m just hoping after tonight, I’ll be the only one to be in his bed.

  “So, Stormy, did you make up your mind on what school you want to go to?” Nick asks me.

  We’d been back at the clubhouse for two hours now, and since then, I’ve barely had a chance to even attempt to put my plan into action. It’s been one thing after another. First, the guys all wanted to give me my graduation gifts. Then there was cake and loads of food. Now it’s my brother distracting me. I swear it’s like they’re all plotting against me to keep me away from Blow.

  It also doesn’t help he’s kind of avoided me somewhat as well.

  I don’t understand why.

  Giving my brother a sweet smile, I give him the honest truth about school. “I’ve decided to take the year off. I don’t know what I want to go to school for, so why waste Mom and Dad’s money.”

  “True, but you’re smart as hell, Stormy, you can easily figure out what you want to do at school. Take some basic courses to get started. That way, you can at least be started in the direction of whatever it is you want to do,” Nick says. I know he’s right, but I don’t want to go to school and be away from Blow. “How many schools did you get accepted into?”

  “Yeah, I got into all of the schools I applied to like Mom and Dad suggested,” I mutter, once again scanning the room, trying to find Blow.

  “Well, at least think about possibly going. You’re too smart not to go to school or at least find something to do besides hang around the club all the time,” Nick suggests.

  “I’ll think about it.” Yeah, right, I had no intention of thinking about it. I knew what I wanted to do, and I was gonna do it. Nick and I spend a little more time talking. This time it’s about what he’s been up to.

  When I’m finally able to escape him, I go in search of Blow. Hoping to find him in his office, I head down the hallway and knock on the door. Hearing a noise on the other side of the door, I thought it was Blow saying it was good to enter.

  Twisting the doorknob, I open the door wide enough to step inside. Lifting my gaze, my eyes widen as my hearing finally registers the sound I’d heard. Staring in horror, tears well in my eyes as I see Blow not only with one woman but three. Worst of all, two of them were girls I’d just graduated
with and were supposed to be my friends. The other one is a fallen harlot.

  Turning on my heels, I run out of his office, making sure to close the door without slamming it and head for the back exit of the clubhouse. I need to get out of here. There’s no way I can stay in a place like this after seeing what Blow would rather be doing. I’ve been in love with him for three years and wanted nothing more than to celebrate tonight with him in the hopes of him making me his just as much as I would have loved to make him mine.

  Heading for my car, I decide to do something I never intended to do. I may not be going to school, but I sure as hell can’t stay here or anywhere close. I head to the cabin that belongs to me. It was left to me by my biological father’s parents, and I’m now going to make it my home. You could say this is the only good thing my father ever gave me; well, his parents gave me.

  Maybe putting distance between Blow and me will help ease the pain he’s caused my heart to endure.

  1

  Blow

  Present day

  Five months later

  No one ever said being a man in my position would be easy. Which is for damn sure. At the age of twenty-five, I took the President’s chair, and in the last four years of holding it, it’s been one headache after another. My VP, Nines, being that he was the Prez’s son, thought it was his birthright to take the seat. But that’s not how our club does shit. The founding members put into place a rule that the President of each charter had to be voted into the chair. My brothers picked me and Stoney, the Prez of the national charter, as well as Hammer, Twister, and Grinder all agreed, I was a good fit for the position.