Page 1 of Colt

1

Ember

The sun was beginning to set when we finally rolled into Las Vegas, and only a few more miles separated us from the Desert Sinners’ clubhouse. The long drive from Reno was causing my legs and back to start cramping up, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and pass out. Unfortunately, I knew sleep wasn’t in the cards for me tonight. The Las Vegas chapter was like our club back home, so there was sure to be a party raging when we arrived. But this weekend, I knew wasn’t just about fun and games. There was something brewing that was serious enough to require my brother and other officers from his club to make the four-hundred-mile trek.

We traveled down the two-lane highway before turning onto a familiar dirt road. I’d driven down this road several times as a young girl, traveling with my parents to the family-friendly events held on the weekends. Looking around, I noticed the small changes from when I lived here fourteen years ago. The most obvious was the large fence surrounding the entire property and the men standing at the entrance. Each of them was carrying at least one sidearm in plain view with higher caliber weapons on display inside the small guard shack.

My brother, James, didn’t share a lot of details with me when it came to club-related business, but I knew the Sinners were having some problems with another club. The scene in front of me reinforced that whatever was going on posed a credible threat.

James, who was riding on the motorcycle next to the one I was on, stopped to talk to one of the men standing at the gate. I didn’t recognize either of them, but that wasn’t surprising. It had been a long time since I called Las Vegas home or even visited the city or this clubhouse. And due to a small and completely blown-out-of-proportion incident when I was eighteen, my father had deemed it necessary to keep me locked away in a tower like a fairytale princess anytime someone from another club visited us at home. Okay, that may have been a little dramatic. He didn’t lock me away, and I was allowed to attend family events and hang out with the guys at the clubhouse, but anything beyond that, I received instructions to make myself scarce.

The difference between the handshakes and greetings my brother received and the side-eyed glances aimed in my direction showcased how far removed I now was from the world I grew up in. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but soon, the gate opened, squealing and shuddering as the wheels rolled over the gravel. I held on to Torch as he pulled his bike through and found a spot to park in the dirt lot.

I climbed off the back of Torch’s bike, grateful for the opportunity to stretch my limbs. I adjusted my black jeans and white V-neck tee under my gray leather jacket. I removed my helmet and tried to fluff up my hair and check my makeup the best I could in the bike’s tiny side mirror, but the darkening sky and hot September weather made it difficult.

When James moved toward the entrance of the large building in front of us, I started to follow, but a rough hand on my bicep halted my progress.

“Watch yourself in there,” Torch whispered in my ear as he grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together, and began to walk with me.

If anyone else heard him, he would have sounded like a concerned and protective boyfriend, but nothing could be further from the truth. His words were intended to be a warning. One to remind me not to step out of line tonight. Knowing it was in my best interest to do as he said, I nodded my head in agreement and continued my walk to the front door.

If I could have shaken him off, I would have. The only reason I was here was because Torch felt the need to remind me, yet again, that he held all the power in our relationship. And playing the role of dutiful girlfriend was one of the many things Torch required of me.

I glanced over at my brother, who must have witnessed our interaction because he just shook his head and laughed. In moments like these, he saw his friend putting on his best alpha male impersonation. James didn’t have a clue how fearful I was of the man next to me. The man James trusted as his vice president. He was so busy with running the club and trying to live up to our father’s reputation that he was absolutely blind to it. Of course, that was my fault. I refused to bring my brother into the mess I created for myself. He had enough to deal with while taking on the role of president.

As we approached the building, we stopped to greet a few more guys standing around smoking. I could feel both James and Torch tense up when a few lingering, curious stares were aimed in my direction once more.

They probably didn’t realize I was James’ sister. I didn’t look much like my brother, with his chocolate-colored hair and brown eyes. My hair was a deep, natural red, something I shared with my mom and baby sister, along with our green eyes. James, however, looked like the spitting image of our dad, including his height and lean build.

These men may have worn the same patch on their backs, but that didn’t keep my brother from carrying on my father’s protective legacy. I didn’t mind; I knew it came from a good place. Torch’s response, however, reeked of ownership. I hated the fact he felt he had a right to lay claim to me, but that was my current reality. It was better me than the girl I knew he had his eye on.

I kept my expression neutral and my mouth shut as we reached the door of the clubhouse where loud music and voices could be heard.

Stepping inside brought another rush of childhood memories. I’d spent countless afternoons running around this clubhouse and the large yard out back. So many happy moments were tied to this place, and it would always hold a special place in my heart.

But what was happening right now in this space was far different than what I remembered from my youth. This was more like the wild parties I’d become familiar with back home, especially these past several months. Unlike Dad, James expected me to be at the parties to ensure the events went off without a hitch since he didn’t have an old lady yet, and our mom took a step back from club life after our dad’s death. It became my responsibility to ensure everyone had a good meal and a great time.

I looked around, getting the lay of the land. Alcohol was flowing, the earthy scent of marijuana was wafting through the air, and plenty of scantily clad women were on the prowl, looking for their next fuck buddy.

The guys I arrived with were pulled into conversation the minute we walked in, and I was able to break away from Torch with the excuse that I wanted to find something to drink. I walked over to the bar on the far side of the main room and found an empty stool to sit on. I didn’t want to bring attention to myself, so I was happy to find a spot at the very end. Back home, all of the guys save for one, left me alone out of loyalty and respect for my father and brother. But I’d forgotten just how big the mother club was and why Viking had asked my dad to head the Reno chapter fourteen years ago when he decided to expand the club northward. I recognized most of the officers of the Vegas chapter, but the rest were a blur of faces I’d seen here and there but never learned names or roles in the club. Who knew how I would be treated here? I didn’t have a property patch announcing I was off-limits. Torch’s wife wore his patch, and unless they saw me walk in with him, no one would know I was with Torch.

Taking in the scene around me, I watched as James and Torch spoke with Viking and Fitz, the sergeant-at-arms here that I knew very well. They appeared in their element. My brother stood with an air of confidence that he adopted when he took over the club six months ago, and I knew he was using this trip as a way to prove he was the right choice to lead the club now.

Viking was like a second father to us growing up. Even though I hadn’t visited this clubhouse in years, on the occasions Viking came to Reno on club business, it was like no time had passed. When my father passed away, he was one of the biggest advocates of James taking over as president. My brother had big shoes to fill and wanted nothing more than to make Viking proud.

“What can I get ya?” a voice asked, capturing my attention and forcing me to turn away from the crowd and acknowledge the man speaking to me.

“Jameson and Coke,” I answered with a small smile.

The bartender nodded at me and proceeded to pour my drink. He was young but handsome with his blond hair that was just long enough to comb back out of his face. His bright green eyes looked almost too kind for a member of an outlaw club. When he turned around, I noticed the ‘Prospect’ patch on the back of his cut. That explained the absence of the hard edge in his gaze. It would come after time if he had what it took to become a fully patched member.

“Zeke, I’ll have the same,” a gruff voice called out from behind me.

I knew that voice. It was the one that sent thrills down my spine once upon a time. I cursed myself for being too distracted to notice Colt approaching the bar.

Coming here, I knew it was very likely I would run into him. I managed, both at the insistence of my father and my own determination, to keep my distance from Colt over the last seven years. Not ever visiting this clubhouse had been a great solution and avoiding certain Vegas members when they visited Reno hadn’t hurt either. I’d caught a brief glimpse of him at my father’s funeral six months ago but managed to avoid any conversation with him. It didn’t look like I would be so lucky this time.

“Hello, Ember.”