Creed: Ruthless Bastards (RBMC Book 5)

by Chelsea Handcock

  Tessa didn’t like it when Caine tried to insinuate Creed wasn’t good at his job. As far as she was concerned, he was too damn good because she hadn’t had a fucking clue.

  All this other stuff was beyond her, and they could figure it out on their own once she was out of the room. She needed to make a plan, but first, she needed all the details. Tessa cleared her throat. When that didn’t get anyone’s attention, she put her fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly, finally, getting their attention.

  “I don’t want to hear about your current missions or operations, any of them. Get back to me being a problem. I want to know how the fuck me working in a bar to pay for his fucking house payment,” Tessa said pointing at Caine, “got me labeled as property.”

  “I guess it’s true what they say,” Tuck sneered at her, “a tiger never changes its stripes. You’re still just as selfish as ever.”

  Tessa had enough, flipping Tuck off, she walked out of the room. “Fuck you, Tuck! I guess what they say about once a bad penny always a bad penny.”

  Tessa almost turned around when she heard a new voice say, “Damn I knew you guys would fuck this up.” But she knew Maria would be talking to her soon enough. At least someone had her back.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Creed’s head was reeling over everything that had happened and he’d heard over the last however many minutes. Fuck, had it even been minutes, it felt like a lifetime? Everything he believed and thought was wrong. Tessa wasn’t who he thought she was, and if his situation could get any worse, she was the sister of not one but two Presidents of MCs. Two highly ranked and notorious MCs and another lethal one wanted her ass, and he’d been sitting here playing house like she was the sweet little girl who couldn’t handle his life. That was the biggest revelation. Not only was she fully aware of his world, she was smack dab in the middle of it.

  He’d thought that her problems had to do with an absentee loser brother and money, now he knew better. Then there was his aunt, playing detective and fucking his life even further. He’d been right there in Hazard and hadn’t put the piece together, so absorbed in Tess’ pussy and Shake and Sherry, he hadn’t seen anything else. Had been so fucking stupid, and he knew he was going to pay the price. His normally loud and proud aunt had been quiet this entire time, just sitting there, not looking at him, and he knew what Caine and Tuck had said was true. Kim had been working with the FBI and saying things about him. Shit, that didn’t sit right at all.

  His mind kept on circling back to Tess. She’d been claimed by the Vultures, more specifically the Enforcer for the Mother Chapter of the Vultures, Grinder. Add in the fact that Caine Masters, Tuck, and Tessa were apparently siblings. He’d been fucking Tuck’s sister for months. It was a mind fuck of epic proportions; she should have said something about any of it. This shit was real. Not petty money problems or crap that could be fixed by throwing some cash at it or dealing with a loser brother who wasn’t around. Creed had planned on finding out who Tess’ brother was and kicking his ass. Now, it looked like he would be the one getting his ass kicked by Caine and Tuck. Son of a bitch. This shit could get them all killed, and he could relate to why Tuck was so fucking pissed off. He was, too.

  But damn, he’d never seen Tuck the way he had been with Tess and vice versa. Tess had never once acted like she had when Tuck walked into the room. He had wanted to go to her comfort her, stand by her side, but he was torn. His loyalty was to the RBMC and Tuck, and from the sounds of it, he was in enough shit. He didn’t want to push it or deal with any of it. Tonight, had started out with good intentions and turned into a total cluster fuck. He should have known better.

  Creed leaned back on the couch and listened to the arguing that was going on around him. Cinny had erupted into the room and basically, called Tuck and Caine out as shit brothers. If he weren’t so pissed right now, he would have applauded her. It was apparent they didn’t have a clue who Tess was at all. Fuck, neither did he. Creed paid attention, waiting for his turn to feel Cin’s wrath because he knew it was coming. He had screwed up even bigger than Tuck and Caine. They hurt her, but he was afraid he might of have changed her.

  “I knew you two would fuck this up. Damn, you don’ t know that woman at all because, for some fucked up reason, you blame her for your parents dying. Well, get the hell over it, she was all of eight years old. I’m sick of playing this game between the three of you. You never listen. I have tried to tell you about her for years, but you don’t even want to hear her name unless it’s to bitch about her. She’s the furthest thing from spoiled and selfish as a person can be. Do you have any idea what your aunt did to her for all those years? Do you even fucking care?” Cinny screamed.

  “I don’t want to hear it, Cin, that girl needs to grow the hell up. The shit she has started means war. Do you understand that?”

  “Oh my God, you’re standing there saying she needs to grow up. What the hell, Tuck, you’re already at war with the Vultures. Tess didn’t start any of that, and I can guarantee she didn’t ask for Grinder’s attention. I’m surprised she let Creed into her life after how fucked up you two have made her. She doesn’t trust people, sticks to herself, always. I’m sick and tired of letting you dismiss her. That girl,” Cinny said, pointing toward the back hall, “has worked her ass off to make something of herself with no one’s help. “You!” Cinny said pointing to Caine, “came in here and offered her the one thing she’s wanted back since your parents died, and in typical Caine style, you ghosted on her ass. I can tell you both one thing, Tess would never do anything to cause either of you any problems. She might hate both or you, right now, but she is loyal to you even if you haven’t ever shown her one ounce of loyalty.”

  “Loyal, “Caine said throwing up his hands, “if she were fucking loyal she wouldn’t have been working at the damn Shack. Our biggest enemies bar. Fuck, Cin, you’re just as naïve as Tessa is.”

  “You of all people don’t want to have a conversation with me about loyalty Caine Masters, and you fucking know better,” Cin said, glaring at Caine. “Tessa isn’t anything like what you two are trying to say.”

  Creed butted in, figuring what the hell, he was still pissed and it was time for Tuc to hear some truth.

  “She was working there because you left her with the note for this place, and she couldn’t afford the cost of keeping this house going. She didn’t have enough money, she didn’t give me the details, but she got fired three months ago. She only works part-time at the diner in Harold right now. I’ve been paying the bills since I started staying with her,” Creed said.

  “Fucking hell,” Caine threw up his hands, “are you all stupid? I bought this place with cash. All the bills are paid electronically. Tessa didn’t need to do shit but live here until she got done with school. I even paid her last semester before I left. I don’t know what the hell is going on or where she got the idea that she had to pay for anything, but this place has been covered from the start. It’s a fucking Renegade safe house.”

  Creed got up and walked over to the table by the door, grabbing the stack of mail that was always sitting there, marked with late payment, final notice, and all that shit and threw it in Caine’s face.

  “Well, then why don’t you explain this shit, fucker. I’ve paid some of that crap myself. She gets calls all day and all night about your debts. I had to block calls, so she could concentrate on school and shit.”

  Much to Creed’s surprise, Caine actually bent down and started picking up the bills, but didn’t say anything, just shifted through them. But Tuck and Cinny weren’t done with any of them yet, and Creed knew that when she finally got to him, the words she said were going to burn.

  “Who the hell are you kidding, Cin?” Tuck bellowed. “That girl isn’t loyal to anyone but herself. She takes not gives, Carol said.”

  Creed had enough. He was close enough to Tuck, so he clocked the bastard. But like the brick house of a man he was, only his head moved back. Creed braced himself for the man’s hit, but it
never came because Cinny got in the middle of them and started yelling in Tuck’s face. The chick had balls Creed had to admire.

  “That’s your fucking problem right there. Carol hasn’t had contact with Tessa since she was fourteen years old when she kicked her ass out of her house because she wanted to bag some rich man, and he didn’t want any children around. She lived with me, asshole. I raised your sister, not that holier than though bible thumper. Me. Do you understand now?”

  “That’s bullshit, Cin. I get weekly updates from Carol, and you know it. Why the fuck are you lying about this shit now? Come to think of it, why the fuck are you here in the first place?”

  Caine put the papers he’d been looking at down at his side.

  “Tuck, she isn’t lying,” Caine said, interrupting Cin and Tuck. “Tess hasn’t seen or talked to Carol in years, and Cin did raise her. Even I knew that. Why you’re still in the dark is a mystery, man. We’ve even talked about how much of a bitch Carol is, but you were still taking her calls, believing her shit. I bet my last bike you’ve even been sending that cunt money.”

  Tuck glared, but Caine kept on going, “Damn, our family is totally fucked. I thought Tessa was exaggerating or being dramatic when she said the two of you haven’t talked in years. You’re always bitching about her, saying she did this or that. Fuck I even believed them until I came back to town and actually talked to her. But shit, man, this stuff,” Caine held up the papers he was holding up, “is fucked up. All my bills are paid, and these fuckers look like the real thing, only someone has been trying to drown our sister in debt, keeping her off balance, and I, for one, want to know who the fuck it is and why.”

  Why the fuck am I just finding out about this shit now?” Tuck yelled, looking between Caine and Cinny. “Tessa is my responsibility!”

  “Damn, dude, you are fucking clueless. You’re looking at Cin and me like we kept shit from you. We just explained it, and you’re still blocking that shit out. You don’t want to hear the fucking truth, you never have. We told you or tried to, and you didn’t want to hear any of it. What the fuck man? Get your head out of the fucking past because you still don’t want to deal with it. You have enough shit going on right now with the here and now. Your fucking Club is a mess, and all your shit is traveling downhill, hitting us all.”

  Quick as lightning Tuck was across the room and had Caine by his cut. Pulling him forward until they were chest to chest.

  “Watch what you say, little brother, I can still kick your ass and those patches don’t mean shit to me, you got it? I want to know EVERYTHING.” Tuck pushed Caine back and started to walk away when Caine delivered a little of his own retribution, barreling into him from behind, grabbing Tuck's waist and taking him to the floor, straddling him and landing several punches. Creed was off the couch quick as shit, separating the two men.

  “Fuck you, Tucker, you know what I’m saying is true. If your shit were tight, none of this would be happening, your boy going off the reservation, doing his own thing, putting our sister in danger.”

  Creed let go of Tuck and hit Caine.

  “I’m going to say this one more time, so there’s no mistake. I didn’t go off the fucking reservation! And if I was told,” he said glaring at Tuck, “about what was going on with Tess or even saw a hint of the trouble she was in, I would have gotten her the fuck out of here.”

  “Yeah,” Caine said spitting blood out of his mouth, “then explain the shit with your aunt. If you’re so good at your job, how did you miss that, asshole?”

  Creed had to admit that part was on him. Shit, how could he have been so blind?

  Caine wasn’t done with the truths, pointing at Tuck; Creed had to agree with what he was saying.

  “Aren’t your boys supposed to watch for this shit? You didn’t even call my ass until two days ago to tell me what was going on and let me handle it. No, you let the problems mount until it fucked all of us. Tessa doesn’t even know about our lives, your decision, and yet you’re blaming her for putting your ass in hot water. Who is the fucking asshole here, Tuck?

  “She knows about your lives,” Cinny said, “always has because I told her.”

  “Son of a bitch,” Caine yelled, pointing at Cinny, “that wasn’t your place. Her knowing this shit just made it worse.”

  “Screw you, Caine. She keeps her head down and works her ass off. That girl learned everything she could just in case one of you would want to have a relationship with her; she didn’t want something she’d done to risk any of you. From the sound of it, this shit with the house forced her hand. She didn’t want to let Caine down, but she also didn’t have anyone to turn to. That’s on both of you. I’m out of here; I’m going to talk to my sister because neither of you deserves her.”

  “Cinnamon, I can throw you out of my club. I’ve had just about enough of your mouth, right about now.”

  “Yeah, Tuck, you could, but we both know you won’t. I know too much, and that asshole has your hands tied,” Cin said using her middle fingers to indicate Caine, then turned to the man and asked, “Are you going to change my status?”

  Caine looked at Cinny and said, “Nope,” his stance defensive. Creed didn’t know the story between those two, but he bet from the looks they were throwing at each other and what he’d heard, it was long and deep. He wasn’t sure if he even wanted to know.

  Cinny left the room, leaving Creed with two pissed off Presidents and an aunt who was quiet as a church mouse. Fuck his life.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Tessa was throwing some stuff into a duffle bag when she heard the door open and that little creak in the floor. “I was wondering how long it would take you to come in here, what are my orders today, Maria?”

  “No orders and you need to stop calling me Maria. You know I go by Cinny or Cinnamon, now. Tessa, we’ve talked about that.” Tessa didn’t turn around, they had talked about it.

  “Yeah, we’ve talked, but you will always be Maria to me,” Tessa said, smiling over her shoulder at Ma... no, damn it, Cinny. “Sorry, I’ll try not to say your name in the future. Wouldn’t want to mess with your spicy reputation or with the lord and masters dictates.”

  “Wow, I get that you’re pissed, but damn girl, you’re giving those two way too much credit. What are you doing Tessa, talk to me?”

  “I’m getting my things together, Cin. I’m assuming Tuck and Caine think I need to leave, but you know what? I’m not going to. I have one more clinical rotation to get through before I can put school behind me and take my boards. That’s, it,” Tess said turning around and facing Cinny, holding up her finger. “One shift, Cin, and I am going to do it, I don’t care what they think. The Vultures and Grinder can kiss my ass, too. I’ve worked too damn hard to give up on this now. And you’re going to help me do it.”

  Cinny was just looking at Tessa, her back against the door, her arms crossed over her chest. Damn it was hard to think of her with that name. She had no idea why she’d changed it, but it bothered her, always had, and the name always felt wrong coming out of her mouth. Cin would always be Maria to her. The one person who was always there, the one person who didn’t feel obligated or forced to be around her. But right now, Tessa was going to use that for the first time to get what she needed. For once, she was going to be the person her brothers thought she was and be selfish.

  When Cin still didn’t say anything, just looked at her Tessa asked, “Well, you in, or do I need to figure things out for myself? You know I need to do this, so when those assholes out there decide I’m too much of a bother or try to find a convent or somewhere to put my ass, I have the ability to make a good life for myself.”

  “Depends,” Cin said.

  “Depends on what, Cinny? I’m not in the mood for games right now, that shit out there pretty much did me in. Tell me what you want or leave and let me figure it out for myself.”

  “Wow, when did you turn into such a bitch,” Cinny asked, and it made Tessa laugh just like Cinny knew it would.

 
“When you taught me how, Cinny, don’t you remember all those lessons? I was always a good student. Passed Bitch 101 with flying colors, you gave me an A plus. Don’t you remember?”

  “Yeah, I guess I did good, huh? Now tell me.”

  “Tell you what?” Tessa was still a step behind, apparently.

  “Tell me about you and Creed. By the looks of this room, it’s pretty hot between the two of you.”

  Tessa looked around the room. Yeah, what she had thought was a really special had turned into something horrible, but she knew what Cinny was seeing and her asking about Creed would be typical if she hadn’t just learned what she did. She knew what Cinny did with Tucks’ club, she was a Puppet. Basically, a woman who willingly serviced the boys of the RBMC sexually for protection. Tessa didn’t get it, but Cinny had said it was what she wanted. Deep down, Tessa thought it was a way for her to get back at Caine for all the running around he did. The one thing she could always count on with Cinny was she was always honest with her, and she hadn’t kept that part of her life away from Tessa. Now though, Tessa cringed with the thoughts bombarding her head, the weight of them causing her to sit down on the bed.

  “Oh, shit, please tell me you haven’t slept with Creed, that would be like my mother sleeping with my boyfriend,” Tessa said.

  Cinny laughed, came over to the bed, and sat down next to Tessa.

  “Nope never had the honor. Tried, but he turned me down flat. Creed doesn’t believe in sampling Club goods, he prefers his woman private and just for him.”

  Well, Tessa thought, that was a good thing because she didn’t know how she could deal with Creed boinking every available woman at her brother’s club. Not that it mattered now, anyway.

  Cinny was still just looking at her, and Tessa knew her well enough to answer. Cinny wouldn’t let it go until she gave her something.