High Velocity (Sons of Sin MC #9)

Chapter One

“What do you know? You’re just a girl.”

The boy sneered as a few others around him snickered with laughter. Well, not Bradley, whose gaze snapped between her and the bully who never stopped running his big, fat mouth. Todd. More like toad, Charli thought.

She had been back in town for a month and within a week had quickly learned who would be a friend and who wouldn’t. Todd, apparently a new kid to the area, definitely wouldn’t.

It was Saturday, which meant hanging out at the track where her dad raced cars with friends.

Stock cars would race this evening, but right now, motorcycles were occupying the ring.

Charli loved every aspect of the track, from the stalls where the crews prepped their vehicles, to the arena where they put those vehicles to the test. American flags were proudly displayed everywhere, and the aroma of fried food tickled her nostrils and made her belly rumble.

She looked forward to her moments spent here, with her dad and their extended family.

The sights, the sounds, and the smells always delighted her, making her feel right at home.

And you couldn’t find a better caliber of people.

Well, most of them.

She’d walked around the make-shift pits, watching the riders and crew work over their bikes between heats.

When Bradley had spotted her while heading toward his stall, he’d given her a huge smile and waved her over.

He’d barely finished a qualifying round due to his bike sputtering on the final few laps, and Charli offered to check out his settings.

She had known him and his family for as long as she could remember, and they’d become fast friends when she began spending entire summers here. Bradley, who never went by Brad, was only two years older than Charli, who was fourteen.

When she hit that childhood milestone of becoming a teen, she’d begun to see changes happening to her body. And a year later, they were even more noticeable. Charli only hoped another certain someone would also take notice.

Roark. Bradley’s older brother.

She wanted him to notice the change in her height that brought her nearly as tall as him.

Notice the development of curves to her previously uncontoured form.

Notice the way she kept her long hair clean and brushed to a shine.

And the touch of gloss she’d started swiping on to make her lips look kissable.

Charli didn’t know anything about his dating life, and he probably had a handful of girls after him, but it didn’t stop her from dreaming. From being infatuated.

In her eyes, he was mysterious, cool, and so fine in his rugged way. She loved that he was respectful too. He never dismissed her from hanging out with them. Never balked at ideas or suggestions she had. Roark listened as if truly interested. That made him even more appealing.

“Hey, loser, move along. This is for riders only.”

Charli ignored Todd and kept pace with Bradley, who told the kid to shut it.

Bradley pushed his bike into his pit, hitting the kickstand down.

Without waiting for permission, she grabbed a few tools and crouched down to adjust valves on the carburetor.

She then removed the plug wire, opened the sparkplug gap, sprayed out the cap, and snapped it back on.

“Put gas in it and fire it up,” she said to Bradley. As he grabbed the gas can, Roark walked out of the trailer, looking curiously at her then his brother.

“Hey,” he said, when he met her gaze again, his voice deep and rich, melting Charli’s insides.

Her heart raced faster than the RPMs of Bradley’s motor, but she tried to play it cool and not like the love-struck teen she felt like when around him.

“Hey,” she returned.

Roark raised his eyebrow then turned to Bradley when his bike came to life. It already sounded better to Charli’s ears, running steadily without hiccups. When Roark faced her, he grinned. “What’d I miss this time?”

“Sparkplug gap needed widening, and the ATF ratio was too rich.” Air-to-fuel ratio. “Should run better and get him a higher spot next round.”

Roark chuckled, and Charli hoped she wasn’t blushing. If so, she could blame it on the heat. South Central Idaho in the summer was no joke, and this summer was already shaping up to be a hot one.

“Thanks, CC!” Bradley said, ever-present smile in place. “Wanna join our crew for the rest of the summer? It’d be great to have you hang out here. In the pits.”

Charli looked from Bradley to Roark, who raised his brow again. “Guess my skills aren’t up to snuff, and I’m getting replaced?” He handed her a towel that’d been hanging from his back pocket so she could wipe her hands.

She accepted it and said, “I’ll teach you all I know.”

His grin turned into something Charli couldn’t quite name, and the look in his eyes made her quiver in an unexpected but not unpleasant way.

“Only got a few months left, then I leave for Basic Training.”

Charli’s heart plummeted. Of course, she knew he’d made the decision to join the Army, but she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge that he was leaving. And who knew when she’d see him again? But she put on a brave face and responded.

“Better make the most of our time then.”

He remained silent, and Charli tried not to squirm under his intense gaze.

“You’re hired.”

Everyone turned at the raspy sound of Owen Ferris’s voice, Roark and Bradley’s father, who stood next to Charli’s dad, Liam Campbell.

Despite the warm weather, both were dressed in their standard boots, blue jeans, white t-shirts, and leather cuts which proudly displayed the emblem of their Motorcycle Club, Sons of Sin.

The SoS insignia was a winged skull wearing a helmet.

Or, brain bucket, as they’re often referred.

Charli had always been fascinated with the concept of the club when she’d been old enough to understand it.

The way the various people came together as one big family, caring for one another, supporting one another.

Summertime and the occasional school breaks over the past handful of years were the only time she’d gotten to experience the lifestyle.

Charli was just lucky to have the time she did with her dad and the MC.

She hoped to convince her mom to grant more. Much more.

“Hey, Mr. Ferris,” Charli said in greeting. “Hey, Dad.”

“So, want the job?” Owen said. “Help keep these boys running in tip-top shape?”

Charli looked at her dad then back to the Enforcer of the Sons of Sin.

The man responsible for handling security for the Club, along with other duties.

Her dad was their Sergeant at Arms—SAA—ensuring the rules of the Club were followed.

He also managed events and meetings and dealt with any conflicts within the Club.

He and the Enforcer often worked hand-in-hand with tasks, and that was why her dad and Owen were best friends despite their fourteen-year age difference.

She received a nod and a grin from her dad and beamed. “I’d love the job!”

“What job? Washing our grubby clothes and scrubbing toilets?” This came from Todd who’d been forgotten. “Isn’t that all she’s good for?”

Her dad and Owen turned, scowling at the little shithead.

Todd seemed to realize his mistake as his eyes nearly bulged out of his chubby face when he glanced at their leather cuts.

Before he had a chance to say another word or turn tail and run, Owen clasped his shoulder and gave a noticeably not-so-gentle squeeze.

Charli had to cover her mouth to prevent the welling chuckle from escaping.

Owen leaned down to hold Todd’s gaze. “This young lady is one helluva mechanic and has more brains than you’ll ever encounter.

And if I so much as hear another squeak outta you saying a negative thing about her or anyone in my family, you’ll be sorry.

And you’ll never step foot in this arena again.

Is that clear?” When Todd remained mute, probably scared out of his mind, Owen squeezed a bit more until the boy winced. “Is. That. Clear?”

“Yeah, yes, sir. Clear.”

Owen released him and grinned. “Good. Now that we understand each other, get outta here.”

Todd tripped in his haste to scramble away. When he regained his feet, he ran faster than Charli had thought possible. Once out of sight, laughter rang out.

Owen winked at Charli. “I’m usually not one to intimidate a minor, but for that little turd and his uncouth words directed at you, happy to make an exception.”

Charli’s dad laughed harder. “Poor boy probably pissed himself.”

“Serves him right,” Bradley said. “Little prick.”

“All right,” Roark interjected. “Go race and beat the little shit.”

“Gladly!” Bradley grabbed the handlebars and flipped up the kick stand. “Thanks, CC. See you from the winner’s podium.”

“Sure thing, Gunner.”

Bradley smiled broader at the nickname just as Owen yelled, “Maith ádh mór.” Good luck.

“Don’t need luck when I’ve got skill,” Bradley said. “And a great mechanic,” he added, winking at Charli. And then he rode off.

Charli huffed with laughter, but when her gaze caught Roark’s, there was no hint of humor on his face. His dark eyes held hers for a moment before the corners eventually wrinkled with a smile.

“Thanks for tuning up his bike.”

“Um, yeah, no problem. Easy as pie.”

“Hmm,” Roark simply hummed before turning away.

“CC, come have a soda with me and your old man while we watch my boy.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, please, how many times do I gotta tell ya, call me Owen. You make me sound like an old man.”

“You are an old man.” Her dad joked. “Compared to me.”

“Shut it.” Owen joked right back.

Charli laughed as she walked with the two best men in her life. Their time together was precious, and she planned to make the most of it.

The National Anthem played at noon as it always did, and throughout the afternoon, she watched most of the races and cheered when Bradley won his heat.

She then followed her dad down to the pits for the car’s final once-over with his friend and mechanic, Harvey.

After, the Ferris men joined them for hamburgers.

“Car is ready. Feeling good about this one,” Liam said before he turned to Charli. “And my girl suggested a few tweaks to Harvey we think will make the performance even better.”

Charli lit up at her dad’s praise.

Just before go-time, the Chaplain, Mr. Linzel, said a prayer for the drivers and everyone at the track.

Charli helped her dad with his gear then watched him strap into his car.

They exchanged a wave as he taxied out to the lineup, and Charli gave a salute to Harvey before she went to the stands.

With a pair of binoculars and walkie-talkie in hand, Charli climbed to the highest row above the track.

Twenty cars began a slow progression around the loop before eventually gaining momentum. When the green flag dropped, it was full speed ahead. Liam started in the middle of the pack and would bide his time before making his move. Plenty of time when there were a hundred laps to complete.

Charli was so intent on the race that she startled when a body pressed against hers. She turned to meet Roark’s gaze.

“Hey,” he said. “Thought I’d experience the nosebleed section.”

Charli couldn’t help the snort that escaped. The small section of stands only went ten rows high.

Roark nodded down to the handheld radio. “Talking to Harvey?”

“Yeah. Letting him know what I see with the car, how it’s handling and what the other cars are doing around him.”

Roark simply nodded before turning his attention to the track.

Both remained silent, watching the action until cars started to pull into the pits for fuel and adjustments.

Charli radioed to Harv, suggesting a track bar adjustment that would loosen up the car in the turns as well as lower the PSI in the tires for better grip.

“Car’s too stiff, pushing the corners. Needs to be easier.”

Roark chuckled. “If it was easier, everybody would do it, right?”

“Right.” Charli laughed.

“Pretty amazing how much you know at your age.”

Charli tried not to bristle at that comment, which in her mind, pointed out their five-year age difference. Instead, she took it as it was intended. A compliment.

“This is only your second summer in the pits. How’d you pick up things so quickly?”

“Dad’s been teaching me a while, and I guess I just have a knack for it. It’s both fascinating and fun. And it’s important to Dad so it’s important to me. Gives us something in common, something to share.”

Roark stared at Charli, his brown eyes glinting with true interest. “Do you wish you lived here year ‘round?”

“Yeah, I do,” she answered immediately. “I love it here, and I miss my dad when I go back north.”

Roark nodded then turned his attention to the race. Charli watched her dad circle the track, gaining positions with each lap. She felt the smile spread across her face.

“You’ve got a beautiful smile,” Roark said so softly, Charli almost thought she imagined it. But when she turned to face him, his stare was unwavering.

Heat blossomed in her chest and spread throughout her body with a pleasant buzz.

Was he leaning closer?

Charli watched Roark’s gaze drop to her mouth before meeting her eyes again.

The space between them seemed to lessen as they drifted toward each other.

Time stood still as Charli waited for the warm press of his lips to hers.

But seconds later, Roark suddenly pulled back, eyes hard. He turned away, cursing himself.

“Charli, I—”

The horrible sound of screeching tires and crunching metal, followed by screams from the crowd, had Charli’s gaze flying to the racetrack. She frantically searched for her father’s car, looking for the number twenty-one on the roof of his orange vehicle.

“No, no, no,” she whimpered as she gained her feet. She hadn’t realized she’d begun charging down the stands until arms banded around her middle.

“Charli! Wait!”

“Let me go!”

She watched as vehicles piled up, and her dad’s car flipped end over end, landing on its top. Sirens sounded off as the Safety Safari vehicles were already in motion. But she remained immobile, locked in place by Roark.

“Dad!”

Suddenly the car burst into flames, and she fought against Roark’s hold, wanting to get to her father. Already knowing it was too late.