The Biker's Gift (Royal Bastards MC)

by Landis, Nikki

  He moved aside as Dawg and Zook entered, followed by a ghost from my past. Hector Vasquez. The drug dealer that my sister skipped town on and never repaid, claiming she owned him two grand for compensation. Suraya denied any involvement, but I think she either pocketed the drugs, lost them, or sold them without giving him the money. I hated to think that she used any of the coke he was pushing but I really didn’t have a clue.

  “Sasha Pratt, what a pleasure.”

  “I wish I could say the same, Hector.”

  He chuckled, spreading his arms wide. “Did you really think you could run far enough that I wouldn’t find you? Did your sister think I wouldn’t track her down? There’s no where you can hide from el maestro.”

  “I never ran from you, Hector. I don’t owe you anything.”

  He smiled wider, revealing the gold caps on his teeth. “Ah, you see. You’re wrong, niña bonita. I was never given compensation. Your sister is dead.”

  Pain lanced my heart with his words. “Isn’t that payment enough?” I hissed through clenched teeth.

  His eyes narrowed as his expression turned dark. “That’s not how it works. You must pay her debt and if you don’t have the money,” he paused and grabbed his dick through his pants, “I’ll take it from your body until I’m satisfied the debt has been paid.”

  “You’re a monster!” I shouted as he took a menacing step forward.

  “Aren’t you curious how I found you?”

  I was but I didn’t answer as Trish held my hand and squeezed. We both knew this wasn’t going to end well. Neither of us would leave this room the same again. No matter what happened, I wouldn’t die a victim. I’d go down fighting and hurt these assholes as much as I could in the process.

  “My cousin is a member of the Bloody Scorpions. You can never run far enough from el maestro. I have connections everywhere.”

  Fuck. My. Life.

  Wouldn’t that be my luck? I could never catch a break.

  Acid chose that moment to cement my fate. “Sasha and Trish are the ol’ ladies of the Royal Bastards MC, Hector. Our fun is only beginning.”

  Bodie

  MY PHONE BUZZED AS we parked a block away from the address Acid had left us in the note. I pulled the cell from my pocket and read the text, signaling to Grim. “The Denali Brothers confirmed the address Acid gave us belongs to one of their warehouses. It’s not the main compound.”

  Grim nodded, stroking his chin. “Then there shouldn’t be much of a surprise. We’ve seen another Scorpion warehouse. Doubt they’ve changed shit up much.”

  “Intel on the other locations Patriot and I scouted confirm that’s true. They really don’t think the Royal Bastards are a threat.” Hannibal grinned as our eyes met. “Gonna enjoy his screams, brother. Make them count.”

  Oh, I was. As soon as Sasha was safe. “So will I.”

  Mammoth, Rael, and Exorcist sat on their hogs, awaiting Grim’s order. We were mostly quiet, each of us going to that deep, dark place within that allowed our Reapers to take control. This would be a bloodbath. The Scorpions would no longer exist in Nevada after this. We were going to systematically take them down until every single one of those fuckers was dead.

  “The priority is locating the girls. We need to make sure Tricia and Sasha aren’t in danger before we unleash Hell upon the Scorpions.” Grim cracked his knuckles before turning to Exorcist. “You sure you want to take point on this?”

  Exorcist had offered to get the girls to safety while the rest of us hunted down our prey.

  “Yeah, boss. You can count on me.”

  Exorcist knew the history with Trish, and I had filled him in on my relationship with Sasha. I trusted him to keep them alive and unharmed. Exorcist was special. His gifts were unique compared to the rest of the club. He wasn’t allowed to interrogate our prisoners with Rael anymore because of a few incidents that nearly landed us all in prison.

  Exorcist lived up to his name, if no other reason than he could separate the soul from the body and torture both at the same time – while leaving his prey alive. It was unheard of by any other Reaper. Even Grim couldn’t do that and he was the most powerful of us all.

  Needless to say, Exorcist came in on a job when we had serious shit go down. Lucky for him, we had this handled. Besides, I wanted to be the one who took Acid’s life when the time came. And I’d let my brothers handle Dawg and Zook after I got in my hits.

  The warehouse was crawling with Scorpions when we arrived. Most of them were carrying guns but that wouldn’t matter once our Reapers took control. That was the thing about selling your soul to the devil. It was a compromise with death. While in our normal human forms, we were just as vulnerable as our enemy, but once we transformed into our Reapers everything changed. Those demons were badass, and they were indestructible.

  Death was our obedient servant and we willingly provided prey.

  None of my brothers bothered with their skull print bandanas tonight. No one was going to survive our attack, so it didn’t matter. There wouldn’t be any witnesses and since the area was located downtown and mostly abandoned, being heard wasn’t an issue either.

  We swarmed the warehouse in groups of two and took out the unlucky bastards who stood on watch before anyone could raise the alarm. Feeling the power of my enemy’s souls as they left their bodies was an instant jolt of pleasure that provided a boost of energy and hardened my resolve. We entered the warehouse on all four sides, moving stealthily through the doors as we eliminated targets one by one. Oddly enough, the first floor wasn’t crowded. We cleared the area in only minutes. Hallowed out bodies with sunken skin littered the ground and we would pile them all in the building later and torch it, removing the evidence of our Reapers.

  Raised voices from above proved that Acid, Dawg, Zook, and more Scorpions were upstairs. Several new voices mingled with ones I had already heard. One in particular – a Hispanic male – caused my Reaper to grow agitated. Female voices filtered through and then I heard a scream followed by shattered glass.

  All thoughts of a plan flew out of my head as I recognized Sasha’s voice.

  Taking the stairs two at a time, I ignored my brothers and rushed to rescue my female.

  Chapter 15 – Sasha

  “Hey, Acid,” a deep and familiar voice rumbled just as Hector yanked my body cruelly by the hair to my feet.

  Hector already slapped me for my disrespect but the fire in his eyes proved it had turned him on too. I was certain he planned to make me suffer and I could see it in his hungry and malicious gaze.

  My head whipped up at the sound of Bodie’s voice and a small whimper left my throat as he sauntered through the door followed by Grim, Hannibal, and a new guy I didn’t recognize. They were all Royal Bastards. There was no denying that fact since all of them looked like dead men walking. Dark hallowed out eye sockets, pale faces, blackened noses, and macabre teeth that looked like they could rip apart flesh without much effort. Each man’s eyes glowed with a feral and sinister gleam.

  Trish screamed as I sucked in a breath, shocked to find Bodie and the others the same as the night they took that Devil’s Ride. Since I had seen it once already, I wasn’t as shocked. But in the light of day it was decidedly freaky. A part of me couldn’t help feeling scared even when I knew Bodie and the others wouldn’t harm me.

  Hector dragged my body away from Bodie as his upper lip curled into a snarl. “You like this female?”

  I hadn’t realized we were close to the window until Hector shoved me close to the sharp, jagged shards with a gloved fist. I fought him but only ended up closer to be sliced as he pushed my neck up to one of the largest pieces. Gulping, I didn’t dare move.

  “You’re making a terrible mistake.”

  I heard Grim talking to Acid and then a scuffle, but I couldn’t focus on anything but Bodie’s wild eyes. One moment he was staring at Hector with a vicious hatred that churned my stomach and the next he was surging forward so fast I blinked and missed his entire approach. I ended
up on the floor and scrambled away from the window as Hector released me and Bodie pinned Hector up against the wall.

  “Who are you?”

  “El maestro, cabrón.”

  Bodie’s hands tightened around Hector’s throat as I felt a hand clamp down on my ankle. Screaming, I turned to find Zook pulling me toward him with a determined sneer. Kicking my legs, I managed to get free but wasn’t able to fight him off completely. He was on top of me fast, his hand landing on my cheek so hard that when it connected my ears rang and my blood pulsed through my head, causing my body to weaken and my vision to tunnel.

  Through my disoriented view, I heard Bodie yell and then another scuffle before Hector cried out and a loud thud could be heard outside the window as something heavy hit the ground. The fight around me grew vicious and I heard the sounds that confirmed fists punching bodies and several gunshots. Cries of horror and rage mingled with screams of pure terror. One ended with a funny gurgling sound seconds before a body landed next to me on the ground. Zook’s lifeless eyes stared up at the white crackled ceiling.

  Looking around the suddenly silent room, I gasped.

  The Royal Bastards MC were the only men still standing.

  Each of the bikers stood in front of their enemy, opening their fists as a swirling wind blew into the room. The exact opposite of what I expected, the air was scorching hot and filled with lingering flames that flickered up and down their arms just like the Devil’s Ride and their motorcycles in the desert. Lifting up through the dead bodies of Acid, Zook, Dawg, and a few others, a filmy version of their spirit or soul appeared.

  My mouth gaped open wide as I watched the souls of these Scorpions crying out in silent pain. Their expressions of agony and torture were almost too much to witness. My head throbbed as I blinked rapidly and stared with disbelief. Each of the Royal Bastards seemed to be holding a scythe or sickle that shimmered in the light, not quite real but not only a mirage. I had the distinct feeling that if they desired, they could cut these souls down and the souls would be gone forever.

  That isn’t what happened.

  The souls were gathered into a small group as the Reapers moved in as one. Tossing their scythes to the ground, they each released a primitive war cry and lunged forward, ripping and tearing into the gossamer spirits with vicious and delighted growls. The souls ended up in hundreds of pieces, drifting around in the air like someone had torn a fluffy cotton ball apart and dipped it in light blue glitter.

  The ground beneath our feet rumbled as a huge fissure opened in the center of the room. I scrambled back against the wall, searching for Trish but she was unconscious, Grim standing guard in front of her as his eyes focused on the hissing sounds and roaring flames that shot up from below ground. I vaguely realized Bodie had moved in my direction as the torn pieces of the Scorpion souls were gathered up in a gust of hot air and sucked into the fissure. After a few seconds, nothing remained. The hole began to slowly close as I felt Bodie scoop my weak body into his arms.

  “I have you, Sasha.”

  Warm, soft lips pressed to my injured cheek as he held me tighter.

  “I’ll always protect you.”

  Eyes fluttering from fatigue and the combination of my injury, I let them close as darkness enveloped me in a tender and soothing embrace.

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’re going home.”

  Bodie

  SASHA HADN’T SAID MUCH since we returned to the Crossroads. It had been two days, and in that time, we’d barely spoken. I gave up my room to her and Trish as a peace offering and also to keep Grim from losing his shit. Trish wasn’t speaking to him either. The silence was killing us both.

  Nearly half the Scorpions had been wiped out during our attack, but a good number had been at the Scorpions clubhouse and others had been running production at their other warehouses. I wasn’t stupid enough to think we’d done that much damage since the Scorpions had chapters all over the country just like we did. They weren’t easily defeated.

  But that was a problem for another day.

  It wasn’t until Sasha and Trish left the room later that afternoon – with luggage – that I began to understand what was happening. Grim stood next to me, so pissed that he didn’t utter a word as a cab pulled up in front of the Crossroads.

  Trish finally approached Grim, tears in her eyes that she tried hard not to spill. “I have to go, Grim.”

  He nodded as his fists clenched at his sides.

  “I can’t do this. I’m not . . .” she faltered, placing a hand on his arm. “This life isn’t for me.”

  He managed to clear his throat enough to speak. “I understand, Trish. I wish you well.”

  “You too.”

  He didn’t ask where she was going, and she didn’t say as she leaned in and hugged him around the waist before picking up her suitcase and walking toward the door. Sasha hesitated as our eyes met.

  Please don’t leave me, I thought.

  The desperate, unspoken words lodged painfully in my throat.

  I knew without a doubt that I had fallen for the sexy, opinionated brunette gazing up at me with uncertainty in her deep green eyes. Sasha was the one thing in this world worth fighting for. She was person. My one. The other half of my whole. My entire world had been rocked since the moment we met. I’d do anything to keep her in my life. Anything to say that she was mine.

  Sasha was my light in the darkness.

  My temptation.

  The thumping beats of my cold, dead black heart.

  The gift I didn’t know that I needed.

  The reason a grumpy, fucked up biker like me deserved a second chance at love.

  Unable to speak, I lifted my hand in her direction and she didn’t blink, didn’t hesitate, didn’t pause a single second as she placed her palm in my own. We stood there, two people desperate and yearning for a connection as I tugged her closer until she was in my arms.

  A soft sigh fell from her lips as I held her tighter.

  “Don’t go,” I finally whispered, tilting her chin up. “Stay. Be my Christmas wish.”

  It was fuckin’ cheesy but I meant every word.

  “Your wish?” she asked, her plump lips curling up in a sexy grin.

  “My holiday gift then,” I teased. “So I can unwrap you slowly and savor every single inch of your skin before I show you how much I need you.”

  “Let me say goodbye to Trish first.”

  Reluctant, I released her, watching as she walked through the doors of the Crossroads and my heart nearly skipped a beat.

  “I’m happy for you.” Grim slapped me on the back and I realized I had forgotten he was there. “Don’t take a single moment for granted, brother. A woman like that is a rare find.”

  “I know,” I acknowledged. “I won’t.”

  My prez was hurting. I didn’t know the words to make it better. “I’m sorry, Grim.”

  “Don’t be,” he replied with a tight smile. “Maybe someday I’ll find what you have and then it will all be worth it.”

  He walked away before I could answer.

  “I hope so,” I whispered, watching the prez of the Royal Bastards MC shoulder more burden with every passing day and the toll was starting to show. “I truly do.”

  Chapter 16 – Bodie

  My skin was sweating beneath this stupid costume as I pulled the fabric away from my chest and scowled.

  “Stop that,” Snooki rebuked, slapping my hand away. “Do you want to surprise your ol’ lady or not?”

  “Yeah,” I grumbled, waiting for Sasha to enter the bar. It was taking forever.

  Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair. This was the stupidest, most idiotic, and embarrassing thing I’d ever done in my entire life. All for the love of my woman. I sure hoped she appreciated all the effort. I was about to fuckin’ lose my shit before I had a chance to surprise her.

  My gaze shifted to Lucky and Cindi, wrapped up in one another as Lucky held her in his lap. They were thankful for a second chance and it mad
e me smile. I was doing this for the same reason. Another chance.

  The room grew silent as the music began and I lifted my upper lip in an Elvis Presley signature grin and impersonation. Blue Christmas started to play on cue as I nodded to Rael who was more than happy to watch my humbling tumble into disgrace. Sasha walked around the corner of the hall and stopped, jaw dropping in shock as I swiveled my hips in an off-white bodysuit that sparkled under the bar lighting. Jewels glistened in a variety of colors that matched the huge Christmas tree in the corner of the room.

  Belting out the lyrics, I began singing “I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas.”

  Sasha’s eyes filled with tears and I hoped she remembered this song was playing on repeat inside the Blacktop the night we met. I beckoned her forward with a finger and she shook her head, smiling like a loon as she reached my side.

  “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you,” I sang, winking down at my woman.

  “Bodie,” she murmured breathlessly, “is this all for me?”

  Who the fuck else would I do this for? “Of course,” I answered with a hip swivel. “Care to spend the night with the king?”

  Her giggle made my cock grow hard and I pulled her close so the whole damn bar couldn’t give me shit about it later. She was wearing a tight skirt and top that showed off all those sexy curves. “Does this mean I can seduce the king?”

  “You can try,” I flirted, picking her up as her legs wrapped around my waist, the material of her skirt riding up to expose her thighs.

  Small, warm hands slid into the costume over my bare chest where the material gaped, and I groaned with need at her touch. “Take me to bed or lose me forever.”