Deserter
Shannon Myers
Contents
Also by Shannon Myers
Acknowledgments
Author’s Note
Terminology
Deserter
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Also by Shannon Myers
About the Author
Copyright © 2019 by Shannon Myers
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever, including but not limited to- being stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the written permission of the author.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, groups, businesses, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover Model: Josh Mario John
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Design: Final Wrap
First Printing: 2019
Paperback ISBN- 978-0-9994716-9-2
Created with Vellum
Also by Shannon Myers
From This Day Forward Duet
(David & Elizabeth’s Story)
From This Day Forward
Forsaking All Others
Standalone Novels
(Travis & Katya’s Story)
You Save Me
Operation Series
(Dakota & Zane’s Story)
Operation Fit-ish
(Kate and Nate’s Story)
Operation Annulment
Silent Phoenix MC Series
(Mike & Lauren’s Story)
Renegade (Book One)
Traitor (Book Two)
(Grey & Celia’s Story)
Deserter (Book Three)
Protector (Book Four) COMING 6/2019
Savior (Book Five) COMING 7/2019
Fairest Series
(Charm & Neve’s Story)
Through The Woods
Fictioned Series
(Hayden & Jake’s Story)
Protagonized
To Katy:
For scrawling ‘Hell’s Angel’ on my bedroom mirror when we were in high school. It’s the closest I ever came to being a biker chick.
Acknowledgments
A writer is only as good as the people behind her. I’m lucky enough to have an entire city.
Rebecca Pau- Thank you for being available to completely redesign the Silent Phoenix MC series. Seriously, these covers are perfection. Also, thank you for being so invested in my characters’ lives that you sometimes can’t be friends with me.
Beta Readers- You guys are the best. Your feedback made this story what it is. Give yourselves a big pat on the back because Grey would not be what he is without you.
Wander- Thank you for continuing to shoot amazing covers. I’d love to say I’m set for a while, but let’s be honest–I’ll be throwing more money your way before I know it. You can hang out at my table anytime.
Ellie- Thank you for working around my crazy life, and for taking this project on at the last possible second.
Readers- Thank you for your persistence. Last year was a rough one, but your messages pushed me to tell Grey’s story. I know it’s been a long wait, but I hope you see that it was worth it.
Laura- Bunny, how many late night discussions have we had over fictional people? Thank you for listening to me dump out my brain and for always being there to make me laugh.
Lily- Thank you for your honesty and your excitement over this story. I’m thankful you’ve stuck with me through the good and bad stories. #GreedyforGrey
Wendi- Between this and a certain baseball story, you’ve gently pushed me toward the stories you knew readers were dying to read. You’ve done it all for me and have made my life easier and definitely more organized.
Ashley- Thank you for being my critique partner and for being my Inkers Con buddy. Dallas isn’t ready for us again!
Nick and Shayla- Thank you for supporting my crazy little dream and for promoting my work. You two are an inspiration and I cannot wait to write your love story. I love you both to the moon and back.
Zach- Here we are—book ten! I can never thank you enough for not only believing in me, but for reading and promoting my books everywhere you go. I love that I can unwind from the day by discussing inane plot points with you and you genuinely get invested in where the story is going. Even when you try to take credit for the entire story, I still love you!
Author’s Note
Please be aware that Deserter is not recommended for readers under the age of eighteen, as it contains strong language, sexual situations, drug use, and graphic violence.
If you, or someone you care about has been a victim of sexual assault, RAINN is available to provide confidential support.
RAINN Hotline: 1 (800) 656-4673
Terminology
1%er (One-Percenter)- If 99% of motorcycle riders are law-abiding members of society, the rest is the 1%. Advertised through a patch or tattoo, usually on a diamond shaped back field.
13 - Patch worn by a biker, usually a 1%er. May stand for the letter “M” (13th letter of alphabet), and indicate the wearer smokes pot, or uses “crank” (methamphetamine). Can also mean “The Mother Club“, or original chapter of a motorcycle club.
1916- The nineteenth letter of the alphabet (S) and the sixteenth (P). Stands for Silent Phoenix.
3-Piece Patch- Configuration of back patches, consisting of: a top rocker (club’s name), a center patch (club’s emblem), and a bottom rocker (geographical territory).
69 - Patch indicating someone who has performed cunnilingus with witnesses present.
Air Condition- Riddle with bullets
ATF- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Broad- A female whose sole purpose is being used as a sexual object; similar to a one-night stand.
Cage- Non-biker’s car/truck.
Church- Club meeting.
Club Whore- Also known as a Mama. Sexual equivalent of a public well. Anyone can dip into her, at any time, as often as he wants. These are woman who belong to the club at large. They belong to every member and are expected to consent to the sexual desires of anyone at anytime. They perform menial tasks around the clubhouse, however do not attend club meetings.
Colors- Patches, logo, or uniform associated with a motorcycle club.
Fly Colors - To ride on a motorcycle wearing club’s kutte.
Gathering: A scheduled social event or meeting. This is not Church.
Grocery-getter- A biker’s car/truck.
Hang Around- a person that hangs around a motorcycle club and may be interested in joining.
Jacket- Arrest record
Kill-Light- A flashlight used as a weapon.
Kutte- A jacket which has had the sleeves cut off. All club patches are sewn onto kuttes, which are worn as the outer-most layer of clothing. Most, if not all, outlaw clubs have kuttes as their basic uni
form.
Mother- Founding/original chapter of the club.
Nomad- 1) "Nomad" on a bottom rocker patch means that motorcycle club member travels between geographical chapters. Kind of like working in a secretarial pool, a Nomad goes where he's needed. 2)"Nomad" on a top rocker patch or car plaque means "Nomad" is the name of that club.
Ol’ Lady- Wife or long-time girlfriend of club member. She is considered property of the member and is off-limits to other club members.
Property Of- displayed on a shirt, patch or tattoo to show who the woman “belongs to.” Example: Monica wore a “Property of Torch” vest in Renegade. That meant that she associated herself with Torch and would do anything he needed/wanted.
* * *
STRUCTURE WITHIN CLUB
National President- Many times the founder of the club. He will usually be located at or near the national headquarters. He will be surrounded by bodyguards and organizational enforcers.
Territorial or Regional Representatives- In some cases called the National Vice President in charge of a specific region or state.
National Secretary / Treasurer- He is responsible for the club's money and collecting dues from local chapters. He also records any by-law changes and records any minutes.
National Enforcer- This person answers directly to the National President. He acts as a body guard and gives out punishment for club violations. He has also been known to locate former members and retrieve colors or remove the club's tattoo from them.
Chapter President- This person has either claimed the position or has been voted in. He has final authority over all chapter business and members.
Chapter Vice President- This person is second in command. He presides over club affairs in the absence of the president. Normally, he is hand picked by the Chapter President.
Chapter Secretary / Treasurer- This is usually the member with the best writing skills and probably the most education. He will maintain the chapter roster and maintain a crude accounting system. He is also responsible for collecting dues, keeping minutes and paying for any bills the chapter accumulates.
Chapter Sergeant (SGT) at Arms- This person is in charge of maintaining order at club meetings. Because of the violent nature of outlaw gangs this person is normally the strongest member physically and is loyal to the Chapter President. He may administer beatings to fellow members for violations of club rules. He is the club enforcer.
Road Captain- This person fulfills the role of a logistician and security chief for club sponsored runs or outings. The Road Captain maps out routes to be taken during runs, arranges the refueling, food and maintenance stops. He will carry the club's money and use it for bail if necessary.
Members- The rank and file, fully accepted and dues paying members of the gang. They are the individuals who carry out the President's orders and have sworn to live by the club's by-laws.
Prospect- These are the club's hopefuls who spend from one month to one year in a probationary status. They must prove during that time if they are worthy of becoming members. Some clubs have the prospect commit a felony with fellow members observing in an effort to weed out the weak and stop infiltration by law enforcement. Must be nominated by a regular member and receive a unanimous vote for acceptance. They are known to carry weapons for other club members and stand guard at club functions. The prospect wears no colors and has no voting rights.
Associates or Honorary Members- An individual who has proven his value or usefulness to the gang. These individuals may be professional people who have in some manner helped the club. Some of the more noted are attorneys, bail bondsmen, and auto wrecking yard owners. These people are allowed to party with the gang, either in town or on their runs; however, they do not have a voting status or wear colors.
Deserter
dəˈzərdər/
noun
A member of the armed forces who deserts.
A person who has physically removed him or herself from a unit with the intention of permanently leaving.
See also: defector; betrayer.
Prologue
Grey: Present Day
“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus sanctifying. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”
I knew the voice, but the sound of it was muffled. Like talking to someone underwater. A clock ticked loudly from somewhere above my head and my heart raced, steadily pumping blood through the wound in my chest. I was no longer lying in a parking lot but was being thrown around in a cage.
Had it just been one hit?
I didn’t remember.
My only instinct had been to keep the bullets away from Rick. I didn’t even know if I’d been successful.
The truck swerved, and I gasped in pain from the movement. Staying awake was agony, but my body refused to let me pass out. Fire burned its way through my chest; every breath like the stab of a hot poker.
My forehead was bathed in a sheen of cold sweat as the blistered skin on my chest tore away from muscle and bone.
The goddamn sun had decided to beat the shit out of me with a baseball bat.
I kept waiting for the numbness to set in, but it never came, leaving me painfully aware of every bump and jerk of the steering wheel.
So, this was what dying felt like.
“Jamie? Jamie, look at me!”
I tilted my face up toward the sound and forced my eyes open.
My girl.
“You can’t be here,” I forced out. “It’s too late for me, princess.”
She shook her head and pressed down on the wound. “No, I won’t let you. You promised me, Jamie. You swore to keep us safe!”
I took a shallow breath and struggled to reach her hands. The pressure made it impossible to breathe.
“Gotta stop now. It’s done.”
Someone continued praying in the background and I closed my eyes again. I didn’t want to see the love of my life kneeling over me, frantically trying to stop the bleeding.
“You were supposed to wear the vest! You told me you would!” Her tears hit my face, and I mashed my lips together to keep from joining her.
I had worn the goddamn vest, just like Mikey had asked me to, and the motherfuckers had used armor-piercing bullets. I took at least one to the back and it had gone all the way through.
“Our baby girl,” I gasped, forcing my eyes open again. “She looked so good, didn’t she?”
“I’m here, Daddy. I’m right here. Do you feel my hand?” Dakota squeezed, and I nodded, my own tears sliding down my cheeks.
“I feel you. Is—is anyone else—”
Mikey answered. “We’re all here, Grey. We’ll stay with you until it’s over.”
“I’ve got you, Dad.” Katydid’s fingers brushed the tears from my face. I was grateful to be surrounded by family, but they didn’t need to see me like this.
This wasn’t how I wanted to be remembered.
“I know—I know who’s responsible,” I whispered.
I should’ve seen it from the beginning but hadn’t wanted to believe that my sins could ever catch up with me.
“None of that matters now.”
I didn’t recognize the voice and briefly wondered if I was already dead. The stinging in my chest was my only reminder that I was still clinging to life.
Barely.
They weren’t really here; I knew that. It was a dream I didn’t want to wake up from though. The ticking slowed, ready to stop at any moment.
This was it.
No second chances—no time to make amends.
“Listen to me,” I bit out as a strong hand gripped mine. “The girls—you have to tell the girls everything.”
The sacrifices we’d made for them.
The threats we’d kept hidden.
Instead of words of wisdom, I was leaving my family in no-man’s-land; forced to fight a war they never started, for a man they never re
ally knew.
I panted, each shallow breath taking me away from the pain. If I had to do it over again, I never would’ve deserted them.
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