Running Wild (Hell Ryders MC Book 1)

by J. L. Sheppard

“Looks like you need a new phone.”

  Army nodded. Still, the pissed-off look didn’t abate. He headed past him. Trig placed a hand on his shoulder. Army paused. His rage-filled gaze met his.

  “Let it go. She’ll be fine.” He didn’t know why he’d said it because he wasn’t sure he believed it himself. He didn’t know the whole story. In fact, he knew only what he’d heard, but if being in the service taught him anything besides being one hell of a marksman, it taught him how to read people. He had the feeling staring into Allie’s eyes she’d run. An instinct and perhaps it was nothing but nonetheless there. Following those instincts kept him alive a long time, so he’d stake his life there was much more to the story than Allie would ever admit, even to her brother.

  He wouldn’t tell Army, not yet, not until he was sure, and he didn’t think it mattered. Army had instincts of his own, good ones, and he’d seen for himself how much he cared for his sister. With certainty, nothing bad would touch Allie. Her brother wouldn’t allow it.

  “You coming?” Army asked.

  “Always down for a ride.”

  “Let me check on Allie.” Army headed down the hall and up the stairs.

  He followed, unwilling to admit he wanted to check on her himself. He stood behind while Army knocked on his bedroom door. It parted, and she came to view.

  Even prettier than he remembered, she wore a blue robe, reaching mid-thigh with her hair wet from the shower. Her eyes were swollen and red-rimmed like she’d been crying—a lot.

  Fuck. Why did that knowledge make him want to bash her cheating fiancé’s head in? He looked away, his ears perking up to see how she sounded.

  “Hey, you okay?”

  “Yeah,” she whispered. Even her voice was fucking beautiful, soft and so feminine.

  “Talked to Dad already, so you don’t have to worry about that shit anymore. If he calls you, don’t answer.”

  “He can’t. I left my phone.”

  Through his peripheral vision, he caught sight of Army’s body tensing. He couldn’t blame him. The thought didn’t please him either.

  “Allie, Christ, Allie.” He sounded pissed again. “You traveled across the country alone without a cell phone?”

  She shrugged, unfazed by Army’s temper. Luckily, because the woman raised protective instincts in him, wanting to beat the shit out of her ex and her father, wanting to hold her when she was fighting tears. He didn’t know how he’d react if Army’s temper made her start fucking crying again, and he didn’t want or need to find out.

  “I know it was stupid. I just didn’t want Dad or Wyatt to call.”

  Wyatt had to be the fiancé. What a stupid name. Lucky, stupid bastard.

  He gritted his teeth.

  Army sighed heavily, running his fingers through his hair. “You could’ve turned off your phone.”

  “Yeah, but then when I turned it on, I’d have messages.”

  “You ignore them then.”

  “Ty, it’s over, and I made it okay. I’m fine.”

  “Yeah, you are…Gotta get a new phone. I’m buying you one.”

  “Let me give you some money—”

  He shook his head. “Don’t even think about it.”

  “I have money.”

  “Save your money. I take care of you now.”

  She laughed, softly. “I’m twenty-five, Ty. I have a lot saved, and I’ll start looking for a job Monday. I’ll be out of your hair in no time.”

  “You aren’t gonna go anywhere, Allie. You’re living with me.”

  “Yeah? Oh, what are you going to do with me when you bring a girl over?”

  A teasing glint in her voice, he hid a smile.

  “You let me worry about that, ‘kay?”

  She chuckled.

  Trig couldn’t help himself then. He looked in her direction. Her gaze met his for a brief moment, then went back to her brother.

  “Take a nap. I’ll be back; then we gotta talk.”

  She nodded. Army faced him, then turned back around to her. “Oh, and I’m bringing you your Camaro.”

  She smiled a smile that reached her eyes then closed the door behind her.

  Beautiful, classy, and she drove a Camaro.

  Fuck.

  ****

  Trig sat astride his Harley, waiting for Army who’d been inside the store for close to an hour.

  “Yo,” Army shouted.

  Looking up, he spotted him walking his way, a bag in hand. “Ready?”

  Army lifted his chin.

  He started his Harley, waited for Army to pack the bag, and start his bike. “You need more time to cool off?”

  “Probably wouldn’t hurt, but I gotta get back. Have to explain some things to her. Just gotta prepare her, you know…She’s—”

  He looked away from him and gazed across the parking lot. “Classy.”

  “Yeah. Never told you, and you’d never guess, but I came from money.”

  “I’m seein’ that.”

  “I gave it up ’cause I wanted to make my own way, doing my own thing. Never regretted it. But I fuckin’ regret not telling her what I knew about that life, what I saw, and why I left. Maybe she would’ve realized it sooner. Maybe she would’ve been a teacher like she wanted. Maybe then, she would’ve never met that prick who cheated. And maybe she wouldn’t be in my room crying her eyes out.”

  “Brother, she’s pretty, looks sweet and smart, too. A man lets go of a woman like that, he’s a fuckin’ idiot.”

  Shit. It slipped. He had to be more careful. His gaze shot to Army, hoping he wouldn’t be the next one with a broken nose.

  Army smiled, shocking him. “She is. All of it. I was serving when she was in high school, but we’d talk and write as much as we could. She’d tell me about guys. She only got real serious with one her senior year. He played her. When I got back, I paid him a visit.”

  He chuckled. “Scared the shit outta him, but he never messed with her again. After that, she went to Columbia, got her bachelor’s, and worked while she finished her master’s. Sometimes, I wonder how the hell we’re related. Dad’s a dick. Mom was a pushover, and Allie’s nothing but sugar.”

  Trig could see that, totally, and he could tell she wasn’t afraid of much, not even her big brother’s nasty temper.

  “What I regret the most is not being there for her.” Army’s eyes had a faraway look to them, like reliving something in his mind.

  “Army, from what you said, sounds like you were.”

  Army shook his head. “I was, but I wasn’t.”

  That, he understood. Completely.

  Chapter Four

  A knock sounded on the door. She parted it and found Tyler. She moved away to allow him in. “Hey.”

  “Hey, you sleep?”

  “Yeah, like an hour.” She was still exhausted, but she figured if she wanted to get any sleep tonight she shouldn’t sleep longer. Besides, her stomach started to rumble.

  He handed her a phone. “My number’s saved. Added the garage’s and Jace’s, too. In case you can’t get a hold of me.”

  Silently praying she’d never have to use Jace’s number, she mumbled, “Thanks.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “Have a seat. I gotta explain a couple of things to you.”

  She sat on the edge of the bed and waited for him to do the same. He didn’t.

  “The club. Remember I told you about it?”

  “You said they were like family.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, they are. The guys you met today are brothers. There’s more of them. We work together, live together, and ride together, but Allie, they aren’t the type of men you’re used to—”

  She smiled. “You mean rich cheaters?”

  He chuckled. “Only a few have steady women or are married. They’re called ‘old ladies.’ The rest play the field.”

  Her eyes widened. “They call their wives ‘old ladies’?”

  He fought a smile and nodded.

  “And their wives don’t mind?”


  He grinned and shook his head.

  She shrugged. “I guess it’s a biker thing.”

  “Yeah, it is. We got thirty here in town. Like I said, most play the field. When I say that, I mean they rip and dip, and they can ’cause there’re women who don’t care as long as the guy’s wearing a cut. They take what’s offered and leave. No strings attached.

  “Living with me, especially living here at the compound, you’re gonna run into a lot of these guys. You’ll run into the women who are okay with being just that, too. It’s club life. We live by our own rules, we don’t judge ’cause we’re family. We eat, work, and play together.”

  He paused then added, “They aren’t your type, Allie. They’re rough around the edges, crude, and partake in questionable activities. You get me?”

  She understood, completely. In fact, he didn’t have to tell her any of this. She knew exactly the type of men they were, having been crudely initiated earlier. Then again, from her experience, the type of man didn’t matter. Her ex-fiancé was the opposite of them and ended up cheating. “Ty, I appreciate everything, but I think I should get a hotel until—”

  He sat beside her and held her hands in his. “What’re you afraid of? What’re you uncomfortable with?”

  Reason why she loved her brother, whatever she wanted, whenever she needed it. It had always been that way with him. “You know I’ve never been one to judge, Ty, but think about it. I know what I look like. I know what I appear to be, what I’ve been my whole life. I don’t fit in here with your life. I won’t judge them, unless I catch them cheating on their old ladies,” she half-heartedly joked. “But they’ll judge me.”

  “What’d they tell you?”

  It totally caught her off guard. She didn’t want to admit exactly what happened. “What?”

  “Before I got here. What happened?”

  She avoided his eyes, knowing it’d be easier to keep the truth from him. “Well…”

  “Don’t lie, Allie.”

  She met his stare again. “It wasn’t bad.”

  “Ripper.”

  “Is that his name? Ripper?”

  His eyes narrowed. “He’s not gonna mess with you, not after—”

  “Ty, I’m not letting you get into fights with your family over me.”

  He flinched like she’d struck him.

  She hadn’t meant to hurt him, so she attempted to rephrase. “I know they mean a lot to you, and I don’t want to come between you—”

  He shook his head. “Allie, they’re my brothers by choice. You’re my sister by blood and choice. You get me?”

  The magnitude of his words hit her square in the chest, spreading warmth all over. What he’d said meant the world to her. God, she loved her brother. Understanding completely, she nodded.

  “I love you, Allie, you know that, right?”

  “Yeah, Ty, and I love you, too.”

  He gripped the back of her neck and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her head. “Remember, anytime, anyplace.”

  She smiled. “Anytime, anyplace.”

  ****

  Near seven p.m., Allie hadn’t eaten in close to twelve hours. Her stomach growled so loud she didn’t know how Ty hadn’t heard it. She followed Tyler down the stairs past the living area and into the kitchen dining area. Larger than she expected, dark cabinets lined the right side where the stove, refrigerator, and double ovens were. Marble countertops circled half the room and separated the formal dining area from the kitchen.

  The moment she walked in, voices died, heads shifted, and gazes hit her. She didn’t recognize any of them, but figured she’d be polite. “Hi.”

  It got her several chin lifts, much better than being scanned from top to bottom like a piece of meat. She smiled and looked toward her brother.

  He opened the fridge, cursed then shut it. “Looks like we’re getting take-out tonight.” He glanced around the room. “My bad, Allie, this is Blaze, Cuss, and Trick.” He paused, shifting his attention to them and said, “This is Allie.”

  Blaze was blond, blue-eyed, and tall. She could tell, since sitting on a stool, he was taller than her. Cuss looked in his early twenties, his hair so dark it looked midnight blue, and his eyes were round and big, a captivating sapphire-blue in color. Trick appeared mid-twenties, probably around her age. He had long, dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, and he wore a black shirt with the sleeves cut off.

  Blaze took a sip of beer and chuckled. “Pleasure to meet the reason Ripper’s got a broken nose.”

  Trick’s gaze hit her. “Class act like you, it’d be my pleasure to show you the ropes.”

  Cuss shook his head just as her brother jumped to her defense. “There’ll be no showing her anything.”

  He laughed. “She ain’t my type. ’Sides, I think you made your point earlier.”

  Her cheeks heated.

  “He’s messing with you,” Blaze told her. “Don’t pay mind to it.”

  She smiled softly and nodded.

  Her brother rolled his eyes then faced her. “What’re you in the mood for?”

  “At this point, anything will do.”

  He lifted a brow. “Even Chinese?”

  Chinese was not her favorite, and Ty knew this. At that point, she was so hungry she’d eat raw chicken. She laughed. “Yeah, Ty, even Chinese.”

  He shook his head. “I know this great Italian place. I’ll take you there.”

  “You thinking of takin’ her to Anthony’s?”

  She turned. Cuss’s sapphire gaze met hers, that captivating color enthralling. Like a fly caught in a web, she had to fight to look away.

  Ty nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Might wanna give Trig a call. Place is usually packed Saturday.”

  “Where is he?”

  Cuss shrugged. “Fuck if I know.”

  “Right.” Ty fished his phone out of his pocket and brought it to his ear. “Trig. Thinking of takin’ Allie to Anthony’s tonight.” He paused for several seconds, listening to the other end. “Meet you here.” He snapped his phone shut. “Gotta get my keys.” He strode out, telling her to wait for him there.

  He’d been gone a minute when two others entered. She recognized them immediately. How could she forget the warm welcome they’d given her?

  Tatted Chest and Tatted Sleeves.

  Seeing those two, she’d known the moment would eventually come, but she hoped she would have more time.

  Tatted Sleeves closed the distance between them, stopping only a foot away. “Honey, could’ve told us you were related to Army.”

  Like it would’ve made a difference, considering she didn’t know who Army was until later and considering they’d thought she was Tyler’s woman and still hit on her.

  Tatted Chest drew closer. “Know what you’re thinkin’, Doll, and yeah, it would’ve made a difference. Family’s off limits.”

  “No hard feelings, yeah?”

  She had the feeling this was some sort of apology. Releasing a breath, she nodded. “No hard feelings.”

  “Name’s Bud,” Tatted Chest said then nodded toward Tatted Sleeves. “This is Dash.”

  “Alyssa.”

  Bud lifted his brow and grinned. “I think I like ‘Doll’ better.”

  She smiled. “If you get to call me ‘Doll,’ then I get to call you ‘Tatted Chest.’ ”

  He threw his head back and laughed. Dash grinned and shook his head. “You’re gonna fit in nice here. Damn shame you’re off limits.”

  “Unless you wanna rile that brother of hers, suggest you call her something else,” Cuss warned.

  Bud turned to Cuss. “Any ideas?”

  Blaze’s brows furrowed. He looked her up and down then grinned. “Classy.”

  “I say we vote,” Dash said.

  “The only thing you’re gonna do is clean your blood off the floor if you don’t step away from her.”

  She jolted at the sound of his voice. Rough, deep, and thick. That deep, startling feeling reignited in her gut. Sh
e didn’t have to look to know who the voice belonged to. In fact, not wanting to be reminded how hot he was, she tried her hardest not to look.

  Bud and Dash turned to him, paving the way for her to get a glimpse, and that unsettling feeling intensified.

  Shit. Hotter than she remembered, his dark hair, short on the sides and longer on top, was disheveled like he’d been running his fingers through it. Still, it was too appealing. He wore a blue-collared polo that fit snugly against his broad chest and a pair of faded jeans. His expression made her lose her voice. Looking angry again, his square jaw clenched, the muscle in his jaw jumping.

  Dash shrugged. “Just talkin’ to the girl.”

  “Don’t gotta be that close to talk,” Jace shot back.

  “You see Doll upset?” Bud asked.

  Jace’s eyes narrowed, taking a menacing step in their direction.

  The perfect moment to interrupt, so she did. “They weren’t bothering me.”

  The muscle in his jaw jumped again. He angled his whole body toward her. His gaze met hers and held for a long moment.

  The heat of everyone’s gaze was on her, but she couldn’t look away from his eyes. A powerful emotion shined through their deep, dark depths.

  She saw it.

  She felt it.

  She just didn’t know what it was or why he showed it to her, but it knocked the wind out of her.

  “Thought we’d agreed on Classy,” Blaze spoke, breaking their moment.

  Thank God for Blaze. She didn’t know if she would’ve ever summoned the courage to look away.

  She faced Blaze. “I thought we’d agreed on a vote though I get unlimited vetoes.”

  “Fuckin’ shit. You tryin’ to bargain with bikers?” Cuss asked.

  Still a bit shaky, she tried to hide it with a smile.

  Trick chuckled. “Yep, gonna fit in real nice here.”

  “J!” The squeal tore her gaze away from him toward the threshold into the kitchen just in time to see a girl slam into Jace’s side and wrap her arms around his legs. Five, maybe six years old, she had dark hair like Jace, but hers was long and curled at the ends. She wore a frilly pink dress and white sandals, matching the barrette in her hair.

  Resting his hands on her back, Jace looked down at her, smiling.

  And holy shit, could Hot, Angry, Badass Biker smile, a great smile that softened the harsh lines on his face, making him that much more attractive.