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

  Survival mode.

  His hands broke free from Carnage, his fist slamming right into Lynch’s throat as he took off toward me. My eyes widened when he turned and raced for Rage, but Carnage recovered and pulled out a gun, shooting Ax in the leg.

  “Ax!” I called out as he hit the deck like a block of lead.

  Rage cackled, shaking his head. “I like your enthusiasm, but I have to say having the two of you is unnecessary, and unfortunately for you, Ax, we need Phantom for leverage.”

  My eyes shot wide at his words while Lynch moved into another room, and Carnage jumped on top of Ax, holding him down. I tried to get up, but it was useless.

  Rage aimed his gun at me, unclicking the safety. “Uh-uh… stay right there… I have other plans for you! Now, Ax, seeing as you love the ocean, we thought we’d take you back there on your way out. Time to say goodbye now, boys.”

  I didn’t stay put. Instead, I jumped up, but Rage was on me in an instant, slamming his fist into my face again, knocking me down once more. The hits to my head were intense, and I felt nausea roll over me.

  Lynch walked out with a five-gallon bucket of water while Carnage continued to sit on top of an incapacitated Ax. Lynch moved the bucket in front of Ax as his eyes met mine, a knowing expression crossing them.

  I shook my head. “Ax!” I yelled.

  Rage held me back with his gun pressed firmly to my temple.

  I shoved forward to get to Ax, but Rage moved his mouth to my ear. “You wanna see Billie again, you better stop and watch this play out, or… she is next!”

  My stomach rolled so much I hunched in agony. “Ax, fight them,” I called out.

  But I saw it in his eyes—he was done.

  Lynch gripped Ax’s hair, yanking his head up, then he slammed his face down into the water bucket. Instantly, bubbles popped and spluttered in the water as Ax’s legs kicked beneath Carnage.

  My muscles clenched and tensed watching them torture my brother in front of me.

  Killing him.

  Making him suffer because he was Defiance.

  There was nothing I could do to save him.

  “Ax,” I called out as his body convulsed one last time, then he went limp. The bubbles stopped, and I knew in my soul that Ax was gone.

  “Fuck you, Rage, you motherfucker,” I screamed out my fury.

  Rage turned to me with the biggest smirk on his face, one only reserved for monsters filled with evil in their veins. “Time to go to sleep now, Phantom.”

  I jerked away from him, but it was too late. A rag was tightly wrapped around my mouth before I had a second to react, then I was out like a light.

  When I woke, the Heathens were storming the Defiance clubhouse.

  And Ax was dead.

  Zero slaps my shoulder, letting out a heavy exhale. “You did all you could. Don’t beat yourself up, Phantom. Ax wouldn’t want that.”

  Without answering, I just walk over to my ride.

  Hopefully, the procession will clear my head.

  Hopping on, I start my bike, my brothers following suit as we all head for the gate. It swings open, and I ride first in honor of Ax. My brothers follow me as we take the Houston streets toward the cemetery where he will be buried with honors.

  Normally, the vibration of the engine would soothe me. Not today, though. The emotion of Ax and not having Billie here with me as support is all weighing heavily on me. I thought I could do this. Be with Billie even though she isn’t a part of the club, but it’s days like today when you need those you really care about beside you that show you just how flawed this relationship will be.

  With every rotation of my tires, the closer we get to the cemetery, my stomach churns and twists a little more, anxiety growing and deepening.

  Ax is dead because I couldn’t protect him.

  As I pull down the street for the cemetery, my eyes widen, taking in the sight before me. On either side of the road the street is lined with bikes and cars. Riding through the guard of honor, seeing NOLA Defiance here, all revving their bikes as we make our way through, the show of support from the brother chapter is that little bit of a push I didn’t know I needed right now.

  When I ride closer to the gravesite, the Baroness stands there—unusually wearing a black suit instead of her white, a true show of mourning for her—and Hawke Hernandez from the Bayou Militia stands beside her with a squadron of his men in honor.

  The show of alliance as we arrive at the park is incredible, and we will be forever grateful as a club.

  Fox pulls in just before the gravesite where the military unit is standing in wait at the top of the open grave.

  The roar of the Harleys all slowly dull to silence.

  We, as a club, walk over to Ax’s coffin, where Zero, Texas, Wraith, Kevlar, Chains, and I slide in under the coffin and hoist it up. We all link arms and walk Ax over to the grave while Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” plays in the background.

  Bikers, Militia, Moguls, and the military all surround the gravesite as we lower the coffin into place. The military personnel step up, making sure the American flag is stretched out over the coffin and is perfectly in position, then step back to the side as we walk and take a seat in the front row.

  Everyone congregates, the emotion hitting me with force. Zero is here with Cherry, Wraith with Prinie, Kevlar with Sunshine, and Texas with Ash. If things were different, Billie would be here with me, supporting me.

  But then again, Billie is a part of this whole damn thing.

  A reason as to why this is all happening.

  No wonder my head is so fucked up.

  “Today is a day we celebrate the life of Kian Wells, road name Ax. He was a sailor, a biker, a friend, and a well-respected and loved man of honor.

  “Ax fought hard his entire life. As a search and rescue sailor in the Navy, he would always be on the hunt. As a biker, he found a home at Defiance to calm his racing mind from being out at sea. Ax lost that mateship when he left the Navy, so he sought it out in the MC. He found what he was looking for with the brotherhood he loved so much.

  “Ax will be dearly missed.

  “And now, a word from his brother, Phantom.”

  The clergyman nods, and I stand, walking up to the front. As I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans, I clear my throat. “Ax was one of the quirkiest guys I’ve ever known. I guess he got that from being stuck on a ship for months on end with other guys in close quarters. But all it did was make him into the kind of guy you know had your back. The day he—” I stop, the memory of him drowning in the bucket of water flashes back into my mind. My hands ball into fists as I shake the image away.

  “The day he died, he went out fighting like the goddamn hero he was. He saved me, and I will never forget the fight he put up… I’m sorry I didn’t have the same fight in me to save you, brother.” My lip curls up in anger as my stomach rolls.

  “But I’m gonna prove to you that your sacrifice wasn’t in vain. I’m gonna make you proud, Ax. Every day I’m gonna think of what you gave up for me, what you gave up for this club. You’re one of the bravest sonsofbitches I’ve ever known. I’m gonna miss you, brother.”

  I step down, moving back to my seat. Cherry pats my leg in some sort of comfort gesture that has no effect. The naval officer instructs the six military personnel to step into place.

  “It is now time to rise for honors,” the clergyman instructs, and everyone stands.

  “Present… arms,” someone calls off in the distance, and I turn to see the rifle team prepare to shoot. They fire off one round in synchronization. The loud blast sends a chill through my bones, the echo of the gunfire stirring through the silence of the moment.

  They pull their guns back up, reload, then fire again.

  Each shot is like the bullet goes straight through my damn soul. It’s the reverberation, the echo into the nothingness, the finality of it all that is so haunting.

  Two more shots are fired, then a lone bugler plays “Taps” somberly in the d
istance.

  This is all so damn final.

  Hearing the mournful solo of the bugle while everyone bows their head in memoriam of Ax, it’s like two worlds uniting. The club and the Navy, joining together to farewell the loss of someone so fucking important. The loss I feel deep in my soul tears me to shreds. I grind my teeth together trying to keep my cool.

  Feeling this loss, this guilt, it’s weighing on me hard.

  I failed Ax.

  And this bugler is only confirming that for me right now.

  At the conclusion of the melody, the clergyman steps back into place. “You may now be seated.”

  Upon taking a seat, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. The tension inside my body is rising to another level when the six military personnel each grab a section of the American flag that’s draped over Ax’s coffin and pull it taut. The officer at the top of the coffin salutes Ax, then a moment later, the personnel holding the flag start the process of folding it.

  I blink back the emotion of the moment when the flag and three shell casings from the salute are handed to the officer in charge, and the casket team leaves the gravesite. The officer walks with the folded flag and casings to Zero, handing them to him. With Ax having no family, Zero is the closest there is to one, so the respectful honor goes to him.

  The clergyman concludes the ceremony, and with a relieved exhale, I stand, rolling out my tense shoulders. Walking over to the lowered casket, I throw in a handful of dirt. “It should have been me! I’m so fucking sorry, brother.”

  Texas slaps me on the back. “I’m glad it wasn’t you.”

  Turning, I nod. “You sure about that?”

  Texas furrows his brows. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing.” I turn to walk off.

  Texas pulls me back to face him with a little too much force. “You have something on your damn mind, you fucking say it.”

  “This is a tough day, and the one person I want to be here to support me can’t be. And I know you won’t understand that—”

  “You’re damn right I don’t! Ax wouldn’t be six foot under right now if it weren’t for her!” The venom in his voice is unmistakable. “And you expect me to understand why you would rather turn to her right now than come to me, your best friend for support?”

  “I don’t understand either. My head is fucked up. I’m mad, I’m angry, I’m fucking furious at her, but I just hate being away from her. She calms me down and you? You fire me up!”

  Texas grunts. “Right. So, you’d rather have a traitorous, backstabbing, deceptive whore around you than your brothers. Got it! Nice to know where our friendship lies on the scale of how low you think of me.”

  “Are you fucking kidding with this shit?” I turn to walk away from him, but he grabs my arm, spinning me back to him again.

  I shove him hard on his chest, but he doesn’t budge because he’s so much bigger than me. So, I close my fist and go to throw it at him, but my arm is grabbed from behind me by Chains, who pulls me back while Kevlar grabs Texas. “Cool your fucking heads, assholes. We’re at a funeral for fuck’s sake!”

  I pant heavily through my nose as I jerk free from Chains’ hold and go to walk away. “What the fuck ever!” I yell, but then I turn back glaring at Texas and pointing my finger at him. “You’re family, Texas! If Fin was the one in Billie’s shoes, trying to make amends, I would be there supporting you… no matter what. She’s fucking sorry, man! This shit… it was not her fault. Wanna blame someone? Then blame Rage. He was behind the whole damn thing.”

  Texas huffs, slumping his shoulders. “I’m pissed because she betrayed the club, but the thing that really pushes me over the damn edge is she hurt you.” I widen my eyes, a little shocked by his confession. “You’re my brother, man. I hate she did you that way.”

  Well, fuck! I get it now.

  Texas is trying to look out for me.

  “Aww, you care about me,” I mock.

  “Don’t fucking tell anyone!” Texas snorts.

  “But if I can find a way to try and give Billie another shot, maybe you can too?” I turn it back to serious.

  Texas grunts out, “If she hurts you again, I can’t be held responsible for what I might do. C’mon, let’s go back to the clubhouse and celebrate Ax with our brothers.”

  I peer over my shoulder one last time at Ax’s gravesite, one final goodbye to the brother I should have fought harder to save. In the distance, I spot Billie standing under a tree all by herself. My chest swells as I spot her here to pay her respects to our fallen brother. Even though she is far enough away that I can’t possibly talk to her, there is so much being said between us right now.

  An unspoken thank you from me to her for taking the time, making the effort, and paying her respects. It means more than I think she even knows.

  Suddenly, Neon slaps my shoulder, grabbing my attention. “You coming?” I turn to him, dipping my chin, then quickly turn back to the tree, but Billie is gone.

  Somehow, knowing she was here calms the storm raging inside. As the calm within settles, something clicks, and I accept there’s nothing I could have done to save Ax, so beating myself up about it makes no sense. All I can do now is live my best life, stop attacking those who care about me, and be the best brother I can be to a club I love.

  For Ax.

  PHANTOM

  At the clubhouse, NOLA has come back for the celebration. The Militia and the Baroness both paid their respects at the cemetery, then left to let us have our time with our brothers. The last thing we wanted was to have the Militia at our clubhouse. Though, we appreciate the sentiment of them showing up. It was a mark of respect from our on-the-edge allies.

  With the party in full swing, I sit back watching as everyone drinks in an ode to Ax. He was the life of the party normally, so this party won’t be the same without him.

  Sipping on my beer, Texas walks over and slides in beside me and slaps my leg. “Right, I don’t fucking apologize often, but here it is… sorry I went off on you before. Tensions are high right now. I want what’s best for you, that’s all.”

  “Yeah, I know. Apology accepted.”

  “And what is best for you right now is to not mope about in the corner, blaming yourself. You need to be out here enjoying the fun. NOLA’s here, and Hurricane is in fine form tonight.”

  He’s over at the dartboard with one hand over his eyes blocking his eyesight, and then he tries to throw the dart, narrowly missing Razor, making everyone laugh.

  I nod my head. “Well, then, let’s go join the party.”

  He slaps my back hard, making me jerk forward, then he walks off. “Good man.”

  Making my way over to the dartboard, the NOLA guys are half-wasted.

  Texas wraps his arm around Ash, who’s standing with her arms crossed like she is none too impressed.

  “Oh shit! You weren’t kiddin’ when you said you were taken.” Hurricane widens his eyes at Texas. Hurricane raises his hands in the air. “Fuck! Your woman is feisty as hell. Plus, she’s got the legs of an Amazon. I’d love to have them wrapped around me if y’all know what I’m sayin’?”

  Texas grunts out something intelligible.

  “Jackass!” Ash mumbles under her breath.

  “Take it as a compliment, sweet thang. All I am sayin’ is that you’re mighty fuckin’ fine, and my brother, Texas, here is one hell of a lucky man to get to ride you all night long.”

  “For your information, Hurricane, I wear the pants in our relationship. If anyone is doing the riding, it’s gonna be me! And you need to think about the way you talk to women because it is one hundred percent not attractive,” Ash jabs.

  Texas furrows his brows.

  Hurricane takes a long pull on his beer like he’s trying to think of what to say next.

  Texas turns to Ash. “You do not wear the pants!”

  “Baby, shush… let me win this argument.”

  Hurricane shakes his head. “Damn, girl, you’re makin’ me a
ll hot and bothered. I like ‘em to take control. You sure you don’t want to have a little rough and tumble? Texas can join in if he wants?”

  Texas scoffs. “Over my dead fucking—”

  “I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last person on earth. I might have a thing for bikers, but honey, I still have standards.”

  Everyone laughs as Texas wraps his arm around his Old Lady. “Burn, brother!”

  Hurricane smiles wide like it doesn’t affect him at all. “I still like you, Ash, you’re all right!”

  “Well, you’re an egotistical, misogynistic, alpha asshole, and I need a drink.” Ash goes to walk off, and Hurricane grins wide.

  “You still think I’m alpha, though,” he calls out. She flips him the bird as Texas takes off after her.

  Razor slaps Hurricane across the head. “Your antics are gonna get us blacklisted from this club, Pres.”

  Bayou sits back in his chair, feet up on the pool table, smoking a cigar, and he chuckles. “He don’t care. As long as he gets his dick wet, that’s all the asshole cares about. Pussy and profits, right, Pres?”

  Hurricane kicks Bayou’s feet off the pool table, making him jolt forward. “‘Bout sums me up. I don’t got nothin’ else to live for. So why make the effort to be some guy I’m not?”

  “If you’re anything like the guys here, some woman will settle you down,” I tell him.

  He turns to me. “And why haven’t you?”

  “I have… but it’s complicated.”

  “And that’s why I don’t settle down… complications. Fuckin’ is easy. Relationships are damn near stupid.”

  Razor smirks. “What about Savanah? Would you have given her a try?”

  Hurricane grunts. “I would have given her a hell of a good fuck. Ride her till the gators come home.”

  “You mean Sunshine’s Savanah? The one who now lives in San Antonio with the McHale Mob?” I ask.

  “The one and the very same,” Razor adds.

  “Hurricane is smitten with her,” Bayou quips.

  “The fuck? I am not. She’s a feisty firecracker, that’s all. I like my women a little spicy, and she was a damn Carolina Reaper.”