Bitter Sweet Beginnings

BITTER SWEET BEGINNINGS

BOOK FIVE

The Kingsmen MC series

TARA OAKES

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.

First edition. June 17, 2015

Copyright c. 2015 Tara Oakes

Written by Tara Oakes

Published by Twelve Oaked Publishing, inc.

Book Cover: Image from CBB Productions

TO MY LAMBCHOP, MY LOVE

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ALSO FROM THIS AUTHOR:

A LIL’ LESS BROKEN, Book one in the Kingsmen MC series

A LIL’ LESS LOST, Book two in the Kingsmen MC series

A LIL’ LESS HOPELESS, Book three in the Kingsmen MC series

BITTER SWEET DECEPTION, Book four in the Kingmen MC series

BABY V, Book one in the Chianti Kisses series

BOSS, Book two in the Chianti Kisses series

STAIN, Book one in the My Soul to Wake series

ALL AVAILABLE NOW ON
AMAZON.COM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks so much to everyone who has helped along the way in bringing the Kingsmen MC books to life. Alicia, my Personal Assistant, Laura Classi, my editor, and CBB from CBB productions were instrumental yet again in creating the book you are about to read. And thanks so much to each and every single reader who have hopped on and held tight, with each twist and turn this ride takes us.

DISCLAIMER
This novella is a short, bridge of a book to set up the characters and events right where I need them for the final book in the series, the conclusion to the Kingsmen MC- BITTER SWEET CRAVINGS. With so many characters and storylines in this sage, I wanted to make sure that all of their voices were heard in a way that would not be rushed in the last book.
Although this book may be short in words compared to my other books, I hope you understand why and feel that it is not short in emotion or story. Or steam…. Let’s not forget the steam.

BIKER FRIENDLY REFERENCE

The life of a biker although foreign to most of us, is a very intriguing subculture with its own laws, rules, language, and traditions. Hopefully this reference will help the rest of us get to know a bit more about them before we take a peak into the lives of Lil's and Jay, two people born and raised in the secret world of the MC, full of passion, loyalty, fierce family bonds and... danger.

TERMS

1%er -

The small population of biker clubs that consider themselves outside the law. They often run operations in gambling, guns, prostitution, smuggling, paid protection, drugs, and more. They are considered to be the baddest of the bad, and the roughest of the rough.

Brother -

Club members within the same club refer to each other as 'Brother'. They have made a vow to each other to protect and take care of each other as family.

Cage-

An automobile, usually a van.

Church –

A club meeting to be attended by patched brothers only. Most clubs run as a democracy and important matters are voted on during meetings.

Club Mama –

Women that regularly attend events and interact with the M.C. They may aspire to become an Ol' lady one day but do not yet have a patch holder. They may spend time with many different bikers within a club but have loyalty to the club first before a man. They are considered to be a little bit more respected than a sweet butt.

Cut -

Refers to the leather vest worn by most bikers in a club.

M.C.-

Acronym for Motorcycle Club.

Ol' Lady –

A term of affection used for the main woman, or wife, of a club member. She is given his protection and is considered off limits to any other biker. Women are not considered club members, but rather have associations to the club through their Ol' man, or their patch holder.

Nomad –

A member of an MC that is currently without a specific charter. They are still considered a brother but they choose not to offer specific allegiance to a designated charter, instead they are loyal to the club organization in whole.

Patched In –

When a prospect completes his initiation period and is voted in to become a full fledged club member, or “Brother”

Patches –

The cloth patches or embroidered designs added to a biker’s vest, or cut, that identifies which club they belong to, the location of their specific charter and their position in it. Other patches can be added to signify milestone events. Example: if the member has ever served prison time for his club, or killed for it.

Piece –

A gun.

Prospect –

Those that desire to become a full-fledged patched member must complete an initiation period as a prospect before a final vote is taken as to whether or not they can fully join. Prospect's usually are given the worst assignments and must prove their loyalty and worth to the club.

Rag –

Another term for a leather vest, or cut, but worn by a woman, given to her by her Ol' man to signify that she is his “property” and is off limits. An Ol' lady's rag does not usually bear the club name, logo or charter as she is not a club member. It simply states “Property of_____”

Sweet Butt –

A term used to describe a woman who is used by members in a club. They are usually welcomed to club parties, or “Brother only” parties but are never allowed at family events. It is a derogatory term and there is very little respect for these ladies by club members.

Tat –

A tattoo. Full fledged club members, or brothers, often have the club patches permanently tattooed on their body to signify that they are a member even if not wearing their cuts. An Ol' lady will usually have a tattoo to honor her Ol' man to signify that she is his property even if she is not wearing her rag.

PROLOGUE

He left. He actually fucking left!

Who
does
that?!

I’ll tell you who does that… a selfish fucking bastard. That’s who.

I know what I’d done was terrible… some might even say unforgivable. But a very small glimmer of hope was hiding way down deep inside that he was better than this. That all those words of loyalty, commitment, and protection actually meant something and not just BS to feed into his whole macho biker act.

I guess I was wrong about him. He was just like the rest of them. A liar.

I’m used to it by now, how could I not be? I’ve had more practice than most having been on the receiving end of it. I guess that’s how I got to be such a good liar myself.

CHAPTER ONE

CHARLIE

THEN

“Let’s go, girls! We’re leaving!” mom called from the bottom of the stairs up to the second floor where Dana and I were fighting over the little white patent-leather purse in both of our clutches.

“Mine!” she screamed. My little sister had the highest-pitched squeal I’d ever heard. She’d perfected it over the years. We fought, she whined, then she yelled loud enough where mom would come running to her rescue. She’d gotten it down pat. And like clockwork, I heard the thudding of footsteps racing up the stairs in our direction.

My bedroom door swung open and mom stormed in, fully prepared to separate us.

“Enough!” She took the pretty little pocketbook from the middle of our tug-of-war and held it high above her head where neither I nor my baby sister could reach.

“It’s Easter Sunday! We are going to be late for church services and you two are up here fighting over a bag!?” she fumed. “What is it going to look like if we walk into the sanctuary hall
after
services have begun, hmm…? With my two daughters all mussed up from fighting like animals?”

Leave it to mom to worry more about what things would
look
like if her perfect family showed even the slightest bit of imperfection while on display.

“She started it,” I accused my brat of a baby sister of instigating the fight.

“Nuh-uh!” Dana retorted. “She won’t let me use her old pocketbook. I asked real nice, mommy.”

I rolled my eyes. “So? It doesn’t matter if you asked nice, which you did not. I’m using it today. And you’re
nine
! What do you need a purse for anyway?”

Dana’s cheeks began to flush and her little palms squeezed themselves at her side. “I want to use the pocketbook! I won’t go to church without it!”

“What’s going on here?” Dad strolled into the room, still working on his tie.

Mom still held the purse hostage from both Dana and me.

“Nothing, dear. Just a little sisterly squabble.”

She handed the bag over to Dana who accepted it eagerly. My mouth dropped open and I could feel the pressure building inside me. Dana smiled while petting the bag as if to clear away any dust from the surface. She looked triumphant, knowing she’d won yet again.

“Let’s go, Dana, you’ve got your bag now.” Mom grabbed her little hand and walked past, between dad and me, leading my treacherous sibling down to the car.

I didn’t move. I was so angry that I didn’t trust myself not to start throwing things in my little room. It always happened like this! She’d always gotten her way. No matter what, mom always took her side and I was sick of it. I didn’t care if she was the baby… what about what
I
wanted for a change?

I felt years of emotion rising to the surface as that last reminder of my second-class rating was more than painful. I closed my eyes and felt my shoulders slump.

Dad’s hand reached out and pulled me close. “It’s alright, Charlie girl.”

I sniffled, “No, it’s not.”

He bent down, kneeling in front of me. He smiled, using his fingers to wipe away the dampness on my cheeks. “How about you and I take a special little trip to the store tomorrow after school, hmmm? It’s time you had another purse. A grown-up one. Not a little girl’s pocketbook.”

I lifted my eyes up in curiosity. “Really?”

I could hear my voice take on a new level of excitement. Mom didn’t take me shopping unless it was for both Dana
and
me, and my sister wound up with most of the purchases.

“Can we really?”

Dad nodded. “You betcha. Just you and me, kiddo.”

I felt my smile beaming. A shopping trip with just dad and me! And a new bag, too! I felt like the luckiest girl alive then. Who cared that Dana got a bigger Easter basket earlier that morning than I did? It didn’t matter anymore.

I noticed Dad’s tie was still crooked. “Mom’s gonna flip if she sees your tie like this.” I quickly worked to remedy the situation.

Mom and dad had been fighting more and more before that day. I hated when dad got in trouble with her, so if I could spare him a lecture from a crooked tie on Easter Sunday, then I would.

He laughed. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

I reached around and hugged his neck, squeezing tightly. My dad was the only one who knew how to make me feel better about the stupid stuff between mom or Dana.

He was the only person who would ever truly love me, and I was the luckiest girl alive to have him as my daddy.

~*~

NOW

“How about we watch that new vampire movie?” Dana called out from the kitchen.

I really do appreciate everything she’s been doing these last two days, but she’s beginning to get on my nerves. I know we’ve come a long way from where we were when we were kids, but I find myself dangerously close to snapping at her.

“Sis, I can’t watch another damn movie. I can’t watch anymore TV either. I’m about to lose my mind!” I let out my building frustrations.

Dana joins me, carrying a fresh glass of water and a bottle of pills in her hand. “Med time!”

Great. Dope me up some more and maybe I’ll get lucky enough to pass out again. At least when I’m sleeping, I don’t have to think about Clink. I can be numb to the heartache and pain for just a little while as the magic little pills cast their spell over my battered body and soul.

I hold my hand out, palm up, and gladly accept the little white tablets as my baby sister and temporary caregiver dispenses the potent pain relievers and antibiotics. I throw the handful of pills into my mouth and follow it with a chaser of water, washing them down.

Using the back of my hand, I wipe under my chin at the drop that’s escaped my lips. “Thanks, Dana.”

She smiles, glad to be helpful. It’s not often that we’re kind to one another. I hope she knows that I appreciate all of her attention the last couple of days. I might actually miss her when she goes home tomorrow. I
never
thought I’d think that about her.

“I’ll stop by the bookstore later and pick up some new things for you if you want to give the TV a rest. You can get caught up on that new series about Salem. You know, about the witches.”

I shift to get more comfortable within the cushions of the oversized sofa, pulling up the little knitted throw to cover my neck. I close my eyes and wait for sleep. She still speaks, though.

“And maybe the day after tomorrow we can take a ride to the beach, sit out and get some sun, maybe walk the shoreline. The doctors say you’ll be clear to get out and exercise a bit by then.”

Her words cause me to fling my tightly-shut eyes open in shock.

“I’m sorry?” I ask. “Won’t you be back home by then? I thought you were leaving tomorrow?”

There’s an uncomfortable pause. I feel my pulse quicken at the horrific possibility her words imply.

“Dana…” I find my voice growing terse.

She clears her throat. “About that…”

Shit.

~*~

THEN

“He’s not coming,” Dana boasted from the living room window.

Mom and dad had pretty strict rules about not dating until we were 16, so Dana was living vicariously through me. Although, from the tone of her voice, I could tell she was rooting more for me being stood up than actually enjoying my first date.

“He’ll be here, honey. Don’t you worry about it,” dad reassured me from behind his newspaper as he read in his favorite old broken-in leather chair. “If he doesn’t, he’ll have me to answer to.”

I smiled, hiding my growing fear. What if Dana was right? What if he wasn’t coming? With each passing moment, my anxiety grew and so did Dana’s glee.

“Stand back from that window, dear. What will the neighbors think if they see you peeking through the drapes like a puppy? And your sister’s nervous enough.”

Mom brought dad a nightcap. He hadn’t been home for dinner in over a week, having just opened two new locations to his dry cleaning company. Mom had been pulling out all the stops to make that night as close to a
Leave It To Beaver/ Donna Reed/ and Good Housekeeping
moment all in one.

She had even invited Granny Griffiths over. And for my mother to invite
her
mother-in-law over… you knew she was desperate. The only person Granny Griffiths seemed to dislike more than mom just so happened to be me.

I guess all grandparents have their favorites, but Granny Griffiths didn’t even try to hide the fact that I was way down on the list of favorite grandchildren. In fact, I was at the bottom, off the page, holding it up so Dana’s name could be seen at the very top.

“Darling, come have some fruit salad with me,” Granny called to her little pet from the dining table, where mom had just set out dessert.

Dana
finally
abandoned her perch by the great bay window to go sit next to granny and appease her.

“Honestly, Regina. Do you think sixteen is even old enough to go on a date? I mean, I realize you may not be the best judge of
those
sorts of matters…” Granny helped herself to some coffee while Dana took a seat next to her, basking in the criticism of my social life.

Or lack thereof, if that boy stood me up.

“Mom, Charlie is old enough to be trusted to go on a date,” dad rose from his recliner, addressing his own mother’s judgment. He passed me on the way to the dining table, kissing the top of my head reassuringly. “She’s a responsible young lady who will make sure she acts in a way befitting the trust we’ve placed in her.”

My dad had a unique way of reminding me how much he trusted me while simultaneously implying that he’d be disappointed if I abused that trust. It’s a skill that’d gotten him far in life. He’d built a largely successful business with several dry cleaning stores. Every single employee was more than loyal to him and that doesn’t come easily.

Little did granny know, mom was indeed against my date that night. It was dad who put his foot down and advocated for me. It caused more than one argument between the two in the last few days.

The walls were thin in that house and my bedroom just so happened to be directly above theirs. I could hear the arguments between them over it and how mom thought that Dana should be brought along to chaperone. Seriously? How was a twelve-year-old girl going to chaperone a date… other than by being a nuisance and a spy who’d run back and tattle on the slightest bit of physical contact?

Dad was quick to refute it stating that keeping me under too tight of a thumb would only result in my rebelling like she had done. I had to laugh at that one… the thought of my mother rebelling at
anything
was nothing more than wishful thinking. The Regina Griffiths that
I
knew wouldn’t rebel against
anything
that would cause even the tiniest bit of public ridicule or embarrassment.

I tried to listen to more of their conversation but their voices became too hushed. What I wouldn’t have given to be a fly on the wall of their bedroom that night.

The doorbell chimed loudly breaking my train of thought and interrupting the runaway thoughts I had of my mother rebelling against the full prices at Barney’s department store or rebelling against the smudged nail polish in her pedicure.

Immediately, all forks dropped at the dining table as the desserts were quickly forgotten. Mom stood and straightened her skirt, turning quickly to smoothe her hair in the refection of the glass of the curio cabinet. Granny watched her daughter-in-law and rolled her eyes none too discreetly.

I felt my heart beat fast, then racing even faster still.

He’s here
.

Dana was on her feet quicker than quick and had passed me before I had the reflexes to try to restrain her.

The young man standing on the porch with his finger ready to press down on the doorbell again was taken off guard at the door suddenly opening.

“I’m sorry. But, you’re late. Charlie’s not allowed to go anymore.” Dana was ready to slam the door just as quickly as she had opened it. Adam Sanders, the cute captain of the football team who had asked me out on my first date was stunned at her words.

“Dana!” I shrieked behind her, moving quickly to take her by her shoulders and pull her away from the entryway. “I’m so sorry Adam. She’s a pathological liar, don’t listen to a word she says.”

The teen heartthrob looked confused. “I—I’m sorry. I wanted to stop and gas up before I picked you up so we wouldn’t have to stop later….”

“Please, won’t you come in,” Mom had managed to take Dana’s place in inspecting my date.

NO.

The last thing I needed was for my crazy family scaring him off. I instantly looked back to where dad was behind me, silently begging him with my eyes to intervene.

He and mom had already spoken to Adam last week and embarrassed the ever-living shit out of me when the boy showed up on my doorstep to ask me out.

“Why don’t we let them get going, Regina? They’ve already lost a little bit of time tonight and Charlie knows her curfew isn’t going to change because of it. Let the kids go have some fun.”