Dangerous Affiliations (Knights of War MC Book 1) Read online

  Hunter cupper her face. “Look at me.”

  She looked up.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes. Are you?” she asked.

  “I’m fucking good.”

  Holly smiled. “What about Hem?”

  “I’m right here,” Hem said and laughed.

  “I know. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

  “What he said. I’m fucking good.” His knuckles were swollen, bruised, cut.

  Hunter pulled her to her feet and hugged her. “Let’s have a drink, yes?”

  “Yeah.” She stood on tiptoes to kiss him. He disappeared into the hallway.

  Hem shook a cigarette out of the pack on the dresser.

  “When did you start smoking?” she asked.

  “Three occasions that I smoke. When I drink, when I kill and when I fuck.” He smiled. His teeth were straight and white against his bronze skin.

  She took his hand in hers. “You should clean this up.” With a tug she led him to the bathroom and turned on the faucet.

  Hem blew smoke up toward the ceiling while she rinsed the knuckles on his right hand. He was a little taller than Hunter.

  “Did you beat him up?”

  Hem stared at her and took another drag off the cigarette. “Do you really want to know?”

  Holly sighed. “I don’t know. Part of me wants every gory detail, and part of me wants to remain oblivious.”

  “I think that’s reasonable.”

  A white hand towel hung beside the sink. She pulled it loose from the ring and blotted his knuckles dry. “This is going to hurt tomorrow.”

  “I’ve had worse.” He dropped the cigarette into the toilet and flushed it.

  “What happens now?” Holly searched his eyes. His hair was pulled back, but a few strands had escaped and hung beside his face. Unlike most of the men in the club, Hem was clean shaven.

  “With what?”

  “My dad,” she whispered. “Is someone going to find him?”

  “Most likely.”

  Tears burned her eyes. “I don’t know what to feel.”

  “I can’t tell you what to feel.” He touched her cheek. “But I can tell you that you’ll be fine.”

  His hands were softer than Hunter’s, and she leaned her face against his palm.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Hem pulled her in for a hug. “Anytime.”

  Chapter TWENTY-FIVE

  Hunter

  Hunter lit another cigarette. The clock was creeping up on four in the morning, and Holly and Hem were both asleep. The other rooms were full, so there was nowhere else for Hem to sleep. No one else in the club would be allowed to share their bed, but Hem wasn’t just a brother in the MC. He was the only who didn’t hesitate when it came to Holly’s safety with both the Irish Sons and her dad. Holly meant something to Hem, too. That made a big difference.

  When she slept, she curled up into a ball, and Hunter wondered if that was because of her dad. It was a decidedly defensive way to sleep. Thinking about what had happened to her still broke his heart, and he had no regrets about killing her father. Taking a life always had an impact, but sometimes it was necessary.

  Hem’s arm was up under his head, and Holly was cuddled up against his armpit. The thought of her curled up against anyone else would have made his blood boil. She looked even more pale against Hem’s dark skin. In the club life, people died. If something happened to Hunter, Hem would make sure Holly was safe.

  Her phone was on the nightstand. Hunter kept waiting for it to ring. Sometime after six, he drifted off. The last thing he saw was the sun beginning to peek through the slit in the curtains.

  “Why does everyone look like they spent the night at a frat party?” Paul laughed and sipped steaming coffee from a yellow mug. “I’m so glad my old lady keeps me at home at night.”

  “It was a long day yesterday.” Hunter ran his fingers through his hair.

  “Sounded like it was a long night, too.” Kol looked around the room.

  “That was Aries,” Hunter said and laughed. “Post-prison pussy indulgence.”

  Aries smirked. “I was having a ménage a twat.”

  Paul scratched his beard. “A ménage a what?”

  Aries rolled a cigarette between his thumb and finger. “Ménage a twat. You know, a three-way.”

  “You mean a ménage-a-trois?” Kol said.

  “Trois, twat, whatever.”

  “You’re a dumb motherfucker.” Kol laughed.

  Aries lifted his middle finger up and grinned. “Yeah. Let’s get off the subject of moms since I just got off yours.”

  Kol returned the middle finger gesture.

  A gold link bracelet hung loosely on Paul’s wrist. He sat up in his chair. “I don’t give a shit who’s fucking who around here. We have business to address.”

  Hem cleared his throat and pushed a small stack of papers to the center of the table. “Here’s the minutes from the last board meeting and the budget. There’s another drop happening in El Paso next weekend. Me, Hunter and Maddox did the last one. So, that puts Sin, Ryker, and Butch up next.”

  Hunter was glad he wasn’t scheduled out of town any time soon. It would probably be another month before he and Hem were called to El Paso again. The club shared the risks equally except for Paul. He’d put his in time as a founding member.

  “Our bid on the pipelines on the frack in Amarillo was accepted. That’s scheduled to start in August and will run through the end of the year probably.”

  Paul nodded. “I’m going to hire another couple of welders. I put the word out. A new housing development is going up in Garland. They’re looking for wrought iron everything. I’ve put a bid in. If we get it, that’ll keep some of us locked in here.”

  Paul directed his gaze at Aries. “What’s new in the pen? Anything we need to know about?”

  “Not really. Same old shit day after day. The peckerwoods tried to recruit me. But I was like nah, bitch. I got a club.”

  “Speaking of.” Paul motioned to Hunter.

  They’d agreed to let Aries patch in permanently, and his cut was hanging in the closet.

  “If you still want it.” Paul pointed toward Hunter.

  Hunter tossed the leather vest at Aries. “There you go, asshole.”

  “Fuck, yeah.” Aries pulled the cut over his tank top. “Thanks, y’all.”

  Hooting and hollering ensued but was interrupted by a knock on the door. One of the prospects stuck his head in. Plato was a college student trying to prove he had what it took to be a Knight. He was nicknamed Plato because he liked to vomit out philosophy quotes. “Excuse me. Hunter, there’s a woman outside looking for Holly.”

  “Thanks, man. I’ll be out in a minute.” Hunter exchanged a glance with Hem before he flipped up one of the slats in the blinds to peer out into the parking lot.

  Brenda Farris stood next to a dark blue Audi. The gold chain from her purse hung loosely in her clasped hands. Her posture gave the impression she was uncomfortable but not upset. Dressed in jeans and a yellow blouse, she looked younger than the last time Hunter had seen her. Her blonde hair hung just past her shoulders. Holly was Brenda’s spitting image except for the eyes. Holly’s had her dad’s eyes.

  “Are we finished here?” Hunter asked Paul.

  Paul waved him off. “Yeah. Go handle your business.”

  Hem followed Hunter out into the clubhouse. Holly emerged from the hallway. Her hair was wet and pulled back into a ponytail. She stopped short when she saw them. She pointed toward the front of the clubhouse. “Plato said someone is here for me. I didn’t tell anyone I was here.”

  “It’s your mom.”

  Holly kept her poker face on. “That’s weird. She was supposed to be at a thing in Panama Beach today.”

  Hunter followed Holly out the front door. He raised a hand to Brenda.

  She waved half-heartedly then took Holly’s hand and turned her back to Hunter. Holly looked at the pavement and nodded. Brenda was w
hispering. She touched Holly’s face and kissed her cheek.

  The two women walked back toward where Hunter stood. “Nice to see you again,” he said.

  Brenda smiled. “Likewise.”

  Holly still held her mother’s hand. She looked up at Hunter. “My—my dad died.”

  This wasn’t news, but he had to play the part like she was. “Oh, shit.” He pulled Holly against his chest and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, baby.”

  Brenda took a deep breath. “Someone killed him.”

  Hunter feigned surprise. “Really? What the hell happened?”

  “The police think it was a drug deal or something. He was robbed and shot last night.”

  “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Farris.” Hunter touched her arm reassuringly.

  Holly rubbed her forehead. “Can we go inside and have some coffee?”

  “Yeah, sure.” Hunter held the door open for them.

  Brenda was a few inches taller than Holly and more slightly built. He remembered Holly’s father ordering her food for her at the graduation dinner. The woman needed some meat on her bones. Hopefully, she’d get it now without a guard dog breathing down her throat.

  Hem stood behind the bar. “What’s up?”

  Holly slid onto a barstool, and her mom sat beside her.

  Hunter walked behind the bar with Hem. “Holly’s dad was killed.”

  “Damn. Sorry to hear that, Holly.”

  She nodded.

  “Would you mind putting on some fresh coffee for Holly and her mom?” Hunter asked.

  “Not a problem.” Hem pulled the nearly empty pot from the coffee maker.

  “How’d you know I was here, Mom?”

  Brenda tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I got the call last night, and I flew in on a red eye. I drove to Sugar Branch, but you weren’t home. I remembered the name on the backs of the two young men at your graduation. I googled that and found the welding shop out there. I figured you might be here.” She covered Holly’s hand with hers. “I didn’t want to tell you this over the phone. It didn’t seem right.”

  Holly leaned her head on her mom’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me too, darling.”

  Hem poured them each a cup of coffee. Hunter touched Holly’s shoulder. “I’ll leave you guys alone to talk but let me know if you need anything.”

  “Thanks.”

  Hunter took a seat behind the pool table. Hem sat beside him. Neither of them spoke. Kol walked out of the chapel and stopped to look around. “Who’s that?”

  “Holly’s mom,” Hunter said. “Her dad passed last night.”

  “Ouch. That sucks. But it doesn’t suck that her mom is single now.” Kol sat on the arm of Hem’s chair.

  “Do you ever stop scoping out pussy?” Hem asked.

  Kol looked up at the ceiling like he was thinking hard. “Nope.”

  “Dirty motherfucker.” Hem shook his head.

  “Says he who spent another night in the bedroom with Hunter and his old lady.”

  “Shut it, Kol. It’s not like that.” Hem shifted in his seat.

  “It’s okay, bro. I wouldn’t turn that down either.”

  Hunter smirked. “I’m gonna knock both your heads together in a minute.”

  It was worth noting the neither Holly nor her mom had cried. They were deep in a hushed conversation though. Holly had inherited some of her mother’s mannerisms. Subtle things like the way she held her hands and played with her hair. Brenda actually looked relaxed. Much like Holly had the night before.

  Holly touched her mother’s hand and slid off the barstool. She walked toward Hunter. “I’m going to go out with my mom for a while. She needs to make arrangements.” Holly leaned over to kiss Hunter’s cheek.

  “Okay.” He squeezed her hand. “Can I do anything?”

  She shook her head. “No. But, thanks.”

  He watched them leave. Kol abandoned his seat on the arm of the chair.

  Paul paused at the door of the chapel. “A couple of resumes have come into the website. Can you take a look at them, Hem?”

  “Yeah. Do you want me to print them out for you?” he answered.

  “Just the most qualified ones.”

  “Got it.”

  Chapter TWENTY-SIX

  Holly

  The memorial would be held on Friday after the coroner released her father’s body. The police had called while they were at the funeral home. They had questions.

  What time had her meeting with her dad ended? Where had Holly gone afterward? Had she known her father was buying cocaine? All routine inquiries. The detective patted her mother’s hand and said, “We’ll find who did this. Chris was a pillar of this community for a lot of years.”

  Holly had fought the urge to gag. If they only knew. Knew that he’d beat her senseless a few weeks ago. That he’d probably beaten her mom in the last few days. That he was a raging alcoholic. That he was a piece of shit. That she was glad, he was dead. That she’d slept in the same bed with the two men responsible for his death probably before they’d even found his body.

  Without hesitation, her mother had told the funeral director that she wanted him cremated and that she would spread his ashes on the beach in Florida. At the end of the day, funeral homes were businesses selling a product to vulnerable people. Her mother had written out a check for nearly ten thousand dollars.

  “Where are you staying, Mom?” Holly asked as they drove away from the police station.

  “I was going to stay with you, but it seems you’re staying somewhere else.” Her mother shot her a smile. “That’s an interesting place.”

  Holly wiggled her toes inside her shoes. “I go back and forth. The clubhouse is close to the paper so it’s easier sometimes than driving all the way in from Sugar Branch.”

  “I understand, sweetheart. So, is this serious? This thing with Hunter?”

  The scenery flew by as her mother pulled onto the freeway.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Do you love him?”

  “I think so. He makes me feel safe.”

  Brenda put her hand on Holly’s leg. “That’s important. They seem like nice men over there.”

  Holly laughed. “You don’t have to be diplomatic, Mom. They’re roughnecks. But they’re good guys.”

  “How bad was it?”

  “How bad was what? Holly asked.

  “The night we left after graduation. There’s still a bruise by your eye.”

  Holly touched her face. “It wasn’t too bad.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Tears spilled down Brenda’s cheeks, and her chin quivered. “I should have protected you.”

  “You tried. This wasn’t your fault. Something was wrong with him. It wasn’t me, and it wasn’t you.”

  “Still.” Her mother touched her chest. “I’m your mother. It was my job to keep you safe, and I didn’t.”

  “You were afraid of him, too. He hurt you way more than he hurt me.” Holly leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’m glad he’s dead.”

  Brenda dabbed her eyes with a kleenex. “I’ll probably go to hell for even thinking it, but I am, too.”

  “You should stay at the clubhouse with me,” Holly offered. “We can have some drinks, play darts, do things we’ve never been able to do.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to impose. I can get a room at the Hilton. I have to be here for a few weeks at least. I spoke with Joseph on my way to see you. He’s pulling our trust to transfer everything over to just you and me.”

  “At least spend the night with me before you decide to check into a hotel.”

  Tears still glistened in Brenda’s eyes, but she smiled. “Okay, darling.”

  Later that night, Holly bounced a quarter off the bar and missed the shot glass. It had been a really long time since she’d seen her mother laugh. Around her dad, Brenda’s face was always screwed up into a tight, fake smile.

  The clubhouse wasn’t teeming w
ith people like it had been that morning. Most of the men had gone home.

  Kol sat at the end of the bar while Hem braided his hair. It was strange to see a man braid another man’s hair, but it was part of their culture. Both men had tresses that women paid good money to have. Long, black strands of silk. She knew that Hem and Kol were short for longer native names. She made a mental note to ask sometime.

  Hunter was in the chapel with Maddox and Ryker. Maps or blueprints were spread out on the table. Whatever they were discussing must not be confidential because the door was open.

  Brenda bounced the quarter and landed it in the shot of tequila. She laughed and pointed at Holly. “I was good at this in college. Drink.”

  Holly bit into a slice of lime and downed the shot. Her eyes watered. “Damn.”

  Her mom looked over her shoulder. “Can we play pool? I haven’t played pool in ages.”

  “Yeah.” Holly slid off the barstool.

  Brenda picked up her glass of wine and followed Holly. The balls were already set up in the triangle. A cabinet against the wall held various sized sticks and little blue chalk squares. They stood side by side and perused the choice. “I like the long ones,” her mother said.

  Holly laughed and grabbed a medium stick and rubbed the chalk on the end.

  “You ladies up for a challenge?” Kol leaned his hands on the edge of the pool table. “Brothers against sisters.”

  Hem rolled his eyes. “Really, dude?”

  Brenda laughed. “That’s flattering. I wish I was as stunning as my daughter.” She put an arm around Holly.

  Holly looked at her mom. “What do you think? Can we take them?”

  Her mom winked. “I think so.” She looked at Kol. “What’s the wager?”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Whatever you want.”