Chapter 2
TWO
THEA
I never expected to see him again, and I’m going to enjoy every minute of proving him wrong.
I narrow my eyes at my brother and try not to lose my temper. He’s been this way since we were kids, and he thinks a charming smile and some compliments are going to get him what he wants. “Why the hell do you need my car?” I ask him as calmly as possible. Namely because the idiot has crashed more than once in the last year due to his love for speed. And I just bought this one, and having to buy another one and deal with insurances and legal bills is not something I want to do. Especially not when I’m still trying to find a job, and I have to be careful of what I’m spending.
“I’m going for a potential interview,” Theo says, never losing his smile. “Don’t you want me to make a good impression?”
“Interview for what exactly? I thought you got a bouncer job at that club downtown.” Ever since my brother and I both discharged from the military, he’s been flitting around from job to job trying to find something that sticks. He’s been out a bit longer than me and has taken to civilian life far easier than I have. But it’s concerning he can’t stay in one place for too long. Maybe I’m wrong that he’s been adjusting so well. I make a mental note to keep a closer eye on him.
We’re fraternal twins, and while he is four minutes older than me, we couldn’t be more opposite. He’s always been a bit of a free spirit, while I’m serious and disciplined. Not to mention, he loves an adrenaline rush, and while I love action as much as the next person, I’m not anywhere close to his level. Which is exactly why it doesn’t surprise me that he joined the Army at eighteen, sure he was going to do wild and crazy things. Instead, he ended up with a bullet in his leg, and has spent the last year doing rehabilitation and physical therapy to get to where he can walk with a barely perceptible limp, and get back to a relatively normal life.
I joined the Army a year after him, unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. I worked my ass off in boot camp, even impressing some of the commanding officers. Then, once I had some experience under my belt, I moved over to Special Forces, where I was a part of teams that did shit I can’t even tell my brother about. Which is probably for the best, because he doesn’t always watch what he says. It got him in trouble a few times while he was deployed, but thankfully, nothing serious happened.
Now, I have to put up with him living with me until he can find a steady job and move into his own place. Not that I don’t enjoy having my brother with me, but the man is a slob, and I’m getting tired of dealing with his shit all the time. A surprising thing considering his military history, but I think it’s an act of rebellion now that he doesn’t have someone constantly checking to make sure he’s kept his shit clean.
Still, that doesn’t mean I’m just going to give him my car.
“Nah, pretty sure they’re into some shady shit, and I don’t want to deal with it,” he tells me with a shake of his head.
I frown at that. “How would you know that?”
He loses some of his smile. “Probably best you don’t know, sis, ok? Let’s just say that some people were let in that I got a bad vibe from, and I heard from some of the girls that shit was going down in the back rooms they didn’t want anyone else knowing about. So I got my last pay yesterday and split.”
My curiosity is piqued, but he’s probably right, so I let it go. “Alright, fine. But what interview is this for?”
“You remember Eric, my buddy you met when you came to visit me on base a few years ago?” I nod. “Well, he got a job at a security company here and said they need a couple more guys for some contract work. The owners also are in the market for some prospects for the motorcycle club they are members of too.”
“Wait, what? You want to do contract security work and also join a motorcycle club?”
“Before you freak out, I already looked into them,” he rushes on when I frown. “And they’re a legit club, not like Sons of Anarchy or whatever. They run legitimate businesses so I’m not getting into shady shit. Besides, I miss doing army stuff, and I miss having guys around I can count on. So it sounds like the perfect thing for me. Hey, maybe they’d be willing to hire you too for contract work. You said you’re bored, and it could be something until you find something permanent.” He gives me a winning smile, as if he’s somehow managed to figure out all our problems.
He has a point. I am bored, and sitting around doing nothing all day is getting old fast. I thought I would need the downtime, but clearly I’m not one to be idle. And Theo does seem really excited about this. “What exactly is involved in this prospecting thing?” I ask, still not sold on that part.
“Basically, you do grunt work until they decide you’re ready to be a patched member. And before you give me that look, it will get me out of your hair. When I’m not working, I’ll be there, which means you get this place to yourself.”
“Look, I’m sure it’s great, but don’t be making any decisions until you see how the interview goes, okay? Maybe they’re assholes and you won’t want to work for them. Besides, you haven’t gotten your bike out of storage in forever, so how are you gonna know if it still runs? And I’ll drive you over there.”
“Or you could let me drive us over there,” he suggests with another winning smile. “And my bike will be fine, you watch. That thing is reliable.”
“Uh-huh. And not a chance,” I say with a smirk. “You want to be cool like me, you can get a car of your own.” I grab my keys and wallet, glancing at myself in the hallway mirror. I’ve never been a classic beauty, but I think I look well enough. I actually got up and did my hair and makeup today so that has to count for something. My blue eyes are framed with tasteful liner and mascara, and my hair is up in a clip, small wisps framing my face. I glance at my simple ACDC T-shirt and faded denim jeans. Yeah, that will have to work. I’m not the one applying for the job anyway, but at least I won’t look like I just rolled out of bed.
By the time we roll up to the security office, Theo is practically bouncing with excitement. You’d never know he’s almost thirty-two with the way he’s acting. Then again, he’s always been this way, so I can’t be surprised. I park out front of the older looking building, but I immediately clock the numerous obvious, and hidden, security cameras. I climb out of the car, glancing around, and taking in the sign above the front door that says Devil’s Security . Interesting name, but I suppose if it’s run by the MC, it makes sense.
“Are you coming in?” Theo asks me.
I shake my head. “No, you go ahead. I’ll wait out here. There’s a couple of shops around that I might check out.” He nods and heads inside, all confident and smiling. And even if I’m not sure about the MC thing, I really hope they’re willing to give him a chance. Not just because I need him to have a job and stay out of my hair, but because I know he’s feeling lost. My brother is good at hiding his emotions, but being his twin, I know things without having to ask. Not that we discuss it. We’re close, but I fully understand he likes to keep some things to himself.
I make sure I have enough money in the meter before I head down the street, glancing around at a few of the shops I’ve never been in before. Though I haven’t lived in the city long, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by that. I always had an apartment or a house provided through the Forces, and considering that most of the time I wasn’t home anyway, that suited me just fine. Which is probably why I feel so lost right now.
I don’t have a job or a reason to go out much, and I’m not the typical girly-girl who loves to shop. Or, at least, not for the typical stuff. I much prefer to shop for boots or workout gear, and sometimes the odd gun. So I suppose today is going to be a bit of exploring while Theo does his interview.
I walk through the shops, taking it all in, until I finally head into a bookstore and smile at the woman behind the counter when she greets me. I head back toward the mystery section and grin when I see the new I. J. Walker book. After the last one, I’ve been itching to get into the next one, which means I have something to do tonight when I get home.
I grab it and head back toward the register. The woman smiles at me when I put it on the counter. “Did you find everything you wanted?” she asks as she rings it up.
“Yes, thank you.” I put her at five-six, and she’s considerably lean, with blonde hair that sports an edgy cut that suits her and ends at her chin.
Her brown eyes are warm and friendly as she says, “I grabbed a copy of this too when it came in yesterday and I’m already done. I think it might be one of their best works yet.”
“I thought that about the last one,” I say as I pay. “But that cliff-hanger was something else.”
She nods her head fast in agreement. “Not going to lie, I about threw the book at the wall, and my boyfriend thought I lost my mind.” She grins. “Then he read it and almost did the same thing, so he understood.”
“And I imagine he already took your copy you just finished last night?” I assume with a smile.
She chuckles. “Yes, but that was after I slapped his hand when he tried to take it from me before I was done. He’s quickly learned that I don’t play when it comes to books.”
“My brother wouldn’t even dare try. He made the mistake of trying to take my things far too much as kids that now he knows I’ll just take his ass down.”
“You guys are close?”
“We are, and happen to be twins,” I reply after a moment’s thought. “We both just got out of the service, and since we don’t have any family around here other than each other, I agreed that he could move in with me until he found a steady job and an apartment of his own.”
She grins. “And he drives you crazy on a daily basis?”
I roll my eyes. “You don’t know the half of it. He’s like an overgrown toddler at times, or he’s in my business about something or other.”
She chuckles. “I have a sister, but she has Down Syndrome and I’m more of a mother to her than a sister, so it’s a bit different for us, but I get that. My best friend and I are like sisters and we lived together for years. She would constantly take my things and do stuff that would drive me crazy until we found our groove. Now it’s Maverick who snoops, or has Ellie take things so he can drive me crazy.” But there’s such love and warmth in her voice, with that final statement I don’t think it’s all that bothersome to her.
“Sounds like they keep you busy.”
“You have no idea. Sorry, I’m talking your ear off. It’s been quiet in here today so I’m clearly starved for conversation,” she says sheepishly and with an apologetic smile.
I wave that off. “No, you’re good. Thanks for the book. I should probably get back to my car before my brother realizes I’ve left it unattended and he tries to take it for a joyride again.”
She laughs. “Yeah, men love to do stuff like that, don’t they? If you’re ever back in and need anything, just ask for Gwen.”
“Thank you.” I head out with my new purchase toward my car. Lucky for me Theo hasn’t hot-wired it and taken it. I glance around but see no sign of him, and no note on my car, so I have to assume he’s still in the security building. And they’re either still interviewing him or given him the job and are showing him the ropes. They’d be stupid not to hire him, despite how biased I am, but Theo is right, this is exactly the kind of place he needs if it turns out to be everything Eric told him.
Time will tell. I’ll have to do some research of my own if he gets the job. I have contacts Theo doesn’t, and I can know everything about this Devil’s Soldiers MC before the ink is dry on the contract.
Before I can move toward my car, the door to the security business opens, and out walks a beaming Theo, followed by Eric, and two men that have me instantly on alert. Both of them are former servicemen, I’d bet money on it, and they’re both wearing MC cuts. I also know the second that they clock me. I lean against my car, waiting for them to reach me, holding their gaze.
Eric hasn’t changed in the time I’ve known him. He’s still got his blond hair cut marine short, that same goofy grin, and warm green eyes. Not to mention compared to the other men around, even Theo, he’s what I would call lean, though he clearly still keeps himself in shape. When he sees me, he yells, “Thea!” and rushes forward. I know what’s coming, and I give him a narrow-eyed glare of warning, which he promptly ignores as he grabs me and hauls me up into him and attempts to swing me around.
I counter his move, and he stumbles slightly, and I use that to knock his ass to the ground in a practiced move. When he lands on his ass on the ground, I smirk. “Eric, you clearly haven’t learned anything since the last time I put you on your ass.”
Eric grins up at me, unoffended and unfazed. “And you’re just as hot as ever, gorgeous,” he flirts unashamedly as he gets to his feet. “Have you been working out? Because, damn.”
“Shut the hell up, you nitwit,” I say without any heat, and my lips twitching. We both know that neither of us is attracted to the other, but Eric decided the first time we met he was going to be the second annoying brother I have in my life. Despite the fact we’re not related and look nothing alike. Well, maybe except the blonde hair. “Next time I’ll just punch you in the face and be done with it.”
“And damage this money maker?” Eric scoffs, pointing at himself. “I don’t think so. The ladies would be very cross with you.”
“I’m sure your blow-up dolls would get over it,” I assure him sarcastically. I glance at Theo, who is still grinning like an idiot, and then to the two other men who are watching the exchange with interest.
The one slightly behind Theo is about six feet with short, dark brown—almost black, actually—hair, with hard dark eyes that take me in, assessing. There’s a scar on his jaw, and a hardness to him that tells me the man is either a former SEAL or former Forces. Like knows like and all that. Compared to Theo and Eric, the man clearly works out, and sports different tattoos on his arms. His cut proclaims him as Shadow, and I have to assume that there’s some kind of meaning behind that.
The other man that stands slightly forward and beside Theo has an amused look on his face. He also gives off an air that he’s former military, and his cut declares him as Viper. An interesting choice of nickname, but again, there’s probably a story behind that too. He flashes me a wide smile surrounded by a goatee when I catch his eye, and I realize the man probably has women rushing at him from left and right. Damn. Is it a requirement to be hot to join their MC?
“I like her,” Viper announces as he steps forward and holds out his hand. “I’m Viper, and if you’re as badass as I think you are, I’m going to be offering you a job.”
“She’s Special Forces, so of course she’s a badass,” Eric interjects proudly. “Well, former now, I guess.”
“What rank?” Shadow asks, drawing my attention once I release Viper’s hand. His gaze is intense as he looks at me.
“Special Forces Communications Sergeant,” I reply instantly, the rank slipping from my lips as smoothly as when I was active. I bite back the bitter taste, ignoring it.
Shadow’s brow arches at that. “Impressive,” he rumbles out. “How long?”
“Six years officially. Though I was being scouted for a year prior to going through training.”
“Damn, I really want you to work for us now,” Viper says with a grin. “Gorgeous, a badass, and clearly smart as shit. Exactly what we need.”
“And I’m not all those things?” Eric mock pouts, making Theo snicker and me to roll my eyes. Shadow and Viper just ignore him, clearly used to his terrible humor.
“You looking for a job?” Shadow asks me. “Well, as long as you don’t mind working with your brother.”
I hesitate. It’s not that I don’t enjoy spending time with my brother, but seeing him all the time, even at home, is a lot. Before I can reply, Theo butts in and says, “I’m going to prospect for their club, Thea, so I’ll be moving into their clubhouse and out of your hair. So if you want to try it out, don’t worry about the two of us being around each other all the time.”
See? The twin thing is real and eerie at times.
“You’re going to prospect?” I repeat carefully.
Theo nods and grins. “Yeah. And I’ve got the job here.” The hope in his eyes eases some of the worry inside me. I love my brother, but we are polar opposites and I’ve always worried about him. But if this is what he wants, then I’m not about to stand in the way.
“If this means you’re not going to be leaving the toilet seat up for me to fall into the toilet in the middle of the night, then that’s fine by me,” I tell him with a pointed look, but then I smile and he rolls his eyes, never losing his grin.
I see Viper wince at that statement. “Man, yeah, women do not like that. Mine wouldn’t talk to me for days after the last time I forgot,” he tells Theo grimly.
It’s Theo’s turn to wince. “Yeah, considering she woke me up by shouting at me, I got that. And then when I helped her out, she kicked my ass so, yeah, I’ve been trying to be better at that, or at least out of the apartment before she notices.”
“You haven’t said if you want a job though,” Viper points out with a winning smile. “So how about it?”
Before I can answer, the rumble of a motorcycle fills the air, followed by two more, and I can’t help but turn my head. I love motorcycles, and few know that I have one sitting in storage. I’ve been tempted to take it out lately, but with no one to really ride with other than Theo, I’ve left it alone, even tempted to sell it a few times.
I watch as three men on their bikes ride down the street, and when they start to slow, I realize they’re all wearing cuts that are the same as Shadow and Viper. Looks like I’m about to meet more of the MC my brother is thinking of joining. The power of the bikes fills the air and it rumbles through my chest as they pull up in the large empty space in front of my car.
The first man climbs off his bike, and his cut declares him as Bullet, President of the Devil’s Soldiers MC. Once he’s standing fully straight, I put him at six-two, and despite the salt and pepper hair and beard, he’s one good-looking man. I don’t see an ounce of fat on him, which means he keeps himself in good shape, has lots of tattoos, and when his gaze moves my way, I see cold blue eyes that take us all in, including myself, though they don’t linger on me too long. He looks like a biker, but there’s also something about him that makes me think, while he can be a mean bastard, he can also be a softie.
The second man’s cut declares him as King, Enforcer for the Devil’s Soldiers MC. If he’s not related to Bullet, I would be shocked. He’s not a spitting image of Bullet, but he has his scowl and near same height, though about an inch shorter, and the same dark hair. His eyes are a caramel brown when he lifts his sunglasses to lay on the top of his head, and I would think that most would think him too pretty to be a biker, but clearly this group makes it a requirement to be a part of them. He takes me in quickly, but doesn’t linger, before his gaze also moves to Shadow and Viper.
However, it’s the final person who gives me pause. He’s the final one to climb off his bike and has his back to me, but there’s something about him that seems familiar to me, though I can’t quite place it. When he climbs off to his full height, he stands an inch taller than Bullet, and from here, I can see that the man is in shape.
I take in his broad shoulders, the thick biceps that are both covered in ink that tapers down the rest of his arms, and even up under the sleeve of his T-shirt. The cut hides his back, but I move my gaze down to his ass, which is encased in dark jeans, and a sliver of heat builds in my gut at the sight of the muscular globes moving. I’m unashamedly an ass-woman, and this man certainly pushes the right buttons for me. He moves smoothly, and the way his head moves as he looks around before he turns, I realize this man must also be former military. Like recognizes like again.
But then he turns around, and it takes everything in me not to let my shock show on my face. Holy fuck. It’s the one man I was sure I would never see again in my life, and the man who set me on the path of my career with just one encounter. The one who infuriated me, motivated me. If I’m honest, he’s also the reason my clit was sore for a good few months after. And damn, the man is still as hot as ever, despite the anger I feel toward him. And it infuriated me how obsessed I was with him.
Sergeant Major Grayson Hudson was a legend in our branch, and he was also one of the most feared. And in the case of the other female officers, the object of our desires. A decade has not changed the man, other than a few more lines on his face, and a hardness about him that has intensified. He’s also grown out his hair, slicking it back and a longer, thicker beard that makes my hands itch to run through. His dark eyes lift, and when they catch mine, I see the instant recognition, followed by the surprise, and finally, something dark I can’t quite figure out when he quickly looks me over and then glances at everyone around me.
“Sergeant Major,” I greet when he moves toward me, my voice clipped with the respect that his title requires. I barely manage to keep myself from saluting him, but my shoulders straighten, stiffening with years of training. Then, before I can tell myself it’s probably not the smartest thing to do, I ask him coldly, “Did you finally take that giant stick out of your ass? I would think that would make riding difficult for you. But then again, you always were a giant ass, so maybe you just don’t feel it up there after so much time.”