Coty (Viking Warriors MC #2)

Chapter 1

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Coty

(Please read the dedication and trigger warnings on the previous pages first.)

Christmas was an amazing time for just about everyone in Willow Creek. My best friend officially claimed his ole’ lady in front of the entire club. Jack’s family, the officers, and his closest friends knew about it weeks before. Seeing my friend settling down is great. It’s weird, too. I’m happy for Jack and Lily. I really am. It's just, at times, I feel like a third wheel, an outsider intruding on their happiness.

Tonight, things are a bit wild around here. The Viking Warriors MC throws a massive New Year’s Eve party at the Den. Jack and I missed this celebration the last two years while we were out roaming around the country. I don’t remember it being this big. From the looks of things, half of Willow Creek showed up tonight. Actually, there are people here from all over Tennessee and a few surrounding states.

Most of the Viking Warriors are here tonight, especially the older members. Our younger guys are split up between here and JB’s Roadhouse in town. Nick is in the process of connecting the newest large-screen TV on the wall next to the doors for Church to one at JB’s. The live feed will even go to the families at home with small children through an app Nick created. We’ll ring in the New Year live with our families, brothers, and friends who couldn’t be here tonight.

“Rodeo.” Jack tosses an arm over my shoulders. His eyes dart around the clubhouse. Something’s up. He leans close and lowers his voice. “We’ve got A.A.”

Seriously? Tonight? Wow. Without a word, I follow my friend toward the hallway leading to his dad’s office. I pause in the doorway and glance toward the bar. We have three bartenders tonight, all men. She’s working at JB’s tonight—more money, better tips. Nick needs to hurry up and get these monitors working. Bankz and Hendrix are at the Roadhouse. They’ll watch over her. I’d just feel better having eyes on her myself.

Jack’s cousin, Jay, walks by and motions for me to follow him. I give the clubhouse common room one last glance before heading down the hall. I hurry around the corner and enter the club President’s office behind Jay. He and I stand on either side of the boor with Jack between us. Worley Bird moves to stand behind the desk next to Mack, our President. He’s also Jack’s dad and Jay's uncle.

A woman with long, dark hair sits on one of the leather chairs on this side of the desk. A little boy about two years old, maybe three at the most, sits on her lap, clinging tightly to a stuffed dinosaur. Sometimes, the women we help have children. It makes things harder when relocating them. Thankfully, Nick, our computer genius, handles all of that. I don’t know how the legal matters work. Nick never shares those details with us.

A light knock comes on the door. I slightly open it, already knowing who it is. Jack’s mom gives me a tight smile. These meetings break her every time. Still, she insists on meeting every angel who comes through our doors.

The McLeod family started Ariel’s Angels almost twelve years ago, two years after losing their daughter. Rescuing women and children from domestic violence is a noble cause. Every member of this club and several of our closest friends have pledged their lives to it.

Evelyn, or as we all call her, Nanny, walks over to Mack’s desk. Her eyes stay on our angel until she’s at her husband’s side. Mack stands and gives her a light kiss before sitting down again.

“Hello, angel.” Evelyn gives our angel the best comforting smile she can manage. Her eyes tear up, watching the scared little boy. The situations with children involved break her even more. Still, she bravely pushes forward. “Do you have a message for us?”

“Um.” Our angel takes a shaky breath. “I’m supposed to ask for Jacob and say Ariel, but I don’t understand it.”

“That’s okay, angel. We understand it.” Mack gently squeezes his wife’s hand. Their eyes meet for a moment. Evelyn nods, and Mack turns back to our angel. “I’m Jacob.” He holds his hand out over the desk. “Do you have a file for us?”

“Oh, yes.” Our angel juggles her son on her lap as she digs through the black backpack. She pulls out a sealed manila envelope and hands it to Mack.

Evelyn leans into Mack’s side as he opens the envelope. They quietly read over the files. Angels come to us with medical records or police reports. Sometimes, they have both. Jack’s mother turns away to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye.

Mack closes the file and folds his hands on top of it. Fighting to hold back his emotions, he lifts his head to face our angel. “Welcome to the Viking Warriors MC, Amelia. You’re safe here.”

“Mia.” Our angel wipes a tear from her eyes, too. “Please. Just Mia.”

Evelyn walks around the desk. She takes one of Mia’s hands and pulls our angel to her feet. Her bruised left eye wasn’t visible from where I’m standing until she stood. The evidence is there even without the reports in the envelope.

Our club Queen smiles as she blinks back tears. Her smile isn’t what you’d call fake. Evelyn McLeod cares deeply about every woman and child who comes through our doors. Her smile is the best she can do to hide her pain in moments like this.

“Well, Mia. I’m Evelyn. You can call me Nanny. Everyone else does.” Her laugh is a little shaky. “You and little Kash are safe here. We’ll get you two settled in for the night and talk more tomorrow.”

“But.” Mia hugs her son tighter. Her eyes widen as she looks around at the men in the room. “We’re in a motorcycle club. We can’t stay here.”

“Oh, don’t worry about them.” Evelyn casually flips her hand toward us. “They’re not as scary as they look.” She pauses. “Well, if they need to be, they can, but they’re your protection. You and Kash won’t be staying in the clubhouse. We have a safe house for you.”

“Boys.” Mack stands and places both palms on the desk. It’s a move he makes when he’s mentally fighting to find strength. These women’s stories break him every time, too. “Escort Miss Holt and her son to The Haven House.”

“What’s The Haven House? I don’t understand any of this.” Mia hugs her son tightly to her chest.

Evelyn sighs and cuts her eyes at her husband before turning back to Mia. “Forgive us. We don’t exactly explain things well at first. The organization helping you is called Ariel’s Angels. We help women like you start over in a new place far away from…” Evelyn pauses and smiles sweetly at Kash. “From what happened. We have a house for you to stay in while we make the plans you need. It’s run by women. You won’t be around the clubhouse.”

Yeah, we need to find a way to better explain our secret organization to our angels. These women have been through a lot. They’re naturally scared and concerned about what’s happening while we relocate them. Being a secret and not exactly a legal organization, we hide as many details as possible from everyone. Some women want to know everything that’s happening. Others are too grateful to be getting away and don’t care.

“Jack here is our son.” She motions to him first. “Rodeo is his best friend, and Jay is our nephew. They’ll walk you to the house. It’s behind the clubhouse and hidden from view. Our daughter and a few amazing ladies are waiting to get you settled in. I’ll be by later to check on you.”

“Okay.” Mia slides the backpack strap over her shoulder with one hand and settles her son on her other hip.

“No, ma’am. You carry Kash.” Evelyn slides the backpack off and hands it to me. “Rodeo has your bag.”

I nod and take the bag. Mia is probably used to doing everything herself.

“The boys are here to help. They will escort you to the house, but they won’t enter unless the house mother says they’re needed,” Mack assures Mia. She nods and relaxes a little.

“Follow me, Miss Holt. You and Kash can get settled in and sleep peacefully tonight.” Jack opens the door and steps into the hallway.

“That would be a miracle,” Mia whispers as she follows him out.

“Miracles are known to happen,” I say softly.

Mia closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She nods quickly a few times but doesn’t speak. I’m not so sure she believes in miracles. Once she’s settled safely, she’ll see.

Jay and I walk behind Mia and her son down the path behind the clubhouse. We glance around even though we know no one is out here. After escorting angels from city to city for years, you naturally watch your surroundings when an angel is present.

Jack silently leads the way. Once we clear the protective fence and step out of the tree line, Jack comes to a halt and stares at the two-story house.

Jay slaps a hand on Jack’s back. “Why don’t you head back and make sure Lily’s okay? Rodeo and I have this.”

Jack runs a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Thanks, man.” He bumps fists with me as he walks by.

My eyes meet Jay's. The Haven House used to be Jack’s house. A club enemy slipped past our defenses a few months ago and opened fire on the house. Jack’s ole’ lady, Lily, was shot. He almost lost her that night. They’re staying in the guest house while a new house is being built for them further back on club property. Seeing this house messes Jack up. He hasn’t set foot inside since he followed Lily out on a stretcher.

“Come on, Miss Holt. I’m sure you’re tired.” Jay leads the rest of the way up the path.

The front door opens as we climb the steps. The house mother steps out onto the porch. She hates being called that, by the way.

“Jay, good to see you.” She gives him a hug.

Jay hugs her tightly before stepping to the side and introducing the ladies. “This is Mia and her son Kash. Mia, this is the house mother, Nina.”

Nina rolls her eyes and growls. Jay hurries down the steps before she can punch him. Smart man.

“Don’t worry, Miss Holt. Nina will take real good care of you and Kash.” I hand Mia’s backpack to Nina.

“Hi, Mia. Welcome to The Haven House.” Nina reaches for Mia’s hand.

Mia’s eyes meet mine, looking for reassurance. I nod.

“You’re safe here.” I turn to Nina. “Call if you need anything.”

“Sure thing, Rodeo.” Nina motions for our angel to enter the house. “I promise. You really are safe here.”

With a deep breath, Mia carries her son inside. The door closes behind Nina, our cue to leave. For now, our angel and her son are safe.

“Come on, man.” Jay tosses an arm over my shoulders as we start down the path back to the clubhouse. “Nick’s bound to have those monitors working by now. You can keep an eye on your woman.”

“She’s not my woman,” I mumble.

“And that, brother, is your fault.” Jay slaps his hand across my chest twice.

Yeah, it is my fault. Kayla isn’t mine. She should have been years ago. There was a time when I thought we could have been more than friends. Somewhere along the way, things went sideways. I’m not sure what happened, though. I don’t understand why she hates me now. Hopefully, I can figure it out soon. For now, I’m finding Nick. If those monitors aren’t working, I’m heading to BJ’s.