BRICK SOLID
Voodoo Troops MC
Book 1
Jewelz Baxter
Copyright © Jewelz Baxter 2019
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictional manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 9781096713432
Dedication
I want to thank my wonderful husband for all he does for me. I love you more than you can imagine! You are my biggest supporter and fan. Without your encouragement I could never have taken the step to begin the process of publishing my story filled notebooks.
To our children, all of whom have been very supportive in helping me accomplish this dream, I want you to know your support means more to me than you could ever know. You are each a blessing!
And a special thanks to the person who took on the task of translating my scribbles into type. You had no idea what you were getting yourself into: typing, formatting, basically all that is computer related.
Thank you for taking this journey with me. I love you all!
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
About the Author
What to Read Next...
Newsletter Sign-up
Chapter One
Nealy Kinman stood on the side of the road and stared at the endless dark path that lay ahead. With only stars lighting the way she could see little of the two-lane road she traveled. She surveyed the area only to recognize a slim shoulder of gravel that separated trees from the road on each side as far as she could see.
The sounds were disturbing. Until now she associated darkness with quietness. Never had she realized the night was filled with so much commotion. She heard leaves that rustled in the wind as it whistled through the trees. Crickets and frogs serenaded the night interrupted by a splash nearby.
How she longed for jeans and athletic shoes now. Instead, she had dressed to please her mother, which was not appropriate attire for traveling along a dark highway at night and on foot. Her ankles and feet ached from the heels as they clicked along the pavement.
She imagined her mother’s voice, beauty and status is not comfortable. Well, “beauty and status” was never forced to walk miles on a little-traveled road after dark.
That’s why she relocated to this small town. The stuffy lifestyle her parents led in no way appealed to her. Her father worked and her mother attended social and charitable functions during the day. At night more times than not, they all attended functions as a family. Never time to relax or pursue her interests. She longed to be her own person and be happy. Sadly, she had learned that being herself was not acceptable in her parent's eyes. So she left home.
It was early spring but the wind felt cooler than normal. She pulled her sweater tight and tucked her arms close to her body.
A faint glow in the distance grabbed her attention. Good. Maybe someone there would help her.
An owl hooted as leaves and twigs crunched nearby. She picked up her pace and focused on the break in the tree line where the light glowed red.
* * *
It was a Friday night. Jethro Jackson leaned his chair against the clubhouse wall, leaving two legs on the ground. He could hear the music spilling over from inside. Just like every Friday night the clubhouse was a party. Most drank until they passed out. But not him; he was done with that. Oh, he still enjoyed a drink but did not feel the need to prove anything to anyone. Said he had lived through that stage of life. With parties came women, but none he was interested in. They just saw a dick on a motorcycle or a meal ticket. Either they were there in hopes of becoming an old lady. None of them had a life or a heart as far as he was concerned.
Click. Click. He focused on the road. Click. Click Click. Click. Footsteps? Faint but definitely someone walking. He spotted movement just beyond the trees. His body tensed and eyes narrowed. Slowly his hand moved to rest on the gun under his cut. He could make out a slight form. A woman.
A gust of wind caused her wrap to flutter. She pulled it snug around her body to block the chill. Curves. Beautiful ample curves. But what was she doing here? Where was her car? She clearly did not belong here. Definitely not a club girl or groupie.
As she moved into the light, he studied her face. What he read in her eyes intrigued him and he never looked away: uncertainty then determination.
His eyes locked on hers. They drew her in until she stood only feet away.
Still against the wall but relaxed, he let his gaze roam over every inch of her. Absolutely perfect. Beautiful brown eyes that matched the chocolate hair hanging in curls below her shoulders. Light colored slim dress pants and a blouse topped with a flowing sweater past her knees. If not for the heels he doubted she was barely over five feet tall.
He never spoke, just waited.
She took a deep breath.
“Do you have a phone I may use?”
After no reply she continued, “I had a flat back down the road a bit and my cell died. I just need to call someone to pick me up. Not exactly dressed,” she shrugged and glanced at her clothing, “to change a tire. Especially in the dark when I’ve never changed one before.”
Before he could reply, the door swung open and out ambled a big guy in jeans and leather vest. The man in the chair was intimidating, but this one frightened her. Maybe it was his eyes. They were wild. He looked at her with an eerie grin as he approached but the man in the chair quickly dropped the front down and at the same time threw his leg to the post in front of him.
“Off limits,” he growled.
“Ah, finally getting a little of your own. ’Bout time.”
He said nothing but watched the man stagger back through the door, before turning to her.
She was nowhere in sight.
He didn’t blame her. He would run too.
* * *
Nealy felt like she had been walking forever when in reality it had only been a few miles. Exhaustion set in and her feet ached, even after removing her heels. She didn’t know which was worse—bare feet or spike heels—at a time like this, but she kept going.
Her mind remained where she had stopped for help. She couldn’t pinpoint what was so intriguing about that man, but she couldn’t shake him from her mind. She suspected he was a bit older than she was. He had a brown beard, rough looking but not overly long, and a smooth head. And green eyes. Piercing green eyes, with a deep voice that rumbled the only time he spoke. He wore jeans, black motorcycle boots, and a black t-shirt under a patch covered leather vest. He was intimidating and confident.
Immersed in her thoughts of him, she didn’t notice the car approaching from behind. It pulled off the road and parked in front of her.
She stood and stared as the man from her thoughts folded out of her car. Her car. Glancing down, she noticed the spare replaced the flat. Her eyes traveled back to the man who
now stood facing her with her spare key in his outstretched hand. She looked from the key to him and back. Dazed, she only stared.
His hand fell back to his side.
He was intimidating in a seated position, but at his full height he took her breath away. He stood over a foot taller than her with broad shoulders and thick tattooed arms. Yes, very intimidating. Except his eyes. Those striking green eyes were mesmerizing.
On the left shoulder of the leather vest, a patch caught her attention. Brick. So his name must be Brick. Appropriate she thought. Large and solid as a brick wall.
He stood there, feet spread and hands on his hips, staring down at her.
“Hide it better. And get a charger,” he growled. “Not safe here.”
Her chin held high, shoulders straight she did not let him see her uneasiness. She opened her mouth to speak only to close it without uttering a word.
“You know what could happen to you at that clubhouse? Or on that road?”
“You don’t know how much I appreciate you changing my tire, but my safety is not your concern. How much do I owe you?” She pulled her bag from her shoulder and opened it.
He reached out. His hand stopped hers from bringing out her wallet.
“Promise.”
“Excuse me?” She looked up confused.
“Promise to be aware of your surroundings.” He ground out slowly leaning in closer, “Trust no one.”
After a moment of shocked silence he demanded, “Promise.”
“I promise,” she responded slowly.
Reaching into his back pocket he pulled out a card and handed to her. “Take it here in the morning. He'll be expecting you.”
“Okay.” Timidly, she took the card and examined it.
His eyes roamed over her body slowly.
Her body tingled from the touch of his gaze.
“I will. Thank you again.” She hugged her waist.
He reached for her hand, placed her key in it and wrapped her fingers around it. His touch sparked excitement in her.
Nealy held her breath as she watched his hands before she looked back to those striking eyes. She didn't say a word. No sound would come.
“Be safe,” was all he said. Then turned and jogged back in the direction they had come.
* * *
Hours later at the clubhouse, Brick sat at a table talking with King. The evening had wound down and most everyone had gone. Only the club brothers and a few club girls were about.
“So who's the lady out front earlier? Looked lost.” King studied Brick a moment. “Nah. I can see you doing her.”
“Flat tire.”
“Yeah, I know you. You helped her and got her info.”
Brick didn't reply.
“All the years we've been family, I’ve never seen you with a woman. Or look at a woman. But her, you were looking over mighty close.”
“So”
King laughed, “Careful, your human side is showing.”
Nova's door opened, and he walked out behind a blond wearing a denim miniskirt, a too-tight tee, and tall black boots. He approached the table where Brick and King sat. Pulled back a chair but was stopped by the blonde’s pouty voice.
“Aren't you gonna give me a ride home?”
He turned to her, “how'd you get here?”
“With Debbie.”
“Well when Debbie's done doing whoever she's doing, she'll take you home,” He clipped. Then he sat and focused his attention on his brothers.
The woman sighed and stomped to the bar where she perched on a stool.
“Did I hear Brick had a human side?”
“Could be. Sure eyeballed a woman earlier. Fixed her car too.”
“Damn. Brick.”
At the sound of boots hitting the stairs, the men turned from the table to watch Ghost enter with a woman in tow.
“Debbie?” Nova asked.
Ghost shrugged.
“That's me,” she answered.
Nova turned to the blond, “there ya go. Got your ride home.”
“Hmph,” she huffed, and slid off the stool to follow her friend out.
Nova chuckled and shook his head.
The clubhouse door opened and Mac walked in. He held the door as the two women left, then went to the table where the others sat, turned a chair around and straddled it.
“That the last of them?”
“Yeah. Top floor cleared,” Ghost replied.
Mac took a long leather wallet from his back pocket and unhooked it from his belt. He tossed it to King.
“Tonight's take.”
King caught it and nodded.
“Knox approached me. Wants our girls for an event.”
“And?” King urged.
“He gets them for a percentage. And his next event he brings here. We profit.”
King nodded his approval.
* * *
The next morning Nealy arrived early at the mechanic shop where several cars already sat near the building, awaiting service. After considering whether to stay or come back later, she stood from her car and pushed the door closed.
Customers filled the waiting area as she approached the reception window.
“Good morning,” A young blond greeted.
“Can you tell me about how long the wait is? My tire needs repair.”
“Just sign in here,” she pushed a clipboard toward Nealy, “and I will step to the back and check. What seems to be the problem with your tire?”
“It's flat. Driving on the spare.”
The receptionist stretched to see the clipboard Nealy signed.
“You’re Miss Kinman?” she squeaked. Her large eyes searching Nealy's face.
“Yes.”
The surprised disappeared from the girl's face replaced by unease. “No disrespect ma’am. I just.... You’re not... Um, I was expecting someone.” She released a breath. “Sign this and leave your keys. It will be ready in no time at all.”
Nealy accepted another clip board. She held the pen to sign the bottom as she scanned the form. Her eyes shot to the receptionist's face who stood smiling. The form had been completed with her personal information. She signed it and pushed it through the window with her keys. Speechless she turned and chose a seat to wait.
Mandy, that's what her name tag read, must be mistaken. Others were already on the list, she would wait her turn. She pulled a book from her bag and began reading.
The lady across from her seat was called within minutes to collect her car.
Soon, the door opened and an older man with graying hair entered. Behind him stood a man in his thirties with thick dark hair, who watched the older one call her name. “Miss Nealy Kinman.”
Startled she quickly dropped her book into the bag by her feet, grabbed it, stood, and approached him. The younger man grinned at her and nodded. When he turned away, on the back of his leather vest she recognized the same skull with a top hat as the one Brick wore on his back.
“Ma’am?” The older man brought her attention back, but she had no idea what he said.
Shaking her head quickly she replied, “I’m…I’m sorry. What?”
“Fixed the tire. Had a nail in it. Good as new now. Put a charger in the car. I was informed what brand phone you have and it should work fine. But if it ever gives you problems or doesn’t fit just come back.”
A phone charger. He remembered her phone died.
“Thank you, do I pay you or at the window?” She reached in her bag feeling for her wallet, but stopped abruptly at his reply.
“It’s taken care of.”
“Excuse me? No, I haven't paid yet,” She held her wallet in hand now.
“No need. Noted here,” he pointed to the clipboard showing her, “paid in full.”
With that, he dropped the keys in her hand and disappeared through the door.
Chapter Two
A few evenings later Nealy pulled into the parking lot of the yoga studio. It was a small studio that shared parking with other business
es in the same strip building. Yoga was one of the few things Nealy enjoyed and did for herself.
She reached into the back floorboard and grabbed her yoga mat before opening her door and stepping out. As she pushed her door closed a car pulled to a stop next to her. Venus and Chelle. She had met them the first time she attended class and they became fast friends. The two women seemed to always be together and their occupation was still a little sketchy to her understanding but they were friendly and fun to be around.
“Hey girls!”
“Hey Nee!” Venus walked around the car while Chelle reached in the back seat pulling out yoga mats.
“How nice is it to not be bundled up like snowmen finally?” Chelle greeted. “Thought I would suffocate in all those clothes.”
They laughed and Venus reached to take her yoga mat from Chelle.
“Good evening, ladies.” A voice demanded their attention to the front of the cars where a man stood. Nothing extraordinary about him: average height, thin, pleasant looking although in need of a shave. But his voice set Nealy on edge.
“Sly, what are you doing here?” Venus asked.
“Looking for beautiful women. And here I find you three. I hit the jackpot.”
“And what do you have for us?”
“Ah Chelle, right to the point.” He stepped closer and held up envelopes. “Getting that time of year again for summer photo shoots and promotions. Got invitations for the weekend event.”
He handed one each to Venus and Chelle. “Personal delivery to the two best ladies I know. And who is this lovely lady here? You two been holding out on me?”
Addressing either Venus or Chelle but never taking his eyes off Nealy, he took her hand, bringing it to his lips. The touch of his kiss, however light on her hand, sent chills down her spine. He then handed her an invitation also as he introduced himself.
“Sly, of Knox Productions, at your service. You must join your friends here for this rare opportunity. It's a small group by invitation only. I assure you it will be a chance of a lifetime. You will not be disappointed.”
Brick Solid (Voodoo Troops MC Book 1) Page 1