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

  They won’t buy it, and I know it.

  Not after I played the victim all afternoon.

  But it’s the only thing I’ve got.

  Right now, that’s my action plan when I finally grow the balls to go down there.

  Gnawing on my bottom lip—a habit I cannot seem to break—I sit on the edge of my bed when a knock on my door startles me. “Come in?”

  The door opens gently, and Phantom pops his head through. “You didn’t come down for dinner.”

  Slumping my body, I shrug. “Didn’t want to impose on your club’s Christmas together.”

  He opens the door wider, enters the room carrying a plate with him, then closes the door behind him with his foot. “I was giving you some time. Thought you might have needed some space. Didn’t realize you were giving us space, or I would have come and got you. Seems I misread the situation… but I saved you some grub.” He hands me a plate full to the brim with all the Christmas trimmings.

  Smoked ham, mashed potatoes, cornbread, candied yams, there’s even tamales—a real Texas Christmas on a plate. I can’t help the excitement bubbling inside me. Rage never put on a Christmas spread like this. Or should I say he never offered it to me? All I ever got was leftovers or whatever I could find for myself. When Grandma was around, she would cook up something nice, but Rage always ate the best parts of the meal first.

  The golden child.

  More like a golden asshole.

  “Thanks, Phantom. You didn’t need to do this.”

  He places it down on the desk opposite me, then takes a seat in the chair. “I wanted to make sure you ate something. It is Christmas, after all.”

  My eyes shift to his. “Did you have a good night with your brothers?”

  “Would have been nicer if you were there.”

  “Smooth talker, huh?” I let out a small laugh.

  “Just stating facts. You don’t need to be scared here, Billie… and you don’t have to hide in your room.”

  My eyes drop to my lap, my fingers threading together nervously. “I’ll come out tomorrow… I promise. I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed right now.”

  Phantom stands, reaches into his pocket, pulls out a fork, and places it down next to the plate. “Have a good night, Billie. I’ll catch you in the morning.” He turns, heading for the door.

  “Phantom!” I call out, and he spins back to face me. “Thank you… for helping me. For this…” I wave my hands around. “For just being so damn nice.”

  He winks at me, then turns, walking out and closing the door behind him.

  Again, I let out a long exhale, just trying to gather my bearings.

  How the hell am I meant to turn on him?

  Then I peek over at the plate of food.

  If I don’t turn, I’m not going to have a life to go back to once all this is done and dusted.

  Rage will make sure of that.

  Either I die here, or I die at the hand of my brother.

  Standing, I make my way over to the desk, taking in the overfull plate of food. Sitting in the desk chair, I grab the fork and start eating. I need some sustenance if I am going to carry out the stealthiest job I have ever tried in my life.

  Damn Rage! Damn him to hell!

  BILLIE

  It’s late.

  Or early, depending on which way you want to look at it. I’ve been sitting in my room pumping myself up to do this. However, if I don’t go down there now and check that everyone is in bed, I am never going to go through with this.

  Gnawing on my bottom lip, which is becoming sore, I slide my cell into my back pocket, checking it’s on silent, and make my way to the door. It creaks slightly as I quietly pull it open, grimacing with each noise it makes. Pulling it back just enough, I step through, then close it behind me with a gentle click.

  The place is quiet as hell.

  I thought there would be some snoring or some kind of nighttime noises, but there is absolutely nothing but deafening silence, making this even more terrifying.

  So I head for the stairs, which thankfully don’t moan under my weight, and when I near the bottom, I slow, attempting to peer down to check if anyone is still in the main room.

  I can’t see anyone from here.

  The lights are all out, except the Christmas tree in the corner. The twinkling lights glisten in the darkness of the clubhouse. I tiptoe through the room toward the den, where the pin pad illuminates. Glancing around, I check one last time.

  It’s clear.

  I pull out my cell, opening up a bypass app Rage told me to download. He assured me if I program the code into it, once I hold it up to the pin pad, it will register and also disable any security features for thirty minutes because we all know Neon will have something to alert him when his den has been breached.

  Opening the app, I type in the code, holding it over the pin pad, hoping like fuck that Rage is correct. Because if he’s not, the second this door unlocks, it’s going to alert Neon, and I’ll be royally screwed!

  The app activates and beeps once.

  Then the door clicks open.

  Oh, fuck!

  I breathe heavily while opening the door and making my way inside, keeping my fingers crossed the silent alarm hasn’t been triggered, and the app is doing its damn job. The area lights up as soon as I walk in, the screens waking up, green coding running up and down the monitors while my heart races so fucking fast, I can barely breathe. Incredibly gently and silently, I close the door behind me and start moving around the den searching for something, anything I can take back to Rage.

  I have no fucking idea what to do with the computers, so I make a move for the filing cabinet. Quickly, I slide the top drawer open and note folders with names printed on each one.

  Bayou Militia

  Tilman ‘Baron’ Squires

  The Slavers Syndicate

  Triglav Clan

  The Heathens of Hatred MC

  My eyes widen seeing the last folder. With nimble fingers, I grab hold, pulling it out and opening it up to profiles on each brother at the club. I slide out Rage’s profile, spotting my name as his sibling, but luckily, they don’t have a photograph of me. I wonder why not? My hands begin to tremble while simultaneously pulling out my cell, and I start taking pictures of the profiles.

  Thank God Rage gave me a pseudonym. Otherwise, I would have been outed by now. Scrap that, I would be dead!

  Then I spot something I wasn’t expecting.

  The notes detail how Neon hacked into Rage’s cell phone, and they have been tracking him. They managed to do it from a game Rage downloaded a while back. It looks like he checks in on Rage to see what he’s doing. He checks his call and message history, and keeps tabs on whether or not the Heathens are coming after them.

  The only reason they don’t know about me yet is they haven’t checked Rage’s history for a couple of weeks because of Christmas and everything that’s been happening at the club. I guess they don’t consider him much of a threat these days.

  I have to tell Rage.

  I take snapshots, sending them to his cell, then call him, keeping my voice to a whisper.

  Rage answers on the third ring. “It’s about time, I’ve been waiting for yo—”

  “Listen, we have a problem.”

  “I told you if you got caught, you’re on your own.”

  “Rage, they have your cell tapped. I sent you some snapshots. Neon hacked in the back end through some game you downloaded. They’ve been tracking all your calls and texts for months. Even this one right now. When Neon checks up on you, they’re gonna figure me out.”

  A loud crash sounds like he’s just thrown something across the room. “Fucking Neon! That asshole thinks he can get one over on us. Well, I’ll… show… him. Good work, Billie. Get some sleep. I’ll be in touch.”

  “But what about—” It’s too late, he ends the call.

  My fingers shake in utter dread that I’m going to be found out when Neon checks on Rage’s phone, and I have
no idea when that might be. It could be tomorrow, for all I know.

  Rage didn’t assure me he would fix the problem either.

  The asshole didn’t guarantee my safety.

  I have no clue now if I’m secure here or if I have blown my cover.

  Somehow, I have to hope my bastard of a brother will do the right thing by me and fix this before it turns into the shit show I know it’s going to become sooner or later.

  I shove all the files back into the Heathens’ folder and place it back in the filing cabinet. Taking in a deep breath, I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans and make my way for the door. I have no idea if anyone is on the other side or not. Rage’s voice boomed through my cell phone, which is concerning enough, and this is the single biggest gamble I’ve risked since arriving here, but I can’t stay inside this room.

  Slowly, I turn the handle, pulling back the door with quiet ease. I pop my head out, there’s no one around, then I jump out quickly, closing the door behind me as footsteps start down the stairs.

  My eyes widen as I race over to the bar just when Cherry switches on the light. She lets out a small gasp the second she spots me, her hand rushing to her chest. “Jesus, Billie, you scared me.”

  I slump on the stool, a glass of water in hand. “Sorry, couldn’t sleep.”

  “You can turn the lights on, you know?” Cherry states with a small chuckle while walking over to me, grabbing herself a water, too, then sits next to me.

  “I didn’t wanna risk waking anyone, which clearly I did anyway. I’m sorry.”

  Cherry waves her hand through the air. “Pfft… I was already awake. Haven’t been feeling the best, so just letting my body calm down. I was tossing and turning, and I didn’t want to keep Zero awake all night.”

  I sink a little. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling great. Anything I can do to help?”

  “Make me stop eating so many tamales at Christmas dinner might do the trick. I can’t help myself.”

  I let out a small laugh. “Phantom brought me up some, they were really good.”

  “You didn’t join us at dinner. You having trouble settling in?”

  “I didn’t want to intrude on the club’s Christmas. I’m this strange girl who just so happens to be dropping in on your celebrations. It felt all kinds of wrong to me.”

  She reaches out, placing her hand on my shoulder. “Hey, if Phantom has stuck his neck out for you, there’s a reason. He wants you here to protect you so that means we all want you here. You don’t have to think you’re intruding. If we welcome you into the clubhouse, it’s with open arms and warm hearts, okay?”

  God, I feel like such an asshole.

  Here Cherry is welcoming me into her club with open arms and warm fucking hearts, and I just snuck into the club’s tech den and called a rival club warning them.

  I’m less than an asshole.

  After taking a long drink of water, I then place the glass on the bar. “You’re all really nice, and I appreciate it… more than you know.”

  Cherry reaches out, touching my arm. “I know I’m the First Lady of the club… but, Billie, if you need someone to talk to about anything, I am always here. Okay?”

  I wish I could open up to her.

  Tell her everything Rage is making me do.

  Bring it out in the open.

  Maybe she could talk to Zero, and their club could take me in permanently, but that would cause a war, a bigger war than the one Rage is already planning. No, I need to do my time, then leave. Because there is no way in hell I can ever have a life at Defiance, even if the grass is so much greener on this side of the ride.

  “Thanks, Cherry, but I better let you get back to bed. Zero will string me up for keeping his Old Lady away from him for too long.”

  “You leave Zero to me. Trust me, I have more control over him than even he knows about.”

  I love her strength, drive, and resilience.

  But above all, I wish I could be like her.

  “You’re tough, Cherry. I wish I had half your tenacity. You have a great set of lady balls.”

  “I didn’t always. Honestly, before I met Zero, I was married to a cop who used to beat the ever-lovin’ shit out of me day in and out. I found my strength here at Defiance. These people have a way of making you believe in yourself. It will happen to you, too… you’ll see.”

  My eyes fall to the floor, and I let out a sigh. “I don’t feel very strong.”

  Cherry grips my shoulder, making me glance back up at her. “Then let us be your strength until you find it. You’ve been through something, Billie. I’ve been there, I understand what physical violence does to your soul. How it crushes you, how you feel like there is no one who can save you. My ex-husband had me so scared, so utterly terrified, I thought there was no way out. But hell, if I can come through it and become the First Lady of Houston Defiance, you can come through it, too, and become anyone you want to be.”

  As long as Rage has control of my life, that will never happen. Although, there is an interesting comparison between her ex-husband and Rage.

  “You ever thought of going into motivational speaking?” I try to deflect the conversation away from me.

  Cherry laughs. “Hell, no. I love it here too much… but it’s late, or early. Either way, we both need to get some shuteye.”

  “Couldn’t agree more. Thanks for the chat, Cherry… this actually helped.”

  She shocks me by leaning forward and pulling me into a tight embrace. A slow smile crosses my face as I hug her back.

  “Damn girl, you give a good hug! Phantom is gonna love you squeezing him like this.”

  A small snort escapes my lips while pulling back, then we both stand and start walking toward the stairs. She flicks off the light, and we head toward our rooms. She stops at the first door on the left, gives me a short wave, and I keep walking to my room.

  Damn! I was so fucking lucky she didn’t come down sooner and catch me in the act.

  Cherry is so independent, so fucking strong. She is a spitfire. It’s no wonder Zero chose her as his Old Lady. She has balls just as big as Zero’s, and I envy that. I wish I had the strength to stand up to the men in my life like she has and still manage to be one of the sweetest women I have ever known. I’m kind of in awe of her and wish I could be more like her.

  I hate that I just lied right to her face.

  This all feels so fucking awful that my stomach churns. Nausea overwhelms me as I race into my bedroom, making it to the bathroom just in time to expel the Christmas dinner into the bowl. I cough and sputter, letting everything out, all the emotion that’s been building inside me since Rage sent me here.

  Since Phantom took me under his wing.

  Since Defiance turned out to be the good guys and not the enemy.

  Tears flood my eyes as I hold my head in my hands, sliding down onto the cold tiles. This all feels too much. Too wrong.

  Maybe I’m just not cut out for this. No. I know I’m not.

  The Next Morning

  After an extremely restless night’s sleep, I figure I better make some kind of appearance this morning. If I continue to hide out today after staying in my room last night, it’s going to raise suspicion. Even though I am fucking terrified Neon is going to either know I was in his den last night or at the bare minimum, find out I am Rage’s sister and out me to everyone—especially Phantom.

  That’s the part that scares me the most.

  The disappointment that will clearly be etched in his eyes.

  I can’t even fathom that deceit.

  Let alone what they’re going to do to me.

  Defiance hasn’t got their 1% badge status for no reason.

  1% means they will do anything to protect the club, their brothers, and their family. The club’s been nothing but nice, welcoming, accepting, however that badge means they have a darkness to them. They will kill without a second’s hesitation. I am going to end up on that kill list, and I just don’t know if I trust Rage enough to ensure I do
n’t end up in a Defiance ditch. Rage knows they’re capable of this, and it’s why he’s sent me. He doesn’t care if I live or die—to him, I am expendable, nothing more than a money pit. I should have woken up to that fact earlier and refused to do this. But then again, refusal would have given Rage reason to throw me out on my ear, or worse, give me to his brothers to do as they please. I really am in a no-win situation where I have nowhere to turn.

  Taking in a deep, centering breath, I make my way downstairs, where everyone is having their morning breakfast. Cherry sits with Zero, her eyes widening with delight when she spots me. I give her a curt wave, and in return, she waves her breakfast taco in the air. I chuckle, scanning around the room, spotting Phantom sitting at a table with some people I haven’t met yet. I make my way over, and Phantom gives me a warm smile but not making a huge scene as I approach.

  I appreciate that.

  He simply slides out the chair next to him, and I sit like he was saving it for me. “Everyone, this is Billie. Billie, this is Koda, he’s a prospect and also Zero and Prinie’s youngest brother. He’s like fucking royalty around here.”

  “Shut the fuck up with that royalty bullshit. I’m just the same as everyone else, I have to earn my way up,” Koda states.

  A brunette girl sitting next to him wraps her arm around his shoulders, snuggling in close. “Take the crown, babe. You deserve it.”

  “It’s not as simple as that, Thay. I wanna fight for my place here, it’s not how it is done. I don’t wanna have it handed to me.”

  She leans in planting a kiss on his cheek. “I get it. Anyway… we went off on a tangent there for a minute. Hey, I’m Thayleah.” She places her hand out for me to shake, and I reach out as well.

  Koda bobs his head at me. “So, Phantom hasn’t shut up about you since you came in last night.”

  Phantom glares at Koda.