Death Dwellers Motorcycle Club:: Fifteen Bad Boy Biker Books

by Kathryn C. Kelly

  It was strange, but she consoled herself with the knowledge that she’d probably missed them in all the commotion. She kept a steady watch over her shoulder, because of the relentless noise of the Rottweilers. When she reached the gate, she rushed through it, and slammed it shut. The locks clanked into place.

  The walk through the wooded pathway to the clubhouse suddenly seemed daunting. Unease slid into her and a cramp hit her belly.

  It was only the stress of the day, she decided, and the stupid barking.

  She hurried along, the hair rising on her nape. Finally, she reached the clubhouse, surprised to see all the bikes, more than she’d seen in a while. When she opened the door, the noise hit her. A party was the last thing she wanted to be subjected to, even for a moment.

  She paused to adjust her vision from the cloudiness outside to the dimness of the room. It came to her that this wasn’t an ordinary party. It was more of an orgy, with the Bobs there. She always knew it was those sluts because they all wore matching keyhole thongs and bras, as well as matching heeled sandals.

  As she spotted Trader having his dick sucked, she heard Johnnie’s laughter. Even above the noise, she heard him, and her heart sank. Frantically, she looked around, hoping it was her imagination.

  But she heard him again, and knew he was near her. He must’ve been by the pool tables. She was close enough to clearly hear him but just out of view.

  Another pain hit her, but she stepped closer.

  “Anything else,” a girl cooed.

  “No, sweetheart, thanks.”

  His amusement cut through Kendall. She blinked.

  “You’re leaving?” she asked with a pout. “I turned down leaving with Cash to be with you.”

  “And I fucking told you, it won’t happen. Kendall is back, so I’m not touching anyone but her.”

  “You were just laughing with Gurly,” she complained. “You told me to get you a beer. I thought that meant-”

  “It meant I was laughing at one of Gurly’s jokes, Mira,” he snapped. “That’s it. I’m here to talk to Arrow, not to fuck. You all are here for the single brothers. I’m not fucking single.”

  Silence and then, “I need money.”

  “And?”

  “Whenever we fucked, you gave me money.”

  Nausea twisted in Kendall, and her actions with Outlaw replayed in her head. She didn’t even know Mira, but hearing her so casually discuss sleeping with Johnnie, hurt. She couldn’t imagine how betrayed Meggie would feel if she ever discovered Kendall’s actions.

  “I can suck your dick. We don’t have to fuck. There’s a new pair of shoes I want.”

  “Talk to Arrow.”

  “I already did,” she whined. “He said I’d get tipped tonight, like usual. I still don’t get as much money from them collectively as I do from you.”

  “Mira, hey, babe.”

  Kendall immediately recognized Gurly’s voice. She was an older woman, who’d been club property for years.

  “Arrow!” Gurly yelled.

  Kendall shrank back into the shadows, not wanting to be spotted yet. She wanted to process more of the same from herself—jumping to conclusions—and doubting Johnnie’s loyalty to her.

  Arrow passed the wooden rails, into the pool table area. She shouldn’t spy, but she needed this. Johnnie could tell her to trust him and she could work through it. Seeing and hearing for herself, however, was irrefutable proof.

  “Kendall?”

  For the moment she lost herself in her thoughts, Johnnie had stepped from the railed area.

  He walked up to her, beer in hand, and kissed her. “Are you okay?”

  “Um, yes.”

  “Roxy just sent me a text.” He touched his cut where he kept his phone. “She needs to talk to me. You want to walk over there with me?”

  He narrowed his eyes. Before she could question him, he was tugging her to their room and turning the overhead light on.

  “What the fuck happened to your neck?”

  He inspected closer, lifted his fingers and fit them to the marks. She wasn’t watching to know for certain, but his touch pressed right where Christopher’s had.

  “Who the fuck…?” Fury dropped into his features and he threaded his fingers through her hair then cradled her face. “What did you do?” he snarled.

  “Wh-what do you mean?”

  “What the fuck did you do that sent Christopher over the edge, where he fucking choked you?”

  “Oh my God, Johnnie, I was so scared. He was really going to kill me.”

  “What did you do? You told Megan about what happened, didn’t you?”

  “No,” she whispered. “I told it to Roxy. I-I overheard a conversation and I…I went over the edge.”

  Johnnie’s nostrils flared and he released her. “Right.” Storming around her, he went to his closet. When he reappeared, he was sliding a magazine into his Glock and heading to the door.

  “What are you doing?” Kendall screeched.

  He rounded on her. “You were fucking out-of-line for whatever you did, but that motherfucker can’t put his hands on you and get away with it.”

  Kendall grabbed his cut. “No, Johnnie! No, please. I don’t want you two confronting each other. Please! I wasn’t even going to tell you.”

  “Why? Because you know I’ll think it’s the same fucking shit from you.”

  “Please,” she cried. “I’ll never say anything to Outlaw or Meggie again that shouldn’t be said. Let it go.” She drew in a deep breath. Earlier, she’d discovered she could trust Johnnie. Now, she’d know how much power she had over him. Her body tense, she blocked his pathway. “Please. Let’s forget this happened.”

  “Kendall-”

  “For me, Johnnie,” she said quietly. “Let it go for me. I-I’ve watched you since I’ve been back. You’re happy and-”

  “I’m happy because you’re back. I’m happy because it seems like we were all…” He rubbed his eyes. “Even Christopher seemed to be accepting you.”

  She swallowed. “I know…”

  He kicked the desk chair. “Fuck! I can’t believe he put his hands on you.”

  “You know how protective he is of Meggie.”

  “Do I?” he asked in a cold voice. “Every motherfucker around knows that, which means you know it, too-”

  “I know! Let it go. For me,” she reiterated, nearing desperation.

  “For you?” he snarled.

  Despite the anger vibrating in his voice, Kendall nodded.

  “For you? Just forget he choked the fuck out of you? Left marks on your beautiful skin?”

  “Yes,” she said in a small voice.

  He growled, yanking his hair in frustration. “Fine, Kendall. But I expect you to keep your fucking comments to yourself.”

  “I never believed he’d really hurt me.”

  Not answering, he stalked to the closet, and returned Glock-less. “You believe it now? If you fuck with Megan, you die. Then he dies. Or I die. You fucking get it now?”

  She opened her mouth and only managed a squeak, before doubling over in pain, as water poured down her legs.

  Dear Diary,

  Meggie called me today. I’d been both dreading and anticipating this day. As usual, she offered her friendship through the kindness of her words and the sincerity of her concern.

  I’ve been at Charlotte’s and Brooks’ house for two and a half months, searching for the resolve and the nerve to return to the clubhouse and reclaim my Johnnie.

  Mostly, I’ve focused on work. It wasn’t a huge case Brooks allowed me to assist on, but it made me happy, if not satisfied. Now, I’m on maternity leave, preparing for the birth of my as-yet-unknown-sex-of baby. With each passing day, I miss Johnnie a little more, so when Meggie invited me to Bailey’s and Mortician’s “big” wedding, I jumped at the chance. She even filled me in on the wedding party details, hinting I should find a dress in a similar color.

  Unable to help myself, I flatly asked her if Johnnie knew wha
t she was up to.

  “No, Kendall. He’s very angry with you. If he didn’t still love you, it wouldn’t still hurt him. Come to the wedding. You two have to start repairing your relationship somehow.”

  Johnnie’s decree when he’d sent me away to the retreat thumped in my head. He’d sworn they didn’t interfere in each other’s private relationships. I suppose Meggie was exempt, just as her jackass of a husband exempted her from every available rule that we all had to follow to the letter. My resentment surfaced, but then I realized I was skirting the edges of bad behavior, and Dr. Stanton would jerk off if I proved his conclusions right.

  Besides, I wanted Johnnie back, and if this was the way to do it, then I’d take it.

  Not long after, Meggie said her goodbyes. She didn’t have long to sneak down to the kitchen to help Bunny out, before Christopher returned.

  I held back my snort. Once I hung up, I sat on the striped tan couch in my living quarters and realized I had a lot to work on in a very short time.

  Short term? Winning Johnnie back and convincing him of my love. Having us wed before the birth of our baby, even if I had to propose.

  Shorter term? Finding a dress for the wedding and working on my hot-and-cold attitude regarding Meggie. If it worked out between Johnnie and me, I’d have her to thank.

  If it didn’t, then I’d have her to blame.

  Chapter 13: Not Like This

  It took Johnnie a moment to realize what happened, even as he rushed to Kendall to catch her before she sprawled onto the floor. He held onto her.

  “It’s too soon,” she cried, groaning.

  “I know,” he told her, remaining as calm as possible and guiding her to the door. “You and the baby will be fine.”

  “I can’t have him yet! Please. We haven’t even gotten married. Our son is going to be born illegitimate.”

  Scooping her into his arms, Johnnie gritted his teeth at her pitiful moan. She laid her head on his shoulder. “I’ll be there to sign the birth certificate. The baby will have my name.”

  “But I won’t!” she wailed, as he reached the main room, where more fucking than talking or drinking now took place. He headed for the exit, but Stretch beat him to it.

  “I saw you coming on the monitors,” he explained. “I’ve already sent a probate for Kendall’s navigator.”

  “Thanks,” Johnnie said, hurrying outside with her.

  Kendal grunted. “It hurts so much.”

  “I know, sweetheart. It’ll be over soon.”

  The SUV screeched around a sea of bikes, and halted as close as possible to the front door, which was nearer to the edge of the wooded pathway, than where he stood.

  Stretch jogged ahead and swung the passenger door open, then stepped aside, so Johnnie could place Kendall in the seat and strap her in. That done, he hurried to the driver’s side.

  “Call Christopher,” he instructed. “Tell him what’s going on. Ask him to get Father Wilkins to meet us at the hospital.” Fuck, the rings were in his closet, where he’d stored them six months ago. “I’m going to text him. Just let him know.”

  Not waiting for Stretch’s response, Johnnie slammed his door shut, and sped away.

  Forty-five minutes later, he walked out of Kendall’s delivery suite to send the text to Christopher. Although she’d gotten a different obstetrician, he didn’t have credentials for Hortensia Medical Center.

  Call Dr. Will. Ask her to meet us at the hospital.

  He sent the text to Christopher, grateful that Kendall and the doctor were familiar with one another.

  After five minutes, Johnnie received no response and he gritted his teeth, tempering the anger rising to the surface.

  Christopher?

  Kendall had asked him to let Christopher choking her go, for her, but, it seemed as if Christopher would force his hand. Ignoring the ding of the elevator’s arrival on that floor, Johnnie paced.

  Kendall is in labor.

  “I know exactly where the fuck that cunt at,” Christopher growled from behind him.

  Johnnie spun around, intending to blast him, until he spotted Megan at Christopher’s side. He clutched her hand in his, his eyes blazing. At once, Johnnie knew confronting his brother would be a bad idea. One, the man looked ready to explode. Without asking, Johnnie knew he hadn’t wanted Megan to accompany him.

  “The rings, Christopher,” she urged him now, throwing Johnnie a sour look.

  He lifted a brow at her, but she clenched her jaw and glanced away.

  “Sit the fuck down, Megan,” Christopher ordered, not giving her a choice. He dragged her to a chair and pushed her down himself.

  “Give him the rings, Christopher,” she repeated on a hiss.

  A muscle ticking in his jaw, Christopher stalked to Johnnie, yanked out two jeweler’s boxes and shoved them against Johnnie’s chest. “Father Wilcunt on the fuckin’ way.”

  “I’m calling Dr. Will,” Megan announced, holding up her phone.

  Christopher sat next to her and glared at Johnnie, until she finished her call to the doctor.

  “Hold on, motherfucker,” Johnnie barked, the moment she hung up and told him Dr. Will would be at the hospital shortly. He pocketed the small boxes, his rage getting the best of him. “You fucked with Kendall and you’re fucking angry?”

  “Told you, baby. I brought my fuckin’ ass here and Ida had to shoot the fuck outta him over his bitch.”

  “Oh, so you know, Megan?” Johnnie spat. “You know this motherfucker tried to choke my woman?”

  “I know everything,” Megan snapped, anger and hurt in her eyes. “Christopher can’t go around killing-” she dropped her voice to a whisper for that word—“but Kendall can’t go around propositioning my husband. You’re a moron and so is she. I don’t want you, so stop using me to make her jealous, you big ass.”

  Another ding of the elevator and Johnnie didn’t bother to look in the direction of it, to see who’d arrived. “I didn’t make her offer pussy to Christopher. She did that on her own.”

  Folding her arms, Megan’s chin wobbled and she looked away. Christopher’s look darkened, but he hugged Megan to him and kissed the top of her head.

  “Just follow the loud voices and I’m sure to find you two,” Father Wilkins intoned dryly, glancing between Johnnie and Christopher. “Aww, if it isn’t the lovely Mrs. Caldwell.” His brow creased. “Where’s my cut, madam?”

  “Cut?” Christopher echoed, sidling a glance at Megan. “What the fuck he talkin’ about, baby?”

  “I’ll tell you later,” she responded sullenly.

  “Why don’t I explain, hmmm?” the priest said with a patently warm voice. Not giving her a chance to respond, he went on. “It seems. Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. Banks offered me an honorary membership in your club, gentlemen. Officially offering me the road name of Jazzman and swearing to me, a holy man of God, that you, Mr. Caldwell, didn’t bear true animosity to me.”

  “First, Father Wilcunt, Megan ain’t got no fuckin’ authority offerin’ your fuckin’ ass no place in my fuckin’ club.” He scowled at her and she flushed. “Second, I think you a holier-than-thou, self-righteous, fat lil’ motherfucker.”

  Johnnie winced. Not because Christopher’s words weren’t accurate but because once again they were in a position of needing the priest. He wanted to marry Kendall before their baby was born, and Father Wilkins was the only one readily available to do it. If they called Brooks and asked him to get a judge to the hospital, Johnnie couldn’t be certain how long it would take.

  But the priest was on the take from the club, which meant he was also on call for them.

  Fuck. Suddenly, he saw the brilliance of Megan’s and Bailey’s idea.

  “Christopher?” he said, hoping the priest’s beet red face didn’t bode ill. “Father Wilkins is always there when we need him. There wouldn’t be any harm in putting a vote to the membership. He could be the club’s chaplain.”

  Megan swallowed and tugged Christopher’s head down to whisper
in his ear. Although her words annoyed him, he nodded and leveled a look at the round, little man.

  “Go the fuck with Johnnie, marry him and his bitch without fuckin’ bullshit, and I’ll put your fuckin’ honorary membership to the club in two fuckin’ weeks. You ain’t gettin’ no fuckin’ votin’ rights even if you get the fuck in.”

  Adjusting his stiff collar and brushing off the black jacket he wore, Father Wilkins cleared his throat. “I take it you and Mrs. Caldwell will be the witnesses?” he asked through tight lips.

  “Yep, so get it the fuck over with, so I can get my fuckin’ wife back home. This shit was her fuckin’ idea, figurin’ they wouldn’t want fuckin’ medical staff doin’ something so fuckin’ important.” Christopher took Megan’s hand in his again. “Val was gonna come, but she figured we could be best fuckin’ man and matron of honor, so here the fuck we be.”

  Christopher and Father Wilkins focused on Johnnie, who nodded and said, “Follow me.”

  Kendall rested her head on her pillow, eyes closed and waiting for the next pain to hit her. It had been about thirty-five minutes, but she was dilated, so they considered her in active labor. The baby’s heartbeat was strong and steady, as was hers.

  As delivery got closer, she intended to have an epidural. No natural childbirth for her. She thought maybe Johnnie would protest. He didn’t. Instead, he’d kissed her and murmured, “Whatever makes you most comfortable, sweetheart.”

  Those words came right before he disappeared. He’d been gone for half an hour, and Kendall wondered what had taken him away. She’d seen the phone in his hand, but hadn’t thought much of it.

  Now, though, she feared he’d taken this opportunity to confront Outlaw, despite her plea that he drop it.

  Just as horrible ideas of Outlaw killing Johnnie went through her head, the door opened, and he sauntered in, followed by Father Wilkins and Outlaw, who carried Meggie in his arms.

  Kendall gasped at the sight of the priest and her gaze flew to Johnnie’s.