Badger's Claim (Devils Riot MC Book 7)

by E. C. Land

  Opening it, I find a zippo with the DRMC symbol shining brightly at me.

  “Thanks, man,” I murmur, lifting the lighter out of the box.

  “Nothing to thank me for. Now, light the candles and blow this bitch up. I’m ready to get fucked up.” Clasping a hand on my shoulder, Burner lifts his other hand, holding a big ass candle.

  Chuckling, I take the candle, flick the Zippo open, and light it. Once it’s lit, I close the lighter and stare at the flame on the candle.

  “Make a wish, brother. It’s time to start living,” Twister says.

  Stepping toward the house, I close my eyes and mutter “Fuck you” at the house and throw the candle into the fuel. It’s followed by more candles as each of my brothers do the same.

  I don’t move as I watch my past go up in flames. It might not be the woman herself, but damn if it doesn’t feel freeing to see the place where it all happened burn.

  “Come on, brother, let’s get you home. You’ve got a woman waiting on you,” Horse says, clasping my shoulder.

  “Yeah, I do, don’t I?” I say, grinning.

  “Damn right, you do, but just so you know, she’s not at your house. Kenny texted me earlier and said she’s at Outlaw Racks showing up all the men at the pool tables,” Horse chuckles.

  “What the fuck?” I say more than ask as I take off for my bike. The thought of Jordan being surrounded does nothing but make me see red. She’s not for them to touch let alone be close to.

  “I knew that would get his ass home,” I hear Horse say right before he burst out laughing with all my brothers following suit.

  Yeah, laugh all you want. For the first time, I feel lighter and it’s time I show Jordan that I want her.

  No more of this push and pull shit with her.

  She’s mine.

  Climbing on my bike, I start her up and take off to claim my honey.

  You know a badger has to have his honey and that’s what Jordan is— she’s my honey.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jordan

  I don’t know how much time has passed since I started shooting pool. At first, I played a few rounds by myself, then Kenny came over for a game. Followed by Mac. Now it’s become a tournament. And each person who steps up to the plate ends up doing the walk of shame.

  “Damn Jordan, where the hell did you learn to play like that?” Kenny asks, laughing as I sink the eight ball into the corner pocket using a trick shot.

  I stand straight from where I’d been hunched over the table. Holding the pool stick between both hands, I shrug. “One of my cousin’s friends taught me.”

  I’m not big on talking about the guys of the Emerald Isle MC. It’s not my place to bring their name up with someone without permission. Though I’m sure none of them would care if I told Kenny something as feeble as them teaching me to play a game of pool. Well, more like own the game.

  “They taught you well, babe, like seriously. You’re like a pro,” Kenny says as she moves closer to me.

  “I don’t know about that. The only time I ever played was when visiting my mom,” I mutter as I move to rack the balls back up.

  “You wouldn’t know it by watching you play. Jordan, you know how many games you’ve won?” Kenny’s laughter must be contagious because by the time she stops, I’m grinning myself.

  “I can’t help those men couldn’t seem to bank a shot,” I try to say with a straight face, though I can’t stop from smiling.

  Since being here, I’ve been able to not only focus on something else but have fun. I haven’t dwelled on any of it.

  “Damn, I have to say if Badger doesn’t stop you from working here, it’s gonna be a blast,” Kenny says as she waves her hand at the waitress who has been bringing me drinks throughout the day.

  “Why would he have a say in me working here?” I ask as the grin leaves my face.

  “Babe, have you seen yourself? No man wants his woman looking the way you do working in a bar. Especially men like ours.” Still grinning, Kenny doesn’t give me a chance to answer. Instead, she leaves me standing there.

  I should follow her and find out what she means by all that. I don’t need to look in a mirror to know what I look like. What I see is a woman who is scarred from all the beatings she’s taken throughout life. As for men, I don’t have one, so it shouldn’t be any of Badger’s business if I work here.

  Shaking my head, I grab the cue ball and line it up, ready to play this game against myself. As I lean forward, lining up my shot, my thoughts go from Badger to other darker things. Such as what’s coming up in two weeks.

  See, no one except my dad and I know what’s in store for me when I turn twenty-five, which is in two weeks. In two weeks, I’ll have no choice but to disappear.

  Maybe I should just get trashed tonight and find some stranger to go home with. At least then I won’t have to worry about having somewhere to go. I made my mind up that when I got here, I’d find somewhere else to stay.

  I may not have experience with men, but I do know they don’t treat women with the push and pull I’ve felt with Badger.

  If I were to go home with some stranger, let them have their way with me, I might be able to feel something besides this constant numbing pain.

  But I know I can’t do it. The thought of someone else touching me repulses me to no end. Badger’s the only one who has ever made me feel something else.

  “Did you think you could escape your life, bréagán gnéis?” I stand instantly at the voice that fills my nightmares along with my father’s. Knowing better than to show fear of him or to cause a scene, I force back the shocked terror of being in his presence.

  Without looking up, I shake my head as I slowly turn to face him— Kayne. The man who controls all.

  “I asked you a question, I suggest you answer it,” Kayne demands, stepping further into my space.

  “No,” I murmur as I finally meet his eyes. Eyes of the monster that I wish nothing more than to escape. A monster who seals my fate to be just as he calls me, a sex toy, a whore. Though I’ve not done anything sexual with anyone, it’s what I’m fated to be under the disguise of the wedding band I’m to wear. All thanks to a spineless father who kisses this man’s ass. Well, his and his father Kean.

  “I would have thought differently after speaking to your father,” he murmurs as he takes the pool stick from me. Placing it on the table, he draws me into him. I don’t want to make it worse on me than it will already be.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper, glancing away. My eyes focus on Kenny, hoping she doesn’t look this way.

  “Do you have any idea why I’m here?” he asks, and I shake my head in answer. “You know why, sweetheart. I’ve decided I’m tired of waiting. You’re coming with me tonight. The fact I found you in a bar surrounded by men tonight is nothing compared to the knowledge of finding you living with a man for the last three weeks.”

  Panic consumes me and I focus back on him. How does he know about me living with Badger? I hadn’t gone anywhere in the last three weeks.

  This was the first day I ventured out. Damnit, I’m fuckin’ stupid to leave. Better yet, I’m even dumber ‘cause now I’ve just made my life even harder.

  “By the look in your eyes, I see you underestimate me. We’ll just have to change that.” Chuckling, Kayne lifts a hand to grip my chin.

  “Please don’t do this,” I say quietly.

  “But sweetheart, you’re to be my wife. I bought and paid a great amount for you. Now, since your father couldn’t contain you any longer, it’s time you come home, bréagán gnéis.” The way his eyes gleam in anticipation fills me with unadulterated trepidation that I wish I could let him put a bullet in me rather than go with him.

  “I suggest you get your fuckin’ hands off my woman.” I don’t have to look behind me to know who that voice belongs to as he growls those words.

  Badger’s here and he doesn’t sound happy.

  Fuck my life.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Badge
r

  Entering Outlaw Racks, my eyes find Jordan instantly and I begin to see red. I don’t know who the fucker is touching her, but he’s a dead man. From the way Jordan has her eyes cast to the side, I know something’s not right.

  “Asshole is a dead man,” Gadget growls from behind me as we make our way across the bar.

  I notice the closer we get to them that Jackson and Levi do the same, their faces masks of rage.

  “Please don’t do this.” There’s pure fear in her voice as she begs the man holding her.

  “But sweetheart, you’re to be my wife. I bought and paid a great amount for you. Now, since your father couldn’t contain you any longer, it’s time you come home, bréagán gnéis.”

  What the fuck did he just say?

  Did he just say what I think he did?

  Asshole ain’t just a dead man, he’s about to meet his maker DRMC style. No one fucks with ours. And Jordan is mine.

  Moving to where I’m standing directly behind Jordan, I growl, “I suggest you get your fuckin’ hands off my woman.”

  The guy has the nerve to draw Jordan into his side as he smirks in my direction. With the way he has her pressed up against him, I want nothing more than to lunge at him to rip his hands off Jordan.

  “Excuse me, I was having a conversation with my fiancée, so if you’ll be so kind as to leave, I’d appreciate it,” the fuckface says, though his eyes say something completely different. This man isn’t used to not getting things he wants.

  Well, hate to break it to him but he’s not getting Jordan.

  “Yeah I don’t think so,” I say. Tension is pouring off of me. “See she can’t be your fiancée when she’s married to me. Now let my wife go.” Jordan’s eyes widen at my words as she finally glances up to see that not only am I standing here but the club is as well.

  “This true?” the dickhead asks, tilting his head down toward Jordan. Her eyes are filled with fear as she turns her gaze to him.

  At her nod, I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. I hope she knows she just agreed to be my wife by the simple movement of her head.

  Glancing toward Gadget, he nods at the unspoken question I’m asking him and he slinks back from the group to handle it. He knows what I want him to do.

  “Well, this is unfortunate as Jordan here has been promised to me for a very long time. Name’s Kayne,” the asshole says like we’re merely standing here doing a business transition.

  “Look, I don’t care what your name is or anything else about you. I do care that you have your hands on my wife. I’m not gonna say it again— let her go,” I seethe as I take a step forward. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Dragon do the same.

  Kayne must have spotted it as well. “Don’t even think about it, Dagen,” he says, clicking his tongue in my direction.

  “How the fuck do you know my name?” Dragon rasps, his voice lower than I’ve heard it in a long while.

  Kayne chuckles as he takes another step back with Jordan in his arms.

  What the fuck is with this dude not letting her go? He’s got one hell of a death wish, that’s for sure.

  “I know quite a bit about you and Casey both. Where is that brother of yours? It’s been a long time since I saw the both of you. I believe the last time we were kids. Our families had business to attend to. It’s a shame your mam couldn’t have more children after you. She was a beauty.”

  “I suggest you shut the hell up about my mother before I shove my gun down your throat and make you swallow a bullet,” Dragon growls, his fists clenched at his sides.

  “I’d think twice about that.” Chuckling, Kayne takes another step backward. “Now, since my sweet bréagán gnéis decided to break the rules of the contract, she knows what’s to be expected.”

  I don’t let my eyes shift to Jordan as I take in Kayne’s words.

  “And what’s that?” I ask.

  “Death,” Kayne grins.

  “I think you need to let the girl go and leave before I blow your brains out.” The click of a hammer being drawn back is all that’s heard after that as Jackson stands behind Kayne holding a gun to his head.

  “You don’t know who you’re messing with,” Kayne states, taking his time contemplating his next move. Finally, he slowly releases Jordan and shoves her in my direction. I immediately tuck her behind my back, though I keep one hand on her.

  “Don’t think this is over.” With Kayne’s final words, he heads toward the exit with Mac following at a distance behind him.

  No one says anything until he’s gone. Even then, the silence continues until Mac gets back. In his hand he’s holding a piece of paper he hands over to Gadget, who also rejoins us.

  “What the fuck just happened?” Horse growls. He’s pissed and I don’t blame him. I want to know the same as he does.

  “I’d like to know the answer to that question myself,” Twister seethes.

  “I’m so sorry,” Jordan says as she steps around me. Tears flowing from her eyes. “I’ll just leave. You all don’t need to become part of this.”

  I swear, my head is gonna explode before the night is over.

  “You’re not going anywhere, Jordan,” Gadget states before I can open my mouth.

  “But this is my problem,” she whispers.

  “And if you got a problem, it becomes the club’s problem. You’re our sister as well as the ol’ lady and wife of a brother.” Gadget pulls her into him for a hug as he hands me the paper. Looking down at it, I see it’s a marriage certificate dated for today. Shit, he even got the seal put on it. Shaking my head, I don’t even want to know how he got the seal and judge’s signature within minutes of all this shit happening.

  Then again, it’s a small fuckin’ town and Judge Stevens is a customer of Outlaw Racks. He seems to love the show the waitress’ put on for the patrons.

  “No, I’m not,” Jordan denies.

  Lifting the paper, I give her a shit-eating grin. “Yeah, Honey, you are. Told you before, you’re mine and now you’re not just my ol’ lady, you’re my wife.”

  Jordan’s eyes widen as she glances down at the paper then back to me. Before she’s able to protest, I drag her into my arms and slam my mouth down on hers.

  This is where I belong, and never again will I take off the way I did. My past is gonna stay just that, the past, though I’m sure I’ll end up telling this woman. Maybe then she’ll be willing to open up about all the shit swirling around her.

  Who knew when I first met this meek little woman that she’d have such a storm brewing over her head? How she’s been able to stay standing is beyond me.

  “Alright now, congrats are in order, but right this minute we need to discuss what the fuck happened here tonight.” Yeah, my Prez is more than pissed as this shit keeps piling up. We don’t even know where Jordan’s dad is and now we have yet another problem to deal with.

  “I can answer that for you,” Jackson says from where he’d still been standing on the edge of our group. “You just met Kayne Bryne of the Raven family and he came to claim his bride to seal his alliance to another clan. Though I’m not sure which. You might want to ask Dean about this.”

  “Wait a minute, are you talking like medieval times where the kings and queens signed away their daughters for alliances between kingdoms?” Hades asks.

  “Yep.” Jackson nods his head in agreement.

  “How the hell do you know this shit?” Twister asks, lifting a brow.

  “You know this ain’t the only thing we do.” Jackson shrugs and I know right then he’s not gonna say anything else.

  Whatever he’s involved in is gonna stay within his company. That’s fine with me as long as it doesn’t affect my ol’ lady and me.

  Damn, I love the sound of that.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jordan

  The thing about my life, I’ve come to realize, is I have no choice in any matter. None whatsoever. I knew a long time ago that I never would. My dad ingrained it in me long before
I could comprehend anything else. It’s why I am the way I am. It’s part of why I received so many beatings.

  I was trained to be docile. To never speak unless spoken to. To do as I was ordered. I used to wonder if my mom knew anything about the contract my dad had with Kayne’s father. The one that stated I was to marry Kayne when I turned twenty-five as long as I was still a virgin. If not, it would be my death.

  I should have left the moment I’d been released from the hospital. It would have been better for everyone else around me. All I seem to do is cause trouble wherever I go. This being no different. Actually, this is worse. Far worse. Now my brothers will know things I didn’t want them to. Nor did I ever want to speak of this out loud.

  “How about we go to Kenny’s office for this conversation?” Twister asks though it's more of an order than anything.

  Badger places his hand right above my ass and guides me in the direction. I can feel the tension rolling off him and know without a doubt he’s pissed.

  He hasn’t said a word to me since he informed me that I was now his wife. He had the paper to prove it. I don’t even want to know how he accomplished that in the time frame he did. Because as soon as I’d nodded in agreement when Kayne asked if it were true, I’d seen my brother slink back from the group. The way Gadget can work so quickly is a scary thing.

  As we enter the office space, I find myself completely surrounded by all the members of the Devil’s Riot MC and Kenny, who was standing in front of who I’m assuming is her husband. Not being close to them all, I don’t know who’s who.

  “Kenny, need you to give us a little privacy,” Twister says gently yet firmly.

  “No offense, big brother, but this is my place of business and I deserve to know what the hell happened here tonight. Jordan had been doing nothing wrong, then all of sudden a man is standing way too close to her. So, excuse me if I refuse your request,” Kenny says in a huff.