“Loyal dogs are man’s best friend. And . . . women.”
“That’s very true.”
“I’ve always wanted a dog. If I had a dog, I’d probably have a Saint Bernard. They can be vicious, but they are big and lovable. No one would mess with me if I had a Saint Bernard.”
“Can’t really ride with a Saint Bernard.” I frowned.
“I could get one of those side cars. He would fit.”
“Now, that would just be silly.” We laughed about it.
“How about you? Would you ever get a dog?”
“Sure. I’d get a boxer. They’re loyal and they’re ferocious, and their sleek black muscular bodies are sexy.”
“You think dogs are sexy?”
“Well, not in the same sense as men, but yeah.”
“You think dogs are sexy. No wonder you don’t have a man.”
“Shut up and finish your muffin before your man gets here.”
“Did I hit a nerve?”
“No,” I protested. “Just been a rough couple of days. Of course, not nearly as rough as yours.”
“You don’t have to keep bringing that up.”
“Sorry. I don’t mean to.”
“It’s over. I just want to move on.”
“Of course, you do.”
“We should hang out more.”
“I’d like that.”
Chapter 3
Kara
We were laughing about something one of us said when I heard the door open behind me and caught the look in Reagen’s eyes. I turned to see Seth walking toward us with a scowl on his face.
“Hey, man, we don’t want any trouble,” I heard Draco say. Seth ignored him.
“Reagen, how many times do I have to tell you to tell me when you leave?” he demanded.
“You were in a meeting I didn’t want to interrupt— the Prez looked pissed. He kind of scares me.”
“Tony is always pissed. He wouldn’t be so pissed at you if you didn’t keep doing stupid shit.”
“Hi Seth!” I gave him a wave, distracting him for a moment from this stupid quarrel. It probably wasn't actually stupid, just me and my lack of romance and care for other fucking people keeping me from empathizing.
“Kara? What the fuck? Since when do you two know each other?” he demanded.
“We knew each other a long time ago,” I said, trying not to let my brain go there just because she was sitting in front of me like old fucking times. I don't have time for that reminiscing shit.
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Reagen admitted. “Kara wanted to see how I was doing. I need friends, Seth.” Her voice was low, and if anything could hit me in the heart, it was that. It was the only reason she was my choice of ally. I did feel for what happened to her. I cared that bad shit happened to good people. I wasn’t that heartless of a bitch.
“I know you do.” He softened his tone. “I just wish you had a better selection than Bonnie and Kara.” He knelt beside her and ran his hand through her hair in a loving gesture.
“She’s safe with me, Seth. I wouldn’t let anything happen to her,” I promised, seeing the real worry in his eyes.
“Safe with you?” Seth laughed. “Your own father broke into your house, or did you forget that?”
“Kara is planning to take over the Midnight Saints.” Reagen let it slip and then covered her mouth and looked at me with an ‘I’m sorry’ glance. I shrugged.
“Kara? Ha! Tony isn’t going to let you do that. You can’t come barging in. Tony has things under control. At least wait till this war is over— leave it to Tony to deal with,” Seth said, getting up to stretch his legs.
“Hell no. My father started this mess, and I’ll be damned if I just sit back and watch my birthright go to hell. I’m as tough as Tony, and I ain't afraid of my father or any fuckhead he sends after me.” The other patrons were looking at us, but I didn’t care.
“Hold on a minute, you said you wanted out. We came to you and you wanted nothing to do with the club. That’s what you said.” Seth all but got in my face. I tried to play it cool. I spotted Draco watching our exchange with curiosity.
“Yeah, I did, so?”
“So, you can’t change your mind and want in now, not now that Tony finally has shit under control,” he finished, gritting his teeth at me.
“Yes, I can. When my father came after me, I realized I can’t just hide on the sidelines anymore. I’m pissed and ready to be done with our legacy of shit, and the best way to show him that is to take over and become the Prez of the MC he screwed.”
“Tony will never be okay with this,” Seth reminded me. “He’s not just going to let you waltz in and push him out.”
“I’m not going to push him out. He can be my VP if he can control his temper.”
“Oh, so then Austin is out?” Seth asked, running his hand through his hair in frustration.
“No one is out. Why do you think anyone is out?”
“If you take over as Prez, that knocks Tony down to VP, which knocks Austin down to Enforcer, which knocks me out, so I’m out.”
“Or we can have two Enforcers. In a time of war, we probably need two. Look, I don’t know how it’s going to go, just leave Tony to me. It’s not official yet, and I’d appreciate it if you two would keep your traps shut until it is.” I glared at Reagen, who cowered, and I felt bad. “You yourself came to me looking for a solution to end this fucking war before it really begins, did you not? I can do this, Seth, but I can’t do it alone.”
“But what solution do you actually have? What can you offer the club that Tony can’t? Or hasn’t?”
“I got the Crypt Keepers to watch our backs. I have an in with them. Tony doesn’t.”
“Tony met them too,” Seth explained.
“They didn’t say anything about that to me. They wanted to hear it from me that my father double crossed us. Once I convinced them and gave an offer they couldn’t refuse, they were in.”
“Oh, they also think Reagen is a Trojan horse, or Helen of Troy or something. They don’t trust her story, and Tony doesn’t either.”
“It’s been weeks since she came to us. If Tony doesn’t believe it yet, he’s a fucking ass. I believe it, and as Prez, I will help protect her.” I locked eyes with him, knowing if anything was going to get this man on my side, it was the fact that I had more reason than the current Prez to trust and protect his ride or die.
Seth ran his hands through his hair and then marched over to the counter to get a coffee to calm his nerves, though I was sure he would rather have an ice-cold beer.
I watched how Draco handled him. Though Seth was a rare breed, he knew when to be a gentleman. He waited for his coffee and struck up a conversation with Draco. They exchanged money on the side, and I wondered what that was about. He got his coffee and came back.
“Alright, I’ll keep my mouth shut. But if you’re going to make a move, wait till the war is over. We are preparing for bloodshed and mayhem, and the last thing we need is a fight amongst ourselves over some petty bullshit that can wait.”
“I disagree. I think now is the right time to make my move,” I explained. I left what I saw alone, waiting for the right time to bring it up. Maybe he had his own curse to lay down, or maybe he wanted a watchful eye on his girlfriend when she decided to sneak away.
“Kara, one, you’re a woman, two, you’re Maxum’s fucking daughter. This is not going to go in your favor. Be prepared for that.”
“I’m willing to help you protect Reagen. Are you telling me you won’t back me up?”
“I didn’t say that. I just said it’s not going to go in your favor. I’ll back you up, but don’t expect guys like Austin or Jed to.”
“Then, I guess I just have to prove myself to them.”
“Austin is Tony’s best friend. He’ll back Tony to death.”
“I don’t need unanimous, I just need a majority, right?”
“Yeah, but I’m telling you, you’re not going to get a majority.
No one wants to cross Tony.”
“You’re willing to.”
“Yeah, well, Tony and I have an understanding. I’m prepared to take a few punches for the greater good. If you can find a few more guys to do the same, well then, you might just stand a chance.”
“Any weak links?”
“We got rid of them. Cameron, maybe. He’s still trying to prove himself. Make him an offer he can’t refuse and he’ll back you. Jed might, for a bribe. Or hell, use your womanly wiles and you’ll get a few guys.”
“You mean offer sex in exchange for their vote?”
“You gotta use what you got to make it in this world. Hell, give yourself to Tony and you might just win him over.”
I barked a full-on laugh at that shit. I didn’t think Tony would touch me with a ten-foot pole, even if I was into the suggestion. “Why do all guys think we’re just whores ready to give ourselves to anyone?”
“Because you are, Kara. We all know it. You’ll fuck anyone with a cock and a bike. Hell, you fucked half the Blue Diablos, and I bet you fucked half the Crypt Keepers. That’s probably how you got in.”
“Shut the fuck up. I have not fucked half the Blue Diablos, and I only fucked one guy in the Crypt Keepers, Eric, their Enforcer.” Not that I hadn’t fucked others back in the day, but it didn’t really matter. No one would believe me either way because my father made it so.
“Well, fuck an Enforcer and you’re in for life.” He winked at Reagen. “Even Reagen knew that.”
He stretched out on the couch nearby and Reagen moved over to cuddle with him. He had his hands locked behind his head, but he put an arm around her when she sat down.
I chose to make my escape. “Keep him distracted, Reagen. I’ll see you two around.”
“You have my vote,” Reagen said.
I finished my coffee, tossed the cup, and headed for my bike, satisfied that the day was actually going in my favor. I was feeling good about staking my claim. Riled up, I went for a drive. It was such a beautiful day and nothing beats a good ride on the open road on a perfect day.
I thought about all the shit that had gone down and all the shit that might still go down. It was scary, the unknown. We knew danger lurked in the shadows, but we didn’t know what exactly was coming. We had to be prepared for anything. I knew I was probably being foolish driving on the open road alone, especially when there was an MC or two after me, but sometimes the reward was worth the risk. I had to show them all that I wasn’t afraid. I was done hiding.
At last, I headed for the Blue Mountain Range, to the meeting house. I was eager and ready to stake my claim. Tony wouldn’t like it at first, but he had offered me the position before, and I figured once he calmed down and saw things my way, he’d fall in line.
Tony was a good leader. He cared about his men, and he was tough as shit when he had to be. His best friend, Austin, was the VP and Seth was the Enforcer. They were all good guys and I would never wish ill on them ever. All I wanted was my piece of the pie, and of the action. When my father was brought to his knees, I was going to be there front and center to watch it happen. No, not watch, to make it happen. I would be the one to bring him down. I was damn convinced I was the only one who could.
I hit the open road. It was a lazy afternoon, so there wasn’t a lot of traffic on the highway.
I kept my eyes peeled for motorcycles from the other clubs. I did not want to be followed or worse, surrounded and lead off my path. I was careful— I painted over my big butterfly, so they couldn’t recognize the bike might belong to me. It was my signature thing and it fucking hurt to be rid of it, but it was necessary.
My bike was now black and chrome, and I wore black jeans, a black jacket, and a black helmet. Wasn’t the safest choice when night riding, but the last thing I wanted to do was get spotted by my father and his goons. I reached the Midnight Saints’ territory without being spotted and headed into the mountains toward the clubhouse. Ready or not, Tony, here I come.
I turned onto the well-worn dirt road. It was mostly hidden by overgrown trees I had to push aside. I took a deep breath, and I got an instant whiff of skunk and gagged. After the turn, it was all private property, so I picked up my speed. The various evergreen trees that grew there whizzed by in a blur of green. If anyone was following me, they were currently eating my dust. I could go as fast as I wanted, and I was eager to get away from the skunk smell, though that could carry for miles.
I arrived at the clubhouse and parked my bike. I nodded to several members.
“Hey, look, it’s Kara.”
“Hey Kara!”
Some of them were still friendly.
“Mom around?” I asked as I took off my helmet and shook out my hair. I stripped off my jacket, showing off my tatted-up arms. I didn’t even fuckin’ think of the fact she might not still be around. It had been years, after all, and my stomach clenched at the thought.
“Yeah, she’s around.” Thank fuck for that.
I headed off to find the caretaker who we all called ‘Mom’.
“Mom? You here?”
“Who's asking?” Mom stepped out from behind a curtain. “Kara! Well, what the fuck are you doing here? I’d figure this was the last place I’d see you. Get over here and give me a hug, bitch!” She opened her arms to me and I hugged her. I knew she would be the first to welcome me back.
“Well, believe it or not, I’m here to stay. You heard my old man broke into my house?”
“Yeah, I heard. You alright?”
“I wasn’t home.”
“Thank God for that.”
“Yeah. So, I can’t go home, so I figure this is the only place I can go.”
“I’ll find you a room, but you better go see Tony.”
“I plan to. I plan to challenge him for leadership.”
Mom laughed.
“I’m serious,” I protested. “This club is my birthright, and I’m here to claim it. I want to know, do I have your support?”
“Yeah, kiddo, you have my support.”
“Then all I have to do is go find Tony.”
“He and Austin are in the war room.”
“Which room would that be?”
“Downstairs. Back end of the house.”
“Right.”
“Good luck. He’s in a real nasty mood. Better put your game face on because he’s not going to like this challenge one bit.”
“Yeah, I figured as much. Find me a room near Reagen, will ya? And as far from Tony’s room as I can get,” I added.
“That’s a tough order— Reagen’s room is right near Tony’s.”
“Well, give me Tony’s room and move him to the other end of the hall.”
“I can’t just give you Tony’s room. You’ll get what room I give you, and you’ll be grateful for it.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Fucking bitches think you own this place.”
“I do,” I said as I headed down the stairs. It wasn’t a lie— the place was in my father’s name, so as his heir, it belonged to me. Unless he cut me out of the will and left everything to my bitch wannabe sister he dares call his daughter.
The thought of Sophie taking everything from me put me in a foul mood and I stomped down the stairs a little louder than I meant to.
Chapter 4
Tony
“We have some big matters to attend to. First, Maxum and his war, and second, well, now that Seth has gotten Reagen knocked up and she killed Jacob, I suppose that means dealing with the fucking Blue Diablos.”
“We don’t have time to deal with that fucking shit,” Austin protested. “Seth chose to keep the bitch, let him deal with that fucking shit. If those blue devils come knocking, we’ll deal with them, but until then, our focus has to be this goddamn war.”
“The Blue Diablos are in the fucking war. That’s where all our castoffs ended up, and we know Maxum has some kind of control over them now. I don’t know if he’s their Prez yet, but he has fucking control over them and over the Shadow Ord
er. Which means it’s two fucking clubs against us. Now, the Crypt Keepers, they want Maxum taken out, so if it comes to that, they’re on our side, but they don’t want to fight the fucking war with us. So, we better find a way to fucking stop this shit from getting any further. Now, how the fuck are we going to do that? I need solutions, Austin. And where the fuck did Seth run off to?”
“He had to go see his bitch.”
“We’re at war, there is no time for bitches.”
“Fucking bitches is what keeps us goddamn lunatics sane. You can’t expect us to fight a war if we’re blue balled.”
“I’m blue balled, do you hear me complaining?” I smacked him across the back of his head. “Get your head in the game, Austin.”
“There’s always time for bitches,” Austin argued even as much as he disagreed with Seth and Reagen. I’d let it go, mostly. I could tell Seth loved her and she was more than just some bitch to him. I just had more loyalty to MY club than to endanger them or distract myself from them with some hot ass.
“Maybe that’s your problem, Tony. Maybe you should go see Phoebe or Harley and get fucked or sucked or something. You’re fucking tense, man. You’re a fucking time bomb ready to explode. Hell, at this point, I’d say fuck Elle or even June, but for the love of God, go slam your cock in someone’s pussy.”
“In the old days, Maxum would punch your mouth for saying that.” I couldn’t even explain why I fucking brought him up. He was no longer anything to us other than enemy number one, but it was hard to let go of the fact he took us all in like a fucking father.
What a damn twist of fate, man. Fuck.
Discord (Midnight Saints MC Book 2) Page 3
