Dark Paths: Apocalypse Riders (21 page)

Abandoning the compound had been hard; leading his people into the unknown ever harder. His men scouted ahead - cleared some roads, steered them away from others. Sheedy led a second caravan on a separate route. In the end they were just too large of a group to travel without attracting unwanted attention for miles around them. As it was, split only in two, they were still too many. But this way, if one was attacked the other still had a chance at survival.

They had a vague goal far to the southwest. It was the best they could manage in their urgent rush to leave. Lia peered over her shoulder as she accelerated, concerned as always for the greenery in her backseat. She had half the pots; half the plants they would use to pick up where they left off. The rest traveled with May and the second group.

“That man’s tougher than hell,” Sunny said from the passenger seat, resting her feet up on the dashboard. “I wouldn’t be surprised if every last person on this road makes it all the way to the end of this trip. He won’t let anyone go. I could be bleeding out from a gut wound and he’ll just say, “cut that out,” and the wound’ll close itself and I’ll get right back in the car.”

“Must you babble every minute of the day?”

“I must!” she giggled, spreading her arms to the sky. Then, more solemnly, “Think the minister’s still back there?”

He and his girls hadn’t taken off as they’d threatened. Mostly, Lia assumed, because they hadn’t been allowed to have their guns back yet. She would happily drive them to a spot far away and drop them off herself, leaving the guns at their feet and putting them behind her forever.
They
are
behind me,
she reminded herself. They were just ghosts to her now - following, watching, but insubstantial. Unable to touch her. Still, she’d prefer not to be haunted at all.

“Did you know Preacher’s a registered officiant?” Sunny asked, nudging her with her elbow.

Lia scoffed. “Registered where?” Law and government were nonexistent - at least in their area, and every place they’d been to so far.

“Spiritually!” She nudged her again. “Come one, you’ve seen their funerals. Imagine how much fun a biker wedding party would be.”

“That just absurd, Sunny. You can’t get married when civilization is dead.”

“Sure you can, you say some pretty words, make out, everyone gets drunk, bam. Married.”

Lia couldn’t help but laugh. The sound disappeared beneath the loud roar of the biker’s engines, but it was almost as if Call could hear her - she spotted him smiling in his side mirror. They were already spiritually bound as far as she was concerned. They didn’t need any law or ceremony or pretty words or parties.

On the other hand, who didn’t like a party? “I’ll think about it,” Lia said, “Can we please worry about getting to a new settlement first?”

“Oh yeah,” Sunny said, “You and Call do that. Meanwhile I’m gonna start collecting flowers, and I know a girl who’s pretty good with a needle, I’ll bet we can cobble together a pretty nice looking dress, and I’ll talk to Preacher about drafting up some paperwork…”

Lia shook her head as the girl prattled on. Maybe it wasn’t the craziest idea. Maybe a pleasant distraction would help carry them through. Call was definitely smiling back at her through his mirror now.
Wait… was this
his
idea?
She rolled her eyes and shook her head, exaggerating so she was sure he’d see.

The man threw back his head with a knowing cackle, revved his engine and sped on ahead, the wind blowing his wavy hair in every direction. If anyone could appreciate a little absurdity, it was him, laughing in the face of the unknown paths ahead. She stepped on the gas and followed.

Britten is an independent young author in NYC. Born with a love of words, the city, and animals, she grew up in an ever-growing pile of books. She’s mastered the art of cell phone typing and has more pets than her landlord needs to know about. When she’s not writing, she’s running. When she’s not running, she’s drinking every new beer she can get her hands on.

She can confirm that stereotypes about Catholic schoolgirls are true. Having been one herself, she’s still in recovery. Don’t tell her mom.

◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙

Join my mailing list
to receive emails about new novels, new novellas, special sales and freebies!

http://eepurl.com/WFXdP

◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙

Check out all my shorter works on my
Amazon author page
, or visit my website,
www.BrittenThorne.com

Or continue turning the pages for more…

ROAD’S END
- an Apocalypse Riders novella

He takes her captive, claiming it’s to keep her safe. But she knows what happens to women when civilization crumbles.

Josie was fading away. Living in isolation in a dead city, she can feel her mind crumbling just like the buildings around her.

Until Adam. He rides in on a motorcycle, starving, separated from his gang, chased by rivals.

Their chemistry is intense and undeniable, but his very presence puts her in danger. He says he’ll keep her safe, but she knows what’s out there. The dead wander and attack at night. The living do worse. She’d have to be crazy to trust him, but he’s determined to change her mind…

Warning: This 21,000 word erotic novella contains explicit language and graphic adult content.

OLD MAN’S RIDE
- A Dust Bowl Devils MC novella

He chuckled as he zipped his pants. “Not until you beg for it. And I didn’t say you were allowed to beg yet.”

Stubborn, hot-headed Lily only had three options - get married, get on her back, or get the hell out of town. The local MC makes the rules, and they rule the town. She chooses to leave. Nobody tells her what to do. Nobody bosses her around.

Until she meets Nomad. He’s the former president of the Dust Bowl Devils. When he offers her a ride to LA, she jumps onto the back of his bike without looking back. But he’s got a different sort of ride in mind…

Warning: This 20,000+ word novella contains explicit language and graphic adult content.

 
◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙◙

DEVIL’S GIRL
- A Dust Bowl Devils MC novel

Ivy is a biker bitch who doesn’t take life seriously. When the members of the Dust Bowl Devils get a little too rough, she laughs and brushes it off. When her competition with the new girl in town turns dirty, she finds the whole thing amusing. And when the president of the club warns her to be careful, that their rivals are out for trouble and blood, she nods and smiles and has another drink.

Until Theo. The mysterious biker from the East Coast chapter is big, badass, and handsome as all hell. Their undeniable attraction is no laughing matter; she refuses to be pushed away, blissfully unaware of the dangerous mission that puts him and anyone near him in jeopardy.

He’s there to hunt down two new members of the Devils’ rival club. They’re the sort of men that make the Devils look downright wholesome. Ivy thought she knew a world of sex, drugs, and violence, but when she falls into their hands, she quickly learns that she’s only dabbled.

Will Theo and the Devils come for her, or will they back down in the face of a club that’s taken a far more dark and ruthless turn?

Rivalry, friendship, love violence passion
- this full-length novel also contains explicit language and graphic adult content. It is suitable for mature readers only.