Dead Souls MC: Prospects Series Books 1-5

by Savannah Rylan

  “This is fucked up and you know it. You’re with a crew, Piper. A gang. That can’t go to the hospital or any other federally-regulated institute because they’ll get arrested. For their illegal dealings. What in the world has gotten into you?” I asked.

  “Look, I know. I felt the same way when I first came upon these guys. But they’re good men. Men who help this community whenever they can.”

  “Well, right now? It looks like they’re in a hell of a lot of trouble. Why do I get the feeling that trouble has been brought upon themselves?”

  “Actually, we had some more family come knocking at our door, and that’s how it started. But we’re in this because we protect our own. We protect family. Always,” she said.

  I narrowed my eyes as her before I drew in a deep breath. I watched Piper pull out a chair at the kitchen table, and I sat down with her. I didn’t know what to think about all this. I didn’t know what was right and what was wrong. All I knew was that I deserved answers. Especially since I had to call into my residency shift and fucking fake sick so I could be here when Bear woke up.

  And I still had to come up with an excuse that justified the materials I took if the hospital ever found out what I’d done.

  “Okay, what’s going on?” I asked.

  Piper took my hand in hers. “Do you know why Rock and I got back together in the first place? Why I married this man in the first place?”

  “No. You’ve never told me how you guys met or fell in love.”

  “We got back together because I knew I had to help him when he needed it. See, Rock and I had a history. We dated back one summer when I lost someone I loved dearly, and he was my distraction. He was how I got my mind off that death. And just as I started to fall for him, he got thrown into jail. Which solidified my track in this world. I went on to get my medical degree. I went on to hold jobs. I went on to raise my son until I ended up back here. Back in town, where I ran right back into Rock when he needed someone the most. Just like I’d found him when I needed someone the most.”

  “I mean, it’s a sweet story. But you just told me he went to prison,” I said.

  “Look, the point is, these men are more than their pasts. We helped one another during our darkest hours, and from it blossomed a love that spiraled into marriage. That spiraled into more children. These other men are my family. I’m protected with them. I love them all the same. So, when they get themselves into trouble like this—which, from the sounds of it, Bear was beaten up by happenstance—I help as much as I can. It’s one of the reasons why I got the medical certifications I did. So, if I needed to sign out supplies for specific things, no one would bat an eye. So, don’t worry. If someone questions why you took those supplies, I’ll simply tell them you were helping me with a patient because you’re interested in those same certifications. So, you’re doing some research work in your spare time.”

  I paused. “Well, I—I appreciate it, Doctor—”

  Piper held up her hand. “You’ve been calling me Piper this entire time. Don’t stop now because you want to make things more formal and less emotional. I know that road. It’s a lonely road. Take it from me and don’t do that.”

  I sighed. “You said these guys have cleaned up their act. But they still can’t go to hospitals? Why?”

  “They’ve mostly cleaned up their act, yes. The money they bring in is legal. How they make their living is legal. But whenever a problem arises, they’ve struggled in the past with the police taking them seriously. After all, they have the same initial prejudices you have right now. So, they’re used to taking matters into their own hands.”

  “You mean the police won’t help them at all with stuff like this?”

  “Hardly. I’ve seen it happen, too. A few months ago, there was a shootout. The crew wasn’t involved with it, but Diesel was caught in the middle of it,” she said.

  “Who’s Diesel again?” I asked.

  “The big, stern one that barged into the room.”

  “They all look big and stern.”

  She threw her head back, laughing. “I’ll point him out later. How’s that sound?”

  “Sounds good, sure,” I said.

  “So, the shootout had nothing to do with the crew, but Diesel got caught in the middle of it. Wrong place, wrong time. And after a year and a half of keeping a clean record and building a positive rapport with the community of Redding, when the police arrived, they arrested him immediately. They didn’t take his eye witness account. They didn’t ask him questions. They put him in handcuffs and hauled him off. Put him in a holding cell, assuming he had something to do with it. It wasn’t until Monroe came into the picture and helped him that the police even started listening,” she said.

  “Wait, they just hauled him off? Just like that?” I asked.

  “Just like that.”

  “And who’s Monroe?”

  “Knox’s wife and baby mama,” she said, smiling.

  “And let me guess, Knox is the big, stern one?” I asked, giggling.

  Piper smiled. “Now, you’re getting the hang of it.”

  I leaned back into my chair, sighing. “I’m not going to lie, that’s some bullshit. They should’ve at least questioned him at the scene.”

  “And for fun measure, they came knocking on all our doors, too. They wouldn't give Diesel his phone call while in the holding cell, so Monroe didn’t even know he’d been arrested for something until the police practically took down their house door. They actually took ours off, Rock and mine’s. We had to sue the county for them to replace it. With a door that didn’t match nor hardly fit. Rock ended up replacing the damn thing again anyway. It was the principle of it by that point.”

  “And you guys always deal with this?”

  She nodded. “Yes. We always do. So, when trouble comes knocking, we’ve gotten good at taking care of it without the police. Without hospitals. Because hospitals are just as bad for being prejudice. Like, somehow, guys like them aren’t worth the same effort and treatment styles as ‘normal people.’”

  “That’s insane!” I exclaimed.

  “Yes, it is. And when I finally assessed Bear’s condition after they called me, I knew I needed help. And I knew you were the only person I could trust with something like this. You know, once I explained it to you.”

  I nodded. “Well, I really do appreciate the vote of confidence. Even if I’m just a resident.”

  “Margot, there’s nothing ‘just’ about you. You’re an insanely talented doctor. And once your residency is up, I know this hospital is going to be fighting to get you to stay. I hope you’ll consider it, too. We could use another doctor in that place that isn’t so high and mighty all the damn time.”

  “So, what’s the trouble right now? Why is Bear in the condition he’s in?”

  “Well, despite a few random instances, things have been pretty quiet. Especially now that the crew is above-board with their monetary dealings. But with the threat of the mafia breathing down our necks, things have gotten worse.”

  “Wait, did you just say the mafia?” I asked.

  “Margot!” Bear roared.

  I stood up from my chair and whipped around as those lumberjack footsteps barreled down the hallway. Piper was out of her seat instantly whenever the men started yelling. But, above all their cries, I heard Bear’s voice. Yelling for me. Calling out for me. Yearning for me.

  “Margot! You still here!?” he bellowed.

  I fought between rushing toward him and standing where I was. I didn’t know what else to do. The men emerged, with Bear in the middle of a circle as the guys helped him to stay upright.

  “Margot?” a man asked.

  “Yes?” I asked.

  “I’m Diesel. Nice to meet you. Apparently, Bear wants to see you. So badly, in fact, he’s willing to jeopardize his recuperation to make sure you’re still here.”

  “Ah, so you’re Diesel. Nice to meet you,” I said.

  “Margot,” Bear said.

  And the rumb
ling notes of his voice slowly pulled my eyes over to his.

  5

  Bear

  The girls slipped out of the room before the guys filed in around my bed. They surrounded me, blocking my eyesight of Margot. But they didn’t block out her smell. It was different, but still reminded me of all the things we used to do. The things we used to share. The firsts and the beginnings we had with one another back during our senior year of high school. I wanted to call her back into the room. I wanted her to stay with me. I wanted to take her hand and pull her close and hold her on top of me, despite the pain I knew I’d feel in the process.

  But instead, I had Diesel’s touch.

  Because I felt him bring his hand down to my shoulder to try and comfort me.

  “The fuck happened out there?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “They literally rolled up on me in the damn grocery store. I mean, they were plainly clothed and whatnot. Not those black suits we’re all used to. But, those stern looks? Had to be the mafia, right?”

  I watched Diesel look over at Cage and I knew something was wrong.

  “What?” I asked.

  “What did they do to you after they cornered you?” Knox asked.

  I shrugged. “One of them stuck a gun in my side and led me out into the alleyway beside the block of stores. That was the first gunshot wound before I hit my knees. They started beating on me, and I don’t remember much after that. I just remember coming to sitting on a fucking couch. I didn’t even know where the hell I was until I heard Sutton’s voice talking to Cage on the phone.”

  “So, you heard all that. You were conscious?” Cage asked.

  I nodded. “Yep. Couldn’t move worth a damn because I was beaten to hell and pumped full of lead. But, yeah.”

  “You also had a knife in your upper arm,” Grave said.

  “Ah, explains that shit, then,” I said.

  “There was a note attached to it, too,” Diesel said.

  I slowly panned my eyes up to his. “What now?”

  Cage looked around the room before he brandished the note. It was folded up in his pocket, the yellow paper stained with my blood. Great. Fucking great. A knife used to pin a damn note on me. I reached over with my good arm and ripped it from Cage’s grasp, a grimace coming across my face.

  “Take it easy,” Rock said.

  “Yeah, yeah,” I murmured.

  I’m coming for you all, princess. You should tell your boy toy he needs better aim. Not every part of the back of someone’s head jives with death.

  I read the note, over and over. And the only thing I could think was where the hell was Sutton? I looked up at Cage and he must’ve read my mind, too. Because the second he waved his hand in the air, I knew she was okay.

  “She’s shaken. Glad we’re still living at the lodge instead of on our own just yet. But, she’s okay,” Cage said.

  “How the fuck did Lars survive that?” I asked.

  “We’re not sure he did,” Diesel said.

  “So, this might be someone pretending to be him?” I asked.

  Saint shrugged. “Maybe. If someone wants to take over his throne or whatever and send a message to his new empire.”

  “Fucking hell,” I said, sighing.

  “We need to find the guys who did this to Bear,” Cage said.

  “You think that’s smart right now? With this note floating around?” I asked.

  “I think we should find them and slit their throats,” Toxin said.

  “We won’t be doing anything of the sort,” Diesel said.

  The room fell silent as I propped myself up against the headboard of the bed.

  “We need to regroup. Do recon. Put out feelers in the community. We need to do this the way we know how, and the way we do it best. If we go out there half-cocked and ready to be loaded, we’re going to get slaughtered,” Diesel said.

  “Not on my watch,” Cage said.

  “We regroup, and do we recon,” Diesel said curtly. “We figure out what our next moves are, and we make up a plan. Obviously, this war isn’t over. Someone’s bringing it to us, and we need to face facts that maybe Lars didn’t die in that diner like we thought a couple months ago. I mean, the man’s loaded with serious connections. We rode off pretty quickly after that shitshow was done. For all we knew, he had a medical crew on standby somewhere. Just in case.”

  “We should’ve stayed back and killed them off, too,” Toxin said.

  “Enough with the killing. I know you’re upset, but—”

  “Of course, I’m upset!” Toxin exclaimed. “Look at Bear. Seriously. Take a good damn look at him. They’ve just proven we’re easy to get to because we let our damn guard down.”

  “Enough, Toxin,” Rock hissed.

  “No, he’s right,” Cage said.

  We all turned our heads to the newest prospect of the group, watching as the man sighed.

  “Whoever is behind this, he just proved we’re easy to find. Easy to get to. Easy to dump off into this lodge. And while Sutton is happy we’re still here because she sees this place as safe, I’m not so sure this is a safe place anymore. Especially since it’s so easily-accessible to this faceless enemy,” Cage said.

  “You guys any closer to finding yourselves a spot?” Diesel asked.

  “Sutton might not be happy with me right now, but I’ve already signed a lease for the place,” Cage said.

  “When the fuck did you have time for that?” Saint asked.

  “When she called me, I was already in the process of filling out paperwork. Just needed her okay that having only my name on the lease would be all right, since I was there to sign and she wasn’t. When she screamed into my ear, I knew something was wrong. I finished signing the lease, picked up the information packet, and booked it the hell out of dodge,” Cage said.

  “When’s the big move-in date?” I asked, coughing.

  “You good?” Grave asked.

  I waved his question away as my eyes locked with Cage.

  “As soon as we can,” he said.

  “Okay. Good. Cage, you and Sutton start getting a move on, well, moving. The guys’ll help you out, since you don’t have furniture. Making one trip from here is going to be less risky than making several trips. Less of a chance we’ll be followed,” Diesel said.

  “Let me go break the news to Sutton,” Cage said, sighing.

  Everyone watched him with sullen eyes as he made his way out of the room. Diesel, especially. Because I knew the two of them had grown even closer over the past few weeks.

  “We’ll get them,” I said, looking up at our president.

  He flickered his eyes down toward me before he nodded.

  “I know we will. I just hate they’re going through this,” he said.

  “I hate we’re all going through this,” Toxin murmured.

  Diesel cast the prospect a very unhealthy glare. I knew everyone was on edge, but we still needed to pose a united front. We still had to listen to what Diesel wanted us to do, even if we didn’t agree with it. Yes, Cage and Sutton were the reason we were in this mess. But Cage and Sutton had also brought a great deal to this club we wouldn't have had otherwise. Knowledge and outside connections. Resources and skill sets. Sutton was in the process of teaching the girls how to fend for themselves if they ever had to get on the run, and Cage was in the process of teaching the new prospects how to fight properly with knives. Fucking proper knife fights.

  They were a great addition. And I was more than willing to step up to fight alongside them.

  “I’m sorry I got snatched up like that. I’m usually not so easily caught off-guard,” I said.

  “Don’t worry about it. Happens to all of us. You’d do well to remember that, Toxin,” Diesel said.

  The prospect rolled his eyes before he scoffed. Then, he made his way out of the room, yelling for Cage in the process. I shook my head as he walked out, wondering how the hell we were ever going to tame that wild boy.

  “He’s been through a lot in his lif
e. Give him some time,” Brewer said.

  I chuckled. “You been pretty quiet over there.”

  “I’m in a bit of shock,” Brewer said.

  “Makes two of us,” Rock said.

  “What’s your gut telling you?” Diesel asked.

  “Yeah. What’s that infamous Brewer gut saying?” I asked.

  And when he sighed, I cursed underneath my breath.

  “My gut is telling me Lars survived,” Brewer said.

  “Not to be the downer, but do we even think it’s remotely possible that Cage let him live?” Rock asked.

  “I don’t think it is,” I said.

  “Me, neither. He was proud coming out of that diner. He was proud of putting bullets in that man’s head. Or bullet. However many shots he took. Either way, you can see it in Cage’s eyes. In the way he carries himself. He’s been both proud and beating himself up for it. And now, with this note, he’s walking a bit taller. He’s fighting with guilt right now. And I can’t blame him. Guilt from all sides. From bringing this to our doorstep, to killing Sutton’s father, to not actually killing Sutton’s father. It’s a lot for any one man to process,” Diesel said.

  “That’s true,” Rock said, nodding.

  “Look, the only thing that matters right now is that Bear’s okay. Let’s get Cage and Sutton moved into their new place, get them situated, and get protective detail up and running,” Brewer said.

  “You sound like me,” Diesel said, grinning.

  “Sorry,” Brewer said breathlessly.

  “Nah, don’t be sorry for it. You're absolutely right. And that’s the plan we’re sticking with,” Diesel said.

  “I’ll go see if they need anything,” Rock said.

  “Right behind you,” Grave said.

  “Hey, Diesel?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Bear?”

  “I want to see Margot,” I said.

  He paused. “I don’t think that’s safe right now for you. You’ve been excited enough over this.”

  “I know she’s still here. I haven’t heard the front door open. Her and Piper are still here, and I want to see her,” I said.

  “You need rest. Whatever history the two of you have—”