“Best goddamned man I ever met,” Gunny shot back firmly and lifted his chin, resting it on the crown of Sharon’s head as he clipped off another word. “Truth.”
Sharon smiled, then that spread to a grin, and after a dramatic pause, she made both men laugh loud and long when she muttered, “Hashtag fact.”
***
Mason
Sitting stock-still, he listened to the silence from the other end of the phone call for another moment, then annoyed at being put in this position at all, restated his demand, forcing out between clenched teeth, “You get me?”
“Oh, I get what you think you can fuckin’ feed me, but what you gotta know is you don’t have a fuckin’ thing to do with any fuckin’ thing in my club. But I get what you’re sayin’, that much I do get.” The words were bitter and clipped, driven from a man who ran a dominant club managing a dozen relationships every day, and now angry at being made to concede anything. There was a long pause that Mason allowed to linger, then he heard a grudging, “Brother.”
“Just sayin’, he’s been not just an asset, but a friend. I’ve got brothers, and we both know how that is under the patch. And then I’ve got brothers”—he placed subtle emphasis on the word—“and you feel that, too. I know you do.” Mason leaned back in his chair, staring at the pictures Willa had on his office walls. He’d made certain to be at home for this call, not that Twisted knew that fact, but in Mason’s mind, it meant his ask was personal. “He’s solid, break his back for the ones who matter, and that means every fuckin’ brother under the patch. Man’s got a handful of friends, and he needs them. Give him that, Twisted. Give him that there, keep him solid—and that marker you think I hold over you, that shit is gone.”
Predictably argumentative, Twisted shot back, “Ain’t wipin’ a marker to take a man on who’s worth it.”
Jesus. This man couldn’t take a gift if it was thrust into his hands. Mason schooled himself to patience, holding to the knowledge Twisted ran a tight club with little attrition, meaning his men came and stayed, lifers. “And I told you I wasn’t holdin’ a marker for ridin’ alongside you when it was my goddamned sister needed rescue.” Mason snorted, the remembered argument that night memorable, now legend in the bayous. “Not that you fuckin’ listened to me then, either.”
“She was taken from my clubhouse, brother. Under my watch, out from under my men, drugged and hauled out, stranded in the middle of the fuckin’ woods. That’s worth more than a marker, but I was pleased that’s all you took.”
“Sh—”
“And yeah,” Twisted barreled on, “I get that you didn’t want even that, but you gotta give me it, man. My clubhouse, my men, my watch. Penance, man. That shit calls for blood, and you know it.”
He was right, something Mason found hard to acknowledge. Silence again stood between them until Mason finally gritted out a noncommittal, “Fucker.”
“Ayeap.” It was Twisted’s turn to snort a laugh. “You talk to her lately?” Mason made a vague noise, and Twisted kept talking. “She’s a fuckin’ nut, man. Hooked too damn tight to Wildman, she’s here every goddamned weekend. That pair done broke two goddamned beds. I finally told the man to get his own place, because we didn’t wanna hear that shit every goddamned weekend.”
Gut slowly rolling, Mason groaned. “Fuck, man. I do not need to know my sister’s gettin’ her freak on.” It was quiet for a moment, then he asked softly, “She’s good, though? When you see her? Jussy’s good?”
“Yeah, she’s good.” Mason could hear the humor in Twisted’s gentle voice and smiled at that evidence of truth. “Won’t be long and she’ll be relocating, too. My ask is that she not bring an echo of the feds with her when she comes. Wanna know what she said to that?”
“I bet it wasn’t what you expected.”
“Nawp, it wasn’t. She told me the feds would be so glad to get shut of her, they’d offered her a buyout of her house. I don’t think she’ll be missin’ them much, either. Asked her what she’d be doin’ for a job, and get this, the woman’s thinkin’ of openin’ up as a PI. Can you imagine that shit?”
“She’d be good at it.” Mason shook his head. “Wildman’s got his hands full with her, that’s certain.”
“No shit, Sherlock.” Twisted laughed outright, and Mason grinned at the sound. “No shit.”
Time to wind this up. “Alright, back to Jock. You got him, right? Nothing’s gonna go sideways at the last minute?”
“I got him, brother. He’s mine to sponsor, don’t matter what Wildman wants or says, and I’m IMC so that shit’s locked down tight.” There was a sound in the background, and Twisted grunted, then muttered, “Fuckin’ shit. Gonna hafta let you go, man. I got Ace in my house, and he’s lookin’ POed.”
“Good talk, brother.” Mason didn’t wait for Twisted’s response, ending the call.
He stared up at the pictures for a moment longer, then shouted, “Willa, when’s supper, woman?”
Faintly through the door, he heard his loving wife’s response and couldn’t have stopped his laughter if he’d tried.
“Bite me, big man.”
Rebels and IMC
Jock
Gunny pressed a knife into his hand. “Do it how you want, but be respectful.” He and Jock stood in front of the entire Fort Wayne membership, the room quiet but for random sounds of shuffling boots or a cough. “Respect the patch.”
“Always have,” Jock told him, voice coming out rough as he swept the faces around him with his gaze. “And always will.”
It took about four minutes to clip through the multitude of threads holding his hard-earned center and two rockers to the leather. He didn’t do a neat job, didn’t try to pull the ends through or smooth over the holes and hide them. He wanted them to know this mattered, and to know that he’d be thinking of this act every time he put the vest on for a long time.
Patches stacked on the bar top, he folded the blade back into the handle before returning it to Gunny.
His friend had been mutely supportive throughout, first standing at his back when he talked to the officers, then standing at his back when approached by irate members, and still standing at his back now, as Jock performed one of his final acts as a Rebel Wayfarer member.
“Still plannin’ on leavin’ in the mornin’?” Gunny laid a hand on Jock’s shoulder, fingers digging deep. “You’re sleeping at my place tonight. Don’t even think about arguin’. Cade, Kitten, and Josh all need their Uncle Jock time before you go.” He rattled Jock’s bones. “Give Sharon a minute with Tankster, brother. Goodness all around.”
Unable to speak, Jock nodded, because he wanted that, too.
“They don’t do right by you, you call me.” Gunny’s voice had turned rough, shot through with pain. “I’ll kick their asses.”
Jock nodded again, knowing that call would never be made. Silly made any cost worth it, and he was locked in to the decisions made. Still, the constant refrain in his head these past days had been one of disbelief. Leaving the Rebels felt disloyal on so many levels, even going with the multitude of blessings from officers, brothers, and friends. He thought of Silly, the flash of her smile, the hope in her eyes the last time he’d seen her. Not disloyal. He swallowed hard. Because of what they did for me, what they are to me, I’ll always be a Rebel.
He needed to give Gunny something, had been holding it for a while, and decided he’d never have a better opportunity than this. “You saved me, you know.” Gunny stilled, and silence grew in a circle around them as men’s conversations fell away. “All of you. You saved me. Took me into the fold as if I’d always been here. Gave me something to hold to every day, believed in me, offered me a goal to work towards when I needed it most. If you, any of you, ever have a need, you call me.” Gunny’s heavy hand clutching at his shoulder was all the response he needed.
Four days later he pulled up at the small house Silly had rented with an option to buy. He’d seen pictures, taken a video tour with her, but in person the place wa
s even more gorgeous than he’d expected. The sprawling acre of grass around it would be a bitch to mow, but it had room for Tank to romp as much as the old boy could romp. The house had three bedrooms, and he hadn’t said anything to Silly about it, but he was already planning a nursery in his head. No man and woman couple alive needed three bedrooms, unless it was to grow their couplehood into a family.
She burst from the front door as he was climbing out of the pickup, leaving his door hanging open behind him so the dog could follow him down. This meant he had time to round the front of the truck and catch Silly as she threw herself at him, arms around his neck, legs around his waist. He cradled her round ass in one hand as he met her mouth with his, overwhelmed by a feeling he hadn’t had in a while. I’m home.
***
Jock stood in the clubhouse of the Incoherent MC’s Hammond chapter, watching as a sea of upraised thumbs guaranteed him a brotherhood.
True to his word, after a lengthy argument with Twisted, Wildman was his sponsor, a relationship they’d have for life, even after Wildman’s responsibilities ran out in six months. Arm stretched up and around his shoulder, Wildman pulled him to the center of the bar and pushed and pulled until Jock was positioned where he wanted with the IMC flag on display behind them. “Take a picture,” Wildman called out as the outside door opened, sunlight following the women flooding in from outside, given the word that business was done.
Silly stood directly behind a woman, and once he pulled his gaze off his ole lady, he focused in on her. Dark hair, grey eyes, wide, firm jaw. She was the female version of Mason, and had to be Justine. She lifted her phone, gave Wildman a wink, and snapped off several pictures. “Got it, baby,” she called, and Jock startled, because even her voice held echoes of Mason’s.
“That, my friend,” Wildman muttered, “is my woman.”
Jock held out his other arm and watched Silly head his way, gold glints from her brows and ears, color on her bare neck and shoulders, and color in her hair, held back today with a bandana that proudly proclaimed her an IMC supporter.
“And that, my friend,” he returned, “is mine.”
~ ~ Fini ~ ~
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING
Going Down Easy!
I truly hope you enjoyed this crossover story tying things together even tighter between the Rebel Wayfarers MC and the Neither This Nor That MC sagas. Thanks for takin’ this trip along with me.
~ML
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Raised in the south, Wall Street Journal & USA TODAY bestselling author MariaLisa learned about the magic of books at an early age. Every summer, she would spend hours in the local library, devouring books of every genre. Self-described as a book-a-holic, she says "I've always loved to read, but then I discovered writing, and found I adored that, too. For reading...if nothing else is available, I've been known to read the back of the cereal box."
Want sneak peeks into what she’s working on, or to chat with other readers about her books? Join the Facebook group! bit.ly/deMora-FB-group
deMora’s got a spam-free newsletter list she’d love to have you join, too: bit.ly/mldemora-newsletter
~~~~~
My Rebel Wayfarers MC and the Neither This Nor That MC series do cross over, along with the Occupy Yourself band books, so readers have a couple of choices. The series can be read independently beginning with RWMC, OYBS, and then NTNT without too many spoilers. There’s also a crossover between my RWMC world and Lila Rose’s Hawks MC world. Or they can be read intertwined—in chronological order.
Here’s the recommended reading order if you want to follow according to timing:
Mica, RWMC #1
A Sweet & Merry Christmas, RWMC #1.5
Slate, RWMC #2
Bear, RWMC #3
Born Into Trouble, OYBS #1
Jase, RWMC #4
Gunny, RWMC #5
Mason, RWMC #6
Hoss, RWMC #7
This Is the Route of Twisted Pain, NTNT #1
Harddrive Holidays, RWMC #7.5
Duck, RWMC #8
Biker Chick Campout, RWMC #8.5
Watcher, RWMC #9
Treading the Traitor’s Path: Out Bad, NTNT #2
Living Without, Lila Rose’s Hawks MC: Caroline Springs #4
Shelter My Heart, NTNT #3
A Kiss to Keep You, RWMC #9.25
Gun Totin’ Annie, RWMC #9.5
Secret Santa, RWMC #9.75
Trapped by Fate on Reckless Roads, NTNT #4
Bones, RWMC #10
Gunny’s Pups, RWMC #10.25
Not Even A Mouse, RWMC #10.75
Road Runner’s Ride, RWMC #12.5
Never Settle, RWMC #10.5
Fury, RWMC #11
Christmas Doings, RWMC #11.25
Gypsy’s Lady, RWMC #11.5
Thunderstruck, NTNT #5
Going Down Easy
No Man’s Land
Cassie, RWMC #12
~~~~~
Also by MariaLisa deMora
Neither This Nor That MC romance series
Legends are born from moments like these. Folktales spun around a single point in time so perfect, you can almost hear the click resonating through the universe as things align. Meet Twisted, Po’Boy, Retro, and Ragman, good old boys from southern states who have many things in common. First, is a bone-deep love of the biker lifestyle. Second, would be their love of the brotherhood, and knowing that you trust the man at your back. Finally, these men have the love of a good woman. None of these come without a price, and it is our pleasure to journey along with them as they discover the blessings that can be won, and lost along the way.
This is the Route of Twisted Pain
Treading the Traitor’s Path: Out Bad
Shelter My Heart
Trapped by Fate on Reckless Roads
Thunderstruck
5-Star Reviews for the stories of the NTNT MC series
This is the Route of Twisted Pain
"This is the Route of Twisted Pain is an exhilarating, gripping romance novel contrived of incredible world building, complex yet relatable characters, and a unique, captivating plot.
Gifted storyteller MariaLisa deMora beautifully balances exciting suspense, fast action, intriguing secrets with delicious, blazing hot romance scenes.
Readers will be up all night with this riveting page-turner."
~ NY Literary Magazine
I am completely tickled in my fancy for TWISTED!
First off, let me state that there was one thing I didn't like about this book and that is the LAST PAGE! I hated for it to end. I dearly loved this book and its characters as well as their setting.
~Colleen M.
Gripping tale
Twisted and Penny fit together beautifully. The book covers so much more than just their love story. Great introduction to the Incoherent MC. The tale is gripping and gritty. The journey is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down. Cannot wait for the next one.
~Lillmil
Twisted is one of the most original and interesting characters I have read in a long time. Marialisa's character building is setting a high bar for her to follow, she will hopefully continue with Po'Boy's story. The Route of Twisted Pain was pure brilliance, and I highly recommend this read.
~Penny T.
This book obsessed me!
This may be the best book I read all year.
These people...they're not characters, they're real... have stuck in my head from the day I met them.
MariaLisa deMora can throw words down that'll Twist (hehe) your insides up till you can't breathe for waiting to hear what's next!
I'm working my way through her other 'families' and yup....she really is that good.
~DeLane
Treading the Traitor’s Path: Out Bad
"Treading the Traitor's Path: Out Bad is a solidly engrossing, well-written novel by a talented author.
MariaLisa deMora delivers a thrilling ride fill
ed with exciting suspense, deliciously explicit, vivid sex scenes, and gritty, fast-paced action. Her characters are smart, complex, and strong with sharp edges. The settings meticulously detailed.
Fans of Motorcycle Club romance stories will not want to miss this second installment in deMora's exciting series."
~ NY Literary Magazine
What an amazing read! DeMora does not simply wrote a book, she pulls you into a different world. When you read her work, you are very much surrounded by the characters and setting. Prepare for a book hangover because once you finish the book, you will still be stuck with Po Boy.
~KW
THIS WAS AMAZING. Highly recommend for a good story line, interesting characters. I just wish there was more more more.
~Laura
Loved This Book!
What did I just read?! Is my kindle still working? I'm pretty sure it combusted into flames while reading this story. RED HOT READ for 2017. Not what I was expecting at all! I tend to stay away from ménage a trois, because for me it's hard to say there's any kind of conflict except for jealousy, and the ending kind of leaves things unresolved and unrealistic. NOT THIS BOOK! The best one out there guaranteed.
~Linda A
...seriously this series is just WTF so freaking good. Dark, Twisted, harsh, painful and raw. Po'Boy lives for his club, his brothers and his family, there is nothing he wouldn't do for them.
~Fay
I live and breathe for books like this! Fabulously Naughty!...Wickedly Hot! This is my first book by MariaLisa deMora and it will not be my last. MariaLisa delivered a 5 STAR READ! The plot is filled with action, suspense, romance and tons of hot scenes.
~Jenny F
~~~~~
Alace Sweets, a dark romantic suspense standalone
A dark thriller, this book is not a light read. Filled with edge-of-your-seat suspense, this intense story commands the reader's attention as it drives towards the explosive ending. Alace Sweets is a vigilante serial killer, with everything that implies and is sure to trip all your triggers. Be ready.
Going Down Easy: A Rebel Wayfarers MC & Incoherent MC Crossover Novel Page 11
