Raiden's Choice (A Ravens MC Novel Book 1)

by J. L. Leslie

  Griffin slips out of me and kisses my shoulders before pulling up his slacks. I scoop up my clothes and tell him I’m going to shower then I’ll come back to eat.

  “We’ll watch a movie when you get out. I’ve been neglecting you this week and I’m sorry about that.”

  “Sounds good.” I tell him and head down the hall.

  I turn the water on and let it become steaming hot before I step in. I’m tempted to soak in my clawfoot tub instead, but this’ll do. I scrub my skin until it’s nice and pink. If I could scrub Luka Varelli from my brain, I would. Thinking about him does me no good. He’s a distraction. One I damn sure can’t afford.

  ~Luka~

  I anxiously wait on Linc to come into the visiting area. After Griffin’s threats, I need to see if he made good on them or not. I don’t know what Griffin’s capable of or who he has helping him on the inside. I would think no one, but honestly, you never know. He could have promised someone in here a deal. It wouldn’t surprise me. The system is that corrupt and people will do whatever they can to get a better deal for themselves. It doesn’t matter who else they harm in the process.

  When Linc walks in, I feel sick to my stomach. He has a gash on the side of his head that’s been stitched up. His lip is still healing, but it was obviously busted open. His black eye is a nice shade of purple too. Son of a bitch.

  “What the hell happened?” I ask when he picks up the phone on his side.

  “I’m fine, Luka.” he says, solemnly.

  “You don’t look fine!”

  “I’m fine.” he states. “Look, I’ve decided to take the deal. I’ve already been in here too long. I don’t want to stay here another day.”

  “No! Do not take that deal!” I raise my voice, but lower it when some of the other visitors start grumbling. “Do not take it, Linc. I’m working on something for you. Trust me.”

  “The DA’s office will pull it if I don’t take it soon.” he complains and I shake my head.

  “They’re not gonna pull it. Just trust me on that.” I assure him. “Tell me what happened to your face.”

  “I fell.”

  “Linc…”

  “I’m a clumsy motherfucker, Luka.” he grins. “What happened to your hand?”

  “Cut it on a blade at work.”

  “Guess we’re both clumsy motherfuckers.” he laughs.

  “Guess so.” I agree and laugh a little too. “I’m getting you out of here, Linc. Believe me on that.”

  “Okay, brother. I believe you.” he says. “Just do it soon.”

  I leave the jail feeling defeated and not necessarily confident in my ability to keep my promise to my brother. I sure as hell haven’t figured out how I’m supposed to do that. If I keep feeding Griffin bogus info, Linc will end up worse off than what he already is. I can’t live with that.

  When I get to the clubhouse, I ask Eric, the VP, if I can meet with Dax. I need to talk with him while I still have the nerve. Dax motions me to his office a few minutes later.

  “I thought you said Linc was protected in jail.” I start and he crosses his arms. “He got the shit beat out of him after Griffin threatened me that he was going to have it done. I haven’t given Griffin anything since the whole drug bust bullshit. He’s pissed and he’s taking it out on my brother.”

  “I don’t give a shit about your brother, Luka.” Dax replies, calmly and honestly. “You’ll give Griffin the info when I tell you to. That’s your job.”

  “Or I’ll just say go fuck yourself.” I throw back, angrily.

  “Or I’ll just have Lincoln shanked in prison and then put a bullet in your head so I don’t have to worry about either of you fucking Varelli brothers.” he snaps.

  “I have to give him something or this arrangement doesn’t work.” I tell him, throwing my hands in the air. “And if my brother isn’t protected then there’s no fucking point in me doing this shit!”

  “You have some balls to come in my office and dictate how I’m supposed to run my fucking club.” Dax starts and when I open my mouth to interrupt, he puts his hand up to stop me. “What do you suggest we do to get the ADA off your ass?”

  I sure as hell wasn’t expecting that. He cocks his eyebrow at me, waiting on my answer. I take a seat across from him and run my hand through my hair.

  “We have the bike rally coming up next weekend, right?” I ask and he nods. “We’ll all be in Sacramento which could mean a perfect time for the ADA to put a raid on one of our facilities.”

  Dax narrows his eyes at me, clearly not liking where I’m going with this. I shift in my seat and ask him to hear me out.

  “The Rykers took our truck and we haven’t been able to locate it still. I know it has military grade weapons on it, but I also know it won’t trace back to us, right?”

  “Right. The tag is clear. It’ll trace back to Denver Wilson.” he says and I give him a look. “He’s a deceased farm worker that died forty years ago. He has no connection to the Ravens.”

  “Chances are, we’re not getting that fucking truck back from the Rykers anyway and we don’t know what they’re planning to do with the weapons. I could put Griffin on the trail of the truck, but when he finds it, it’ll be on Ryker property, not ours. I’ll tell him I didn’t know that, but that the weapons on it are definitely ours. He just needs to figure out how to trace it back to us. There won’t be a single Raven in town to take the fall for it, but maybe some Rykers will. He should at least be happy about that. It’s a risk because Griffin will be all over those trucks after that to try and bring us down too.”

  “It’s a risk.” Dax agrees. “But I like it.”

  Chapter Ten

  ~Raiden~

  I open the door to my storage unit and I swear, I can feel my heart flutter. Griffin left for Arizona a couple hours ago and now I can get on my bike and drive to Sacramento with the Ravens for the bike rally. Well, to visit my grandmother in Stockton.

  I’m decked out in all black. Black tanktop, leather pants and black boots. I did wash my hair, despite knowing the wind will ruin it, and applied some light makeup. My brown eyes have a smoky grey look to them and my lips are a pouty red. It feels good to look the way I want.

  I climb on my bike and get used to the feel of it again before I crank it up. I pull my helmet on and then ease it out of the unit. Once I’m out though, I don’t hold back. It feels too good to hold back.

  When I get to the clubhouse, the bikes are all parked out front and everyone is ready to go. Excitement fills the air. I admit, I feel a little sorry for the security that was hired to stay behind and watch the clubhouse. They have no idea what they’re missing out on.

  “Look who’s here! Was wondering if you were gonna make it this year.” Eric says and saunters over to give me a hug.

  “Wouldn’t miss it.” I say, breathlessly.

  The clubhouse door opens and Luka, Hayes, and Kane walk out. Luka’s step falters a moment, but then he continues on to his bike, flashing a smile in my direction.

  Like nearly everyone else, he’s wearing black leather pants and black boots, only he has on a plain gray t-shirt with his. It suits him. His hand is free of his bandage and sutures. I know he came to the hospital yesterday to get them removed. I did a good job of avoiding that situation and let Sonia, one of the other nurses, take care of him.

  The club members are wearing their cuts. Since Luka is only a prospect, he doesn’t have one yet. Neither does Pummel, Hayes, and Niles. A Ravens’ cut is something a prospect has to earn and when he becomes an official member, he’ll receive it.

  I’m a little surprised my dad has kept Pummel around. I was right about him being a loose cannon. He went on a simple collection run with Shane last week and broke a man’s arm because he thought he was going for his gun when he was only going for a pack of cigarettes. Loose cannon. Like I said.

  Some of the old ladies and club whores are here too. Eric has his old lady, Melissa, with him and Abby is with Preston. I see Jules riding with Moses
and Bridget with Shepherd. I almost laugh at Ashley on the back of Hayes’ bike. If he only knew.

  My dad walks out and all attention focuses on him. “Just a friendly reminder that what goes on at the bike rally, stays at the bike rally. That includes who is in attendance.” he states, firmly, and casts a sidelong glance at me. I know this is a warning to all members that no mention of my name had better come out of their mouths. Everyone’s silence is their agreement.

  “Don’t know about you fuckers, but I’m ready to ride!” my dad hollers and fires up his bike.

  The sound of bikes roaring in my ears is nearly deafening as the Ravens start up their bikes. I can feel the ground rumbling beneath my feet. My dad takes the lead and everyone falls in behind him.

  I settle into place for the three-hour drive to Sacramento. The outdoor venue is large enough to accommodate all the club members who attend. It also has a stage for the band my dad booked and nice bathrooms. I always joke with my dad that it’s a little hoity-toity for a bunch of bikers, but he always uses it for this rally. He also books rooms at a nice hotel not far from the venue. I’m sure he pays them both well enough for us not to be bothered.

  As much as I love riding, when we get there, I’m ready to stretch my legs and take a break. The sun has set and I can already hear music coming from the live band. We get parked and start walking to the venue to greet the other Ravens members.

  “So you came.” Luka states, falling into step beside me.

  “I always come to the bike rally.”

  “Really? And how do you get away with that?” he grins.

  “No one from the Ravens is going to rat me out.” I tell him.

  “I don’t know. I heard they have a snitch.” he jokes and nudges my side. “I’m glad you came. It’s good to see you in your element, but you have to make me a promise, Raiden.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You have to promise me that you’ll completely be yourself this weekend. Act exactly as you would if you were able to be free and live the way you want.”

  I swallow at his words. I don’t know how he’s able to read me so well. How he’s able to know what I’ve been wanting to do for a while now.

  “For this weekend, I can do that.”

  ~Luka~

  I don’t know when or how Raiden and I got separated, but I’ve lost sight of her. We were listening to the band and drinking beer when Niles came up bragging on all the women that were here. Then some Sacramento members started talking to Raiden and she was gone.

  I know I’m supposed to be getting to know the members from our surrounding areas, but I’m finding it hard to leave Raiden’s side. I’m seeing the real her for once. Not the one she shows to Griffin or the person she thinks she has to be to protect the club. The real her. And I like it.

  For once, my mind isn’t filled with Haley and what I lost. I’m not aching to have her back in my arms again. I’m wanting someone else in them.

  “You look lost, Luka.” Dax says, coming up beside me. An older man is standing with him and Dax sort of resembles him. I realize then that it’s his father, also the Sacramento Ravens’ president.

  “I’m…uh…no. Just getting to know everyone.” I answer.

  “You lookin’ for my daughter?” he asks, seeing right through my bullshit response. I shake my head, looking between the two of them. “It’ll never work. Don’t fuck up what she’s doing.”

  “I wouldn’t, sir.” I assure him, both of them. They’re both looking at me like they could break me in two. I don’t doubt for one second that they would if I ruined things.

  “She’s on the corner of the stage. I wouldn’t get too close.” he chuckles.

  I look in that direction and then I see her. She’s standing on a platform and is holding a long bar in her hand. The end of it is flaming. She holds the flame out in front of her face and then spews out a liquid, causing the flame to blast out. A firebreather.

  The crowd cheers and begs for more. The band plays Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” while she blows another blast of fire. My cock pulses against the leather of my pants and I have to adjust myself. Just watching her, I don’t think I have ever wanted someone so badly in my life.

  She finds me when the song ends. Sweat glistens on her skin and she has a big smile on her face.

  “That was great.” I tell her.

  “I know. You’re impressed, right?” she jokes. “My grandpa always likes when I do that.”

  Her breath smells like mouthwash and I notice then that she has a small empty bottle in her hand. I find it cute that she didn’t just throw it on the ground somewhere.

  “Definitely impressed. You ride a Harley, breathe fire, and know your way around Wal-mart. How can I not be impressed?”

  “And I’m a nurse.” she reminds me. “So many talents for one woman.”

  I walk with her while she finds a garbage can and tosses the tiny bottle in it. She looks back to the stage and bobs her head a little to the beat of the music. I can easily see that this is her real element. Bikers. Rock music. Leather. Ravens.

  “This is what you’ve always known.” I say, without question.

  “Yep.” she answers, not looking over at me. “It must be a shock to you. You come into this club and everyone is looking for a family, looking for a brotherhood. You’re the opposite, Luka. You’re a loner. You have your brother and you don’t want the closeness this club provides. You don’t want this family.”

  She’s right. I don’t fit in, not really. This isn’t what I want. I don’t need to be around people 24/7. I don’t need this brotherhood. Even if a small part of me is starting to like it.

  “You weren’t always like this though.” she says and finally looks at me. “Those angels on your arms tell me that.”

  I cross my arms at her words. I want her to stop talking, but at the same time, I’m clinging to her every word. I’m desperate to hear what she’s going to say next. To know if she can read me like I’ve been reading her.

  “One is for your mom, right? I don’t know what happened to her, but I know you lost her when you were very young. Younger than I was when I lost mine.” she says, quietly and reaches up to run her fingertips over my bicep. “The other one is for Haley Stanley, your fiancé.”

  “Did one of Griffin’s files tell you that?” I ask, unable to hide the stiffness in my voice.

  “I know you lost her because of some feud the Drycos had. That’s all I know.” she answers. “I know being in a motorcycle club is probably the last thing you wanted to do, but you’re doing it for your brother. I admire that.”

  “What about you? What makes you do what you’re doing?” I ask her, desperately needing to change the subject. “I mean, I get that you’re loyal to the Ravens, I do. I understand it, but this is your life, Raiden. You’re not really getting to live it the way you want. You’re pretending. When does that stop?”

  “I do this because the Ravens are my life, Luka. I’m a Raven and although it’s hard sometimes, this is the job I have to do right now. It won’t always be like this. The Ravens are the family I want, the brotherhood I need. I’ll do anything to protect them.”

  “But this weekend, you get to be you.” I remind her, taking a step closer.

  “This weekend, I get to be me.” she confirms.

  “Then let’s get the hell outta here.”

  Chapter Eleven

  ~Raiden~

  Luka presses me against the door to his room the moment it closes. His lips crash against mine as he hoists me up against him. I wrap my legs around his waist and moan into his mouth as he grinds into me, his hardness pressing against my core.

  He holds me with one arm and pulls my tank top over my head with the other. He grips my ass as he carries me over to the four-poster bed. I let out a throaty laugh as he tosses me down.

  He grabs my legs and tugs my boots off, chunking them to the floor. His own boots follow with a loud thud. I prop myself up on my elbows and begin unbuttoning my pants.
I push them over my hips and down to my knees before Luka takes over and pulls them off.

  “We don’t have to rush. We have the whole weekend.” he smirks.

  “We only have the weekend.” I correct and push his shirt up so I can kiss his stomach.

  I hear his shirt hit the floor, but I don’t stop my kisses. I trail my tongue over his abdomen as I push his pants down. The fact that he’s not wearing any underwear is a little surprising…and a major turn on. My panties are practically soaked.

  The scent of leather fills my nostrils as I push his pants down further and free his cock. It’s hard and pulsing when I wrap my fingers around the base. Luka hisses in appreciation.

  I know I said we needed to rush, that we only had the weekend, but I can’t help myself. I close my mouth over him and take him deep, needing to taste this man before he fucks me.

  His hand fists into my hair and a deep growl emits from his throat as I suck him. My pussy aches and throbs so I slip my fingers inside my panties and rub my clit, anything to soothe the ache.

  I hum in the back of my throat and feel Luka’s grip tighten. He pulls me back and his cock releases from my mouth with a resounding ‘pop.’ I look up at him with a lazy grin, my hand still in my panties.

  He drops to his knees and reaches behind me to unhook my bra. I ease it off my arms and let it drop.

  “Lie down.” Luka orders and I comply.

  He skims his calloused hand over my breasts and down my stomach. I’m already trembling when he reaches my panties and hooks his fingers inside, tugging them down my legs.

  I feel his warm breath on the inside of my knee as he begins kissing and licking his way up my thigh. He pushes my legs apart and settles his mouth against my core, darting his tongue up my slit. He spreads my folds apart and delves again, tasting and licking every inch of my center.