Chapter 1 Creature
I rolled to a stop in front of the bar, easing into a space located on the right of the neon sign that lit the entrance to Toxic Tonic before kicking down the stand on my Harley.
The engine rumbled beneath me before I shut it down, sputtering a lifeless choke as I rose off the seat.
My gaze swept over the front doors, noting the decor hadn’t changed despite the years that passed since I last set foot inside, and down to my wrist, checking the time on my watch.
I was nearly twenty minutes early.
Years of active military service had kept my mind sharp and my senses on alert.
I never approached a bar without sweeping it for threats, danger, or any motherfucker deciding he was gonna push his luck and try his liquid courage.
There was always one asshole who got too loud and figured his cock was bigger than everyone else’s.
For some reason, that fucker always found me.
No one lingered outdoors yet, but the night was young.
After nine, that would change. People would hang out outside the bar when the strands of tiny white lights flickered on.
The outdoor seating would draw the crowd to the scenic patio where the Vegas Strip beckoned.
For the best view, we used to ride to Lone Mountain and hike to the top, a short distance from this bar.
From there, the whole damn city glistened below in a sensual, sparkling rainbow.
That was before Maddog and I joined the military and became Marines. Life was a lot fuckin’ simpler back then.
A row of motorcycles, almost entirely Harley Davidson Road Kings and Street Glides, were parked next to my Dyna Wide Glide, a gift from my old man after he got stuck in a wheelchair.
Muscular Dystrophy had stolen his ability to walk and do the one thing he loved: ride.
Now, he got around on two entirely different wheels.
I pushed those thoughts aside as I stashed my helmet, heading inside for a drink.
When I pushed open the doors, the smell hit me first. Stale cigarettes, beer on tap, whiskey, leather, sweat, and drugstore cheap cologne.
If you focused long enough, the unmistakable odor of vomit and raw sex tainted the air behind it.
But that was Las Vegas, the City of Sin and unrelenting appetites that hungered for everything forbidden or toxic.
Loud. Flashy. Dirty in every way possible.
There was a reason I stayed away until now, choosing to forget the past and all the reasons why I left this stain in the fucking desert of Nevada.
Only one man could get me to come back here, and the slick fucker made it seem like a goddamn privilege.
A smirk rode my lips as I thought of Maddog.
The asshole better not keep me waiting long.
I went straight to the bar, plopping my ass down on a vacant stool.
The bartender, a cute little blonde with dark roots that needed a touchup and far too much makeup, ticked her chin as she glided in my direction.
I wasn’t here for pussy, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t take a free blow job if offered one. Hell, I was no fucking saint.
She licked her lips and leaned over the bar, intentionally spilling her breasts over the top of her tank top until I nearly caught her nipple. “What can I get you?”
I half expected her to call me honey or babe. She didn’t. Glad for that, I gave her my drink order. I wasn’t much for endearments. Never met a woman who made me want to call her anything but her name. The cheesy shit? Not me.
As I waited, I turned to the side, taking in the booths that lined the perimeter, a handful of occupied pool tables, and an empty stage where I knew local bands played on Friday and Saturday nights.
Neon signs advertised multiple liquor brands behind the bar, where mirrors reflected the neat rows of bottles.
The ambient lighting made everyone look attractive, especially with the booze flowing.
“Here ya go, bud.”
Bud. I smirked at the bartender. Maybe I misread her flirtation.
“You want anything else?”
“Not yet,” I replied, popping off the top and taking a long pull.
“Let me know.” She winked. “I get off at two.”
Oh, she was flirting. I lifted my beer in affirmation before she tended to another customer. I wouldn’t be around at two, but I didn’t tell her that.
Turning around, I leaned back against the bar, resting an elbow on the surface as I tipped the bottle back and drained the beer. I could use another, but I decided to wait, checking my watch a second time. Two minutes before eight.
Maddog suggested one of our old haunts for this meeting, and it left me feeling too fucking nostalgic tonight. Las Vegas held memories I’d rather forget. Hence, the reason I hadn’t returned except to visit my dad who lived in Henderson.
With a sigh, I scrubbed a hand down my face.
“Hey, here’s another. You look like you need it.”
I nodded my thanks to the bartender and brought the lip of the bottle to my mouth, chugging a few big swallows.
Choosing to push my past behind me where it belonged, I scanned the room.
A group of guys had gotten rowdy around a pool table but weren’t hurting anyone.
Just fuckin’ loud. A couple bickered in a corner.
I caught the swish of a fine ass and long bare legs as a redhead left the bar, pushing through the doors in a rush. Nothing else held my interest.
Glancing at my watch, I noted the time. Again.
Eight fifteen p.m.
I tapped the wooden surface of the bar, drumming my fingertips with impatience.
Public places tended to make me nervous, but it wasn’t the reason I stayed alert, studying the doorway and bar for any sign of Maddog.
He promised to meet me here with the new SAA for the Las Vegas Graven Bastards, Manic, at eight.
It wasn’t like him to be late. When Maddog set up a place and time to meet, he usually arrived first. Numerous years in the military molded him into a man who made every choice and took every step with careful planning and confidence.
Not once in all the years I’d known him had he been late to a meeting.
Something was up.
I finished my beer and wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, letting my gaze glide over the room and its occupants.
We chose this bar because of its proximity to Las Vegas and the open desert surrounding it.
No one would catch us by surprise. It wasn’t just our enemies that posed a threat.
The Graven Bastards had plenty of their own. Fuck.
That could only mean one thing. Maddog’s delay wasn’t intentional. Someone got to him before he reached the bar.
I stood, closed my tab, and headed outdoors, shoving through the entrance. On the way to my bike, I checked my phone: no calls or messages.
Well, fucking fuck.
Agitated, I threw my leg over the seat and settled into the saddle, lighting a smoke.
The music from inside the bar barely penetrated the quiet night.
If it had, I probably never would have heard the tiny whimper coming from the dark side of the building, hidden from the moon’s silvery white beams as night descended.
I rose off the seat, flicking my cigarette to the asphalt and stomping out the cinders with my boot.
Moving fast and quiet, I approached the shaded area, where someone hid in the shadows and pressed against the exterior wall.
Another pain-filled groan reached my ears before I tapped the flashlight option on my phone.
Bright light lit up the wall, exposing a dirty, beaten girl wearing jean shorts and a black tank top.
She had dark red hair. Blood spattered her clothes, arms, and face.
Several rips in her shirt led me to believe she’d been attacked, but she wasn’t panicking.
Wait. A redhead with long legs and a fine ass. Shit. I saw her leave the bar.
“Fuck.”
She blinked at the light and turned her head. “You trying to blind me?”
“Sorry,” I mumbled, lowering my hand.
She looked up, shading her eyes. “What do you want?”
“Where are you hurt?” I asked, wondering if she’d been stabbed. There was too much fucking blood. A bruise was forming on her jaw, and dried blood crusted her nose.
Jesus.
She snorted and turned her head, spitting blood-tinged saliva from her mouth. Her lip was fucking busted. “What the fuck do you think, Sherlock?”
Sherlock? Oh, Holmes. Nice. I could work with sarcasm. It was my favorite language. Some would say I was fucking fluent in it.
“I’m guessing you didn’t hit your own face.” The hand that wasn’t holding my phone curled into a fist. The motherfucker who used her as a punching bag would beg for mercy before I finished with him.
“You look pissed,” she observed.
“I am,” I confessed.
“Why? You don’t know me. Maybe I deserved this.” She tried to stand and groaned, pressing her hand against her ribs.
I glared at her. “Don’t expect me to believe that bullshit.”
She closed her eyes briefly. “Like I said, you don’t know shit about me.”
“I know you’re not Wonder Woman. No need to hide the pain. You should have your injuries looked at.”
Her pert nose twitched as she snorted. “I could take her.”
If she hadn’t been hurt, I might have laughed. “I’m taking you to a hospital,” I announced, squatting in front of her, “but I need to know that whoever did this to you isn’t around first.”
Her head lolled to the side. She was fading. “No.”
“No to what, huh, Firecracker? The hospital or the asshole who hurt you?”
Christ. I just called her something other than her name. To be fair, I didn’t fucking learn it yet.
“Both,” she managed to spit out, wincing as her left eye began to swell. It ballooned more with every minute we remained here.
“I can’t leave you.”
“I can manage,” she whispered. She rose to her knees, swaying before she toppled over, and I caught her.
“Let me rephrase. I’m not leaving you. I’m getting you help. Not gonna take no for an answer.”
She blinked up at me as her eyes fluttered. “Don’t fight them if they come back. They’re dangerous.”
Them? I opened my mouth to reply when her jaw went slack, and she passed out.
Shit!
I held her against my chest and stood, walking toward my bike. This girl was in trouble, and I wasn’t letting whoever fucked her up come back to finish the job. I didn’t care what she did. She didn’t deserve this.
That inner demon inside me, the one that craved violence, bloodlust, and unleashing destruction, tried to claw to the surface. I kept him contained for so fucking long. I couldn’t let him out now. He’d paint the streets crimson.
No. I made that mistake too many times in the past. I’d help this girl and get her to a hospital, and then I’d fucking walk away.
She’s under our protection now.
I ignored the voice in my head. He wouldn’t win.
Laughter filled the void inside.
I’ll be here when you need me.