Dark Steel: A Motorcycle Club Romance Novel (13 page)

John took the gavel and slammed it on the oak table. A motorcycle and skull was carved into the center of the table. “I want to bring this meeting of the Wheels of Ash into session.”

Hudson and Wyatt stopped talking so John could continue. “First order of business is our prospect, Bryce. He's been with us for over a year now and it's time we vote.”

I looked around the long table and realized how much we had lost this past year. Landon, our vice president, was killed which only left: John, Wyatt, Hudson, and me. Not much of a club anymore. Getting new recruits was easy—keeping them alive wasn't.

We went around the table and Hudson and Wyatt both said, “Aye” in unison.

I nodded to John and he smashed his gavel into the oak. “Bryce is now WOA. Get that boy in here.”

Wyatt got up and screamed outside. “Prospect! Get your ass in here!”

The young kid came bumbling in. He wasn't the strongest but he had heart. That's what really mattered in the club—laying down your life for your family.

“What can I get for you guys?” he asked, looking down at the ground.

John pointed to the seat next to me. “Sit down, Prospect.”

Bryce's eyes widened. He looked towards the door and then to the chair. His fight-or-flight instinct was kicking in. This was the first time he has been asked to sit in.

John rubbed his eyes. “Bryce, you know that older blonde you took to bed at the party last week.”

A slight smile appeared on the prospect's face. His eyes glazed over as he remembered the details of the night. He nodded to John.

“Well if you didn't know, that was Wyatt's old lady,” John said.

Bryce's jaw dropped and sweat beaded on his forehead. “I had no idea! I didn't even know Wyatt had an old lady.”

Wyatt ran his finger across his throat and stared menacingly at Bryce.

“We all voted for punishment.”

“Oh fuck....” Bryce looked at Wyatt with tears in his eyes. “I'm so fucking sorry. I had no idea she was your girl.”

Wyatt couldn't keep a straight face. He burst out laughing, bending over to hold his stomach. Even Hudson let go a small smile.

Bryce wiped the tears from his cheeks. “What's going on?”

“We're just pulling your leg,” John began. “We voted and...” John pulled out a leather cut and threw it across the table. “...you're an official WOA member now.”

“Oh shit,” he said, holding the leather cut in his hands.

“Put the damn thing on,” I said, slapping his back.

Bryce stood up and tore off his old cut and put the new one on. “How do I look?”

“Like a son of a bitch,” Wyatt said, getting up to hug Bryce.

“Welcome to the club,” I said, embracing him.

Hudson punched Bryce in the arm.

“Okay now, the fun's over,” John said. “Let's get some order in here. Everyone back in your seats.” John waited for everyone to sit back down. “We have a meet up with the Russians today. I want us all there today.”

“Something special happening?” I asked.

“The Russians finally filled our big order of guns. This is the big one. We're going to be getting some heavy shit: rifles, grenades, even a fifty cal.” All the guys pounded the table. “I want Wyatt to handle the transaction.”

Wyatt nodded. He was the next in line to become Vice President so it only made sense from him to do the more important stuff. Ever since Landon was murdered, I'd dreamed of getting that VP patch. But Wyatt was the logical choice and I wasn't going to stand in his way—he deserved it.

“We leave in fifteen minutes. Hudson, you carry the bags of cash and everyone make sure you keep your cool.  I don't want a massacre on my hands because one of you got nervous. Meeting adjourned.” John banged the gavel on the table.

I sat at the table, daydreaming about Liam while he was in the meeting. How could a man affect me so much? I could barely think straight—the alcohol didn't help.

Wyatt called Bryce into the room and I wondered what was going on. I heard some muffled cheering and clapping and assumed that it had to be good news. I looked around the room and wondered why some of the other guys in leather cuts weren't in the meeting with them. Were they not WOA members?

The doors opened and the guys came out of the meetings. Liam walked right to me and I lost my breath.

He ran his fingers through his hair. “The vote is over.”

“Anything you could tell me?” I felt like a reporter with my pen and notepad in my hand.

“Bryce is now an official member.”

So that explains the excitement. I looked over at Bryce, and Hudson had poured four shots on the bar for him. Bryce downed them in succession, slamming each shot glass on the bar.

“Anything else happen in there that I can write about?”

“We have a deal that's about to go down.”

“Deal for what?” I asked.

“Sorry but I can't tell you it.”

Must be something illegal. Drugs maybe? “Can I come with?” I don't know what came over me or where that burst of confidence came from.

Liam narrowed his eyes at me.

“I promise I won't get in the way.”

“You can't write about what you see.”

I nodded. “You got a deal.” I shook his hand and felt that same spark shoot through me.

Liam led me outside to the row of bikes. John, Wyatt, Hudson, and Bryce were all there, pulling their motorcycles out and buckling their helmets on.

Bryce bent over and hugged his knees as he vomited all the whiskey he just consumed.

Hudson let out a hearty life and slapped Bryce on the back causing him to throw up even more.

“Which one is yours?” I asked Liam.

Liam pointed to the black Harley at the end of the line. The amount of chrome covering the thing was a little ridiculous but I didn't know much about motorcycles.

“Ever ridden one before?”

I shook my head.

“You're going to like it.” Liam shot me a devil-may-care smile that made me melt into a puddle of desire.

Wyatt came over and pulled Liam to the side. “You're taking her along?” They spoke in hushed tones but it was still easy to overhear.

“Yeah, why not?” Liam whispered.

“She's not one of us—this is no place for her kind.” Wyatt glanced over at me and snarled.

“I'm taking her with us. She can watch my bike from a safe distance.”

John pointed at Liam. “You make sure she's away from all the action.”

Fear bubbled in my chest, raging through my system. Where were they taking me? If it was so dangerous, maybe I shouldn't go. My anthro paper wasn't more important than my life.

Liam handed me a bucket helmet and whispered, “Don't worry, it'll be fine.”

I smiled. He instantly put me at ease. His strong presence and soft face made me feel safe. I could definitely fall for a guy like this.

Liam climbed onto the bike and backed it out of the spot. “Climb on, Charlotte.”

I lifted my leg over the motorcycle and lost my balance—the cement ground came at me like a punch. Liam swiftly grabbed my arm and pulled me upright before I tumbled down. I blew the hair out of my face and exhaled. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

Liam helped me onto the bike this time. The cushion beneath me was surprisingly comfortable. I looked around for a place to put my hands—I didn't want to fall off.

Liam turned his head around. “Wrap your arms around me.”

Oh my!
Was he serious? There was no where else to hang on. I slipped my hands under his arms and locked them around his chest. His muscles were hard and defined. I breathed heavily—a warmness grew between my spread legs. My heart pounded in my ears. I'd never felt this excited and scared before.

Liam pressed a red button and then turned the key into the ignition. The motorcycle rumbled to life. The vibration between my thighs was exquisite. Between touching Liam's chest and the giant vibrator underneath me, it was going to be difficult to keep my climax at bay.

“I thought these things needed to be kick-started,” I yelled over the noise of the engine.

Liam leaned his head back. “Only older bikes.” He pointed to Wyatt who jumped down on the kick-start to bring his bike to life. Liam put on a pair of black Ray Bans that made him look so cool and sexy. “You might want to wear sunglasses.”

Liam twisted his right hand towards us and the bike let out a guttural scream, lurching forward. We followed the gang out of the abandoned business complex and onto the street. I hung onto Liam as tight as I could without giving away my real intentions. I'd never felt like this around a man before. Dirty thoughts invaded my mind of Liam taking me on his bike.

Liam gripped the throttle and we launched down the street. The wind blasted around my body and face. My hair whipped back and I inhaled the clean air. Liam shifted gears and we picked up speed. My heart was beating faster and faster. The adrenaline rush was addicting.

We weaved in and out of cars, following the rest of the group. I recognized the road as Ortega Highway as we swerved around the corners and bends. We slowed down and turned off onto a dirt road. We stopped at a gate blocking our way and Hudson got off and unlocked it for us.

Liam looked behind. “You're enjoying this aren't you.”

I smiled and nodded.

“Hold on tight because we're going off-road now.”

Yes sir!

The ride was so bumpy and rocky. I felt like I was on a bucking bronco. I gripped onto Liam harder to keep myself from being thrown off.

So many emotions were rolling around in my stomach that I didn't know what to feel.
I was falling hard for Liam.

What was I thinking—bringing a woman out here with us? My head needed to be examined. There's just something about her that I'd never experienced before. Out of all the women I'd been with none were like Charlotte.

She hugged me tightly as we drove down Ortega Highway, taking every turn hard and fast. My heart skipped a beat as Charlotte's fingers dug into my chest. She was frightened but loving it. I was loving it too.

Hudson opened the gate leading to Jensen Ranch. It was the perfect place to conduct our business—private property and nobody could hear us for miles. We rode up the hill on the uneven dirt and came to the ranch.

A brown dilapidated barn with rotted wood sat in the middle of a valley surrounded by overgrown trees. Two black Escalades were parked in front of the barn and four men dressed in dark suits were holding assault rifles at their sides. Charlotte hugged me tighter.

I parked my bike a good distance away and got off. “Stay here,” I told Charlotte. She had the deer-in-the-headlights look. “Don't worry, everything will be fine.”

I turned my back towards the Russians and pulled out my nine millimeter. Charlotte's eyes widened. She probably had never seen a gun before. I pulled out the clip to make sure it was loaded and jammed it back inside. I lifted my shirt up and placed it in my waistband.

“What do you need that for,” she asked.

“Insurance.”

“Be careful, Liam,” she said.

“I always am,” I replied.

We approached the Russians and Wyatt took the lead.

“How's it going, Boris?” They shook hands.

“Could use a bottle of vodka,” he replied in his thick Russian accent.

“Show us the goods,” Wyatt ordered.

“What, no small talk?”

“Let's just get this over with.”

Boris shrugged. “Money first.”

Wyatt turned towards Hudson who threw a huge black duffel bag at the feet of the Russians. One of the goons bent over and unzipped the bag, revealing stacks of cash.

“Looks good, Boss,” he said to Boris.

Let's get down to business then. Wyatt followed Boris to the back of one of the Escalades. They popped the trunk and Wyatt examined the guns.

A reflection caught the corner of my eye. I looked to the right and saw light reflecting off a small circular mirror off into the woods. That could only be one thing.

“Everyone down!” I yelled. The Wheels of Ash members dropped to the floor as I pulled out my gun. A sniper shot echoed through the air, the bullet burrowing into the dirt in front of me. I pointed my gun at one of the Russian goons and fired two shots off, hitting him square in the face and neck—blood sprayed in an arc, covering the Escalade behind him.

Another Russian began firing at John with his assault rifle. John rolled out of the way and fired back with his pistol, hitting the goon in the stomach.

I ran to a fallen tree for cover just as the second sniper shot went off, narrowly missing my leg.

Hudson pulled a sawed-off shotgun from behind his back and blew away the third Russian, sending him flying into barn.

I aimed my gun at Boris but not before he took out a giant knife and sliced Wyatt's neck right in front of me. I walked out from behind the tree, screaming Wyatt's name. I unloaded my entire clip into Boris, tearing his body apart.

A rifle shot went off behind me and I swung around to see Bryce behind his bike—two shots and the sniper was dead.

I walked over to Wyatt and fell to my knees. He was already dead. Tears filled my eyes.

“We need to get out of here,” Bryce howled. Hudson yanked my arm until I was back on my feet. I snapped back to reality and ran to my bike. Charlotte cowered behind the motorcycle, shivering.

“Are you okay, baby?” I asked. I bent over and checked her for any wounds. There was no blood that I could see.

She nodded and stood up.

“We need to go. Everything is going to be all right.”