Protector: Silent Phoenix MC Series: Book Four

by Myers, Shannon

  The power I’d held within the club was second to none. I’d thought nothing else would ever come close. Until Celia. My actions had almost destroyed her, but maybe me giving my life now would set things right.

  Jean Grey was most known for her suicidal sacrifice and not how she’d failed the ones who loved her. Instead of living as a god, she’d chosen to die as a human.

  * * *

  I struggled to open my eyes, squinting against the blinding white surrounding me. Despite my surroundings, I knew I was in hell.

  My throat felt as if I’d been gargling with broken glass and even the smallest movements sent searing pain through my chest. I managed to lift my head a few inches only to see thick foam restraints on my wrists.

  “Well, there he is.” A smiling face appeared. “Thought you were gonna be out forever, Sleeping Beauty.”

  “Who—” I coughed and the burning feeling in my chest spread to my limbs. “Who are you?”

  He ran a hand over his face with another grin, and I saw the diamond thirteen on his middle finger, confirming his identity.

  “I can’t believe she hasn’t mentioned me to you. We have such a good thing going on.”

  “Cobra,” I rasped. “You should’ve been dead.”

  “And so should you,” he said with a shake of his head, rolling one of his diamond cufflinks between his fingers. “But Saint wants you alive, so here we are.”

  I pulled against the restraints. “I’m gonna tear you apart—”

  “Are you though? You barely survived the bullet I sent into your chest. Trust me, I wanted to aim for your head. We could’ve continued our little game, but you got too smart, didn’t you?”

  “Where’s Comedian?” I snarled.

  Cobra’s face went blank. “Who the fuck is Comedian?”

  “Don’t fuck with me. I know he’s the one givin’ the Sons their intel.” I winced as another jolt of pain shot through my body, sweat running from my hairline and down my neck.

  He rocked back onto his heels. “You really don’t know shit about what went on in your clubhouse, do you? Saint was right. You’re too old and tired. Lucky for you, I’m not. Maybe I’ll let you watch as I fuck your girl this time—”

  “You aren’t gonna lay one goddamn hand on her!” I forced myself up, yanking at the restraints until something popped in my chest, sending me back down with a groan.

  “Grey, you’re tearing your stitches. I’d hate to have to sedate you so you miss all the fun. Now that your girls are old enough, I might even let my brothers take a turn with them. That oldest one looks like her mama, doesn’t she? I wonder if her cunt is just as tight.”

  Nausea rose up, and I realized why Manny’s taunts had never gotten under my skin before. Deep down, I’d always known I was still the one calling the shots; knew they’d never get near my girls again.

  Now, I was helpless.

  My eyes filled and I tried blinking the tears away, but not before Cobra saw.

  “Are you crying? The big bad Grey is fuckin’ crying? You’ve gone soft in your old age, Pres. What is it that’s got you down? Is it because you know that I’m going to fuck your girls raw and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it?”

  I clenched my teeth and strained against the restraints until my vision began to blur.

  Cobra leaned over me, pinning my forearms in his grip with a manic grin. “Your youngest… she’s knocked up, right? Maybe you can listen to her screams for mercy as I gut her like a fish.”

  “Kill me!” I roared. “You’ve wanted me for sixteen years! Fuckin’ do it!”

  The mad look in his eyes faded and he released me, suddenly thoughtful. “It’s not about you anymore. It’s about Celia… maybe it’s always been about her. There’s a certain… what’s the word? Feistiness when it comes to her. What is it about possessing something like that that makes you feel like a man? To know that only you have the power to crush her spirit using your body...”

  “You’ll never break her,” I forced out through clenched teeth.

  Something like lust flashed in his eyes. “I never understood how you left her. I would’ve kept her handcuffed to my bed, reminding her of what she is. An object that can be brutally broken or something to be handled with care depending on the mood of the owner. Maybe I won’t fuck her… maybe I’ll take my time and let you hear every moan I draw from her pretty lips—”

  “Celia!” My voice was hoarse, but I kept screaming her name until Cobra injected something into the IV in my arm.

  His face faded out of focus, but I heard his laugh as he whispered, “Don’t you worry about her. She’s in good hands.”

  To be continued…

  * * *

  Jamie and Celia’s story continues in Savior: Coming September 2019.

  Looking for something to binge while you wait? Get to know Grey’s kids. Mike’s story begins in Renegade. Dakota’s love story is found in Operation Fit-ish, and Kate’s in Operation Annulment.

  PREVIEW OF RENEGADE

  CHAPTER ONE

  ABOUT THE BOOK

  I may wear a badge, but I haven't been on the right side of the law in years.

  Silent Phoenix MC has had me in their cross-hairs since I was eighteen and it doesn't matter how hard I fight, I'll never outrun the sins of my youth.

  A chance meeting on the beach changes the game. Suddenly, I'm consumed, not with tequila or women, but by a pint-sized redhead with a personality as big as the great state of Texas.

  There's no coming back from the things that I've done. I'm cut from the same cloth as my old man and guys like us- we don't deserve second chances.

  Something about her makes me feel like I'm worthy of just that though.

  As an officer of the law, I'm sworn to serve and protect, but who am I kidding? With as deep as I'm in, I could very well be the one to destroy her.

  Renegade is available now for purchase. Simply tap on the title

  * * *

  1993, Age 11

  “Michael!” The voice rang out and I immediately shrank down, trying to make myself even smaller. I knew she meant well, but there was no way I was going down there.

  Hearing heavy footsteps on the stairs, I slid under my bed and up against the wall, cursing myself for not running away like I’d planned. It was stuffy in my room; the window unit had been on the fritz for the last week and sweat began to trickle down my back.

  The motorcycle boots appeared in the doorway and I held my breath in fear. It was him. He’d beat me good when he found out that I was hiding from him. He stepped into the room and closed the door quietly behind him, leaving me confused. He didn’t do anything quietly.

  The boots moved around to the side of my bed, each step sending small tremors of fear through my spine. He’d warned me about hiding from him.

  “Face me like a man, Junior. I ain’t raising no pussy!”

  The boots disappeared and a face appeared. It wasn’t him—I let out a loud exhale of relief before scrambling out from under the bed and into his arms, nearly knocking him over in the process.

  “I got you, Mikey. It’s alright.” Grey patted my sweaty head and then tightened his grip around my small body. I liked him a lot. He always kept my dad in line when he was around. Mama said it was because he was the boss in Dad’s club and that no one in their right mind would go against him.

  I straightened up in his arms. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to hide from you.” Just because I liked him didn’t mean that he didn’t scare the crap out of me. The man was a giant and when he looked at me, it was like he could see into my head and read my mind.

  Grey released me and moved over to sit on the bed. “I understand that someone has a birthday today—is that right?”

  I nodded. “Yes sir.”

  He cracked a small smile. “Call me Grey, kid. Now, why don’t you open this up and tell me what you think.”

  He tossed a small wrapped package into my hands and I tore into it. It was a Sega Game Gear—Luke, on
e of the kids on my bus had one and I spent almost every morning and afternoon, watching over his shoulder. I never imagined that I’d have one of my own.

  “Thank you, s—Grey.”

  He slapped a hand lightly against my shoulder, guiding me over to the door. “How about we head downstairs and get this party started? I think your mama might even have cake.”

  I swallowed hard and stopped in my tracks. “Um, can I just stay up here? I could play my new game.”

  Grey’s jaw tightened and I immediately flinched before forcing myself to stare him in the eyes like a man. He knelt down again. “Your dad’s working late tonight. I brought Celia and Kate with me though and I know they’d love to see you.”

  I shrugged halfheartedly. “Kate’s only three…she’s pretty much still a baby. Did you bring anyone my age?”

  He laughed and the booming sound of it brought a smile to my face. “Run on down, kid, and see for yourself.”

  I took the stairs two at a time and rounded the corner to see Kate and Grey’s wife, Celia, along with a handful of my friends from school. My friends looked up in awe as Grey made his way down the stairs and I puffed up my chest in pride.

  Sometimes, I pretended that Grey was my dad and tried to imagine how different my life would be. I bet my friends could come over every day; he didn’t seem like he’d care at all.

  My mama was even smiling—she didn’t do that when my dad was around. She just kept her head down and tried to stay out of his way. It didn’t work though, she always messed something up and made him mad.

  As my friends gathered around to see my Game Gear, I pushed thoughts of my dad away. This was the best birthday I’d ever had—I wasn’t going to waste it by thinking of him.

  * * *

  “I said get up.”

  I blinked against the darkness and rolled over. “Grey?”

  The mocking laughter I got in response was like a bucket of ice water being dumped on my head. “You think Grey’s showing up here in the middle of the night to take you somewhere? Get up, Junior.”

  I quickly kicked the covers off and stood up. Maybe he wanted to wish me a happy birthday before morning. He tossed a shirt and some jeans over to me and I put them on without question.

  He held a finger to his lips and I nodded before following him downstairs. We got out to his truck when he told me the real reason we were sneaking out. “You’re eleven now. It’s time you learned the ropes. You’re a man now.”

  I don’t know what I expected, but him calling me a man filled me with pride. He didn’t see me as a scrawny kid anymore, but someone just like him. I knew this was going to be the best birthday ever. I’d stared in the mirror earlier, but I didn’t look any different than I did when I was ten. My dad must’ve seen something though.

  I tried to contain my excitement as I buckled into the passenger seat, flexing my bicep as I did it.

  We drove until the city lights gave way to darkness and the desert landscape became more rugged. My dad turned onto a dirt road and we descended into a canyon.

  He parked the truck in front of an old motel straight out of a western. It was even named The Wagon Wheel, I guessed, although several letters had fallen off over the years leaving behind The ago eel.

  I jumped out and walked over to where a group of motorcycles were parked only to be yanked backward.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Junior. You ain’t gonna just waltz in there. I need you to wait right here and keep your damn mouth shut.” He adjusted his leather vest before stepping around me.

  I kicked a patch of gravel angrily once he went inside. If he really thought I was a man, he’d have brought me inside to meet his club—I recognized Grey’s bike down near the end. Maybe he was afraid I’d embarrass him like some child.

  Two guys came around from the side of the motel and immediately caught me messing around near the bikes.

  “What are you doing out here, kid?” One shouted as he caught me by the back of my t-shirt.

  I tried to shake myself loose, but the guy had a death grip on me. “Let me go!” I yelled, before bringing my foot down on top of his boot.

  I think he was more surprised than hurt, but he loosened his grip enough for me to escape. I bolted for the door before both men could catch me and was promptly met by a gun to my head.

  “Well, well, well. You thinkin’ of patching in, kid?” The man in front of me grinned, his teeth stained almost black from years of smoking.

  “You gonna step away from my boy or you need some help, Wolverine?” My dad kept his voice calm, but the threat was unmistakable.

  Wolverine holstered his gun just as the two men from outside burst in. I probably would’ve lost my head had they barged in just a few seconds earlier. I clenched my shaking hands into fists, praying that no one noticed.

  “I told you to wait outside—” My father began, only to be interrupted by Grey.

  “Jesus Christ, Comedian—you brought the kid here?”

  I puffed my chest up. “I’m a man now.” Somehow, my voice remained steady. Grey calling my dad ‘Comedian’ confused the heck out of me. My dad was the least funny person I knew.

  Grey looked between me and my old man before answering, “You put him up to this?”

  My dad shrugged. “This is where he’s gonna end up, Pres. It’s time he knows what his old man does. I don’t want him growing up thinking I’m a nobody.”

  Grey shook his head. “He’s not staying—we’ve got club business to attend to and I don’t think anybody here is hurting for babysitting money. Get him out of here and get back so we can get started.”

  I knew most people didn’t think much of me because I was smaller than most of the guys my age, but for whatever reason, Grey’s words hurt the most. A ball of fury settled in my chest and I didn’t even think before screaming, “Fuck you! I’m staying.”

  The room went deathly quiet and my dad looked like he was on the verge of falling over in shock. I knew I’d messed up; nobody went against Grey.

  Grey’s jaw was clenched tightly and he regarded me in silence for what seemed like an eternity. “You want to stay? Fine—stay. Get him upstairs in a room.”

  I opened my mouth to protest, but something in Grey’s eyes stopped me. Instead, I followed Wolverine dutifully up the stairs and into a bedroom.

  “Stay in here, kid. Don’t come out—no matter what you hear. Got it?” He crossed his massive arms across his chest and leaned against the door, clearly waiting for a response.

  I tried to match his stance. “Yeah, I heard you. Don’t leave this room for any reason.” I gave him a thumb’s up and shuffled over to the bed.

  Once the door closed, I began looking around for an escape route. Grey probably told the guys to guard the hallway, so I was going to have to find another way to see what was going on.

  There was no way I could run away after what I’d done downstairs. I’d wanted to prove to Grey that I was man enough to hang out with these guys. Maybe if I joined in they’d all see that. I slid the window open and eyed the drop to the ground below. Without a second thought, I slid through the window and held onto the windowsill for a brief second before letting go.

  My ankle rolled against the hard dirt and I bit down on my lip to keep from crying out. It wasn’t swelling and I could still move everything, so I figured it wasn’t broken. When I tried to stand up and put weight on it though, my foot refused to cooperate with me. I ended up hopping along the side of the house on my good leg, looking nothing like Robert “Scandal” Jackson, Jr. from Cobra.

  I wanted to be Scandal more than anything—the guy was unstoppable. He was an ex-Navy SEAL who could do martial arts. When my mom asked me what I was going to be when I grew up, I’d tell her that it was a tie between Scandal and Brisco County, Jr. Nobody would mess with me then.

  Right now though, I resembled a flamingo with a broken leg as I hobbled around in the dark. Voices carried from the back of the motel and I pressed myself up against the build
ing, trying to make myself invisible.

  “Beast wants out, huh? After all the fucking things this club has done for him?” My dad’s voice boomed over the rest.

  “It ain’t like that, Comedian. I can’t be running shit anymore—I got other plans for my life. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing when I patched in,” answered the voice that must’ve been Beast.

  I crept closer until I could see them; then I quietly sank down onto my knees and wrapped my jacket tighter around my body.

  Grey walked up until he was in between them. “Enough. You want out? Fine. You know the routine.” He placed a revolver in Beast’s hands and stepped back.

  Beast’s hands were shaking, but he held the gun up to the side of his head. I could see the sweat running down his face. He was probably ten years older than me, but he looked like a scared little kid with that gun up against his head.

  I cupped my hand over my mouth to quiet the sound of my breathing. I’d known that my dad was in a club, but I’d never seen any club that required members to kill themselves to get out. This kid, Randy, had a club a few blocks over and I was a member for a little while until I got bored. They never did anything but talk—I left after the fifth meeting and nobody made me do anything like what Beast was about to do.

  The gun clicked and I flinched instinctively. He was still alive. Beast stripped off his leather vest and dropped it in Grey’s hands before walking toward the door.

  “We’re done here, yeah?” Beast stood with his hand on the door. “Jamie and I are fucking out of here.”

  My dad grinned and I swallowed past the lump in my throat. That smile never meant anything good. “Well, that’s where we got a little problem, Beasty. You can’t walk out of here with anything that belongs to the club. That includes your kutte, your bike, and your bitch. Ain’t that right, Pres?”