Inferno Glory MC

by Jennifer Ann

  “…colossal deal we planned to intercept between some shady soldiers and a big-shot drug lord…”

  “Was supposed to go down later this week…”

  “Remmy thinks someone gave them a heads-up…”

  Then I remember what Ranger said at the hospital.

  “…Colt must’ve frozen up because he didn’t fire back…”

  Chest impossibly tight, I grab the back of chair when it seems I’m going to pass out.

  Colt suddenly struts out of his bedroom completely naked, cell phone pressed to his ear as he listens to someone on the other end. Eyes widening when he sees the crippled state I’ve slipped into, he nearly drops his phone.

  Oh my god. I’ve fallen in love with the enemy.

  Part IV

  Death & Rage

  27

  Colt stands naked, utterly frozen in the hallway of his apartment. With his cell phone pressed to his ear, he stares back at me, eyes wide with the same expression of shock that’s likely registering on my face. Before this moment, I would’ve run into his massive arms, and jumped his beautiful bones. After all, it was only mere hours ago that I finally professed my love and he reciprocated.

  But he’s become the MC’s enemy.

  A traitor.

  His exact words replay in my head, slicing through my core, and chilling me to the bone. “…didn’t spend a year of my life infiltrating this goddamn MC to have it blow up in my fuckin’ face before the job is done…”

  As his gaze turns cynical, burning a hole through me, he licks his lips. “I have to go. I’ll call back later,” he tells the person he called ‘Grace’ before ending the call. Cell phone in one hand, open palm on the other, he lifts them slowly at his sides and takes a few small steps my way.

  “What’d you hear, darlin’?” he asks, sounding nothing more than curious. How in the actual fuck can he act so calm when he knows I caught him lying?

  My heart thuds furiously inside my chest, making it painful to breathe. He’s obviously not carrying a weapon as he’s stark naked, but he’s still ten times stronger than I am, and could take me down in a heartbeat despite my decent fighting skills. He was a Navy SEAL…or at least he told everyone he was, and even has a relevant tattoo on his back shoulder blade. Either that was another lie, or he’s capable of killing me with his bare hands.

  I shuffle back away from him with my bottom lip quivering. “Enough to know something about you isn’t right,” I choke out, all at once feeling the burn of tears.

  There’s no way I’ll let myself breakdown in this moment and act like some pathetic chick. Until Ranger convinced me to let myself cry on the side of the road the day before, I had done a stellar job of keeping my feelings at bay since my release from prison. Now it’s as if a can of feelings popped open and I’m a walking bundle of undisguised emotions. At a time when I need to be my strongest, I’m weak and susceptible. Damn Ranger.

  “Who the fuck are you?” I demand.

  Beautiful blue eyes lit with disappointment and pain, he shakes his head slowly, hands still raised. “Harley, I can explain. You have to trust me.”

  “Trust you?” I snarl, fists shaking at my sides. “I told you I fucking love you! You made me open up my vulnerable side for you!”

  “I’m the same person you fell in love with, I swear,” he promises in a quiet, even voice, bringing his arms back down to his sides. “I only hid things to protect you.”

  Instantly over the fear of what he’ll do to me, I charge at him. “Are you the asshole who gave the heads-up that the MC was going to intercept that gun deal? Is that why you didn’t shoot back at them?” I shove him as hard as I can, but he merely teeters for a moment, and doesn’t defend himself, so I shove him again more forcefully. “Are you working with my fucking brother?”

  “No to all questions,” he answers in a neutral tone, arms rigid at his sides. “It’s not what you think.”

  “Then why would you try to talk them out of going after those guns in Mexico, and why the fuck were you talking about betraying the MC?” Tears stream down my face as I repeatedly pound his hard chest. “Fucking answer me, you lying son of a bitch! Who are you? Why did you make me fall in fucking love with you?”

  When I strike the bandage covering his bullet wound, he flinches and pins my wrists between us. His cool gaze locks with mine before he calmly answers, “I’m working undercover for the ATF.”

  Blanching, I become limp against him, unable to form a sentence.

  ATF? He works for the Department of Justice. He’s basically a fucking cop. It’s even worse than I thought.

  I sway on my feet and gasp for air, as suddenly it feels as if I can’t breathe.

  Colt drags a chair to my side, and puts pressure on my shoulders until I plop onto the seat. Claiming the chair beside me, he scoots to the end of it, gripping my knees as if holding me captive. “They’d can my ass if they knew what I’m about to tell you, but I’m more worried about losin’ you than some fuckin’ job.”

  I numbly stare back at him, briefly considering that this isn’t real, and this is just a horrific nightmare.

  His eyelids flutter closed for a long beat, then reopen before he speaks again. “We’re not after the MC, Harley. We’ve been trackin’ the soldiers involved in that firearms deal, and have reason to believe your brother’s involved. Becomin’ a member of Inferno Glory was the best way to catch him red-handed. I was hopin’ to bust his sorry ass with this big deal, but he must’ve tipped them off.”

  Flipping his wavy brown hair to one side, he grumbles. “Now I have to find a way to stop the MC from going to Mexico, because it would only turn into a bloodbath. The Federales are already on it, doin’ what they can to help us, but they aren’t gonna take kindly to a motorcycle gang gettin’ in the way. I don’t want to see them hurt any more than you do.”

  My head swarms with his confession. Our relationship was founded on a lie. I take a long, deep breath, and wipe my wet face with the inside of my arm. “Does anyone else at the MC know what you are?”

  Head shaking, he says, “I’m not allowed to tell them.”

  I bare my teeth. “Ranger will tear your fucking heart out when he learns the truth.”

  His eyes avert to the floor as his shoulders drop. “You’re right. He’ll find out when this is all over with and I’m sure he’ll be upset, but you can’t tell him.” Then his eyes return to mine. “This information can’t go beyond you and me. I mean it, darlin’.”

  “Quit fucking calling me that!” I snap, scooting my chair back until I’m out of his reach. “You’re a fraud, Colt! Is that even your real name? Do you really talk like that, or is darlin’ just a part of the act? Were you even a SEAL or was that bullshit too? Damn it! I should’ve known you were too perfect to be real!”

  I almost feel a pang of guilt for the wounded look he gives me. He rubs at a spot on his neck, shaking his head slowly. “I was in the SEALs for a time until some shit went down. Decided to go through special agent trainin’ instead. Real name’s Marshall Sawyer. Colt’s a nickname they gave me in the SEALs ‘cause it was my weapon of choice. As for the way I speak…guess it has somethin’ to do with bein’ raised by a grandma who grew up in the South.”

  A swell of conflicting emotions swells throughout my chest. While he’s spilling more details about his personal life in mere minutes than he has in the past week, he’s still operating under a massive lie. It’s hard to simply shut off the bond we’ve formed, even though it makes me ill to think I could love someone who has the power to ruin the MC. To ruin me, if he hasn’t already.

  I curl my upper lip, fighting the urge to spit on him. “Ranger thinks of you as his best friend.”

  After blowing out a long breath, he sinks into the chair, tilting his head back against it. “I’ve come to think of ‘im as my best friend too. This shit’s complicated on so many levels. Wish I had met ‘im under different circumstances.”

  My stomach churns as I imagine Ranger’s reaction to th
e truth. He’s been Colt’s biggest supporter, even letting me go so Colt could have me. The level of betrayal he’ll feel will be astronomical. “Will you be arresting him or anyone else in the MC if they break the law?”

  “They haven’t done anything that falls under my jurisdiction.”

  “And if they do?” I snarl.

  “I don’t know. A lot has changed since I joined the MC. They’re all good men. They believe in all the things I do, and just want to make things right. This ATF gig…it’s just a job. It doesn’t define who I am.” His blue eyes, suddenly glazed over, roll onto to a spot across the room. “If things were different, I’d consider throwin’ everything away to stay with them.”

  “They’d never take a traitorous asshole like you!” I snap.

  Looking back at me, he sits tall, and shakes his head. “I’m on your side, Harley. I’m here to stop Axel. That’s it. I don’t plan on stirrin’ up any trouble with the MC. The lines may be blurred, but everything else you know about me is the truth. The way I feel about you is real. You’re the first woman I’ve ever loved.”

  “You’re going to sit there and still pretend that you love me? Why should I believe that when you’ve been lying to me all this time?” I retort, eyes narrowed. “I should’ve stuck with my instinct not to trust anyone after I was let out! First beautiful man with a big dick to come along, and I’ve turned into the world’s biggest fucking idiot!” Wrought with uncontainable anger, I bolt to my feet, eyes flickering between him and the door leading to the hallway. “What the fuck was I thinking? Why did I let you and Ranger get inside my head?” And why did I let them get to my fucking heart?

  “Don’t think of it that way,” he pleads, bolting to his feet and taking ahold of my arms. His warm touch and tantalizing scent, still possessing the power to turn my insides to jelly, render me useless to fight against him. “Nothin’ has changed between you an’ me, darlin’. I still care more about you than my own life. It’d kill me to see you close back up because of this. I meant it when I said that I’d move to the other side of the country with you if that’s what it took for us to be together. I’d quit my job for you, Harley…anything you ask. I’m yours. You have to believe me.”

  When he realizes I’m not going to try to break free, his hold lightens and a tender hand presses to the side of my face. “But I’ve put a lot of time and effort into bringin’ Axel down. We’d both be a lot happier if I took the time to finish this job before I gave it up. I also think he may have been behind the lie that sent you to prison, and we both know he’d be more than willin’ to send you back.”

  His thumb brushes a fresh wave of tears from my cheek. “I can’t prove it yet, but I’ve been workin’ on uncoverin’ the truth. Between the violation of federal and international laws, plus conspiracy to set you up, he could be put away for several life sentences. You’d never have to worry about him again. He’d finally pay for what he did to you—the three years he took of your life and the pain he caused you.”

  Nausea sweeps through my gut with so much force it’s painful. How can I argue with that kind of logic? Even if I was crazy enough to still want to be Colt’s old lady after all the deceit and lies, he’s right. If he’s telling the truth, I can’t simply let Axel walk away for all he’s done and for betraying our country. Colt is right: that asshole needs to pay.

  Colt’s head slowly dips down before his face presses against the curve of my neck. Warm breaths spill down across my skin, setting off a ripple of shivers. He becomes still against me, clutching me and submitting himself like a small child wanting approval. It does strange things to my heartstrings, and I have to bite back on a startled cry.

  “Gonna do everything I can to make it right with you, darlin’. This thing between us is real, no bullshit. We met at a bad time is all.”

  Struggling with the vast range of emotions nearly suffocating me, I don’t say a word, and I don’t push him away. I have no idea how to begin processing any of this. I was worried things were moving too quickly and falling too perfectly in place, and I was right.

  Feather-light lips brush the spot beneath my jaw. “Don’t walk away,” he whispers, tightening his arm around me. “I still love you, darlin’. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to make you happy.”

  What if I don’t even know what it will take to make me happy? How can I trust Colt knowing he’s been lying to all of us this whole time? Though my heart still belongs to him and the chemistry between us is still strong, I don’t know that I can stay with someone who potentially has the power to destroy the lives of everyone I love.

  28

  Taking my bike on the open road is the only way I know how to deal with Colt’s transgressions against the MC. He begged me not to leave the apartment, but I couldn’t breathe around him any longer. Just looking into his beautiful eyes made me want to throw up, even though it felt good when he held me in his strong arms. I left him in total silence. Everything I wanted to say was stuck in my throat.

  I have no clue where to go from here, or how to deal with this fucked-up mess. I can’t go back to Colt’s, except maybe to pack my shit. Without access to my new-found trust or a job, I’ll be forced to crash at the clubhouse, and that would raise a lot of questions. Kandi, Remmy and Ranger will all be down my throat, demanding answers. I’m almost worse off than I was the day I got out of prison.

  Not long into my ride, storm clouds open up, spewing rain by the bucket loads. When it becomes too difficult to properly see, and I’m soaked to the bone, I take the next exit off the interstate and pull into a small restaurant with the word ‘Carrie’s’ blinking in cursive neon.

  A bell over the door announces my arrival. Curious glances from men seated at random booths turn my way, but I blow them off to claim a seat at the long counter. It’s a typical truck-stop style diner with spinning stools beneath a laminate countertop, a sad attempt to appear retro with checkered floors and a 50s style jukebox, and the smell of bacon grease thick in the air.

  A curvy waitress around my age in jean shorts and a decorative tank top approaches, cracking gum between her teeth. Pale arms covered in tattoos, short bangs, and dark hair done in a loose up-do that reminds me of an old school pin-up girl, she’s the type I could see myself hanging out with. Friendly grin set on her cherry red lips, she tosses me the towel off her shoulder. “You look like you could really use a cup of coffee about now.”

  “Black,” I say with a nod, using the towel to dry my face and squeeze the moisture from the ends of my hair not protected by my helmet. “Is it supposed to do this all day?”

  She glances out the window, upper lip curled. “I think for a few hours anyway.” Turning back to me, she grins. “Need a menu?”

  “Not much of an appetite today,” I answer.

  “I’ll get you that coffee.” As she turns away, my cell phone buzzes with an incoming text from Colt.

  Stay put. Ranger on his way to get you with the pickup. You shouldn’t be riding in the rain.

  Bile rising in my chest, I look over my shoulder to the parking lot. Did he follow me? Just because he’s working for the ATF doesn’t exclude the possibility of also being a possessive psycho. Then I remember Kandi mentioning the day we bought the phone something about iPhones having a tracking feature. I crank my arm back, ready to smash the dumb thing against the wall.

  “Don’t do it!” the waitress cries, popping in front of me with her hands up. “If you’re not outta contract, those fucking things are like five hundred dollars to replace!” She leans over the countertop, cherry red lips bent with a mischievous smile. “If you need to take your anger out on something, I can give you some empty cups to smash. The boss always expects to lose a few a day. Some of the girls I work with are major klutzes.”

  Considering I don’t have that kind of money, I calmly set it back on the countertop. “Thanks.”

  “No problem,” she says with a light giggle. Hand extended, she winks. “I’m Mac.”

  “Harley,” I answer, t
aking her hand.

  Swiping a steaming cup of coffee off the counter behind her, she sets it in front of me and leans down with her arms crossed. Not only do I get an eyeful of considerably large breasts spilling from a lacy bra, but I catch an intricate design of a pin-up girl on a motorcycle inked into her bicep.

  “Let me guess,” she tells me. “Guy troubles? Men are such assholes. I don’t know why I don’t just switch sides and get it over with.”

  “You’ve got that right,” I grumble, bringing the steaming liquid to my lips. The warmth from the coffee is just enough to take a bite out of my chilled skin, but does nothing for the persistent ache in my chest. “I think mine just used my phone to track me down.”

  Bright green eyes surrounded by thick layers of mascara widen. “That’s pretty fucking low. You can turn your GPS off—something about the tracking feature. I think you have to be the account owner. You’ll have to Google how to do it.”

  “You ride?” I ask, pointing at the tattoo on her arm.

  Gazing wistfully at the drawing, she shrugs. “Sometimes. My brother was really into motorcycles. He even drove to Sturgis once. Then he got married and sold his Harley to pay for diapers. Now I only ride whenever guys offer.” When she looks back at me, there’s a twinkle in her eye. “Sometimes I really miss that feeling of the wind in my hair, and not a single care in the world. How long have you had your license?”

  “Since I was eighteen.” I hold my hands around the cup until my fingers feel as if they’re burning. “If the weather wasn’t shit, I’d offer you a ride.” Thunder crackles outside the diner as a reminder.

  “Maybe another time?” she suggests, black eyebrows raised.

  “Sure,” I say with a genuine smile, immediately warming to the idea. It’d be good to make a friend outside of the MC, especially now that I’m plagued with a shit-ton of dark secrets to keep from Kandi and the others. “You’ll have to give me your number before I leave. You live around here?”