Twitch (WAR BROTHERS MC #6)

Chapter 1 Christmas Heat

ONE

CHRISTMAS HEAT

Milly

Ivy and I have been taken hostage. We’re sitting on the bed in a cabin outside of town at Opal Bay. My heart punches my ribcage as the larger man talks.

“Here’s how this is going to work,” he begins, standing up straighter. “We’re going to the ATM. You’ll withdraw money. If it’s not enough, we’re heading to the bank to get more.”

Ivy clasps and unclasp her hands beside me. “I already told my ex, and your leader knows this too—I don’t have the money. I’m not involved anymore. Come with me to the ATM and see for yourself.”

He steps toward her, and a sharp whack echoes around the cabin. I gasp as Ivy’s head jerks to the side. Tears well in her eyes, but she shows no weakness.

“Well,” he says, his voice dripping with spite, “your ex is lying in a hospital bed as we speak. And guess what: We aren’t leaving this town until we get what we came for. We’re not going back empty-handed.”

“I can’t make the money appear out of thin air,” Ivy blurts out.

I cringe, hoping he doesn’t lash out at her again.

His greedy gaze shifts to me, and my stomach drops low as his lips curl into a disturbing grin. I inch back as he steps toward me. He grabs my arm and yanks me to his side. His grasp is so tight, it’s going to leave a bruise. I struggle against him, trying to break free, but where am I going to go?

“Ah, ah,” he taunts, waving the gun around as if to remind us of who’s in charge. He stares at Ivy. “While you think about how you’re going to get me that money. I think I’ll have some fun with your friend.”

I feel faint. The thought of him touching me makes bile rise to my throat, but I swallow it back down. He drags me toward the closed bathroom door. I scream out, “Wait! I’ll give you money! I have money!”

My eyes pop open, and I sit up in bed as I gasp for air. “It was just a dream,” I whisper to myself. I wipe my hair away from my sweaty forehead.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Are you all right?” a husky voice asks. It’s Twitch.

I clear my throat. “Yes, I’m fine.” Oh, God. Did I scream out loud? “It was a bad dream. I’m okay.” The nightmares have been happening every so often since the ordeal. “Sorry I woke you.”

“Are you sure?” he asks through the door.

“Yes, thank you. You can go back to bed.”

“Okay.”

I hear his footsteps retreat.

A loan-sharking organization kidnapped Ivy and me to extort money from her ex, one of their customers. Demon and Twitch found us in time and ended up killing them. I’ve been staying at the clubhouse ever since. It’s where I feel safe, but I can’t seem to shake the dreams.

I’m disappointed in myself. I thought I was mentally strong. I’m surprised by how much it has affected me. But I should give myself a break. Trauma affects everyone; I’m not invincible.

I flinch. I hope I haven’t woken anyone else up. I don’t want to worry my brother Reaper or his partner Ava. What had happened to me already stressed them out enough. Everyone in the MC cares, and I’ve enjoyed my time here, getting closer to the women and laughing at the men’s antics.

The incident has also brought Twitch and me closer.

He watches me like a hawk, and it’s clear he listens out for me at night because he knows about the flashbacks.

I appreciate his kindness and support more than he knows.

I’ve been independent my whole life. Apart from Reaper being there when he could, I’ve had no one to look out for me.

Twitch’s support feels good . . . a little too good.

I have access to free counseling, and I would recommend it to anyone else, but I can’t confide in a stranger that I was kidnapped and the man I’m falling for murdered the men who did it.

The counselor would be obligated to report it.

Besides, I’m coping the best I can, and I feel better knowing Twitch is there for me.

I lie back and stare at the ceiling. Twitch .

. . That man does crazy things to my insides.

He’s over six feet tall, with thick, wavy hair, piercings, and a sexy, laid-back attitude.

The icing on the cake is that he’s smart—he’s the club’s security and IT guru.

There’s something incredibly sexy about an intelligent man.

But I’m off-limits. When Reaper introduced me to the MC, he made it very clear: I am not allowed to get involved with the members.

I’ve made friends with a few, and Reaper seems okay with that.

I know he’s just trying to protect me—he always has tried to—but I can’t seem to shake my attraction to Twitch.

Flirting with him is fun, but afterward I’m always struck with guilt for crossing the boundary Reaper put in place.

I pull the duvet up, roll onto my side, and close my eyes. Knowing Twitch is checking up on me, I drift back to sleep, comforted by someone who cares.

* * *

My eyes open to the sound of squeals. It’s Christmas Day.

The kids must be awake. My head thumps. Oh, dear.

Sophie’s cocktails are dangerously good.

The buzz felt great last night, but now I’m not so sure.

I sit up and cringe. I need a painkiller.

I get up, pull a pair of jeans and a top from the wardrobe, and get dressed.

When I step into the hallway, I pause at Twitch’s room.

My hand hovers over the doorknob. I want to thank him for last night .

. . but what if Mercedez is in there? Our relationship is strained because she doesn’t like how close Twitch and I are.

Her hatred for me isn’t a secret, but she won’t say anything because I’m Reaper’s sister.

And she doesn’t need to. There’s nothing going on between Twitch and me—just my own fantasies of his kisses and what he looks like under that motorcycle vest.

The sound of footsteps makes me jump away from his door.

Sophie and Viper are walking toward me, holding hands.

Sophie is runway-model beautiful. Her long blond hair swishes as if she just left the salon, and her makeup is always perfect.

Viper is just as striking. They would make gorgeous babies, though they don’t want any.

I shake my head with a smile. “You!” I point at her. “Those cocktails were dangerously good but potent. My head is throbbing this morning.”

She gives me a shit-eating grin. “They were amazing, but yes, I have a headache too.”

Another squeal comes from downstairs, making us both flinch. Jesus, the kids’ high-pitched voices are going to be a struggle this morning, even though I’m excited to see my niece Hope’s happy, chubby cheeks.

“Merry Christmas,” I say to them and give them each a tight hug.

“Merry Christmas,” they reply in unison.

“Let’s go get some pain relief and coffee,” I say, glancing down the stairs. “I think we’re going to need it.”

As we walk down the stairs, I smile at the enormous Christmas tree covered in ornaments, tinsel, lights, and bows that stands in the main living area. Everyone wanted to make it special for the kids this year.

The clubhouse is open plan, with a pool table, dartboard, and bar in the main area and a living space off to the side where we watch TV on a big screen.

The atmosphere is still very much that of a space for men, but with the ol’ ladies here, there’s fresh flowers in the hallway and it’s so much cleaner than it used to be.

It smells fresher too—not like the stale beer I remember from years ago. It’s a home for all of them.

I walk over to Ava, Reaper, Elena, and Axle. “Merry Christmas,” I say cheerfully.

“Merry Christmas,” they reply with big smiles. I give them all brief hugs and look at Hope, who’s sitting on a new rocking horse.

“I love the rocking horse. It’s gorgeous.”

“I’m so glad she likes it,” says Elena. “Axle and I got it for her.”

Christmas is so much more special with the kids around.

Everyone is getting into the Christmas spirit, and I’m here for it.

I kept a huge stuffed unicorn at my house for Ivy’s daughter Sammy so that she wouldn’t see it.

I peer over to see Sammy ripping through the presents, sitting in a sea of wrapping paper.

Ivy is leaning against Demon, his arm around her.

I love that they found each other. They’re complete opposites, but she has softened him.

I see the love he has for her, and I hope I find that one day.

A quick glance reveals that Twitch isn’t here yet.

That damn man consumes my thoughts far too often.

I watch Sophie and Viper head to the kitchen, which reminds me . . . coffee! I follow them, grab a painkiller from the medicine cabinet, get a glass of water from the fridge, and swallow the pill.

“What coffee would you like?” Viper asks me.

“A latte this morning, thanks.”

I peek out the back door. “You guys did such a great job on the kids’ playground equipment.” They were up late putting it together.

“That was all Demon’s idea,” Viper replies.

I smile. “He’s really changed for the better since meeting Ivy and Sammy. It’s good to see him happy.” Ivy, too, of course. She’s become one of my closest friends.

Viper chuckles. “It is good . . . a little weird . . . but good.”

“Having the kids here at Christmas is amazing. It makes it special. I heard children aren’t on the cards for you two?” I ask, curious.

Sophie snorts. “Certainly not.” She smiles at Viper. “I’m happy with just the two of us. I’ve never been a maternal person. Playing the fun aunt is fine, but I’m content with my life and don’t need children for fulfillment.”

I nod, understanding. Everyone’s different.

“Do you want kids?” Sophie asks, raising a brow.

I shrug. “My career is very important to me, and I’ve worked so hard to get where I am. Besides, to have a baby, I’d actually have to have sex with a man.” I can’t even remember the last time I did. It’s depressing.

Sophie bursts out laughing, but my vagina doesn’t find it funny.