Deviance (The Chicago Defiance MC Series Book 3) Read online

  “Surge tells me you have a new house guest. How are you goin’ with that, boyo?” Mom asks.

  I raise my brow to her with a sigh. “Honestly, Mom… you wanna talk about my love life?”

  She exhales, turning to grab my face in her hands, looking me dead in the eyes which takes me by surprise. “I think ya need to get ya head out of ya ass. You look like a sour fuckin’ fish.” She pulls back lightly tapping the side of my face.

  Torque bursts out laughing.

  I huff. “Thanks for the pep talk, Mom.”

  She groans. “Trax. I love ya. You’re my middle child, and God knows you’re the hardest—”

  “This talk isn’t getting any better, Mom—”

  “Shut up! What I’m tryin’ to say is… this woman came back. Sure, she didn’t necessarily come back for you, but fuck it, boyo, if she’s here and she’s willin’… ‘cause God knows not a lot of women would be…” Torque chuckles making me glare at him, “… then stop bein’ a dick. I don’t know what’s holdin’ ya back. But I know something is, right?”

  I let out a long exhale. “Mom, I can’t. She deserves someone better than me.”

  “Bullshite! And ya know it. You’re making excuses ‘cause you’re damn scared.”

  I scoff. “Scared? Scared of what?”

  She sighs. “Bein’ hurt again if she leaves. Trax, I know she hurt ya last time, but for God’s sake, boyo, give yourselves the chance to make amends.”

  Torque grips my shoulder. I look back to him, tension swirling in my stomach as I gulp down a mouthful of beer. I have no idea what the right thing is to do. Do I follow my heart, or do I follow my head? I want Mylee. With every damn thing in me, I want her. But am I just being fucking chicken shit and using the fact that maybe I’m not good enough as an excuse?

  I don’t fucking know.

  Not knowing what to say, I reach out for my beer, picking it up taking another long, deep swallow. The amber nectar hitting the back of my throat and sliding down effortlessly. It soothes my nerves. Makes me feel a little more at ease with this fucking ‘family’ conversation.

  “Look, I don’t wanna harp, so I’m not gonna. I’m certainly not gonna tell ya what to do, but Mylee and you are a good fit. Ya have history. The one thing I can tell from a mile away is ya love each other. Even after two years apart, the love’s still there, boyo. Don’t ya give up on it!”

  I rub my brow as I lean against the bar while Torque does the brotherly pat on my shoulder again. “Okay, look, we’re just saying we’re with you, that’s all. We wanna see you happy. But we also realize you two need to work at this on your own. So Mom and I are fuckin’ gonna keep out of it… aren’t we, Mom?” Torque urges making the corner of my lips turn up as Mom huffs in annoyance.

  “Yeah, I suppose. I just—”

  “Aren’t we, Mom?” Torque affirms.

  I smirk as Mom pouts. “Yes, boyo. I’ll stay out of it as long as ya don’t fuck it up even more.”

  I snort out a laugh. “I’ll try my best.”

  She leans in planting a soft kiss on my cheek. “I only nag ‘cause I care.”

  Torque and I both laugh. “I know, Ma. I know.”

  “Right, we got work needs attending to. You want in, or you wanna sit this one out?” Torque asks.

  I raise my brow in confusion. “Why the hell would I want to sit this one out?”

  Torque raises his hands in surrender. “Just making sure you don’t wanna stay behind… keep an eye on Mylee and because of the shitstorm that was last night.”

  I scoff. “She’s fine, Torque, she doesn’t need a babysitter twenty-four-seven. As for protection from Everett, it’s not likely he’s going to visit anytime soon, and will you stop talking about last night. I’m fucking fine.”

  Torque shrugs. “Okay then… we ride.”

  I can’t help but wonder what Mylee was thinking when she saw us walking out of the clubhouse—to know we were off on some mission, and I never told her where I was going. She’s not my Old Lady, I don’t have to tell her shit. Even though a part of me wants to confide every-fucking-thing to her, that’s not my place, especially when right now I’m not sure we’re even on speaking terms.

  I’m such a damn idiot. I don’t know whether I should have just fucking kissed her, so then at least I would have had the pleasure of tasting her lips again. I could have dwelled on that rather than regretting not kissing her. My head’s a goddamn mess, but right now I need it to be in the game, not on Mylee, as the vibration of my engine rattles between my legs. Normally, going for a ride frees my mind, but not today. I have too much going on, too much to think about. I need to focus because we’re heading into Triad territory, and even though these guys are on our side, you can never tell what shit might come flying at you at these exchanges.

  We know that all too well.

  Scratch rides first into the warehouse, shadowed by Torque, then me. The rest of the guys follow with Vibe in the truck covering our rear. I dodge the potholes filled with water as the roar of the engines echo through the large expanse. I see Harry Linn’s telltale glowing Nissan Skylines parked three in a row waiting for us at the other end. Scratch is the first to pull up making the line. I draw to a stop kicking out my stand as I slide off my bike yanking off my helmet.

  The car doors open, Harry and his goons step out patting down their tailored suits. I instantly smirk at the tiny man who grins widely throwing his arms open looking like it’s his birthday, and he’s the happiest he’s been in ages.

  “Fuckers… it good to see you! Torque, my main man,” Linn calls out rushing over to Torque who’s barely made it off his bike before Linn grabs my blood brother yanking him into a questionable back-slapping exercise.

  Torque audibly groans grabbing Linn and pushing him back. “What have I told you about this shit, Harry?” Torque grunts.

  Linn laughs with a shrug, a contagious gleam plastered all over his chubby face. “You know me… I like to push boundary with you. Little hug here, extra gun there… we be friend a long time you and me. We keep it that way, yes?” Linn chirps.

  While shaking my head, I smirk in understanding. Harry Linn is one twisted motherfucker. He plays on the friendship for extra gain—his. Typical.

  “We’ll always be friends, Harry,” Torque appeases.

  Harry’s smile falls as he stands up straight with a huff, folding his arms over his chest in what looks like anger. He signals to his men who suddenly pull up their weapons aiming them right at us.

  My heart leaps into my throat as I reach for my Glock which is tucked in the back of my pants. Yanking it out at the same time as everyone else, I point it directly at Linn, my finger on the trigger lightly waiting to see what the hell is going on.

  Torque’s eyes frantically swing around the warehouse trying to figure out what sort of game Linn’s playing at. “Linn, what the fuck?”

  Harry stands in front of Torque, the only man in the warehouse without a gun in his hand.

  Tension ripples through the air while his men continue their aim at us. We all set our sights on Linn, but no one’s making the first move. My skin prickles with the turmoil that’s happening in my brain. Linn’s one of our longest allies. If he’s turning on us, something’s very wrong.

  “You tell me something. Why you side with Andretti scum? I not sure I can continue our friendship if you friend with them. After all, they the ones who came in here and shot up all my men… you remember that, Torque. Yes? The day my men die, bullets riddle their body… for you?”

  I swallow hard remembering that day well because we were, by all accounts, fucked. Locked in the warehouse with Linn’s men surrounded by what we thought were Andretti Alpha Romeos shooting up the joint. It looked like we had no fucking way out. But we did, we made it out, all was not as it seemed.

  Torque takes a step closer shaking his head. Linn’s men aim their guns at Torque, but he doesn’t flinch. “Thing is Harry, we’ve since found out those men, in the Romeos, weren’t the And
rettis. They were wearing balaclavas, remember?”

  “Yeees…” he draws out.

  “They were the Yakuza driving Romeos which looked exactly like the fuckin’ Andrettis and set them up to pit us against one another. It was all a big set-up. The Yakuza were screwing with us. But Enzo Andretti helped us rid the Yakuza from Chicago… actually, out of America. They’re gone, Linn. We don’t have to worry about the damn Yakuza anymore.”

  I glance to Sensei who’s smirking as Linn takes in all this information. “Well…” he takes a breath, cracking his neck to the side, “… I can see now this been handled.” He waves his hand through the air in response, and his men lower their guns making me release the breath I was holding.

  Torque waves his hand through the air, and we all stow our weapons as I shake my head slightly in disbelief.

  Fucking hell, talk about tension.

  Linn suddenly bursts out laughing. He reaches out and places his hand on Torque’s shoulder. “Oh, man, I sure had you going, Torque. I never shoot you guys. I think you too pretty to ruin your face, Torque,” Linn jests reaching up and pinching Torque’s cheek.

  Torque pulls away from him dramatically. “Fuckin’ hell, Linn, cut that shit out. Do it again, and I’ll fuckin’ pull the trigger on you myself,” Torque murmurs.

  I laugh as I glance over to Vibe, and with a raise of my chin, I let him know to start the transfer. He moves to the back of the truck.

  “You too uptight, Torque. My gun ready? Yes?” Linn asks.

  I gesture to the back of the truck beginning to walk off. Linn steps off but quickly catches up. “You’re the brother… yes?”

  I clear my throat. “Yeah, the better looking one.”

  Linn bursts out laughing, slapping my back playfully. “Oh, you pretty for sure. But Torque always be favorite.”

  I laugh while I glance back to Torque who’s rolling his eyes as we walk to the back of the truck where there are three crates of AK47s waiting. Linn jumps up into the back of the truck like a stealthy little ninja. He’s fit as fuck! I hoist myself up with a little less flair. He gleams as he looks down onto the crates. “Real thing of beauty.”

  “They’re ready to go. Serial numbers are scrubbed, same as every time.”

  Linn sighs running his hand over the guns like they’re his long-lost fucking children. I have no idea what he does with so many guns, but he keeps us in business, so fuck if we care.

  “Welcome home, babies,” he murmurs under his breath, then he yells out something in high pitched Chinese. Immediately, a couple of his men spring into action and rush into the truck grabbing at the crates.

  Ace jumps up in the back of the truck, his tablet at the ready. “Linn, we need to complete the transaction?”

  “Sure, sure,” Harry taps some shit or other into Ace’s tablet. A bing sounds. Then just like that—Harry has his guns, we have our money. Another successful transfer.

  “Thank you for your business, Mr. Linn,” Ace says all business-like, and Harry winks and jumps down from the truck leaving me inside with Ace.

  Inwardly, tensions rise inside me while I remember him with Mylee, he was the last one I saw with her before we left the clubhouse. The man who made me feel actual jealousy, the one to make me question everything. It’s not his fault, he doesn’t even know, but being in this close proximity with him is making my anger boil to the surface. I don’t want to deal with my demon right now, so I go to walk past him and out of the truck when he steps up to me.

  “Brother, thought maybe we could have a brew later? Talk to you about—” Ace starts.

  Before he finishes, I turn walking off without uttering a word, bumping into his shoulder as I walk away and jump down from the truck hearing Ace mumble some shit. My head is all kinds of fucked up. I’m normally an action first kind of guy, but I don’t want to be that guy right now. If I do that, I’ll end up punching Ace for something he isn’t even doing. So, I’m best to just walk away and say nothing right now. I hate Ace has the power to make Mylee smile, so for now Ace can cop my damn frustration. He’s a big man, he can handle it. Maybe Sensei’s Yoda mind tricks are working already, without even having a session with him, because for the first time, I was able to walk away before laying a blow. Maybe losing my shit the other night and realizing I went overboard was step one to caging my demon.

  The thing is, though, he’s not caged, not yet, so I gotta go.

  Not waiting for the others, I walk over to my ride, kicking back the stand as I jump on. Torque looks to me, but I shake my head letting him know I’m not dealing. He seems to read something’s up because he simply dips his head giving me the all clear to leave. I turn my bike over, swing out my back tire and high-tail it the fuck out of here. I need to get back to the club and away from this bullshit. I don’t even care what my brothers think.

  TRAX

  Walking into the clubhouse feels odd with so many of my brothers behind me on the ride back from our meet with Linn. But as I walk in, the smell of food hits me and my stomach rumbles as I walk up to the bar where Cindi and Hayley are starting to serve ready for our return.

  “Hey! You guys back already? I didn’t hear the usual loud roar of bikes?” Cindi hums placing a bowl of nachos on the bar in front of me. I scoop up a chip placing it in my mouth, the hint of chili burning my tongue mixed with the cheese and salsa. Chomping down on the Mexican feast, I swallow the delicious treat with a groan.

  “Nah, rode in early, but the boys will be back soon.”

  “Good, ‘cause the food’s almost ready. We don’t want all our hard work to go to waste, right Hayley?” Cindi prattles on, but Hayley rolls her eyes.

  Dipping another chip into the hot salsa, I glance to Hayley who looks at me with a bashful gleam. She’s always the quieter club girl—sweet, beautiful to boot, but reserved. Almost a little too timid for this place. But she’ll find her feet, club girls generally do.

  I reach out to grab another chip, but Cindi slaps at my hand with a chuckle. “Save some, you’re gonna eat it all before your brothers arrive,” she chides making me chuckle.

  “Then they should hurry up because I’m damn hungry!”

  She lets out a small giggle as she walks out the back to the kitchen swaying her hips. Hayley sets about pouring me a drink. I grab another tortilla chip, not caring about waiting as the roar of the unmistakable Harleys echoes out the back.

  Now the dinner feast can begin.

  It’s Mexican night.

  It tends to get messy.

  Not sure why, but someone always ends up making a fool of themselves. Generally, a prospect who’s had too many tequila shots. But it’s fun, and we all have a good time.

  Hayley places a beer in front of me, and I wink at her in reply. “Cheers, love.”

  She smiles as I hear delicate laughing coming from the hall. I turn to see Lala and Mylee walking into the clubrooms. My damn chest squeezes instantly.

  Seeing Mylee looking cheerful makes me happy. She’s wearing a pair of denim shorts and a simple white tank top. Fuck if she isn’t the most delectable thing I’ve ever seen. Her blonde hair falls down around her round face perfectly. Her curvy hips swaying as she walks. She’s fucking perfect.

  Mylee looks up, her eyes lock onto mine. She stills for a brief moment, and I feel like I need to say something. Avoiding her is only hurting us both. Wracking my jaw from side to side, strength builds inside of me, and I find the energy within to make a move.

  As I go to stand, Ace runs inside, jogging up to her and gaining her attention. Our eye contact is gone, so I slump on the stool as she beams at Ace. He hands her something then they turn walking off together. I don’t miss his hand on her lower back as he leads her away. My hands ball into fists as I turn my back to them facing the bar feeling my gut churn at the thought of Ace having any-fucking-thing to do with Mylee.

  Hayley casually walks up to me from behind the bar, placing a small whiskey tumbler in front of me with a weak smile. “Looks like you could use this,” s
he murmurs.

  “Thanks, beer won’t cut it right now.” The thought of having Hayley in my bed tonight is fucking tempting, the thought of scratching an itch that’s been aching since Mylee showed up is tearing at my seams. But I can’t find it in me to do that to Mylee. Even though I know we’re nothing, not even friends, I can’t fuck another woman while she’s here. I know how fucking pathetic that makes me, especially if she’s off screwing with Ace. I swear to God I will gut him if they are. My stomach knots, turning and churning just thinking about that shit.

  I grab my whiskey, throw it back unrelenting, the three fingers in one fell swoop. The hit burning and leaving a woody spice flavor behind as the liquid slides down my throat. I need to eat, drink, and not think about my woman, who isn’t my damn woman, with one of my best friends because this shit’s going to mess me up even more than I already am.

  Hayley walks over with another drink in her hand. Right now, I feel like I could kiss her. She tilts her head as she hands me the whiskey tumbler. I take it from her as she slides a bowl of nachos over to me too. “I’ll keep the drinks coming if you promise to eat.”

  “Deal,” I murmur.

  I throw the contents back as my brothers all walk inside like the rowdy bunch of fuckers they are.

  The clubroom erupts in noise as everything around me blurs in motion as I sit at the bar with my bowl of nachos and never-ending tumbler of whiskey. Just how I fucking like it.