Biker Justice: A Skull Kings MC Novella Read online

  Biker Justice:

  A Skull Kings MC Novella

  Sage L. Morgan

  Copyright © 2014 Sage L. Morgan

  All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or part, without the express written consent of the author.

  All characters are 18 years of age or older, even when not specified.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  On nights like this, I liked to curl up with Xander under the sheets, pretending we were a mother rabbit and bunny hiding from the rain. Lightning forked through the sky, illuminating the parking lot like daylight. Seconds later, there was the clap of thunder, so loud it shook the saltshakers on the tables.

  We were definitely not going to have any customers tonight.

  “Is he really going to make us stay?” Sarah asked. She was still new. Her Buddy’s Sports Bar tee shirt didn’t even have grease stains yet.

  I shrugged and continued sweeping the floor, though it was already clean. I was that bored. “You could ask him, but we all know what he’s going to say.”

  “On Wednesdays, we close at nine!” Sarah said, mimicking Terrence’s stiff, grating voice.

  I burst out laughing. The tone, the cadence, and even the way she frowned with just the shelf of her eyebrows were spot on.

  Sarah released the frown, morphing into her sweet, smiling self again. “Well, if we’re going to do nothing for two and a half more hours, at least we’re getting paid. Right, Carmen?”

  “Right.”

  I didn’t have the heart to tell her it wasn’t that easy. At least for me, anyway. I was getting paid less than four dollars an hour to sweep and mop and dust a whole restaurant when my sitter cost thirty. But Sarah, she was still a kid. She still had her parents when it came time to pay rent, the car insurance bill, the cell phone bill.

  As for me, I needed tips, otherwise I was actually bleeding dollars while at work.

  I cast one more longing glance out the windows. It was hopeless out there. Rain came down in sheets. Our little desert town had pretty much no drainage, so it was all flooding into the roads. Nobody in their right mind would’ve wanted to drive through those treacherous conditions, even for the promise of an overpriced burger served by the world’s best waitress.

  Well, except for one person, apparently.

  “...the hell?” I said.

  Sarah jumped off of her seat on the counter. “Finally, a customer!” She ran for the hostess stand as headlights swung through the parking lot.

  I put the broom away and got my notepad ready. I could see a figure exiting the back seat of the car. No. A taxi. In this weather? I wondered. It idled at the curb while the passenger slumped through the rain and through the front door. The bell on the door jingled as it opened, and the petite, hooded figure ducked inside, dripping rain all over the floor. I spied a lock of dark hair, a flashing white smile. I felt a tingle of recognition, which was swiftly followed by shock.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I asked, at the exact same time Sarah said, “Welcome to Buddy’s!”

  Lisbeth Olsen pushed the hoodie off of her head and grinned. “Hey, Carmen.”

  My entire body tingled as I wondered if I was dreaming. Then, my mouth snapped shut. “Come sit down and take that jacket off. It’s filthy. Where have you been? Does Liam know you’re back in town?”

  “Actually,” Lisbeth said, “I was wondering if you could lend me some cash for my cab fare.”

  I sighed. “How much?”

  Lisbeth pressed her hands together, looking sheepish. “A hundred and nine dollars and twenty-eight cents.”

  I did some quick math in my head. “You came all the way from Phoenix? And you couldn’t call either of your sisters who happen to live there?”

  “The meter’s running.”

  I suppressed a growl of irritation. Sarah, who’d been watching the short exchange with polite interest, gave me a strange look as I got my purse out from under the counter and began digging bills out of my wallet. She eyed Lisbeth suspiciously when she stepped out to pay the driver.

  “Who was that?”

  “A girl I used to babysit.”

  “She’s her, isn’t she?”

  I put my purse back under the counter and began straightening out the placemats, feigning disinterest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Just tell me, Car. Is she Liam Olsen’s youngest sister? The one who ran away and became a stripper and was in music videos and all that?” Sarah whispered, though Lisbeth was still outside.

  I looked up at her in surprise. “Where did you hear all that?”

  Sarah grinned. “Everybody at school knows about—”

  The door jingled as Lisbeth stepped back inside, prompting Sarah to clam up and take a sudden interest in stacking menus. Lisbeth shook the water out of her hair and unzipped her hoodie.

  “Oh, Jesus, Lisbeth,” I murmured.

  Lisbeth slipped her pale, thin arms out of her sleeves. Without the bulk of the fleece hoodie, she was clearly very thin. It could’ve been anything, a virus, dehydration, a crazy low-carb diet, but somehow I knew. I just couldn’t bear to think about it.

  I cleared my throat. “So, does Liam know you’re here?” I asked again.

  Lisbeth sat down at the counter. She observed the empty restaurant with bored, hooded eyes. “No. Not yet. I guess I could call him in a little bit to pick me up.”

  I studied her as she began playing with the ends of her hair. God, how long has it been? I thought to myself.

  Years. It had been years. And knowing Liam and his older sisters, that was exactly why Lisbeth hadn’t told them she was coming back. That was why she came to me.

  “How about I drive you over to him myself?” I said.

  “Well, you don’t have to...” But Lisbeth perked up immediately.

  I gave her an encouraging smile. “Okay. I still have a couple of hours left on the clock. I’ll get someone to make you a burger.”

  Lisbeth raised her eyebrows. “Can I have nachos instead?”

  She still had an appetite. It was a good sign. “You got it.”

  Just as I went through the swinging doors into the kitchen, I slid my phone out of my apron pocket. The first thing I had to do was let the sitter know I was going to be late. There goes another thirty bucks.

  I broke up the cooks’ poker game to place Lisbeth’s order.

  “Customer?” Jose asked hopefully.

  “Nope. It’s for me.”

  As scummy as Terrence was, at least he gave us an employee discount.

  * * *

  It had seemed like a good idea at first, but it became progressively worse the closer I drove to Amazon Gentlemen’s Club. Lisbeth was nineteen years old now, a bona fide adult, but given the circumstances, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be the one delivering Liam’s lost wild child of a sister to a strip club.

  Even if it was the place where Liam, his girlfriend, and most of the Skull Kings MC worked.

  The monsoon had finally passed. Amazon’s bright façade came into view as I roll
ed over a hill. The usual cluster of Harleys populated the best parking spots, and I wondered if Lisbeth could still recognize her brother’s bike.

  What am I going to say to him? I was still trying to think up a good opening line as I parked in front of the club when I was struck by a sudden bolt of inspiration. “Stay in the car,” I told Lisbeth.

  I wrapped my sweater tight around myself and hurried up the damp sidewalk to the entrance. Logan, all healed up from getting jumped by those rival bikers, was back on the stool. He wore the same goofy grin that seemed to be reserved just for me, even though I knew better.

  “Well, if it isn’t my favorite customer. Can I watch you get a lap dance?”

  “Not now, Logan. I need Noah. Is he here?”

  The grin disappeared from Logan’s face. “What’s going on?”

  I couldn’t remember if Logan had been around long enough to know about Lisbeth. “I just need to see him. It’s urgent.”

  Logan put his hands on my shoulders, making me jump. It was a complete non-gesture, an afterthought. He maneuvered me onto his stool, instructing me to stay put while he went inside. Then, too soon, his hands came off of me. It was a single moment, but it was enough to remind me of the last time he’d touched me.

  Focus, I told myself. I blew on my hands to keep them warm while I watched my car in the lot. I could make out the silhouette of Lisbeth’s head against my headrest. Deep down, I was afraid for her. The last time she’d come home after running away, Liam had put his fist through a wall.

  “What’s up?”

  I recognized Noah’s presence immediately. He was a tall, broad boat of a man, with ham-like forearms and a deep, commanding voice. I got the impression that his mouth, virtually undetectable under his beard, was twisted in a frown as I looked up into his face.

  “The prodigal daughter has returned,” I said with a wry smile.

  Noah’s eyes flashed. “Lisbeth?”

  Logan appeared at his elbow like a gnat that refused to be batted away.

  “Where is she?” Noah continued.

  I jerked my head toward the parking lot. “In my car. She showed up at my work about two hours ago. I think she was afraid to come see her brother by herself, so I brought her.”

  “Good.”

  “And now, I have no idea what to do with her.”

  Noah’s bristly moustache rustled. “So that makes me the buffer. I’ll take care of it, then. Logan, why don’t you take Carmen inside for a drink?”

  Logan swept into a deep, exaggerated bow. “It would be my pleasure.”

  “And tell Liam to come outside while you’re at it.”

  Logan offered me his bent elbow. “Shall we?”

  “Ugh. I guess,” I said, slipping my hand through his arm.

  Logan and I walked into the club. Like Buddy’s, Amazon was pretty dead tonight from the monsoon. A few regulars were scattered in the row of chairs closest to the stage, watching a stripper perform her slinky dance in the mottled light of the disco ball. I passed briefly by Liam, who hooted a nonchalant “Hello” before Logan slipped himself off of me to whisper something in his ear. Then, Liam was gone.

  “What’s exactly going on, Carmen?” Logan asked. His unblinking gaze unnerved me.

  I spotted the bar across the room. Aspen was bartending tonight. She looked good. I acted like I hadn’t heard Logan’s question. “Hey cowboy, when are you going to buy me that drink?”

  Logan only looked annoyed for a second. Then, he flashed that grin again and touched his chin. “With this face? I never buy the drinks.”

  Aspen’s face lit up when we sidled up to the bar. “Carmen! How are things at Buddy’s?”

  “Slow as hell with everything going to shit. So pretty much the same.”

  Aspen looked sympathetic. “Rough night, then, huh?”

  I rested my chin in my hand. “You don’t even know.”

  Logan leaned into me after Aspen turned away to get us some beers. “Are you ever going to tell me what’s going on?” he muttered through the side of his mouth.

  It was nobody’s business but Liam’s, and I told him so.

  “Fine. I’ll just hear it from the other guys, anyway. The brothers don’t keep secrets from each other.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”

  He remained silent when Aspen returned. She gave me my tall beer and plunked an extra shot glass in front of me.

  “What’s that for?” I asked as she poured out a finger of tequila.

  “An apology. Things have been pretty crazy since I started working here, and I feel bad about ditching you with Terrence. At the time, things were so exciting between Liam and I—”

  I tried to wave away her guilt. “No worries. Ever since your man and his biker crew swept through, Terrence has been on his best behavior.” Mostly. “Except for tonight, when he wouldn’t let us close early with the storm.”

  “Still, though.” Aspen smiled. “When does the Carmen I know refuse a free drink?”

  I sneaked a glance at Logan, who stared idly into his beer. The last time I’d accepted a free drink in this facility, it had led to another, and another, and...

  “Just one, but that’s it!” I said. And I meant it. I jabbed Logan with my elbow when I caught him grinning as he took a sip. “Wipe that smile off your face, little boy.”

  “Or what, you’ll spank me?” He raised his eyebrows. “I hope so.”

  “Don’t hold your breath.”

  “I think I will. Or did you forget what happens when you get a few drinks in you?”

  I felt color rising to my cheeks. Luckily, Aspen was taking a drink order from a middle-aged couple at the other end of the bar. I grabbed Logan’s sleeve and yanked him close.

  “That time was the first and last time.”

  Logan pushed out his bottom lip. “But we had so much fun. Don’t you remember?”

  I shoved him away, disgusted. “No. I don’t remember a thing.”

  What was with him? He was constantly surrounded by women, and he was still horny as a fourteen year old, and smooth as one, too. His seduction was all cheese and pick-up lines. There was no finesse at all. I’d fallen for it one time after having one too many, but that was it. Thank god I could barely remember it.

  “Are you ever serious, Logan?” I asked.

  “I can be whatever you want me to be.”

  I made a face. Suddenly, I couldn’t wait to get away from him and wondered what Liam and Lisbeth were up to. “Aspen, what time is it?”

  “Quarter to ten.”

  I glanced at the exit. Surely, Liam and Lisbeth had had ample time to catch up. And if not, I didn’t care. I still had a son to get home to, and I needed my car back.

  I planted my hands on the bar. “I should get going now.”

  “Aw, you just got here!” Logan whined.

  Aspen smiled and nodded. “If you see Liam outside, tell him to come back. I’m bored!”

  She must’ve thought he was taking a smoke break. It was my turn to feel guilty. As her friend, was I supposed to warn her about Lisbeth, about what Liam was like around the youngest Olsen sister? The poor girl had no idea what to expect. But once again, it was nobody’s business but Liam’s.

  Still, the older I got, the less friends I had. I reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Text me, Aspen, okay? Anytime.”

  She hurriedly flashed a distracted smile as a cocktail waitress dropped off an order. “Sure thing. See ya, Carmen.”

  I swung my purse over my shoulder and began heading out the door, hoping that Logan wasn’t following me. But, with my blessed luck, that was exactly what he was doing.

  “Carmen! Hey, Car!”

  I spun around to look at him. He was framed in the doorway, half inside the balmy, glittery club and half out. “What?”

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “You okay to drive?”

  “I’m fine. And just in case you get any second thoughts, let me remind you that I only had one shot and a beer and ate
a big ol’ quesadilla at work.”

  “That’s not what I meant.”

  I huffed impatiently and crossed my arms. “Then, what did you mean?”

  Liam shrugged sheepishly. “I wanted to make sure you’d be getting home safe.”

  I scoffed. “I’ve managed just fine for twenty-five years by myself, Logan.”

  “Fine. Just send me a text when you get home so I know. If it’s not too much of an inconvenience, that is.”

  He wasn’t being ironic. He pressed his lips together, looking...I don’t know. Determined, maybe. For the first time, he met my eyes without breaking contact to watch some girl trot past. He was seeing me, and letting me see him.

  Voices began floating through the still, cool air. They were Noah’s and Liam’s, with Lisbeth’s soft soprano weaving through their baritones like notes from a flute. I thought I heard a laugh. Despite the tension with Logan, I felt my muscles relaxing.

  Everything’s okay after all, I thought to myself. Now, all I had to do was get home.

  I was feeling softened. “I’ll see you later, okay Logan?” I didn’t wait for a response and turned away. I walked past the returning trio, pausing just long enough to say goodbye to each in turn. Then, I was in my car, hands on the wheel, heading home.

  I really was okay to drive, but I still had the taste of beer in my mouth and the tequila’s warmth in my veins. And somehow, I couldn’t stop thinking about Logan.

  About the last time we’d been alone together.

  About how easy it had been to talk to him.

  About how all that talking had led to kissing.

  I let my mind touch on the very edge of that memory, recalling how his stomach had felt against my fingers when I slipped them up his shirt. The moment I remembered, I shook the memory out of my head.

  “First and last time,” I reminded myself, gripping the wheel. I forced myself to think of Xander, which immediately led me to think about the sitter.

  “Shit,” I muttered. After paying for Lisbeth’s cab, I had almost nothing left. I was almost thankful to have something new to worry about.

  Chapter 2

  The next morning was quiet, as usual. Xander stared pensively into his milk as he spooned cereal into his mouth. He brushed his teeth without prompting. He put on his glasses, his socks, his shoes, picked up his diorama project, and waited for me at the car.