Deceptive (The Houston Defiance MC Series Book 6) Read online

  Malice MC sit on the left side of the auditorium, kicking their feet up, relaxed. Out of all of us, they’re probably the most laid-back club. Defiance is somewhere in the middle. Where Malice is your cool, calm, and collected club, and The Royal Bastards is the total opposite of that, we sit perfectly balanced between the two.

  Brady wanders up, his eyes open wide in awe. “I’ve never seen so much leather in all my life,” he quips.

  I let out a snort of laughter. “You changing your mind about the military? You wanna patch in?”

  “Me? Wearing a cut? I don’t think it matches my eyes.”

  Billie laughs while Brady races off up the front to watch the club girl doing a striptease. I walk Billie to the front to catch Razor, NOLA’s VP, with Ruin from Malice, chatting about something obviously funny. As we step up to them, they both give me a head lift.

  “Who’s the hangaround that’s acting like a kid in a candy store?”

  Billie smirks, while my eyes move to Brady as he stands bouncing from foot to foot in his excitement. “Yeah, that’s Brady. A little hyperactive, a hell of a lot of ego, full of shit, but all-around good guy deep down.”

  Ruin furrows his brows. “What’s he doing hanging around Defiance? He wanna patch in?”

  “Nah, man, he’s fully into the military. Our man, Ax, is training him, so when he goes for the exam, he aces it. He said he wants to be a part of something called Delta Force.”

  Ruin’s ears prick up. “He knows about Delta Force?”

  “You know about Delta Force?”

  Riot, Ruin’s brother, steps up, his Old Lady at his side, and they both smile when they approach. “What’s going on, Phantom? Long time no see.”

  “Riot, that kid over there, Brady, he wants to join the military. Said he’s interested in Delta Force.”

  Riot’s eyes widen as does his Old Lady’s. Obviously, there’s more to Malice MC than meets the eye.

  “What’s his background?” Riot’s Old Lady asks.

  I shrug. “Just got out of college. Was involved in some heavy shit there with some secret society. He was in deep. His dad was a big player. He’s bright but tries to hide it with sarcasm and humor and an ego to boot.”

  Riot snorts. “Sounds like someone else we know.”

  His Old Lady and Ruin both chuckle at their inside joke. “What does he do now if he’s not in college?” Ruin asks.

  “Trains people in martial arts.”

  “So, he can fight?”

  “Yeah, he’s pretty handy with his sarcasm, too,” I joke.

  They all scrunch their brows, not seeming to take to my humor.

  Riot turns to Ruin, and he cocks his head slightly. “You thinkin’ what I’m thinking?”

  Ruin snorts. “I’m not thinking anything.” He wraps his arm around his Old Lady. “I chose my life. I don’t have a say in this shit anymore. You’re new to this, you wanna take something to the table, that’s your decision to make.”

  I turn to Razor, and he shrugs. “You have any idea what the fuck they’re going on about?”

  “Not a damn clue… but I hardly ever know what these assholes talk about.”

  “We’re fucking right here!” Ruin chides, but with a smirk. “Can you introduce me to Brady?”

  “He’s doing it,” Riot mumbles, and his Old Lady shakes her head.

  “Yeah, I am… Phantom, take me to Brady,” Ruin demands this time.

  “I don’t know what the fuck you’re up to, but I’m here for it.” Turning, I walk with Billie and Ruin over to where Brady is chatting to Ax. I hear something about ‘defensive positions,’ and I all but tune out as Ruin saunters over. “Brady?”

  He turns, and Ruin towers over him, all brawn and muscle. Brady gulps but doesn’t back down. “Yeah?”

  “I need you to come with me.”

  Brady rolls his eyes. “Right! Phantom put you up to this? Trying to scare me as some sort of prank? You don’t scare me. Sure, you’re tough-looking, but I could take you.”

  “That cocky attitude will serve you well in Delta Force.”

  Brady’s eyes light up as he straightens out his posture. “What do you know about that?”

  Ruin cracks his neck to the side. “I know if you want to learn more, you need to come with me. Now.”

  “Are you a member of Delta Force?”

  A mischievous glint shines in Ruin’s eyes. “No.”

  Brady breaks out into a bright smile. “Oooh, right, because Delta Force doesn’t technically exist, right?”

  Ruin exhales. “Are you coming before I change my damn mind?”

  “Yes, sir!”

  “Jesus Christ.” Ruin turns, walking off with Brady following like a little lost puppy behind him. I turn to Billie and chuckle.

  “You think all that was for real?” she asks.

  “With these guys, you just never fucking know.”

  Toxin walks over, wearing her prospect cut. The Royal Bastards let a female prospect join the ranks of their club—she’s a first. She nods, and I lean out to hug her. “Toxin, how’s prospecting going for you?”

  She grimaces. “I don’t know what’s harder, being a female prospect or being the Old Lady to the VP while being a female prospect.”

  Billie widens her eyes. “You’re an Old Lady too?”

  Toxin’s eyes flash over her shoulder to Void and sighs like she’s content as all hell. “Yeah, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “I’m a little in awe of you, prospecting into the club. Do you do everything the guys do?” Billie asks.

  Toxin grins wickedly. “Honey, I do a hell of a lot more.”

  I smirk, knowing exactly what that ‘more’ entails. Let’s just say you don’t want to be involved with Toxin and her bricking room of goddamn hell. She may look petite and sweet, but she’s one hell of a twisted fucker.

  A whistle echoes through the auditorium, and we all glance over at Zero, who’s standing on the stage next to Hurricane, Nycto, and Falcon.

  All the MC presidents in one place.

  A stronghold of biker badass and bravery.

  “Right, you fuckers, we’re gonna head out onto the street and have a look around. This auditorium is ours for the week. Anytime we need to congregate, we meet here. If anyone gets into trouble, we come back here. Brothers, let’s have a good time but not so much as you fuck it up for the rest of us.”

  Cheering roars through the large expanse, and I laugh as Billie lets out a cheer. She’s getting into the spirit of things, and that’s a good thing. We all turn, making way for the exit. A mass of bikers, old ladies, and club girls heading for the street to go and celebrate this lifestyle we live. To let our hair down and have a bit of fucking fun for once.

  Because bikers sure know how to have fun when bullets aren’t flying at us.

  So that’s what we’re going to do right now.

  And I can’t wait.

  BILLIE

  I’ve never been to anything like this before with the Heathens. Rage and his merry men of morons would head out and do things all the time, but I was never allowed to go. I always had to stay back and work for the club, bring in the money. ‘Do my part,’ as he would say.

  Being a part of Defiance, losing myself in the life I’m creating here, is so fucking euphoric that I can’t imagine ever going back to that club. Back to Rage. Back to the Heathens.

  I have to find a way out of this.

  My life with Phantom means far too much to me now.

  This freedom means far too much to me now.

  My new friends mean too much now.

  Glancing over at Koda and Thayleah as they walk along next to us, I can’t imagine not having them in my life. My eyes drift over to Cherry with Zero. She’s been somewhat of a rock while I’ve been here, and I can’t imagine not having her friendship and that someone to turn to when I need them.

  These people, they mean so much to me.

  My heart is breaking, knowing I’ve been betraying them.


  The guilt heavily weighs down on me as we walk the streets perusing the stalls. Everything is so bright and colorful, a world of new opportunities and possibilities is right here for the taking. I need to find a way out of Rage’s shadow. That asshole can’t keep me trapped forever!

  As we walk past Zero and Cherry, they’re standing with Nycto from the Royal Bastards, and I can’t help but overhear their conversation.

  “Thanks, man, for the keys. We were in need of a deal to put through last minute. We’d be in a world of hurt without the load you’ve brought down for us,” Nycto states.

  Zero waves him off. “Just between us, we’ve been making a ‘lil extra on the side, so this small batch wasn’t an issue for us, brother. Anytime you need help, we’re here for you.”

  Nycto reaches out, shaking Zero’s hand, and then he walks off as I pretend like I didn’t overhear any of their conversation. If Houston is making extra, that has to put their alliance with the Militia at risk?

  Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, a flash goes off. I turn a little to see an older woman standing back taking photographs, wearing a red dress and her hair in a short black bob. I guess there’s nothing too strange about that, there’s a heap of people taking photos around here, and as she spots me, she disappears into the crowd.

  Shrugging, I think nothing more of it, and we move about looking at the different stalls. The guys check out the latest engine displays as I stand with Thayleah and Sunshine checking out a jewelry stand. “These would be real cute on you,” I tell Thayleah, showing her the little skull earrings.

  She holds them up to her ears. “So cute, but I think they’re more your style… you should get them. Phantom would love them on you.”

  Biting down on my bottom lip, I look over at Phantom, seeing him in his element with his brothers. “Okay… how much?” I ask the retailer.

  “Seven fifty.”

  I hand over the money, then slide the earrings into my bag as the flash ignites again. My head jerks up, and I spot the woman snapping, but the camera isn’t focused on me, it’s on Thayleah as she makes her way across the street to another stall.

  My heart pounds, my palms sweating. I rush over, grabbing and dragging her back toward the guys. “Billie? What are you doing?” Thayleah asks.

  “Trust me!”

  She nods, rushing along with me. We make our way over to Phantom and Koda who are laughing when we approach. Our concerned faces must give us away, and they instantly turn serious.

  “Talk to me,” Phantom grunts out.

  “There’s a woman. I ignored her the first time, but she did it again,” I tell them.

  Thayleah widens her eyes searching all around. “A woman what?”

  “She’s taking photos of you.”

  “Of Thayleah? Are you sure?” Koda asks, stepping in, pulling Thayleah to him protectively.

  “Positive.”

  Phantom draws me closer to him. “Point her out.”

  Glancing around, I try to spot her through the sea of people, and at the end of the street, she’s standing there, staring at us, like she is daring us to come to her. I point at her, and a slow smile crosses her face. “Her… in the red dress, she’s smiling at us.”

  Everyone turns to look, but no one says anything, so I do. “Who is she?”

  Phantom shakes his head. “I have no idea… Koda?”

  “None! So, let’s go find out.”

  “Koda!” Thayleah chides, but it’s too late.

  He and Phantom are off before Thayleah and I can stop them.

  “Shit!” I blurt out as we take off after our men.

  The woman folds her arms over her chest like she is pleased with herself, her eyes focus in on Thayleah as we all approach. Koda stands in front of Thayleah protectively, and the woman slowly grins. “So protective, young man.”

  “What the hell do you want?” Koda snaps.

  She shrugs. “I’m just getting prepared.”

  “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  She tilts her head with a menacing smirk. “I’ll be seeing you real soon.”

  “You’re not coming near her, you hear me?”

  “I hear you.” She grins, then turns sauntering off and is quickly hidden by an influx of people coming down the street.

  Thayleah lets out a long breath as Koda turns to her. “Nothing is going to happen to you. I swear.”

  Her body is shaking. “She’s pretty sure of herself.”

  Phantom starts to lead us away from the end of the street back toward the other brothers. “She was probably just some crazy lady,” he says, but the stare he sends Koda tells me he doesn’t think that at all.

  “Yeah, Phantom is right. Don’t worry, Rebel. The club will look into it, but it’s nothing to be concerned over. Okay?”

  She cuddles into Koda’s side. His eyes showing the fear of the deadliest kind. He’s petrified, and he has every right to be.

  “We need to tell Zero what happened. So he is forewarned,” Koda suggests.

  “But you said there’s nothing to be worried about?” Thayleah gasps.

  “Sorry, babe. Informed, not forewarned. Wrong word.” Koda widens his eyes like he knows he’s fucked up.

  “Go, we’ll be here when you get back,” Phantom tells him.

  He nods, walking off with Thayleah tightly pulled against him.

  When does all the drama end for this club?

  Maybe this woman is someone Rage has sent to fuck with them. It wouldn’t surprise me. It’s certainly something I know he’s capable of.

  “Hey, pretty lady, don’t you look mighty fine with your tight ass,” a voice chimes, followed by a loud thwack on my behind. I jump, turning around to yell at the guy, only to find it’s Hash from the Heathens of Hatred. My eyes widen, and he grins at me knowingly. Phantom turns ready to let him have it, too, but he stops still when he sees his rival club trying to flirt with me.

  I don’t say anything while Phantom steps forward, pushing me behind him.

  Shit!

  “Don’t touch what isn’t yours.”

  “And you think a piece of trash ass like that is yours?” Hash states, his eyes wandering up and down me. “No boy, she’s just about anyone’s.”

  Phantom grits his teeth, the hesitation in him is clear, but he can’t hold back, shoving Hash in the chest. “I don’t care if you’re a Heathen, show my woman some fucking respect, asshole.”

  Suddenly, from behind the crowd, Rage steps out, making my insides turn to liquid. My skin prickles in sweat as I begin to shake with the pure amount of adrenaline that’s now pumping through me. Phantom takes a small step back upon seeing Rage, his breath holding while Rage takes one look at me. “Your woman? She is a pretty little thing.” He reaches out to swipe a strand of hair from my face, and Phantom doesn’t hesitate, drawing his gun from the back of his jeans, but I don’t miss the slight tremor in his hand. He knows what shooting Rage would do. He also knows what pulling a gun on the Heathens means.

  Defiance and the Heathens are mortal enemies, this is unstable territory, and I am the cause of the shaky ground right now.

  Rage takes a step forward, making Phantom’s gun press right against his chest. Rage smirks, Phantom unclicks his safety as people around us start to turn our way. “She worth it to you, kid?”

  Phantom’s hand steadies, his eyes focus. “She’s worth everything.”

  Rage lets out a booming laugh. “She’s not worth nothin’.” He slams his hand into Phantom’s wrist, making the gun jam to the side. Rage then spins on his heels and turns, walking off. He whistles, calling Hash to go with him. “You got balls, kid!” he calls out, disappearing into the crowd.

  I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding as Phantom clicks the safety back on his gun and stows it in his jeans. “Fuck!”

  Reaching out for his shaking hands, I pull him to me just as Zero rushes over. “Was that Rage?”

  Phantom runs his hands over my face, checking to make sure
I am okay.

  I am far from okay.

  I had no clue what Rage’s game plan was then.

  It could have all come crashing down around me.

  This is a stark reminder that this life I have built here is all one big fucking lie.

  “Yeah, that bastard and Hash were harassing Billie, so I drew my gun, then he just walked off.”

  “He walked off? Just like that?”

  Phantom is still trying to catch his breath. “It was so fucking weird, and not like him at all. He was just letting us know he was here.”

  Zero glances at me. “You okay?”

  Somehow, I manage to nod my head. “I’m FINE. I’m not sure who they are, but they were pretty fucking awful.”

  I need to sell it.

  Phantom pulls me tighter. “They’re the bad guys, baby. The worst of the worst.”

  I couldn’t agree more.

  “Okay, with the Heathens out and about and also this photo shit with Thayleah, we better head back to the motel. There’s a little too much drama going on here for my liking,” Zero announces.

  That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.

  The last thing I want is to run into any more Heathens.

  Having my brother fake hitting on me is one of the most disgusting experiences I’ve ever been through in my life. I need to go back to the motel and shower.

  For the next seventy years.

  It’s nice to be back at the motel with the club, just hanging out as a brotherhood. I have to admit, today has been a fucking whirlwind and seeing Rage has really rattled me. Not knowing what he was going to do or say, whether this whole charade was about to come crashing down around me, made me start to question everything I am doing.

  Should I tell Phantom? Or has this lie been going on for far too long now? Have I gone past a point that is acceptable? Will he be so hurt there’s no coming back from this deception?

  I’m petrified I’m going to lose him.

  But I’m even more petrified of going back to the life I had before Defiance.