Worley (Viking Warriors MC #3)

Chapter 1

Worley

(Please read the dedication & Trigger Warning first)

The Viking Den is packed tonight with club members and their families.

A few trusted friends from town are here, too.

It’s almost nine. The members with underage kids will head home when the hour strikes.

The heavier partying will start shortly after.

Maybe all this lovey-dovey mushiness will stop then.

Valentine’s Day. What a joke. The idiot who started this madness should be stabbed, right in the heart. Pun totally intended.

It's not that I don’t believe in love. I see true examples all around me.

My best friend met the love of his life in high school.

Their son, Jack, found his true love a few months ago and officially claimed her.

Tonight, Rodeo claimed his woman. About half of the club members are married or seriously dating.

Love is everywhere. I just don’t believe that kind of love is meant for me.

I have my dad. That’s love. Dad and this brotherhood are the only real love I know.

My luck with women hasn’t been great. I’ve only thought about claiming one.

Let’s just say the experience taught me a valuable lesson.

One I don’t care to ever repeat. I don’t have the time or energy for a woman anyway.

As Vice President of the Viking Warriors MC, I have more than enough to deal with.

Even with all the love in the air, problems still exist. The club has had more than its fair share of problems lately. One possible problem sits at the lower end of the bar.

“Hey, man.” I slide onto the empty stool next to him.

Nobody’s bothered to sit here since Jack’s friend showed up over an hour ago.

With all the loving feelings going around tonight, nobody wants to be around the sad, grumpy guy in the corner.

It’s darker than usual at this end of the bar.

Jack removes the light bulb from the overhanging lantern when this man shows up.

“Hey, Worley.” He rubs the beer bottle against the right side of his forehead and temple.

“You want something for the headache?”

“Won’t help,” he mumbles.

I tap the bar for Parker to bring me a beer. He nods at my sad friend. I shake my head. He’s had enough tonight.

“She break your heart?” I shouldn’t ask. It’s obvious his pain is over a woman, and I’m the last person who needs to give relationship advice.

Without lifting his head, he turns just enough to look me in the eye. “Guess I did. Years ago.”

I hold his gaze for a moment. Understanding passes between us. “Know the feeling.”

He puts his elbow on the bar. Resting his forehead in his palm, he goes back to staring at his beer.

The blue hoodie once again hides his face.

Good thing it does. If these people figure out who he is, he won’t have a moment of peace.

He definitely won’t get to drown in his sorrow anymore.

Maybe being recognized would bring him out of this funk.

Nah. I can’t let that happen to him. Still, my heart kinda hurts for the man.

Jack passed orders around to our brothers to make sure his friend was left alone.

They’ve helped to detour the bunnies and women away from this side of the bar.

Kayla was the only bartender allowed to work this end of the bar tonight until Parker took over.

Kayla was told just to give this man a beer when he tapped the bar. No words were exchanged between them.

Maci and Ember have glanced this way a few times.

Thankfully, they listened when Jack demanded they stay at the other end of the bar near Granddad and Pops, or their first night of bartending would end quickly.

My old man and Jack’s grandfather won’t let anything happen to the girls.

Girls? Maci and Ember are grown women in college.

No matter how old they get, the patched members of this club will overly protect them.

Jay walks in from the backyard and looks my way. I motion with my head to the man sitting next to me. Jay takes a deep breath, lifting his shoulders. This is his friend, too. I slide over and let Jay sit next to his friend.

“Whatcha need, man?” Jay rests his forearms on the bar.

“A new life.” His friend doesn’t look up.

Jay shrugs. “I could loan you a bike. Get you a cut. Have you patched in.” He slams his hand on the bar. “Bam! New life.”

Without looking up, his friend chuckles and shakes his head. “Yeah. Let’s do that.”

That would be funny. It would be a new life, though. However, with all the bad publicity the club has gotten lately, it would destroy his band’s reputation. Sales would drop drastically for them.

The clock over the bar chimes nine. The families with underage children begin to leave. Jay has things handled here. I’ll help Ross see the families safely out the gate.

I finish my beer and slap a hand on Jay’s back. “Sober him up, or don’t let him leave.”

Jay nods. “He can stay with me, or I’ll call Harrison.”

“No.” Grayson’s head snaps up. He tries to jab a finger at Jay. His aim is a little off. “Don’t call my drummer.”

“Come on, Gray. You’re drowning here. Have been for a while. Let me walk you up to my house.” Jay releases a deep breath. He hates giving ultimatums. “Or, I’m calling Harrison.”

Grayson drops his head into his hands and shakes it. “Don’t call him. I don’t want them to see me like this.”

I get the feeling his band members don’t know how much he’s hurting. Maybe Jay should call Harrison. It’s only a matter of time before Grayson hits rock bottom and destroys himself.

“They don’t have to. You stay in my guest room tonight. Mama would love to see you.” Jay grins. “She made meatloaf for dinner.”

Grayson turns and stumbles off the stool. Jay quickly catches him. “I’m only doing it for your Mama and her meatloaf.”

He’s so drunk, I doubt food would stay down. But hey, at least Jay found a way to get him out of here willingly without a scene.

“Fine by me.” Jay takes Grayson’s arm and leads him down the hall to the back door. One problem solved for the night.

By the time I get to the front parking lot, Ross has the gate open. I stand next to him and wave to the kids as they leave. No clue why the little ones get a kick out of the guards waving at them. Most of them are under the age of ten. It probably doesn’t take much to excite them.

Ross groans when a car with two club bunnies pulls in after the last family leaves. “Guess it’ll get wild in there now.”

The married brothers don’t have much tolerance for the bunnies.

Two bunnies were already inside before Rodeo claimed Kayla.

Nana keeps them in line until after the little ones leave.

I’m not married. Not seeing anyone either, and I don’t have much tolerance for the bunnies.

A few of them try to stretch the rules and end up creating havoc. I don’t have time for their nonsense.

“Yeah. Hopefully, it won’t get too wild.” My eyes meet Ross’s. I know it’s going to get wild. It’s Valentine’s Day. More than love will be in the air soon. Neither of us acknowledges it.

“Staying out here keeps me alive.” Ross reaches through the guardhouse door on this side of the fence and closes the gate. He’s not wrong. His ole’ lady would shoot him in the middle of the clubhouse if he so much as looked at a bunny with interest.

“I’m going to walk the outside. Make sure everyone’s home safe.” I clasp arms with Ross before walking away.

The parking lot is void of people except for Hendrix. It’s too cold once the sun goes down to hang around outside for too long. There’s no party in the backyard tonight. Just a few members hanging out around the fire pit. Big Papa is overseeing the backyard.

“Quiet night.” Hendrix is sitting on the tailgate of his truck at the edge of the clubhouse. He sent a couple of prospects to help out at the Roadhouse in his place tonight.

“We still got four to five hours.” I don’t need to remind him. He knows how wild things can get as the clock ticks closer to midnight. It’s like the magical hour for idiots around here. “Make sure Grayson’s truck is locked up. He’s staying at Jay’s tonight.”

“That’s a good idea. He was already half drunk when he got here.” Hendrix hops off the tailgate and walks with me to the side parking lot.

“Once you finish here, head inside for a while. I’m going to check the houses. Nick can monitor the parking lot through the cameras for a bit.” I toss my hand up and keep walking toward the path behind the clubhouse.

Hendrix’s reason for being here tonight is in the kitchen. He doesn’t think anyone knows. I notice things, though. Not sure he’ll get through the kitchen door, but at least he’ll be a little closer.

The music is so loud it practically shakes the walls of the building and vibrates through the air.

A DJ is set up in the front corner of the Den on this side.

There was so much going on within the club and the McLeod family that we forgot to hire a live band for tonight’s party.

Bankz sent us one of his DJ friends. I’d have been fine with music through the speakers if it were up to me.

Maci, the President’s youngest child and my honorary niece, suggested the club build a stage in this corner for the bands when it’s too cold to go out to the backyard.

Maci’s loved by everyone. She’ll probably get her wish.

Movement up ahead near the tree line catches my eye.

This path is private. It’s hidden from view of anyone entering through the front gate.

The path branches off and leads to the McLeod family homes on the other side of the trees and mine.

Most people don’t know this path exists.

I’m not getting a bad feeling. Maybe it’s one of the McLeods. Still, I proceed with caution.

Even from here, it’s obvious the person is a woman.

She’s too dainty to be any of the McLeod men.

Even Mack’s grandson, Logan, is bigger than her.

Hopefully, Logan’s sister, Everly, hasn’t snuck out of the house.

If she did, Rodeo’s little sister, Mary, is with her.

Surprisingly, when I get to the tree line, I find The Haven House Mother.

“Hey, Darin.” Nina pulls her coat tighter over her chest.

“Nina.” I nod, greeting her. “Why are you standing out here in the dark?”

“Um.” She glances around nervously. There’s nothing out here to see. “There are no angels in residence tonight. I thought I’d go to the kitchen and see if they needed some help.”

The story we tell when Nina’s name is mentioned is that she was one of the first angels we rescued from domestic violence.

The truth is, Nina was the first. She has a family tie within the club that most people don’t know about.

Since coming back to Willow Creek two months ago, she’s skittish and hasn’t left club property.

After what she’s been through, her fear is understandable.

“People are in the backyard.” She can hear them on the other side of the wooden fence as well as I can. “If you don’t want to walk through the clubhouse, I can walk you around the building to the back door of the kitchen.” She’s not comfortable around big crowds.

The woman before me is not the same one we carried out of Tennessee.

She’s older now, more mature. She’s changed physically, too.

Her hair is longer now, not the short, cut-off little bob she used to try to keep blonde highlights in.

Her natural brown looks much better. Her soft brown eyes still hold fear, though.

That guts me. Every time I look at her, I want to banish every fear she has.

She deserves to live her life free from danger.

She’s amazing with the angels who come through Willow Creek.

The world needs to see that side of her.

“I don’t want to be any trouble.” Her head and voice drop.

“No trouble at all.” I turn and motion for her to walk with me. “The parking lot is empty. I’m sure Nanny and the girls would love your help.”

She falls in step beside me. “Thank you for this. The house really feels lonely after Mia and Kash left.”

Amelia Holt and her little boy were the last angels to come into our care.

Before she was told she’d be given a new identity, Amelia started using the name Mia.

No one from her past life called her that.

It made things easier for Nick with the ID change.

She’s Mia Ramirez now. She decided to stay in Willow Creek and moved into the apartment complex where Rodeo’s ole’ lady lives two days ago.

We pause outside the kitchen door. “You know, you could always stay with your sister when we don’t have an angel here.”

Nina looks up at me with soft, caring eyes. “I could, but I don’t want to be a burden for Lauren.”

“She nor your nephew would ever think you were a burden,” I assure her. No one in this club would ever think that of her. “She needs you as much as you need her.”

“You’re right.” She gives me a tight smile. “I’ll talk to her tonight.”

“See that you do. She’s inside and will be thrilled to see you.” I reach for the door. “If you need help moving a few things to their house, let me know.”

“Thanks again, Darin.” Her smile is genuine this time.

Nina’s sister rushes to her when she steps inside. It’s good to see their little family together again. The other ladies shout happily when they see her. I wave to Nanny, my best friend’s ole’ lady and our club Queen, before closing the door.

The small amount of happiness I just felt is short-lived. Nick, our computer geek, is standing outside the front door with his tablet in his hands. It’s not a good sign. The look on his face assures me the night just went sideways. Great. Just great.