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

by J. L. Leslie

  “Maybe I’m tired of this plan.”

  “It was your plan, Raiden!” he yells. “Do your fucking job because Luka is doing his!”

  I turn around and walk out of his office without saying another word. I fight back the tears that threaten to fall. Tears are for the weak and I learned at twelve-years-old that I couldn’t be weak. Ravens aren’t allowed to be weak.

  I drive to the hospital and head inside for my shift. I put on a strong face, like always do. I take care of my patients and joke around with the nurses on shift. I don’t let any of them see the turmoil inside of me. They’ve never been able to.

  Shortly after five o’clock, I’m surprised to see Griffin strolling down the hall. He rarely ever comes by the hospital. He stops at the nurses’ station and I look up from the computer.

  “Hey, everything okay?” I ask.

  “Can you take a break?” he replies and I look over to Paula to see that she’s good with that. She nods so I get up and follow Griffin outside to the picnic tables.

  “Did you go to your dad’s today?” he questions and I go on high alert.

  “Are you having me followed?”

  “Just answer me, Raiden.” he clips.

  “Yes, I did. I saw him when I stopped to fill up and he said he had something for me. Something of Sonnie’s, but when I got there, he couldn’t find it.”

  The lie rolls off my tongue and I hope Griffin believes it. I know I couldn’t say my father had called or Griffin would check my phone to see that there was no call. Maybe he’ll buy this story. I don’t see him going to check my car to see if I have a full tank of gas.

  “Raiden, that was just a ploy of his to try and suck you into that lifestyle. You should know that. Now that he saw you at the funeral, he’s trying to dig in.” he grumbles.

  “I didn’t stay long. As soon as I realized he didn’t have anything to give me, I left.” I assure him.

  Griffin wraps his arms around me and for a moment, I’m comforted. Maybe that’s wrong, but I want to unload the tears I’m holding in and just cry against his chest. I know he isn’t the man I want and he isn’t the man I imagine myself with, but right now, he is the man I’m with. Even if the situation isn’t ideal, it is what it is.

  ~Luka~

  I pull up outside the Rykers’ clubhouse to drop Lincoln off. I took him and my dad to Salter’s Steakhouse and then we piddled around in my dad’s shop for a couple of hours like we used to do when we were teenagers.

  I’ve kept him away as long as I could, but I could sense his wariness. He’s probably itching to find a club whore and get his rocks off by now. Judging by the music and people hanging around outside the club, it looks like his welcome home party started without him.

  “I suppose you can come in and have a drink.” he offers. “Now that you’re not one of the enemy.”

  I knew I would have an in and I know I’ll take it. I kill the engine to the Mustang and get out. Heavy metal music blares and is nearly deafening as we walk in. The set up is similar to the Ravens’ clubhouse. Pool tables, couches and a big screen television, fully stocked bar, and dart boards. I see two hallways that lead out from the main room and I assume those are where the bedrooms are and possibly where Cal’s office would be.

  Like the Ravens’ parties, drugs and women are easily accessible. Maybe a little more so here. I scan the room and see one of the members I recognize from the hospital shooting up on one of the bar stools while getting his cock sucked by a brunette. Lincoln tells me his name is Fisk. He points out a couple others, JR and Chase, and I make it a point to remember them.

  “You finally made it.” Cal says, slapping a hand down on Linc’s shoulder.

  “Welcome back, Lincoln.” the blonde usually adorning Cal’s arm says with a slight smile, her head resting against Cal’s shoulder.

  “Thanks, Sully. Good to be out.” Linc answers.

  “I have something for you. She’s waiting in your room.” Cal informs Linc and with a grin, Linc saunters off.

  “Stay a while, Luka. Enjoy the festivities. You have my word you won’t be harmed here.” Cal smiles.

  “Good to know.”

  He wraps his arm around Sully and leads her away. I decide to try and blend in. I get a beer from the bar and take a seat, knowing it’s most likely a prospect serving me. He may not know much yet, but maybe I can get an idea of how he came to be a prospect. Any info at this point could be useful.

  “Alright attention, motherfuckers!” Cal’s voice sounds across the room. The music stops and everyone turns to look at him. “We have a special visitor.”

  Cal points at me and all eyes focus on me. So much for blending in. I take a sip of my beer and glare at him.

  “So I think he deserves a show. He used to be a Raven. Can you believe that shit?” A slew of curses and complaints are yelled and Cal hushes them back down. “Let him see how the Rykers do it.” he grins.

  The Rykers start cheering as several women begin climbing onto the pool tables. The bartender pats my back and thanks me. I’m not sure what for at this time. Then a shirt hits my chest. The women are stripping. All of their clothes are being shed until not a stitch is left. The music starts back up and the naked women begin to dance.

  Cal yells, “I want more. Do you want more Sully?”

  Sully nods and looks up to the women. As if they know what they means, they turn to each other and some begin licking and teasing each other’s nipples. The men yell and whistle.

  “More?” Cal asks and the cheers are almost deafening.

  I watch as the women who were being teased lie down on the pool tables and the other women commence to licking their pussies. I will admit, I never see this at the Ravens’ clubhouse. I can’t tell if the women actually enjoy what they’re doing or if all of this a show they feel that they must do. Either way, the men are enjoying it and the women are damn good at acting like they do.

  Me? I’m starting to wonder if I made a big mistake. Yet again.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ~Raiden~

  Three weeks have passed since I last saw or spoke to Luka. Well, my father too. I’ve been trying to lay low and not worry myself sick over what’s going to happen. The Rykers have made absolutely no move against the businesses they thought they purchased. Not yet anyway. I know Cal though, and he won’t let that go unpunished. There’s no telling how much money he spent buying fake deeds.

  I started noticing some of the families returning home. I guess they feel that it’s safe to come back or either they ran out of money and couldn’t stay away any longer. Maybe Cal has been waiting them out.

  “You’re coming out with me when we get off and that’s all there is to it. We never go out for drinks anymore.” Michelle complains.

  “Probably because we’re adulting now.” I smile.

  “Adults drink alcohol.” she replies. “You can even bring that beautiful boyfriend of yours. We’ll need a designated driver.”

  “Griffin is not going to come babysit us. I promise you that.” I tell her.

  “Well, maybe we’ll get one of those bikers to take us home.” she grins and wiggles her eyebrows.

  “I cannot believe you just said that.” I deadpan, rolling my eyes.

  “What?” she laughs. “I kind of miss them being at the hospital. They’re sexy as hell with their tattoos and muscles. Don’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”

  Oh, good Lord, I have thought about it. And done it. Michelle just does not need to know that. She’d never stop pumping me for information if she did.

  “So, call Griffie and tell him I’m taking care of you tonight.”

  “He hates when you call him that.” I let her know and she shrugs.

  I wait until Michelle leaves to check on her patients to call him. I don’t need her talking into my phone or making obscene gestures at me. It’ll make me laugh and then Griffin will get annoyed. Surprisingly, I get his voicemail and leave him a message.

  When our shift
ends an hour later, I haven’t heard back from him. I don’t jump to conclusions right away. He already let me know him and Steve were working on a case together. I know they get carried away sometimes.

  “Okay. Where are we heading tonight?” I ask Michelle, who is insisting on us changing out of scrubs first.

  “I’ll pick you up. Dress sexy.” she winks.

  I drive home and change into a black skater skirt, red top, and black strappy heels. I let the braid out of my hair and it falls in dark waves down my back. I’m applying some red lipstick when Michelle knocks on my door.

  “Damn, girl. You definitely took my advice when I said dress sexy.” she grins.

  “You too. Now where are we going?” I ask her for the second time tonight.

  “Oh, just a little bar on Hosford Street.”

  Inwardly, I groan. Hosford Street is in Ryker territory and my dad has warned me not to go there. I’m not supposed to go into any Ryker territory really. I venture into some shops during the daytime, when I know I most likely won’t be bothered, but it’s almost eleven p.m.

  “What about JoJo’s on St. Forrester?” I suggest.

  “I went there last week. I want to try this new place.”

  I climb in the passenger seat and decide to just let it go. I remind myself that club life is not part of my life…at least to the outward world. I’m just a woman having drinks with her friend. I can always call my dad if I get into trouble.

  When we pull up, there’s a line halfway down the block. Michelle lets out a curse.

  “Maybe they’ll let us in if you flash them those legs.” she grins. “Or boobs.”

  “Not a chance.”

  We give the bouncer at the door our names and then get in line. We make small talk about work and discuss some of the new nurses who have been hired. The line barely moves in the twenty minutes that we stand there.

  “Miss Daughtry?”

  I turn and look at the large man standing beside me. His muscles bulge as he crosses his arms over his chest. His black tee has the word “Bouncer” across the front. Original. I also see the “R” tattooed on the side of his neck.

  “You can come inside.” he states.

  I glance and Michelle and she’s giddy with delight. “Um, me too. I’m with her.” she pipes in.

  He looks her over and then gives a slight nod. Michelle grabs my hand and drags me toward the entrance while dread fills the pit of my stomach. I’m on high alert as we enter, looking for any sign of another Ryker or Cal. My switchblade is strapped to my thigh and I feel it underneath my skirt just to make sure it’s still there.

  “Let’s get a drink!” Michelle calls out over the music.

  I follow her to the bar and don’t even hear what she orders because I’ve spotted him. Luka. He’s playing pool with another Ryker that I recognize as Fisk Edwards, and I can see that two women are practically falling all over themselves to cheer them on. As he looks back at me, I know he’s the one who got us in.

  It feels like the few weeks I haven’t seen him have been much longer. My body longs to have him touch me, kiss me, and just to simply hold me. Every part of me wants every part of him.

  ~Luka~

  I turn my focus back to the game of pool. I knew once Raiden got inside, it would be difficult to concentrate. I’m supposed to be working though.

  Cal turned out to be the sucker I thought he was. It only took me one week of hanging around Linc a bit before he asked me to become a prospect. Claimed he wanted to show me what being in the right club was like.

  I admitted that I missed the perks of club life and told him I’d give it a chance. I’ve met nearly all of the club members and while there are several loyal members, like Fisk, JR, and Chase, there are some unhappy ones. The prospects are grumbling about when they’ll get their cuts. Turns out, they’ve been prospects for almost a year. They’ve been doing shit jobs around the clubhouse, playing maids and bartenders and they take the most risks with the drug distributions. Three prospects have been busted in the last four months. They’re still sitting in jail. I let it slip that I was only a prospect for a short time before I got my cut with the Ravens. I also let it be known that I wouldn’t stick around long if Cal tried to pull that waiting game bullshit with me. It’s easy to turn people against a leader if they have someone new to lead them.

  After a few days of playing bartender at the clubhouse, Cal decided I was better than that. I’d already paid my dues with the Ravens. I’m pretty sure he knew I wouldn’t play that game for long with the Rykers. So he showed me this place. The Lion’s Den. Apparently, he wants to be a bar owner. He thinks it can compete with Diesel’s. I don’t tell him naked mud-wrestling isn’t as exciting as MMA cage fighting. Not to me anyway.

  Now tonight, I’m trying to figure out what the hell Raiden is doing here with her friend. It didn’t take long for me to get them in. Cal made the decision that he wants exclusivity in the bar. When you walk up, you have to sign your name on a list. The bouncer, JR, calls in the names and the Rykers on duty decide who comes in. I just happened to be one of those Rykers on duty tonight.

  I lean over the table and take my shot, ignoring the blonde who slides her hands over my ass. Raiden and her friend walk away from the bar with their drinks and I see them heading to the lower level. From where I am, it’s difficult to keep my eyes on her.

  Every once in a while, I see her dancing and laughing. She holds her hair in her hands and twists it into a pile on top of her head while she dances. I can see a light sheen of sweat glistening on her skin.

  “You’ve played with Fisk enough, Luka, teach me!” the blonde whines. I can’t even remember her name, but she’s been doing her damnedest to hang around me since I’ve been here.

  “I’ll show you later.” I tell her and make my way down to the lower level.

  Raiden must know what I have in mind because she beelines it to the bathroom. I slip in behind her and lock the door. Her hair is a mess of wild waves and her makeup makes her eyes look dark.

  “I’ve missed you.” I say and she nods. I approach her and turn her around to face the mirror. “We only have a few minutes.”

  “Oh? You need to get back to your little blonde?”

  I glide my hands up and over thighs, passing the knife strapped to her leg, and skim my fingertips over her panties. “I’m sure you need to get home to Griffin.”

  I pull the fabric away from her pussy and push my finger inside her wet channel. She gasps and presses her ass against me.

  “I just need to feel you come for me, Raiden. That’s all I need.” I whisper against her ear. “Please.”

  I curl a second finger inside her and frantically pump the two of them, silently begging that she reach release so I can feel her getting what she needs. She grips the countertop and bites her lip.

  “Come on, baby.” I encourage her. “I want your sweet, pussy juice on my fingers.”

  Raiden convulses and tightens around me and I hold her with my free arm to ensure she doesn’t sink to the floor. When I withdraw my fingers, I suck one into my mouth and taste her essence and then I let her lick the other one clean. She turns to face me and I press a soft kiss to her lips.

  “I miss you.” she whispers, finally returning my sentiment.

  “There are some things planned that you’re not going to like, but they have to be done.” I tell her.

  “What? What’s planned?”

  I close my eyes and kiss her again. “I have to go.”

  “Luka, please.” she pleads with me.

  “Just trust me, Raiden.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  ~Raiden~

  Just trust me, Raiden. I keep repeating Luka’s words in my mind long after Michelle dropped me off at home. I barely even slept at all. It’s hard to trust a plan that I’m not part of though. It’s hard to feel that everything will be okay when I don’t know what’s happening.

  When I get up to get ready for work, I feel drained. Both emotionally and
physically. I’m pulling on my scrubs when my phone rings with a call from Griffin.

  “Hey, there. I never heard back from you last night.” I answer.

  “Sorry about that, I was working late.” he explains. “Raiden, listen, there’s something I need to talk to you about before you head in to work. Do you have time to stop by my office?”

  I can hear it in his voice that something is going on. I think about Luka telling me I wouldn’t like whatever is planned and dread washes over me.

  “Is something wrong?” I ask and I’m not pleased with his answer.

  “Just come by my office and I’ll explain everything.”

  That’s bullshit code for refusing to tell me the bad news on the phone. I want to beg him to tell me now, not to keep me in the dark, but I don’t. I agree to stop by and finish getting ready in a hurry.

  When I see Beverly at her desk, I don’t waste much time on pleasantries. I’m too anxious to get in to see Griffin. His desk is covered in files, like always, and he looks like he’s barely slept. His blonde hair is unusually disarrayed, looking as though he’s ran his fingers through it multiple times. It makes me feel even sicker to my stomach.

  He looks up as I close the door. I hear him sigh and I can’t tell if he’s relieved or frustrated. He does stand and come to kiss me on the cheek though.

  “What’s going on, Griffin?”

  Griffin leans against the edge of his desk and crosses his arms. “Your dad was arrested early this morning.” he states. “My office has been building a case against him and we finally got the evidence we needed.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Around midnight last night, there were two fires at local businesses down on St. Forrester. You know that area is a popular tourists zone.” I nod and wait for him to continue. “After doing some research, I found that a lot of those businesses are owned by your father, even though some of the deeds at the courthouse were created to look like Cal Harrison owned them. We haven’t been able to locate the clerk who made the counterfeit deeds.”