Copyright
Copyright by Mallory Funk 2019
This book may not be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, (electronically, mechanically, by photocopying or recording), without written permission from the author.
This book is fiction and created using the ideas of the author. Any names or places that are used are from the author’s imagination. This book is for your enjoyment only.
Edited by, Amber Gaida
Cover by, Ravenwill Designs (A.C. Williams)
Prologue
Krista
There is yet another BBQ at the clubhouse. I’m sitting outside having a beer by the fire that we have going.
There’s a celebration going on just for me. I had just received my nursing degree. Everyone is happy; happy for me, and I plaster on the fake smiles as much as I can hoping that, soon enough, everyone will be too drunk to notice how lonely I am. They never really notice anyway. I think that I’ve gotten pretty good at hiding it.
My dad has been the president of his club, the Wicked Dragons, for my whole life. I was raised in the club, so this was all I knew. When I went to school, I had someone on watch with me every day. I understood it; I was the princess of the club, but I needed some freedom and knew that I wasn’t going to get any for as long as I continued to live here. They keep me under close watch on most days, but I know the right times when they don’t. It’s something that I’ve learned over the years.
I look around at all the brothers, club whores, Old Ladies, and wannabes having a good time. I shake my head when my eyes well with tears. I turn away so that no one can see that I am sad. It has been harder to hold the tears in the closer the time comes, and the time is now here.
I knew what I had to do, and it was breaking my heart. I knew the perfect moment to do it. I just had to wait.
When I knew that I wasn’t going to cause a scene with my tears, I look over at my family. God, I was going to miss them like crazy, but I couldn’t see any other way for me to become my own person.
My eyes landed on the only man who I didn’t see as family. I saw him as something else entirely. He was chatting with a bunch of brothers and laughing. I couldn’t help but admire the way that he looked when he was happy and laughing. He was patched in a couple years ago, so he’s not much older than I am; but he was still warned just like everyone else who prospects for the club: Hands off. No exceptions.
I shake my head at the thought. Stupid rules.
Bullet looks at me before I have a chance to look away. His eyes narrow and he clenches his jaw. That’s been the normal way he looks at me lately. I wish that I could tell you why, but I don’t know what the fuck I did to him. I guess it won’t matter in a few hours anyway.
My dad comes over, interrupting my thoughts.
“Baby girl! I’m so fucking proud of you,” he says as he pulls me in for a hug.
I hug him back and can tell that he doesn’t notice me squeeze him extra hard. Maybe he’s had enough beers that he doesn’t notice anything different about me.
“Thanks dad.”
I make sure not to let any emotion show. I don’t think that anyone realizes that I’ve been nursing one beer. I know how hard the Wicked Dragons party, and I just need most of them to pass out so that I can sneak out. When they are all alert and aware, nothing can get past them. I just hate to do it to them this way, but I have a letter that I wrote to my father in my purse. I don’t plan on taking anything because that would be too obvious. I have more than enough money to buy clothes and any toiletries needed. I had started putting money away where no one would look for it. I didn’t want anyone to get suspicious.
The party goes on until the wee hours of the morning. Once the birds start chirping and the sun is starting to rise, the Dragons call it a night.
I listen to the sounds of the clubhouse and can tell that most of the men are passed out or enjoying some alone time with their women or club whores.
I know that there are probably prospects around guarding the clubhouse.
I make my move to slip the letter I wrote to my father under his door as I listen quietly, hoping that I don’t hear something that will scar me for life; instead, I hear the sounds of his snores. I breathe in a sigh of relief and slip the letter under the door before leaving the clubhouse. I make a turn to stand by Bullet’s door and I lightly place my hand on it. I wish that I could say all the things that I’ve wanted to say, but I know that it’s going to take quite the man to come up against my father.
I only hope to someday find someone who has the guts to do so.
I walk past the prospects, carrying my purse. I tell them that I’m going to get some coffee and they nod reluctantly. I drive away without looking in the rear-view mirror. I know that if I look back, I won’t leave, and I want to find my own path.
Instead, I blow out a breath and tighten my grip on the steering wheel.
“Please don’t let them hate me,” I whisper to myself as I finally let the tears fall.
Chapter One
Pyro (Declan) Carter
