Shade (Satan’s Warriors MC, NorCal Chapter #5)

Chapter 1

One

Roxanna

I look around the room at my classmates, who are laughing and talking. Their families are here to support them. I see so much love that my heart flutters and aches; it’s broken.

Yes, it’s only the teacher and students, but it’s so damn important to me. I worked hard all year, waiting tables at Grub Corner, to save up and enroll in the paralegal certificate program at UC Davis. I have many plans to secure a job and improve my life.

Roseanna, my twin sister, is not here. But I thought that she would be here for the graduation dinner. I feel so alone. Granny passed away a couple of years ago.

It hurts.

Our parents died in a car crash when a drunk driver lost control, crashing head-on.

They died instantly. Roseanna and I were with Granny, and she took us in.

We started high school here in Sacramento.

Then, Roseanna began acting out, and Granny tried her best to help her. But Roseanna only got worse.

I chew my lower lip, looking around the room. I need to go; there’s no reason for me to stay. I don’t want to explain that I’m alone; it will reopen the wound that never heals.

I smile, walk over to get a water bottle from the table, and take a drink.

I slide the bottle into my purse and walk over to the bathroom.

I push the door with my shoulder and walk over to the sink, staring at my reflection.

I’m tall and thin, with dark hair, yeah, I have some boobs, and hazel eyes. Not much to look at.

I splash water on my face and run my fingers through my shoulder-length hair. It’s a little wavy, and I usually wear it up in a messy bun. I pull out my scrunchie from my purse, gather my hair, and pull it through the scrunchie. I don’t wear much makeup, so I look pale.

Hell, I need to leave before it gets dark.

I walk out of the Dirty Coyotes bar and grille. The food was good, and I’m glad that the school paid for it.

I walk down the street to our little apartment. We live in downtown Sacramento, which offers vibrant nightlife and an abundance of restaurants. I don’t have time to have fun with work and studying, but now that I’m done with school, I can look for a paralegal job.

Something inside me shifts, making me happy and hopeful.

I walk to the small apartment complex, up the stairs to the last apartment. I like the fact that it’s on the second floor and the last apartment on this floor. It makes me feel a little safer, even though the damn door is cardboard and the lock is shit.

I slide the key into the lock. I walk inside and close the door, taking a moment to look around. It’s a small apartment with one bedroom, a bathroom, and a combined kitchen and living room.

That’s it.

I can see that Roseanna has been home but left a mess. I hate that she does that. I chew my lower lip, looking around. What in the world was she looking for?

Money?

Hell.

She’s shit out of luck.

I finished paying my tuition to get my certificate. Is Roseanna ever going to fucking grow up and take responsibility at least for herself?

I hate that I don’t know what she’s into, and her boyfriends are questionable. But at least she honors my request not to bring them into the apartment. But I see them through the window, and they’re scum.

I ask her what she’s doing, but she never tells me. She states it’s not my business. We used to be so close, yeah, twin close. We’re fraternal twins, and we’re totally opposites.

As soon as I can, I’m moving, and I don’t think that I want Roseanna with me.

I need to get ready for work, it’s the evening shift. I should receive some good tips, and I could use the extra money. I walk to our room and look at the mess Roseanna left behind. We have bunk beds, yeah, that’s what fits in here. I grab my robe and a towel to take a shower.

“Is there anything else I could get you,” I ask the older couple eating their meal.

“That’s it,” the older lady says, smiling.

I nod, walking to the back of the bar counter to check the orders.

“Almost done,” Frank says, looking at me.

“Thanks,” I say, nodding.

“Roxanna, I’m going to need to have you close tonight,” Lucy says, looking at me.

I glance at her as I grab the tray to clean up the table.

“Yes, I can stay late and close,” I say, nodding.

“Good, I’m going to get going,” Lucy says, handing me the keys.

I take the keys and slide them into my pocket. I walk over to clean and wipe down the table.

Of course, I’ll take all the extra hours I can get.

I arrange the napkins, salt, and pepper. I push in the chairs, nodding.

I return to pick up the plates Frank has ready. He slides the plates on the countertop. I take them, walking over to the table with the teenage boys.

“Here you go,” I say, smiling.

“Thanks,” the boys say.

They grab the burger and take bites, and shove some fries. I walk away, rolling my eyes.

The loud sound of motorcycles has me stopping to look outside the window. The bikers ride down the street making all of the damn noise. I look at the black vests and at the devil image in the center. They look like trouble, and my gut twists. I take a step back and walk to the kitchen in the back.

Something about those bikers scares me. I can feel it in my gut that they’re trouble. My gut is never wrong.

Oh hell, I hope that they don’t come in.

Thank god that the night is over. I close up and walk down the street to my apartment. I don’t like walking home at night, but it’s only a few blocks.

I take long strides, scanning the area for any potential threats.

Yeah, I’m fucking paranoid!

I was attacked, but thankfully, they took my purse.

I should get a gun.

But how will I learn to use it?

A knife would be better.

Ha, that won’t work. The son of bitches will take the weapons and use them on me.

Geeze, I need to get a car.

Yes, after I get my new job.

I walk down my street to my apartment. I start to feel better now that I’m close to home.

I walk up the stairs to my apartment. I open the door and walk inside, locking it.

I don’t turn on the lights and walk to the bedroom.

I grab my favorite oversized t-shirt and leggings.

I go to take a shower, pulling off my clothes.

I turn on the shower and brush my teeth while it gets hot.

I close my eyes, enjoying the hot water running down my back, erasing the sweat and the aches of working all day.

I lather my skin and wash my hair with the only extravagant luxury that I allow myself, my scented body and hair wash. It smells incredible, fresh, floral, and clean.

I get out, pat dry, and pull on my clothes to sleep.

I walk out of the bathroom, and I go to the bedroom, rubbing the towel on my hair to dry it.

I spread the towel over the chair and climbed up to the top bed.

I like it up here because I feel it’s more private.

I crawl onto the bed and rest my head on the pillow. I roll onto my side, closing my eyes.

I’m falling asleep when the damn loud roar of motorcycles wakes me. I push up, looking around the room.

Those are bikers on the street.

I lean over to look through the curtain from the top. Those are the same bikers that I saw riding down the street at the diner.

It’s one in the morning, and they’re fucking loud.

Then I see Roseanna get off the back of one of the bikers.

She wraps her arms around his neck, and he holds her close.

They kiss, and then she pulls away, smiling.

She turns and walks towards the apartment, and the three bikers ride off.

I fall back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

I can’t believe that she’s messing around with bikers. I don’t know much, but hell, they look dangerous.

Roseanna walks into the apartment. I hear her open the refrigerator and close it. I know that she’s not expecting to find food. I stopped buying it since I work so many hours and I’m hardly home.

Geeze.

I close my eyes and hear her footsteps walking to the room. She enters, takes off her clothes, and pulls on an oversized t-shirt.

“It’s late, and what are you doing with bikers,” I ask in a low tone.

“It’s none of your business,” Roseanna says, walking to the bed.

“Those bikers are dangerous,” I say.

“Don’t worry, I got this,” Roseanna says.