Born to Ride_A Clubhouse Collection

chapter 28

Madison

Four months later

“So, sis, tell me who all these people are,” Blade said, as he handed me a barbequed sausage on bread.

I angled my head to look at him. He was a tall guy, and well built. His eyes were the same colour as our fathers; a gorgeous green. He had also inherited the olive skin and dark hair that my father had. I hadn’t met his mother, and I wondered what he had been blessed with from her.

We had been spending time getting to know each other since J and Mandy were shot. I hadn’t wanted to, but he had pushed the point. And Blade wasn’t a man who didn’t get his way. I was slowly learning that. Why did I have to be surrounded by men like that? Why couldn’t I have just one man in my life that I could boss around?

I pointed out a couple of the guys and told him a little about each one. He surprised me with his desire to know me, and to be a part of my life. Scott was distant to him, and Blade didn’t try to force a relationship there. Perhaps it would come one day. Who f*cking knew what was in store for any of us? That was something I had really learnt this year.

“You okay? Coping with today, without him here?” he asked, watching me intently.

“I’ll be okay. Don’t worry about me,” I said.

He slowly nodded his head, still watching me, taking it all in. He was an intense man; sometimes I didn’t know what to make of it.

“Honey, can you help me with the soft drinks for the kids?” my mother called.

I nodded. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen in a minute.”

Today was a club family barbeque. Storm had been through a lot this year, and this was a get together to help bring everyone back together; to help the healing process and strengthen club ties. The fallout from what I liked to call the ‘Mandy Incident’ was bad. A lot of the boys hadn’t supported Dad and Scott in their desire to back off on her, and there was some lingering resentment from that. It turned out that J wasn’t the only one who had wanted her dealt with.

Time was slowly healing the wounds, and I had no doubt that the boys would work it out eventually. What I had had some doubt about was letting Blade into the fold. He had been spending time at the clubhouse, meeting some of the boys. I hadn’t been so sure they would welcome him, but they had. Blade just seemed to have that effect on you.

I left him and wandered into the kitchen to find my Mum. She seemed to be doing okay these days. She and Dad were working on their marriage. Well, I took her word for it because I hadn’t spent time with them together since discovering his infidelity and tendency to hit her. I hadn’t spent any time at all with my father, and I wasn’t sure when I would be able to bring myself to do that. I didn’t hate him, but I was still really angry at him. And I was pretty sure that would take a long time to go away.

“Hey, Mum,” I smiled at her, as I entered the kitchen.

She looked up, and smiled back. “Hey, honey. Are you having a nice time today?”

I nodded. “I miss him, though,” I almost whispered, tears threatening my eyes.

“I know, sweetheart. But he wouldn’t want you to be sad that he’s not here.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, “You’re right. Come on; let’s get these drinks to the kids.” I needed to busy myself, and keep my mind occupied. Otherwise, I would be thinking of J the whole time. Missing him.

We grabbed the large esky that was full of drinks and carried it outside to the sheltered area where the kids were set up with party food.

A hush fell over the party, and all eyes were on me. I looked at my Mum, but she was just smiling at me.

And then, I saw him. My face lit up, and my heart started beating faster in excitement.

J.

I ran to him, and he caught me in a huge hug.

“F*ck, baby, I’ve missed you,” he breathed into my ear.

“I’ve missed you too, so much. I’m never letting my father send you on a trip ever f*cking again. Okay?”

After J had recovered from being shot, he had confronted my father over the whole ‘Mandy Incident’, and it had ended with them having a huge punch up. And when I say huge, I mean f*cking gigantic. I’d never seen anyone take on my father like that before. They had both ended up with broken bones; it hadn’t been pretty. Dad was so angry at J afterwards that he had sent him on a two month road trip to sort out club stuff that needed sorting out. Really, I had no idea what club stuff needed sorting out, but J had gone and done his time. I think it was some sort of club bullshit where you just have to do what the President tells you to do.

He chuckled. “Yeah, babe. You tell that to your father.”

“I f*cking will,” I threatened.

“Shut up, and kiss me, woman,” he ordered, and I willingly complied.

It was the most amazing kiss ever; full of the love and desire we had for each other. When we pulled apart, he said, “I love you, Madison Cole, and I am going to spend the rest of my life with you.”

I cocked my head to the side. “I love you too, J. But if that’s a marriage proposal, you’ve gotta do better than that.”

He threw back his head and laughed. God, it was good to hear that sound. When he finished laughing, his eyes met mine, and a thrill ran through me. “Mark my words, baby, we’re getting married. I’ll find a special way to ask you, but for now, you just need to know that my heart is yours. You’re the love of my life, and I’m never, ever letting you go.”

I sighed; content in the warmth of his love.

I loved this man with all my heart; he had shown me that even though life can be a bitch, love can get you through any storm.

THE END



About the Author

Nina Levine is an Aussie writer who writes stories about hot, alpha men and the tough, independent women they love.

When she isn’t creating with words, she loves to create with paint and paper. Often though, she can be found curled up with a good book and some chocolate.

Message from Nina:

Thank you so much for reading my book! The next book in this series will be Scott’s book. He is one intense, alpha male and I am looking forward to you meeting the woman that will steal his heart.

Here are the planned releases for the rest of the Storm MC Series:

1. Fierce (Storm MC #2) - Scott's story - 10th Feb 2014

2. J & Madison's Novella - March 2014 - more from J and Madison.

3. Nash's story - April 2014

4. Blade's story - June 2014

5. Griff's story - August 2014

PLUS I will also be releasing a FREE serial to my newsletter subscribers. This will be Roxie's & Liam's story and the boys from the Storm MC will feature (but Liam is ex military... HOT!).

Here are some links for you:

Add Fierce to your Goodreads TBR:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19546770-fierce?ac=1

JOIN my newsletter so that you get Roxie's & Liam's FREE story PLUS other exclusive content: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Qzgok-YREGTCyo28pvnIyKusPtSZENtpRHNIJM8Nv3s/viewform

I love to chat with the readers of my book so please visit me or contact me here:

Website

Email

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Pinterest (check out my boards full of the pictures that inspired me while writing Storm)





~*ANGELS IN LEATHER*~


BY BELLA JEWEL

All rights reserved. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any form without prior written permission of the publisher, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution, circulation or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

ANGELS IN LEATHER

Copyright ? 2014 Bella Jewel

ANGELS IN LEATHER is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental, and not intended by the author. Please do not take offence to the content, as it is FICTION.



~*ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS*~

There are so many people I would like to thank; it’s quite possible I could take up two pages with it. In all my time writing, the support I have received has been utterly mind-blowing. I’ve had so many kind people offering to help, from blogs, to fans, to people I don’t even know. You’re all amazing, each and every one of you.

Now, to the personal thanks.

To Sali Benbow-Powers—my crazy, enthusiastic reader. Your notes kept me going. You ripped a smile out of me every time, without a doubt. Your personality is like a breath of fresh air, as I’ve told you before. You’re the kind of girl people go to when they’re feeling down because you’re bound to make them smile! You know you rocked my book, so you know I’ll rock you back!

To Bella Aurora, my sissy, my sunshine. You’re one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I’ll never regret making a friend out of you. Your help with this book really made a difference to me. You took the time out, even in all your crazy fame, to talk to me and get me through this one. I’ll adore you forever, twinsie.

To Lauren McKellar, for editing this book for me. You took the time out, chatted with me the entire way, and were so damn sweet about it. You’re utterly amazing, and I feel so lucky to have snatched you up. No doubt there are many out there who would like to grab you and keep you. But they can’t, you’re mine, muahahahaha!

To Jennifer Tanner and her gorgeous model Miles Logan for taking the picture on this book cover for me. Jenn, you have been so kind to me, helping me out and getting exactly what I wanted. And Miles, you did an amazing job on this cover, even though you were sick. I appreciate this more than you will ever now. A big thanks from all the way down here in Australia.

To Ari, from Coverit Designs. Girl, you rock my covers. Seriously, you’re the best cover artist ever. You just get an idea, and you make it amazing. Without you, this book wouldn’t look pretty, which means no one would buy it, so girl, you get half the damn credit!! I love your work!

To Love Between The Sheets for all the time and effort you have put in getting my name out, and organizing my tours. You ladies got my name out there, you helped me grow and expand. You’re absolutely amazing.

To my fun-loving admin, MJ! You’re freaking amazing, your witty comments bring a smile to my face all the time. Thanks, girl, for running my page for me when I’m sleeping here in Aus-land! You rock it!

And, of course, to all my fans—you know without all of you, this wouldn’t be possible. So to each and every one of you reading this right now, THANK YOU!! Keep doin’ what you do best, and that’s reading!!




PROLOGUE

MEADOW

I’m not broken, just defeated.

The wind whips my face as I lower my head, staring down at the water below me. My heart clenches, and my entire body is trembling. The sick feeling in my stomach can’t be described. My skin is covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and my heart is pounding. Tears leak from the corners of my eyes, and I know they’re likely the last tears I’ll ever shed. The thought doesn’t even scare me; it brings me comfort.

I’m going to jump.

I don’t really remember the moment when I ended up here, but it creeped up upon me so quickly it was like a hurricane. I knew my life wasn’t ideal, but more often than not, I dealt with it. Then I began dating, and my heart got broken, and things just spiraled downwards. Without a mother to support me, I quickly crumbled. My father, while loving, is always so busy with his life. He didn’t notice me sinking.

Depression snuck upon me, slowly eating me away until nothing seemed beautiful anymore. I no longer looked at trees and saw their beauty, or found happiness in the smallest of life’s delicacies. Nothing was pretty. Nothing meant anything anymore. I was empty, and slowly but surely, that emptiness consumed me until I ended up here.

Alone.

My fingers tremble as I climb over the railing of our local bridge. It’s quiet tonight, because the small town we live in has their annual bash going on, and no one is out. I picked the perfect night. The wind is non-existent, and I can hear the distant hum of beetles in the trees. That’s the last sound I’ll hear.

I swallow, and begin to cry harder as I climb over the railings, and clutch them. It only takes a second to let go; yet it takes so much more to get to this point.

I feel my body begin to sway as I begin to heave.

This is it.

My freedom.

“What the f*ck are you doin’, Cricket?”

That voice. I close my eyes, so sure it can’t be real. I haven’t heard that voice since I was twelve years old. I slowly turn my head, and blink through my tears to see Axel Wraithe standing on the other side of the road, staring at me, cigarette hanging out of his mouth. He’s not a young man anymore; instead, he’s grown into an older, far more handsome version. I blink again, making sure I’m seeing this correctly.

“Axel?” I rasp.

He drops his cigarette, and walks across the road, stopping behind me. “I’ll ask again, Cricket, what the f*ck are you doin’?”

I should just let go. It would be quick, and he wouldn’t be able to stop me. I don’t want him talking me out of this. He’ll never understand why I’m here. He left a long time ago, when he and my father had a falling out. He never came back to visit, and he never called. I adored him once, not in the romantic kind of way, hell I was only twelve, but as a friend. When he left, I began to fade.

I don’t answer his question because I can’t. Even though I’m sobbing, my throat is dry and scratchy. I keep my gaze on the water below, and I know I have to let go. If I don’t do it now, then he’ll talk me out of it and then leave. Where will that leave me? I can’t put myself through the pain any longer. I can’t do it. I don’t want to have to answer to him, or anyone, again.

I let go.

I begin to fall, and my heart feels like it’s going to leap out of my mouth. A strangled scream leaves my throat. I can’t swim. I know I can’t swim. It’s why I chose the deepest water I could find under the highest bridge.

It takes only seconds for me to hit that deep, never-ending water. I land so hard, and my entire body stings all over. I open my mouth to scream again only to have it fill with water.

I choke, and my arms and legs flail around. I’m suddenly desperate. People often wonder if those who commit suicide question themselves right at the moment before they die. I realize, some of them probably do. My body is filled with panic, and the desperate need to surface. My lungs are screaming, and my body is becoming weak, but I start kicking frantically. It’s at that moment I realize . . .

I don’t want to die.

My vision begins to blur as my arms slowly lose all their movement. My body sinks lower, and my lungs no longer hurt. I feel...peaceful. Maybe this was the best choice. Maybe this is where I’m meant to be. My eyes close as I sink further and further down into the darkness. I don’t feel scared anymore.

Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

~*~*~*~

MEADOW

Heavy hands press down onto my chest over and over, pumping. My head spins when it’s lifted, and a mouth is shoved against mine, breathing into my aching lungs. I begin to cough so badly I struggle breathe through it. My body is jerked upward, and I throw up until I’m dry-heaving. Everything aches, and my head is pounding. I open my eyes, and blink rapidly. My vision isn’t great as I try to take in my surroundings.

“Keep breathin’, Cricket. Don’t you close those eyes again.”

Axel?

I slowly remember how I ended up here, and I begin to panic. I gasp for air, and grip anything I can for comfort. Axel’s shirt is what I take hold of. It’s wet beneath my fingers. As my vision begins to clear I look up at him, and I realize he’s soaking wet. He came in after me. He saved my life?

“Why did you save me?” I croak.

He wraps his big arms around me, holding onto me tightly.

“Why did you jump?”

“I can’t answer that,” I whisper, feeling his body beginning to warm my skin.

“Then neither can I,” he murmurs into my hair.

“I...”

“Don’t,” he says, pressing me further into him. “I know how it feels to be surrounded in darkness, Cricket. But don’t you ever...ever let it consume you.”

“I have nothing,” Trembling, I whisper a hollow, “There’s just nothing left.”

He reaches down, lifting my chin, and forcing me to meet his eyes. “There’s always something left. You just have to fight to see it.”

He’s right. I know he’s right. I stare at him, and I know he’s given me a second chance, even when I thought I didn’t want it. It wasn’t until the last moment that I realized I didn’t want to die. I couldn’t die. I had to fight. The way I was taught to. This isn’t me, and I’m ashamed that I let myself sink so low. What is it they say? You have to hit rock bottom before you can get back up again? I’m at rock bottom, and Axel has picked me back up again. I say the only thing I can.

“Thank you.”

He pulls me closer, rubbing his hands over my back.

“You’re welcome.”

~*~*~*~

AXEL

I can’t f*ckin’ breathe. All I can do is close my eyes and hold my breath, hoping it ends soon. It’s always too long, always too much. I can’t f*ckin’ deal with it. I can’t tolerate the little whimpering sounds coming out of her mouth. She’s gasping and squirming, but her hands are tied behind her back.

I can’t function, I want to be sick, but they won’t let her stop until I am done. I hate them for that.

“Please,” the girl gasps, turning her eyes towards the dark-hooded man in the corner.

“Keep f*ckin’ sucking. Don’t you f*cking stop until he comes.”

I shake my head from side to side as her mouth touches my flaccid cock again. Bile rises in my throat, and it takes everything inside me not to break. They want me to break. That’s their goal, that’s their punishment, and it’s all his fault: Mitchell Haynes. He set me up. The one man I trusted, and he f*cked me over. He sent me on a suicide trip, and now I’m here, getting abused by a club that wants their revenge.

The girl gags, and I want to reach up and rip my own eyes out; anything to take this pain in my chest away. Her lips work harder and faster, trying to get my cock to play the game. It’s the only way she can stop - if I come. It’s sick, and f*cking twisted, and it’s burning into my mind, taking a part of me that I know I can’t get back.

The girl reaches up, and her finger slides into my ass. I can’t stop her. I’m chained up, and there’s nothing I can do to stop the assault.

I want to throw up. I hate it, because my cock hardens.

They know how to get a man over the edge, even when the man is disgusted.

She sucks harder, and the bastard in the corner watches, probably with his own erection. I’ll get my hands on him one day, and I’ll f*cking kill him. I’ll gut him and string him out to dry.

I won’t show him it feels good. He gets off knowing he’s forcing me to come against my will. It’s satisfying to him. I meet his eyes, and I don’t move them as my cock jerks, and I come into the girl’s mouth.

A small smirk appears on his lips.

It’s victory for him once again.