The complete scars series: Books one-four

by Tonks, Rachael

  “Can I borrow you for a minute, man?”

  “Sure.”

  “Stay right here.” I glare at Tara and she looks back at me, frozen to the spot. She must know something is going down, but doesn’t ask. I quickly press my lips to hers, trying to assure her with a fleeting kiss. She grabs a hold of my arm tightly, stopping me from walking away.

  “Should I be worried?”

  “No, baby. Just stay here, everything is fine.” She loosens her grip on my arm and I manage to break away, making my way outside.

  As soon as I push open the door, I can hear the commotion. This is the last thing I need when I’m trying to draw in the big money.

  My eyes catch a glimpse of Brewer wrestling to break free from the hold of two of my doormen. My men surround me and I know I need to defuse this situation.

  “Let go of him,” I instruct the doormen and they do as I order. A flustered-looking Brewer runs his hand through his hair, attempting to straighten his disheveled appearance.

  “What the fuck are you doing here, Son?” He glares at Hunter, tugging on his cut. “You abandoned your club, now your men?”

  Throwing a hand in the air, he lets out a huge rush of air. “You know this is where the boys and I hang out. I was just checking out the place since the remodel.”

  “So, where was my invite, Nate? Huh?”

  “This is a small private gathering for potential new customers. Nothing personal, man. Now, if you don’t mind, I have business to attend to.”

  “Nah, see I don’t buy it. What is really fucking going on here? Because it seems that my son is rolling with the wrong crew.”

  Stepping closer to Brewer, I narrow my eyes, getting annoyed and fed up with his bullshit. The closer I get the more I smell the overwhelming smell of alcohol. “You need to sober up and go home. Now is not the time.”

  “You don’t fucking tell me what to do,” he roars. He’s causing a scene. “I know he’s here. I know Braxton Harris is here and I want to hear what he’s got to say. You promised me a meet, boy. Now I want that goddamn meet.” He steps toward me, his hand pushing against my shoulder.

  “Not today, Dad.” Hunter steps in front of him.

  “It’s whenever I fucking say it is.” Pulling out his gun, he holds it to his chest. “You need to learn your place, Son.”

  “Whoa, everyone needs to calm down,” Zane interjects, appearing by my side. He pulls out his gun, drawing and pressing it against the back of Brewer’s head. “So much as move and I blow your fucking brains out.”

  “You need to step down, cocksucker. This is not club business, this is Deathseeker business.”

  “Bring your shit to my door and that becomes Savage business. You need to back down and go home.”

  “I never back down,” he snarls through gritted teeth.

  With a push against his chest I try to remain calm, when all I really want to do is blow this motherfucker’s brains out.

  He glares at me but wears a smirk on his lips, like he’s annoyed but is slightly amused.

  “Dad, come on, let’s go,” Hunter prompts, sidestepping the barrel of Brewer’s gun and tugging on his arm. But he’s quick to turn on Hunter again, pulling back his arm and striking him across the face. Hunter’s head falls to the side and he places a hand on his cheek where the back of his father’s hand connected with his skin.

  Brewer lifts his hand, resuming the aim he had on Hunter. He pulls back, cocking the gun and my adrenaline spikes. I have to do something. Rushing toward him I knock him to the ground, his finger pulling on the trigger and the sound of the gun firing rings out. I roll on the ground, quick to get back on my feet. “Shit, is anyone hurt?” My head sweeps the area, checking on my men before I barrel over to Hunter. “You’re not hit, right?”

  “My arm,” he says placing his hand over the wound. “I think the bullet grazed my arm.”

  “We should get you cleaned up. Zane, get him out of here. NOW.”

  The sound of the door flying open draws my eyes to the entrance of Elysium. Tara comes barreling out, followed by Melody.

  “What’s happened?” she gasps, her chest heaving as she tries to take in the scene before her eyes. “I heard the gun go off and panicked.”

  “Get back inside,” I shout at her with a little more venom than intended, my protective mode is in overdrive.

  Brewer yells and struggles against Roach and Zane’s hold. “Get the fuck off me,” he roars, gun still in his hand.

  “Let go of the gun, Dad.” Hunter steps toward him, trying to get the gun out of his hand while he thrashes in the grips of my men. My head whips between Brewer and Tara. She turns to make her way inside and I can’t help but relax as she steps away from danger. But she stops, turning on the spot.

  “This is Brewer?” she asks me, her hand pointing at him and her eyes fixed at the madman holding the gun.

  Breaking free of the hold my men have on him, he charges toward Tara, wrapping his arm around her neck and pulling her backward. She struggles against his hold and I charge toward them, only to freeze when he holds the gun to her head. Brewer continues to move backward until he’s close to the side of the building.

  I’m not going to allow this motherfucker to hurt her but I’m torn between the gun against her head and the need to go over there and kick the fuck out of him.

  “Dad, don’t do this... please.” Hunter holds up one hand taking small steps toward him as he pleads with his father.

  “What? What is she to you?” He shoves the barrel of the gun harder against her head and I jerk forward. Zane captures my arm, holding me back.

  “Don’t do anything rash, boss.”

  “Let her go, Brewer,” I yell over to him, anger lacing my tone. My whole body shakes as my adrenaline spikes.

  “You’re in no position to make demands,” he taunts and I struggle to keep my explosive rage canned. Blood rushes to my head and it starts to pound.

  His arm around her neck tightens and she tugs at his arm, trying to get him to loosen the hold. Her eyes are wide and pleading with me to help her.

  Fuck.

  I feel so useless. I rush over and he could pull the trigger. But that tearful look in her eyes is like a knife in my throat. I feel like I’m struggling to breathe and all I can hope is that Hunter can talk him down.

  Tara cries out, the color draining from her face.

  “Let her go,” Hunter yells and the seconds feel like hours. Every millisecond he has hold of her feels like a lifetime.

  “I want to hurt her. Fuck her up and really show this pussy who’s boss around here. Because that prick there,” he points to me. “He ain’t nobody.”

  “NO!” Hunter yells, racing toward his father and knocking him and Tara to the ground. I see my chance, so I take it. I race over, grabbing her hand and pulling her up from the ground.

  “She’s your daughter, asshole. Tara is my sister.”

  “Wh-h-at?” he stutters. “No, it’s not possible.”

  “No,” Tara cries out. “My mom, Nate. He can’t know.”

  “Take her inside,” I instruct to Melody and make sure the pair are safely back inside before turning my attention to the asshole whose life I’m about to rip from him.

  The rumble of bikes approaching behind us puts me on high alert. I look between Brewer’s crew approaching and my men.

  I glance over to Brewer and Hunter. Brewer’s gun is pointed at Hunter once again.

  What the fuck do I do?

  Reaching inside my pocket I draw on Brewer. My arm held out and my feet moving me closer to him, I pull the trigger, the shot ringing out. But I miss.

  “You better run, motherfucker,” I growl, my anger no longer under any kind of control. The darkness clouds my vision and making this cocksucker pay is all I can see.

  “Let him go,” Brewer’s VP roars, pointing his gun directly at me. “Unless you want a mass murder outside your new shiny establishment, I suggest you stand down.”

  Hunter steps up and
races over to where his MC is lined up, guns cocked and pointing at my men.

  “Guys, don’t do this.” Hunter tries to intervene but it seems useless.

  Brewer’s VP lowers his gun firing a shot at the ground. “Drop your gun. Last fucking chance. I have no idea what has happened here, but you let him go and we talk this out later. It’s what's best for both clubs.”

  Brewer races toward his bike, covered by his line of men and I struggle to get a clear aim on him.

  “This isn’t your fight, VP, and it ain’t club business. This is between me and Brewer.”

  “What the fuck?” Brax exclaims, coming up behind me. His eyes wide with shock as he focuses on the Deathseekers standing with their guns cocked and pointing at me and my men. Pulling out his gun, he releases the safety and points toward the gang. “I asked what the fuck is going on. So would one of you please answer my goddamn question.”

  “Fucking Brewer,” I grate out.

  “It’s ’bout time you fuckers saw what your prez is really like.”

  “We take this to the table and find out what the fuck happened here today.” The VP glances to Hunter and gives him a flick of his head. “You coming?”

  “I’ll catch up with you.” Some of the crew step toward Hunter, shaking his hand and slapping his back. Whispers are exchanged but I can’t make out what’s being said.

  “Boss, what do we do? Just let them walk away?” Zane asks in a low voice, his eyes full of concern.

  “For now, yes.”

  “Listen, man, I’m so sorry about Brewer,” Hunter says with a shake of his head.

  “You know what this means, right?” I’m quick to reply.

  “I know the score,” he says, his head falling and his hands pushed into his jeans pockets. “You do what you gotta do. I won’t stand in your way.”

  An angry Brax interjects. “You have to find him and now. I’ll get my men all over this.” He goes to dig out his phone, but my hand lands heavy on his arm, stopping him.

  “Brax, man. I love that you have my back. I appreciate you, brother, you know that. But I have to deal with this myself. The club has to deal with this.”

  He inhales loudly, dragging one hand down his face. “I get this is Savage business, but Brewer is as dangerous, if not more so than Jeffries. I can’t and won’t allow anything to happen to Tara, or the baby.”

  His words hit like a sucker punch. I failed to protect her once and he’s worried I’ll fail again. “Brutal,” I say with a sigh.

  “I’m not trying to piss you off or cause trouble here, Nate. But the truth is, I won’t allow anything to happen to her…”

  “Don’t you think that’s my responsibility?” I snap, my voice becoming louder as I struggle to hold back my anger. “I will do everything I can to keep her safe.”

  “And you.” Brax turns to Hunter. “You need to bring your club up to speed. They can and will not back your father. Doing so will be your downfall. So if you love your club and men, I suggest you set the wheels in motion. Or so help me God.”

  “What… you think I have some sort of control over the club.” He laughs. “Are you out of your goddamn mind?” Hunter scoffs, shaking his head from side to side.

  Brax steps closer, until their faces almost touch. “Get. Control.”

  “Yeah, I hate to break it to you, man. You either fight for control of the club or we patch over. Our club will take control of yours.”

  “Ain’t gonna happen. The issue here is with my father, not with my club, or the men.” Hunter becomes more animated, jabbing his finger toward the ground.

  “Your club, those men, just allowed your father to get away. They are just as responsible,” Brax snarls.

  “That’s bullshit and you know it,” he throws back, stepping away from Brax. “They had no idea what my father had done. How could they? They’re loyal to my father, naturally.”

  Glancing between the two men, I see the small smirk tugging at the corner of Brax’s lips and know exactly what game he’s playing. He’s trying to antagonize Hunter. Get him to react. And he’s playing a good game. Glaring at one another, I know I have to step in and defuse this before someone gets hurt.

  “Guys, let’s wrap it up. This is the grand opening and not exactly the first impression I’m trying to give to potential customers. Besides, we need to get back inside and check on the girls.”

  “Sure,” Brax replies leisurely, a weak shrug and a turn on his heel, he makes his way back inside. I give the nod to my men until just Hunter and I are standing face-to-face.

  “Guess it’s time to stand up, huh?”

  “You got a lot of work ahead of you, Hunter. But one thing I need you to do is make sure that Tara’s mom isn’t in danger. You blurted out a secret to your father that Tara’s mom had kept to herself for years. She’s fearful of Brewer, and she has every right to fear him. Between us, I’ve given her the money to go somewhere, to escape for a while, just until the dust settles. But you need to check, bro. This one is on you.”

  “I was trying to save her life. Dad wouldn’t hurt her knowing she was his own flesh and blood. Well, not physically anyway.”

  “I’m not sure you really know what he’s capable of, Hunter.”

  And that was the truth. I’m not sure any of us know how dangerous the leader of the Deathseekers really is. But I’m not taking any chances.

  “Listen, I’m gonna split. I’m taking Tara with me, so I need you to clean up this mess. Locate your father and keep her mom safe. It’s the least you can do.” Tapping his upper arm a little with the palm of my hand, I flash him a sympathetic smile. “I’m trusting you, brother. Don’t let me down… or Tara for that fact.”

  Standing up tall and lifting his chin, he gives me a confident smile. “I won’t. This is my time. My chance to make something of myself and the club. I won’t let either of you down.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Turning away, I head back inside to grab my girl. I need to know she’s okay. I need to make her okay.

  Tara

  My hands are shaking, but I do the best that I can to hold onto Nate. Riding with the warm evening breeze against my skin does nothing to calm my nerves. I was frightened back there, and fearful for my life. Thank God nothing happened. Yet.

  Nate assures me that Mom isn’t in danger, but knowing that Brewer knows, and knowing he’s out there somewhere terrifies me. Resting against Nate, I use the familiar comfort of his body against mine to try to calm my racing mind.

  Five minutes into the ride and I risked a look at our surroundings. I have no idea where we are. “Where are we going?” I yell over the rumble of the engine.

  “You’ll see.” He turns his head just enough for me to make out his cute smile. I take in a few deep breaths before resuming my position against Nate’s back.

  * * *

  As soon as the bike takes a turn, I allow my eyes to flutter open, taking in the scenery that surrounds us. The bike’s wheels kick up dust as we work through a rough path.

  “Hold on, baby,” he shouts to me over his shoulder and I tighten my hold around his waist. As soon as we reach the top of the path, Nate slows his speed until he reaches an eventual stop. He kicks out the stand and dismounts, looking me deep in the eye.

  “You like?” he asks, eyes glancing around the open space.

  The truth is, I’d taken little notice of our surroundings since he stepped from the bike. My eyes were connected to his, losing myself in his gorgeous blues.

  “I like what I see,” I blurt out, biting the corner of my lip. Because Nate makes me forget. He’s all I see. All I feel. Being with him makes every memory fade, even if it’s just for a few lust-filled seconds. He’s the perfect distraction, and I want to lose myself in him. Sassy, sexy Tara has taken a back seat. But here, in the warmth of his love and protection, I can’t control the pulse between my legs. My body wants him and so do I.

  The light is fading, and as I step from the bike, he takes my hand, leading me over to the cliff edge.
“Gorgeous, right?” I hear the sound of the ravine trickling below, the small amount of evening light reflecting against the water. Birds sing in the trees that surround us, just as his arms surround me. He stands behind me, encompassing me in his strong arms. I press my ass against him, letting him know what I want. What my body is craving.

  “Tara, what are you doing to me?” he asks and I feel his erection pressing against me as it springs to life. Spinning on the spot, I turn until I’m facing him. I’m eager to kiss him, pressing onto my tiptoes and placing my lips against his. My hands instinctively reach for his hair. Today, he wears it down, something he doesn’t do a lot. And it’s my favorite look on him.

  The light mint taste hits my senses. The warmth of his tongue, demanding entry, has me squirming more than before. As the kiss deepens, my stomach somersaults, the throbbing between my legs so intense that I force my thighs together in an attempt to dull the overpowering sense. His arms wrap around me, the palm of his hand landing flat against the small of my back. In one swift movement, my feet leave the ground and I automatically wrap my legs around him. His hardness presses against my core through his jeans and I let out an audible moan.

  “Fuck,” he mumbles against my lips. “This isn’t what I brought you here for.” Pulling back, he gazes into my eyes. “I have a blanket. I thought we’d lie together and watch the sunset.”

  “And we still can. But I need you to fuck me first.”

  His chest heaves and his eyes widen before his lips crash against mine once more. With my legs still wrapped around him, he moves us until my ass rests back against the seat of his bike. Dropping my hands back, I prop myself up while Nate widens my legs. He lifts my skirt, quickly pulling my panties to the side. His eyes cloud with unfiltered desire as he darts out his tongue, wetting his forefinger before sliding it between my folds. I buck against his hand as his finger meets my clit.

  “Yes,” I cry out, almost unable to hold myself up any longer.

  “Hold onto the handlebars,” he prompts, and I do as he says. He adjusts my waist until I’m lying the full length of the bike. His fingers continue the rough assault on my clit, my hips lifting from the bike seat in an attempt to deepen the contact.