Secret Mayhem Read online

  “How are you going to do that?” Shay asked. “Ask nicely? Send them flowers?”

  The table all chuckled. Miller folded his hands and leaned forward. “We bring bodies down here. We fill the streets with men. Men who don’t give a fuck. Men who smell worse than Blaine does after an all-nighter…”

  The table laughed again.

  Blaine pulled at his shirt and smelled himself. “Ahhh… leftover pussy…”

  “What are you suggesting?” Gaige asked.

  “We make a call to the Lost Men and bring as many down as we can.”

  “Lost Men,” Shay whispered. “Christ.”

  “You sure about that?” Gaige asked.

  Miller looked at Gaige, then to Shay. “Think we have a choice?”

  As Miller gazed around the rest of the table, nobody spoke a word.

  The Lost Men were rogue bikers who hit the road to live a much different kind of life than those in a MC. They didn’t abide by rules and had their own version of justice. They were still under the control of Back Down Devil MC, but there was a wide range of respect, allowing the guys to operate as they wanted, as long as they stayed outside state lines, in the Nevada dessert.

  Bringing them here would help protect the MC, but it would send a very loud and clear message that a war was brewing. And that message wouldn’t just be received by Eight Under, Shay’s brother, and the other local MC’s. The message would be heard by the people and law enforcement of Frelen.

  Miller slowly rose to his feet. “Let me review our case. We have Strokner still up our ass. Still wanting to get into this club. Still wanting to help. Of course, his version of help isn’t what we need. However, we owe the man some kind of respect since his daughter was killed on our watch.” Miller paused. “Next, we have those pests called Eight Under that are bringing in young, impressionable guys from big cities that are willing to just start shooting and chasing us down. Now look at them. Look at the decisions they’re making. They are getting into bed with evil. How far does it go?”

  “We need the help,” Gaige said.

  “Shit,” Nate said. “I hate that fucking word.”

  “We all do, brother,” Griffin said. “But it’s either this or we strike a deal with another MC. You want to ride next to the Coast Road boys?”

  “Those fucking steroid assholes,” Jace said. “No. Not with their cut off shirts and tits hanging out.”

  “Someone say tits?” Blaine asked.

  Everyone chuckled.

  “We can’t afford to pay anyone to protect us either,” Griffin said.

  “We owe a protection run,” Miller said. “Something that was brokered months ago. Jakey is paying a visit to some family and we were asked to help.”

  “Jakey?” Landon asked.

  “Jakey,” Gaige said. “An old president and older friend. A living god within any MC.”

  “That’s right,” Miller said. “Jakey made it possible for us to be here. I promised to pay homage to him when the time came. The time is here. Now we can properly protect him. Without question. Without worry. The bottom line…” Miller sat back down and put a finger to the table. “… we need bodies here.”

  “Lost Men,” Shay said with a nod. “Okay. We do what needs to be done. At least one of them is dead.”

  “Should have been my shot,” Erik said.

  Shay looked at Erik and curled his lip. “My trigger went faster, brother. Take it easy.”

  “That was my fucking shot,” Erik growled. “That was the deal.”

  “Want to bring him back to life?” Shay asked. “Untangle those panties in your pussy right now and shut up.”

  “Oh shit,” Jace managed to say as Erik stood up.

  Shay did the same.

  The men stared each other down.

  “Come on,” Griffin said. “This proves nothing.”

  “Guys, sit down,” Nate said.

  “Fuck him,” Erik said. “He’s hiding something. The way he shot that guy…”

  “Watch your mouth,” Shay said. “I don’t care how fucked up your face is, I’ll make it worse.”

  Erik kicked his chair back and Shay started after him. Just as the two met at the back of the table, the doors to the room exploded open.

  Chief Jerry stood in the doorway, black aviator sunglasses on his face, a shotgun in his hands. He pumped the weapon and pointed it right at Shay. One thing Shay didn’t do was submit to anyone. He’d rather have his chest blown out than put his hands up, especially for law enforcement.

  “Gentlemen,” Chief Jerry said. “How goes the evening?”

  “You alone?” Miller asked.

  “Got two squad cars outside with me. Looks bad enough I didn’t clear the clubhouse and arrest most of you for something.”

  “Why are you holding a fucking shotgun to me?” Shay asked.

  “Because you need to come with me. You’re under arrest.”

  “For what?” Gaige asked.

  “Wait a goddamn second,” Miller said. “Jerry, will you put the gun down? None of us are holding our weapons.”

  “Not even me,” Blaine said. He showed his hands. “I’m not touching my gun or my cock.”

  Chief Jerry lowered the shotgun and engaged the safety. He swung his foot and kicked the door shut. He took off his sunglasses and tucked them into his shirt.

  “You really don’t need sunglasses this late, do you?” Shay asked.

  The chief walked over to Shay and swung the ass of the gun, hitting him in the gut. Shay groaned and bent over. Everyone lunged, but Miller called them off. Shay put a hand out and nodded.

  “Yeah,” he said. “I deserved that. Sure.” He stood back up and took a breath. “So why am I being arrested?”

  “Anonymous tip came in,” Jerry said. “You blew up a car tonight, Shay.”

  “Like hell he did,” Nate said.

  “What’s that?” Jerry asked. “You know something about it?”

  “Christ,” Gaige said.

  “Everyone get the hell out of here,” Miller yelled. “Everyone but Gaige, Nate, and Shay.”

  “Good call,” Chief Jerry said. “Make this a little more private and cozy for us.” As the guys piled out, the chief then added, “Oh, and if anyone tries to leave the clubhouse, the cars out front have been instructed to arrest. If you resist arrest, you get shot.”

  The door shut again and Shay stood with fists at his sides. Miller walked along the table and leaned against it, crossing his arms.

  “Jerry, what the hell is this?” he asked.

  “The heat is on me,” Jerry said. “You don’t get it, Miller.”

  “How’s your kid?” Gaige asked.

  “Getting big,” Jerry said. “Home, where he belongs. Looks more like his mother every day. The wife wants to have another. I’m on the fence about it, but the sex is fantastic.”

  Miller laughed. “Good for you, Chief.”

  “What if your boy was in a car and it blew up?” Gaige asked.

  “Gaige…,” Shay said.

  Chief Jerry charged at Gaige, lifting the shotgun to his heart. “Say that again and I’ll fucking shoot you.”

  Gaige put his hands up. “Hey, I’m on your side. You know that. We had nothing to do with that car blowing up. There’s… there’s someone causing problems around here…”

  “Same guy who tried to kill Shay,” Miller said. “Same guy that blew up that car at Wooley’s and killed Jack.”

  “Bomb squad said they were unrelated,” Jerry said.

  “Get a better bomb squad then,” Shay said. “Someone is after us. After me. We took care of one. There’s one left.”

  “And he just struck a deal with Eight Under,” Gaige said.

  “To show his power, he blew up that car tonight,” Miller said.

  “I was front row for it,” Jerry said. “I heard it over the phone when I was talking to Gaige.”

  “Yeah, well, it wasn’t pretty,” Shay said. “Considering I had my fucking head in the car and tru
nk a minute or two before it happened.”

  “Which is why I’m here,” Chief Jerry said.

  He gently put the shotgun on the table and reached into his pocket. He unfolded a piece of paper.

  “This was sent to us,” he said. “Thankfully it came to my secretary first. She saw it and hurried to call me. For Christ’s sake, guys, I have the poor woman believing that I’m part of some federal undercover bullshit. That if anything comes up with any local MC’s, it has to be kept secret and sent to me.”

  “That’s good thinking,” Miller said. “That’s why you get paid the big bucks.”

  “Big bucks… fuck you…”

  Shay stepped forward and looked at the picture. It was three pictures in one. The first was of Shay reaching into the car that had blown up. The second was of Shay standing at the open trunk. The third was the car exploding, Shay nowhere in sight.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Shay said.

  “Looks convincing to me,” Chief Jerry said.

  “I didn’t blow up a fucking thing,” Shay said.

  “You think I don’t believe that?” Chief Jerry asked. “But it came through, Shay. It’s in my system. I had to act on it. I have a cell ready…”

  “A cell?” Gaige asked.

  “Don’t do this,” Miller said.

  “I have to take you in, Shay,” Chief Jerry said. “You can go easily or I can turn this into a messy night.” The chief pointed to his radio near his shoulder. “One word and I’ll have officers rush through here and start taking guys down. I don’t want it, but I have to do this.”

  Silence fell throughout the room. Shay watched as Miller’s face twisted and turned. Fighting this would only create a bigger problem.

  “Who took the picture?” Nate asked.

  “I don’t know,” Jerry said. “As I said, it was submitted to us anonymously.”

  “They set us up,” Shay said. “That fucking scum. They knew we’d be there. We didn’t spy… we fell for a trap…”

  “Shit!” Miller yelled. He looked at Nate. “Get out there and tell Gaige to make that phone call.”

  Nate nodded and then grabbed Shay by the shoulder. “You’ll be fine, brother.”

  Nate left the room and Jerry turned to Miller. “What phone call are you making?”

  “Some friends are coming to visit,” Miller said.

  “Who?” Jerry asked.

  “You don’t know them,” Miller said. “But you’ll know when they’re here.”

  Chief Jerry shook his head and sighed. “What are you setting up down here, Miller?”

  “Just business,” Miller said. “Friends. Family. Business. I do what I have to do, just like you.”

  Once again, Jerry sighed and then he reached back for a set of cuffs. “I have to do this, Shay. I’m sorry.”

  “Come grab my wrists,” Shay said. “I’m not putting them out for you.”

  Jerry nodded and stepped forward, cuffing Shay. He then grabbed the chain between the cuffs and said, “If I don’t, the heat won’t be on me. The heat will be on you. The MC. Everything you’ve worked for.”

  Shay looked beyond Chief Jerry. “Do what you need to do.”

  “Just follow me,” Chief Jerry said.

  Miller opened the door and gave Shay a quick pat on the back.

  As they walked out into the clubhouse, everyone started to applaud. Blaine ran up to Shay and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  “We’ll get you out, brother,” Blaine said.

  “Fuck off,” Shay growled.

  After a few more steps, Erik appeared, blocking the way. He was still angry as he stood there, his lip curling.

  “What?” Shay asked.

  “You took that shot from me,” Erik said. “You knew I needed it.”

  “You need some pussy,” Shay said. “Have a drink, fuck your woman, and get out of my face.”

  “I need to finish something first,” Erik said.

  Shay knew what it was and nodded. “Go ahead and do it…”

  Erik made a fist and nailed Shay in the face.

  The room exploded with screams and Jace and Gaige grabbed Erik and pulled him away.

  “It’s good,” Shay yelled. He licked the corner of his mouth. “It’s all good.”

  Shay walked from the clubhouse and when he spotted the three police cruisers, his stomach churned. He fucking hated police. He fucking hated authority. And more than anything, he hated his fucking brother and couldn’t wait to finally kill him.

  three.

  Ava Winline learned a trick to carrying three beer bottles at one time. Her hands were too small to grab even the skinniest neck of a beer bottle with just two fingers, so she learned to improvise. Carrying a bottle in each hand, Ava had the other bottle in her mouth. It forced her to walk with her head down a little to keep the beer from spilling, but it worked.

  She walked to a pool table and put the two bottles down from her hands. She then took the bottle out of her mouth and reached to wipe it clean.

  “Hold up, sweetie,” a rough voice said. A tall guy with a dirty beard and an eye patch reached for the beer. He flicked his dirty tongue at it. “Watching you carry that in your mouth gets me fucking hard. You know that, right?”

  “You’ve said it before, Nile,” Ava said and smiled.

  “And you won’t give me a chance at that mouth,” Nile said and curled his lip.

  “I never said that,” Ava said. “I’m here to make sure you all have a good time. Just order me around.”

  Nile laughed and drank from the bottle. He put it down and leaned toward Ava. “You know, I did show you what’s under my eye patch. The least you could do is repay the favor. I’d love to see those tits of yours. They look too good to be true.”

  “What do you think is going to happen?” Ava asked. She leaned forward, playing the game. “I’m going to lift my shirt and bra… and socks are going to fall out? Or a box of tissues…?”

  “No,” Nile said. “Those titties ain’t square, sweetie. They’re perfect for three things…”

  “What’s that?”

  Nile smiled. “My hand. My mouth. And my cock.”

  Ava shook her head. “Dirty, old bikers.”

  She started to back away and Nile shot a hand out and grabbed her by the wrist. “You listen here, sweetie. If I say I want to see them tits, you lift that fucking shirt. If not, I’ll tear it off your body right in front of everyone. I’ll throw you down on this pool table and fill your mouth with something much bigger than a beer bottle.”

  “Oh yeah, with what? Your cock? Because I doubt it… I choke on small things…”

  Nile growled and pulled. Ava crashed against the pool table. She let out a cry and collapsed to the ground. On her ass, she looked up at Nile. He stepped forward, opening his legs, putting himself right in front of her mouth.

  “I like you better like this,” he said. He touched his zipper. “Open that dirty mouth of yours so I can clean it out.”

  “I’ll bite your cock off,” Ava said.

  “Yeah? And I’ll put a fucking bullet through your skull. I don’t give a fuck whose old lady you were or are…”

  Nile started to unzip his pants. Ava’s heart pounded in her chest. She’d been playing this game for months now and had gotten herself into some strange situations. But never one like this. The closest was when she was with Nile once before, in his room, sitting on the bed. She had been dying to see what was really behind his eye patch. A few fake shots of whiskey for herself and twice as many real shots for Nile had him lifting the eye patch up. Underneath was a scarred glob of skin where an eye used to be. Nile claimed he was shot in the face and lost his eye… and part of his mind. That was his cheap joke and Ava had stupidly laughed at it. He had pulled her on top of him, but he fell asleep before he could command anything.

  Now, it was a different situation.

  “How long can you hold your breath?” Nile asked. “I’m going to jam it so far down your throat, I’ll come out
your ass.”

  Nile had his zipper all the way down. Ava had two choices. She could just do as told, like she was expected to do in return for protection and a roof over her head. Or her second choice was to stand and run like hell. But that would only end with Nile catching her and really punishing her for not obeying.

  Before Ava could make her decision, a shadow came over her and she looked up to see Trev, the president of the Lost Men. He took one swing at Nile and sent him flying back into the wall and down to the floor.

  Trev walked over Ava and got on one knee to grab Nile by the back of the hair.

  “What were you planning?” Trev growled.

  “Nothing,” Nile said, blood dripping from his mouth. “Just fucking around. That’s all.”

  “Looked like you were about to force your little dick into that woman’s mouth.”

  “Maybe so.”

  “You know who she is, right?”

  “Yeah. I get it.”

  “Do you?” Trev slammed his head forward into Nile’s face. His nose exploded and Nile cried out. “Do something like that again and I’ll fucking pluck your other eye out with a fork and shove it up your ass.”

  Trev stood and turned. He had a smear of blood on his forehead. He walked to Ava and put a hand out. She took it and he pulled her up.

  “What the fuck were you doing?” he whispered to her.

  “Nothing. Just bringing beers.”

  “Hanging one out of your mouth… bending over… flirting… talking about your tits and body… you want to fucking get raped? You want to die?”

  “No,” Ava said, swallowing hard.

  “I’ve told you before, these aren’t the guys you think they are. They don’t call us Lost Men for nothing. There is no justice. There is no control. They’ll fucking kill you, gut you, bury you, and not even blink. The only credibility you have is that you were Stein’s old lady.”

  “Stein!” a group of men yelled. They all lifted their drinks and bowed their heads for a few seconds.

  Trev didn’t. He stared right at Ava.

  “I get it,” Ava whispered. “I’m sorry. I just hate when they all look at me…”

  “With respect. Jealousy. Horny rage. Be lucky you are who you are.”