Penance Read online

  Chains pulls out followed by Torque, then I hammer down behind him riding middle of the pack. There’s only one thing better than riding your bike, and that’s group riding. And now we’re heading down the highway away from the motherfucking Yakuza and my goddamned blood father. I feel lighter with every rev of my engine, with every turn of the tire as we pass the meeting point and the rest of our club pull out behind us, Trax leading the way. Our entire club riding the way back to the clubhouse in formation.

  A stronghold.

  A brotherhood.

  A true family.

  This is what family looks like, this is what real men are made of. Not that shit my blood father calls a family. The Yakuza is all about looking important and gaining prosperity.

  That’s not us.

  We’re in this together, for each other.

  This is the family where I thrive.

  This is my home.

  Of course, my love for my actual family is strong too, and they are back at the clubhouse, not knowing I’ve just come face to face with Aiko Ishikawa for another time in the space of a few short days. Mother would have a coronary. But I know Father, the man I class as my real father—Hiro—will understand. We may not be blood, but he’s far more a father than Aiko could ever be.

  The wind whips at my chest, enveloping me. I feel free, I feel open. I love riding, and for the brief moment you’re on your bike, nothing matters.

  Not the war you’re in.

  Not the drama your family faces.

  Not the woman driving you crazy.

  Nothing.

  My mind is finally free as I ride feeling the ease of the freedom coursing through me like a tidal wave. It’s only when we round the corner heading back to the clubhouse that the unease of all the burdening situations begin to creep into my soul. The war, the drama, the crazy—it’s all sinking back in, and my muscles tense as we all soar through the open gate and into the compound. Thunderous blasting engines echo around the building as they all roar to a halt and turn off one by one. I take my place, my motor regrettably silencing, the V-twin engine rumbling to eventual tranquility.

  Yanking off my helmet, I tilt my ride to the side and kick out the stand as I slide off her and place my helmet on the seat.

  Torque steps up to me with a lowered voice. “You good?”

  I simply nod as he rests his hand on my shoulder in a sign of support and then squeezes, but says nothing more as he starts walking toward the clubrooms with Trax and me in tow.

  “You know he’s gonna want more guns, right? You know you pretty much agreed to that fucking shit?” Trax calls out.

  Torque rolls his shoulders but keeps walking silently as everyone follows behind. I can feel the anger emanating from him, but somehow in true Torque style, he holds it back.

  “We’ll find a fuckin’ way to get them the hell out of Dodge before any of that shit happens, Trax. For now, I need them to think I’m playing along but still ballsy enough to get them to stand down on the acquisition of our shit.”

  Trax snorts. “Yeah, and Foxy’s store,” he mumbles.

  Torque halts, turning around quickly and steps right up to Trax. Torque’s eyes take on a dark, sinister reflection, and his tense muscles and tight fists don’t go unmistaken. Torque’s furious. “Don’t question my fuckin’ decisions. I’m not justifying to you, or any of you, what businesses I discussed with the fuckin’ Yakuza. If it was Mylee’s store on the chopping block, you’d have been in defense mode. So shut the fuck up, right fuckin’ now, brother.”

  Trax lunges forward grabbing Torque by his cut, his eyes hard as he glares in his face. I reach out in an attempt to pry the two brothers apart, but they’re both as fucking strong as each other.

  “Don’t you say her fucking name, brother,” Trax grunts out almost spitting the words at Torque as I continue to try and pull them apart.

  Trax gives Torque a shove, but he doesn’t move, so Trax lets go and walks away with a heavy grunt. Torque straightens out his cut and looks at me.

  “You all right?” I ask.

  “Yeah, Trax isn’t, though. Only reason I didn’t react and punch his fuckin’ lights out is because of the pain in his eyes. Any other time I would’ve decked the cunt for touching my cut like that.” Torque huffs and turns toward the door.

  Tension is rife, and as I take a deep breath, we head inside. I notice Trax’s already at the bar drinking.

  Torque rubs the back of his neck looking a little less held together.

  “Maybe we need to have Ace look into what happened with Mylee. Maybe then we’ll understand what’s happening with your brother now?” I suggest, and Torque nods.

  “See, you’re not just a pretty face, Sensei,” Torque quips with a cocky smirk as he pats me on the back.

  What is it with people calling me pretty?

  “Leave it with me. We’ll fix Trax up… one way or another,” Torque says over his shoulder as he heads off.

  Nodding, I glance up to see Mei and Keiko sitting with Ruby, books spread out and an array of junk food littering the table. I smile as I walk up to them and slide in next to Ruby.

  “So, you see, girls, I know English can be boring, but you need to stick it out ‘cause when you find the love of a good book, I swear it can change your life,” Ruby announces proudly as she scrolls through her Kindle pointing out some books to Keiko who’s nodding while taking it all in.

  “Did you really go all the way through high school?” Mei asks.

  Ruby snorts. “Don’t sound so surprised. I did great in school mainly thanks to the club. I came here at the end of my final year, and they’ve helped me so much. They can be supportive if you let them, and there’s some mega-smart guys here, too. Like Ace, like your brother… these guys are extremely talented.”

  I chuckle as they look up to me and smile. “Raiden’s always been smart, haven’t you, big brother?” Mei asks pushing her glasses up her nose.

  I chuckle. “I applied myself in my studies and worked hard, just like you girls need to. Especially you, Keiko.”

  Keiko groans and nods. “I know, final year, college acceptances… blah, blah… I’m trying, Rai.”

  Slumping slightly, I reach out grabbing her hand and give it a squeeze. “I know you are, and Father puts a lot of pressure on you. But it’s only because he wants the best for you. You know that, right?”

  She nods with a genuine smile. “I do. I think I want to go into medicine. Maybe?”

  I chuckle. “Well, I have a couple of people who can help you with that, Keiko.”

  Her eyes brighten as she sits up taller. “Really?”

  Ruby laughs. “We’ll have so many club doctors, we won’t know who to call in an emergency.”

  I smile. “Really, Keiko, you apply yourself, get the right scores, we can help you get where you need to be.”

  She smiles finally looking happier in herself. I’m glad I’ve been able to help her.

  “And what about you, Mei? Do you know what you want to be?” Ruby asks, and Mei shrugs.

  “I don’t know… maybe an actress? Or play tennis? Or maybe I’ll be a K-pop singing sensation.”

  Keiko and I burst out laughing.

  “Mei, you’re tone deaf,” Keiko almost yells at her in hysterics.

  “True, better work on my forearm then.”

  We all chuckle some more. “I think you mean forehand if you’re talking tennis, Mei,” I correct and she sighs exasperatedly.

  “Holy cowbells. Okay, I’m forced into the lights of Hollywood then. Guess I can take one for the team. I have the face for it anyway.” She pushes her glasses up her nose again as she giggles, her head bopping from side to side, her pigtails swinging with the movement.

  I groan as Ruby pats me on the leg with a genuine smile.

  Keiko laughs and closes her textbook. “Aaannnyway, Mom said you were all out on a mission today. Did you kill the bad guys?”

  I smirk as Mei’s eyes expand widely behind her black-rimmed glasses. />
  “No, I did not kill anyone today—”

  “Oh, so you have killed someone. I knew it!” Keiko blurts out with a giant smile as she points at me like she’s figured out a big secret.

  Mei sits back keeping quiet for once.

  “Girls, club business is not your business… you both know this.”

  Mei curls up her lip placing her arms on the table and rests her chin on her hands in annoyance. “Boo, you’re no fun. We want all the gory details.”

  Smirking, I glance at Ruby who’s sitting back watching me with my sisters. “You want the gory details… fine. I went to see a woman today. She’s feisty and fiery, and… she got me all kinds of worked up when she kissed me. I—”

  “Oh God, no, stop! Shut up,” they both say in unison like I knew they would as they both stand up quickly and start packing up their books in a mad rush.

  Ruby bursts out laughing as they gather their things. “Oh, I want to hear more. Keep going, Sensei,” Ruby teases.

  “Well, I had her pressed against the fence—”

  “Stop, for crying out loud,” Keiko yells making everyone look at us. Mei covers her ears and starts to sing very out of key and extremely loudly. They both rush about grabbing their stuff and run off leaving me sitting here with Ruby who’s still laughing to herself.

  I sink into the seat. “Little sisters… one way to freak them out is to talk about your love life.”

  Ruby squeezes my knee and chuckles. “God love them. Glad you had a good day, though, Sensei. I’m happy you took my advice and are starting to loosen up a little.”

  I take a deep breath and tilt my head. “We will see. Ayla, while she is definitely someone I want to get to know… she could be trouble with a capital ‘T.’”

  Ruby laughs. “She’s a woman, and she has you in a spin. I can assure you she has capital ‘T’ written all over her.”

  I groan. “Exactly what I’m worried about.”

  “Sensei, tell me if I’m out of line, but besides Torque, you’re one of the most uptight guys I know. You could do with a little… tension relief, and if this Ayla girl can give it to you, then just go with it. Don’t freak out about it.”

  “Don’t freak out about it?”

  She nods. “Don’t. Freak. Out. About. It!” she offers succinctly patting my shoulder and stands walking off leaving me on my own to think.

  About Ayla.

  About Aiko.

  About answers that simply are not coming.

  AYLA

  The Next Day

  After figuring out what was salvageable on Scratch’s ride, I pulled the parts and priced them up. I ran it over with Dad, and he gave me the all clear, and I sent our purchase price over to Sensei, who seemed happy with the deal. So today I’m running past the clubhouse after work to drop off the cash, but first I have to go home to shower and change so I’ll look semi-presentable.

  Most women would be anxious going into a biker den, but it doesn’t faze me. Instead, it fascinates me if anything. And seeing Sensei again is only adding to my excitement.

  As my truck pulls up to the gate, it slides open with a rickety creak, and I smile waving my hand out the window to the man sitting at the gate. I feel for him. His job must be the most boring of all, but equally the most important—keep the brothers in but everyone else the fuck out.

  My truck comes to a grinding halt as I thump on the clutch and step on the parking brake. Glancing around, the compound appears much the same as the last time I was here. Reaching over to the passenger seat, I grab the thick envelope and crack open my door, jumping down from my truck and slamming the door shut behind me.

  Heading toward the clubhouse, I look up, and the sky is setting in hues of pinks and aqua, the amber sun still shining through cotton-candy clouds in the summer sky. I smile at how serene the day seems as a gentle breeze wafts through the air making the few leaves on the asphalt rustle and dance along effortlessly. For a place of chaos and carnage, it sure seems quite nice right now.

  Smiling as I walk up to the giant building, a couple of dirty-looking bikers are standing by the main door smoking, and they look me up and down as I approach. A wolf whistle leaves one of their mouths, and the other chuckles as I step forward and roll my eyes, but I don’t bother even interacting with them. I’m looking for Scratch or Sensei, whoever I find first.

  “A woman who knows how to handle a long, stiff tool. Fuck! I know I’m impressed,” one of the older-looking guys calls out as the other two with him chuckle.

  I turn to him raising my brow. “I certainly know how to handle a tool like you.”

  His eyes harden. I can’t help but notice a long scar running down the center of his right eye and down his cheek. It’s almost intimidating. His long, oily blond hair with flecks of gray could do with a wash as he moves to step forward.

  Suddenly, Scratch appears in the doorway, and he reaches out grabbing my arm. “Spanner! You’re here. Great! Come with me.” He yanks on my arm and pulls me inside away from the bikers outside before they can say anything more.

  I chuckle and move quickly with Scratch, my feet not moving fast enough for the speed he’s dragging me, and I fumble slightly.

  He laughs picking up the pace. “Don’t get caught up in conversations with Renegade, they don’t call him that for no reason. He’s… well, he’s not like the rest of us ‘nicer’ bikers…” he uses air quotes, “… and I use that term loosely.”

  Raising my brow, I nod as he comes to a screeching halt by the pool table and plonks down onto a beanbag. “Have a seat, Sensei will be here soon. He knows you’re here, he’s just finishing with his family. Then I’m sure he’ll be down quick smart.”

  I jolt back in shock. “His family’s here?”

  Scratch nods. “Yeah, the whole lot, Mom, Dad, and two bratty sisters, who I’m sure you’ll get along with.”

  “You calling me a brat?” I ask with a smirk.

  He chuckles. “If the shoe fits.” He bumps my calf muscle with his booted foot as I finally pull up a seat next to his beanbag.

  Just to prove him right, I blow out a large bubble, the pop resounds through the clubhouse making a couple of bikers turn to look.

  Scratch bursts out laughing. “See, you are a brat.”

  “I wear the badge with pride. Thank you!” I nod my head.

  He chuckles as he reclines back, the sound of the little pebbles of foam in the beanbag squashing against the heaviness of his body. I grin as I turn to see Sensei stalking toward me with a small smile adorning his face. He looks so fucking good with his broad chest beneath that leather cut, and his grungy bad-boy looks. He’s fucking sex on a stick with a graceful attitude that doesn’t match how he looks.

  “It’s a pleasure to see you, Ayla.” His voice is thick and deep like honey as he steps up and takes a seat right next to me.

  “Ayla, who the fuck is Ayla?” Scratch calls out, but I can’t break my stare from Sensei as his chocolate eyes bore into mine, and I chew on my bottom lip.

  “It’s my name, Scratch,” I murmur as Sensei’s eyes narrow in on me like he’s mentally undressing me slowly. It’s sexy as hell, and my clit instantly aches wanting him to throw me down on the fucking pool table and have his way with me here and now. I don’t even care if everyone watches.

  “Oh… right, cool,” Scratch mutters to himself as my breathing becomes shallow, and Sensei’s smirk becomes wider like he knows exactly what I’m thinking, probably because he’s thinking it too.

  “Are you two going to keep staring at each other like fucking freaks, or are we gonna get down to business?” Scratch grunts.

  I chuckle finally breaking my eye lock from Sensei and turn to Scratch chucking the envelope at his chest. “Cash is all there for the parts I could salvage. What do you want me to do with the shell?” I ask, and he pouts like an errant child.

  “Bring her back, and we’ll put her in the graveyard. Even though I know she won’t look like my baby anymore, at least I can still go and
talk to her sometimes.”

  I burst out laughing. “I don’t really know what you just said, but sure... I’ll get Heath to put her in the truck, and we’ll bring her back to you.”

  He nods. “Thanks, Spanner… appreciate it.”

  Sensei stands up from his seat bringing my attention back to him as he reaches out grabbing my arm. My skin ignites at his touch as his fingers lace around my wrist, and he looks into my eyes. “Come with me.” His voice is low, deep, seductive, and I really want to make a Terminator joke, say something like ‘If you want to live,’ but I don’t because my voice is stuck in my throat from the lustful look in his eyes. It’s making my chest heavy with tension as he pulls me, and I move easily.

  “You leaving already?” Scratch calls out sounding like a needy teenager. I almost laugh, but I can’t find it in me as Sensei pulls me with him through the room, his hand tight on my wrist as he says nothing more but leads me toward a hall. I have no idea where we’re going, only that I hope like fuck when we get there, we’re alone.

  The tension builds inside of me as we pass some of his brothers. They say nothing, just smirk at us as they watch him lead me down the hall which seems to have doors placed every few feet or so. It’s only when he stops at a door and opens it, I realize what this hall is—the sleeping quarters.

  Opening my eyes wide, I don’t have time to think before he yanks me through the door, then slams it shut behind him with his foot and thrusts me up against it. His body pressed against mine as his hands push against my cheeks, holding me in position as his lips crash against mine so forcefully my head smacks against the door. Not painfully, just enough to shock me.

  I’m stunned for a moment but soon forget as he’s kissing me again, and it feels so fucking good. His tongue enters my mouth, one of his hands on my face moves into the back of my hair, his fingers lacing through my ponytail. He yanks on it making me gasp into his mouth as his other hand moves to my hip pulling me to him so I can feel every part of him, even the bulge in his pants.