STAG: MC ROMANCE (Forsaken Riders MC Romance Book 7) Read online

  She had heard a lot about the motorcycle club that was at the core of Slate Springs, and she had always been intrigued by it. So when she had heard that they needed a bar girl at their place The Bleeding Bullet, she had jumped at the chance.

  “Are you sure it’s for you?” Laura had asked skeptically. “I know you like living life on the edge and all… but bikers?”

  Becca had laughed and smiled.

  “If it doesn’t work out I’ll go back to something more conservative,” she’d said, even though she knew that she was lying.

  Since her first shift, she had been hooked. She enjoyed spending the days with Oscar and then on the nights she could let her hair down and go wild with the biker boys of The Forsaken Riders. It was perfect and she had never felt more alive. The memories of her past and of how her ex had been so cold and cruel to her were now fading and she was regaining her confidence with each passing day.

  When she had come back to town she had felt so lost, the only person she had had in the world was her sister, and then later, her little boy. But now she was making friends and she was feeling as if she was a part of a little family that lived life on the edge. It was the perfect balance for her, and she was more than enjoying it.

  She pulled up outside of her and Laura’s house and helped Oscar out of the car. He ran ahead and she looked around the neighborhood. It was a nice little street for the middle of a desert town, and she was fully aware of how worse her luck could have been if she had stayed in an unhappy relationship with a man who didn’t truly love her or their son. Just thinking about him made her skin crawl, so she pushed him to the back of her mind.

  Inside the house Laura was busy singing in the kitchen and Oscar had joined her at the table. Becca wandered in to be with them and they all discussed their days.

  “Well,” Becca grinned, “it looks like we have a new piece of artwork for the refrigerator.”

  “Oh wow!” gushed Laura. “Isn’t that divine!”

  She took the scribbled picture out of Oscar’s hands and pinned it proudly on the front with a couple of magnets. “We’ll have a full collection soon,” she smiled. “Maybe we should try and get them in a gallery!”

  Oscar laughed and jumped down from the table before he made his way into the front room and turned on the TV.

  “How was your day sis?” Becca asked.

  “Same old,” Laura rolled her eyes. “Dull, boring, office full of pervy men. What about you?”

  “Great!” Becca smiled. “I spent the day chilling in the garden actually, topping up my tan, you know?” She winked and she could feel her sister’s eyes boring into her.

  “What time’s your shift tonight?” Laura asked.

  “Eight-thirty,” Becca said as she opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of lemonade. “So I’ll get Oscar to bed and then head on out.”

  “Cool,” Laura said.

  Becca knew that she was lucky to have her sister by her side. She had been with her through the tough times and had supported her financially when she had turned up on her doorstep, pregnant, alone, and without an income. She honestly didn’t know what she would ever do without Laura. She would always do her best for her, the same as she would do for Oscar.

  Making her way back through into the front room, she and watched him playing with his toys. His innocence was so endearing, he never ceased to amaze her with his curiosity and creativity. These were the absolute best parts of her day. She reached down and pulled out a big drawing pad and a set of pencils.

  “Why don’t we do some more drawing before dinner,” she said enthusiastically. Oscar grinned at her and ran to her side. As they opened up the notebook, they started to make some whacky pictures together, and Becca knew that she had her life on the right track. The only thing missing from it was a man and some love. If she could only find someone to care for her how she deserved to be cared for, then everything really would be perfect.

  She knew that it would take one hell of a man, and because of that she was willing to wait. She didn’t want to rush anything because there were no half measures in her life. She wanted it all, and she wasn’t willing to settle for anything less. Because it wasn’t just her that deserved a happy ending… it was Oscar, too.

  CHAPTER THREE

  She kissed Oscar goodnight and then quietly closed the door to this bedroom. She had always been lucky with him in the fact that he was a good sleeper. He loved his bed and was more than happy to curl up after a long day and effortlessly drift off to sleep. Becca stretched her arms high up over her head and yawned. She was exhausted, too. The night shifts, for all they were fun and meant she got to spend the maximum of time with her son, were beginning to wear her out.

  “What are your plans tonight?” she asked Laura as she made her way back into the front room.

  Laura was curled up on the couch watching trash TV and eating ice cream straight from the tub.

  “Well, I have this to finish,” she smirked and held up the ice cream. “And then I’ll probably take a bath… Nothing exciting.”

  “Thanks so much for being so hands-on,” Becca smiled. “We really need the money, so it’s great I can get out to work on an evening.”

  “Hey, you don’t have to thank me,” Laura said genuinely. “I wouldn’t leave my nephew with anyone else! And you’re right, we do need the money, but not only that, it’s good for you to have something going on.”

  “I have been feeling better,” Becca admitted.

  “Sure,” Laura smiled. “The old Becca is slowly coming back.”

  She nodded in agreement. Since she had started her shifts at The Bleeding Bullet she had felt a lot more like her old self. Her confidence was returning and her desire for adventure was coming back with it. She knew it wouldn’t be long until she could put the whole mess of her past relationship behind her and finally move on. She was ready now. Ready and eager to make things happen.

  “So what about you anyway?” Becca asked with a wry smile. “I thought I may have heard more about the plans with your mystery man?”

  Laura rolled her eyes and scoffed.

  “Ugh, I’m starting to think about calling the whole thing off.” She jabbed the spoon into the ice cream tub and pulled out a huge spoonful of chocolate chip.

  “Why?” Becca put her hands on her hips.

  “Because… I don’t know, he just seems…”

  “Seems what?”

  “Too keen maybe?” Laura shrugged.

  “Men can’t win can they,” Becca laughed. “When they push us away, we call them every name under the sun and vice versa. When they actually give a shit and want to treat us well...”

  Laura shrugged again.

  “Just give it a go, Sis,” she smiled. “There’s no reason not to.”

  “I guess,” Laura smiled back.

  Becca got to her feet and turned to leave the room. In the darkened hallway she climbed the stairs and she made her way down to her bedroom and opened the door. She looked at the clock and realized that she only had an hour before her shift began, so she’d better get a move on. Opening her closet, she pulled out the small pair of denim cut-off shorts. She and one of the other girls who worked at the bar, Sasha, had decided on a sort of uniform when Becca had begun working there alongside her. The guys that usually came into The Bullet were the kind who quite liked to have scantily clad girls. So they donned the shorts, and usually a little low cut black tee or vest top. Becca loved it! When she slipped into her outfit for work she felt empowered, as if she was taking back control of her life and moving forward. She slipped the shorts on and did up the buttons at the waist, then she grabbed a low cut tee and pulled it on over her head. Her hair was long and dark and she twisted it up into a tight little knot on top of her head before she leaned in towards her vanity mirror and started to perfect her eyeliner. She winged out the tips perfectly to give herself an almost feline appearance, and then she slipped in her small, tight, silver nose ring. It was funny to think, but the more sh
e was coming out of herself back in Slate Springs, the more she realized that she had lost her way when she had gone off to college and found herself in a sensible corporate world in the city. She had always had a wild streak in her, she even had some hidden tattoos under her clothes, so the lawless underworld of the bikers appealed to her darker side.

  She spritzed on some perfume and then she slipped her dainty little feet into a pair of stiletto heels. So much had been going on whilst she had been at work, she was looking forward to getting there and learning about all of the latest developments. Becca had only been working there for a week when the head of the motorcycle club had died from a long illness and he had been replaced by Bull, one of the biggest, and most frightening looking men she had ever seen. However, with his sheer size and power, he was also incredibly sexy, and Sasha, Becca’s working buddy had been lucky enough to have been swept off her feet by him. Becca was so pleased for her, she loved seeing someone deserving getting something good in their life, and she could really see the change in Sasha since she had started dating Bull properly. He was so good to her and he treated her like a queen. Becca often looked on at them both longingly and just hoped that somewhere out there, a man like him was waiting for her.

  “Okay Sis,” she called to Lauren as she jogged back down the stairs. “I’m gonna head to work, give me a call on my cell if there’s any problems.”

  She blew Laura a kiss and went into the kitchen where she gathered up her purse and her car keys. She knew that Oscar was such a good sleeper that there wasn’t much chance of her having any issues, but she wanted to be conscientious just in case.

  “Okay Bec, catch you later,” Lauren called back to her, and Becca could hear her scraping the bottom of the ice cream tub with the spoon. She couldn’t help but smile.

  As she drove across town towards the other side of Slate Springs she rested her elbow on the edge of the window, letting the warm evening air blow around her neck. After living in a city for so long it was nice to be back in a more rural environment, even if it meant being out in the middle of a giant sandbox surrounded by crime.

  She turned a corner next to the water tower and continued on. The buildings were slowly becoming darker and she could hear the roar of bike engines off in the distance. There always seemed to be a police presence on this side of town, but for that reason it made her feel safe. She knew that there was much less chance of anything kicking off whilst they cops were around, and she always felt protected. Even if it was by them.

  The bikers all hated the cops – for obvious reasons – but they couldn’t deny that at certain times they kept trouble away from the door. Even if they did make a lot more difficult for the club to carry out certain types of meetings or deals.

  Becca turned the corner again and the bar loomed up out of the darkness ahead of her. The laser lights were shining up on it, illuminating it red from the ground up, the windows, as usual, were all dark and covered in black. She swung her car into a space at the side of the curb and got out. It looked a lot quieter than normal, but this didn’t bother her. Although she enjoyed being busy, the late nights were starting to catch up to her and the earlier she could get home to her warm and comfortable bed, the better.

  She locked the car up behind her and ignored the cops that were leering in her direction. For all that they were supposed to be the law abiding gentlemen, they really didn’t have any manners when it came to women. They jeered and perved, and let their eyes wander. Becca had never experienced that with the bikers. They had all treated her with respect – as one of their own. She knew that a lot of them found her attractive, but they didn’t go over the top about it or make her feel uncomfortable. In fact, if anything, they always just treated her as if she was an equal, someone who deserved her place there and to be looked after by them all.

  She scowled at the cops and carried on forward. A couple of the regulars that she was starting to recognize were loitering on the steps to the bar, drinking bottles of beer and smoking next to their bikes.

  “Hey Becca,” one of them called and she smiled and waved.

  She pushed the door open to the bar and the rock music, even though it was on low for that place, still hit her heavily and she instantly felt her mood lift. This was the kind of place she belonged, and she loved it.

  She waved and smiled to all of the guys. Lynx, King, and Hawk were all sitting in one of the booths, laughing and chatting amongst themselves and Becca was sure that she could hear the familiar thunder of Bull’s voice from out the back. She slipped behind the counter of the bar and shoved her purse right up to the back of one of the low shelves. And then she started to look around and see what stock needed refilling.

  “Hey Becca,” Sasha smiled to her as she joined her. “How’s it going?”

  “Hey,” she smiled. “I didn’t think you’d be in tonight.”

  “Well, if Bull had his way I wouldn’t be in any night,” she laughed. “But I get bored… you know me, I like to be kept busy!”

  “Same here,” Becca grinned. “Has it been busy?”

  “Not really, but I think it may pick up later…” She looked around and then she leaned in close and whispered, “One of the guys from the club has just gotten out of jail.”

  She raised her eyebrows and bit her bottom lip.

  “Bull was telling me he went away for seven years to protect the club, and he just got out yesterday morning.”

  “No way,” Becca whispered back.

  “Yep, Bull went to collect him,” she continued. “His name’s Stag… And from what I’ve heard he’s a wild one.”

  Becca felt her stomach drop a little with excitement. If there was anything she was craving, it was definitely a wild man.

  “He’s coming in later,” Sasha said as she reached underneath the bar and pulled out a glass of water. “And I think the majority of the club will be here to throw him a welcome back party that none of us are gonna forget.”

  “Really?” Becca was more than excited. “That sounds awesome!”

  “Well, technically I’m not supposed to say anything, so keep it under your hat for now… But yeah I think that’s what Bull’s planning. Closing the bar up except for the chosen few of us, the club and the regulars, and then having us a night of debauchery.”

  “Yikes,” Becca half laughed. “I hope I’m up to the challenge.”

  Sasha winked at her and then stepped back out from behind the bar. Becca looked around at where she was. It was grimy and dirty, dark and full of thick smoke and blaring music, but she loved it. She really, really did. Sometimes she surprised herself at how she could be two completely different people. She was the perfect mother and role model, but then she also had such a deep wild side that was always bursting to get free. It was as if they both balanced each other out perfectly and kept her on the right track.

  She thought ahead to the possibility of a wild lock-in party there at The Bleeding Bullet. She had surely never done anything like that before, and she was so tired she didn’t know whether she would have it in her to stay awake even later than normal, but she was trying to carve out a life for herself in the town, and she had been such a hermit up until this point, maybe she should just give it a go.

  She looked up as she realized that there was a set of hands on the top of the counter in front of her. She had been so busy day dreaming, she hadn’t even noticed that there was a small group of people waiting to be served.

  “Jeez, I’m sorry,” she said as she smiled up at the man in front of her. “What can I get you?”

  The night passed relatively slowly. Each time the door to the bar opened Becca found herself looking up with excitement and her heart fluttering in her chest, hoping that is was going to be the new mystery man that Sasha had been telling her so much about over the course of the evening.

  “Bull said that Stag took the fall for a lot of people,” she’d told her. “He basically saved the club from almost certain collapse.”

  Becca had listened to her
with wide eyes and a sense of intrigue.

  “Seven years,” she’d continued. “Can you even imagine what it must be like to give up your life for that long? I know I can’t… I mean Bull said he was only twenty-three when he went away… and he’s thirty now… I mean, think of all we’ve done since we were twenty-three and all there is still left to do before we turn thirty. He’s missed out on all of that. It’s sad… but I guess that’s what it means to be one of The Forsaken Riders. Your club comes first.”

  Becca had nodded in agreement.

  She could see it in all of the men, that they had loyalty running deep in their veins. And it was obvious that they wouldn’t take kindly to anyone being less than one hundred percent committed to their cause. Becca dreaded to think what would happen to anyone who tried to screw over a club like theirs. She had heard stories, awful stories, of the feuds that had been happening in the town over the past year, and of how another town’s motorcycle club had gotten involved. Blood had been shed, people had died, and now The Forsaken were out for revenge. But from what she had been told, they had to wait for the right moment; bide their time until it would be most effective to strike.

  “You still daydreaming?” Sasha asked as she passed Becca a bottle of beer.

  “Sorry,” Becca smiled. “I’m wiped tonight.”

  “Well, don’t think you’re sloping out on us early,” she grinned as she chewed a stick of gum. “Apparently the guest of honor is on his way.” She wiggled her eyebrows and Becca felt a pang of excitement.

  “So is this party still on?”

  “Sounds like it,” Sasha smiled. “And apparently Bull has been telling him all about you…” she trailed her fingers along the bar and winked in Becca’s direction.

  Becca suddenly felt on show, as if she was being set up, and she felt like slinking back inside of herself. Retreating back to that dark place she had been hiding since Oscar had been born. Even though she wanted nothing more than to be swept up into the arms of a red hot biker, the thought of a man getting close to her again still did kind of terrify her.