TheDevil’sRebel

BlackRebelRiders’MC

Book10

GlennaMaynard

reserved

Thisisaworkoffiction.Namescharacters,placesandincidentseitheraretheproductof
theauthor’simaginationorusedfictitiouslyandanyresemblancetoactualpeople,aliveor
dead,business,establishments,localsoreventsisentirelycoincidental.Anyreferenceto
realevents,business,organizationsorlocalsisintendedonlytogivethefictionasenseof
realism and authenticity. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic,
mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior
permissioninwritingfromtheauthor.

Theauthoracknowledgesthecopyrightedortrademarkedstatusandtrademarkownersof
thewordmarksmentionedinthisworkoffiction.

Oneofthefirstlessonswelearninlifeisnevertotakeridesfromstrangers.Saraalways
thought she was smart and would never become a statistic. However, when she meets a
cute, older guy at a basketball game she has no idea that he is a member of the Devils
Rejectsandaswornenemyofherfamily.Takeninbyhissoutherncharmandgoodlooks,
she takes a chance. A chance that could be a grave mistake for the daughter of a Black
RebelRider.

Asbrother-in-lawofthePresidentoftheDevilsRejects,Dannyhasnochoicebuttodoas
heistold.Inthislifetheonlywayyouareleavingisinabodybag.Youcaneitherrideor
youcandie.WhenMarekdemandshebringhimthedaughterofaBlackRebelhefollows
hisorderslikeagoodbrothershould.Onlyhegrabsthewronggirl.Hemaybefallingin
lovewithhiscaptive,butlovinghercouldbehisend.

Grim thought he had laid the ghost of Gypsy Red to rest and let that part of himself go
once and for all. However, a deathbed confession rips the old wound wide open leaving
himquestioningthepastfortyyears.

The Black Rebel Riders’ MC Saga continues. This time when an enemy goes too far it
meanswarandnooneissafe.

Dedication

This series is dedicated to some people who have meant the world to me. Their love of
HarleyDavidsonandrock‘nrollissomethingIwillalwayscarrywithme.FoxyRoxie,
Elmer Lee (Cowboy) and my parents Glen & Alice. Thank you for all of the wonderful
influencesyou placed uponme. Roxie,Elmer and dad Ihope you allare riding on that
highwayinthesky.

To everyone who believed in this series and kept encouraging me to pursue my dreams
thisbookisforyou.

Acknowledgements

Itmaysoundcliché,butIwanttothankGodforgivingmetheabilitytocreatethisseries.
Nothingwouldbepossibleinmylifewithouthisloveandguidance.

To my ride or die rebels, thank you for your support over the years, I look forward to
manymoreadventuresinthefuture.

TomyChellebelle,MichelleSimm,Idon’tknowwherethisserieswouldbewithoutyour
friendshipandsupport.Icanneverthankyouenoughforallthetimeandeffortyouhave
putintotobeingmytopbitch.Youareamazingandsomuchmorethanjustabetareader
tome.YourfriendshipisoneIwillalwayscherish.Youtrulyarearebelatheart.

ToJennaandFrank,thankyouforputtingupwithmyendlessmessagesandfreakouts.I
trulyvalueourfriendship.

ToMorganIwouldn’tbedoingthiswritingthingwithoutyou.Iloveyoudearly.

TomyDawnbitch,thankyouforbelievinginme,always.Evenwhenyoudon’tlikemy
storieshaha.

Tomyfamilyandfriendswhohavebeeninmycornertellingmetonevergiveupandto
keeppushingharder,Iloveyou.Thankyouforyoursupport.

Tomylittlenerdindoggieheaven,mybeautifulboy,Bo—writingthisbookwithoutyou
undermyfeetwasnearlyimpossible.Imissyoueverysecondofeveryday.

SeriesRecommendedReadingOrder

GrimTheBeginning

Rumor

Baby

Striker

Romeo

HeartofARebel

ARebelLove

ARebelInTheRoses

BornSinner(Book1)

BloodofARebel

TheDevil’sRebel

CharacterGlossary

Alistofcharactersmentionedinthisbookorpreviousbooksinnoparticularorder.

BlackRebelRiders

Jack‘Grim’Jones–PresidentandfoundingbrotherofTheBlackRebelRidersMC.Son
of Hook, the founding member of the Devils Rejects. Two half-brothers, Benji and Rush.
Father of Baby Jones, mothered by Gypsy Red. Step-father to Sarah ‘Rumor’ Johnson,
motheredbyGypsyRed.Onemarriage,Sunshine.

Christopher ‘Rebel’ Black – Club Vice President. Son of Foxie and Slim Black. First
marriage,Rumor.Secondmarriage,LilBit.Threechildren,Axel,Harley,andAbel.One
adopteddaughter,Miracle,motheredbyLL.

Thomas ‘Striker’ Black – Alias, Nash Johnson. Son of Foxie Black and Romeo. One
marriage,BabyJones.Twochildren,ColeandSara.

Mike ‘Romeo’ Wells – Best friend of Grim. Moonshine extraordinaire and founding
brotherofTheBlackRebelRidersMC,formerclubvicepresident.Onemarriage,LLAKA
LusciousLaura.Twochildren,DawnandJamie.

Marc‘Tread’Adams–Moonshinerunner.Onechild,Kyler,motheredbyLiberty.

Grady‘Truth’Williams–Technologicalgenius.

Stone–Securitydetail.

Skull–AfoundingbrotherofBlackRebelRiders’MC.Deceased,diedinprison.

Kurt-Potentialclubmember.

One-off–Nomad.

Jim ‘Slim’ Black – Founding President of The Black Rebel Riders MC. One marriage,
Foxie.Onetruebornson,Rebel.Astep-son,Striker,fatheredbyRomeo.Abastardborn
son,JT,motheredbyWildCherry.KilledbyGrimforbetrayinghisbrothersandtheclub.

Colt‘Trouble’–BestfriendofBaby.KilledbyRush,half-brotherofGrim.

Blaze-Deceasedmember.KilledbyTroubleforbetrayingtheclub.

Jailbait-Deceasedpotential.KilledbyTheDevilsRejects.

JT-Potentialclubmember.SonofWildCherryandSlimBlack.

ColeJohnson,AKAOutlaw,California,ColtBlack-SonofNash(Striker)andKarly

(Baby),grandsonofRomeo,Foxie,GypsyRed,andGrim.NephewofRebel.

LeadingLadies

GypsyRed–Awandererandcarrierofsecrets.Onemarriage,Benji.Adaughter,Rumor,
fathered by Winston Rush, her foster brother. A daughter, Baby fathered by Grim.
MurderedinGrim’shome,attackerunknown.

Roxie‘Foxie’Black–Awomanwhospeakshermind.Onemarriage,SlimBlack.Ason,
Rebel.Ason,Striker,fatheredbyRomeo.Also,raisedBaby,daughterofGrim,asherown.

Luscious Laura - AKA LL. Heroin addict who couldn’t get it together. One marriage,
Romeo. A daughter, Dawn. A son, Jamie. A daughter, Miracle, father Stone. Deceased,
killedbyRomeo,herhusband.

WildCherry–Slim’sclubwhore.Onemarriage,DougFranklin.Onedaughter,Christa.
Oneson,JT,fatheredbySlim.

Baby Jones – Alias, Karly Johnson. Biker brat princess. Daughter of Grim and Gypsy
Red.Onemarriage,Striker.Oneson,Colt,(Cole).Onedaughter,Sara.

Sarah ‘Rumor’ Johnson – A tortured soul. Daughter of Gypsy Red and Winston Rush.
TakeninbyGrim.Onemarriage,Rebel.Deceased,murdererunknown,butaffiliatedwith
theUndeadBastardsandDryRidgeSinners.

Sunshine–Formerclubwhore.Marriageone,Grim.Marriagetwo,PaulCraven.Ason,
Patrick,givenupforadoption,butfatheredbyPaul.

Christa ‘Buttercup’ Franklin – High school sweetheart to Tread. Daughter of Wild
Cherry.

Amy‘Peaches’Mathers–Clubwhorewhocanshakeitlikenoother.Truth’sgirlfriend.

Blowjob Betty – Clubwhore with affiliations to Black Rebel Riders and Devils Rejects.
ResponsibleforRumor’smurder.KilledbyGrim.

Aspen–Ex-girlfriendofStriker.Whereaboutsunknown.

Liberty–Dirtygirlwholovestogetdown.Onemarriage,John.Oneson,Kyler,fathered
byTread.Lilbit’scousin.

Diamond – Skankho Pocahontas wannabe bitch. Clubwhore. Nasty snatch bitch with a
bedazzledpussy.KilledbyFoxie.

Smokey–Undercoveragentposingasaclubwhore.KilledbytheDryRidgeSinners.

Dawn–DaughterofRomeoandLL.

Michelle‘LilBit’–AKAChelleBell.SisterofShredandLasher.CousinofLiberty.One
marriage,Rebel.Threechildren.Ason,Axel.Adaughter,Harley.Ason,Abel.

Miracle–AKAMorgan.DaughterofLL,fatherunknown.AdoptedbyRebelandChelle.

Kimmie–Clubwhore-JT’soldlady.

Bridgette–Friendoftheclub.BestfriendofMiracle.

Dawn—DaughterofRomeoandLL.MarriedtoPatrick‘Mute’Hanes.

Harper-WifeofMarek,sisterofDanny,lovertoCole.

Sara–DaughterofStrikerandBabyakaKarlyandNash.GranddaughterofGrim,Foxie,
andRomeo.

DevilsRejects

Hook–PresidentoftheDevilsRejects.FatherofBenjiandGrim.KilledbyGrim.

Benji–Hook’sson.HusbandofGypsyRed.Step-fathertoRumor.KilledbyGrim.

Lucky–Undercoverdetective.

Squirrel–BrotherofFoxieBlack.KilledbyGrim.

Winston Rush – Half- brother of Grim. Longtime lover of Gypsy Red. One daughter,
Rumor,motheredbyGypsyRed.KilledbyRomeo.

Marek-ActingPresidentinbook9,husbandofHarper.

Danny–BrotherofHarper.

DryRidgeSinners

Shred–ClubPresident.TwintoLasher.BrotherofLilBit.Diedinprison.KilledbyKurt.

Lasher–VicePresident.TwintoShred.BrotherofLilBit.Diedinprison.KilledbyKurt.

Pinky–Enforcer.

Cowboy–Truckdriver.Whereaboutsunknown,assumeddead.FormerloverofFoxie.

WhiteMilitia

Paul ‘Lick’ Craven – Leader of the racist group. One marriage, Sunshine. One son,
Patrick.

LennyCraven–OwnerofthestripclubPinkLips.

Patrick‘Mute’Hanes–SonofSunshineandPaulCraven.OldmantoDawn.

BornSinners

Rhyner – Prospect, undercover with the Devils Rejects. Friend of Cole. Boyfriend to
Bridgette.NephewofPorter.

Porter–MemberoftheBornSinners.

Wilcox–PresidentoftheBornSinners,SunnyKentuckychapter.

DearReader,

Fouryearsago,whenIbeganonthisjourneywiththeBlackRebelRider’sMC,Inever
dreamt I would come so far with these crazy characters. However, here I am. Since late
2013myworldhasrevolvedaroundthiscrewoffoulmouthedbikers.Ihavelovedwitting
every word. This series is such a part of me that I sometimes forget my characters are
fictional.Ifeelliketheyaremybestfriends.Ithurtsmypaperhearttobringtheirstoryto
a close, but I know that it’s time. As much I would love to keep writing Grim, Baby,
Romeo,Striker,Rebel,andtherestoftheclub,theirstoryhascometoanend,andIcan
onlyhopetohavedonethemalljustice.Idohavespinoffsplannedinthefutureandyou
never know when or where one of my Black Rebels may show up. I hope you have
enjoyedtheirrideasmuchasIhave.Theremaybesomethingintheworks,thankstothe
suggestion of my friend, Frank, Tales from The Roadhouse, so be on the lookout in the
future.Nowbuckleupandenjoythefinalride.

Glenna

Contents

TheDevil’sRebel

Preface

DearDiary,

I had a strange experience with Foxie. She kept rubbing my stomach and talking to

mybabyasthoughitwerehers.TalkingofGrimandhowgreatofafatherheisgoingto

make.Shehadthislookinhereyesthatscaredme.Iknowsheisinlovewithhim.Ican

seethewayshelooksathim.SometimesIgettheimpressionshethinkshebelongstoher.I

keepmymouthshutthoughbecauseIseethewayherhusband,Slim,staresatme.Those

darkeyespiercemeeverytimehesetshisattentiononme.Hedoesn’tlikeme.Ithinkhe’s

afraidthatIwillsomehowcomebetweenhimandGrim.IsupposethatisbecauseIknow

he isn’t a good man. Just like every other mean biker I have ever met. Only there is

somethingmoreevilinhiseyes,asthoughhehasnosoul.IshouldhaveleftDragCreek.I

should have run far away. Maybe I will take my baby when it is born and run. Like I

shouldhavedonewithmyotherchildren.

Anyway, Foxie kept rubbing my stomach and whispering sweet nothings so I said I

wastired.Grimwashavingagoodtime.Ididn’twanttomakeasceneandsaythatbitch

who is in love with you kept creeping me out. Only now that I am in the trailer alone, I

keep hearing noises and I wonder if I should have stayed at the baby shower a while

longer…

Chapter1

DragCreek,Kentucky

Early1980s

Foxie

IshouldarantheoppositedirectionwhenIfirstmetJackGrimJonesandhisbuddy,

Slim Jim Black, but I couldn’t resist. A bad boy, tattooed, driving a Harley; he was the

thingsagirl’swetdreamsandafather’snightmaresaremadeof.IknewIhadtohavehim

theminuteIlaideyesonhim,andIwillsoon.I’vebeenflirtinganddroppinghintsthat

I’mmorethanready,willing,andabletohoponthebackofhisbikeandrideithard—him

too.

My heart flutters in my chest hearing the familiar sound of motorcycles pulling in

downstairsatmydaddy’sliquorbarn.Irushtothewindowhopingtoseetheonlymanto

catch my eye. I shouldn’t lust after him, but he’s sexy as fuck. He also happens to be a

totalbadass.

Grim’sabiker,hedoesn’ttakenoshit,andhedoesn’tstaywithanyonewomanlong.

However,he’sacold-bloodedkiller,soitmakessensethathewouldn’thaveasteadygirl

inhislife.Itshouldturnmeoffthathe’sabadman,butlikemostgirlswhochasemen

theyshouldn’t,IthinkIcanchangehim.

MydaddyhaswarnedmemanytimestostayawayfrommenlikeGrim.Heshould

haveknowntellingmenowouldonlydrivemeclosertohim.Icheckmyselfoverinmy

bedroommirrorthathangsonthebackofmyclosetdoor.Ilookhot.Tightcutoffdenim

shorts that show off my legs. Low-cut red tank top that matches my ruby red lipstick. I

hurryandgrabmymomma’sblackheelsthatIstolefromherlastweek.

I don’t dare slip them on until I get to the bottom of the stairs, I’d break my neck

tryingtowalkveryfarinthem.GoodthingIdon’tplanondoingmuchwalking.Daddy

had to go to town to renew his liquor license and Jenny is running the store. She won’t

daretellonme,Iknowtoomuchaboutherandthediscountsshegiveswhenmydaddy

isn’there.

I’mrightontime.SneakingapeekthroughthewindowIseeGrimisatthecounter

pawingatthesticksofjerkywhilehisfriendflirtswithJenny.Igoovertothepayphone

beforehespotsmenosingandpretendtomakeacall.

WhenhewalksoutI’llbethefirstthinghesees.Withmyhipcockedtothesideand

myhandrestingonitfordramaticflairIputonmyshow.

“Whattayameanyecan’tpickmeup?It’sFridaynight!”Ihuffannoyedasthatsexy

motherfuckerwalksoutthedoor.Ipursemylipsandsay,“Yeahwell…fuckyouandyour

tinydick.”

I hear my target chuckle and slam the phone down on the receiver. Twisting in his

direction,Ismirkashiseyestravelupmylegsandlandonmyredlips.“Thinkyoucan

givemearide?”

HegawksatmelikehethinksI’mstupidorsomething.“Howoldareye,darlin?You

evenoutofyourtrainingbrayet?”

Hisbuddyhowlswithlaughterandcrackshisbeeropen,chuggingthe40-oz.bottle

likewater.

“Oldenoughtoknowbetter,butbigenoughtotakeyouforagoodhardride.”Iwink,

lettingonthatIknowexactlywhatIamdoing,butontheinside,Iamshittingbricks.I’ve

heardstoriesaboutbikersandthecompanytheykeep.MenlikeGrimwillcutyoudown

withoutablinkoftheeye.Hedoesn’ttakenoshit,butIcan’tshowfear.He’smyticket

outofhere.He’sbigandmean.JustthekindofmanIneed.

WhenIseesomethingthatIwantIgoforitfullthrottle.

DaddysaidhewishedtotheheavensI’dbeenaboybecauseanythingwithtitswas

nothingbuttrouble.

“Youhearthis,Slim?Whattayethink?”

“I think ye should give the girl what she’s asking for.” He grins and Grim rubs his

chin.

His tattoos should scare me, especially the ones marking his face. Red teardrops

trickleunderneathhiseyes.Iknowwhattheystandfor—thenumberofmenhe’skilled.

I’veheardtalk.

“Come on, Foxie Lady, I’ll take ye for a ride. Watch your legs, they won’t be too

prettyifyouburnthemonthepipes.”

IjumponthebackofhisHarleywithnointentionsofevergettingoff.

Grim

I don’t know why Slim chases after Jenny, this chick who works at the local liquor

barn.She’snotverypretty.Hell,thesweetlittlethingpeekingoutthewindowupstairsat

us every time we roll up probably has more personality than this flake. This bitch is

probablyadeadfucktoo.Sheneverevencracksasmile.EverytimeIwalkinthestore

sheactslikeI’mabouttorobthestoreandkillher.

Iseethewaysheturnshernoseupatmyappearance.She’soneofthosesnottylittle

bitcheswhothinksherpussyismadeofgold.

SlimflirtsandpaysforhisbeerwhileIgrabacoupleofjerkystickstotidemeover

untilIcanstopoveratSkull’splace.HisTopBitchcooksameanburger.Ifitweren’tfor

SkullandRoberta,I’dhavestarvedorbeenlockedupbynow.Idon’tknowwhyhesaw

fittotakeachanceonmebutI’mthankfulhedid.I’vedonemyfairshareofbadshit,but

hemakesmefeellikemaybethereismoretomethankillingforaliving.

I’vebeendoingjobsfortheDevilsRejectssinceIwasaboy.InSkull’seyesI’mstill

thatlostlittleboy,butI’mnot,I’mamaninchargeofmyowndestiny,finally.Slimand

me are going out on our own with Romeo. Starting our own club; Black Rebel Riders’

MC.

Iseethatgirlfromtheupstairspeeringatmethroughthewindow.ShethinksIdon’t

see her strutting in them heels that are a size too big. Her lips are painted a bit too red.

She’s a pretty little thing. I’ve seen her many times. She doesn’t need to go to so much

troubletogetattention.Shetriestoodamnhard.Icanseeherintentionsamileaway.She

hatesherhomelifeandthinksI’llbeherknightinleathers,butshehasmetwisted.I’m

thekindamansheshouldberunningfromnotto.

Myworlddoesn’thaveroomforasweetthinglikeher.It’llonlydestroyher.

Ipayformyshitandstepbackoutintothesunasitbeatsdownonthebackofmy

neck.Herlegsgivemepauseassheshootsoffatthemouthatsomeoneonthepayphone.

She’sgotafilthymouthonher.ShetellssomeonetheyhavealittledickandIcan’thelp

butloseitaslaughtereruptsfrommychest.

ImeanitasajokewhenIlooktoSlimtoaskhisthoughts.

WhenhesaysIshouldgiveherwhatshewantshereyeslightupwithhopeandevena

sorrybastardlikemecan’tcrushherheart.

So,IofferherarideknowingIcan’tletitgoanyfurther.

That’stheplananyway.

Foxie

AfterclimbingonthebackofGrim’smotorcycleIknowthereisnoplaceI’drather

be.Thewindisblowinginmyhairandtheseatisvibratingundermyass.Myarmsare

wrappedaroundGrim’swaist,rubbingupagainsthismuscularstomachunderhisleather

vestandblackt-shirt.Heholdshispalmflatovermywanderinghandandgraspsittight.

“Holdon,Foxieandenjoytheride,”hecallsoutoverhisshoulder.

Igotoreplybutthebikejerksforward,andIeatmywordswithmydarkhairflying

in my mouth. I’m not sure how long we ride but when we finally come to a stop in a

clearingwithanoldbarnstandingaloneinthefieldmylegsareshaking.

Grimchuckles,hisdarkeyesamused.Heleavesmestandingalonebyhisbikewhile

heandSlimgoovertothebarngatheringfirewoodtoburn.Ifeelstupidjuststandinghere

butIdon’tknowwhatelseIshouldbedoing.

Afewmoremotorcyclespullup,butnootherwomenareridingonthebacksofthem.

WhatdidIgetmyselfinto?Surely,Iwon’tbetheonlychickheretonight?Whatifthey

decidetohandmearoundlikeapartyfavor?Ihaveheardstoriesatschoolaboutparties

likethese.Theyneverendwell.

ThemeneyemeandinreturnIfeelveryexposed.Itrynottoletmyinsecurityshine

through.Ipushmyshouldersbackholdingmyheadhigh.

“Youbeenhangingaroundthehighschoolparkinglotwithabagofcandy?”Oneof

thetallermenofthegroupasks.Hehasaspiderwebtattedonhisneck.

“Fuck you, Romeo,” Grim says with a grunt, stepping next to me and pulling me

closetohisside.“She’safriend.”

“Lookslikeyebabysitting.Yougettin’paidbythehour,brother?”Anothermanwith

astone-coldfaceasks.Thepatchinhiscutreads:Stone.Iseewherehisnamecomesfrom

withaseriousfacelikethat.Amugonlyamothercouldlove.Iwonderifakissfromhim

wouldturnagirlintorock.

I cross my arms over my chest feeling defensive. These men act like I’m ten years

old.I’msixteenandawomaninmanyways.

ThegroupwandersofftodotheirownthingsettingupforapartyIguess.Ifeelout

ofplace,unsureofwhatthenightwillhold.However,Iknowthereisnoturningback.If

thisismyoneandonlychancewithGrim,Iintendtomakeitcount.

Helooksdownatmeandmythintop.“It’sgonnagetcolderasitgetsdarker.Ihavea

long-sleevedshirtinmysaddlebag,you’rewelcometoit.”

I nod and dig it out from his belongings, careful not to bother anything else he has

tuckedaway.

Islipthegrayshirtovermyhead,beingswallowedbyit,likeI’mwearingatent.The

smell of sunshine, grease, and pure man envelops me. He smells so good; I am never

givingthisshirtback.Imaynevertakeitoff.

Chapter2

Grim

PresentDay

DragCreek,Kentucky

Slipping into bed next to Foxie, I am careful not to wake her. It’s hard to see her

appearingsoweak.She’soneofthetoughestbitchesI’veeverknown.Webeenthrougha

lot together. Lost a lot of people we’ve cared about. Never thought cancer would be the

onethingshecouldn’tbeat.She’sgivenitonehellofafightthough.Mywomanhasheld

onforthepastfewmonths,sufferinginsilence,neveroncecomplaining.Notuntiltoday.I

wasjustcominginafterbeingattheRoadhousehandlingsomebusinesswithRebeland

Romeo.FoxiewasinthekitchencookingeventhoughItoldherIwouldtakeherouton

thetown.Wedon’tgooutasoftenasweusedto.Yousee,shehascervicalcancer.When

theyopenedheruptodoahysterectomythedoctorsaidthecancerhadspreadtoherother

organs.Thatwasthreemonthsago.Earlier,Ifoundhergrippingthecounterforsupport,

swaying, ready to fall over. I ordered her to bed. She’s been asleep for four hours. I’m

damn tired but haven’t been able to sleep, been sitting here watching her breathe. Been

terrifiedthatanydaynowsheisgonnastop.Shehasanursewhocomesoveronceaday

to check in on her. Make sure she is drinking her shakes and taking her medication. I

suspect the hateful nosy bitch is making sure I’m not selling her pain pills. She counts

themeverytimesheishere,andI’veseenthewaysheturnshernosedownatmyleather

cut.ThebitchthinksI’mtrash.Don’trightlygiveashitwhatshethinksaboutmethough.

Assoonasmyheadhitsthepillow,mywomanturnstome.Hereyesarestillshutas

shesays,“Weneedtotalk.”

Ineverhavemuchcaredforthosewords,especiallywhencomingfromawomanyou

shareabedwith.“Tomorrow,”Imumble,eagertocatchalittleshuteye.

“It can’t wait, Grim. There’s something I have to confess to you.” She sucks in a

laboredbreath,andIinstantlygoonalert.Idon’tlikethewaysheisclutchingmyhand

andsqueezingit.Herbonyfingerspresshardagainstmewithallhermight.Thestrainof

expendingthatsmallamountofenergyisevidentonherface.Hermouthissetinatight

line and her skin has a greyish hue. The woman is a skeleton. Has a hard time keeping

food down these days but she tries. “The night Baby was born I went to check on

Gypsy…”

Igodeathlystillatherwords.Thefuckdoesshemeanshewenttocheckonher?I

wanttograbherandshakeher.DemandshespitsitalloutbutinsteadIwaitandlisten.

“There was a man there. I don’t think either of them knew I was listening. He was

talkingaboutherveeringfromtheplan.Idon’tknowwhohewas,buthewassoangry.

You could see there was a lot of passion between them. She said something, and he

smackedher.”Foxiepausesforanotherbreath.Hereyesflitovertome,tearsburningin

thecorners,wellingupinherwrinkledcreases.“Ishouldhaveinterruptedthemorcame

foryou,butIdidn’t.Iwatchedashethenpulledhertohimandkissedherroughly.She

foughthimbrieflythensoongaveinandreturnedhiskiss.Sheneverdeservedyou.Never

lovedyouasIdo…”Aheavysighleavesherdrycrackedlips.Herhandtremblesasshe

reachesforthewateronthenightstand.Iendupgrabbingitforherandbendingherstraw,

soshecantakeadrink.Alwaysthoughtthiswouldbetheotherwayaround.Thoughtshe

wouldbetheonetakingcareofme.

IalwaysthoughtIwouldbetheonewhogoesfirstoutofthetwoofus.Foxieisthe

one always making sure that I am eating right and minding after my heart. Her cancer

cameoutofnowhere.

I wait impatiently for her to get on with the story. For her to tell me about the man

whokilledGypsyRed.Thewomanwhoraisedmydaughter,thewomanIhaveknownfor

afuckofalongtimehaskeptsomethingofsuchimportancefromme,IfeelasthoughI

amlyingnexttoastrangerrightnow.Myloveofheristheonlythingstoppingmefrom

chokingthelifeouttaher.

Whynow?Whyisshesayinganythingatall?Shecouldhavetakenthistohergrave

andI’dneverhavedoubtedwhatwe’veshared.NowIquestioneverything.

“You know I have always loved you, Jack. Since I was a girl. You were all I ever

reallywanted.EvenwhenImarriedSlim,Ipretendedhewasyou.WhenIcarriedmysons

inmywomb,Ipretendedyoufatheredthem.ItwastheonlywayImadeitthrough.”Tears

spilldownhercheeks.Idon’tofferheranycomfort.IknowFoxieandsheisabouttopiss

meoffgreatly,Icanfeelit.“Thenthereshewas,thisredheadedwitchwhocharmedyou

over night. She came in and stole your heart in a matter of minutes. I never understood

whatwassogoddamnedspecialabouther.”Herfadedtattooedfistsgripthesheetasshe

staresatmewantingmetoexplainit.

Ican’tgiveheranywordstodescribethepullIfelttoKaraMarie.Ijustwantedher

to be mine. I was a lonely man and she was the only thing that made me feel I was

somebody. She believed in me. Had faith that somewhere beyond the killer there was a

goodman.BeingwithherwaslikewalkingJesusandhavingallmysinswashedaway.

“Grim,shehadyourbabyinsideher,andIcouldn’tstandit.TheonethingIwanted

andwouldneverhavewasyourchild.God,didIwantyou,andIthoughtIcouldnever

have you as long as you had her. You’d never want me. You never had. Even now, you

onlysettledforme.YousayyoulovemebutdeepdownwebothknowIwastheonlyone

left.”HerfingersbrushacrossmylipsasIshakemyheadtodenyheruglytruth.

Istarttoargue,totellhershehasitalltwisted.Iknowshealwayslovedme.Shewas

infatuated with me. I never should have let her on the back of my bike. Maybe her life

woulda been different and I wouldn’t have used her then passed her off to Slim. Maybe

she would have met a nice guy to give her what she deserved. A real and true love. As

much as I want to tell her she has it all wrong, I know deep down that I do love her

because she has always been here, but I’m not in love with her. Not that all-consuming

can’tlivewithoutyouway.Shewilldiesoon,andIwillmissher,butnotasIshould.Not

likeIhavemissedGypsyRedsincethemomentalllifeslippedfromherbody.Herdeath

hasstayedwithmelikeacancereatingawayatmyinsides,butIlovedher.Ialwayswill,

tillmydyingbreath.

“It’sokayyouknow.Theseyearswe’vesharedhavebeenworthit.I’monlysorryfor

thepainIcausedyoutogetwhatIwanted.”

“Whatareyousaying,Foxie?Youneverhurtme.Allye’veeverdonewaslovedme.

No crime in that. Am I pissed you didn’t come to me when whoever it was killed the

motherofmychild?FuckyeahIamangry.ButIcan’tholdthatoveryou.It’sbeenover

fortyGoddamnedyearsago.Yougottaletthatshitgo.Ihave.IburiedGypsyandmoved

on.Iwillseeheragainwhenthedeviltakesme.”

Herweaksmilefaltersandshesobsasshepunchesmeinthechest.“Evenindeath

you’dratherbewithher.Youbastard!It’swhyIdidit.”

“Didwhat?Whatdidyoudo?”

Angrytearsfloodhereyesasshethrashesatme,exertingmoreenergythanIknew

shehadinher.

Igrabherarms,carefulnottohurtherfragileframe.“Stop,Goddamnit.Iamalotof

things,butIhavealwaysbeenhonestwithyou,andItriedmybesttoloveyeandbeyour

man.Youmayloveme,butyoucan’townme.Nooneevercould.Notevenher.”

“SometimesIthinkIhateyou,”sheconfessesasshefallsbackonthepillows,having

depletedallherenergy.

Igruntunsurehowtorespond.IknowIamnotaneasymantobewith,noramIan

easy man to love. I thought she was content with what I’ve given her. “We have shared

sometearsandhardtimesbut,Foxie,Iamwithyetotheend.Isn’tthatallthatcounts?”

“Thisistheend.I’mdying,Icanfeelit.Mybodyisgivingoutonme,butIwon’tlet

gountilItellyouthetruth.”

“What the fuck ye on about now? Fuck, woman, you make my head fuckin’ hurt.

‘BoutreadytogobacktotheRoadhouseandsleepinmyoffice.”

Hernextwordsseemtostoptime.

“Ikilledher,Grim.IkilledGypsyRed.”

Chapter3

Foxie

DragCreek,Kentucky

40someyearsago

“Youwhore!WaituntilItellGrimallaboutyou.Isawyouwiththatmanjustnow.

Thatbabyyoucarryisprobablyhis.”IsneeratGypsyRed,thefuckingredheadedbitch.I

don’tknowwhatitisGrimseesinher.Sure,she’spretty,butthatisonlyskindeep.

“Foxie,youdon’tunderstand.Thingsarecomplicated,butthisisGrim’sbaby.Iwill

tellhimeverythingmyself,butwhenIdoitwillhurtalotofpeople.EspeciallyGrim.You

wantmetotellhimalltheshitSlimisrunningbehindhisbackwiththeDevilsRejects.

You want me to tell him his best friend, your husband conspired to kill him? That he

offered Hook his head? Because you know they will kill each other and you will be

withoutbothofthem.Thenwhat?”

“Whowasthatman?”

“His name is Winston Rush. He brought me pictures of my daughter, Sarah.” She

wearsasomberlookonherfaceasshesitsonthecouch,cradlingherstomachwithone

hand, and holding the pictures out to me with the other. “See, Benji has her.” Her hand

trembles as I take the photographs from her, flipping through them. How special. Guess

shethinksthekidissupposedtomakemefeelsorryforher.Itdoesn’t.

“That doesn’t excuse his tongue being down your throat.” I stand up, unsure what I

willdo.IshouldtellGrimbutthatputsSlimatrisk,andIgottathinkaboutmyboys,my

ChristopherandThomas.Thetwoofthemarealwaysgettingintoaheapoftrouble.Last

weekthelittleshitsstoleBetty’sbraandwereusingittoslingshotwaterballoonsatthe

brothers when they would roll up on their bikes. Not that my boys are any real trouble

though.

Theonlyrealproblemhereisthisbitch.Ifsheisoutoftheway,thenGrimwillneed

ashouldertocryon.Mine.Hewasalwaysmeanttobemine.Ihandthepicturesback.

“Things are complicated. I want to tell him about Winston but he’s my only link to

mydaughter.”

“Letmeguess.Youfeedhimhelpfulbitsofinformationandinexchangehetellsyou

aboutyourSarah.”

Shebitesherbottomlipsoharditnearlybleedsbutnodsherhead.

“You’repathetic.Youdon’tdeserveGrim.”

“Maybenotbutdoyouthinkyoudo?”Shelaughs,shakingherhead.“Doyouthink

he’deverloveyou?Iseethewayyoulookathim,butIseethewayhelooksatyou.He

feelssorryforyou.You’retheonehethinksispathetic.Youarenothingbutajoketohim.

Hetoldmeallaboutyou.Howyouchasedafterhim.Beggedhimtotakeyouawaylikehe

wasaGoddamnedhero.Buthedidn’twantyou.Heonlyfeltsorryforyou.”

“Shutup!”Igrabthefirstthingwithinreach;aboxcutterlayingonthecounter.

“What,yougonnacutme?Goahead.Youthinkyoucanscareme?Ifeelsorryfor

youtoo.Ican’twaittohaveGrim’sbaby.WhenIdo,he’llneverlookatyouagain.He

won’thavetimeforyouandyourboysthen.That’sright.Iseehowyouusethoseboysto

gettohim.Makinghimstandinfortheirdaddy,likeyouareplayinghouseorsomeshit.I

bet you pretend it’s Grim every time your husband fucks you. I bet you even sneak and

listentouswhenwemakelove.Wishingitwereyou,butitneverwillbe.”

“Fuck you!” I screech, and I don’t think, I lunge forward. The blade goes into her

stomach. Her eyes go wide as I try to pull it out but she moves and the blade cuts

sideways.

Hermouthhangsopentoscreamandnothingcomesoutbutasqueak.

“I’msorry!”Ifreezeasshefallsbackonthecouch.Thepicturesofherdaughterfly

up in the air and come floating back down. I rush to her side and pull the blade out not

believingtheholeleftinherbody.HowwillIexplainthis?Panicfloodsme.Grimwill

killmeorSlimwillkillhimprotectingme.Ididn’tmeanit.

Squirrel,mylittlebrothercomesin.“Whatthefuckareyoudoing?”

Iknowhowitlooks.Iamcrouchedbyhersideholdingabladeandsheisbleeding

likeastuckpig.

“Helpme!”Icry.“Ididn’tmeantodoit.Iswear.”

Helooksbetweenus.GypsyiscryingandsoamI.

“Getoutofhere,Sis.I’llthinkofsomething.”

“No,she’lltellGrimitwasme.”Igrabhishands,begginghimtofixthissomehow.

Hepullsawayandslapsmehardacrossthecheek.“Pullittogether.Gohome.IsaidI

willtakecareofit.”

“Okay,”Isaywithasniff.He’smybrotherhewillprotectme.So,Idowhathesaid.

Igohomeandcleanmyselfup.ThenIsmokeajointwhileIwait.

Grim

Presentday

“What the fuck you just say?” I grab Foxie up by her throat, squeezing her airway.

Shedoesn’tevenfightme.Thebitchjustsathereandtoldmehowshestabbedthemother

ofmychildandlefthertodie.SheletmebelieveallthistimethattheDevilsRejectswere

responsible.Sheletmegoonamanhunt.Ifuckinggavemydaughtertoherforprotection

whenshewastheonewhowasresponsibleforhernothavingamother.Ifeelsick.Baby

lovesFoxieasthoughshewerehermother.Lookeduptoher.Fuck,wantedtobelikeher.

“Goddamn,Foxie.”Iknewthebitchwascrazyovermebutfuck.

Anger rushes through me and I am so goddamned mad I can’t see. I let go of her,

hearing her gasping for air in the background; a ringing in my ears blocks out all other

sound. I can only register one emotion right now—raw hatred. It consumes me. I take a

deepbreathandwhenIhearherwhispermyname,Ifuckingsnap.

“Grim…Inevermeanttodoit.Gypsy—”

“Don’t.Don’tfuckingspeakhername,youheartlessschemingbitch.”Ilookdownat

herasshelaysinmyGoddamnedbedstaringupatmeasthoughshelovesme.Thisisn’t

love,neverhasbeen.Igrabmypillowandstraddlehersmallframe.Shedoesn’tattempt

tofight.Notthatshehastheenergy.

AsingletearrollsdownhercheekasIglaredownather.“Goaheadanddoit.Iwant

youto.You’vebeenkillingmeforyears.”

GypsyRed’simageflashesbeforemyeyeswearingasadsmile.

Idoasshewishes,takingmypillow,pressingitdownonherface,smotheringthelife

outofher,whatlittlethatwasleft.Herbodyjerksandthennothing.

Whenit’sover,Irollovernexttoherandtakeherlifelesshandinmine.Bringingher

palm to my mouth I kiss it tenderly. “Rot in hell with your bastard husband,” I tell her.

ThenIslideoutofbedandlightupajoint.AfterItakeacoupleofhardhitsIgrabmycell

phoneoffthenightstandandputinacalltoRebel.

It’slate.Iknowheisprobablysleepingbutheknowsthiscallwasboundtocome.

“Lo,”hesaysgroggilyontheotherendoftheline.

“It’s your mother. She’s gone. Went peacefully in her sleep. Woke up to take a piss

andshewasn’tbreathing.”

“I’monmyway,”hecroaks.

“Gonnacallyourbrotheroryewantmetodoit?”

“I’lldoit,”hesaysendingthecall.

Ilookbackather,lyingstill.There’sthemostcontentexpressiononherface.Iguess

that was what she wanted all along. She knew telling me would end her suffering and

mine.Ihavethetruth.Finally,afteralltheseyears,IfeelasthoughIhavebeensetfree.

Chapter4

Nash

California

MycellphoneringsasIgetoutoftheshowerandamheadedtobed.Itwasalong

dayattheshoptodayandIamdeadonmyfeet.GlancingatthescreenasIhookatowel

aroundmywaistIseeitisaprivatenumber.Fuck.Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutunknown

numbersthatmakemefuckinganxious.Idon’thesitatetoanswerthough.Thereisalways

the possibility the caller could be my son, Cole. He’s in Drag Creek following in my

footsteps,buthe’sabettermanthanIhaveeverbeen.

“Hello.”

AthroatclearsthenIhearmybrother’svoice.“Hey,brother.Gotsomebadnews.”’

Myheartjumpstomythroat.Iftheygotmyboykilledtherewillbehelltopay.

Grippingthephonetightly,Idemand,“Well,spititout,fucker.”

“Goddamn, always an asshole. No hello, brother. Nice to hear from you, how’s the

family.Bastard.Fuck,”herambleson,cursingme.

“Wellexcusethefuckinghellouttame,man.Youcalledmeandopenedwithgotbad

news.Cocksucker.”

“Listen,Idon’tknowhowtosaythis,soIamjustgonnacomeonoutandtellye.It’s

mom,brother.She’sgone.”

Mystomachdrops,andInearlylosemyholdonmyphone.“Whatdoyoumean?She

leftGrimorsomeshit?”

“I wish it were that. I truly do, but no.” He pauses and lets out a heavy sigh. “She

wentinhersleep.Sheaskedmenottotellyoubutafewmonthsbackshewasdiagnosed

with cervical cancer. It was bad, spread to her major organs. Grim said she went in her

sleepthough.”

Ibite my knuckleas the tearsstart to fall freelyat their ownwill. “Why didn’tyou

fuckingcallme?Fuck.Goddamnit,Rebel.Youshouldhavetoldme.”

“You know how she was, man. Anyway, I am headed over now to help Grim make

callsandarrangementswiththefuneralhome.Youcominghome?”

“Yeah,firstflightIcangetout,I’llbethere.”

“Good.”

“Yeah.Talksoon.”Endingthecall,Igothroughthemotionsofbrushingmyteethand

makingsurethehouseislockedupforthenight.NotthatIwillbeabletosleep.

Therearenocertaintiesinlife.Tomorrowisneverpromised.Youalwaysthinkthere

isalwaysthenextday.I’llseethemaround.I’llcallthemlater.Thesearelittlelieswetell

ourselvesnevertofollowthrough.Afewhoursago,Ireceivedaphonecall.OneIknew

wouldsomedaycomebutitwasadayIwasn’tpreparedforandit’shere.Mymotheris

dead and gone. The woman who gave me life. The woman who made damn sure I was

alwaystakencareofnomatterwhat.Mymothergaveheralltoraisemybrother,myself,

andmywife.

Stroking Karly’s hair as she sleeps peacefully next to me, she is unaware that her

world is about to change. My mother and her have had a complicated relationship. The

night my wife was born her mother was murdered. With no one to turn to, her father,

Grim,gavehertomymother’scare.SheraisedBabyuntilshewasinherteenswhenher

oldmandecideditwastimetomarryandbearealfather.Mymotherwastheonlyoneshe

ever really knew. Sure, she had her step-mom, Sunshine, for a few years but they never

reallygotalong.

Idon’tknowhowtotellherthatFoxieRoxieisgone.Uncertaintyplaguesme.How

willshehandlethenews?Willshewanttoattendthefuneral?Iknowthatnothingcould

keepmeaway.HowcouldInotbethere?Thisismymother.

We’ve not been to Drag Creek in a few years, not since our son, Cole, married

Morgan. Their ceremony was short, and we were only in town for the one day. Karly

doesn’tliketogoback.Shesaystherearetoomanyhurtfulmemoriesthere.Mainlyher

sister Sarah’s death. She still has the occasional nightmare about discovering her body

hangingfromatree.Herendwasagruesomesightandsuchahorriblewaytodie.

Afterthatwaswhenwefakedourdeathsandenteredthewitnessprotectionprogram.

Mostofouroldfriendsandfamilynowknowwearealivethankstomyson,butasfaras

therestoftheworldisconcernedwearedead.

Karlysensesmyrestlessnessandwakesup.

Oncehereyesfocusonmeandsheseesthegravelookonmyface,sheplacesahand

tomycheek.“Whatisit?Youlooksosad.”

“HadacallfromRebel.”

Shetensesandsitsup.“IsColeokay?”

“He’sfine,”Iassureher.

“Is it, is it my dad?” Her eyes are dull, fearing the worst and what I have to say is

almostasbadforher.Hell,Istillcan’tbelieveitmyself.

Ishakemyheadasanothertearslidesdownmycheek.

“You’reworryingme,Nash,tellme,honey,what’swrong?”

“It’smymother.She’s…she’sdead.”

“What?”Hertoneisaccusing.

“Apparently,shehadcancer.”Ishrugasshestraddlesmylap,cuppingmyface.

“I’msosorry.Idon’tknowwhattosay.”Herowntearsbegintofall,andIhugherto

mychest,kissingherforehead.

“Iknow,baby.Iknow.”

Sara

Some say history repeats itself. That life is already mapped out for us and we keep

beingreborn,repeatingthesamecycleuntilwegetitright.Iwonderifthat’strue.

When I was twelve years old my brother gifted me with a diary. It belonged to my

grandmother.HernamewasGypsyRed.It’sstrangetohavenevermetsomeoneandyetI

knowallofherdeepestanddarkestthoughts.Ifeelsoclosetoherandyetsofaraway.My

parentsdon’tknowIpossessit,eventhoughthetruthfinallycameout.Myfamilywasin

thewitnessprotectionprogram.TheywerealreadyinitwhenIwasborn.Itdidonehellof

anumberonCole.He’sokaynow.It’sbeenfouryears.HelivesinKentucky,carryingon

our family’s legacy. He’s part of a motorcycle club. The Black Rebel Riders’ MC. My

parentssaythattheyleftthatlifebehindandwereturnedtoCaliforniaafterMorgan,my

brother’swifewasfoundsafe.Idon’tgettoseeColeasoftenasIwouldliketo,butwe

aretravelingbacktheretoday.There’safuneral.

ThinkingaboutdeathandreturningtoDragCreekiswhatmademerememberIeven

keptthediary.Ikeephavingthisstrangefeeling,likesomeonesteppedonmygrave.Like

abadomenhasbeenservedontomysoul,andIdon’tevenknowwhy.

I am excited to see my brother of course, but I can’t wait to set my sights on my

cousin, Harley. We’ve kept in touch since we met through social media and text

messaging.

MymomisnervousaboutourtriptoKentucky,saysthereistoomuchbadcrapfrom

thepastthatshethinksaboutthatistiedtoherformerlife.

Iwasnamedafterhersister,Sarah,whowasbrutallymurdered.

Formysake,IsureashellhopeIdon’tcarryonherlegacy.

Mom says I favor her too, except I have more freckles and my hair has more of a

goldentinttoitfromtheCaliforniasun.Harleysaidthelasttimesheshowedmypicture

toherdadhehadtodoadoubletake.IguesshewasmarriedtoSarahwhenshediedand

seeingmyresemblancetohisdeadwifehadhimshookforaminute.

IstartedtextingHarleythemomentmymomtoldmeweweregoingtoDragCreek.

Hermom,Chelle,isevensettingitupsoIcangotoschoolwithherforthenextweekasa

visitor,soIamnotstuckhangingaroundwithalltheadults.Ican’twaittomeettheguys

at her school. I sure hope they aren’t like the boys out here. I dumped my jerk of a

boyfriendlastweekafterfindingouthehasbeentextinghisex-girlfriendbehindmyback.

Idon’tneedthatcrap.

Chapter5

Sara

DragCreek,Kentucky

“Give me a hug, brat,” my brother, Cole, demands as he walks into our grandpa’s

newishdoublewidehome.HehadjustboughtitwhenwewerehereforCole’swedding.

“Holycrapballs.Whendidyougetsobuff?”Itease,squeezinghisbicep.

“Shutit,twerp.”

Igrinupathimashegivesmeabearhug.Itrulyhavemissedhim.Weconverseon

thephonehereandthere,butwehavegrownapart.HehashislifehereandIhavemine

backhomeinCali.Morgan,mysister-in-law,comesoverandembracesmeasbestshecan

withherprotrudingbelly.Ican’tbelieveIamgoingtobeanAunt.Theyhaven’trevealed

thesexofthebabyyet.Ihopeitisagirl.Momkeepsinsistingsheisn’toldenoughtobea

grandmotherbutdeepdownIknowsheisexcited.DadsaysColeisgivinghimgrayhair.

Heonlyhasafewsilverhairs.Heisn’tthatold,yet.

Everyonegoesaroundtheroomsayinghelloandofferingcondolences.Inevergotto

knowmygrandma,Foxie,thatwell.I’msadthatshepassedaway,butitisn’taffectingme

likeitisHarleyandherbrothers;AbelandAxel.Theywereclosetoher.Idon’thaveany

memories of her. Even Cole seems to be sad about her passing. I feel out of place as

everyonesharestheirfondestmemoriesofher.Idon’thaveanythingtocontributeandI

readaboutherrelationshipwithmymom’srealmom,Gypsy.Shedidn’tsoundlikeanice

womanlikeeveryoneisdescribing.Thewholescenebeforemeisoverwhelming.

I meander outside, eager to escape the crowd. Parking my butt on the comfy

cushionedporchswingIsnapafewpicturesofallthemotorcyclesparkedintheyardto

posttomyfriendsbackhome,hopingmyex-boyfriendseesthem.Hedoesn’tknowIam

outoftown.Thegoalhereistomakehimjealous.Wouldservetheassrightafterwhathe

didtome.

WarrenhadbeenmyboyfriendsinceIwasthirteen.Ican’tbelieveIwasconsidering

givinghimmyvirginity.Sostupid.Sure,Warreniscute,andhemakesmelaugh.Wewere

bestfriendsbeforewebecameacouple.Iwasshockedthathewouldgobehindmyback

likehedid.Ithoughtheofallpeoplewouldhavesimplybeenhonestwithme.MaybeI

can get a few pics with some of the younger club members to rub in his face too. That

wouldshowhim.

Thefrontdooropensandclosesdistractingmefrommythoughtsofrevengeandout

steps a man I remember from the last time we were here. I only noticed him before

becausehekeptstaringatmymom,longingly.Thepatchonthefrontofhisvestreveals

hisnameisRomeo.Ihavetofightbackagiggle.Heishandsomeforanolderman,ifyou

are into that whole silver fox hot grandpa look. The spiderweb tattoo on his neck gives

himaroughedgedespitehisclean-cutappearance.

Pluckingajointfromhispockethestartstolightituntilhenoticesmesittinghere.

“Uh, sorry,” he grunts, tucking the left-handed cigarette behind his ear. “You Str-

Nash’skid?”Hequestions.

Nodding,Iofferhimaweaksmile.ThemoreIstudyhimthemoreheremindsmeof

mydad.Thenitclicksinmyhead,thisguyismyothergrandpa.Ioverheardmyparents

talkingabouthimonce.Heisn’tsomeonemydadcaresformuch.Idon’tknowthestory

thereandIwon’tdareaskaboutiteither.

AnawkwardsilencehangsbetweenusandIdon’tknowwhattosaytohim.Willmy

dadgetmadatmeifItalktohim?

“Howoldareyou?”Heaskssuddenly.

“Sixteen,almostseventeen.”

Hisdarkeyesnarrowonme.“Yougotyourmom’seyes,butyouremindmealotof

yourAunt,Sarah,andyourgrandma,Gypsy.”

“Youremindmeofmydadbutolder,”Iblurtout.Mycheeksinstantlyredden,buthe

chuckles.

“SupposeIdo,kid.”

“You’relikemygrandpaorsomething,right?”

“Technically,butdon’tletyouroldmanhearyoucallmethat.”

Inod.“Yeah,Igatheredthatmuch.”

Romeosnorts.“Itwasnicetoseeyou,Sara.Takecareofyourself.”Hestartsdown

thestairsthenpausestogazebackatme.Hislipscurveintoasmileasheseemstoshake

hisheadoncemoretohimselfasthoughheisenjoyingaprivatejoke.

“Itwasnicetomeetyou,grandpa,”Icalloutafterhim.

“Christ,”hemuttersandlightsupthatjoint.

Myfolksarestayingatmygrandpa,Grim’splace,butIcamehomewithHarley.My

momwantedmetostaywithher,butmydadconvincedhertoletmecomehere.Saidhe

didn’twantmeanywhereneartheRoadhouse.Iguessitistheclub’sbarorsomething.

Harley’s room is similar to mine, cheer trophies, photographs of friends, the odd

teddybearhereandthere,nottomentiontheclothesthatdon’tseemtohaveahome.We

are huddled on her bed together staring at her laptop screen while she shows me her

friends from school on her Facebook account. The guys in Kentucky don’t seem that

differentlookingthantheonesbackhome.Idon’tknowwhythisdisappointsme,butit

does.Imean,schoolboyssureneverlookliketheydoonTV.Iguessthatisbecausethe

actorsportrayingthemareintheirtwentiesthough.I’mboycrazyafterhavingthesame

boyfriendforforeverwhohappenedtobeajerksosueme.

Harley and I take some selfies with funny filters on them and she tags me in them.

Within seconds some guys are commenting saying things like—your cousin is hot…

introduceme…hookmeup.

ThenmyphonestartsbuzzingwithmessagesfromWarren.

Loser: We haven’t been broken up a week and your’e already lining up

replacements.GuessIreallymeantalottoyou,huh?

Me:Wow,Warren.Yourememberhowtotextme?

Loser:Funny.WhatareyoudoinginKentucky?

Me:Whydoyoucare?

Loser:Iloveyou,Sara.

Me:Yeah.Sure.Okay.

Loser:Forrealthough,whyyouthere?

Harleygrabsmyphone.HernosescrunchesupwhensheseesIamtalkingtomyex.

“No, just no. You’re going to ignore this jerk and Friday after the game, I will

introduceyoutoagooddude.SomeoneyoucanmakeWarrentheloserjealousof.”

Ishakemyheadbutagreeintheend.

ThenextdayIamattheviewingformygrandmaatthefuneralhome.Again,Ifeelas

thoughIdon’tbelong,butItrytopushthroughit.IknowifIasktoleaveitwillupsetmy

folks.NotthattheywouldnoticeifIsnuckout.Theyaresooccupiedwithtalkingtoall

theiroldfriends.ThankGod,IhaveHarley,butshehaspeopleheretoo.Evensomeofher

squadishere.Iguessourgrandmaboughttheiruniformsorsomething.

Romeoisstandingofftothesidedrinkingthefreecoffee.Justlikethelasttimewe

wereinDragCreek,themancan’tkeephiseyesoffmymomandIcan’thelpbutwonder

if there was once something between them. Which would be gross because he is her

father-in-law.Feelinglikeasmuchofanoutcastasheappearsrightnow,Imakemyway

overtohim.

“Hey,grandpa.”Igrinathim.

“What did I tell ye, kid?” He sounds annoyed, but I detect a smile behind his foam

cup.

“Whatever.Youlovemymom,don’tyou?”

Henearlychokesascoffeedribblesdownhischin.

“Youdon’thavetoanswer,butIseethewayyoulookather.”

Athickgruntleaveshisthroatandhesays,“Icareaboutherisall.”

“Ifyousayso.”Irollmyeyesandhetosseshisdrinkinthetrash.

“Listen, word of advice. Nothing good comes from digging up the past. Don’t be

askingquestionsthatwillupsetyourfolks.”

JustthenmydadscansthecrowdandwhenheseeswhoIaminthecompanyofhis

nostrilsflare.

Mymotherseesthechangeinmyfather,placingahandtohischest,shakingherhead

andwhisperinginhisear.

“Imeanthisinthenicestwaypossible.Staythefuckawayfromme,kid,oryou’re

gonnastirupalotofshit.”Withthathewalksawaywithoutlookingback.Tearsstingin

thecornerofmyeyes.He’smygrandfather.IshouldbeallowedtotalktohimifIwantto.

MyfatherstalkstowardmeasIbitebackthetearsofrejection.

“Let’sgo,Sara.Now,”heseethes.Hegrabsmebythewristfirmlyanddragsmeinto

aprivateoffice.

“Youstaythefuckawayfromthatman.Doyouhearme!?”Heroarsinmyfaceso

loudly that everyone has to be able to hear him. It’s so embarrassing. Tears sting the

cornersofmyeyes,threateningtospilldownmyfaceatanymoment.

“He’syourfather.Mygrandfather.IcantalktohimifIwantto.”

Myfatherissoangrywithme,aveinpopsoutonhisforeheadashegrindshisteeth.

“Youwilldoasyouaretold!”

“Why am I even here? I didn’t even know your mom. She was never a grandma to

me.YouandmommadedamnsureIneverknewmyfamily.AndtheminuteItrytogetto

knowmygrandpayouactlikeacrazyperson.Idon’tknowwhathappenedbetweenhim

andmom,butitdoesn’thaveanythingtodowithme.”

“Didhesaysomething,ordidshe?”Hestepstowardmeandtheragethatisburning

inhiseyesmakesmeafraidofhimforthefirsttimeinmylife.“AnswermeGoddamnit,”

hegrowls,spitflyingandhittingmycheek.

“Noonesaidanything.I—”

Idon’tgetanotherwordoutbeforemyUncle,Rebel,stormsinfollowedbymyother

grandpa,Grim.

“Sara,gooutsideyourbrotherisgonnatakeyoubacktomyplace,”hebarksatme.

GrimnodsatmeandIrushoutthedoorsasfastaspossible.

Chapter6

Karly

My husband stiffens next to me, so I look to see what has stolen his attention and

gotten such a rise out of him as his chest heaves. My eyes land on our daughter, Sara,

conversing with Romeo, her grandfather. For normal families this would never be an

issue,butconsideringoursharedpast,Sarahaschosenthewrongpersontostandnextto.

Ofcourse,itisn’therfault,shedoesn’tknowthatIcheatedonherfatherwithhim.She

doesn’tknowthatbeforeshewasbornIwasinarelationshipwithRomeo.Eventhough

hewasthefirstmanIsleptwithIdon’tlovehim.Icareaboutthatmanbutthatisasfaras

itgoes.Idon’tevenacknowledgehimoutofrespectforNash.Ineverthoughttoworry

abouthimhavingarelationshipwithSara.

Rightfully,sheishisgranddaughter,andIhavenoproblemwithhergettingtoknow

him,butIknowmyhusbanddoes.

Asmuchashehasletgo,thereisabigpartofhimthatwillalwayshatethemanwho

gave him life. Romeo was never in his life as a father, they never had that bond. Nash

grewupbelievingSlimBlackwashisfather,andbythetimehefoundoutthetruth,there

wasalreadytoomuchbadbloodbetweenthemthankstome.I’dliketosayifIcouldgo

backanddothingsdifferentlythatIwould,butIcan’tsaythatbecausethenImightnotbe

withmyhusband,themanIlovemorethananythingtoday.

I know he’s hurting over the loss of his mother, we all are in our own way. Foxie

RoxiewasonehellofawomanandtheonlytruemotherIeverreallyknew.

Withahandtohischesttryingtocalmhim,Isay,“Nash,honey,thisisn’tthetimeor

place.Yourmomwouldn’twantthis.Nottoday.”

Hegrowls,andIknowthereisnostoppinghim.Icanonlyhopehedoesn’tdamage

his relationship with Sara. She has always been a daddy’s girl and is rarely on the

receivingendofhistemper.

WhenIseehimdraggingherintoanoffice,Iknowit’stimetogetheroutofhere.I

knowshefeelsuncomfortablesurroundedbysomanystrangersanyway.Saradidn’tgrow

uphere.AllsheknowsisthelifeandfriendswehavemadeinCalifornia.Partofmehates

thatshedoesn’tknowourfamily,butabiggerpartofmeknowsthatleavingandraising

herandColeawayfromherewastherightthingtodo.Eventhoughmysonendeduphere

anyway,heislikehisfatherthoughandcanhandlehimself.Saraisatoughkidtoo,butI

neverwantthislifeforher.Ineverwantedittotouchher,butherbrotherhadotherplans.

Sure,thingshaveworkedoutintheend.Mysonislivinghislifethewayhewantsto

and is happy. That is all I could ever really wish for him. The biker life is in his blood.

Since he was a young boy he wanted to ride. I can only hope that our brief time here

doesn’t give Sara a taste for it, because once you are in the life there is rarely ever any

goingback.

“Cole,baby.IneedyoutodriveyoursisterbacktoRebel’splace.”Iinterruptasheis

speakingwithmyfatherandhisuncle.

“Sure,justletmetellMorgan.”Inod,andmydadandRebelmakeforthehallwhen

theshoutingstartstravellingintotheviewingroom.

“Hey, Karly. That’s what you go by now, right? I’m not sure what to call you.”

Sunshine, my former stepmother greets me with a nervous embrace, kissing me on the

cheek.

Inod.“Sunshine.It’sgoodtoseeyou.”Weneverhadthegreatestrelationship,butI

amhappytoseeherhere.“YouherewithRomeo?”Iask,eventhoughIknowitisnoneof

mybusiness.LilBit,Rebel’swifetoldmehowtheyendeduptogetheryearsago,butthe

wayIhearitnowtheyaren’ttogetheranymore.Ineverwouldhavethoughttheywould

gettogetherconsideringshewasmarriedtomyfather,buttheydid.

Her mouth tightens. “No,” she answers, shaking her head. “We’ve been over for

years.I’mhereforyourfathertoshowmysupport.Despiteallthattranspiredbetweenus

IcareaboutthatmanmorethanIshould.”

“I’mgladyou’rehere.Heseemstobetakingitwell,butwebothknowhehasnever

beengoodwithhisemotions.”

“That’sforsure,”sheagrees.“Youwanttosit?I’dlovetocatchup.”

IseeColewavingashefollowshissisteroutthedoor.

“That’dbegreat.”

WegoovertoaquietcornerwhereItellherallaboutSaraandshetellsmeabouther

son,Patrickandhergrandkid.PatrickismarriedtoRomeo’sdaughter,Dawn.Ourfamily

treeissodamnfuckedup.

I look over to the casket as Sunshine talks. Foxie looks so at peace. I haven’t been

abletobringmyselftoactuallygouptothecasket.ThatmakesthisalltoorealandIwish

itwereallabaddream.

“Youknow,IreallyamsorryaboutFoxie.Shewasnevermyfavoriteperson,butshe

lovedyourfather.Ithinkshelovedhimbetterthananyoneevercould.Ireallyhatethisfor

him,butIamsogladyouarehere.Yourfatherlovesyousomuch.Ionlywishyoursister

washere.Imisshersomuch.”

“Metoo,”Itellhersoftly,wipingatmyeyes.God,ImissRumor.Whathappenedto

heristoocruelforwords.Animageofherhanginginthatdamntreeflashesinmymind.

Takingadeepbreath,Ifightbackmygrief.Todayisn’tabouther.I’mhereforthewoman

whoraisedme.

I say a brief goodbye to Sunshine and make my way to the casket, joining my

husbandashepayshisrespectstohismom.

Placingahandonhisback,Ileanintohim.“Youokay?”

“No,”hetellsmehonestly.“Ishouldhavefuckin’beenhere.”

“Honey,youdidn’tknow.IwishIcoulddialbacktimeandmakethisrightforyou.

I’msorryyouweren’there,butyouknowhadyoubeenitwouldn’thavechangedthings.

Hercancerwashighlyinvasive.”

“Don’t.Don’tfeedmethatbullshit.Idon’twanttohearit.Nottoday,Karly.”

“You think that I don’t wish I was here for her. You think you’re the only one who

losther?Wealllosther.Beatingourselvesupwon’tbringherback.”

He shrugs my hand away and walks off. Leaving me standing at the casket alone.

Nashneedstimetoacceptthatshe’sgone.GazingdownatFoxie,sheappearsrestedbut

much older than I remember her. In my heart and mind, she looks the same as she did

whenIgaveupthislifetostartoverwithherson.WehadoursecondchanceandIwasn’t

goingtoletanythingoranyonestandinthewayofourhappilyeverafter.

Ithasn’tbeeneasy,butIknowwedidthebestthingwecouldforourchildren.

InsteadofgoingaftermyhusbandIgoinsearchofmyfatherinstead.

“Hey,Sunshineishere,”Iinformhim.

“Yeahwespoke.Itwassweetofhertocome.Look,IgotsomethingIneedtotellye.

In private.” He sounds so serious and the expression on his face has me worried. My

father has never been a happy go lucky joyful man. However, the deep lines on his

foreheadandthedarknessswirlinginhiseyestellsmethisissomethingbad.Realbad.

“Sure,where?”

“Followme,”hegrunts.

There’sasmallchapelroomofftoitselfbythemainofficeoftheparlor.

“Look,Ihavealwaysbeenhonestwithye.IdidsomethingthatI’mnotsurehowye

will feel about it, but it is something important. Something that’s been haunting me for

years.Ifinallyknowwhokilledyermother.”

“What,”Iwhisper,shocked.Myfatherhasdedicatedmostofhislifetoavengingmy

mother’smurder.Hell,mostofmychildhoodhewasontheroadtryingtofindmyhalf-

sisterbecausehemadeapromisetoourmother.Apromisehekept.“When?How?”Ihave

somanyquestions.

“I think ye had better sit down for this,” he suggests guiding me to the pew in the

back.

Takingaseat,Ipreparemyself.Idon’tknowwhowasresponsible,butIhaveahunch

whoeveritwasitsgoingtohurtmedeeply.

“Okay.”Iletoutabreathandclosemyeyes.

“ThedayFoxiediedsheinsistedontellingmesomething.Somethingsheneededto

getoffherchest.”

Igasp.Ifhetellsmeshehadanypartinmymother’sdeathIdon’tknowwhatIwill

do.

“The night your mother died, Foxie and her had words and she stabbed her in the

stomach.Thatgoddamnedbitchnearlytookyeawayfromme.Shetookyermotheraway

fromus,soIkilledher,”heconfesses.

“What?”Iscreechastearsfallsteadyasraindownmycheeks.

“IkilledherforGypsy.Ikilledherforyou.Ikilledheranditfuckingshouldhavefelt

goodbut…”Hedoesn’tgettofinish.Myhusbandjumpsupfromthefirstpewanddrills

myfather’sstoicfacewithhisfistrepeatedlyasIscreamforhimtostop.

“YouGoddamnedbastard!Iwillkillyouforthis.Iwillendyou,oldman.Youfucked

up.Fuck!”Nashrages,losingitcompletely.

RebelandafewotherclubmembersrushinandpullNashoffmyfather.Hedidn’t

evenfightback.Itwasalmostasifheknewhewashereandwantedhimtoattackhim,

killhimeven.

Chapter7

Romeo

I couldn’t take being at the funeral home. Striker and Baby being here stirs up too

manyGoddamnedemotions.EverytimeIthinkIhaveletgoofthepastitshowsupand

smears my face in the shit. Fucking Baby still looks as good as she did when we were

together.Mygranddaughterkeepstryingtotalktomeandsheisjustaspretty.Mysonis

gonnahavehishandsfullifhedoesn’talready.

When Sunshine walked in I knew it was time to go. We aren’t on good terms. She

wantedtogetbacktogetherthelasttimeIsawheratourgrandbaby’sbirthdayparty.Itold

herIdidn’tthinkthatwasagoodidea.Wehadagoodrun,butIwasn’tlookingtostart

thatshitupagain.She’sabeautifulwomanbutshewasnevermeanttobemine.I’lldiea

bachelor.Onewomanhashadmyheartsinceshewassixteen.

IkeeptellingmyselfIampastallthatshit.Idamnsureknowsheis.Shewon’teven

look at me. It damn near kills me too. So, I head to the Roadhouse for a much needed

fuckin’drink.

Atthebar,sittingbymyselfIdon’tneedanyonebutmygoodfriend,whiskey.Can’t

believefuckingFoxieisgone.Themotherofmyfirstborn.Ineverlovedher,butshewas

onehelluvabadbikerbitch.I’msorryshe’sgone.Crazybitchwastheonlyonewhocould

handleGrim’spsychoticass.

He’s been so numb since he announced to the club that she had passed away.

Somethingain’trightwiththebrotherbuthe’lltalkwhenheisready.AsIsitatthebar

rollingajointIlookaroundthenearlyemptyclubhousethinkingaboutlife.Whatafucked

upmessImadeouttamine.Ishakemyheadandlickthepaperbeforelightingup.

“Yegonnashare,cocksucker,”Grimsaysgrufflyashepullsupthestoolnexttomine.

“Thefuckyedoinhere?Shouldn’tyoubebackattheservice?”

WhenIlookatmyoldestfriendhisfaceisswollenandbloodied.

“Christ,brother.Gonnatakealotmorethanthispuffpuffpasstomakeyefeelbetter.

You’ve always been an ugly fucker, but whoever got a hold of ye did one helluva

number.”

“Striker,”hecoughsout,spittingbloodontothefloor.

“Thefuckhappened?HelookedlikehewantedtotearmyheadoffbeforeIleft.Not

yours,”Itellhim,passinghimtheliquorbottle.

He takes a hard swig and stares at his feet. “He overheard something I was sharing

withmydaughter.Foxiedidn’tdieinhersleep.Ikilledher.Bitchdeserveditthough.She

confessedshewastheonewhostabbedGypsy.”

“WellGoddamn.Shetoldyeforafact?”Istareatthefloortooandtakealongdrag

fromthejointbeforepassingitback.“How’dBabyhandleit?”

Grimrollshisshoulderswithashrug,hisfacegrimacingwiththemotion.Weain’tas

youngasweusedtobe.Mysonpacksonehelluvapunch.It’showhegothisname.Little

fucker loved to punch people when he was just knee high to a grasshopper. Little shit

punched me in the nuts and nearly dropped me to my knees more times than I’d like to

admit.

Idon’tneedtoaskhowmyboytookthenews.

“Whereishenow?”Idon’tknowwhyIamasking.Itisn’tlikehe’llwanttotalkto

me,butIfeellikeIshouldbehereforhimjustthesame.MaybeI’llgetluckyandhe’ll

shootmyass.Putmeoutofmymisery.Gettingoldfuckingsucks.Ican’tridelikeusedto.

Mydamnkneeskillme.Thenathoughthitsme.Grimwantedhimtoknow.Wantedtoset

himoff.“Youwantedhimtokillyou.Didn’tyou?Dumbmotherfucker.Youain’tgetting

outofthislifethateasy,brother.”

Ishakemyhead.

The Roadhouse doors fly open and in walks the one woman I wish I could stop

thinkingabout.

As soon as those eyes that burn like wildfire meet mine, she averts them to her old

man.

“Wannatoke,”Grimoffersthejointtoher.

Her head shakes slightly. “Why did you do that? You knew he was in the chapel,

didn’tyou?Youwanttoruinmymarriagebyforcingmyhusbandtokillyou!Oldfool.”

Withtremblinghands,shegrabsthebottleofwhiskeyGrimandIhavebeensharingand

downstherestofit.Fuck.Thisisgonnabealongfuckinnight.

“Where’smyson-in-law?”

“He’sstillatthefuneralhomewithRebel.Why?”

“Ineedtogofinishourconversation.Alone.”

“Don’tthinkthatisagoodidea,brother.I’llgoifyouwantmeto.”

“No,”Grimgrunts.

“Dad,Romeoisright.Nashisn’tgoingtowanttotalktoyou.He’llkillyou.”

“Well,he’sgonnalisten.Igotshittosay.”Withthathemakestoleave.

“Aren’tyougoingtostophim?”

“LikeIcould,”Itellher,andsheknowsit’strue.Herfatherisonestubbornbastard.

Sara

“Yousureyoudon’twannacomehomewithme?”MybrotherquestionsbeforeIget

outofhistruck.

“Thanks, but I like hanging out with Harley. No offence to you and Morgan, but I

don’twannahangwithanoldmarriedcoupleorhearyouguysdoit.”Igrinassheshakes

hisheadatme.

“Youreallyshouldn’tpissdadofflikethat,Sara.Thereisalotyoudon’tknowabout

thisworld.Itisn’tmyplacetotellyouandIdon’twantyoutothinkbadlyofmom,but

beforeyouwereborn.WhenIwasababyreally,momhadanaffairwithRomeo.”

“Iknewit!”Ishriek.“Wow.Ithoughttherewassomethingaboutthewayhestaresat

her,butIthoughtIwasbeingimaginativeorsomething.”Irollmyeyesashepinchesthe

bridgeofhisnose.

“Don’tsayshitaboutit.Justkeepittoyourself.Peopleherehavefuckeduppastsand

trytokeepshitburied.Apologizetoouroldmanwhenyouseehim.Justtellhimyou’re

sorryforupsettinghim.Thendropitforgood.Romeoisanokaydudebuthe’snotworth

fucking up our family over. And think about our parents before you go dividing them

because you have a curiosity about the family you don’t know. I know I sound like a

hypocrite,butthisworldisn’tforyou.Youhavenoplaceinthislife,Sara.”

Hiswordscutjustlikeaknife.Idon’tneedmybrotherofallpeopletellingmeIdon’t

belonghere.

“Yeah,Igetit,Outlaw.”Isneer,usingthenameonhiscut.“IknowIdon’tfitinhere.

YouthinkIenjoysittinginthecornerwhilenoonetalkstome.YouthinkIlikegoingtoa

funeralforawomanIdidn’tknowandlisteninghowgreatshewastoherothergrandkids.

Youcanjustfuckrightoff.”Jumpingout,Islamthetruckdoorandtakeoffrunning.

“Sara!”Coleshoutsaftermebutdoesn’tmovetofollowme.

“Justgo,Cole.Gobacktoyournewfamily.Icantakecareofmyself.Ihavemyown

back.”

Idon’tturnbacktolookathim.BeingaloneiswhatIneedatthemoment.

When I get inside the house I go to Harley’s room. With nothing to do, I pull out

GypsyRed’sDiary.Sheonlyhadherselfaswell.SheknowsexactlyhowIfeel.Noone

hadherbackeither.Shewasthrowntothewolvesasachild.

Chapter8

DearDiary,

Igivethesethoughtsandmemoriestoyou.Igivethemtoyoutotakemynightmares

away.Thesearemysecrets.Mydemons.MywordsIneedtobleedoutofme,beforeIgo

tomygrave.Ikeepdreamingofdying.DeathhasstalkedmesinceIwasjustagirl.Let’s

startatthebeginning.Well,asfarbackasIcanrecollect.

“Daddy, do all little girls have a daddy as good as you?” I looked up

into the eyes that matched my own in color. Smooth as whiskey, I had

heard my momma call them once. They looked so tired. No longer holding

the vibrancy of his youth. My daddy had always been a looker. Women

alwayseyedhimandbittheirlipwhenhe’dglancetheirway.Mommawas

always jealous of daddy. She didn’t want him to look at anyone but her.

Not even me. She despised the sight of me. Hated taking care of me. So, I

always clung to his side and followed him everywhere. Going places little

girlsoughtnotto.Poolhalls,bars,stripclubs.WherevermydaddywentI

was sure to accompany him as though I were his righthand man. My baby

eyeswitnessedthedarkcruelsideofmenatanearlyage.SometimesIwas

leftsittingatthebaralone,watchingpeople.Isawthewaythemeninthe

bargropedwomenandheardtheuglynamestheycalledthem,particularly

adirtycunt.Ididn’tknowwhatitmeantbutIknewIneverwantedtobea

dirtycunt,whateverthatwas.

My father touched my cheek. His palms were soft, but his fingers were

rough. “Sweet pea. In a perfect world, all girls would have a dad like me,

but we live in an imperfect world. We live around chaos, darkness, and

despair.” He kisses my cheek and pries my fingers from his large blood-

stainedhand.

“I don’t want you to go, daddy. You are the bestest daddy in the whole

wideworld,andifyougo…whowillchasethebadguysaway?”

He swept his thumbs over my cheeks, wiping away my tears replacing

themwithstreaksofblood.Thebloodofmymother.Orwasitmineorhis.

Ican’trememberwhytherewassomuchblood.

WhereamI?

Wherewashegoing?

Whywasheleavingmethere?

“Go to sleep, Kara. When you awake, none of this will no longer

matter.Daddylovesyou,sweetpea…”

Beep.

Thesoundofthebeatingofmyheartonthemonitorwastheonlysound.Asingle

tearslippeddownmycheek.AnursecameinandinjectedsomethingtomyIV.Once

themedicinehitmyveins,aslowburncreptupmyarm.

“This will help with the pain. You need rest.” She came closer to my bed and

tuckingmeintightasamotherwoulddo.

ShameIneverhaveknownwhatthatislike.Tohaveagoodmother.

Myownmotherhatedme.ShetriedtokillmewhenIwasfive.ShesaidIwas

badluckandthattheonlywaytosavemefrommyselfwasthroughdeath.Mydaddy

—hedisagreed,andshepaidtheprice.Thenightmymothertriedtokillmemyfather

murdered her before my five-year-old eyes. My daddy was my hero. He was my

blood-stainedknight.

Andnowmydaddyisgone,myhero,theonlyonewhoIcouldcountontosave

me, to protect me. He died a few years later in a car wreck. I should have died, but

somehow,Imadeitwithonlyabrokenarm,aconcussion,andsomebruisingtomy

faceandchestfromtheimpactoftheairbag.

Idriftedbackintoatorturoussleepwheremymemorieshauntedme…wherethey

havealwaystormentedme.

“It’ssick,thewayyoufussoverher.Itisn’tnormal.You’reherfather.I’myour

wife. I should be number one in your eyes.” I heard my mother’s shrill voice as I

tossedandturned…

Iwoketoseemyneighbor;sheseemedlikesuchaniceperson.Herhusbandwas

anassociateofmyfather.However,myeyesquicklyflutteredshutoncemore.

Thememoriescomeinpieces.Sometimes,IwonderiftheyreallyhappenedorofI

dreamtthem.

“Kara,meetWinston,hisfamilyjustmovedinnextdoor.”Ilookedupfromwhere

IwascoloringinmyScoobyDoocoloringbookonthefrontporch.Therewasayoung

boystandingattheedgeoftheporchgrinningatme.Hehadbrownhairandwhenhe

openedhismouththerewasahugegapbetweenhisteeth;itmademelaugh.

“Doyouwannacolorwithme?”Ioffered.Ididn’thavemanyfriends,kidsinthe

neighborhoodallthoughtIwasweirdandwemovedalot,soIdidn’ttrytoohardto

makefriends.Mydaddycalledusgypsies—hesaidIwashisGypsyRed‘causeofmy

redhairandall.

“Sure.”Heclimbedupontheporch,sittingcross-leggedacrossfromme.Mydad

pattedmyheadtellingmetobenice,beforegoinginsidewithournewneighbors.

I held out my box of crayons. He took the black and the red drawing blood

comingoutofthekitten’smouthinmyotherbook.Bloodfreakedmeout.Eversince

mymom…Itensedupandasingleteartrickleddownmyface.

Theboytookhisthumbandbrushedmytearaway.“Don’tcry,Kara,youandI

aregoingtobebestfriends,”WinstonhadsaidlikeIwasspecial.

MydaddyalwayssaidIwasspecial.

Winston Rush became my best friend, my only friend…he wouldn’t have it any

otherwayandIwastooscaredofhimnottobehis.Hewasalwaysdoingstuffthathe

daredmetotellanyoneabout.

Thememoriesarestillfresh…thewoundsstillbleed.Allofthesethoughts,theyswirl

insidemyhead,makingmebegtobedead.

Chapter9

DearDiary,

Ihadtoleavemyhome.Winstonandhisfamilytookmein;hesaidhewantedto

takecareofme.Iwas,afterall,hisonlyandbestfriend.HetoldmehowspecialIwas

andthathewantedtoshowmehowmuchImeanttohim.Hecrawledintobedwith

meatnightandhuggedmewhenthenightterrorswouldcome.Theyalwayscame…

mostnightstheystilldo.

Thescreechingoftiresandthebucklingofmetalpiercedmyears.Smokeclouded

my vision and filled my lungs. “Daddy!” I screamed for him. Why wasn’t he

answering me? I couldn’t see him. “Daddy, please, I’m scared.” Tears flooded the

brimsofmyeyes.

I could feel hands tugging on me and I could hear a voice I didn’t recognize

askingifI’mokay.AllIcoulddowascallouthisname,“Daddy,please,don’tleave

me!Don’tletthemtakeme!”

MyarmswerepinneddownasIscreamedintothenight.“It’sokay,Kara,noone

is taking you away from me.” Winston had his body pressed down on mine, holding

medownasIthrashedandcried.

Ijustwantedtogohometomyhouse,beinmyroomwithmythings.Iwantedto

go home with my daddy where I felt loved and safe. I couldn’t go home though.

Someoneelsewaslivinginmyhouse.Winston’sparentsweremyguardiansandthey

hadsoldeverything.Iwasn’tsadtoseemymother’sthingssoldoffintheestatesale,

butwhenmydad’ssuitswerehangingonarackinthefrontlawn,anotherpieceofmy

heart chipped away. Through the years of my life I would learn that Winston would

chiptherestofitawaybitbybit.

Hebecamepossessiveofme.Atfirst,Ilikedhisattention.Ihadalwayswanteda

brotherorsister,butWinstondidn’thugmelikeabrothershouldandasIgrewolder,

hisrealfeelingsbecameclear.WhenIwastwelveyearsold,heshowedmehowdeep

thosefeelingsran.

I’ll never forget the first time he took me. He ripped away my childhood and

nothingwasleftofmebutavesseltobeusedbyhimwheneverhesawfit.

I awoke from one of my many nightmares as I often did. Winston had heard me

screaming in my sleep or maybe he was already in my room. I couldn’t be sure, but

therehewas,lyingnexttome.Atfirst,hewasstrokingmyhairbeingrealsweetand

gentle.Hewhisperedinmyear,“Shh,mysweetKara.You’regonnabeokay.I’lltake

careofyou.Ialwayswill.Youbelongtomenow.I’llhaveeverypartofyou.”Then

he ran his fingers down my arm and his touch became much rougher. His fingers

touchedandpinchedplacesheshouldn’tandwhenIcriedouthecoveredmymouth

withhishandandtoldme,“ShutuporI’llkillyoudead.”

Ibelievedhim.Ioncehadakitten,namedsweetpea,justasmyfatherhadcalled

me.Winstonsqueezeditsneckuntilitdied.HehadsaidIpaidmoreattentiontomy

catthanhim.HetoldhismomthatIdiditonaccident.IhatedWinstonforthat.Ihad

lovedthatcat.Butitdidn’tmatterhowItrulyfeltaboutWinston,hewasdetermined

tohaveme,andIwastooweaktosayno.Iwastooafraidofhim.Alwayshavebeen

andstillam.

Iliketorubmyhandovermystomach,soIcanremembermyfirstchild.Myson.

He was born when I was fourteen in the basement. Winston’s parents were too

ashamedtotellanyonewhattheirsonhadbeendoingtome.InamedhimMark.Igot

toholdhimforfiveminutesbeforeWinstonwastakinghimfrommyarms.

I can still remember his red cheeks and the sound of his cry. It’s something a

motherneverforgets.

Winstonleaneddownandkissedmyforehead.HelookedatmeforamomentasI

screamedandbegged.Itriedtoreachformybaby,butIwastooweak.Ihadlosta

greatdeal of blood.I thought Iwas going to diebut I didn’t.Death wasn’t goingto

claimmejustyet.

Mrs. Rush had a friend of hers who was a seamstress sew me up after Winston

tookourbabyaway.Irememberlyingthereandprayingfordeath.Itnevercame.But

Winstondid.Hescoopedmeupinhisarmsandcarriedmetoatruck.Iwasdumped

inthebackontoablanketandpillow.Ifaintlyrecallhimhittingthewindowandmy

bodybouncingallovertheplaceasthetruckspedoffinthecloakofthelatenight.I

awokehoursordayslaterwitholdbloodcrustedonmythighs,Icouldn’tbesure.All

Iknewwastherewasthisemptinessinsideme.Ididn’tcareifIlivedorifIdied.My

babyhadbeenrippedawayfromme.

Ididn’tunderstand.Ididwhatwasaskedofme.Ihidmypregnancyatschoolby

wearingoversizedt-shirts.Ididn’ttellanyone.Ididn’tdareforfearofwhattheRush

familywoulddotomeinreturn.Ihadwitnessedfirsthandwhattheywerecapableof.

Theyareresponsibleformyfatherdyinginthataccident.Iknew,butIcouldn’tprove

it.Winstonpromisedmethathewouldtakemeaway—ourbabyboytoo,buthelied.

Heliedoften,andIlearnedtoneverquestionhiswordforifIdidhewouldremindme

thatIbelongedtohimandhimalone.Iwashistodowithashepleased.Ifhewanted

metopleasurehimIdid.

Ifhewantedtohumiliatemehegavemetohisfriendsnomattertheirage.Iwas

merely a mouth to suck him when he wanted, a body to use and abuse whenever or

whereveritpleasedhimtodoso.However,thereweretimeswhenIthoughthetruly

lovedmeanddidn’tjustownme.Thereweretimeshecouldbesweet.LikewhenIhad

awokenwiththatdriedbloodnearlyleavingblistersonmyskinithadbeenthereso

long.

Winstoncarriedmefromadirtymattressonthefloorofsomeapartmentoverone

ofthestripclubsIusedtocometoasachildwithmydadtoamildewedshower.He

washedmewithsuchcare,holdingmeuprightunderthesprayofthewaterforIwas

tooweaktostandonmyownlegs.Hestrokedmycheekandkissedmytemple,telling

meIwouldseemybaby,mypreciousMarksoon.Iwantedsobadlytobelievehim.I

onlynoddednotdaringtoaskthequestionsthatwereburningthetipofmytongue.

Wherewasmyboy?Ourbaby.Whathadhedonewithhim?Washebeingcaredfor?

Was he healthy? Did he know I loved him? Was he crying for me because there was a

gapingholeinmywombcryingforhim.Achingtoholdhimandputhimtomybreastsand

feedhim.Hewastheonlythingintheworldthatbelongedtomeandhewouldneverknow

me.Winstonhadseentothat.

Chapter10

DearDiary,

FortwoweeksWinstonshoweredmewithgoodfoodandsmallgifts.Henursed

mebacktohealth.Hebroughtmebackfromthebrinkofdeath.Ihadnearlybledto

deathinthebackofthattruckandonthatfilthymattress.Myfifteenthbirthdaycame

andwentwithnotevenacardtocelebratetheday.

“Things are going to be different, Kara. You’ll see. I have a job and I have

somethinglinedupforyoutoo.Youcan’tgobacktoschoolandweneedthemoney.”I

laterlearnedthathisparentsreportedmeasarunawayandthatjobhehadlinedup

formewastobetheonethingsIneverwantedtobe,adirtycuntdancingdownstairs

at the Magic strip club. We were now property of a motorcycle club. Winston had

sealedourfatelongbeforeIhadgivenbirthtoMark.Winstonhadbeendoingwork

fortheoutlawmotorcycleclubforyears.Evenasachild.

I’llneverforgetWinstontakingmedownstairstomeetHook.Thedevilhimself.At

first glance, he was an attractive man. Strong features and his skin was weathered,

holdingthesecretsofhistravels…ofhisfights…Theoldermanintriguedme.Hiseyes

seemedtochangecolor.Goingfromhuesofblueandgreentobrownunderthelight.

His eyes penetrated my very core seeing me for what I was and all I could ever

amountto.Nothing.Adirtycunttobeused.Adirtycunttobreednewbastardstofall

inlineandrideordie.

“Her tits are on the small side, but if she proves to be a money maker I’ll get

themdone.”Heappraisedmeoncemoresmilingatmedeviously.

“Shehasbirthinghips.Couldmakemoreifweofferherupasavirgin.Shehave

anystretchmarks?”

Winston pushed me forward and barked for me to show the man what he had

bought and paid for. Inside I wanted to crumble into a million pieces but on the

outside,Iwascoldasice.

Ithrewmyshortsandshirtontohisdeskstandinginnothingbutmypantiesand

mylongredhairtoshieldme.

Theman’seyesshiftedupanddownmynervousbody.“She’lldobutnotuntilshe

turns eighteen. I’m a bastard but I’m no pedophile. She can help Pepper with the

running of the blue house. Take her to there, get her settled, and then come back. I

have a cleanup I need you to handle.” He dismissed us, and I was finally able to

breatheagain. I couldwork and hopefullyby the time Iwas of ageI would be long

gone.

OnedayIwouldgetawayfromWinston.Iwouldfindmysonandwewouldrun

to a far-off place. A place where no one knew us. This was a lie I told myself every

morningandnight.ItoldmyselfonedayIwouldbefree.Iwouldliveuptomyname.I

wouldtravel.Iwouldstickmytoesinthesand.Iwouldneverbelongtoanotherman.

DamnIwasastupidgirl.

Chapter11

DearDiary,

I’ve been thinking a lot about those days at the blue house. On the outside, it

looked like a grand home. One full of love and cheer. Appearances are deceiving.

Beyond that white picket fence, that blue siding, and that red door laid a world I

would never escape. It was heaven and hell. It kept Winston away. I hated him and

lovedhim.Ineededthetimeawayfromhimand,yetImissedhimbecausehealways

tookcareofme.Hewasevil,buthewasmineandIwashis.Hepromisedtoprotect

mejustasmyfatherhad.Somedayshedeliveredbutmostdayshefailed,miserably.

I’vebeentryingtoorganizemythoughtsbuttherearesomanymemoriesIkeep

tucked away in the compartments of my brain. Today though, I can’t stop thinking

aboutJazz.ShewasthemostbeautifulwomanIhadeverseen.Herskinwasaswhite

asherhair,almosttranslucent.Hereyesweresoblue,bluerthananyblueIhadever

known.Anhourglassfigureistheonlywaytodescribehercurves.

Iwantedtobeher.Theothergirlslookeduptoherandwerejustasenamoredby

herasthemenshetookherclothesofffor.Thereweresomanygirls.Somanymen.

Thereweresometimesmenwholookedlikewomenandwomenwholookedlikemen.

It was all so new and fascinating. I was part of a secret world where money, sex,

drugs,andviolenceruled.Itwasseductive,butitwasalsoscaryashell.

Ioftenstoodinfrontofthefloorlengthmirrorintheclosetandcomparedmyself

to Jazz. She was so beautiful, and I was redheaded, skinny, and freckled. The closet

wasreallythesizeofasmallbedroom.Itwassharedbyeveryone.Noonehadtheir

ownanything.

Someofthegirlsworkedatthestripclubwhileotherswereglorifiedprostitutes.

And I was there to clean, do their bidding, wash their clothes, feed them. I was

youngerthanallofthembutmoreofamotherthananyofthemhadeverknownwhile

Iwasmerelyababyinthegrandschemeoflife.

One day, Jazz caught me looking at myself in the mirror wearing her favorite

lingerie.“Kara,babygirl.Iwannatellyousomething.Iwantyoutolistenandlisten

good. The most important part of you is up here.” She touched her long red

manicurednailtomytemple.“Yourbrainandwhat’sinsideyou,that’sthebestpartof

you.Allthis…”Sheranherhanddownmyside.“Itdoesn’tmatter.Menyousee,they

thinkourpowerisourpussyandyeah,wecancontrolmenwithourpussy.Butnever

letamanownit.Yougrabyourpussyandyouharnessthatpower.Youuseittoget

youwhereyou’reheadedinlifebutneverforgettherealpowerisinyourhead.”

Iwatchedherreflectionwithredcheeksasshecuppedhersexandgrabbeditand

said, “Harness that pussy. Don’t let no man ever own you. You own him. You take

whatGodgaveyouandyouletthatlittledickedfuckerthinkhe’sincontrol,butyou

calltheshots.Neverforgetit.”Shenodded,encouragingmetofollowherlead.

IgrabbedmycrotchjustasamanwouldgrabhisdickandIfeltlikeIcouldrule

theworldallthatday.Iprissedaroundintheatticinthatredlacechemisegrabbing

mypussyandmytits,gettingtoknowmybody,learningwhatIlikedanddidn’tlike

justasJazztoldmeto.Ireallybelievedher.Andmaybewhatshesaidworkedforher,

butIwouldneverbefree.

Chapter12

Sara

“Sara.Wakeup!”Harleyshakesmyshoulder,rousingmefrommysleep.Imust’ve

dozedoffwhileIwasreading.Idon’tknowwhyGypsy’sdiaryissoappealingtome,but

itislikeitcallstome.Likeshecallstomeandwantsmetoknowherstory.

Iwon’tlethermemorybeforgotten.Iwon’tlethersufferinghavebeeninvain.One

day I will honor her memory. Hers and my aunt Sarah’s. I plan on living my life to the

fullest,notonlyforthembutforme.Iwillshoweveryonetheywerewrongtocountme

out.

“What’sthis?”Harleyturnsthediaryoverinherhands,tryingtomakeoutthefaded

cover.

“Nothing,”Isnap,snatchingitfromhergrasp.

“Okay.Geez.Calmdown.”

Shetakesaseatontheedgeofherbed.“So,yourdadisprettyintense.Ithoughtmy

dadwastoughbutman.Youroldman.”Sheletsoutalowwhistle.

“He’snotthatbad.”Ifoldmyarmsovermychestwonderingifmydadisstillupset

withme.

“Youmissedalltheexcitementanyway.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Well,mydadtoldmenottosayanything,butyourdadattackedgrandpaGriminthe

chapel.Mydadhadtogetbetweenthem.Heroughedhimupgood.Andyourmom,wow.

Shehasamouthonher.Shereallyhasyourdadbytheballs.”Shegiggles.“Sheliterally

grabbedyourdadbytheballsandthreatenedhim,saidifheevertouchedGrimagainshe

wouldcutthemoff.Imean,shehassomebigdamnballsherselftochallengehimlikethat

infrontoftheclub.”

Iwouldlaughifitweren’tmyparentsshewasspeakingof.WhydoIfeellikethisis

myfault?Ireallyscrewedup.

Ineedtogoapologize.

“Doyouknowwheremyparentsare?”

“YourmomleftwithGrimandIdon’tknowwhereyourdadwentbuthewaspissed.

YourmomisprobablyatGrim’sortheRoadhouse.”

“Ineedtogofindmydad.Doyouthinkyourdadwouldletmeborrowacar?Ihave

mylicense.”

“My dad, no way.” My face falls. “It’s a good thing he isn’t here though.” Harley’s

lips curl into a sneaky smirk. “It’s actually just us here. Everyone is over at the

Roadhouse.There’sapartyinFoxie’smemory.Wearen’tallowedin,butwedon’thaveto

goasourselves.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Well,onnightsliketonight,everyonewillbepartying.Mydadneverstaysatthem

longandwhenhedoes,thereareprivate,smallerparties.Ihappentoknowaguywhocan

getusin,ifwecanalterourappearance.”

“How?Ifmyfolksseeus…Iwillbeinreallydeepshit.”

“Trust me. My parents are kinky. My mom has all these wigs and costumes in her

closet.Ithinkshewearsthemandtheylikeroleplayorsomething.”

“Harley!Ididn’tneedthosedetails.”Iscrunchupmynosebutthensay,“Really?”

She snorts. “Yeah, this one time my brothers got into the wigs and I got into the

costumesandstuffwhenwehadababysitter.Let’sjustsaywhenmomsawmeparading

aroundthelivingroomwavingherglassdildoaroundlikeawandthreateningtoturnmy

brothersintotoadswithitwehadalongawkwardtalk.”

CoveringmyhandwithmymouthIcan’tstoplaughing.“Noway!Whatdidshesay

toyou?”

“Some weird talk about adults and spicing things up.” She rolls her baby blues and

laughswith me. “Igot grounded bymy dad, but mombought me anew purse later that

week.”

“So,haveyoudonethisbefore?”

“Snuck into the Roadhouse? Girl, please. I have been sneaking in since I was in

seventhgrade.Iusedtohideandwatchbut…”Sheturnsherhead,blushing.

“You’vegotabiker,don’tyou?”

“No,butIdohaveabiker’ssonwhoisallowedtoattendtheparties!Comeon.We

needtohurry!”Grabbingmyhand,shepullsmedownthehallwaytoherparent’scloset.

Grim

Pullingupatthefuneralhome,Idon’tknowwhatwillhappen.IknewStrikerwasin

thechapelandIknewhe’dwouldreactthewayhedid.GuessIwantedtobepunishedfor

whatI’vedone.Idon’tfeelgoodaboutit.I’vekilledalotofpeopleinmylife.Ihavealot

toanswerfor.Iknowthedevilwillcomeformeoneday.Ithoughtmaybethatdaywould

betoday.

I get off my bike and slowly make my way inside. Striker put a hurtin’ on me. My

facelooksandfeelslikeit’sbeenhitbyameattenderizer.I’manoldbastardandcantake

itthough.I’vetakenalotofhitsinmyday.

The funeral director is getting ready to close the casket and I don’t see Striker or

Rebel,butIknowthattheyarestillhere.

Ican’tbeartogazeuponFoxieinhercasketknowingIputherthere.Knowingshe

ruinedmyGoddamnlife.KnowingthatIruinedhers.

“You can’t do it, can you.” My son-in-law stands behind me, pressing a gun to the

backofmyhead.

“Ifyou’replanningonshootingme,getonwithitandsavemethebullshit.”

“Deathwouldbetoogoodforyou.”Iheartheclickofthesafetyandturnaround.

“Supposeitwould.Killingmewouldn’tmakeyefeelanybetternohow.Besides,my

daughterwouldneverlaywithyeagainifyoudid.”

“You’vemurderedbothmyparents.TothinkIusedtolookuptoyou.”Heshakeshis

headandpullshisglassesoff,cleaningthemonhisshirt.

“Wantmetosay,I’msorryforwhatIdid?Notgonnahappen.Slimknewwhatwould

comeforhimwhenhedidthethingsthathedid.Ilovedyourfatherbetterthananyone.

ButyoudamnwellknewasgoodasIdid,itwashimormeandwell,fuck.I’maselfish

bastard. Your mother coulda took that shit to the grave. I gave her what she wanted. I

endedhersuffering.”

“I know. Brian Hagen was here. Delivered letters. She left one for each of us. You,

Rebel,Karly,me,andmyspermdonor.”

Hereachesintohiscutandpullsouttheenvelopes.“Here.Readit.”Hesqueezesmy

shoulderandwalksoutwithRebelfollowingbehindhim.

Fuck.

“Whydidyoudothistous,FoxieLady?”IlookdownatthewomanIthoughtIknew

butthetearsIshouldbesheddingwon’tcome.

Chapter13

Karly

I have been sitting at the bar with Romeo for over thirty minutes in silence. I don’t

thinkeitherofusknowswhattosay.It’sbeensomanyyears.We’veleftsomuchunsaid

butatthesametimeIfeellikeIhavesaidallIeverneededto,tothisman.Hewasmy

firstlover,butheisalsothefatherofmyhusbandandIamafraidofwhathewilldoifhe

findsoutIamevensittingnexttohim.

“Doyouthinktheyareokay?”Ibreaktheice.

“Yeah,they’llworktheirshitout.”

I nod and glance around the room. A feeling of déjà vu sweeps over me. My world

usedtobeginandendwiththisclubhouse,withthisclub.IneverthoughtIwouldhavea

lifeoutsideofDragCreek,butIdo.It’sagoodlife.OneIwouldn’ttradeforanythingbut

therearetimeswhenImisstheexcitement,thedanger,andthepower.

ThatissomethingIhaven’tbeenabletoadmitforsometime,butmykidsarealmost

grown,andmyfatherisgettingolder.IknowIsaidIwouldnevercomebackbutFoxie

dyinghasputthingsintoperspective.Thingshavechanged.

Iwonderifmyhusbandwantstocomeback.Ifhewantstoreclaimhisplacenextto

hisbrotherandourson.

NowIhavemychancetoaskhim.Hejustwalkedin.

Nashfindsmeimmediatelybutwhenheseeswhositsatthebarnexttomehedoes

somethingIamnotexpecting;hesmiles.What’swrongwithhim?ApissedoffhusbandI

candealwithbutthegrinheiswearingterrifiesme.Idon’tseeanyblood,soItakeitasa

goodsignhehasn’tkilledmyfather,atleastnotyetanyway.Iknowheharborsillfeelings

from Slim’s death and I don’t begrudge him for them, but it puts me in an awkward

position.

Making his way across the room, he is so damn sexy and scary as hell. I feel

transportedintimeseeinghiminhisoldcutfromthedaysofouryouth.

I’llneverforgetthosedaystheyshapedusintowhowearetoday.

“Weokay?”Hequestions.

Inodandpullhimintomeforahug.Ineedhisarmsaroundme.Todayhasbeenhard

forusall.

“Romeo,IshouldhaveknownI’dfindyousniffingaroundmywife.Thisisforyou.”

Hereachesintohiscutandatfirst,Iamafraidheisgoingtopulloutagun,butitisonly

anenvelope.

“What’sthis?”

“It’sfrommymother.Sheleftoneforyoutoo,”hetellsmeandhandsmeonewith

mybirthnamewritteninherpenmanship.

“Readit,”hedemands.

“Okay.”Inodandgivehimafaintsmile.

Baby,

Ifyouarereadingthis,wellthen,Imetmyend.IfIknowyourfatheratallhewilltell

youwhatIhavedone.Iamsureyouhatemeformyactions.IknowIdo.Iprobablyhate

myself enough for us all, but you must know that I did love you. I thought of you as my

ownchild.ThedaughterIalwayswanted,butneverhad.

Youweretheclosestthingtoyourfather’sheartthatIeverhad,andIneverwantedto

hurt you. Any of you. I was stupid and impulsive. I was irate and there is no excuse for

whatIstolefromyou,butItriedmybesttogiveyoutheloveyourmotherneverwould.

PleasetakecareofThomas.Helovesyou.Helovesyouandyourchildrensomuch.He’d

doanythingforyou,butIbegofyoudon’tbringhimbackhome.Ifearthathewilldieif

you do. He has too much of Slim’s influence instilled in him. He was his father and he

alwayswantedtodohimproud.

YoudidgoodwithColt/Cole.Mygrandsonisonefineyoungman.Ihopeyouknow

thatanymotherwouldbeproudtocallyouherdaughter.

Allmylove,

Foxie

Ilookupatmyhusbandwithtearstainedeyes,uncertainofwhattodo.

Iwasonthevergeofaskinghimtomakethisourhomeagainuntilhegavemethis

letter.

Romeoisatatablealonereadinghisletter.Idon’tknowwhatFoxie’sfinalwordsto

himare,butIcantelltheyareaffectingthemangreatly.

“Maybeyoushoulduh…um…maybeyoucould…”

“Spititout,Karly.”

InudgehimintheribswithmyelbowandnodtoRomeo.

“Nope.NothappeningbutItellyouwhat.Whydon’tyouaskhimtodance?”

“What?Whywouldyousaythattome?”Ishakemyhead.

“Because you care about him and he’s hurting. Go on. I promise, it’s okay. I know

youloveme.Hedoesn’tstandachanceinhellofstealingyouaway.You’remine.Always.

Now go make an old man happy. Just not too happy.” He gives me a gentle push, but I

nearlytripovermyfeet.Whyishedoingthistome?Whatinthehelldidhismotherwrite

tohim?Idon’thaveanyrighttopry,butnowIreallywanttoknow.

“Wait.”Hegrabsmyhandandpullsmeintohischest.Itipmyheadupandlookat

him,wonderingifthisissomesortoftest.However,hismouthcomesdownonminewith

thetenderestofkisses.“Iloveyou.”

“Iloveyou,”Iwhisper.“But,honey.Idon’tneedtodancewithhim.”

“No, but he needs a friend and if it has to be you…if our daughter wants to know

him…Igottatrytoaccepthimintoourlivesonewayoranother.”

Spinningaround,Iaskhim,“Whatareyousaying?”

“I’msayingwelcomehome,Karly.Welcomehome,Baby.”

“Youdon’tmean…”

“Yeah. I do. It’s time and as much as I hate him for it, he’s my father. And despite

everything you will always care about that man. Now, I’m not saying I want you alone

withhimbut,Iamsaying—fuck.Idon’tknowwhatI’mdoing,butgodancewiththeman.

Heneedssomeoneandrightnowithastobeyou.”

“Nash,Ireallydon’tthinkthatthisisagoodidea.”

“Justdoit.”

WhenIdon’tbudge,hedragsmetowhereRomeoissittingallalonenursingabeer.

Nash pulls out a chair and orders me to sit, practically shoving me down into the

chair.Whenheissatisfiedhepullsupanotherseat.

“Weneed to getsome shit straight,old man. I don’tknow what itis about you that

makesallthewomeninmylifecareaboutyousoGoddamnedmuchbuthereweare.My

daughterwantstoknowhergrandfather.Mywifecaresaboutyoursorryass.Nowdon’t

gogettinganyideas,youdirtyoldfucker.”

Romeostaysquiet.Ithinkthemanisspeechless.ThetensionatthetableissothickI

don’tknowwhatelsetodosoIclosemyeyesandtakeadeepbreathasNashsqueezesthe

topofmythigh.“Romeo,willyoudancewithme?”

Hisheadsnapsup,hiseyesdartingaroundthetable.

“It’sokay.Iunderstand,man.”NashnodsathimandRomeoholdsouthishand.

Romeowrapsanarmaroundmywaistandpullsmeclose.

“Have I died and gone to heaven, because I never thought I’d ever have ye in my

armsagain,”hesays,hisvoicegruff.

“I’mgladtoseeyouhaven’tchanged,”Ireplywithagenuinesmile.“Areyoudoing

okay?”

“I manage. Can’t complain. Well, I could but you don’t want to hear an old man’s

regrets.”

“Romeo…”

“Yeah,sweetheart,Iknow.Let’snotruinthiswithtalk.Justletthisoldbastardenjoy

thefeelofyourbodyonelasttime.”

“Youreallyareterrible,youknowthat,don’tyou?”

“Can’tteachanolddognewtricks.”Hiseyescrinkleinthecornersasheleansforward
andbrusheshislipsovermyhair.It’sascloseashislipswilleverget.

Dancingwithhimisbittersweet.Iwouldn’tgobackandchangeathing,butmyheartdoes
hurtknowingheisn’toverme.

Sara

TheRoadhouseisexactlyhowIimaginedittobe.Motorcyclesarelinedupalongthe

frontaswedrivearoundtheback.

Harleyislikeadamnwizardwithmakeup.Theonlythingthatcouldgivemeawayis

myeyes.I’mwearingablondewigandheavyeyemakeup.Evenmyclothesarebadass

too. I have on a leather vest that halters around my neck that pushes my boobs together

and gives me awesome cleavage. The denim miniskirt I am wearing is a bit short, but I

thinkit’sbecauseoftheheelonthebootsIamwearing.

TheguyHarleyiscrushingoniscute.Toobadformebutshesaidhehasfriends.

Ican’twaittoseewhattheRoadhouseislike.

Kyler,Harley’scrush,saiditwouldbebetterifwegointhroughtheback,sowecan

slipinandfitinwiththecrowd.Hesaidifwewentthroughthefrontwearemorelikelyto

attractattention.Attentionthatwedon’tneed.

Harley smiles at me with her black stained lips. She went for a goth look and is

rockingitwithherlittleblackdressandcombatboots.

Kylerparksthetruckandgetsouttocomearoundtohelpusjumpout.Histruckhas

beenliftedandIneedadamnstepladdertoclimbinandoutofit.

Ibracemyhandsonhisshouldersashegrabsmearoundmywaistandsetsmedown,

doingthesameforHarley.He’swearingaprospectcut.Harleysaysheistryingtoearn

hispatchandonedayshewillbehistopbitch.

Harley takes my hand in her own and Kyler’s with her other. The three of us walk

throughthebackdoor.Whenitclosesbehindmethesmellofsmokefillstheairandmusic

isblaringsoloudIcanfeelitvibratingthroughmyteeth.

“Isn’tthisgreat,”Harleywhisperstomeaswewalkdownthehallway.

Isqueezeherhandandletgo,steppingoutintothebararea.

I’m overwhelmed as I take in the scene around me. Beer and liquor is flowing, and

handsarewanderingtoassesandcrotches.IfIdidn’tknowthesemenIwouldthinkmy

lifeisindanger.Theyareroughandmean,butsexyashell.Nowondermymomwasso

wild as a teenager. I almost feel like I got the shit end of the deal in this whole new

identity thing. Well, my parents were already in the witness protection program when I

was born, but damn Harley gets to come to these parties all the time and I am lucky to

leavethehouse.Mydadcanbestrict.Hewantsmetofocusongettinganeducation.Says

IwillhavetimetopartywhenIgotocollege.

Harleywinksatmeandgoesupasetofstairsleavingmeonmyown.

Thatwasn’ttheplan.Shepromisedshewouldstaybymyside.

NowIamaloneanddon’tknowwhatinthehelltodo.

I guess I could follow them, but I get the idea they want to be alone. So much for

Kylerhavingafriendforme.

Anelbowslamsintomychestandsomesleazywomansays,“watchit,”asshesteps

outfrombehindthebarwithatrayofdrinks.

Imovetotheside,hopingIamoutoftheway.IclosemyeyesagainandwhenIopen

themIcan’tbelievewhatIamwitnessing.MymomisdancingwithRomeo.Themanshe

had an affair with. The man my father has forbidden me from speaking to. Panicking, I

glancearoundtheroomformydad.Ifheseesthishewillkillthem.

Istarttogoouttothedancefloortointervenebutthatwouldblowmycover.Idon’t

knowwhattodo,butthenIseemydadsittingatatabletalkingandlaughingwithoneof

theclubmembers.Whatinthehellisgoingonhere?

Before I can step forward a firm hand grips my elbow. “You look ridiculous.” My

brother.

Iyankmyarmfree.“Don’ttell.Please?”

His eyes narrow on me and he motions his head toward the hallway I just came

through.IfollowhimeventhoughIdon’twantto.“Iwon’tbutyouaren’tstaying.”

“Cole.I’mnotdoinganythingbad.”

“You sure as hell aren’t doing anything good.” He snatches the wig from my head.

“DidyouthinkIwouldn’trecognizeyou?”Heshakeshisheadandcupsthebackofhis

neck.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”

“Iwascurious.”Ikickmyfeetatthebaseboardthatrunsalongthewall.

“Wellnowyousaw.Let’sgo.”

“No.IwannaknowwhyourmotherisdancingwithRomeoandouroldmanseems

finewithit?”Icrossmyarmsovermychest.

Cole shrugs his vest off and puts it over my shoulders. “Cover up. You look like a

damn clubwhore. Dad would kill you and then he’d kill me if I don’t get you back to

RebelandChelle’s.I’mnotplaying,Sara.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” I point out, shrugging my arms through the large

holesandhuggingtheleathertome.

“Idon’tknowwhatmomisdoing.It’snotmybusiness,norisitanyofyours.”

Thistimehedoesn’tgivemeachancetofighthim.Hepicksmeupandthrowsme

overhisshoulder,foldinghisarmtoshieldmybutt.

Whenwegetoutsideheleadsmetohiscar.“Getin.I’mnotasking.”

“Whatever.”Irollmyeyesandslamthedoor.

WhenhegetsinhewantstoknowwhereHarleyis.EventhoughshedesertedmeI

tellhimIdon’tknow.Iwon’tbetrayhertrust.

“Iknowshebroughtyouhere,tellme,Sara.Whereisshe?”

Ichangethesubject.“WhatdoyouknowaboutaguynamedKyler?”

“Tread’sson?Whydoyouwannaknowaboutthatlittleshitstainfor?”

Itapmyfingeronmybottomlip.“Hmmm.Idon’tknow.Heseems…nice.”

“Sothat’swhereHarleyisandhowyougothere,huh?”

“Don’ttellonher,Cole.”

“I’llkeepittomyself,butIwillbetalkingtohim.”

Chapter14

Danny

Somewhere,Kentucky

“You owe me a rebel daughter. You owe me!” Marek roars in my face. “Get in the

truck.Drivetothelocalhighschool.Thereisabasketballgame,shewillbecheering.”He

flashes a photograph in my face. “Grab her and bring her to me. I don’t care what you

mustdotogether.Weclear?”

Flexing my prosthetic hand, I still haven’t grown accustomed to it. It allows me to

griplikearealhand.BiomedicineissoadvancedthatIcanevendojustaboutanything

thatIwouldwitharealhand.MysistersparednoexpensetomakesureIhavethebest

thatthereis.Myhand,isworthmorethanIdeserved.

Staringatthephoto,Idon’twanttogothroughwiththis.Fuck,she’syoung.Icantell

because she still has baby fat in her cheeks. Crumpling the photograph, I toss it in the

trash.

Gettinginthetruck,IhatewhoandwhatIhavebecomeandwhatImustdo.IfIdon’t

comply, Marek will kill Harper, not that she probably doesn’t deserve it after all the

terrible shit she has done, but she’s my sister. Allowing him to hurt her more than he

alreadyhasisn’tanoption.Besidesthat,she’spregnant.

Her child deserves a mother, even if it will be her, as sadistic as she is. I will do

anything to protect my sister and her child. I’m the only person in the world who truly

cares about them. Marek doesn’t even want the child. He suspects it isn’t his although

Harperswearsshehasn’tbeenwithanothermanotherthanherhusbandsinceCole.Inher

own sick and twisted way, I do believe she loved Cole. As much as she was able to.

Harperonlyreallyknowsoneloveandthatisforherself.

Arriving at the school I buy a ticket for the game, attempting to blend in, avoiding

makingeyecontactwithanyone.

TakingmyseatinthestandsIscanthecheerleaders,lookingformytarget.Spotting

heriseasyenough.She’sbeautifulandstandsoutsomuchmorethantherestofthegirls,

appearingmorematureforheragethansheappearedinthepicture.ThatisuntilIseethe

girl who brings her a water. Her red hair flames with a golden hue, emanating wildfire

nexttothebleachblondehairofherfriend.

Iwatchastheytalkbrieflyandthenshestartstowardthebleachers,comingupand

sittinginmysection;Ican’ttakemyeyesoffher.Ishouldn’tbecheckingherout.I’ma

twenty-six-year-oldmanatahighschoolbasketballgameforChrist’ssake.

She sits three seats away from me, perched on the edge as though she’s nervous. I

can’thelpbutwonderwhy.

Her eyes meet mine and they are so striking. Yellow, gold, with flecks of brown; I

can’tlookaway.Ifeeldamnnearentranced.Herlipsliftintoasmile.

Ican’tstopmyselffromasking,“What’syourname?”

“Sara.”

“That’srealpretty.Prettylikeyou.”

“Thanks,”shesays,tuckingastrandofherhairbehindherear.“What’syourname?”

“Danny,”ItellhermyrealnameknowingthatIshouldn’t.“Yougotoschoolhere?”

“No,justvisitingmycousin,Harley.”Shepointstotheblondeassheshoutsacheer.

“I’mhereforafuneralandtoseemybrother,Cole.”

Fuck.I’vejusthitthejackpot.Coleisthefuckerwhoputusallinthismess.IfHarper

hadn’tbeensohunguponhim…Ineverwouldhavehadtochoose.Ineverwouldhave

lostmyhand.IfIdeliverthesisterofthatfucktoMarek,maybehewillconsidermydebt

paid,andmaybehewillletmysistergo.Hesureashellisn’tinterestedinthebabyinher

womb.

“Howlongareyouherefor?”

Sheshrugs.“Afewdays.”

“I’dlovetoshowyouaroundwhileyou’rehere,”Itellher.

“Thanks,butmyfolkswouldnevergoforit.”

“Whosaystheyhavetoknow.”Iwink,thenIglanceatthescoreboard.“There’sover

thirtyminutesleft.PlentyoftimetotakeyouonthegrandtourofDragCreek,”Ilie.

“Idon’tknow…”

“Idon’tbite,unlessyouaskmeto,”Isaywithalaugh.

“You’llbringmestraightback?”Shepullsherpurseuponhershoulder.

“Of course.” I smile and stand. She holds out her hand to mine, and I help her up,

lovingthewayherhandfeelsinmygoodone.Idon’tthinkshehasnoticedmyprosthetic.

Itdoesn’tmatter.Idon’tplanonspendingenoughtimewithherforittomatter.

Sara

Idon’tknowwhatIamdoingbutthisguy,Danny,he’scuteandolder.Ican’tbelieve

heisevenpayingattentiontome.Withmyhandinhis,Ifollowhimoutsidetohistruck.

“So,whatdoesthegrandtourentail?”

“You’llsee.”Hecockshisheadtothesideandsmilesatme.“Buckleup,prettygirl.”

Is he flirting with me? My cheeks pinken and I pull the belt across my chest and

secureitwithaclick.

“Goodgirl.”

Ilaughashestartsthetruck.“I’mnotadog.”

“Iknowthat,Sara.You’rearebel.”Hiseyessparklewithexcitement.

“Whatdidyousay?”Mystomachtensesashepullsoutontotheroad.

Hetakesacurvefastandmypursegoesslidingacrosstheseat.

Grippingthesteeringwheelandpressinghisfootdownonthegas,helookstomeand

says,“Isaidyou’rearebel.Youlooklikeyouhaveawildsidethatisdyingtogetoutand

havealittlefun.Doyouwanttohavefunwithme?”

“Um…Iguess.”Istretchmyarmout,reachingformypursebutDannysnatchesit

awayandpressesharderonthegas.

“Please,slowdown.”

“I bet you always do what you’re told. Don’t you ever just wanna get crazy and do

whateveryouwant?”

“Danny,you’rescaringme.IthinkIwannagoback.”

Heunzipsmypurseandtakesmycellphoneout.

“Bet you were wanting this, right?” He shakes his head as I grab the door handle,

debatingonifIcouldsurviveitifItumbleout.

“Listen,youseemlikeanokaydude,butyouarereallyscaringme.”

Helaughs,throwinghisheadback.Notevenlookingattheroad.

“What’swrongwithyou?”

“Nothing.Alot,”hesayswiththissadnessinhiseyes.

“Whyareyoudoingthis?Iwon’ttellanyoneifyoutakemeback.Iswearit.”

“Sorry,Ican’tdothat.”

Thenhedoestheunthinkable.Herollsdownthewindowandtossesmylifelineonto

thefreeway.

“Whydidyoudothat!”Iscreechathim.Ineedaplan.Mychestsqueezes,andIfeel

likeIcan’tbreathe.

“Don’t you wanna just ever say fuck it all, Sara. Do something crazy. Be wild and

free.Doyoueverjustwanttorunawayfromyourlife?”

“Everyday,”Ianswershockingmyselfmorethanhim.

“Iknewit.”Helaughs,easingoffthegas,finallydoinganormalspeed.

“You’recrazy.”

“Ineverclaimedtobesane.”HegrinsatmeandIdon’tknowwhatcompelsme,butI

undomyseatbeltandslideacrosstheseatofthetrucknexttohim.

“Iguessnot,”IwhisperasIlookathim,studyingthiscrazystranger’sface.

“I’msorry,Sara.Ishouldn’thavethrownoutyourphone.Thatwasarealshitthingto

do.”

“Yeah.Youthink?”

Hetapshisthumbonthewheel.“IguessyoucouldsayIgetabitimpulsive.”

“Youcansaythatagain.”Ilaughfeelingalittlemoreateasenowthatheisn’tdriving

likeawhackadoo.

“So,whatarewedoing?”

“Idon’tknow.IjustsawyouandIthoughtthisgirl.Thisgirl’sspecialandifIdon’t

gettoknowherI’mgoingtoregretittherestofmylife.”

“Really….Sorrytoburstyourbubble,pal,butI’mnotfallingforthatline.Imaynot

bethebrightestgirl,butIknowalinewhenIhearone.”

“I won’t argue with you on the smart part, but honestly, there is something about

you.”Ismackathimaswepulloffonadirtroad.

“You’renotbringingmeoutheretokillme,areyou?”

“No.ItoldyouIwanttogettoknowyou.ThisplaceisthebestkeptsecretinDrag

Creek.Trustme,Sara.”

Chapter15

Danny

Sara is sitting on the tailgate of the truck next to me. I should have taken her to

Marekaboutanhourago.Ican’tkeepprolongingit.Foramomentwhenshefirstgotin

mytruck,Iwastemptedtolethergo,butmostofallIwastemptedtojustkeepdriving

untilIranoutofmoneyorgas,whichevercamefirst.IknewifIdidn’tgetridofhercell

phonewecouldbetrackedbyitandImadeupmymindtoseethisthrough.Ihavemy

sisterdependingonmetosaveher.Becauseforthefirsttimeinherlifesheisn’tableto

saveherself.

I’veneverbelievedinloveatfirstsight,butIdofeelaconnectiontoSara.Themore

she talks and the more time I spend with her my pull to her grows stronger. Which is

exactlywhyIneedtoendthisnow.Besides,she’stooyoungforme.

I know she has seen my hand by now, but she hasn’t brought it up. She’s the first

personwhohasn’taskedmehowithappened.It’slikesheacceptsthatit’sjustapartof

me.

Igotluckywiththisroad.Ihadnoideawhereitwouldlead.Butsomehow,wehave

foundourselvesatanoldfishinghole.

“So,whatwereyoudoingatthegame?”Saralooksatmeexpectantly.

Ipullmyzippooutofmypocketandflicktheflame.DoImakeupabeautifullieor

doIcrushherwiththeuglytruth?

“Look,”Itellherpointingtotheedgeofthefield.There’sabuckcomingtowardthe

wateringholeforadrink.

“Wow,he’sbeautiful.”

“Sure is,” I agree, tucking my good hand in my back pocket and pulling out the

syringe.

“I’ve never seen one in real life before.” She jumps down from the tailgate and

freezeswhentheanimalstopsandreturnshergaze.

Igotostandnexttoherandsheissmilingatme,takingmybreathaway.Idon’twant

togivehertoMarek,butIhavetoprotectHarper.IknowwhatImustdo.

“Youneveransweredmyquestion.”

Placing my fake fingers under her chin, I force her eyes to mine. She has all these

freckles sprinkled like confetti on her T-zone. It’s sexy. I shouldn’t be thinking she’s is

sexyconsideringshemustbeagoodtenyearsyoungerthanme,butshe’sgorgeous.Her

eyesaresodamncaptivating,Icouldgetlostinthemforhours.

“Sara,Ineedtotellyousomething.”

Myphoneringsfrominsidethetruckinterruptingthemoment.

“Sorry,Ihavetogetthat.”

Shegivesmeanoddlookbutnods.

“Don’tgoanywhere.I’llberightback.”

FuckingMarek.Iknowit’shim.

“Yeah.”

“Wherethefuckareyou.Theplaneiswaiting.Weneedtogobeforethebadweather

rollsin.”

“I’llbethere.”

“Youhavetwentyminutes,Danny,orIpayspecialattentiontomywhoreofawife.”

Fuck.

Itossthephoneontheseat,andwhenIturnaround,Saraisrightuponme.

“Youokay?”

“Fine,”Igritthroughmyteeth.

“We should probably head back to the school. My parents are probably looking for

mebynow.”

Inodmyhead,diggingmyteethintomybottomlip.Icanonlyhopeshedoesn’thate

metoomuchafterthis,butIshouldn’tcareifshedoes.Idon’tplanonstickingaround.I

can’tbecomeinvestednomatterhowtemptingshemakesit.

OnceMarekhasher,IcanfreeHarperfromhispsychoticassforthesakeofherbaby.

“This was…fun.” She smiles, and I lean in, playing the part of the seductive older

man.

“Ihadfunwithyoutoo,Sara.”Iwetmylipsfeelinglikeanevilbastard.

She moves upward on her tippy toes wanting me to kiss her. Wrapping my arm

around her waist to keep her from falling, I pull her body into mine and then I sick her

withtheshotinthesideofherneck.

Hereyesgowide.“Whatareyou….”isallshemanagestogetoutbeforehereyesroll

backandherbodygoesslackinmyarms.

Itwouldhavebeeneasiertodoitwhileshewasinthetruckalreadybutohwell.Idid

whatIhadto.

Itwillbebetterforherthisway.Bythetimeshecomestoitwillallbeover.

Chapter16

Harley

“Hey,haveyouseenmycousin?”

“Thegirlwhowaswithyouearlier?”CoachMilesasks.

“Yeah.Theredheadwithalotoffreckles.”

Shetapsherchinforamomentbeforeanswering.“Actually,Iwatchedherleavewith

herboyfriendawhileago.Thoughhedidseemabitoldforher.”

“Thanks,” I mutter, confused, because I know good and well Sara doesn’t have a

boyfriend.AtleastnotoneinDragCreek.Shedidn’tmentionmeetinganyonewhenwe

snuckintotheRoadhouse.

Ipullmyphoneoutofmybagandtryhercellphoneagain.Itkeepsgoingstraightto

voicemail.I’mgonnabeindeepshitifIdon’tfindhersoon.Mymomwillbehereany

minutetopickusup.

Whythehelldidsheleavewithoutaword?Whowasshewith?Icalltheonlyperson

whomaybeabletohelpwithoutgettingmegroundedforlife.

“Hello,littlesister.What’sup?”

“Morg,canItalktoCole?”

“He’snothere.WhydoyouwantCole?”

“Um,isSarawithhimbychance?”

“Idon’tthinkso.Whyareyoubeingsoweird?Whatisit?”

“Okay, don’t tell anyone yet, but Sara came to my game with me and well…I can’t

findher,andmycoachsaidshewatchedherleavewithanolderguy.”

“Damn.Doubledamn,”shecurses.

“Iknow.WhatdoIdo?”

“Youtellherfolks,Harley.Now!”Shesnapsatme.

“Idon’twanttogetherintotrouble,”Ihedge.

“Harley,whatifshe’sindanger?Didyouthinkaboutthat?”

“No.Shit,”Ihiss.

“What?”

“Mom’shere.Igottago.”

“Dotherightthing,andtellmom.”

“Iwill.”IendthecallandpraySaraisokayforbothoursakes.

Hikingmybaguponmyshoulderagain,Igetinthecar.

“Where’sSara?”Momasksimmediately.

Ishrinkbackintheseat.“Idon’tknow,”Imumble.

“Whatdoyoumeanyoudon’tknow?”

“JustasIsaid.Idon’tknow,Mom.Shebroughtmeawater,andIsawhergotothe

bleachers,butwhenthegamewasover,Icouldn’tfindher.Plus,sheisn’tpickingupher

phone.Ilookedeverywhere.Ikeepcallingher.”Ilooktothewindow,hopingtoseeher.

“Harley, look at me.” I twist around to face her. “I need you to think. Has she said

anything?Doyouknowanything?”

“No,”Igrumble,foldingmyarmsovermychest.I’mafraidtotellhersheleftwitha

man.Iamgonnabeindeepshit.

“You better not be lying to me because heaven help you if you aren’t telling me

everything.Yourdadwillgoapeshitnottomentionyourauntanduncle.”

“Okay.Don’tbemadatme.”

“Whatisit?”Shegrowls.

“CoachMilessaidshewatchedherleavewithanolderguy.”

“Oh,forfuckssake.”Shespeedsoutoftheschoollot.“Callyourfatherandtellhim.

Now,Harley!”

“Yes,Ma’am.”I’mdead.Myfatherwillgroundmeforlife.

Karly

“Whatdoyoumeantheydon’tknowwhereSarais?”

“Fuck!”Nashroarswhilehepunchesthewall.Hetosseshisphoneonthebedinthe

guestroomatmydad’shouse.

“All I know is no one has seen our daughter since she went to the ballgame with

Harleyandherphoneisgoingdirecttovoicemail.Truthistryingtotrackherphonebut

thereareonlytwocelltowersinDragCreekwhichmeansshecouldbeanywhereinthe

county.”

“Callthepolice,now!”TearsrundownmyfaceasItrynottothinktheworst,butthis

is Drag Creek. We never should have brought her here. What was I thinking? I can’t

believeIconsideredmovingbackhere.

“Karly,lettheclubhandleitfirst.Maybeshemetaboyandwentforaride.”

“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikesomethingshewoulddo.Idon’tlikethis.”

“Listen to me. The club will find her and has resources the cops don’t. Tread is

sendingherphotoouttothesurroundingareas.We’llfindher.”

“Youhavetodaytobringherhome,Nash.”

“Don’tdothisrightnow,Karly.Weneedtobeonthesamepagehere.Don’tbegoing

behind my back and making calls until we know more. Chelle and Rebel are bringing

Harleyhererightnow,soIcanquestionher.Justtrytostaycalm.”

Ishebeingseriousrightnow?Calm!“OurdaughterissomewhereouttherewithGod

knowswhodoingwhoknowswhatandyouwantmetobecalm!”Ishakemyheadand

pacethefloor,tryingtofighttheurgetosmackhimrightnow.

“Youthinkthisiseasyforme?She’smydaughtertoo.Iwilldowhateverittakes.”

Hegrabsmyshouldersandholdsmystare.“Ineedyoutohavefaithinme.Iwillbringher

home.”

“I’msorry,Nash.I’mjustsoscared.”Icollapseintohisarmsasheholdsmeagainst

hischest.Sobsrakethroughme,threateningtodrownmewithgrief.Idon’tknowwhybut

IhavethisterriblefeelingIwillneverseeheragain.

IknowIshouldn’tthinktheworst,butIcan’tstopalltheterriblescenariosthatare

goingthroughmyhead.

Foxiewarnedmenottocomeback.

WhathaveIdone?

“I don’t know who she’s with, I swear it. You can check my phone. Whatever you

want.IwouldtellyouifIknew.”

“Shehasn’tmentionedanything?Wassheactingweird?”

“Notreally.Buttherewasthisoldbookshewasreading.Ipickeditupandaskedher

whatitwas,andsheflippedoutandwouldn’tletmeseeit.”

Myfacepales.“Thisbook,whatdiditlooklike?”

Harleyshrugs.“Idon’tknow,anoldjournalorsomething.”

“Thediary,”Iwhisper,asNashgivesmeahardlook.

“Thatfuckingthinghasbeennothingbuttrouble.Youshouldhaveburnedit.”

“IthoughtColemighthavehadit.”Ilookatmysonandguiltiswrittenalloverhis

face.

“ImayhavegiventhediarytoSarabeforeIleftCalifornia.Iwasinaweirdplaceand

wasn’tthinking.Ineverthoughttotellyouortogetitbackfromher.”

“OhmyGod.Whoknowswhatshereadinthatbookandwhatshethought.”Iwring

myhandsinmylap.

“Isthereanythingelse,Harley?”

Chellenudgeshershoulderandnodsherhead,encouraginghertospeak.“Well,when

I couldn’t find her I started asking people if they remembered seeing her and my cheer

coachsaidsheleftwithanolderman.”

“Whythefuckyoujustnowsayingsomething.Goddamn,”Nashrages.Hepointsto

myfather.“CallRomeo.”

“Youdon’tthink…”

“Idon’tknowwhattothink,”myhusbandreplieswithanicytone.

MyfathergetsRomeoonthephoneandputsitonspeaker.

“Speaktome,”hegreets.

“Gotaproblem,brother.Haveyouseenyourgranddaughtertoday?

“No,Dawntakeshertodaycarewhensheworks.Why?”

“No,Goddamnit,Imeanourgrandkid.Sara.”

“What’sgoingon?”

“Wecan’tfindher.”

“Christ.I’monmyway.”Thelinegoesdeaddreadanddisappointmentfillsme.Iwas

hopingbysomemiracleshehadcalledhim.

Chapter17

Danny

“Fuckingtookyoulongenough.Loadherontheplane,”Marekdemands.

“Yougotit.Here.”Islamherpurseintohischest.

“Didyousearchitandgetridofherphone?”

“Yup,nothinginitbutsomelip-glossandabook.”

“Good.” His lip twitches into a semi-smile as he boards the private plane without

offeringtohelpme.Asshole.

Iwouldkillhimifhedidn’thavemeninwaittokillmysisterthemomenthedies.

Like the good brother that I am, I put my sister first and carry Sara’s unconscious

bodyontotheplaneandstrapherintoaseat.

Marek comes out of the cockpit. “We’re ready for takeoff.” His eyes land on Sara,

scanning her as confusion crosses his face. “Who the fuck is that? Goddamn it, Danny,

yougrabbedthewronggirl.”Hethrowshishandsup.“There’snofuckingtime.Fuck, it

doesn’tmatternow.Guessyourfuckupwillcostyoursistereverything.”Hetakeshisseat

andrubshischinasthefastenseatbeltsignflasheson.

“Actually,Igotsomeonebetter.Let’smakeanewdeal.”Ismilecockilyattheprick.

“Explainyourself,”hedemands.

“ThisisSara.ThesweetandinnocentsisterofCole,”Idelivermynewswithasmug

satisfaction.

Marekjumpsfromhisseatanddropstohiskneesinfrontofher.HetiltsSara’shead

back,examiningherbeauty.

“Oh,shewilldomuchbetter.Excellentwork,Dannyboy.Imaycometolikeyoujust

yet.”Thewayheissmilingatthepoorgirlturnsmystomach,butIcan’tgetinvolvedthis

time. I stepped up to help that Morgan bitch and it cost me not only my hand but my

freedom.

“Well,adealisadeal.Nameyourpriceforthisraregem.”Hemovestolifthershirt,

andIcan’tstopmyselffromknockinghishandaway.Fuck.Thatwillcostme.Heeyesme

curiously.“DoIdetectfeelings?”

“No,”Igritout.“Notouchingheruntilwediscussmyterms.”

“Lookwhofoundhisballsagain.Fine.Iwon’ttouchherfornow,butIdothinkshe

willbeanexcellenttrophyformycollection.”

“I’lltradeyou.SaraforHarperandherbaby.”

“Youcouldhaveaskedmeforanythingandthat’swhatyouwant?Yourpatheticsister

and her spawn.” He laughs as he retakes his seat. “We’ll discuss the matter once I am

satisfiedthisgirliswhoyousaysheis.”

“Fine,”Iquip.

TheplanetakesoffandIdon’tbreatheagainuntilweareintheair.

Thumpingmyheadback,Iclosemyeyes,eagertogetthiswholeordealoverwith,so

Icanputitbehindme.SoIcanforgettheinnocentwaySarahadlookedatmebeforeI

betrayedher.

I’vesentencedhertoalifeinhellwithamonster.Withthedevilhimself.

“I’mgoingtoenjoybreakingherandmakinghermynewbrideonceIridmyselfof

thebitchyoucallyoursister.Hopeshewasworthit.Ican’twaittodisposeofthewhore.”

Idigmyfingersintomypalms,forminglittlecrescentsuntiltheybleedtokeepfrom

killinghimnow.

Iknowmysisterisn’tthegreatestperson,buthedidthistoher.Heruinedher.Harper

wasn’talwaysacrazysadisticbitch.Buteventhoughshemaybethosethings,sheismy

bloodandbloodisalwaysthickerthanwater.

“Iwantmoneytoo,”Itellhim.

“Isupposeyoudo.Wantanicenesteggforyournewstart.Whatareyougoingtodo,

takeyoursistertoaforeigncountryandliveyourlivesinexile?Youdoknowifthatbaby

shecarriesismine,Iwillhunthertotheendsoftheearthtoclaimmychild.Don’tyou?”

“Youdon’tgiveadamnaboutHarperorherbaby.Youonlywanttomakehersuffer.”

“Maybe.Maybenot.Italldependsonifshecarriesasonornot.AgirlIcouldcare

less about, but a son to follow in my footsteps. Now that is something worth holding

onto.”Hesmilestohimself.“Nowbequiet.You’resouringmymoodwithallthistalkof

thewhoreandthatthingshecarriesinsideher.”

Marek lays his head back and puts in earbuds. Eventually the fucker falls asleep. I

wishIcoulddothesame,butIcan’tstopstaringatSara.Brushingafewtendrilsfromher

eyes as she sleeps unaware of what awaits her once she wakes, I gaze at her freckles,

wonderingwhatshapetheywouldmakeifIconnectedthemall.

A small amount of drool dribbles down her chin and I wipe it away. She may have

lost her freedom, but that doesn’t mean she has to lose her dignity, not yet. I will keep

MarekfromclaimingherforaslongasIcan.Somethingtellsmeheisn’tgoingtoletmy

sister go as easily as I had thought. Maybe not even until the baby is born and that is

anothermonthaway.

CanIhangonforthatlong?CanIbearoundSarathatlongandnotwanttosaveher?

With nothing to entertain me, I pull the book out of Sara’s purse and flip through the

pages.

Chapter18

DearDiary,

TodaytheclubdoctorconfirmedwhatIalreadysuspected.I’mpregnantbyWinston

Rushforasecondtime.HepromisedmethatIcankeepthisone,butitisn’tuptohim.He

soldme,well,IguessIshouldsayhetradedmeinagameofpokertoBenji,Hook’sson.

At least that is the story Winston tells. Truth is, I think Benji wanted me and Winston

couldn’tdoanythingtopreventhimfromtakingme.Bysomemercy,Godseenfittogive

methebodyandthecurvesIhadalwayswantedafterIbecameofage.ThefirsttimeBenji

laid eyes on me, I knew he wanted me. I may have encouraged him to take what he

wanted. I was mad at Winston and wanted away from him at any cost and now I am

payingit.I’mnowmarriedtoamanIdon’tcarefor.I’mnotevenattractedtohimreally,

butitcouldalwaysbeworse.Ihavebeenwithworse.

BenjithinksheisthefatherofmybabyandWinstonsaystolethimbelieveit.Iama

chesspieceinoneveryfuckedupgameheisplaying.Alltogethisrevengeonhisbrother.

AmannamedGrimwhoisamemberofarivalclubtotheDevilsRejects.Heispartofthe

BlackRebelRiders’MC.Idon’tknowwhatIeverdonetodeservethishellishlife.Ikeep

tradingoneprisonforanotheritseems.AlthoughBenjidoesn’tbothermetoomuchuntil

hewantssex.Iputonanactandpretendit’sjustasgoodformeasithishim.Iletonlike

heisthegreatestlovermybodyhaseverknown,butIdoubtthebastardhaseverpleased

awoman.Themanisaselfishloverwhoonlythinksofhisneeds.Ikeepremindingmyself

whatJazztoldmeaboutbeingtheonetoholdallthepower,butJazzisdead.

Herwordscan’tsavemefromwhathasbeendone.IbelongtoBenjinow,butIwill

neverbefreeofWinston.

Thankfully,Benjiisontheroadtoomuchtobotherwithme,butthatdoesn’tstophis

old man from giving me shit or his mother. Apparently, a low whore like me isn’t good

enoughfortheirpieceofshitson.Butnonetheless,theytoobelievethechildIcarryis

theirblood,thereforetheywon’tletmeoutoftheirsight.IguessthelastwomanBenjihad

couldn’tgetpregnantandheisdesperateforason.

I don’t know why I ever trusted in Winston to get me away from here. My life is

nothingbutonebrokenpromiseafterthenext.Iwouldn’tknowrealloveifhewalkedup

andstuckhisdickinme.I’mtoodamagedforthat.

Whocouldeverreallyloveme?I’musedupandnothingbutababymaker.That’sall

Iseemtobegoodforisgettingpregnant.I’vehadtwomiscarriagessinceIhadmyfirst

born,Mark.

IlostonebabywhenWinstongothighoncrankandpushedmedownthestairs.He

accusedmeoflovingthisguyhewouldletpaytoscrewmewhenhewaslowoncash.

Iwasaskingforitthough.Ispatinhisfaceandsaid,“Idon’tloveanyone.Noteven

myself,sohowcouldIloveanyone.Especiallynotyouruglyass.”Assoonasthewords

ripped from my lips I wished I could take them back. The rage in his eyes was so damn

scary.HepulledmetothestairwayandbeforeIknewit,hekickedmesquareintheback

ashardashecould,sendingmetumblingforward.Ihadthoughtforsurehehadkilledme

whenIsawalltheblood,butIcouldneverbesodamnlucky.

Thistimewillbedifferentthough.Ifhelaysonehandonme,IwilltellHookthathe

killedhisgrandbaby.Itwillbemywordagainsthis,butmywordisallIhave.

OnedayIwillfindawayoutofthislife.

OnedayIwillfindmysonandputanendtotheholdWinstonhasoverme.

I’llbestrongenough.

Atleastmaybesomeday.

Chapter19

DearDiary,

I never thought I would love anyone again after losing my father and my baby boy,

Mark.Butallthathaschangedwiththebirthofmydaughter.InamedherSarah.MyGod,

sheissuchahappybaby.Alwaysgrinningandcooingatme.Benjiissoinlovewithher

too. Even Hook is taken by her. They dote on her. Making sure she has the best of

everything. They even bought me new clothes and have been allowing me off the

compoundattheirleisurewithWinstonasmyguard.Howfittingisthat?Idon’tasktogo

allthatoftenthoughbecausewhenIdo,Wintonforcesmetodooralonhim.He’safraid

topushmetosleepwithhimforfearthatBenjiwillsomehowbeabletotell.

That’sonlybecauseBenjichecksmypanties.Notbecausehelovesme,butbecausehe

doesn’twantanyonetohavewhathedeemsashis.

Idon’tknowallthedetails,butWinstonhadadealthatwentsouth.CostedtheDevils

Rejectsalotofmoney.Beingmywatchdogishispunishment.Itismeanttodemotehim,

because before he fucked up it was a prospect’s job to spy on me. I wish I could say it

bringsmejoytoseehimsuffer,buthowcanItakepleasureinhisreward.Becausegetting

tospendtimewithmeisallhewants.

Ihaveitgoodrightnow,andIjustknowanydaynowhewillruinthisforme.He’s

beenworkingonadealsecretlywithamannamedSlimBlack.Adealthatcouldmakeup

for his screw up if handled with care. Hook hates the Black Rebel Riders’ MC. I don’t

knowwhythereisbadbloodthere,butitissomethingtodowiththatmanknownbythe

nameGrim,andthefactthatheisthesonofHook’swhore,whohappenedtobeWinston’s

birth mother. Which means this man, this killer known as Grim is most likely Hook’s

bastard,butnotonlythat,itmakeshimWinston’shalf-brother.

Iwouldaskherifthiswerealltruebutshe’sdead.Grimisrumoredtohavekilledher

andWinstonwantshimtopay.

I don’t know how he plans on exacting his revenge. I only hope he doesn’t get me

involvedinhisschemethistime.

I’mdonebeingused.AllIwantistoraisemybabygirluptobeabetterwomanthan

me.Ihopeshewillneverknowwhatitisliketobeapieceofpropertymencandiscard

whenevertheyplease.

MySarahissuchasmartlittlething.ItellherhowbadofamanWinstonisevenifhe

isherfather,andeverytimeheholdshershecriesasifhepinchedher.

It’s gotten to the point Benji doesn’t want him to even look at her, which is making

Winstonmad,dangerouslymad.IfIgetluckymaybetheywillkilleachother,andIcanbe

freeofthemboth.FinallydowhatIhavedreamtofandrunoffwithmydaughterandone

dayfindmyboy.

Chapter20

Nash

“What do you mean you don’t have any leads? You’re the best at what you do.

Explaintomehowinthehellyoucan’ttraceherphone!”

“Ican’ttraceitbecauseit’sbeendestroyedalltofuck,man.Treadfounditintheroad

notfarfromtheschool.”Hehandsmeaplasticbaggiewiththeremainsofmydaughter’s

smashedphoneinside.

“Whowoulddothis?”Igrowl,slingingtheonlyhopewehadagainstthewall.

“Idon’tknow,brother,butyoubestbelievewewillfindout.We’vegotmenlooking

everywhere.Ifshe’sinDragCreekwewillfindherandwhoeverhasherbetterhopeand

praytheyarelonggonewhenwedo.”

Goddamn,Grim.Thisisthatprick’sfault.Ifhehadn’tofmurderedmymother,Sara

neverwouldhavecomebackhere.ShewouldbeinCaliforniasafeandsound,awayfrom

thisshitholeandallthedangersofthislife.

OnedayIwillendthatman,mywifebedamned.He’stakenfartoomuchfromme

formetoletthisgo.Forcedmybrotherandmyselftosliceoffourfather,Slim’stattoosas

hestoodnakedinfrontoftheclubhebuiltfromthegroundup.Iwillneverforgettheman

whoraisedmestaringmedeadintheeyesasIcutoffhisskinandmouthing,“I’mproud

ofyou,” at me. I had to stand by and watch as Grim, the bastard, put a bullet in my old

man’stemple.Fuckingrolledhimupinapieceofplasticandburnedhimlikeyesterday’s

garbage.Hehumiliatedhim.Strippedhimofhisclubpatches.Leftmymothertofendfor

herselfuntilhedecidedshewasfinallygoodenoughforhim.

Sheraisedhisdaughterasherownandhowdidherepayher?Bytakingherlife.It

doesn’tmatterthatmymotherwasgrantedherfinalwish.IthoughtIcouldgetpastitall

intimebutnowthatmydaughterhasbeentaken,Ican’tdoit.

Whenwillitend?

WhenwillGrimbestoppedfromwreckinglives?

Themanneedstoknowifmydaughterisn’treturnedtomeuntouched,Iwillshow

himthesamecourtesyheshowedthemanwhoraisedme.Iwillputabulletinhisbrain

andendhimonceandforall.

I storm out of Truth’s office in search of the bastard when out of nowhere Romeo

slamsmeintothewall.

“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,son,butthiswon’tendwellforanyofusifyoucan’t

keepittogether.”

“I’mnotyourson.”

“The blood coursing through your veins says otherwise. You wouldn’t be alive

withoutmydonation,boy,andI’mcallinginmymarker.Youoweme,”hegrits.

“Idon’toweyoushit.”Ishovehimaway.

“Yourmotherwoulddisagreewithye,ifshewerestillhere.”

“Wellshe’dstillbehereifhehadn’tmurderedher.”

“ThisistheoneandonlythingIwilleveraskofyou.I’mnotaskingonmybehalf

eitherandIthinkthatyeknowthat.”

Cocksucker.Howfuckin’dareheusemywifeagainstmerightnow.

“Youcool?”

Igrindmyteethandexhaleaheavybreath.“I’mcool.”

Hesmacksmychest.“Good.Ihavealead.Comewithme.”

FollowingRomeoturnsouttobeagooddecisionforonce.

Mybrotherandmysonarealreadywaitingforus.TheyappearasexhaustedasIfeel.

It’sbeentwelvehourssinceSarawentmissing.Weareallrunningonempty,butIwon’t

restuntilIbringherhome.

Rebelhadoneoftheprospectsbringoveraloanermotorcycleformetoridefromthe

garage. It isn’t the same as having my own bike, but right now I’d ride a Goddamned

tricycleifthatiswhatittakes.

Theleadturnsouttobetheoldairfield.Itisn’tsupposedtobeinuseanymore.Rebel

said Grim tried like hell to get a lease for the property years ago, but his efforts were

futile.

Romeoparkshisbike,andgetsoffsotherestofusfollowhislead.

Lookingaround,Idon’tseeshitbutanabandonedhangarandacollapsingtower.

“Whatarewedoinghere?”Ikickatthedirt.

“Myfriendfromtheforcesaidtherewasreportsthataplanetookofffromthisfield

yesterday.”

“Fuck.”Ibitemyknuckle,drawingbloodwhenIseethefreshwheelmarkingsinthe

dirt.

“Overhere,”Colecallsoutneartheedgeofthetreeline.

He’spullingbranchesfromatruck.

IpraytoGoditholdsafuckingclue.

“Don’tworry,Sara,I’mcomingforyou,”Ivow.

“I’mgoingtoputinacalltoourfriends,theBornSinners,”Rebelannounces,holding

thetitletothetruck.“It’sprobablystolen,butthemoreeyesandearswehavethebetter.”

“Whateverittakes,brother.Makeithappen.”

“Iwill.Wewillfindher,”hereassuresmeasaknotformsinmystomach.

Something about this whole damn thing doesn’t sit right with me. Not only that

though,mylastwordstomydaughterwereharsh.

WhatifthatwasthelasttimeIsawher?

What if that is her last memory of me? Me jumping her ass all because I hold a

grudgeagainstamansheknowsnothingabout.

Whatkindoffatherdoesthatmakeme?

WhatkindofmanamI?

“Anyword?”MybeautifulandheartbrokenwifeasksasIkickoffmyboots.

IcanonlyholdmyheaddowninshameasIsitontheedgeofthebed.Eachhourthat

passesbyisanotherhourIhavedisappointedthetwowomenwhocountonmetokeep

themsafe.IhavefailedKarlybutmoreimportantlyIhavefailedmydaughter.

I’llneverforgetthedayshewasborn.Thedayofherbirthwasbittersweetbecause

wehadtohaveherviaasurrogate.Thatwasmyfaulttoo.Anotherfuckupthatwasmy

burdentobearforwhatIhaddonetomywife,thenightIhadforcedmyselfonherina

drugged-uphaze.ShehasforgivenmeeventhoughmostdaysIdon’tfeelworthyofher

compassion.Wewentthroughalotofcounselingtomakeittowherewearetoday,butI

stillcarrythatguiltwithme.Thechainofmypasttransgressionshangsheavilyaroundmy

neck.

Mywife’sgentle,lovinghandsrubalongmyshouldersinapoorattempttoridmeof

thetensionofthepastday.

Ishouldn’thavecomebackuntilIhadourdaughter,butIamsmartenoughtoknow

thatmybodyneedssleep.

“Nash,youcan’ttakeallofthisonyourself.Itisn’tyourfault.Thereismoreatplay

here. Stone spoke with Harley’s cheer coach and when he was giving the man’s

description,MorganthoughthesoundedalotlikeaguynamedDanny?”

“DevilsRejects,”Igrit.“Whyhasn’tanyonecometomewiththisinformation?”

“Youwereoffonyourownleadbutmydad…”

“Fuckyourdad,”Igrowl,pushingupoffthebedandpacing.

“Honey, my dad left and went to the Born Sinners. They have intel on the Devils

Rejectsthatcouldhelpus.Youcanhatemyfatherlater,butrightnowweneedtofocuson

findingSara.”

Iknowshe’srightbutGrimshouldhavetakenmewithhim.

Bastard.

“Cometobed.Youneedsleep.Youcanstartfreshinthemorning.Bythetimeyou

wakeup,hopefullymyfatherwillhavegoodnews.”

Idon’tlikeitbutifItriedtorideoutrightnowIwouldendupsplatteredandtornto

bitsonthehighwayandnoclosertobringingmydaughterhome.

Karlycomestomewithneedyeyes.Seekingmycomfort.IbreatheherinasIwrap

myarmsaroundher.HugginghertomychestIamsodamnthankfulmywifeturnstome

inherhoursofneed.Twentyyearsago,Ipushedherintothearmsofanotherman.Iwill

nevermakethatsamemistakeagain.

Holding her face in my hands, I bring my lips down on hers. I need her now more

thanever.Gettinglostbetweenhersilkythighsisatemporarydiversionbutitisanescape

webothneeddesperately.

“Iloveyou,Nash.”

“Iloveyoutoo,honey.”

Pressingmyhandsdownonhershoulders,Iguideherdowntoherknees.

Shelicksherlipsasherfingersmakequickworkofmyzipper.

Withoneeagerlickofhertongueupanddownmyshaft,mydickhardens,growing

moreerectwitheverycaressofherskilledmouth.

Threadingmyfingersthroughherhairasshetakesmeintohermouth,Istartthrusting

thepainandangerawayforthemoment.Nothingwillevercomparetothefeelandtouch

ofmywife,theloveofmylife.HowIeverthoughtIcouldlaywithanyoneelseisbeyond

me.Damn,Iwasyounganddumb,butnowIamamanwhoiswiseenoughtoknowwhat

hehas,andIcontinuetodoeverythingwithinmypowertoholdontight.

“Fuck,youdrivemewild,”Itellherasshecontinuestosuckmetothebackofher

throatandteasesatmyballswithhernimblefingers.SheknowsexactlyhowIlikeit.Her

tongueswirlsoverthetip,gatheringmypre-cumandsmearingitoverherlips,lovingmy

taste.

“Mmm,”shehumsasIslidebetweenherteasinglips.InandoutIthrust,fuckingher

mouthwithprecision.

AsmuchasIwanttocumalloverherfacerightnow,whatIreallyneedistoremind

herhowmuchIloveher.

“I’mabouttoblow,baby,butwanttocumallinthatsweetpussy.”Ieaseoutofher

mouthandleadhertobed,soIcansinkmyselfdeepinsideher.

SoIcangetlostforanhour,soIcanthenfindmywayhome.

Chapter21

Sara

Locationunknown

Comingto,Ifeelgroggy.EverythingbeforeIpassedoutseemsfuzzyasIopenmy

eyes.

ThelastthingIrememberwasgoingtoaballgamewithHarleyandmeetingthisguy.

Danny! His name echoes in my head and terror strikes me. Danny hurt me. He drugged

me.IscrambleupagainsttheheadboardoftheunfamiliarbedIamin.

Lookingaroundtheornateroom,Iamaloneforthemoment,orasaloneasIcanbe

undersurveillance.There’sacamerainthecorneroftheroom.Itisn’thidden.Theywant

metoknowtheyarewatching.Whoevertheyare.

WhatIreallyneedistopee.Mybladderhurtsitissofull.

Cautiously,Ilookaroundtheroom,discoveringthereisaprivatebathroomofftothe

side.

Ican’tworryaboutwhetherornottheyhaveacameraintheretoo.Itwouldbejustas

humiliatingtopissmyself.AtleastIamstillwearingmyownclothes.

Afterrelievingmybladder,Isearchbothroomsforaweaponbutthereisn’tanything.

Even the closet is empty. This tells me they were prepared to hold me here temporarily,

andthiswasplanned,butwhy?

Whowouldwanttokidnapme?

WhydidDannytargetme?

I’mnoonespecial.

MaybeIhavewatchedtoomanymoviesandIamactingparanoid.Maybethiswasn’t

premediatedandwasrandom.

Pacingtheroom,Itrytocomeupwithasolution.Therearen’tanywindowsformeto

attempttoescapefrom.Idon’thavemyphone.Dannymadesureofthat.God,Iwasso

naïve.WhydidIthinkhewantedanythingtodowithme?Itwasasetup.Heplayedme.

HemademethinkhethoughtIwasprettyandinteresting.Ireallythoughthegenuinely

likedme.

ImightaswellfindoutwhyamIhere.

Igoovertothecamera,gettingcloseup,andtappingonthelens.“Hello.Isanyone

listening?”

Iwaitbutnothinghappens.

Noonecomes.

TimeforplanB.

Islammyfistagainstthewoodendoor.“Letmeout!Openthedoor!”Ishriek.

Ahiddenpanelinthedoorslidesopen,exposingaburlyman’sfaceandhesnapsat

metobequietthenclosestheslatback.Itonlyopensfromtheoutside,andInearlytear

myfingernailsofftryingtopryitopen.

Mytearsbegintoflow,crashingtothefloorinlittledrops.

Dannyandhiswickedlycharmingsmileflashesintomymind.Thewaythebowof

hislipscurvedintoaperfectM.Ithoughthewantedtokissme.Myheartwasbeatingout

ofmychest,Icouldscarcelybreathe.Heleanedinlookingdeepintomyeyesconveying

whatIthoughtwaspassion.Thenhejabbedaneedleintomyneck.

WhatafoolIwas.

Idon’tknowhowlongIhavebeensittingonthefloorfeelingsorryformyself,but

mybuttcheeksarenumb,andmythroatisraw.Idon’thaveanytearslefttogive.I’mall

criedout.

Myonlyhopeisthatmyfamilywillstopatnothinguntiltheylocateme.WhereverI

maybe.

Finally,thedooropens,andapetiteAsianwomanenterscarryingafewbags.

“Tsk.Thisnodo,honey.Yougowash.”Sheurgesmeupoffthefloor.

“Whoareyou?Please,youhavetohelpme.I’vebeenkidnapped.”

“Hush. You go wash. Quickly.” She claps her hands together before handing me a

towelandabarofsoap.Isshejokingrightnow?Theywantmetoshower?

ThewomanignoresanythingelseItryandsay.Shecontinuesperformingherduties,

layinganemeraldgreendressonthebedwithamatchingbraandpantyset.

Iswallowhardanddashtothebathroomwhenshegivesmeadaggeredglare.

Inthebathroom,Ibracemypalmsonthesinkandlookinthemirror.Myreflectionis

hideous.Myhairisinknots.Mycomplexionissplotchy.

Idon’tknowwhattodo.

Danny

“MakesureshehasbeenbathedanddressedinthedressIchose.Iwanttobreakher

inslowly.Ihaveafeelingshewillmakeanexcellentpet,”Marekmuses,watchingSara

onthemonitor.

She’s quivering like she has been splashed with ice cold water. I try to shake away

thoughtsoffeelingsorryforheraway.

“I’lltellSakiyatoseethatsheis.”

“No.Iwantyoutodoit.Iwanttoseehowshereactstoyourpresence.”

Iswallowbutnod.Arguingwouldonlyserveinusbothbeingpunished.Marekcan’t

thinkforevenonesecondIfeelashredofcompassionforSara.Developinganyfeelings

forherwillonlymessupmyplans.

MarekradiostheguardpostedoutsideSara’sdoorandletshimknowtoexpectme.

We are here as the guest of Tiny Leone, head of the Leone cartel. Why Marek ever got

involved with this organization, I will never know. The Leone family gives Marek the

appearanceofakitten.Thatishowdangerousandtwistedtheyare.Onewrongmoveand

youaredeadwithoutanyconsideration.Therearenosecondchances.

I don’t like being here. Marek says we are only staying until he can secure our

passage into Mexico. He can’t buy our way into the country soon enough. Thank God

Tinyhimselfisawayonbusiness.Themangivesmethecreeps.He’sMarek’spartnerin

thesexslavetrade.

ImakemywaytotheroomSaraisbeingheldcaptiveineasyenough.IwashopingI

wouldn’thavetofacehersosoonafterherwakingup,buthereweare.

Inodatthearmedguardpostedoutsideherdoor.Heisoneofmany.Theyareposted

allthroughouttheestateindoorsandout.Youcan’tsomuchasfartwithoutitbeingheard.

Liftinghischin,heopensthedoorandstepsaside.

When I enter the room, Sakiya is knocking on the bathroom door. “You come out

now.Putondress.”

“Goaway,”Saracriesfromtheothersideinmuffledsobs.

Sakiya looks to me and shakes her head. “Girl no listen. Make Master Marek very

angry.”

“Don’tworry.Iwillhandleit.Youarefreetogo.”

She bows to me and exits the room in a hurry. Can’t say I blame her. I know what

happenstoanyonewhodispleasesMarek.Theyloseaneyeortheirlifedependingonhis

mood.

Placingmy palm flaton the door,I call out toSara. “Sara, it’sme. It’s Danny. Will

youopenthedoor,please?”

“Ihavenothingtosaytoyou.”

Pinchingthebridgeofmynose,Ifeelamigrainecomingon.“Look,Inevermeantto

hurtyou.IonlydidwhatIhadto.We’rebothindangerandIcan’thelpyouifyouwon’t

openthedoor.”

Whenshedoesn’treplyrightawayIamafraidIwillhavetofrightenherfurtherby

tearingthedoorfromthehingesbuteventuallythelockclicksopen.

Enteringthebathroom,Iseeherstandingatthesink,cladinonlyasmalltowel.

Ilookatthefloortoavoidthetemptationofgapingatherleanlegsandslenderframe.

Shesniffles,wipingawayhertears.“WhyamIhere?”

“It’snotasimplequestionofwhy,Sara,butyouareherebecauseofyourBlackRebel

Riders’blood.”

Shesnortsandspinsaroundtofacemenearlydroppinghertowelintheprocess.Her

breasts are spilling out the top. My jaw ticks and I tell her, “Why don’t you get dressed

andthenwecantalk.”

I leave the bathroom to retrieve the dress Marek has chosen for her from the bed.

Extendingmyarmintothebathroom,Ihandthesilkymaterialtoheralongwiththeunder

garmentsthathavemegettinghardasIimaginewhatshewouldlooklikewearingnothing

buttheintimatearticles.

WhileIwaitforhertogetherclothingon,Isitonthebedtryingtochoosemywords

carefullyandignorethefactthatshewasnakedunderthatsmalltowel.

IneedSaratotrustme.She’sfartooyoungandinnocenttogoupagainstMarekon

herown.ShehasnoideawhatadepravedmonsterIhanddeliveredherto.

Ican’tsaveSara,butIcangivehersomeadvice.

She steps out of the bathroom with the gown pooling at her feet. Her damp hair is

braided and laying to the side of her shoulder, exposing the freckled skin beneath the

straps,andIcan’thelpbutwonderifthosecaptivatingfrecklesdecorateherwholebody.

She stops walking a few steps shy of me where she spins around, revealing her

freckledback.Mygoodfingersitchtoreachoutandtracethebrowndots.

Damn.Focus,Danny.

“Canyouzipme?”

“Um…yeah. Sure.” I admit it takes me a few tries to get it started due to my only

possessing one good Goddamned hand. My mind flashes to Morgan and I know it isn’t

Sara’s fault, but her brother played a part. The Black Rebel Riders’ all had a hand in

ruiningmylife.Asthememoryfades,IrememberwhereIamandwhy.WithSarabefore

mesoscaredandvulnerable,IknowIcan’ttakemyhatredforherfamilyoutonher.She

shouldn’tpaythepricebutit’stoolate.Thereisnoturningbacknow.Idecidedforherthe

momentshefoolishlyputherhandinmine.

IknewIshouldn’thavecomeupherebuttherewasnotellingMarekIwouldn’t.

“Thankyou,”shewhispersasmyfingerslingeronthebackofherslenderneck.

“Danny…”Thewayshesaysmynamemakesmyheartceasebeating.Hervoiceis

hauntingly sad, and I know that I did this to her. Fuck. This sucks, but I have to stay

focused,Ican’tgetmoreinvolvedwithherthanIhavealready.

Iclearmythroatandletmyhandfallawayfromherneck.“Yeah,Sara?”

“WhyamIhere?”

“You’llfindoutsoonenough.”

“Yousaidwewerebothintroubleandthatyou’dhelpme.”Shetwistsaroundtoface

me, taking both my hands in hers as though it is the most natural thing and she isn’t

repulsedbywhatIhavedone.SoonenoughwhensheisintroducedtoMarekshewillbe.

“Thatleadsmetobelievethatyoudidn’twanttohurtme.”

“I’m not a good person, Sara. Don’t go making me out to be something I’m not. I

knewexactlywhatIwasdoingbybringingyouhere.Icanonlytrytomaketheexchange

gosmoothly”

She flinches, dropping my hands. “Exchange! Are you trading me? You sold me,

didn’tyou?”

I avert my eyes to the floor, because if I stare into hers I will be hypnotized by her

gaze.Thosedamneyesthatburnthroughmelikethewildestofflamesofhersarefartoo

beautiful.Theythreatentosuckmeinandneverletmego.

“Youwouldn’tunderstand.”

“Tryme!”

“Thereisn’ttimetoexplain.Yourpresenceisrequireddownstairs.”

“Youcouldhavetoldmewhenwefirstmet.You’reacoward.”Shedoesn’tknowa

damnthingaboutme,butIdon’targue.Throwinghershouldersbackshetrudgestothe

door,draggingtheexpensivedress,andgoestoopenit.Itdoesn’tbudge.

“Allowme,”Itellher.There’salittletricktothedoor,IblockherviewasItwistthe

knobthreetimescounterclockwise.“Stayclose.Thishouseisheavilyguarded.Onewrong

movecouldmeanbothourassesdying,”Iwarn.

“Whatisthisplace?”

“Abriefdetour.”

“Please,Danny…Iwanttogohome.Please,takemehome.Myfamilywillpay.They

havemoneyandyouknowwhotheyare,theywillkillyou,butifyoutakemebacknow,

maybetheywillletyoulive.Whateveryouareinvolvedinisn’tworthyourlife.”

“I’vebeendeadalongtime.Thereisnosavingme,”Itellherwithaweaksmile.

Herbottomliptremblesasmoretearswellupinhergorgeouseyes.

Iopenthedoorandtheguardchecksusout,holdinghisgunonusuntilheseesthat

everythingisasitshouldbe.ImaybeherewithMarek,butIdonothavefreeroamofthe

property. I am as much a prisoner as Sara. Tiny Leone has many prisoners and captives

somewhereonthepropertyandheisamanwhodoesn’tleaveanythingtochance.

Iholdmyarmoutforhertotake.

“Comeon.Marekdoesn’tliketobekeptwaiting.”

Sheacceptsmycourtesywithouthesitation.Notbecauseshewantstobutbecauseall

thearmedmenhavehernervous.Bettertotrustthedevilsheknows,Isuppose.

Chapter22

Sara

LeoneCompound

“Welcome,Sara.Don’tyoulookexquisiteonDannyboy’sarm.Iwashopingyou’d

haveabitmorefire.Iwasforsureyou’dsmackhimafterrealizinghe’dkidnappedyou

andtradedyoutome.Well,we’llworkonthat.”Themanlaughssadistically.Halfofhis

faceiscoveredinburnmarkswhiletheotherisattractive,givinghimtheappearanceof

twofaces.Heremindsmeofthevillaininoneofthosesuperheromoviesmybrotherused

tolove.

IlooktoDannytryingtounderstandandfindsomecourage,butwhoeverthismanis

hehasmescaredshitless.Maybeit’sthewayhestandsorsimplythewayheislookingat

melikeafilthyoldmanwould,butIknowIneverwanttobeleftalonewithhim.

“Idothinkmybetrothedissweetonyou,Danny,”hesaysinasickly-sweettone.

“Betrothed?”Iquestion,gapingatDanny.Hisfaceissostoic,voidofanyemotion.I

refusetoacceptthathefeelsnothingforme.Hecan’twantmetomarrythisman.Iknow

whatthewordmeans.Ireadalot.ThereisnowayIwillbethisman’swife.Iwouldrather

die.

“Mybride,dear.Didn’tDannyexplainthistoyou?Well,wherearemymanners.My

name is Marek, my sweet Sara. I have so many plans for you. Sit. Let’s eat and get to

knowoneanother.”

As if I could eat while looking at his face. I don’t mean to sound so harsh, but the

disfiguredsideofhisfaceisterrifying.

IdigmynailsintoDanny’sarm,butheignoresmypleaandwalksmestraightinto

thearmsofthisdisturbingman.

The man steps forward as Danny leaves the room, leaving me alone. Goosebumps

shootupmyspineasanicysensationtakesholdofme.Thehairsonmyarmsarestanding

upashekissesmycheeks.“MyGod,youaresomething,mypet.”Thewayhesaysmypet

makesmystomachturn.

How could I have been so wrong about Danny. I mean, yeah, I don’t know the guy

but how could anyone sell another person. I can’t believe that he did this willingly. We

shared a connection. I know he felt the pull to me as strongly as I feel it to him. I have

neverbelievedinloveatfirstsightbutfromthemomenthelookedatme,IfeltasthoughI

wassupposedtobewithhim.Evenwhenhewasscaringtheshitouttamewithhiserratic

behavior and driving. Maybe his conduct was a result of his own fear. There must be

somethingthismanhasoverhim.

I’m going to find out what, but first I need to play along. I’ve watched Lifetime

moviesaboutthissortofsituation.Ineedtomakehimfallforme.Ineedhimtobelieve

thatIwanttobewithhim,andthenwhenIgetthechance,Iwillgetawayfromhim.

I have to start thinking like a survivor and not a victim. Nothing too terrible has

happenedtome,yet.Sure,beingdruggedandkidnappedisGodawful,butthingscouldbe

worse.Istillhavemyvirtue.

“Please,haveaseat.”

I manage a fake smile and look directly into this man’s cold, hollow eyes. “I’m

starving.” Bile creeps up my throat as he grins at me. He’s repulsive. What kind of sick

bastardpaysforateenagebride?

Nowthatwearebothseated,Ikeepmyfocusonthefood.Itakesmall,carefulbites,

prayingitisn’tdrugged.

“DoyouknowwhoIam,Sara?”

Ishakemyheadthentakeasmallsipofwater.

“MynameisMarek,andIampresidentofTheDevilsRejects.”

Allcolordrainsfrommyface.

Seeingmypainedexpression,helaughshysterically.“Ah,soyoudoknowwhoIam.

Wonderful.ThoughImustconfessIwasexpectingyourcousin.Harleyisit?IsentDanny

tograbherfromthatballgame,butwhenherecognizedwhoyouwere,well…hecouldn’t

resist. You see, Danny boy, he holds a bit of a grudge against your brother and the

delectableMorgan.Howaretheybytheway?Ihearababyisontheway.”

I feel punched in the gut. I shouldn’t feel betrayed by Danny, but I do. He targeted

me.Hereallysoughtmeouttohurtme.Well,Harley,andnotthatIwouldwantherinmy

current situation, but what the hell? What did I do? I don’t have anything to do with

whatever beef these freaks have with my family. Anger burns through me and I try to

maintainmycool.

IwasonlyinmiddleschoolwhenMorganwastakennearlyfiveyearsago,butnowI

rememberoverhearingmyparentstalkingaboutthemenwhohadtakenher,andtheseare

them.IrememberthenameMareksoclearlynowandDannywasmentionedvaguely.He

istheguywhosetofftheexplosionthatleadtoMorgan’sescape.

Danny’shand…Marek’sface—IsupposeIcanunderstandtheirhatredoftheMCmy

parents used to be members of, but they gave this life up. This is what they have been

tryingtoprotectmefrom,butnowitistoolate.Thankstomybrotherandhisquestfor

truth I am now in the hands of monsters. The same devils who used and abused my

grandmother,GypsyRed.Maybethereissomethinginherdiarythatcouldsomehowhelp

me.IfonlyIstillhadit.Wasshetryingtowarnmefrombeyondthegrave?Ihavenever

believedinghostsbutwhyelsewouldIhavefeltsuchanattractiontoheroldjournalright

beforeIcametoDragCreek.Didsheknowthiswouldhappentome?Ifeeldizzythinking

aboutitall.

“Youknow,Imaybeafathersoon.Harper,mywife…”Hisliptwitchesontheword

wife.“Thewhoreisexpectingachildsoon.Mywifeisn’tfaithful.Don’tworryyourself

aboutherorherspawn.Theywon’tbeanissuemuchlonger.WhyDannycaresanything

abouthisbitchsister,Iwillneverunderstand,butluckyformehedoes.”

Bingo.Dannyisdoingthisforhissisterandherunbornchild.Nowonderhewasso

motivatedtohandmeover.Iguesshethoughthewasgettinghisrevengeonmybrother

andMorganwhilesavinghissister.It’sanassholethingtodo,butpartofmeunderstands.

“DannycostmeMorgan,butnowIhaveyou,thedaughterofanoriginalRebel.”He

smirks,likeIamatrophyonhisshelf.

Marek doesn’t realize it, but he just gave me something to use against him. Danny

hatesMarekbuthe’safraidofhim.Ionlyneedtoconvincehimthatwecantakehimout,

together.

If he could find a way to let my family know where we are, they would take the

bastardout.Theywouldfindgreatpleasureinriddingtheworldofsuchapieceofshit.

Timetogettheballrolling.FirstcomesplantingaseedofdoubtinMarek’smind.He

thinkstakingmewillhurtmyfamily,anditwill,butifIcanconvincehimotherwise…

“So, you plan to what divorce your wife and marry me? Then what? Ask for a

randsom?Flauntmelikeaprize?What’syourendgamehere?”

Hewipesathisdisfiguredfacewithanapkin.“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Youthinkmyfamilywillcarethatyouhaveme?Didn’tDannytellyouthatIcame

willingly?Idon’thaverebelblood.I’mtheblacksheepofmyfamily.Myparentshadme

through a surrogate and a sperm donor. My mother could never feel that maternal bond

withme,thoughshehastried.”Ishrug.“Iwassettorunaway,whenDannyofferedmea

ride.Wegottotalkingandhetoldmethatyouwantedme.Yousee,Marek.I’veneverfit

inwithmyfamily.AlwaysfeltlikeIdidn’tbelong.I’mhopingthattogetherwecanshow

myfamilythatIneverneededthemtoacceptme.AndnowhereIamwithamanwhocan

makethathappenforme.”Ismileasheseemsperturbedbymyinformation.

If this man is anything like the men, my grandmother described in her diary then

Marekrulesbymakingpeopleafraidhim.Ican’tshowmyfear.HeneedstobelievethatI

wanttobewithhisuglyass.

Before he can say anything, the door to the room we are dining in bursts open. In

walksaverypregnantwoman.Shewaddles,cradlingherbelly.Sheisn’tanythinglikeI

hadimagined.Iwasexpectingsomerichoverdonewoman,butthischick…Shehasher

hairdyedwhiteandblack.ThewayitisdonetheonlynameIcangiveitiszebrahair.

Thismustbethewife.

Hedoesn’tappearhappyshehasinterruptedus,butifIhadtoguess,hewon’thurt

herbecauseshehasplantedjustenoughdoubtinhismindthatthebabyshecarriescould

behis.Thatbabyinherwombistheonlythingkeepingheralive.ImaybeyoungbutI’m

notsonaïveIcan’tfigurethingsout.MyparentstriedtokeepmeshelteredbutIhaveread

enoughofthediaryandhadenoughconversationswithHarleyabouttheoutlawlifetonot

knowhowthesethingswork.

“Danny!”Marekshouts.

Heappearsatthedoor.

“Yes?”

“PleaseshowSarabacktoherroom.Seemsmywifeisfeelingneglected.”

“Don’tsendyourplaythingawayonmyaccount,dearhusbandofmine.Thoughshe

doesappearyoung.I’mstarving.”

“Harper,”Marekgrits.

Dannystepsforwardtocollectme,butMarekholdsuphishand.

“Fine.Danny,whydon’tyoujoinus.”

Danny seems hesitant but takes a seat anyway, away from me. His sister is seated

acrossfrommeashetakestheseatattheoppositeendofthetable.Ouch.Thatwon’thelp

mebringhimovertomyside.

Oncetheyhavebeenservedanawkwardsilencefallsaroundus.Theonlysoundsare

thoseofHarperlickingherlipsandclinkinghersilverwareontheplateasshescrapesthe

finalmorselsontoherfork.

“Willtherebedessert?”Shesmiles.

Marek rings a small dinner bell and the doors open and in walks a woman with

croppedblackhaircladinonlyaredthong.

Marekpusheshischairbackandundoeshiszipper.Thewomangoestoherkneesand

without hesitation or any words passing between them. I watch both fascinated and

disturbedbyhimdoingthisintimateactinthepresenceofhiswife.

His large hand curls around her neck as she bobs up and down, taking him into her

mouthwithvigor.

“Sara,comehere,”hedemands,andIfreeze.

“Nothanks.I’mgoodhere.”

“Nonsense.Youaregoingtobemywife.YouneedtoknowfirsthandwhatIlike.The

sooneryoulearnthebetter.I’mnotasking.”Hegrabsaknifefromthetable.Andrunsthe

bladeupanddownthewoman’sspine.“Youwillcomehereandwatch,orIwillslither

openrighthere.”

I suck in a breath and Danny nods at me as Harper giggles. “You’re scaring her,

Marek.Thisoneseemsquitefragile.Dotakecare.”

“Danny,pleaseescortyoursistertothekitchenforherdessert.I’llbeenjoyingmine

privatelywithSara’scompany.”

I want to scream for Danny to do something, but I know I have to appear strong.

Marekwantsmetoberevoltedbecausehelovestowatchotherssquirm.

“Itwaslovelytomeetyou,Harper.”Irisefrommyseatprayingnoonecantellmy

knees are knocking together. Digging down deep, I find the strength to stand behind his

chairandplacemyhandonhisshoulder.

“Excellent,mypet.”

Mareksmilesupatme.

“Doyouseewhatsheisdoingwithhertongue?”hehisses.

IcanonlynodandprayIdon’tfaint.

Chapter23

Grim

Sunny,Kentucky

BornSinnersClubhouse

“I am damn sorry to hear about your granddaughter. We’ll do whatever we can to

help,”Porteroffers.

I nod with a grunt in response. “Your man, Rhyner. You said he has intel on the

DevilsRejects.Knowswheretheytakethegirlstheykidnapuntiltheytransportthem.”

“Yeah, sad story there. Not mine to share. You’ll understand but this shit runs deep

withtheLeonecartel.Itwon’tbeeasy,butIwillprovideyouwithasmanymenasyou

needtobringyourSarahome.”

“Iappreciatethat.”

“Fuckedupshitthosebastardsareinthebusinessof.Sellinggirlsbythetruckload.

Even tunnel them to Mexico from underneath his compound. Heard he has the border

patrolonhispayroll.NottomentiontheMexicanofficialslinedinhisbackpocket.The

property is heavily guarded. I’m talking an army, brother. Combined we may not have

enoughmen.”Heshakeshisheadandmychestaches.

Dirtyfuckingbastards.IhavedonealotofterribleshitinmylifebutonethingIhave

never done is sold a woman or taken her against her will. If those sick assfucks have

harmed my granddaughter, they will be praying for the devil to intervene and take me

beforeIfinishthemoff.

Iwillhangthemupsidedownandbleedthemout,slowly.

TheLeonecartelhasreachedouttomyclubinthepast,butIhavealwaysdeclined

theinvitationtositdownwiththem.

“Luckily, we have a map of the property. It will take us a few days to ride out. We

needtogeteveryonereadytogetontheroad.Thesoonerthebetter.I’mcallinginWilcox

and his men for back up too. We will need every man we can get. How are you on

weapons?”

Wipingthebackofmyneck.Ifeelsick.IknowIwillbesigningupgoodmenwith

familiestopossiblydie,butifitbringsSarahomeIamwillingtopaytheprice.

“We’regood.You?”

“Lockedandloaded.”

“Good.”IstepoutsideandgetRebelonthehorn.

“Gotalocation.We’llmeetintwohoursatthepointsection.Everyfuckingmember,

armed,andreadytogotowar.HaveitongoodauthoritythatbastardMarekhasherand

rantotheprotectionoftheLeonecartel.”

“Fuckmerunning,”hesays.

“Fuckusallrunning,”Igritundermybreath.

Chapter24

Sara

I have been in this prison for a few days now being forced to costume myself in

stupidfancydresses,becauseMareklikestoseemewearthem.MarekandDannyhada

meeting to attend. Apparently, the man who owns this house has returned and wasn’t

happytoseemewearinghisdeadwife’sgown.Iamonlythankfulhedidn’ttakehisanger

outonme.

I am left on my own with Danny’s sister, Harper, and her guard—a beast of a man

wholookslikehecouldcrushmewithhisfist.

“Ineedtowalkabit.Romando,whereismyhusband?”

“WithTiny,testingoutoneofthenewgirls.”

“Excellent.ThinkyoucouldarrangetoshowSarawhatshewillbegettinginalover

withmyhusband.”

Henods.“Good.”Shepressesawadofcashintohispalm.

“GowithRomando,hewillbringyoubacktomyroom,sowecanhavealittlechat

after.”

“Don’tworry,Iwon’ttouchyou,”heassuresme.“Youaren’tmytype.Ilikemen,”he

informsmewithachuckle,eyeingthereliefonmyface.

“Oh,okay.”Ibreatheabiteasier.Forasecond,Ithoughtshewastellinghimtohave

sexwithme.

Harper keeps walking but Romando grabs my arm and leads me back the way we

camefrom.

“I need you to listen, I am going to put you in this closet that has a viewing screen

inside.You’retobeextremelyquiet.Imean,donotevenbreathe.Iwillcomebackforyou

inabouttenminutes.Understand?”

Inod,notreallyunderstandingwhatthebigdealisuntilhepushesmegentlyinside,

lockingmein.Atfirst,IthinkitisasickjokeorsomethingbutoncemyeyesadjustIpush

somecoatstotheside,revealingascreendesignedtobediscreet,whilestillgivingmea

viewofwhatishappeninginthenextroom.

Marekcomesintoviewandheiscompletelynude.IwishIcouldsayseeinghimis

impressive but after what Harley showed me on the internet I am underwhelmed by his

size.

Idon’tknowwhatHarperhopedtoaccomplish.Imean,Iamnearlyseventeen,I’ve

watchedpornbefore.Iknowthemechanicsofsex.Iwatchedherhusbandgetablowjobat

thedinnertableforfuck’ssake.

Another man enters the room, towing a woman behind him by a rope that’s bound

aroundherwrists.

“Puntathoughtshecouldescape,”themanIdon’trecognizesayswithasnarl.

“Youshowherwhathappenstothosewhothinktheycangoagainstme.”

“Youcancountonit,”Mareksays,runninghisfingeralongherjaw.

Themandisappearsoutthedoorhecamethrough.

Thewomanhasagagballstuffedinhermouthastearsstreakdownheroliveskinned

cheeks.

Ifeelsick.Idon’twanttowatch,butifIamtoknowwhatDannyhassoldmeinto,I

haveto.IhavetobepreparedforwhatIcouldface.

“You’reastupidbitch,aren’tyou?”Hetugsonherhair,pullingherheadbackwith

brutalforce.

Ishudderwhenheleansinandcaptureshertearsonhistongue.“Idolovethetasteof

yourfear.Itreallyturnsmeon.”Heisn’tlying.Mystomachchurnsashiserectiongrows.

Marekjerksthefrightenedwomanonwardbytheropeandbendsheroverachair.

Whereheproceedstowedgeherkneesapart.

Herdarkeyesfocusonthecloset,andIstepbackafraidthatshecanseeme.Afraid

thatshewillgivemeawaysomehow.

Iwatchinhorrorasheforceshisfingersinsideher.However,whenhereyesclose,I

moveforwardunabletoresistthecarnagetakingplaceinthenextroom.

Iwanttoburnthisintomemory.Iwanttocarrythiswithmealways,sothatInever

forgetwhatamonsterthismanis.SothatifIneverescapehim,Iwillnevermistakehis

kindnessforanythingmorethanitis.

“I’mgonnaremovethisnow,butifyouscreamforhelp,I’llonlyfuckyouharder.”

Undoinghegag,heripsitfromherpuffylipsandasmallcryescapesher.

Thesqueakearnsherahardsmackacrossthemouth.Bloodtricklesdownherchin

andMareksmilesatherbeforelickingitoff.

“I’mgoingtoenjoydefilingyou,”hepromises.

As I watch him take and take from this woman as he drives his cock into her body

relentlessly,Ivowtomyselfthatifmyfatherdoesn’tkillthisman,Iwill.Marekissovile.

Ineverwanthishandsonme.

A shudder ripples through his sweaty body and he jerks his dick out and sprays his

gunkalloverher.Asifwhathehasdoneisn’thumiliatingenough,hepissesonherbefore

snappingherneck.

TheclosetdoorcreaksopenasIfighttostayonmyfeet.Hejustmurderedher.

Ican’tstayhere.Ihavetogetaway,butifItrytoleave,isthatwhatMarekwilldoto

me?

“Didyouenjoytheshow?”Romandoaskswithasmuggrin.

“Hejustkilledher.”

HeshrugshisshoulderasiftosaysoandkeepsmarchingmetoHarper’sroom.

“You think you’re gonna be any different than I was? Marek will use you and then

youwillbelikeme.”Harperwavesahandoverherengorgedstomachandlaughs,asshe

placestheknifeshewasusingtoskinherappleonthenightstand.

Iwillneverbelikeher.

Iwillbetheonedoingtheusingnothim.

Notanyman.

Iwon’tbelikemygrandmother.

Iwon’tbeachesspiece.

Iwillbethedamngameplayer.

“Youaresocute.Thinkyouhaveitallfiguredout,don’tyou?”

“No!”Ifoldmyarmsovermychest,thankfultobeoutofthatstupiddress.I’mback

inmyjeansandmyt-shirt.

“Don’t worry yourself too much. If we are both lucky my bastard husband will go

andgethimselfkilledbyTiny.Nowhe’samanyoudon’tmesswith.I’vebeenwhispering

in his ear about Marek for the past month. While my husband was off toying with my

brotherandcollectingyou,Iwasherewithhisassociate,securingmyprotection.Allmen

are the same, Sara. They are ruled by their dicks. Remember that and maybe you will

survive this.” I fight back a smile remembering what I read in the diary along the very

sameline.

“Whyareyoutellingmeanyofthis?”

“Because, I could see the way my brother was looking at you. Despite what people

thinkandsayaboutme,Idolovemylittlebrotherandwell,beingpregnanthasreminded

me of what it means to care about someone other than myself. I have done a lot of bad

things,Sara,andthereisyourbrothertoconsider.Ilovedhim.Didyouknowthatwehad

arelationship?”

I shake my head. Cole never spoke of her to my knowledge. He has only ever

mentionedhiswife,Morgan.

Idon’tknowifwhatshesaysistruebutmaybeIcanuseherfeelingsformybrother

tohelpme.

“YoucoulddousbothafavorthenandcallCole.Imaginehowgratefulhe’dfeelif

youtoldhimwhereweare.Iknowmybrother,ifyoutwodatedthenhemusthavecareda

lot about you,” I lie. If I know my brother, I know that he probably fucked her, but he

neverlovedher.

“It’stoodangerousrightnow.NotwithTinyandallhismenhere.Iwouldn’tputCole

inthatmuchdanger.Wejustneedtosittight.PlayalongwithMarekfornow,Sara.Ican’t

helpyou,yet.”

“Butyouwillhelpme?”Ipress,hopingandprayingsheisn’tfuckingwithme.

“I’llthinkaboutit.”Shelaysbackonthebed.“I’mtired.Youcanhavetheguardtake

youbacktoyourroomnow.”

“Okay,butplease,Harper.Iwilldoanythingforyouifyouhelpmegethome.”

Shewavesherarmandsays,“Go.You’reboringmewithallthistalkoffeelingsand

shit.Youwon’tlikemewhenI’mbored,”shewarns.

“Understood.”Pregnantwomenaresomoodybutsomethingaboutthecrazylookin

hereyestellsmeitgoesmuchfurtherforher.Sheisprobablyascrazyasherhusband.

Ihesitatetoleaveandwhenshecloseshereyes,Ireachfortheknife.

“Don’t be stupid, Sara. You’d never leave here alive. Go to your room. I will send

wordforyouthroughDannywhenIcan.TellRomandotosendSayika,mybackiskilling

me.”

“Sure thing.” I tap on the door and the armed man enters the room. “I am ready to

returntomyroomandHarpersaidtosendSayikaup.”

He doesn’t say anything, only grabs my arm and leads me down the hall to my

quarters.

Heunlocksthedoorandshovesmeinsidebeforelockingitbackbehindhim.

Jerk.Hedidn’thavetobesorough.Iwouldhavecomeintheroomeasilyenoughon

myown.I’mnotstupidenoughtoattemptanythingwithoutaweapon.

With nothing to do, I might as well lay down too. You’d think they would at least

allowmeaTV,soIwouldn’tbesodamnbored.

AfterawhileImustdozeoffbecausethenextthingIknowDannyisintheroomand

lookingdownatme.

“Are you okay? Harper told me what you saw. She shouldn’t have done that. You

havetounderstandthatmysisterisn’tmentallystable,Sara.Don’tletherfoolyouthough.

She is as twisted as Marek and loves to play games and toy with people as much as he

does.”

“Ifsheisashorribleasyousaythenwhywouldyoutrademeforher?I’mnotlike

them,Danny.Ican’tbearanymoreofthis.Pleasemakeitallgoaway.Ifonlyforalittle

while.Ican’tgettheimageofMarek…ofhimfuckingthenkillingheroutofmyhead.”

“Whatareyouaskingme,Sara?”

“Idon’tknow,Danny.Willyou…willyouholdme?”

He scratches at the back of his neck with his good hand. “It isn’t a good idea.” He

cockshisheadatthecamera.

Isitupinthebedandpatthespotnexttome.Hetakesaseatreluctantly.

“Danny,please,dothisforme.”Isqueezehisgoodhand.“Youknowhe’samonster.

Don’tmakemyfirsttimebewiththatman.Don’tmakemegivethispieceofmyselfto

him.Iwantmyfirsttimetobeonmyterms.Nothis.Hedoesn’tgettoownallofme.I’ve

acceptedmyfate.ButIcan’tgivehimthis.Iwanttogiveittoyou.”

“Sara.”Hestrokesmycheekwithhisprostheticfingers.“Youdon’tknowwhatyou

areofferingme.Idon’tdeservethatpartofyouanymorethanMarekdoes.Iwishthings

weredifferent.IfIcouldgoback,Ineverwouldhavedonethistoyou,butIcan’tchange

things.”

“Iwillforgiveyou,Danny,ifyoudothisonethingformeinreturn.”Ibitemybottom

lip,draggingmyteethbackandforthhopinghegivesin.Hopinghewillgivemethisone

thing.Dannyisn’tamonster,atleastnotlikeMarekis.

“Ifhefindsout…itwon’tendwellforeitherofus,”hewarns.

“Iwouldratherdiehavinggavemyselftoyouthantodieinhisbed,becauseIhave

seenwhathecando.Ihaveseenwhatthatmanlikes.”Ishiveratthethought.“Youknow

Iamnevergettingoutofhere,notaliveanyway.Hewillprobablykillusallbeforethisis

over.Besides,youoweme,Danny.”Ibrushmylipsoverhis.“Please.Showmethatnot

allmenarebrutalsavages.”

“Sara, you are so sweet….so beautiful, and you’re right. You deserve to be shown

howgooditcanbewhenyoushareyourbodywithanother.Ican’tbethatmanthough.It

wouldn’tberight.”

“WhointhisGodforsakenhellholecaresaboutrightorwrong,Danny.Iwantthis.I

needit.”

Beforehecananswerme,thedoorburstsopen.

“Don’tyoulookcozy.”

DannypopsupasthoughIhaveaterriblycontagiousdisease.

“Ihavetotakeyoursistertothehospital.I’daskyoutodoit,butIdon’ttrustthetwo

ofyounottodisappear,sokeepaneyeonSara.Justnottooclose.I’llbeintouch.”

DannyfollowsMarekoutoftheroomwithoutlookingback.

Iflopbackonthebedandholdapillowovermyfaceandscream.

Ijustwantoutofhere.

Iwanttogohome.

Iwanttoseemyfamily.

WhydidIevergetintothatstupidtruckwithDanny?

Chapter25

Danny

IhopeHarperandthebabyarealright.

She did look to be in a lot of pain before Romando carried her down the stairs. I

wanted to accompany her, but Marek insisted that I stay here. Bastard doesn’t trust me

withgoodreason.

IfIcouldfindawaytogetherandSaraawayfromhereundetected,Iwouldbutfor

nowIwillhavetosittight.

Saradoesn’tknowjusthowtemptedIwastogivein.IfMarekhadn’tinterrupted,I

don’t know that I could have stopped had she tried to kiss me again. Her lips were so

sweetandsoftlikevelvet.Notonlythat,theywereinnocent,pure,andtrusting.Howcan

shestillseeanygoodinmewhileknowingmyroleinbringinghertohell?

TinyinsistedheandhisbestmenaccompanymysisterandMarektothehospital.

Thereareonlyafewwhoremain,butmostofthemareoccupiedwiththenewshipmentof

womenwhocameinnottoolongafterwearrived.

I’m in the security room watching Sara as she paces the room, probably feeling

trapped.

Maybe some fresh air would do her good. I know it sure as hell would do me a

worldofit.

Igouptoherroomandunlockthedoor.

“Hey.”Herfaceinstantlybrightenswhensheseesthatit’sme.

“Hey,youwanttogetoutofthisroomandoutofthishouseforabit?”

“Seriously!”Shesqueals.

“Shh.” I hold a finger to my lips. “Come on.” I give her a chin lift and she

practicallyskipsoutthedoor.

“Isyoursisterokay?”Shequestionsaswewalkdownthecorridorthatleadstothe

backpatio.

“Idon’tknow.”Ishrug.“Let’snottalkaboutmysister,”Isuggestbumpingmyarm

intohers.

Shesmiles.“Okay.Whatshouldwetalkabout?”

“Whateveryouwant.”

“Danny,canIaskyousomething?”Inod.“AmItheonlygirlyouhavekidnapped?”

Isigh.“Sara,IwishIcouldtellyouthatIhaven’tdoneterriblethingsfortheDevils

RejectsbutIcan’t.AlthoughIhaven’tdonenearlyasmuchshitasyourbrotherdid.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”

“Harpertoldmealotaboutyourbrotherbecauseshewashunguponhimandwell

heusedtoluregirlstoparties,partiesthey’dneverleavefrom.”

“Are you telling me that my brother set up girls so that Marek could do those

terriblethingslikeIhavewitnessed…tounsuspectinggirlswholikedhim?”

“That’sexactlywhatIamsaying.I’msorry.Iknowyouprobablylookuptohim,

buthe’snoangel.”

“Iguessnot.”

Ishouldfeelbadfortellingher,butsheshouldknowthetruth.

Hertonguedartsout,wettingherlipsandsuddenlyIdon’twanttotalk.

I decide to hell with it. I am going to hell anyway with all the shit I have done. I

don’tdeserveSara,butIwantheranyway.

Maybe this is my big fuck you to Marek or maybe I really do like her. It’s time I

stopthinkingsomuchandgiveintotemptationandmydesire.

Pulling her behind a tree, away from the cameras, I claim her sweet mouth. Sara

gaspsinsurprisebutherlipspart,invitingmein.

Her tongue brushes against mine as I fist her shirt with one hand and wrap her

braidedhairaroundmyother.

“Wow,”shebreathesoutbeforecomingbackforanother,longer,moreheatedkiss.

Herhandsslideunderneathmyshirtrubbingalongmybackandacrossmystomach.

Mydickhardensatthesensation.

“Weshouldslowdown,”Itellher.

“Don’tyourememberwhatyouaskedmewhenwefirstmet,Danny.YouaskedifI

wanted to get wild and crazy with you.” She lifts up on her t-shirt and pulls it over her

head.

Fuckme,sheisn’twearingabra.HernipplesarehardandpointedrightatmeasI

plungemytonguebackintohermouth.

Herfingersdustacrossthewaistbandofmypantsasrainstartstopourdownonus.

Ishouldprobablystopthisrightnow,butIdon’twantto.

Instead,Irunmyfingersupanddownherleftside,gettingclosertoherbreastwith

everystroke.

RaindropspeltagainstmybackasSarapullsmyshirtupovermyshoulders.

“It’sonlyfair,”shesayswithasmirk.

I peel the soaked cotton tee over my head and it lands on the ground in an angry

thud.

Ilookaroundus,forsomethingbetterthantheground.There’sacabanasetupby

theswimmingpool.“Overhere,”Iyellovertherain,pullingherwithmeaswerunforthe

shelterfromthestorm.Shecollapsesnexttomeonthecushioneddaybedthatiscovered

infabricmeanttowithstandgettingwet.

We are a tangle of legs, fingers, and tongues, as we wrestle with stripping off our

wetjeans.

I kick my pants off my ankles as I stare down at Sara who is looking at me with

thosedangerouseyes.

“Well,yougonnamakemedothisbymyself,Danny,areyougoingtostandthere

andwatch,orjoinme,”sheteases,runningherhandoverthecurveofherbreast.

I’d be a liar if I said knowing what I’m about to do doesn’t make me feel like a

worthlessbastard,butI’mtoofargonetofightmypulltoher.

Marekwouldhavetokillmetotearmeawayinthismoment.

JoiningSaraonthecushions,Iblankethernudebodywithmine,takinganipplein

mymouth.Sheurgesmygoodhandbetweenherthighs.“Touchme,Danny.”

Sliding a finger inside, my dick gets even harder as it presses into her thigh in

responsetoherslickheat.

“More,”shewhispers.“Givememore.”

Addingasecondfinger,Ithrustbothdigitsfasterassheridesmyhand.

Goddamnherpussyissqueezingmyfingerssodamntight.

Unabletoresistanylonger,Ihavetotasteher.Islidedownherbodyandreplacemy

fingerswithmytongue.Shewigglesbeneathmeandpullsonmyhair,wantingmecloser.

LovingthewayIammakingherfeel.

Lickingandsuckingatherheatedskinisn’tenoughtosatisfyme,Ineedinsideher.

“Doyouwantmetostop,Sara?Please,don’ttellmetostop.”Inearlybeg,kissing

herneck,asIpositionmyselfbetweenherlegs,readytoclaimwhatsheisofferingtome.

Hernailsdigintomyass.

“Don’tyoudarestop,Danny.”

Herbodyacceptsmycockwithlittleresistance,butIknowitwillbebetterifIdrive

deeperinandgetitoverwith,soIdo.Fuckme, I wasn’t prepared to feel this way. Her

eyesshinebrightlikefierybeaconsasIthrust.“You’remine,”Igrowl.Marekcan’thave

her.ThereisnowayinhellIcangiveherup.Mybody,mindand,nowmyheartknows,

Sarabelongstome,andIbelongtoher.

Herlegshookaroundmyhips,urgingmedeeperandharderasherbodyrockswith

mine.HerwarmthcoatsmydickandmybodytremblesasIreachmyownrelease.

Rollingoffher,tocatchmybreath,IlookoveratSara,andsheisstrugglingjustas

hardtobreathe.

“Wow, I can’t wait to do that again,” she tells me as I let out laugh and kiss her

knuckles.

“IthinkIloveyou.”ThewordsripfrommythroatbeforeIcanstopthem

“What?”shesays,breathily.

“I…Idon’tknowwhyIsaidthat,Sara.It’sjustwhenIwasinsideyouandyouwere

staringupatme,thereweresomanyemotionsIhadneverfeltwithanyonebefore.”

Shelicksherlips.“Danny?”

“Yeah?”

“IthinkIcouldloveyoutoo.”

Chapter26

Harper

Itissohardtokeepmypokerface.Dannydoesn’tknowityet,butIdon’tneedhim

tosaveme.IappreciatethathetriedandasarewardIintendtomakesurehecanhavethe

girl.Icanseeitinhiseyeseventhoughheistryingtohardtodenyit.Helovesher.It’s

sweetreally.SararemindsmeofwhoIwasbeforeMarekcorruptedme.

Thatwasanotherlifethough.Iamsofarfrominnocent.Noneofthatmattersthough.

ThemomentIhavedreamedofforyearsisuponme.

TinyhelpsmeintothebackofthecarbecauseMareksureashellisn’tgoingto.No,

theprickgotinbeforeIdidwithoneofhismensittingnexttohim.Sorrybastard.Heis

onepisspoorexcuseofaman.However,somewhereinsidehimhewantsason.Itishis

oneandonlyweakness.

Itwasn’thardtofakethepainsthatgaveMarekconcernforthebabyIcarry.

IwishIcouldsaythatitisn’this,butIdidn’tlie,thisisMarek’schildgrowinginside

me.

Toobadhewillneverlivetomeethimorher.

Ihavefinallyseentothat.

Tinyhasbeensickofhisshitforawhile.Sickofburyingbodiesandcleaningupafter

him.WhenItoldhimofMarek’splantokidnapateenagerthatwasthebreakingpointfor

him.Icouldn’ttellDannywhatwashappening,incaseMarekfoundoutIwasworking

againsthim.Iwantedmybrothertobeabletodenyallinvolvementwithapurehonesty.

IslideacrosstheseatasTinyandhisrighthandmangetsinnexttomeinthebackof

hiscar.

Hisdriverstartsuptheengineandwerideinsilenceforafewmileswithmeoohing

andgrimacinginmockpain.

Whenthecarrollstoastop,Tiny’sdriverrollsdowntheglasspartitionthatseparates

thefrontfromtheback.

“ThinkIhaveaflat,boss.”

“Hurryup.WeneedtogetHarpertoadoctor,”Tinybarks.

“Helphim,”Marekinstructshisman.

“Yougotit.”Hegetsoutofthecarandthankfully,shutsthedoor.Idon’twantMarek

togrowsuspicious.

Tiny’sbottomliptwitchesasthetrunkopensandathudhitstheground.

Myhusbandleanshisheadbackandgroans.“What’stakingsolong?”

“This,”Tinytellshimwithasnarlandpullsthetrigger.

Bloodmattersplattersonthewindowandspraysacrossmyfaceandhands.

IwishIcouldsaythatseeingmyhusbanddeadbringsmesomesortofsadness,butit

doesn’t—hisdeathgrantsmemyfreedom.Ican’thelpbutlaugh.

AhugesmilestretchesacrossmyfaceasIstareattheholeinhishead.“Rotinhell,

Marek.”

Theothermangetsoutandhelpsthedriverstuffmyhusbandinthetrunkofthecar.

“Toldyoutobepatient,love.”Tinykissesthecornerofmymouththenwipesatmy

facewithahandkerchief.

“Godthatwasbrilliant.Didyouseehisface?Hehadnoidea!”

“Toldyouhe’dneverseeitcoming.Themanwasasavageanddoesn’tknowhowto

treatawoman.”

“Butyoudo,Tiny.”Ibringhishandtomylipsandkisshisring.“Noonecaneversay

youdon’tknowhowtoshowagirlagoodtime.”

“Afteryouhavethisbaby,thereissomuchmoreIwanttoshowyou.”

“Youpromise?”

“I’mgoingtogiveyoutheworld,Harper.You’llsee.”

Chapter27

Sara

LastnightDannydidn’twanttolockmebackinmyroom,buthewasn’tsurewhen

Marekwouldreturn.Ifhefoundustogether,hewouldundoubtedlykillusboth.

BeingwithDannywasmoreamazingthanIcouldhaveimagined,andIamsogladI

neversleptwiththatjerk,Warren.DannyispuremanandWarrenissimplyastupidboy.

IwishIcouldcallHarleyandtellheraboutDanny…aboutmyfirsttime.Iknowher

and Kyler have done it a few times. I never knew how amazing sex could be. My body

aches but in a good way. I can still feel his kisses marking my body and when he came

insidemeitwaslikewewereonebody.

Ican’tevendescribethewayhemademefeel.Itwasoutofthisworld.Mostwould

probablysaythatwhatDannyandIarefeelingislust,butIhavefeltlustbeforewhenI

messedaroundwithmyex-boyfriend,andthosefeelingsweren’tanywherenearasintense

astheemotionsDannyawakenedinsideme.

Ihavebeenwaitingallmorningforsomeonetoletmeoutofthisroom.

Finally,thedooropensandRomandoismotioningmeforward.

“You’rewanteddownstairs.Followme.”

IhopenothinghashappenedtoDanny.Whatifsomeonesawustogetherandshowed

Marekvideoproof.

However,whenIgetdownstairsmyuneaseisputtorest,andIamleadtoabreakfast

nookoffthekitchenwhereDanny,Harper,andthemanIdon’tknowsitswaitingforme.

WhenDannyseesme,hepopsupfromhisseatandkissesme.“It’sover,Sara,I’m

takingyouhome.”

“What?”Ican’tbelievemyearsasIrealizethatMarekisn’tpresent.

“Sara, we haven’t officially met, but my name is Tiny Leone. I am sorry your stay

herehasn’tbeenapleasantone,butIcanassureyou,youwillneverhavetoworryabout

Marekagain.”

“Um…how…why?”

“Ikilledhim,”hetellsmesimply.

HarpersmilesatmeandIcan’thelpbutsmilebackatherwithrelief.

“He’sdead.He’sreallygone,andIcangohomenostringsattached?”Ilookaround

theroomwaitingforsomethingtohappen.LikeMarekwillpopoutandstartlaughingbut

hedoesn’t.

“AfteryouhavesomebreakfastIwillletyoucallyourparentsandthenmymenwill

escortyoutotheairport.”

“Thankyou.”Ican’tbelievethisisrealthatIamreallygoinghomesoeasily.

EventhoughIamtooexcitedtoeat,Isitdownwiththemandpokeatsomepancakes

with my fork, taking small bites. I am so eager to get home, but I start wondering what

willhappentoDanny?

WhatwillItellmyfamily?

“So,Iwasthinking.WhenIgohometomyfamily.IwilltellthemthatIwasfeeling

outofplaceoroverwhelmed.IwillsayIneededafewdaystogetaway…thatIlostmy

phone.”

“Youdon’thavetolieforme,Sara.Takingyouwaswrong.Inevershouldhave…”

“Oh,”Harpersaysinaweirdvoice.

“Areyoualright?”Tinyquestionsasherfacepales.

Herbrowsdrawinward.“Mywaterjustbroke.”

“Weneedtogethertoahospital!”Dannyyellsout.

We all jump up from the table except for Harper, who sits unmoving, staring at her

bloodyhand.

“Idon’tfeelsogood,”shewhispersasherbodyslumpsforward.

BloodispouringfromhernoseasTinyshoutsforhismen.

Sayikatriestofleethekitchen.

Everythingishappeningsofast.

“MasterMarek,hetoldmeputpoisoninherfoodforlastweek.Supposedtoinduce

laborsohecouldtakebabyandmarrynewwifebuthenothere.Babycomenow,poison

inducedher.”

Thewomandoesn’tgetanotherwordoutbeforeRomandoslicesherthroat.

ThemenlayHarperoutonthetilefloor.Dannyhastearsstreamingdownhischeeks

ashekneelsoverhissistercheckingforapulse.

“Thereisnotimetogoforhelp,Sara,weneedtodeliverthisbaby.Now.”

Idroptomykneesnexttohimbitingbacktearsofmyown.Idon’tknowwhattodo.

I don’t know anything about delivering babies. Blood is pooling between Harper’s legs

andnowitiscomingfromherears.

“Danny,helpmepushonherstomach,”Tinydemands.

“Sara,youcheckforthebaby’sheadandbereadytopullitout.”

“Idon’tknowifIcan.”IshakemyheadasIstarttocry.I’msoscared.Myhandsare

shaking.

Romando smacks me and as harsh as it is the stinging sensation snaps me out of

shock.IliftupHarper’sdressandpushherlegsapart.EventhoughHarperseemstobe

lifelessherbodyispushingthisbabyout.

“Iseethehead,”Iannounce.“Nowwhat?”

Romandodirectsmeonhowtoreachinandgetaholdofthebaby’sshoulder.It’sso

disturbingbutitisn’tthechild’sfaulthisdadwasadick.BysomemiracleIamabletoget

thebabyoutandIcradlehiminmyarmswipingathisfacewiththedishtowelsomeone

handedme.

“It’saboy,”Itellthemashebeginstowailinmyarms.“Happybirthday,littleone,”I

cooathim,butIcan’tstopcryingashisdarkeyespeerupatme.Whataviolentwayto

entertheworld.

RomandocutsthechordandDannygivesmeablanketoneofthemenhandedhim.

“He’sbeautiful,”Ideclare,asIwraphimupandholdhimtomychest.

I glance over at Harper hoping she is okay too, but she isn’t moving, and I am not

evensuresheisbreathing.

“Isshe…isHarper…”

Dannyshakeshisheadashewrapsanarmaroundmeandhisnewbornnephew.“You

did,great,”hetellsmeasheinspectshisnephew.“Alltenfingersandtoes.”Heoffersme

aforcedsmile.Hemustfeelsodevastatedrightnow.

IwishtherewassomethingIcouldsaytoeasehisloss,butthereisn’t.PoorHarper,

sheappearedsogenuinelyhappyonlymomentsagoandnowshe’ssimplygone.Shewill

neverholdherson.Shewillneverknowhiswarmthorhissweetlittlesmile.

“Whatshouldwecallhim?”

“Idon’tknow,”Dannytellsmeandkissesthesideofmyhead.

TinyiscaressingHarper’shairwithonehandwhileclosinghereyeswithhisother.

HewhisperssomethinginSpanishbeforekissingheronthelips.

Weallsitquietlyasthehardmansayshisgoodbye.

“What’s that sound?” I ask, as the sound of motorcycles rumbling roars outside the

house.

Chapter28

Grim

LeoneCompound

Pulling up outside the Leone compound, I want to bust through the damn gates.

However,Porterisoffhisbikeandapproachingtheentrance.WhenTinyLeoneopensthe

gate, he shakes his hand. I start for my gun when, Porter waves the rest of us forward.

What the fuck? If this bastard is double crossing me after all I have done for him I will

burneveryfuckingcharterhehastotheground.

Iparkmybikeandgetoff,followedbytherestofthemenridingwithus.Ikeepmy

handclosetomyholster.

“GrimJones,meetTinyLeone,headoftheLeonecartelandalsothemanwhokilled

Marek.Ithoughtyou’dliketoshakethehandofthemanwhokilledthedevil,eh?”

Igruntandputthesafetyonmygun.

“Where’smydaughter?”Nashbarks.

“She’ssafe.Whydon’tyoujoinmeinsidewhileyourmenstretchtheirlegs?Iknow

youhaveenduredalongride.”

Wehavebeenridingfordays.I’mgettingtoodamnoldforthisshit.

Romeo,Rebel,Nash,Porterandmyselffollowthedangerousmaninside.I’monedge

butallhismenhaveloweredtheirweapons.

“Aboutmydaughter,”Nashurges.

“Inthekitchen.Weneedtotalk,”Tinyinsists.

“NotuntilIseemydaughter—unharmed.”

Ourgrouppressesforwardandinthekitchenisagruesomesite.IstepoveranAsian

womanwhohasaslitthroat.Myeyesthengotomygranddaughterwhoissittingatthe

tableholdinganewbornbaby.WhenIsaynewborn,Imeanitstillhasallthatnastyshit

from being born on its legs that are poking out of the blanket he is swaddled in. Sara’s

handsarecoveredinbloodaswellastheclothesshewears.Somemanhashisarmcurled

aroundhershoulderasshelooksupatusallsmiling.

Nashlooksreadytospitnails.

“Easy,son.”Romeogripshisshoulder,keepinghimfromrushingthem.

“AsIsaid,yourdaughterisfine.Howaboutadrinkandthatchat?Wehavealotof

businesstodiscuss,no?”

At first, I think that Sara has somehow given birth to this child, but then I see that

DevilsRejectbitchsprawledoutonthefloorasoneofTiny’smencoversherbodywitha

sheet.

“Dad, I can explain,” Sara calls out to him as he is still trying to process the scene

beforehim.

“Someonebetterstarttalking,”hegrowls,staringatthemanwithaprotectiveholdon

hisdaughter.

“Please,let’sgotomybilliardroomwherewecantalkawayfromthestinkoflifeand

death,”Tinypresses.“Romandowillseetothegirlandthebabe.Danny,you’llbejoining

us.”

SaralookstothisDannyguyasthoughsheisconcernedforhissafety.“I’llbefine.”

Hekisseshertempleandfollowsusoutoftheroom.

Wealltakeourseatsanxioustogetthisshitoverwith.

“I guess we shall start with the most important topic on the table. The girl and the

babe. You see, Marek and I have been partners for some time. My main holdings are in

guns and drugs and well, Marek became greedy and sloppy. You see I’m not into the

smugglingofwomen.Iamnohumantrafficker.Itakethewomenandfindthemjobsof

theirchoosing.Theyarerewardedandpaidwellfortheirservices.Youcanconfirmthis

withPorter.”HepausesandPorternods.

“We have been negotiating a deal for me to take Marek out for some time. To get

more to the point though. You have turned down my invitation to do business several

times.Iseeyourmoonshineventureasveryprofitableandwell,Ilikemoney.Marek,took

yourdaughterandbroughtherherehopingtogetbackinmygoodgraces.Hethoughthe

washelpingbutalashewasnot.Porterbroughtyouhereincasesomethingwentwrong

andMarekbysomechancetookmeout.Yourdaughterwasabouttobeonherwayhome

whenHarperwentintotolabor,poisonedbyherhusband’smaid.AndasforDannyhere,

heprotected your Sara.Made sure noharm came to herand well, asthe young folk do,

theyhaveformedanattachment.”

“Whatdoyouwant?”

“All I ask is you let Sara keep the baby. Allow her and Danny to love the child as

theirown.Forthatgreatfavor,Iwillclearitsothatyoucanhaveyourdaughter,Karlyis

it?BackhomeinDragCreek.Youwon’thavetosneakphonecallsnomore.WithMarek

deadtheDevilsRejectsarenowunderDanny’scontrol,bymydecree.Isimplywantto

becomeapartnerinyourmoonshinebusiness,andthenexttimeIextendaninvitationof

myfriendshipyouwillaccept.”

Isighandknockbackmydrink.

Fuck.Idon’twantanypartofthecartel.

“Whatelse?”

“When you leave here, you will take Sara and the baby to the hospital, so she can

makethebirthofficial.Thestorywillgoasfollows.HerandDannyareinloveandranoff

becauseshewasafraidtotellherparentsthetruthofherpregnancy.Shegavebirthina

hotel. You will do this and in return for this I will clean up the mess Marek made and

guideDannyincleaninguptheclub.Sothattherecanbepeacebetweenallofusandwe

canallgetrich.Wealllikemoney,eh?”

Itakeadeepbreath.Allthistalkofbabiesanddealsremindsmeofthepast.Somuch

bloodhasbeenspilled.Somanyliveslostfornothing.It’stimetodothingsanewway.

“Whydoyoucareaboutthebaby?”

“His mother was troubled and confided in me a lot. I cared about her as a close,

personalfriend.Ihavenoroominmylifeforchildren.Thegirlhasbondedtothechild.I

seenoharminlettingherhavehim,becauseIknowallaboutyou,Jack‘Grim’Jones,and

youareamanofyourword,andyouwon’tletthischildpayforthemistakesofthefather.

Justasyouwouldn’tletyourdaughterpayforyours.”

“Deal,”Igruntreadytogetthefuckoutofhere.

WehaveanotherlongjourneyaheadandIhavenoideahowinthehellIwillsellthis

to Karly. Nash already is gonna be hard enough. Motherfucker is gripping his glass so

tightit’sawonderithasn’tshattered.

Lateratthehospital,Istareatmygranddaughterasshedotesonalittleboywhoisn’t

hers as the man who claims to love her looks at her the way I used to look at her

grandmotherandmychestachesasIseewhatGypsyandIshouldhavehad.Iseesomuch

ofGypsyinSaraitscaresme.IwanttogiveherandDannywhatIwasrobbedof,what

Foxiestolefrommethenightshemurderedmywifetobe.

Saraistoodamnyoungtoberaisingbaby,andwithafuckin’rejecttoboot,butthisis

herpath.Shechoseitandacceptedthetermseagerly.Iaskedher,“Sara,doyoulovethat

man?Doyouwanttoraisethisbaby,becauseiftheanswerisno,Iwillseetoitthebaby

goestoagoodhome?Youdon’thavetodothis.”

“No,Ilovehim,grandpa.IwanttobewithDanny,”shesaidasherfathercursedto

theheavensandallofhell.

Her brother and her father aren’t too happy with me or them, but they will come

around.ItoldthemIwouldhandleKarlyandGoddamnIjustknowhermouthmayput

meinmygrave.

Rightnow,allsheknowsisthatSaraisokayandthatwewillbringherhomesoon.

That’sallthatmatters.Shewillbeinforonehellofashockthoughwhensheseesthe

baby.

We all decided it’d be best if the rest of the club only knows what I decide to tell

them.

Iwantabetterlifeforusall.

Allthekillingandtherivalryneedstoend.

Chapter29

Sara

DragCreek,Kentucky

Youcan’tgothroughthethingsIhaveandcomeoutontheothersideun-phased.This

iswhoIamnow.ThisiswhatIwant.Myfamilycanrespectmychoiceornot,butitis

whatitis.IloveDannyandhelovesme.Wearegoingtoraisethisbabyandlovehimas

ourown.

IwillbebyhissideashebringstheDevilsRejectsintoanewera.Aneraofpeace

wheretheycancoexistalongsidetheBlackRebelRiders’MCandtheBornSinners.

Nowmygrandpa,Grimandmeonlyhavetoconvincemymotherofthis.

Hethoughtitwouldbebestifhe,Danny,thebaby,andIapproachedheralone.My

dadisstillinshockanddoesn’twanttobelievethatthisiswhatIhavechosen.ColeandI

areinastrangeplacerightnow.Idon’twanttojudgehimforwhathedidtothosegirls

Dannytoldmeabout,butIcan’thelpbutthinkheisahypocritewhenhesaysthatDanny

isn’tgoodenoughforme.

Theygavemeanoutbeforewewenttothehospital,butIwasn’tabouttoabandon

thislittleboyorDanny.Dannycouldhaveabandonedme,buthedidn’t.Hehasbeenby

my side the whole time. He has taken everything my father, my brother, and my

grandfathers have dished out to him with pride and honor. He hasn’t backed down from

themandheisslowlyearningtheirrespect.

Sure,itallhappenedfast,butlifedoesn’tslowdownandwaitforyou.Itjusthappens,

anditisuptoyouwhatyoumakeofit.

“Mom,” I call out as I walk in my grandfather’s house with Cain in my arms. We

namedhimCainThomasafterDanny’sfatherandmine.

“Sara,”shecriesoutrunningfromthekitchen,butshefreezeswhenshetakesmein.

“Baby,Iamsohappyyouareokay,butwhoisthat?”ShepointstothebundleofjoyI

amcradlingtomychest.

Ismileather.“Thisisyourgrandson,Cain.”

“DidMorganhaveherbabyandnottellanyone?”Theconfusiononherfacewould

bepricelessifIknewshewouldbelaughingaboutthisoneday.

“No.”IshakemyheadasshelooksbetweenmygrandpaandnowDannyashebrings

thediaperbagin.

“Thenwheredidhecomefrom?”

“Well…youseethat’sthefunnypartofthestory….”Ipulltheblanketback,soshe

cangetagoodlookathim.Shewantstosmilebutiswantingtobethetoughguyandget

answersrightnow.

“Sara.”Shegivesmetheeye.Theonethatsaysspititoutorgetit,soIletthetruth

rip.

“He’s mine, mom. Mine and Danny’s.” I motion my head toward Danny and he

wavesatherwithhisgoodhand.

“Dad,youwanttoexplainthistomebecauseitsoundslikeSaraistryingtotellme

shehadababywithaguyIhaveneverseenbefore,andshewasn’tpregnantthelasttimeI

laideyesonher.”

“Uh…well…yousee—whydon’twegoovertotheRoadhouseforadrink,andIcan

tellyeallaboutitwhiletheyputthebabydownforanap.It’sbeenalongtrip.”

Sheshakesherhead.“What’sgoingon,Sara?”

“Mom,Iknowthisisn’twhatyouwantedforme,butit’stoolatetogoback.Youand

dadleftthislife,fakedyourowndeathseven,butsomehowitstillmanagedtogetitsgrip

onCole,andnowthesamehashappenedtome.Youmaynothavechosenthisorwanted

it,butthislifeasuglyasitcanbecanbedamnbeautifulattimes,andafterwhatIwent

throughIcameoutofitnotonlyaliveandinonepiece,butwithamanwholovesme,and

alittleboywhothinksthatIamhismom.So,youcanacceptallofusornoneofus.”

Shelooksexasperatedandatalossforwords.“Well,honey,ofcourseIwillacceptall

ofyou.Ijustamtryingtounderstand.”

“Good.Nowcanwegogetthatdrinkandsmokealittlesmoke,”Grimtellsher.

“Where’smyhusband?”

“ProbablyhidingbecauseofwhatIamabouttotellyou…”mygrandpasayswitha

cheeky grin, ushering her out the door. He looks back over his shoulder and gives me a

thumbupasthedoorclosesbehindthem.

“WellthatwentbetterthanIhadhoped.”Dannybeamsatmeandplacesthediaper

bagonthekitchencounter.

“Waitforit.Three.Two.One.”

“You agreed to what!? Nash! I am gonna cut off all ya’lls’ balls,” her loud voice

booms.I’msuretheycanhearherbackinCalifornia.

“Thatismymother.”

Dannylaughs.“Nicefamily.Theyallwanttokillme,butnicefamily.”

“They’llgrowonyoueventually.”

Danny walks toward me nodding. “Yeah, eventually. Maybe by Christmas your

brotherwon’twanttokillme.”

Heleansdownandgivesmeapeckonthelips.

“WhowouldhavethoughtaDevilandaRebel.”Hecurlshislipsinasmile

“Yup,whowouldhavethought.”Igrin,kissinghimback.

Chapter30

DearDiary,

FromthemomentIlaideyesonGrim,Ifeltthisspark.Thiselectriccurrentpassing

between us. There was something so tender about the way he looked at me behind his

dark,terrifyingeyes.Hewasn’twhatmostwomenwouldconsiderattractive.Tobehonest,

hewasrightdownuglyandscarylookingwiththeteardroptattoosthatcoveredhalfofhis

facethatnightwhenhestoppedoffonthesideoftheroadtohelpme.

Hedidn’tknowthatIwasplantedtheretobaithim.Hedidn’tknowIwassenttobe

hisdownfall.Grimhadalotofhurthewascarryingaround,andIwasjustthegooddeed

hehadbeenhopingfortolightensomeoftheloadhewascarrying.

Ithoughttomyself,itwouldbeeasytogethimtosleepwithme.It’dbeeasytocrawl

inhisbedandleaveassoonasIhadtheinformationtheDevilsRejectswanted.Mainly

Winston,butstill…IthoughtIcoulddothisonething,andthenIwouldfinallyhavemy

freedom.

IneverexpectedGrimtolookatmelikehedidandfallinlove,butIdid.Ifellhard

andfast.Therewasjustthissomethingabouthisdarksoulthatcalledtomine.Likemaybe

somehowthroughallthebadwecouldhealoneanother—thatwecouldbringeachother

backtolife.

Thatmanhadgivenmemoreloveinafewdaysthananyonehasgivenmemywhole

life.Idon’tknowhowtobreakhisheartwithoutbreakingmine.Idon’tknowhowtogive

himupnowthatIhavehisbabygrowinginsideme.IkeephopingthatmaybeGrimwill

savemebecauseIsureashellcan’tsavemyself.

ButmaybeGrimisn’tmeanttosaveme,maybeIamsupposedtosavehim…

Chapter31

Grim

“Christ,brother,it’sgoodtobehome,”Romeotellsmeasherollsupajoint.

“Youcansaythatagain,”Rebelagreeswithhimashesitsoutafewjarsofshine.

“Give me that, dad.” Nash swipes the joint from his fingers, and I think Romeo is

havingastrokebecausethefuckerisfrozenandnotevenbreathing.

“Whatdidyoucallme?”

“Youheardme.”HepuncheshisfatherinthearmandGoddamnthem,theybringa

teartomyeye.

It’sbeenonehellofalonghardrideovertheyears,butsomehow,wecameoutofthis

fuckedupadventurealive.Ithasn’tbeeneasybutasIkickbackandtokeonajointwitha

jarofmoonshineinhand,Igottasayit’sbeenadecentlife.

My daughter is back home where she belongs, and my grandkids are a part of my

everydaylife.“We’vebeenthinkingandtalking.”ImotionbetweenRomeoandmyself.

“Yeah,aboutwhat?”Rebelasks,takingalongharddragoffthepuffpuffpass.

“Stopbogartin,’”Nashtellshim.

“Shutup,bothofye,Goddamnit.I’mtryingtotellyoufuckerssomethingimportant.”

“Damn.Alright,”Rebelsays,shakinghishead.

“ThetimehascomeforyouandRebeltofullystepupandtakeyeplacesatthehead

oftheclub.Romeoandmeareretiring.It’stime.You’vebothearneditandit’swhatSlim

alwayswanted.”

“It’swhatwehavealwayswanted,”Romeotackson.

“What,youtwogonnagooffandhittheroadlikeThelmaandLouise,”Rebeljokes.

“Notabadidea.Lotofpussyoutthereuntapped,”Romeosayswithasmirk.

Hornybastard.

“Yeah well, I ain’t drivin’ off no cliff for your ass, no matter how cute the girls

upstairsallsayitis,”Iteasehim.

Thefuckerlaughs.“Iknewyou’dbeencheckingoutmyass.”

“Stop,Ican’thandlehowcuteyoutwoare.Likeanoldmarriedfuckin’couple,”Nash

says.“Ifwe’redonehere,Iwannagohomeandfuckmywife.”

“Hey,that’smydaughteryou’retalkingabout,”Isnap.

“Wellshit,ifIhadherathome,I’dbeinahurrytoo,”RomeosaysandwinksatNash.

Nashshakeshishead.“Fuckinggeezer.”

“Whoyoucallin’ageezer?”Romeogrinsathim.

“You,yousickoldfuck,”Rebelsayswithashakeofhisheadandwealllaugh.

Idon’tknowwhatthefuturewillholdbutwhatevercomesourway,Iknowwe’llbe

ready.Weridefreeordietrying…TheBlackRebelRiders’MC.

Epilogue

Sara

Someyearslater

“Hekeepsaskingtoseeyou,”mymomtellsme,squeezingmyhand.

“I’mgladyoucalled.”

“Well,I’llleaveyoutoit.Justtrynottogethimtooroused.Thedementiaishardon

himandhegetssoeasilyconfused.”

“I promise.” I offer my mother a faint smile. I know this is hard on her. I can’t

imaginebeinginhershoes,knowingherfatherwillmostlikelydieanydaynow.

Mygrandpa,Grimisonetoughbastardbutevenhecan’tfighttime.Iamonlyglad

thatafterallwehaveenduredthathehashadthislongwithus.He’ssurvivedsomecrazy

shit.Weallhaveinourownwaythough.Ithasonlymadeusstronger.

Enteringhisroom,Ismileandwanttocryatallthephotosthatsurroundhim.Hehas

apictureofhisbestfriend,Romeo,nexttohisbed.WhenRomeodieditwashardonus

all, but the fun-loving man went out doing what he loved. He had a heart attack while

somechickwasridinghim.Itsoundsgrosstotalkaboutmygrandpalikethatbutthatwas

whomygrandfatherwas,hewasawomanizerandheldtruetohimselftilltheend.

IknowGrimhasmissedhimsomethingterrible.

Momsaysheasksforhimallthetime.

HelooksoveratmewhenItaketheseatnexttohisbed.

“Gypsy,youcameforme,”hewhispersandtoucheshisweatheredhandtomycheek.

Idon’thavethehearttotellhimI’mnother.Doingsocouldupsethimgreatly.

“Yeah,it’sme,”Itellhimsoftly,strokinghischeekasheclingstomyhand.

“Iknewyou’dcome.”Hecoughs.

“ThereisnowhereIwouldratherbe.”

“Youarestilljustasbeautiful.”

“AndyouareeverybitashandsomeasthedayImetyou,”Isay,runningmyknuckle

overhisfadedtattoosonhisface.

“Icouldn’tmoveontillIsawyefaceonelasttime,”heconfesses.

“Iknow.I’mhere,andI’mnotgoinganywhereuntilyouareready.”

“Iloveyou,KaraMarie.”

“Iloveyoutoo,Jack‘Grim’Jones.”

He sighs, letting out a short breath of contentment. His chest rattles and a smile

washesoverhisfaceashetakeshisfinalbreath.

“Ohgod,Mom!”Icryoutandsherushesin.

“Ishe?”

InodastearsblindmeandIseeablurryvisionofhercollapsingtoherknees.

“HethoughtIwasyourmother,”Itellher.

“I know. He kept asking for her. Kept calling her name. It was the only way to get

himtoletgo.Iknewbringingyouhere,whenhesawyouhe’dthinkhewasseeingher.”

I sink down to the floor and wrap my arms around her, hating that we have to say

goodbyetothemanwholivedhislifetoprovideforus.

Amanwholivedtoridefreeordietrying…

Hemaybegonenowbuthismemoryandhislegacywillalwaysremain.

“Comeon.Let’sgobreakthenews,”shetellsme,wipingathereyes.

IaccompanyhertotheRoadhousewhereeveryoneourBlackRebelRiderMCfamily

iswaitingforus.

Whenwewalkinthemoodissomberastheytakeinourdemeanor.

Myfatherstepsforwardandpullsmomintoahug.

RebelwipesathiseyesasChellelinksherarmsaroundhiswaist.

TruthandTreadembrace.

Mybrotherpunchesthewallandhitsthebarforadrink.

Danny takes me in his arms. “I’m so sorry, Sara. I know how close the two of you

have been these past few years.” Both of my grandpas and I grew close after the whole

Marekincident.Ifnotforthem,Idon’tthinkDannyandIwouldhavemadeit,butthey

stoodbyusandgaveadvicewhenneeded.TheyputDannyinhisplaceafewtimestoo.

God,Imissthemboth.

Wealllostagreatmantoday.

Weburiedmygrandpaonarainydaynexttohisbestfriend,Romeo,rightnexttothe

Roadhouse they both loved so much. Some say the two old buzzards haunt the place.

Lifting skirts, breaking bottles, opening doors. We hear all kinds of wild tales. I haven’t

experienceditformyselfbutIcanonlyhopethatonedayIwillseethemagain.

TheEnd.

AboutGlenna

Glenna Maynard is a Kentucky native with a passion for romance, best known for her bestselling romantic suspense

novel I’m with You and The Black Rebel Riders’ MC series. When she isn’t arguing with the voices in her head or

drinkingreadertears,sheenjoyswatchingclassicTVshowswithhertwochildrenandlongtimeleadingman.

You can also find Glenna on several social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, WordPress,

Google+andGoodreads.YouarealsoinvitedtojoinherreadergrouponFacebookjustsearchforGlenna’sRebels.

Youcanfindherwebsiteat

www.glennamaynard.com

BooksbyGlenna

BlackRebelRidersMC’Series

GrimTheBeginning

Rumor

Baby

Striker

Romeo

HeartofARebel

ARebelLove

ARebelInTheRoses

BloodofARebel

TheDevil’sRebel

StandaloneTitles

Beauty&TheBiker

I’mwithYou

Cooper’sReligion:TheSuffocationofKatie

DirtyLove

DirtyTruth

DirtyNeighbor

WhenItRains

DrunkOnYou

BornSinner

TheStealingConleighDuet

StealingConleighPart1

StealingConleighpart2

MustLoveCurves

TheRoommatePact

CowrittenwithDawnMartens

TheBoom

YouWreckMe(TheProspectseriesbook1)

Document Outline

The Devil’s Rebel
Black Rebel Riders’ MC
Book 10
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Series Recommended Reading Order
Character Glossary
Contents
The Devil’s Rebel
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Epilogue
About Glenna
Books by Glenna

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