Passing the Torch (Devil's Knights 2nd Generation Book 1)

by Winter Travers

  Greta busted out laughing and slapped her knee. “God, that’s even better than I pictured.”

  Hero dropped the duffel bag on the floor. “Do I even want to know where the fuck you got this shirt?”

  Greta lifted her hands and shrugged. “I had to bring what I could find.”

  “At least she got you jeans,” I giggled.

  “This is funny to you?” Hero asked me.

  I smiled and nodded. “I mean, a little bit. You totally pull it off, handsome.”

  He tugged at the hem of the shirt and growled. Greta had also bought the shirt at least one size too small. Hero looked like he was about to hulk out of it.

  Greta jumped up and clapped her hands together. “Well, my job here is done. I’m gonna go make sure Luna doesn’t get arrested by the handsome Detective Ransom.” She winked at me and clicked her tongue. “You see what I did there? Handsome Ransom?”

  Hero pointed his finger at the door. “Out.”

  Greta strutted out the door with a wink over her shoulder at me and a pat on the shoulder for Hero.

  “I don’t know why I thought she was actually doing something nice.” He shook his head. “I think she’s got a screw loose.”

  “I think she was just trying to make me laugh.” I scooted over in the bed and patted the empty spot next to me. “She made me laugh and now it’s your turn to keep my company.”

  “You need to rest, Sunshine.”

  “Yeah, and I’m not going to do that with you all the way over there. Get your butt in bed with me, Hero.”

  He held up his hands. “I’ll do it, but the second I hurt you, I’m getting the hell out of that bed.” He toed off his boots and gingerly laid down next to me.

  “Uh, do you think you could touch me?”

  He laid on his side, his arm tucked under him, and the other raised over his head.

  “I promise I don’t have cooties.”

  Hero didn’t move. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  Impossible. I took matters into my own hands. I scooted close to him ‘til I pressed against him and basically draped my body over him like a blanket. “That’s better,” I whispered.

  “Sunshine, you sure this is okay?” He didn’t move, and I could tell he was fighting the urge to relax.

  I tipped my head back and looked him in the eye. “You couldn’t hurt me if you tried, Hero.”

  After everything that had happened with Harry, I was okay.

  I was a little battered and bruised, but at the end of the day, that would all heal.

  This right here.

  This was where I belonged.

  Hero had saved my life, and in exchange, he got my heart.

  *

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Hero

  “Ten minutes and we’re leaving.”

  Reva rolled her eyes. “Uh, no.”

  “Reva.”

  She shook her finger in my face. “You already took away me riding on the back of your bike for a week, Hero, you are not going to take away hanging out with Greta and Luna.”

  “It’s Friday, Sunshine. You were kidnapped and beaten Tuesday. You really think hanging out at the clubhouse is something you should be doing?”

  “Yes.”

  I folded my arms over my chest. “I think we should go back to the hospital and make sure you still don’t have a concussion.”

  It was late Friday afternoon, and Reva was insisting on hanging out at the clubhouse. Greta had opened her mouth that they were having a cookout because King, Rigid, and Demon were back in town. I, for one, wanted to stay at her place and do nothing.

  “And I think you should take the stick out of your ass, Hero.” She stepped toward me, and the toe of her shoes bumped mine.

  “I like her already.”

  Reva’s head snapped to the doorway of the clubhouse.

  I kept my eyes on her and sighed. Of course Dad would be privy to Reva and me arguing about being at the clubhouse.

  “Is that Greta’s dad?” Reva asked

  I shook my head. “He’s my dad.”

  Reva’s jaw dropped. “Wow.”

  Yeah, that was the typical reaction Dad got when he met someone new.

  “You two going to come in or just hang out in the parking lot?” Dad called.

  “Your son thinks I’m going to break,” Reva called.

  “From what I hear, you’re pretty invincible. He shouldn’t worry too much.”

  I grabbed Reva’s hand and led her toward the front door. “You even yawn and I’m taking you home,” I whispered.

  “Oh, Hero,” she laughed. “You’re too good for me.”

  That was backward. Reva was too good for me, but I didn’t care. She was mine now, and nothing was taking her away from me.

  “Dad, this is Reva.”

  Dad held out his hand and shook Reva’s hand. “Cyn is going to kill me when she finds out I got to meet you before her.”

  Dad and Mom had no clue that I was seeing anyone until they got word that she had almost died. To say they were shocked was an understatement.

  Mom had tried to sneak back home without Dad knowing, but he had caught her red-handed with her credit card before she could buy the plane ticket.

  “It’s nice to meet you Mr. Rigid.” Reva shook his hand firmly and smiled wide.

  “Just Rigid, darlin’,” Dad chuckled. “Come on in. King just finished grilling the steaks.”

  “Mmm,” Reva hummed. “I love steak.”

  Dad opened the door and motioned for her to go ahead of him. “Then you’re in luck.”

  Greta called Reva’s name as soon as we walked in. “He let you out of the house,” she joked.

  I was still a little pissed at Greta for bringing me that ridiculous shirt to wear at the hospital. I had gotten more than a few looks from the nurses and doctors when they came in to check on Reva. Payback was going to be a bitch, for Greta.

  “Under conditions,” Reva giggled.

  Greta grabbed Reva’s free hand. “I’m stealing your girl. Go do cluby things.” Greta pulled her away, but I tugged back.

  “Hero,” Reva whined.

  “I need a kiss before you go hauling off with cocoa puffs here.”

  Greta scoffed. “Slightly offended but that’s also my favorite cereal so I’ll let it slide.”

  Reva leaned up in her tiptoes. “Have fun doing cluby things.” She pressed a quick kiss to my lips and headed off into the crowded clubhouse.

  “How the hell did you manage to get that girl to fall in love with you?” Dad folded his arms over his chest.

  I had no fucking clue how I had done it, but I knew I was a lucky fuck. “Must be that Scott charm.”

  Dad put his arm across my shoulder and pulled me close. “No, it’s that heart of gold your mother gave you.”

  “Blue mohawk and a poet,” I laughed. “Now I see why Mom fell for you.”

  Dad scoffed. “I still think she’s blind as hell, but I’m not going to be the one to tell her that.”

  We made our way over to the bar, and I glimpsed Reva on the couch with Greta and Luna. Indiana was also sitting with them.

  I grabbed a beer and handed one to Dad.

  He eyed me closely. “Any other words of wisdom you need from me?”

  “Any advice you got on how to get that gavel will be appreciated.” I had Reva, now I needed the gavel.

  “Stay on the path you’re on and everything will fall into place, son. Actions speak louder than words.”

  King slid up next to me. “And maybe washing my bike would help, too.” He grabbed my unopened beer from me and popped the top. “And your beer.”

  Dad laughed and clinked his beer with King’s. They were best friends who had been through a hell of a lot. The type of friendship they had was the example that set the bar high for the club.

  Loyalty through thick and thin.

  Now I wanted to carry on that tradition.

  “Also just do what we talked about kid, and you’ll be
good.” King handed back the opened beer he hadn’t drank from. “That torch will be yours in no time.”

  *

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Reva

  “Where did Indiana go?” Greta asked.

  “Smoke,” Luna answered. “That girl has been smoking like a chimney the past couple of days.”

  Greta scoffed. “Can you really blame her?”

  Luna shrugged. “No, but it just seems like there are other things bothering her besides the obvious.”

  “I like her,” I blurted. “I mean, she’s super quiet, but I think she’s pretty cool.”

  “You’re just amazed at the shit she can do on the pole,” Luna laughed. “I heard you gushing to her about that crazy move she does where she basically free falls and then her thighs of steel stop her.”

  Yeah, that was a pretty amazing move. I could barely do five pushups. The thought of flipping and spinning around the pole seemed impossible and death defying.

  Greta wiped her hands on her pants and dropped her empty plate on the table behind us. “So, when are we going to do our girls night since the first one didn’t happen?”

  “You mean because my lunatic neighbor tried to jump into the afterlife with me?” I laughed.

  Luna pointed her finger at me. “Bingo.”

  “Well, I think it’s going to be a little bit seeing as I had to literally rip you away from Hero and he hasn’t really taken his eye off you.” Greta pointed across the clubhouse where Hero was talking with his dad and some other guy.

  “You think King is handing over the keys to the kingdom?” Luna asked.

  King handed Hero a beer, and I tipped my head to the side. “That has to be a good sign, right? He gave him a beer.”

  “Girl,” Greta laughed, “who the hell knows. Sometimes it’s nice not knowing what the hell is going on.”

  Luna grunted. “You haven’t known what was going on the past four years. You’ve had your head stuck in a book trying to get your ass out of Rockton.”

  Greta shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m thinking maybe I don’t want out of Rockton anymore.”

  “What?” Luna gasped.

  A huge smile spread across Greta’s lips. “I might have gotten an offer from Preston Clinic to be their new vet tech. And, I might have accepted it with the understanding that when a vet spot opens up, it’s all mine.”

  Luna hooted and jumped up from her chair. “This calls for a celebration!” She headed to the bar with a skip in her step. Luna may come off as a bitch to most of the world, but if you took the time to get to know her, she was only partly bitch.

  “That’s awesome!” I gushed. Preston Clinic was two towns over and was one of the best vets within a six county radius.

  “What are we celebrating?” Hero asked.

  I twisted around and was surprised to see him standing behind me. “Greta got a job at Preston Clinic.”

  “Sticking around, huh?” he asked Greta.

  Greta winked and clicked her tongue. “Only because I like being your personal shopper, Hero.”

  Hero growled. “Just remember payback is a bitch.”

  Greta flipped him off and popped up from the couch. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go celebrate the fact that I’ll be around to torment you more, Hero. Tootles.” Greta strutted over to the bar where Luna had gone in search of shots.

  Hero hopped over the back of the couch and draped his arm over my shoulders. “You good?”

  I reached up and ran my fingers over the slight stubble on his chin. “Never better.” I sighed, and my eyes connected with his. “Wanna know why?”

  He pressed a kiss to my fingertips. “Tell me, Sunshine.”

  “Because it’s you and me, Hero.”

  “You and me, Sunshine. Always.”

  *

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Indiana

  It was too busy.

  People everywhere.

  I sighed and inhaled deep on the cigarette in my mouth. The nicotine coursed through my system, and I finally relaxed. I liked the comradery from the girls, but damn if I just wanted to be alone sometimes.

  The cement slab out the back door of the clubhouse had become a private place to go and clear my mind for a few minutes while I killed my lungs.

  Don’t even get me started on Frost constantly being close to me. The guy hardly spoke to me unless he wanted information about Tanya or Bunny, but he was always close. I didn’t know what to do with him.

  I didn’t know what to do with any guy, but Frost seemed different than the creeps and drunks who loved to watch me dance. It was like he saw past the glitter, makeup, and boob tassels.

  A branch cracked behind me, and I whirled around, ready to karate chop whatever animal was creeping in the small wooded patch of trees. An owl hooted, but there wasn’t anything there I could see.

  “Way to freak yourself out, Indy,” I grunted.

  A strong arm snaked around my waist, pulled me back against a hard body, and a hand covered my mouth. My blood ran cold, and I froze.

  “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  *

  Coming Soon

  Midnight Wreckage

  Kings of Vengeance MC

  Book 4

  July 29th

  Ride the Wind

  Devil’s Knights 2nd Gen

  Book 2

  September 29th

  About the Author

  Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Winter Travers is a devoted wife, mother, and aunt turned author who was born and raised in Wisconsin. After a brief stint in South Carolina following her heart to chase the man who is now her hubby, they retreated back up North to the changing seasons, and to the place they now call home.

  Winter spends her days writing happily ever-afters, and her nights being a karate mom hauling her son to practices and tournaments.. She also has an addiction to anything MC related, puppies, and baking.

  Winter loves to stay connected with her readers. Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact her.

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  Dive into the first chapter of Nickel!

  Nickel

  Fallen Lords MC

  Book 1

  Chapter 1

  Karmen

  I couldn’t find a box big enough to fit him in.

  Well, that makes me sound like a murderer or something. Nickel, the man in question, is still very much alive, I assure you. I should probably go back a little bit and explain.

  My father went to prison when I was thirteen, and I can’t remember my mother. She left before I could even have a memory of her. He always told me we were better off without her. Things were rough for us, but we always had each other. Well, I had my dad. My dad had me and beer. I can’t remember a time I didn’t smell hops on his breath.

  I went to my first day of preschool and asked the teacher why her breath didn’t smell like my dad. That ended up with my dad in the principal’s office for an hour and me crying the whole way home while my dad yelled at me. That was the last time I ever mentioned my dad’s drinking to anyone. I was a fast learner and caught on quick. One mess up, and I never made the same mistake again.

  The night my dad went to prison, I was at home, like normal, while he was out at the bar three miles down the road. He regularly walked to the bar and stumbled home, but that night, there was a severe storm predicted to blow in, so he decided he would take the truck. That decision changed my life and made me see everything in a whole new light.

  I was sprawled out on the living room floor, watching TV, when there was a loud pounding on the front door, and I figured it was my dad. It was normal for him to forget his keys and bang to get inside.

  I opened the door to two police officers, with my grandma, Vivian, standing behind them. I only saw my grandma at Christmas. I knew the second I laid eyes on her, some
thing was not right.

  It seemed my father had decided to call it a night after drinking almost a twenty-four pack of beer and tried to drive home. In that three-mile drive to the house that had no turns or curves on it, my father had managed to hit a soccer mom in her minivan with her three children in the back. Only one child survived.

  The police told me I had to go with my grandma until they figured something out. Meanwhile, she stood behind them, arms crossed over her chest, tapping her foot impatiently. After they were done, my grandma barged between the two police officers and started firing off orders about packing a bag and getting all my stuff ready to go. We weren’t going to stay in the “hell hole” anymore.

  While I was packing up my things, completely in shock, I heard my grandma down the hall, bitching and moaning about having to take care of me. I knew then and there that things were never going to be the same.

  After she hauled me over to her trailer—that was not much better than the “hell hole” I used to live in—I begged to see my dad. Every day, she told me, and I quote, “I couldn’t see the bastard yet.”

  Two weeks after I went to live with Vivian—she hated when I called her Grandma—I finally got to see my dad. After I was searched, I was led to a room with a glass wall and partitions separating small stools that faced the window. I was told to sit on the stool furthest to the left and wait. Vivian sat in the corner, pissed off that the guards said she had to be in there with me, even though I honestly didn’t want her there.

  It had taken ten minutes before my father walked through the door. He looked the same as the last time I had seen him, except for the orange jumpsuit he was wearing. He sat down on the other side of the glass and picked up the phone. He motioned his hand for me to do the same. I put the receiver to my ear and held my breath.

  “Hey, baby.” He always called me baby. I couldn’t remember him ever using my real name unless he was serious, and serious didn’t often happen with my dad.