Blood Of A Rebel (Black Rebel Riders' MC Book 9)

by Glenna Maynard

  “Don’t know...who else would have a reason to?”

  “Get your ass back here. I’ll call it in.” He ends the call.

  There is nothing I can do for Morgan just yet. Part of me wants to go to Harper’s and scope shit out, but I don’t know. Porter told me to come to him. “Fuck!” I scream as I head back to Bridgette.

  As I approach her building, I see something that sets off warning bells. Harper’s fucking car is outside of the dorm where the girl’s live.

  I pull my phone back out. Shit.

  “Porter, we got another problem. That bitch, Harper is at the dorm where Morgan lives. I had a hunch and followed it. Gonna stay on her I’ll call in when I can.”

  “Give me your coordinates.”

  “You won’t make it in time. I don’t think she will stay long.”

  “Goddamnit. Rhy, you need backup. If she’s around there are bound to be others.”

  “I have a feeling. She’s working on her own. Marek is out of town.”

  “I don’t like this.”

  “I’ll be fine.” I end the call as I see Bridgette carrying a pizza box with Harper walking behind her.

  There is only one reason Harper would grab Bridgette—she’s onto me and Cole. Fuck, Porter is gonna kill me. He told me not to get involved with anyone. I hadn’t planned on it and don’t know if anything will come of me and Bridgette when this is over, but I will be damned if I watch another girl I care about become collateral damage.

  Chapter 21

  Cole

  Drag Creek, Kentucky

  “Guess this isn’t the reunion you hoped for,” Rebel says, snarling at me.

  I now know he is my Uncle and the asshole who shot and nearly killed my father. Romeo, is apparently my other grandfather. He gave me a crash course history lesson on my family tree during the drive here. I don’t recall everything he told me, but retained the key facts, at least I think so anyway.

  Everyone keeps staring at me, especially Grim. He hasn’t spoken one word to me. I don’t know if he is in shock from seeing me or from his heart attack, but now that I get a good look at him, I remember seeing him once when we still lived in Florida. We went to see my dad at a bike show he was doing or something. I vaguely remember him being there when I was swimming.

  We moved right after that, if my memory serves me correctly.

  Finally, he speaks. “What are ye doing here, boy?” His voice is husky but deep. His eyes are menacing much like his tear drop tattoos.

  “Came looking for you, but found the Devils Rejects instead. Worked my way in, got close to that stupid fuck Marek’s wife. Wanna bring them down. Wanna do what you never could.”

  He rears his fist back and punches me in the gut; he hits damn hard, but I don’t double over. I grit my teeth and take his hit like a man.

  “Grandson or not, you don’t talk shit to me in my house, boy. Ye feel me? Whatta ye know about me and those motherfuckers? I know yer momma sure didn’t tuck you in at night with stories of me. I doubt your fucker of an old man told ye shit all about it either. So where did ye get the information?”

  I shrug. “My grandma told me.”

  “When in the Sam hell did you talked to Foxie, huh?”

  “Not her, Gypsy Red.”

  The old man’s face pales. “Where is she?” He stares at me with a confused expression, as though he believes I really did see her.

  “I assume the grave you put her in. I read her diary. Told me a lot about you, but mostly the Devils Rejects. All the terrible shit they put her through.”

  “So ye think reading some diary written nearly forty years ago makes you an expert do ye?”

  “No, but this was my destiny. Why else would I be here? Why else would I find them first if not to end them?”

  “Mind telling me how ye ended up with my daughter on the back of your bike?” Rebel questions, getting in my face, bumping me with his chest.

  My face pales and my stomach churns. His daughter? He can’t mean… Bile rises in my throat. I’m going to be sick. If she’s his daughter, then that means——I shake my head fighting the urge to vomit.

  “I said answer me, motherfucker!” He grabs the collar of my shirt, nearly picking me up off the ground. His spit flies at my face as his eyes darken with rage.

  “What, gonna shoot me like you did my old man?” I goad him.

  Rebel shakes me as Romeo tries to pry his hands away from my neck. At this time, other members of the club enter the room.

  “Let him go,” Grim orders, so he does, reluctantly.

  With everyone talking at once trying to figure out what’s going on, I block their voices out, thinking about Morgan, remembering how good she felt in my arms. Not wanting to believe she is my cousin, but then I remember her telling me she was adopted. That has to mean there is no reason for concern. Right?

  “Because, she’s mine,” I growl, getting back in his face as he did mine.

  The room falls silent, and I can see my grandpa shaking his head and fighting his laughter. His cheeks are red and Rebel shoves me backwards, but I am ready for him. Fuck him. He ain’t shit. He’s a has been.

  Chapter 22

  Morgan

  Lexington, Kentucky

  “Think, Morgan. Think.” I glance around the small bathroom. There isn’t a window I can climb out of. Maybe there is something I can use for a weapon. Quietly, I look through the vanity drawers, only coming up with a dull nail file. It will have to do. When I see a chance to strike, I am going to take it. My folks didn’t raise no damn chicken.

  A soft knock raps at the door. “You alright in there?”

  “Coming,” I announce, sticking the nail file in my back pocket.

  As soon as I open the door and step into the hall, I am met with Danny getting in my face.

  “Listen, you have no reason to trust me, but my brother-in-law is here, just follow my lead. He’s pure fucking evil and not the sort of man you want to be on the radar of.”

  I cross my arms. “Maybe I want to take a walk on the wild side,” I taunt.

  Before I know it, Danny has me pushed again the wall, his nose pressed to mine. His deep blue eyes bore into mine, I get the message he is trying to convey, but what I don’t understand is why he cares. He doesn’t know me, and he damn sure doesn’t owe me any favors.

  “I’m being serious, your life could depend on it.”

  I don’t know why, but I believe him. Maybe it’s the tone of his voice or the sincerity behind the depths of his eyes, but he’s afraid…for me.

  Heavy boots stomp down the hall in our direction.

  Looking over Danny’s shoulder, I see him…this guy, his leather cut has a patch that reads the name Devil. His stormy eyes lock on me and he smirks. It’s the kind of smirk that travels straight to your most intimate areas, your most private thoughts, however there is something dark about him…menacing even. Sinister. The cold look in his eyes makes me believe he really is the devil.

  Cold sweat breaks out across my shoulders, and I shrink back, wishing I could melt into the wall. I wonder if this is the fear that Danny was trying to warn me about.

  “Who’s this? A new pet of my dear wife’s?” The intimidating man says, as he towers over us.

  “My girlfriend. I brought her here to meet Harper, but she’s stepped out.”

  Why is Danny lying? What in the hell is going on here?

  “Pity, she’s a pretty one. Are you much attached to her?”

  He practically shoves Danny away from me, and I instantly miss his protection. His callous hands hold my face as he studies me. “What’s your name, sweet thing?”

  “Miracle,” I give him my birthname, hoping it registers with him somehow, but I don’t see a hint of recognition.

  “Very attached,” Danny states, wedging between us once more. He’s standing with his back to me, acting as my shield. “Tell my sister, I stopped by. We have plans.” He palms my hand, squeezing tight, warning me not to argue.

  Devil g
rabs Danny’s shoulder, clenching him tight. “Stay, we’ll have dinner. It’s been so long since we’ve spent any time together, old friend. We’re still friends aren’t we, sport? You want to stay, don’t you, sweetheart?” He looks to me, and I stay silent and still.

  I don’t know what to do here.

  My free hand flexes, wanting to go for the nail file and stab this guy in the throat, but I doubt it will even really break his skin and then what?

  Before I can make a choice, Danny answers him with an of course. “Miracle just needs to call her folks and tell them we have had a change of plans is all.”

  “Sure, by all means. Please do.” He squeezes Danny’s shoulder once more and whistles as he continues down the hall.

  “Come on,” Danny urges, pulling me in the opposite direction. He takes me back to the room I was in before.

  “What are we doing?”

  “You’re sitting down, and I am calling my sister to figure out what in the hell to do with you.” He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “You could let me call my dad. If you take me to him, he’d reward you.”

  He shakes his head. “I can’t do that.”

  “Please, you said yourself that guy is evil. You can take me right now. Let’s get out of here. I don’t know what your deal here is, but I can get you a better deal with my old man. Please!”

  “Who is your father?”

  “Rebel Black.”

  His face goes pale. “Oh fuck. Fuck no. Goddamnit, Harper! What the fuck did she get me involved in?”

  “So, you know who he is?”

  “Who doesn’t know who your family is. Had I known, I never would have…”

  “No one has to know. You take me to my dad and I will tell him you rescued me.”

  “This is fucking crazy. If I take you home, I betray my sister. If we stay here, who knows what they will do to you. Fuck!”

  He reaches me his cell phone.

  My fingers move in a flurry to dial my old man. As soon as I hear his voice, I start talking, “Daddy, I’m in trouble. This woman took me, her name’s Harper. Daddy, listen to me, please. I have help. His name is Danny and he is gonna get me away from them, but I need you to promise that if he does you won’t hurt him. He’s helping me.”

  Just as my father promises, the door swings open. I quickly drop the phone to the couch as Harper enters the room with Bridgette.

  Chapter 23

  Cole

  Drag Creek, Kentucky

  Rebel goes to shove me again and this time I am ready. I hit him with a punch to the gut and a knee to the groin. “Last man who stepped to me got stabbed,” I growl at him.

  “You think you’re some sort of tough guy.” He attempts to deck me, but I avoid the contact. “She’s your cousin,” he grits out, slamming into my side.

  “Not by blood, only on paper, old man.”

  We go to the ground and no one breaks us apart. I faintly hear Grim shouting to let us work it out. Rebel lands a good punch to my eye, and I give as good as I get, breaking blood with a few knocks to his brow.

  He’s already growing tired. His breathing is labored and he’s sweating as he attempts to choke me out.

  Blood drips down his cheek and trickles on my chin as he wraps his hands around my neck. He gets in a squeeze or two when I buck him off using my knees before I kick the fuck out of him.

  “You’re out of shape, old timer.” I grin at him, with blood running between my lips.

  He snarls. “My girl ain’t no Goddamn piece of property to be owned.”

  “Ask her,” I spit at him. My eye is fucking pulsing. Motherfucker hits like his fists are made of concrete. I’ll be damned if I let him know that though.

  His dirty blond hair hangs in his eyes as he shoves some guy off who tried to help him to his feet.

  “Walk it off, Reb. Leave me and the boy alone. We need to have words, need to discuss the Devils. It’s time to settle this once and for all.”

  Everyone files out leaving me alone with the nasty old son of a bitch, my grandpa.

  Once it is the two of us, he cracks a smile at me.

  He whistles. “Damn, boy. Knew you’d grow up to be trouble, but shit. Yer momma gonna put a hurtin’ on ye. Now, tell me everything. I mean every-fucking-thing.”

  He sticks his head out the door and barks an order for someone to bring ice for my eye and a bottle of Jack.

  I take a seat in the first chair I notice. Grim leans against the wall, staring at me intently as I recount finding the diary. Something keeps me from telling him I gave it to my sister. I don’t know why.

  Some clubwhore kicks at the door. Grim tells me to get it. She’s holding a tray with a towel full of ice for my eye along with a few glasses and a bottle of dark liquor.

  “Sit it on the desk. Pour me a shot, and then see to his eye, darlin’,” Grim tells her.

  The dark-haired chick with big doe eyes goes about her business. Once Grim has his drink, I take the towel with the ice in it, holding it to my face.

  I tell him all about the guy at the motel, going to Off the Hinges, meeting Harper. I tell him all the jobs I did for her and Marek.

  Next, I tell him about Rhyner and the part the Born Sinners are playing. He agrees that I had a good plan. I want to carry it out.

  “Tell me what part Morgan has in all this,” he demands.

  I stare at him mesmerized by his teardrop tattoos. Gypsy Red mentioned in the diary what they represent. Some appear faded, but the ones on his chest appear to be fresher.

  “Did you really kill that many men?” I ask in wonder.

  He grins, scratching his beard. “Don’t change the subject. Back to the girl.”

  I sigh and reach for his bottle. He gives me a curious glance but doesn’t stop me from pouring a shot. Exhaustion sweeps over me. I am dead tired.

  “Morgan is complicated. Honestly, I targeted her. Thought she appeared to be an easy mark, but then I talked to her and she sucked me in. I had to know her. I had to have her. I didn’t know who she was until today. I swear it.”

  He grunts, about to say something when Rebel marches back in seeing red again. “They fuckin’ took her!” He roars slamming his fist down on the table.

  “Who, what, where?” Grim questions.

  “Morgan, they fucking took her, and it’s all this pissant’s fault.” He points to me.

  “Whatta ya talking about? Who has Morgan?” I jump up from my seat, my body aching from the day’s events.

  The dude known by the name Truth enters the room. “I got your message. Give me your phone, and I will pinpoint her location.”

  Rebel tosses him his cell phone.

  “The fucking Devils Rejects has my girl.”

  “I’ll get her back,” I tell them as Truth exits.

  “You’ll stay the fuck outta of it. Doesn’t concern you. He could be working for them right now, Grim. Blood or not, we can’t trust him.”

  “You have a point, but he’s my grandson and your nephew. He says he loves the girl.”

  Rebel turns his attention back on me.

  “I do, love her ya know, and I can get her back. I know their locations. I can walk straight into their hideout, armed.”

  “I don’t like this,” he tells Grim, ignoring me again.

  “Tell me what you know,” Grim demands.

  “I got a call, from Morgan. Said that Harper bitch grabbed her, but there was a guy named Danny, said he was going to help her. The line went dead before I could get any further information. Porter called it in too, said his guy couldn’t locate her.”

  “Who’s Danny?” Rebel looks to me for an answer.

  “Never heard of him,” I tell him.

  “You’re lying.” Rebel comes at me again but the squeal of some lady stops him in his tracks.

  “So, it’s true. He’s really here.” Her eyes land on me and tears begin to fall freely down her face.

  “Not now Mom,” Rebel tells her.

  “You hav
e to be Foxie,” I tell her with a sheepish smile.

  I know she’s my grandma, but then I remember the shit she pulled. The shit Gypsy Red wrote about her, and I can’t bring myself to give her the hug she so desperately craves.

  “You can see him later. Right now, we have club business to handle. Get out, woman,” Grim orders her.

  Her face falls and her bottom lip trembles. “I’m not going any-damn-where. My grandson has returned home. You can’t keep me away.” She crosses her arms over her chest and gives him the evil eye.

  Rebel pulls her out into the hall.

  “I’ll make you list of every name and draw you a map if I have to, but I’m not fucking working with them, I’ll kill every last one of them. Whatever it takes. I will bring her back,” I vow to him but more so to myself.

  Rebel returns moments later, minus Foxie. While he paces the floor, Grim talks. “Chances are they don’t know she has made contact. And she said she had help. Cole, what about this Rhyner kid?”

  “I’ll call him. He could get to her before we can. I trust him. He will protect her.”

  Grim grunts and Rebel shakes his head.

  Rhyner

  Lexington, Kentucky

  An unknown number pops up on my cell. “Lo,” I grumble out. I tailed Harper and Bridgette back to the fortress, better known as CastlePost.

  “Rhy, man. Where are you?”

  “Could ask you the same fuckin’ thing. Sitting down the road from CastlePost, debating my next move. Fuckin’ Harper, man. She grabbed Bridgette, and I am sure she already has Morgan. I’m freaking out here. I don’t know if we’ve been made or if Harper is playing one of her crazy games”

  “Do you know a guy by the name of Danny?”

  “Harper has a brother named Danny. He’s around our age. doesn’t like the life, kind of an outcast. He’s a pyro or some shit, why?”

  “Morgan made contact. Said she was with Danny, that he was trying to help her. Do you think he will help her?”

  “Hard to know. That guy is loyal to his sister, but like I said he hates the club life, it’s a major sore spot between Devil and Harper.”

  “I think Harper is toying with me. She doesn’t know who we are. Not yet. If she did, Devil would have already had us killed. There’s no way she would keep information like that from him.”