Betting on Forever
Copyright c 2018 By Scarlett Black
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever, including but not limited to being stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, groups, businesses, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover Art by Covered Creatively
Model: NONE
Photographer: Please!
WARNING: This book contains sexual situations and VERY adult themes. Recommended for 18 and above.
Dedication
A great deal of time went into writing this book. Time that took away from my family. That is the most precious time of all. My man and lover, you really did support me while I obsessively worked hours to complete my very first book. It is amazing the feeling of accomplishment to have your support, even during the times you wanted to kill me the most, so thank you from your woman and mother to three very self-efficient kids.
To Dana, my best friend, this book in all honesty would not have happened if you didn’t encourage me to keep going. Thank you for always having my back even during my most incredibly insane moments. I feel this book is as much mine as it is yours.
#ForeverWild
Betting on Forever
Scarlett Black
Alessia DeRosa is a full of fire and ambition. When life throws her a curveball, her pride won’t allow room for failure. Betting on herself, Alessia cashes out of the life she was dealt, picks up the pieces of her shattered heart and moves on to a future unknown.
Blade Johnson was born into the Battle Born MC. He loves his club life, he loves his brotherhood, and that is all he needs or, so he believes.
When challenges arise, and he doesn’t know who he can trust. Loneliness starts creeping in. That’s until one fiery brunette catches his attention.
Unexpectedly, the two meet, sparking desire and life back into their hearts and dreams. He can’t stay away from the woman who warms his cold heart. She can’t help but to let the strong man tear down the walls around her heart.
Prologue
two years ago
Alessia DeRosa
Standing on the sidewalk in the dark, I can hear the sound of cars driving by, people talking, friends laughing. The aroma of food and the crisp spring air hits my nose. Me? I’m hiding my feelings from the people who pass me by. Hiding from the reality I’m about to face.
The spring air chills me to my bones when a gust picks up my long, brunette hair, whipping me in the face. A slap of reality to what I’m feeling. Nothing. Numb to the pain. The cold, dead part of my heart is shattering to the sidewalk when confronted with what my eyes are seeing.
Derrick, my husband, walks out of the restaurant with a woman. An even younger version of the woman I am not. Carefree, beautiful and so very soft. Laughing with her, hand in hand, I see a familiarity to their touch that only a lovers’ intimacy can reveal. Here I stand on the outside looking in on what I thought my life was. Seeing that the person who used to be my best friend is now someone I don’t know at all.
Grabbing the helmet from his Harley, he places it on her head, pecking her lips, swatting her on her tiny little ass. Swinging his leg over his bike while facing me, his eyes catch mine, and down the sidewalk we stare at each other.
Shock, maybe regret, shines in the eyes of the man I once knew. The woman follows him, throwing her leg over the bike, cuddling herself up behind him. She says something close to his ear, but Derrick doesn’t move or respond. Doesn’t turn his bike on. Nothing.
Taking one step back, then two, I bump into a man. Not hearing what he says, I turn and sprint back down the street. My heart pounds erratically to an uncontrollable rage and pain. The roar of his bike coming to life enrages me further.
Embrace the anger, push the pain away. Breathe in, breathe out. I keep the words streaming in a constant through my mind while I make it to my bike, kicking the bitch on and peeling out, willing my tires to punish the road. I roll side to side as my bike makes the sharp turns, tempting fate to take me, hurt me further. Daring the heavens to open up and swallow me whole on this road to hell.
My mind swirls of possibilities. Will he go to our shattered home looking for me? Does he even care? None of those things matter, not even one. Pulling into my Papa’s clubhouse, I park my bike in the far garage that no one uses. Covering the bike I love with an old ratty oil stained sheet, I pull out my phone and call the one only man I have completely trusted my entire life. My Papa.
“Papa, I’m in the storage garage, putting up my bike. I’m getting out of town. You have an untraceable car you can loan me for a couple of weeks?” Cold determination laces my voice.
“Si, Mija, I was correct? What you found, was it as I expected?” My Papa’s voice is so quiet, so others can’t hear, but the rage I hear in it is lethal.
“Si,” is all I say, all I want to say.
“Mija, tell no one, we never speak of this again. Right bay of the garage, use the car parked there. Leave your phone turned off in the desk drawer. Go to Dana’s house, park around the block. I’ll have a new car and phone for you in the morning. Answer to only me or your brother, si? Te amo.” The line goes dead.
∞ ∞ ∞
Dana is sitting across from me on the bed in the small bedroom of her apartment. My father’s advice is best, but Dana is my sister at heart. He has his club, I have my girls. Words of defeat show weakness. Never show others your cards.
Jenn walks into the room shutting the door behind her. Then, I finally fall apart, screaming the story off the top my lungs. Tearing my soul apart with each tear I shed over my husband, over the loss of my hopes and dreams. After the weakness is purged from my heart, I fall into a heap of recovery. Jenn and Dana never leave my side.
∞ ∞ ∞
Willing my swollen eyes to open, I take in my surroundings and the crushing yet again reality of my life. The hot water of the shower washes over me as I start to formulate my next plan. Staying here sure isn’t an option. Leaving my family and friends? I feel doubt creeping into my heart and thoughts.
My heart is stronger than this. I will not fall to his lying feet. I will not bow to the mercy of my pain. Fuck, no. I will fight for myself. Does this hurt? Absolutely, but a coward I will not be.
Quickly getting dressed, I make my way to the kitchen to find my girls. Dana sees my face and tilts her head in curiosity. I think she suspected she’d see me damaged today. Nope, we are on to damage control planning. Sitting at the table are my father, mother and brother. Surprised to see my mom, I hold strong, for her and for me. Giving her a hug, I sit at the table next to her and squeeze her hand. Tears well up in her eyes and she looks away.
“I have a plan. I’m not asking any of you to uproot any of your lives, but I will uproot mine.” Jenn looks at me with some kind of understanding. “I’m cashing out every single asset I have. I’m leaving California as soon as I can.” Mom and Dana gasp back a breath. It’s happening. There’s no other option.
Chapter 1
Present Day
Vegas
I throw on my black high-heel, peep toed pumps, my tight shredded camo pants and black loose tank. Tonight is going be a great night, I smile back at myself in the mirror while tracing my lips with scarlet red lipstick. I look forward to the second Friday of every month. Not only my period has passed, but it’s girls’ night at The Black Rose, and that means no dicks allo
wed, meaning no human with a dick is allowed into the bar. Well, except for the dicks we call in from Las Vegas to dance for my girls. It costs me quite a bit, I don’t make a whole lot on this night, but it keeps these girls happy here in Reno. Who am I to deny them all of this?
Grabbing my worn out, black leather jacket, I pull my long hair out. Heading toward the kitchen, I grab the keys to my black Tahoe and I’m ready. Except that I forgot Tugger. Placing two fingers into my mouth, I whistle loudly, “Hey, Tugg, let’s head out!”
Outside has that autumn chill in the air and I take a deep breath as I look around my yard at the yellowing leaves. I feel a peace in my soul that I haven’t felt in a long time. A piece of calm is warming my heart. A small piece of me is snapping back into place like a missing piece of a puzzle.
Tugger comes running up, excited and wagging his tail. I open my door and let him jump in the passenger seat. Once we’re both in, I rub his head. “How’s my man? Ready to watch these girls have fun? Let’s get to work.”
Tugger is one of my best friends and the only male who has stayed faithful to me. I picked him up off the road late one night, figured he must have gotten out from somewhere, he was so small and scared. That was two years ago, when we first moved to Reno. I never did find the rightful owner of this cute black lab mix, so I took that as him being meant to be mine.
We wind our way through the freeway and park around the back of the bar. Tugger always comes to work with me. He helps security by keeping the freaks out. If Tugg doesn’t like you, you’re gone.
Together, we hop out of the truck and head over to the back door. James, my head of security, is taking the last drag of his smoke, casually leaning with one leg kicked up on the wall next to the back door. Then he puts it out in the ashtray that’s sitting on the picnic table, looking all amped up for the night ahead as well.
“What’s got that big ass grin on your face, dude?” I look up at James, bald and six feet tall, with a lot of man beef packed on him. He’s a hottie, but I can’t fraternize with my staff, we all know that shit never works out well. James only smiles wider at my question. “Well, shit, hmmm what has this smile on my face?” Rubbing his goatee with his thumb and pointer finger, he continues, “It isn’t those pretty boys that dance around for you girls, that’s for sure. I would say it’s the pussy already crawling in there.” Lifting his thumb over his shoulder, he points toward the bar area.
Sure enough, when James pulls the door open, the song Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys is jamming. I walk through the door and head toward my office with Tugg at my heels and James coming in right after me. Through my office door, I can see bitches are starting to pack in.
The music is pumping a rhythmic beat, chicks grinding on each other. Damn, it’s going to be a wild night. My house DJ, Jammin’ Jenn, is rippin’ up her tracks. She looks over at us and waves. I catch James smirk over at Jenn, and I wonder when he would learn. She isn’t going there with him, but whatever.
James heads back to his spot by Jenn, watching the floor. Placing my purse in my desk drawer and my jacket on the chair, I head out to the bar shutting the office door behind me. “Let’s get set up, Tugg.” He runs and sits down behind my usual spot at the bar.
Dana, my bar manager and one of my best friends, is here already. We take turns opening and closing. She notices me walking in. “Vegas, about time you got here, it’s crowded early tonight. I almost gave you a call to get you here earlier.”
Dana may look a little frazzled, but she’s got this. “No way, you got this, always do, but I agree, they started early tonight. We better keep their drinks light.”
It’s not that I want to cheat these ladies out of what they’re paying for. I just want to keep them upright and safe. We give them a small discount on liquor, beer is full price.
Feeling the vibe in the air, I shift into my bar persona and get to work. Left and right, drinks are moving, and cash is flowing. Smiling big at my next customer, “What are you having tonight?”, I ask. I freakin’ love my bar.
∞ ∞ ∞
It’s hitting midnight and we are crammed, barely keeping up with the flow. We have a bachelorette party, a birthday girl that just turned twenty-one, school teachers and college party girls. It is one big mixed party of all kinds and different personalities. Looking out over the squealing, laughing and hooting crowd, one of the very fine sexy strippers jumps up on our small stage. He’s tall, tan, and has that very dark and dangerous vibe. Ugh, no thanks, been there and done that type. Girls are pawing at his jeans and stuffing bills into his pockets or belt, wherever they will fit. Sexy stripper man grabs the hand of the bride to be and Jenn slams down the track to Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias. Damn, she’s good, that girl can play for the crowd. The stripper guy grinds all over the red cheeked bride who appears about to faint in his arms.
Dana giggles next to me and I look over. “Vegas, he’s going to give that girl second thoughts. That, or her brain is numbed from all those Raspberry Kamikaze shots those girls keep drinking. I eventually just made a pitcher of them.”
I smile at Dana, remembering when we worked that eight-to-five-day job, cashed in my benefits, and here we are. Never regretted it, and it only gets better as time goes on. That’s why she calls me Vegas. I went all in and bet my life savings on this place. Because of her, now most others have also caught onto it and call me Vegas.
“Nah, she’s thinking if her man walks in at any moment, she’s dead. I know her man, and she’s getting her ass spanked if he sees or hears of this,” I laugh back at her.
“Well, shit, some cocks got through”, Dana tilts her head in the direction of the door, and, sure as shit, in walk a few very rough, but very sexy, men. “Ah, hell, Vegas”, Dana says with a little stress in her tone. She’s worried we could have problems with this rugged looking crew.
Walking back to my office, I grab my silver nine-millimeter and tuck it into the back of the waistband of my pants, walking out to the floor. I head straight for these cocks that are uninvited. James is also making his way toward this trio, along with one other security guard.
I get there first. “Well, boys, I’m sure security at the front door let you know it was girls’ night, right? I’m sure you also saw my No Cock Allowed sign lit up out front?” Raising my eyebrows in question, I point with my hand toward the lit up giant rooster with a red circle slashed through it. I love that cock, I had it specially made for this night.
Three men wearing Battle Born MC cuts turn around and look me up and down. I’m fucking annoyed at their perusal of my body. The bulkier one in the middle speaks first and steps into my space. I don’t back down or step back, because this is my place, and no one pushes me around.
Holding his hand out for me to shake, he introduces himself. “I’m Blade, and this must be your Dad’s bar? Is he here? I need to speak with the owner.” Taking his hand, I pull us deeper into each other’s space. My tits are grazing his arm. Dominant move? You bet your ass it is.
Taking in a long pull of air so he can hear it, I breathe out slowly, right into his ear as I speak. “Well, if you really wanna know where the owner is, you’re talking to her, thanks for asking.” I hear him exhale his breath as I stand back.
Satisfaction hits me hard like a freight train to see that I affected him. Good. I smile, and his eyes are trained on my blood red lipstick. Fucker. Losing the smile, I purse my lips tight.
“My apologies then, beautiful,” he raises my hand, placing a soft kiss on the back of it. Okay, so he’s just as aggressive.
Pulling my hand back, I reassert, “As I mentioned, this is an all-girls’ party tonight. Why don’t we move this to my office?” It’s a statement. I’m not asking.
Turning and heading that way with Blade at my back, two other security guards are following the guys, along with James. I can feel Blade’s eyes all over my ass as I walk into my office. Making my heart beat faster, adrenaline is spiking up through my limbs with excitement. I turn and lean on the front of my
desk, opting not to sit down. You never know, and I really don’t want to be sitting if something does go down. Also, I really don’t think they’re here to sit and chat.
As expected, the three of them walk in and start closing the door. “Don’t think so, boys”, James says and holds the door open as he and the other two security guards start patting all three down. Tall and broody, Blade, with his dark hair, the sides shaved tight and a small mohawk on top, is smirking at me. After they are cleared with no weapons, my three guards go to stand behind the desk.
Smirking back, I look into his eyes. “Let’s start over with names and why you’re here.”
Mister Tall and Broody speaks up first. “I’m Blade, the President of the MC that just moved in the Sparks area. This,” he points to his right, “is Axl, and this,” he points to the left, “is Tank. We thought old man Mac still owned this place. It’s been a while since I’ve been back here. I have some business to offer. Don’t suppose you’re interested?” His eyes intensely focus in on mine, daring me, drawing me in.
Taking a few moments, I study their faces. ‘Look them in the eye’, my Papa always taught me. ‘Don’t back down’. Embracing Papa and his strength, I come back at Blade. “You’re right, Mac did own the place. I bought it from him right before he passed. His wife, Emilia, still works here. As for business, that totally depends on what you’re offering. And let’s be straight from the get-go. I won’t be dealing in anything illegal.”
My face is stone, but, surprisingly, Blade has his harder, making his brown eyes very dark. I don’t know if I like this player yet. I squint my cat lined eyes his way.
“You always so pleasant and judgmental to people you just met?” Mister Growly barks out at me. Laughable. He thinks I’m rude?
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