Jinx (Steelwood MC #5)

Chapter 1

Jinx

As of late, the air in the Steelwood clubhouse has felt heavy. As if gravity is heavier here than anywhere else, every shift seems to drain my energy completely.

Leaning back, it takes all the strength in me not to fill the air with one long, stretched-out groan.

I’m so fucking bored. Sure, there’s this whole other club drama happening in the background, but it’s not making things exciting. Instead, it’s just stressing everyone the fuck out. Where is the fun in that? No one is acting like themselves. I can’t be the only one who’s noticed.

Ever since all this drama came with the arrival of Ghost’s new girl, nothing has been the same.

Sure, there are still parties, but there’s always a bundle of people who can’t enjoy themselves. Someone has to watch and protect the place because there’s nothing worse than a bunch of drunk idiots trying to aim a gun. Then, when the fun ends, once the sun is up, everyone acts like this.

Like they’re expecting the worst to happen at every waiting moment. All because this is the first time the clubs felt this threatened.

I’m already tired of playing the waiting game. So boring. Hell, the jukebox has dust collecting on it because no one has fiddled with any of the tracks. Maybe if someone turned on a playlist, everyone could loosen the fuck up.

As Smoke brings up the weather, I realize just how deep we are. Christ. At this rate, I’ll save Crimson Road the trouble and blow my own brains out.

My prayers for something exciting are answered when I notice Judge making a grand appearance. When his attention is already dead set on us, I can’t help but want to thank him for his presence alone.

He doesn’t look happy. Then again, does he ever? This anger is something different. He seems more on a war path if anything. Yeah, it’s not going to be boring here for much longer.

The conversations immediately come to an instant halt.

Be it from respect or a bit of fear, we all wait to see what he has for us.

At the bottom of the chain, we’re always the last to find out anything.

With Diesel spending all of his time at the hospital to take care of Ruby, we’ve been in the dark outside of what we’ve heard in surrounding conversations. Not much to get from that, though.

As the president fills us in on what’s been happening with Crimson Road, what moves are being made, I feel it—the heat of a blazing sun against my side.

Drifting my attention away from Judge, I follow the feeling. In the corner of my eye, I see it.

Penelope is looking at us all, worried. As of late, if she’s not giving us gentle smiles, she’s got that look on her face. She doesn’t deserve to be stressed about everything going right or wrong with another club.

Next to her, her identical twin. Raven. The woman has set her glare on all of us, but most of it is aimed directly at Judge. A weight forms in the pit of my gut, promising me a dreadful future.

He’s not here to update us since our captain is out, is he?

Whatever he’s bringing to our table involves those two. Not to say the twins are trouble or anything. They’re more like background noise. They tend the bar and keep the fun going.

Penelope is cute, but she’s definitely already claimed by the president. Raven, on the other hand, is the opposite. She’s… something.

Pulling my attention back forward, I watch him lean against our table, his expression growing more serious and grim all at once.

“I’m under the suspicion that someone might try to go after our women. While I know the others can take care of their old ladies and keep them safe, I’m concerned about the twins. With everyone running about, no one is keeping an eye on them. That needs to change.”

All in unison, my brothers glance at each other, all thinking the same thing.

Penelope’s name won’t even be brought up, solely because we don’t want to be put on Judge’s shit list, and Raven… No one likes a mystery.

She keeps to herself for the most part. A master at cocktails, sure, but there’s always the worry of her poisoning those she doesn’t like. Doesn’t help that she’s threatened my life more times than I can count on both hands. All because she carries around her anger like a badge.

She’s dangerous. Unstable. Not someone people usually fuck with. Only the oldest members, those who have known her long enough, even dare to linger.

It’s crazy how different Penelope is in comparison. She’s a sweetheart, the club’s innocent beauty. No one minds her. Her sister is Satan with breasts. Simple as that.

Lately, she’s not my biggest fan. I’ve heard she’s been talking about me behind my back. My definition of fun must be her nightmare. What a killjoy.

“Penelope is taken care of.” Judge clears his throat and shifts like he’s uncomfortable. “But Raven needs someone. You bunch are the only ones who are free. Who wants to volunteer?”

Silence welcomes him, and I have to swallow down a laugh.

This isn’t some joke, is it? It’s Raven. She’ll throw a fit if she gets a babysitter. Is he genuinely serious, or is this his method of handling this surge of intensity? Pretty sure she can take on whoever she wants if she’s allowed. Whether they’re a member of Steelwood or not.

“Not a chance. I thought she was going to kill me when I accidentally broke a cup.” Killer pales when Judge looks his way. “She’ll choke me out in my sleep if I try to lower my guard.”

Smoke and Ace exchange knowing looks, sharing grim expressions.

No matter what the foster brothers faced before coming our way, it must not be as bad as what is being asked of them.

Throw in the fact that they’re rarely separated.

If one of them agrees to stay here, then the other one has to leave. Neither wants that.

Our president doesn’t even look surprised by the reluctance. He knows damn well what he’s asking.

“I know she can take care of herself, but she’s too good at getting in trouble if left alone.” Judge pinches his brow, his frustration seeping through. “It’s just for a day or two. You’ve faced worse than her. Don’t make me pick.”

The only reason he hasn’t already is because he doesn’t want to be blamed if the ebony-colored-haired woman does try to end her babysitter’s life.

“Well?”

“I’ll do it.” Lifting a finger to catch his attention, my mouth curves. “But I want something in return for putting my life in danger.”

The other prospects glance at me, curious about how I’d have the guts to make demands in my position.

That’s the problem. I’m tired of being in my position.

It’s been over a year, and Diesel isn’t any closer to promoting me to a patch holder.

Throw in his distractions with his girl, and I’m going to be a fucking prospect for the rest of my days.

I want to be respected. I want to be known as something more than some gag. I want to be somebody.

“I want patched in.” Maintaining eye contact, I can’t help but swallow thickly at the scowl that forms on his lips. Dude can be scary without even trying.

“With everything going on, that’s your main concern?” Pinching his eyes shut, his chest swells with his next breath before he nods. “Fine, sure. After what she’s going to put you through, you’ll deserve it. Now, come on. We have to break the news. Let’s see if you can make it past that.”

At the green light, I don’t even care about what I’m walking into. I’m on my feet in an instant, ready to take on one last chore before I can finally get what I’ve always wanted.

Unable to keep the smile off of my lips, I can’t help but drink in her anger now that we’re both facing the twins. Feeling like I’m strolling toward the finish line, I barely even hear Judge give the women the rundown.

Penelope’s eyes go wide while her sister’s eyes turn into narrow slits. Oh, if looks could kill.

“No.” Hardly to my surprise, the woman seethes at Judge’s words.

Like very few, she has no issue fighting him on certain decisions, especially those that involve her.

The way she’s looking at me, those green eyes filled to the brim with hatred, I know she’s going to pour all of that anger onto me.

“He’s bad fucking luck. I’m not letting someone like that watch over me. ”

Okay, sure, she’s got a point there. Do I fuck up occasionally?

Sure. But hey, most people do. Sometimes I break things without meaning to, or impulsively make last-second decisions that land me in hot water.

So what? I earned my name, and though it may have been a running joke for the first few weeks, I learned to love it.

Learned how to aim my misfortune onto my enemies.

“At least give me someone who is patched in,” she continues, driving a blade right where it fucking hurts. “Not a prospect.”

Against my sides, my fingers curl into fists tight enough to feel the sting of my nails digging deep into flesh. Any deeper and I’ll draw blood. Despite my teeth clenching, I maintain the smile on my lips.

This woman, even if she’s going to become the bane of my existence, is going to be what finally gives me what I want. So, she can insult me all she wants, but no matter what. I’m getting that damn patch.

Judge doesn’t bother hiding his annoyance with the slight roll of his eyes. “He volunteered. Be grateful. No one else wants to put up with you. If I ever see you two apart, I’ll handcuff you together. I don’t care.”

Fuck that. I would cut off her hand and see if her pride would let her save herself from bleeding out. Maybe if she’d beg for my help, I’d consider it.

“Kinky. You into that, little bird?” Using the pet name I know she hates, the one I made solely because of how often I’ve heard her bitching about being trapped here, I watch in delight as her eyes flare.

Unlike the others, I don’t flinch. I lean in, ready to dump gasoline on both of our short tempers.

“Being tied up with someone worth less than you?”

Painting me as such makes my blood run hot. If there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, this chick is full of herself. She’s not someone all high and mighty. All I have to do is figure out what makes her tick, and then the rest of this will be easy.

Once Raven submits, I can show her exactly where I stand. Knocking her down a peg or two might be the perfect start to getting her there.

The sudden sound of glass breaking halts my triumphant thoughts. In a matter of seconds, I’m forced to jerk back as a broken bottle is thrust in my direction. There’s no hesitation at all, and she all but barely grazes my throat.

Holy shit. It takes strength not to laugh. The question is, would it be filled with amusement or fueled by fear?

Raven continues to seethe, and I can’t sense even an ounce of warmth in those eyes. Instead, they’re completely cool, void. “Touch me, and I will not hesitate to make you bleed.”

I can’t lie, I get a slight tingle in my chest at her threat. She’s surprisingly serious. Having been faced with men who’d spoken similar threats, I’ve memorized the murderous intent, and this beauty is overflowing with it.

Behind me, I hear the other prospects not even trying to hide their amusement as Ace is the first to bark out a laugh. Fuckers.

“Don’t think so highly of yourself. You’re the last person I’d want to put my hands on.” A lie, funny enough. Unfortunately, I’ve got a weakness for pretty women, and despite her hideous attitude, Raven is gorgeous.

The only reason no one has claimed her as their old lady is because she’d cut their cock off if they got near her.

“Until the president says otherwise, you’re mine, little bird. So, you might as well—”

In a blur, she swipes the bottle and almost gets me again. Fucking hell. Talk about a wild animal with this one.

I may have bitten off more than I can chew. This’ll be fine. Just like those preparing to defend the club and earn their patch through violence, I’ll be earning mine through survival. I can only hope this woman doesn’t own any real weapons, or else I may genuinely be in trouble.