Consumed By Rage: A Stained Souls MC Novel - Book 1

by Zara Teleg

  I studied the dancing flames as I placed a log in the fireplace in the center of the cabin. We had a small tree, which Juliet had decorated with fairy lights and pine cones, popcorn, cranberries, and a few things from her childhood. We had driven for two hours up the mountains to find this small tree lot that had a machine that pulled the tree out by the ball so you could plant it in your yard after Christmas. She loved that idea. Not only was it renewable, she said, but the small tree would mark our first Christmas and then we could watch it grow over the years.

  I finally learned how to use her coffee maker, well, our coffee maker. I couldn’t wait any longer, so I made some brew because I knew the scent would wake her.

  Dawn crested over the mountains, and I could see the light dusting of snow that fell a few days ago. I remembered how we sat outside around the fire pit, drinking hot cocoa and eating s’mores and watched the snowflakes turn the mountain white. Juliet sometimes took the big bad biker out of me, but I loved her for it.

  After what happened with the cartel and almost losing her, I realized I couldn’t live without her. I needed that woman in my heart, home, and bed every damn day. I would give up my life for her—risking my heart was a small price I was glad to pay.

  I heard the jingling before the fluffy elf slippers poked out from around the corner. Lord jumped up to greet his mama. “Merry Christmas,” she said to us both. “The coffee smells so good. Thanks for making it.” She yawned, stretching her arms above her head revealing more of her bare legs. “What are you doing up this early?”

  She looked adorable in her elf slippers and one of my flannel shirts, half buttoned. I loved seeing her in my shirts. Her petite body drowned in them, and she looked sexy as hell. Her golden-brown hair was down in curls with ribbons of red and gold streaks running through them. She filled our Santa mugs and set them on the wood stump she had shellacked into a table. Juliet popped a homemade peanut butter treat into the air for Lord to catch before settling in my arms next to the fire.

  I finally knew the meaning of butterflies in your stomach. This awkward, excited, nervous feeling must be that. I kissed the top of her head, inhaling the scent of honeysuckles.

  Christmas music began to play through the speakers. She had been playing it since Thanksgiving. I couldn’t wait any longer. I could see the box tucked under the tree with the other gifts wrapped in brown paper bags. Juliet had spent an entire night at the table with recycled bags, wrapping her gifts and then decorating them with personal designs. She refused to buy wrapping paper. Her concern for the Earth is just one of the many reasons I loved her.

  The first gift was for Lord; he couldn’t help but sniff out the deer antlers that we collected in the woods. He was gnawing on one as she pulled out a stack of presents. Her grin went all the way up to her ears. We promised nothing extravagant; she preferred sentimental gifts. I desperately wanted to give her mine, but she looked so cute and impatient. She handed me a box. “I hope you like it,” she said and bit her lip.

  I carefully pulled off the paper; I didn’t want to wreck it. Wow! It was a shiny Hohner Super 64 Chromonica. A top-notch professional harmonica that I could never justify getting for myself. I was speechless, examining it in the light of the fire. Now I felt even more like a five-year-old. “What? How did you—” I couldn’t contain my smile. “I can’t believe it! I’ve looked at this a zillion times but could never pull the trigger. How did you know?”

  Her face was full of joy. “Well, I can’t take credit for knowing what it was, but I made some calls and got hold of your old band member, Grayson. I asked him what a dream harmonica would be. He spent half an hour explaining them to me before finally telling me how you’ve drooled over this for years.”

  I hugged her tight. “I love it.” I immediately started playing a song I knew she loved. It took a few seconds for her eyes to be glassy as she watched me.

  “There is no sound sweeter than hearing you play.” Her face was flushed as she handed me a second box a little bigger than the first. The brown paper shone in hand-drawn silver and gold metallic stars with glitter sprinkled around. She pushed the present toward me.

  “Another? I thought we said just one.”

  She flipped her hand in the air. “They go together.”

  Again, I carefully pulled off the paper that she worked so hard to create. Inside was a small piece of fabric that wrapped a box. I opened up the fabric. My throat closed as the choking sensation took over. Tiny needles were pricking my eyes. I held the box out, staring at it.

  “It’s a box for the harmonica. I made it,” she said nervously. “I hope it’s okay. Oh, my God, do you like it? I kept the originals and had duplicates printed for me.”

  I couldn’t speak. I grabbed the back of her head and pulled her in, capturing her lips. The kiss made time stand still. It was what words couldn’t say, it was laced with love and possession.

  “This is amazing, Juliet! How did you get these?”

  “Hawk’s mom. I knew you grew up together and thought she might have some pictures of you from when you guys were kids. We spent half a day going through boxes in her garage. When I saw these two, I knew they were the ones. I made you an album with the rest.” She pulled another box from under the tree and handed it to me.

  The harmonica box was wooden with an image of me around seven years old playing my harmonica with my grandmother next to me. We were sitting on Hawk’s steps. Grandma was staring at me while I played, a proud smile on her face. The inside of the box was another picture taken the same day. It was me, my brother, and a toothless Hawk smiling on the steps. My brother had an arm around each of us.

  I’d never been more clear that I had made the right decision than I was at that moment. I reached under the tree and pulled out a big package. It was not decorated like hers were, but it was wrapped in recycled paper, per her request. She was giddy with excitement. I used way too much tape. She carefully opened the heavy box. She kept removing the crumpled newspaper until she got to the bottom, where she found two heavy bricks. Confused, she turned around to look at me, her mouth dropping open at the sight of me on one knee.

  Her hand covered her mouth while her eyes became glassy. I took her small hand in mine. “Anabelle Juliet Conti, will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

  She let out a full-on cry and jumped onto me, wrapping her legs around my waist. She cried in my arms, kissing my whole face. “Yes, yes, yes.” Lord jumped up, too, not knowing what was going on. Catching her breath between tiny sobs, she held the ring up, examining the intricate pattern that held a square diamond on top.

  “Wait, is this—” My smile grew wide as she recognized the antique ring she had been admiring when we visited a few antique shops on one of our day trips.

  “You remembered?” She threw herself at me, hiding her tear-stained face in my neck.

  “Thank you for always listening to me,” she sniffed. “It means so much.”

  I lifted her and carried her into the bedroom. We spent the next hour making love to Christmas music. We ended our escapade in the shower before sitting down to blueberry pancakes. I caught her looking at her finger as she cooked. I couldn’t believe I had done it. She was going to be mine forever.

  After breakfast, we stayed in front of the fire, looking at the album she made. I laughed at the various stages Hawk and I had gone through. Mullets were our funniest photos. We finally decided to get ready to go to the clubhouse to meet everyone for Christmas dinner.

  “Do you think Paige would come?” she asked, packing her sister’s present in the Jeep. “Christmas has always been her favorite holiday.”

  “Ivy said she would.” I could see the uncertainty in her face. We packed everything in the Jeep including Lord in his new red Christmas collar. Juliet said we couldn’t leave him alone on Christmas.

  Getting in the driver’s seat, I looked at Juliet, who was leaning into the back, fussing over Lord and getting him buckled in. It made my chest swell with love and pride. They
were my family. Juliet was marrying me, and someday it would be our kids and us.

  I looked at the sky, remembering my Grandma’s words. If you pray, someday it will happen. You must have faith, Alexander. God always answers your prayers. I could almost feel her soft fingers on my chin and her sparkling blue eyes looking into mine.

  The sun cut through the clouds, casting a glow through the trees. On one of the branches sat the brightest red cardinal I’d ever seen. Juliet said cardinals were signs of our loved ones who had passed. I felt like my grandmother was there at that moment, watching over us.

  I closed my eyes and thanked God for everything that had happened in my life, even for all the fucked-up things. I knew now that everything, even all the pain, had led me to this woman and this moment.

  “What’s wrong?” Juliet pushed a loose red strand of hair from her eyes as she watched me.

  “Nothing.” I tried to play down the emotion that was gripping my heart.

  She placed my hand in hers. “Rage, I am so happy and excited to begin our life together. I cannot wait to tell everyone. Ivy’s going to flip.” She held out her hand, admiring the ring. “For the first time in many years, I feel safe. I feel free. I feel loved.” She kissed me, her green eyes beamed into mine. “You’ve given me this gift. You’ve made me happier than I could have ever imagined. I never thought…” She stopped, holding her breath for a moment, her eyes were now glassy. “I never thought I could have this. And I hope I can give you all you have given to me. No words are good enough to express to you how much I love you. I want us to be each other’s forever.”

  I cupped her chin, kissing her gently, “We will be. Together, forever and always.”

  The End

  Want to know what happens between Paige & Kai?

  https://bit.ly/ANewPaige

  Also by Zara Teleg

  A New Paige

  Book 2 Stained Souls, MC

  Would you risk losing the ones you love if it meant finally finding out the truth?

  Paige

  After being kidnapped and nearly killed by a sadistic drug lord, I discovered a startling secret, and I can’t let it go. I was forced to move to small-town Sugar Maple. Kai, the hot-as-hell biker who rescued me, is now my new landlord and makes me feel safe. No matter how attracted I am to him, I can’t let his womanizing ways distract me. No one, including my friends and family, can stop me from seeking the truth. The rabbit hole seems endless, and the dangers are real. I may not like what I find in Pandora’s box, but I refuse to let anyone control my life again.

  Kai

  My life in the Stained Souls MC was one big party, just the way I liked it. I have been burned once - never again. Saving Paige woke a part of me I thought was long dead. One look in those violet eyes and I knew I could never let anyone hurt her again. Now the tempting little spitfire is up to something, and I am going to find out what before she gets herself into trouble. Being her resident babysitter was not what I had in mind, but the closer we become the harder the attraction is to ignore. She’s off-limits and all I can think about. The Stained Souls will have my head if I go there, but she may be worth the risk. Will she be my downfall or my salvation?

  Want to read more?

  A New Paige (coming May 14 2020)

  https://bit.ly/ANewPaige

  A New Paige

  Paige

  Icy hands grasped my shoulders and ankles as I was lifted onto another surface. Fighting the sedation, I pried my eyes open as much as I could. The images were fuzzy, and voices unfamiliar. My vision was blurred, and I couldn’t focus. My head spun like a tilt-a-whirl.

  “Sir, was she conscious when you arrived on the scene?”

  The ground rumbled beneath me as I was being wheeled.

  “She’s been in and out,” a man’s panicked voice replied.

  “Sir, you can meet us at the hospital.”

  “No, I’m not leaving her.” His voice was stern as his hand grabbed mine.

  “How are you related to the patient?”

  “Um…she’s family.”

  W-who? W-what’s happening?

  “Fine, sir, you best come with us, then.”

  Doors slammed and sirens blared as we started to move.

  Where am I?

  My eyelids were pulled up, a bright light was shined in one eye and then the other.

  “Are you with us, sweetheart?”

  “Paige, her name is Paige.”

  A warm hand slid up and down my arm, comforting me, before holding my hand again.

  “Are you with us, Paige?” My eyes opened to an EMT leaning over me.

  “Yes.” It came out a raspy whisper.

  My memory came rushing back.

  “Where’s Ana?” Panicked, I tried to push my body up.

  “Whoa.” A gentle hand pressed me back to the gurney.

  “You need to lie back and let us take care of you. We’ll be at the hospital soon.”

  An uncomfortable squeezing was increasing against my bicep. The blood pressure monitor tightened as the air was pumped through.

  “Ana,” I moaned.

  “Your sister is gonna be alright,” warm breath whispered in my ear before giving my hand a small squeeze. His voice was soothing. It calmed the trauma that was running through my mind in waves.

  She’s going to be alright.

  I tried so hard to keep my eyes open. I needed to see his face. The man who saved me. Emerald eyes bore into mine with worry written across his fading face as the darkness took me back under.

  “Paige, stay with me...”

  LIVE MAY 14, 2020

  https://bit.ly/ANewPaige

  Book trailer is on Youtube https://youtu.be/ddEY_rJs_GE

  The first two chapters are available before release. They can be delivered to your inbox along with a notification before it goes live. www.zarateleg.com

  Afterword

  Thank you!

  I hope you enjoyed Juliet and Rage’s story, the first book in The Stained Souls MC Series.

  I would greatly appreciate it if you’d consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are an author’s best friend. They are the number one way that others discover their work. I read them all, and thank you for taking the time to write one.

  I would love to hear from you, so please reach out on Facebook or Instagram. Also, please check out my Author Page on Amazon where you can find out more information and view book trailers.

  Consumed By Rage has a complete chapter-by-chapter playlist that can be found at www.zarateleg.com. You can listen on Spotify or youtube!

  There are a lot more adventures in store for the Souls. A New Paige is the next book in the Stained Souls Series. Please sign up for my newsletter at www.zarateleg.com if you would like to know when upcoming books are going to be released and also be included in receiving giveaways.

  About the Author

  I live in a suburb outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with my husband and daughter. I was born a tree hugger, and I just love the outdoors, fitness, and yoga. Paddle boarding with my husband and dog is my favorite activity, and I long to move somewhere I can enjoy it year-round!

  I enjoy reading and writing about alpha males and strong females the most, and I look forward to sharing many more stories with you. I love hearing from fans so please feel free to let me know your thoughts on my books, characters, or any questions you have.

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zarateleg.author/

  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LovetheManLovetheClub/

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zara_teleg/

  Email: zarateleg@gmail.com

  Website: www.zarateleg.com

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to all my beautiful friends and family who have supported me through this process. You encouraged me and believed that I could do it. Here’s to finishing something I started!

  Andy, thank you for believing in me and giving me the time to write. Your support made this hap
pen. I love you and hope we can make all our dreams come true.

  Mom, you have always been my cheerleader. I can’t tell you how much your support of this crazy idea has meant to me. You have never doubted me. Thanks for sharing my book with everyone you know and everyone you meet!

  Dad, thanks for believing in me and telling me I could do this, and everything else you support me in, too.

  Mya, my beautiful daughter, thank you for listening to all my ideas and sharing them with your friends. At the beach and at home, they have also been my biggest supporters. I did this for you, to prove that you can do whatever your heart desires. That’s all I want for you in life. Always do what makes your heart feel joy and never settle for anything less than happiness.

  Ritchelle, thank you for holding my hand through this process. Thank you for your impeccable editing skills and your eye for detail. You have been invaluable to me, and I could not have done this without you.

  Becky, thank you for proofreading and helping me improve my writing.

  PJ, you have helped me keep my head on straight. Thanks for showing up every day.

  Katie, thanks for being my cheerleader since we were eight!

  Lisa, thanks for listening to chapters even when you did not have time.

  Selena, little sister, thank you for always giving me your honest opinion and helping me with all the important choices!

  Kathy, thank you for making the time to give my book baby one last set of eyes.