Nomads' Fall: Burning Bastards MC (24 page)

Oscar Lime, the Police Chief, was also where she heard about the ‘wanna’ be’ bike gang trying to establish themselves in the area. She was so pissed by the time he finished telling her about David’s defection from the bikers that he was prospecting for, that she wished she had the president of Lucifer’s Breed in her hands, she almost ached to bust him with a baseball bat. She often saw the overgrown juvenile delinquents riding through town like they owned the place.

It was a shock to her when she found out that several of them did in fact own many of the businesses in town. She walked past Cupid’s Boutique and Classy B’s Beauty Salon every morning on her way to work. She took her elderly 1971 Dodge Swinger that she’d inherited from her paternal grandmother, to a place called Gunner’s. They were the only ones that knew how to fix the old crate, but she felt fortunate that someone knew about older model cars, and where to find parts to fix them.

Cowboy’s Steakhouse and Grill was the best place in the whole county to get a delicious meal. Even the medical walk-in clinic was owned and run by members of the motorcycle club.

In the two and a half years she’d been here, she found out just how much the economy of Juanita, Missouri depended on the MC community. Being a dog groomer didn’t put her into contact with many of the citizens of the area, but people did like to talk and gossip when they picked up their animals. She knew some of the members' wives or live-ins, because they brought their dogs in to be bathed or groomed. Furfur brought her two huge poodle mixed female dogs in every few weeks to get them bathed and groomed. The dogs were the size of Great Danes, and since the standard poodle mother had been the size of a small Shepard, it stood to reason the puppies would be huge too. Myrtle brought Melvin in for his monthly shampoo and manicure, and a smallish woman called Liberty brought in a grumpy Pit Bull named Jerome. The women never mentioned the MC Club, or anything about them. They spoke about the weather, the dogs, or a shoe sale.

She’d learned more about the people in the town than she wanted to know, but at least she now knew who the gossips were talking about when they couldn’t resist making comments and judgments about others. Until her brother had joined her here, from his stint in Juvenile Detention for being incorrigible and malicious destruction of property just over a year ago, she had thrived and loved the town.

David was pretty much forced on her when their mother remarried for the fourth time, to a judge in their hometown of Norse, Missouri. Her mother had begged and heaped guilt on her shoulders until she’d consented to take him in. The understanding was that he would stay with her until he found a job and could fend for himself. The last day he’d spent at the apartment, he left a note, emptied out her wallet, and tried to hotwire her car. She called her mother, who was out of the house for the day, and got her new stepfather on the phone. He could tell that she was upset, and they talked for over an hour. He was a decent sort of man, practical and intuitive enough to know that she’d had it with her half-brother.

His best advice was, change the locks, and let the boy go. “Don’t allow him to make you feel guilty and manipulate you into giving him money or a place to stay. He’s burned his bridges, and frankly, Amelia, I am surprised he lasted as long as he did, before showing his true colors. No one owes him anything, and he needs to understand that. I have met him, and I was not impressed in the least with his cocky attitude and childish actions. The boy also had a drug problem before he went to detention, I don’t imagine your mother told you about that, did she?”

Excerpt from Taming Chaos

Raining Chaos Book One

By Lynne St. James

Yup now this is what I’d expected. Seeing all the skanky women pour into the dressing room was more than I wanted to deal with, or maybe I was just jealous? At least that’s what Michelle would say. She might be right, but hell, I’m not admitting it to anyone. Still, there was no way I was going to stand there while some hoe practically climbed into his pants.

I doubt anyone noticed when I left anyway. My suitcase was still in Michelle’s car, so I figured I might as well get it now and head to the bus. Maybe I could get settled in before they all showed up with their sex partners for the night. Gross. Seriously, how could anyone have sex with random strangers just because they were rock stars? Okay, who was I kidding, I wanted Chaos, would I give in to that—hell no. It’d be totally wrong. Isn’t that what I hated most about my father? He was all about loving them and leaving them, at least as far as mom was concerned.

Grabbing the suitcase from the car I shoved her spare key in the hideaway box under the front wheel well. Thank God I’d remembered it was there because I sure as hell hadn’t remembered to get the keys from her before I left the party. She’d been all over Flame. I knew she liked Raining Chaos but I hadn’t realized she had the hots for him until the drive over. All she did the whole time was ask about him. It was funny. Too bad this wasn’t her job for the next two weeks, she would have enjoyed it a hell of a lot more than I will.

Looking for the buses, I followed the directions dickman had given me earlier. I went back in the Garden and down the long hallway to the rear exit. I’d almost made it when I heard the sound of high heels on the tile floor behind me. Fully expecting it to be one of the skanks from the party, I turned to come face-to-face with Sweets.
Oh shit.

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

“Cynda is it or should I just call you bitch?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I don’t like you coming in here and butting in. We don’t need you and Chaos definitely doesn’t need you. I’ve got everything he needs right here.” She gestured across her body, and yeah she had it. Huge boobs trying to escape from the leather vest she wore over a way too short leather mini-skirt and black high heels with silver studs. If this is what he liked more power to him, it just reinforced the no sex no way rule. I thought Wrath had said they were like sisters. Maybe someone needed to tell her.

“I don’t know what your problem is, but you need to back off. I’m not here to hurt anyone or cause problems. I’m just here to do my job. You don’t like it, talk to Chaos, he’s the one who made me come on tour with you. Trust me it wasn’t my idea.”

“Yeah I know,” she answered and took a drink from the beer in her hand. She was drunk, it was obvious, but I didn’t think it mattered. She’d been shooting shitty looks at me since I’d shown up earlier.

“So if you know, why are you giving me shit?”

“Because I want you to fuckin’ walk away, stay off the fuckin’ bus. Make up some damn excuse but stay the fuck away from all of us.”

“No way. I told you I have a job to do and I’m going to do it. What the hell is your problem? I know he’s not your boyfriend, so what’s with the possessive act?”

“Bitch, you have no idea. You’d have to be crazy to think he’d want you.”

I agreed with her but it still hurt. Michelle had given me a makeover and even convinced me to buy and wear make-up. New clothes, new hair, and still there was no way I could or would want to compete with these skanks for his attention. “I told you I’m here for work. I don’t want him and I don’t care what you two do. Got that?”

I’d had enough, I was tired, it’d been a long ass day and I wanted to find a place to sleep, even if it was a chair on the damn bus. At least dickman told me they didn’t sleep on the bus with the guys, they were on the second bus.

“You need to sleep it off,” I said as I turned hoping to get away from her before it got worse. No such luck when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning I gave her the ‘fuck you bitch’ look, but she either didn’t care or was too drunk to notice.

“Listen, Cinder, or whatever your name is. Don’t make me hurt you…”

Excerpt from Beat to Their Heart

Surviving the Dream

By Whiskey Starr

“You want me to do what?” There was no way he wanted him to take his shirt off.

“Listen, man, sex sells and since they can’t see you sitting behind the drums, they need to see something, so take off the shirt. The ladies will love it.” Joey glared at him, but it was Mickey who pulled him aside.

“Listen, bro, just do it. No one can really see too much, and no one close enough can see the marks. All they will see are the tattoos. Come on, Joey.” Mickey was practically pleading with him.

“Fine. But you f*****g owe me,” he grumbled as he pulled his shirt up and over his head. His back was covered in tattoos, and his chest had several ones that had a special meaning to him. Walking over to the bar, he got a drink after everything was set up to his preference.

Time seemed to fly as they were given an introduction from the owner of the club. The club was located in a high trafficked area of LA that seemed to attract a lot of big names in music. Not thinking about that, Joey looked to his left that had the lineup of songs for the set, so he knew what was coming next. Looking out in the crowd he was surprised at how packed the club had become. Nothing like the small dives they had played in the past, this was the real deal. Giving everything he had to the music, he let Mickey take lead and when it came time for the drum fill, he let his sticks fly showing everyone what he could do.

When the song finished he was shocked at the cheers and screams coming from the crowd, but it was time for a break. He sure needed it. Not used to actual lights, he found himself thirsty. He could use another shot, but drank some water first, making sure he didn’t get sick and screw up his kit. He took a breather and actually found a seat at the bar to rest for a minute.

A young girl, who wore a, “I’m Twenty-one Today,” sash and crown walked over to him.

“Hey, you guys are awesome. Do you guys take requests?”

“Thanks for the compliment, but we don’t do covers, we are all original,” he said as he went about drinking his water. He wasn’t going to touch her. He needed to keep a clear head if he wanted to finish this set and see what would happen next. He spotted Marty talking with Mickey and some guys in expensive suits. Looking around the club, he noticed a larger younger crowd. Typical for this part. He was about to leave when he looked by the door to a woman who was definitely not twenty-one. Starting with her shoes, working his way up, she wore some type of boots with skintight jeans that showed off all her natural curves. Such a contrast to the skinny women who looked like toothpicks. Continuing his journey up her body, she wore a black tank top with no crazy designs or colors. It was a very simple outfit, but given her shape, it made his c**k pay attention to her. A cute face that wasn’t covered in make-up, at least that he could see, and brown hair that was clipped in the front to keep it out of her face. She was definitely someone he wanted to talk to. Watching as she and her friend, whom he glanced at but didn’t give much thought, followed alongside.

Watching under hooded eye the two women asked for rum and cokes before turning and talking to each other. He had to get on stage soon, so he figured why not talk to her. The worst that could happen is she ignored him.

“Hi, ladies,” trying to remember what manners he did have.

“Umm, hi,” said the friend, while the beauty who captured his interest looked down at her drink trying to avoid eye contact.

“I’m Joey, and you ladies are?”

“Hi, Joey, I’m Casey, and this is Skylar.”

“Skylar, that’s a unique name,” he thought that sounded good. It'd been a while since he spoke normal to a woman instead of his usual line of "Let's f**k."

“You ladies having fun?” he asked, trying to make small talk, seeing if she would respond to him.

“We just got here. Heard the band is pretty hot. Do you know them?” Oh so they came to see the band.

“Yup, they are pretty good.” He smiled knowingly. “They go on in a few minutes. Do you like rock music, Skylar?” He was trying to get her attention, and when she did look up, warm brown eyes looked directly at him. Damn she was beautiful. The women he had before didn’t even come close in comparison to her.

“Yes, I like rock music, though I admit I don’t get to listen to a live band very often.”

“Well then you’re in for a treat. Look, I got to run, but can I talk to you later?” Hoping she would say yes, she just smiled at him sweetly before nodding. He turned and ran to the stage getting ready to start. He caught her in the audience and he kept his eyes on her while the others welcomed them back. He pointed his stick at her giving her a wink before counting out the song. Then he was in the zone.

Excerpt from Bed of Roses

Devil Savages MC Book One

By Harley McRide

Rose checked herself one last time in her rearview mirror, dabbing on a coat of lipstick before she headed into Devil’s Den. She wasn’t big on cosmetics, but had layered it on thick, complete with smoky eyes and red lipstick. Instead of the average girl next door that normally stared back at her, there was a hot woman she didn’t recognize. She felt sexy and just the boost she needed to follow through and not hightail it back to the safety of her house. The parking lot was packed, making her park all the way out on the back forty on the grass. There were so many bikes it put Sturgis to shame. Row after row of pure American muscle filled most of the area, leaving the last few rows for cars and trucks. When she stepped out of the car, her heels sunk in the mud making walking almost impossible. By the time she hit pavement, her calves were burning and she was pretty sure there were blisters swelling up on her heels.

Great
.

The roar of the crowd echoed out around her, amped up in bloodlust ready for the fights. The sounds clouded with the thick humidity making it hard to breathe. Rose sucked a gulp of the pollutant deep in her lungs to steady her nerves. She reached down and smoothed her clothing, thinking twice about her wardrobe choice, growing more and more apprehensive by the second. The little black leather mini skirt paired with black stilettos made her legs appear longer and leaner. She had chosen a pink tank top that dipped low in the front to accent her large chest and give an ample amount of cleavage without coming off too slutty. Standing there ready to face what waited ahead, she felt naked. Just as her nerves got the better of her and she was about to bolt, the door swung open. Rose looked up, staring at a towering Tonto.