Preacher’s Property (Savage Knights MC: NW Chapter #9)

Prologue

Chassie

“This is the stupidest thing you guys have ever dragged me into,” Meg gripes from the back seat.

She’s not going to stop complaining until we get there.

Or until we’re back in town and she’s safe and sound in her drab little life again.

I still think we should’ve left her behind, but Payton was worried she’d run and tell their dad where we were headed.

And if Mr. Ellicort found out, he’d be sending the cops.

I’m really not interested in Dusty finding out where I am tonight, so I’ll settle for the lesser of two evils.

“We’re literally handing ourselves over to criminals,” she continues on.

I watch Kota’s eyes rolling in my rearview mirror. Even she’s tired of listening to her sister complain.

“They don’t even have to try to find their next victims. Here we are. Four young women at your sexual service. And don’t worry. Just bury our bodies somewhere on the side of the mountain when you’re done with us and no one will ever know we were here.”

“Will you quit?” Payton whips around in her seat, her patience completely snapped. “They aren’t going to hurt us. Cage is a good guy. We’re going to have fun tonight. Now chill the fuck out.”

Fun? I don’t think Meg’s capable of having fun.

That girl is too worried about being perfect at all times to understand the concept of fun.

Unfortunately, her dad’s voice is drilled too deep in her head and she’s incapable of letting loose.

I still remember her practicing her table etiquette “for fun” whenever I’d go over to their house.

Payton and I would be running around out back throwing mudpies or pretending we were fairy princesses, and Meg would be folding table napkins.

And Kota… that poor girl would be hiding in a corner somewhere with a book, trying to avoid her father’s attention at all costs.

“Turn right,” the gps alerts me to my directions.

It looks like a gravel road that I’m supposed to turn onto.

One taking us deeper into the woods. The map says the place is just up ahead, so I’ll trust it.

But we haven’t seen any signs of life yet.

Just as I have the thought, a floodlight comes on revealing a gate up ahead.

The kind you’d find outside the state prison.

There’s even barbed wire running along the top.

And a watch tower to the left. The lights must be motion activated because they’re now all shining directly at my car.

“Just wait for the ‘I told you so’ when someone gets hurt tonight,” Meg whispers from the back seat as if the man who’s now approaching my window is capable of hearing her.

“You need to let your hair down and live a little,” I tell her. “Or better yet, let one of them fuck you and show you what fun really feels like.”

Her angry glare burns me through the rearview mirror, but hey, at least I got a giggle out of Kota. I think the only reason Meg agreed to come tonight was because Dakota refused to go home with her. For the first time, the girl stood her ground. It was a shocking moment for both of her sisters.

Hearing Dakota’s words is a rare occasion.

Hearing the strength in her voice as she told Meg to do this for their older sister was a first. But I think Kota wanted the adventure too.

That poor girl lives her life vicariously through the pages of a book.

It’s about time she spread her wings and lived a little.

Secretly, I’m hoping she’ll get enough strength in those wings to leave the nest. Living under her father’s controlling thumb is crushing her soul. I see her withering before my eyes.

“I’m not fucking one of them,” Meg huffs right as my window rolls down to greet the giant of man in all his leather clad and sexy-as-hell glory. His eyes land right in the back seat, and I have to fight my laugh. I can only imagine how red Meg’s cheeks must be.

“Never say never, doll.” He smirks. “Now, what can I do you for, ladies?”

“We’re here to see Cage.” Payton leans over me to speak. “He invited us out tonight.”

“Ah! So, you’re the one.” He nods, looking over my friend approvingly. “He’s been waitin’ on you. Payton, is it?”

She nods, smiling brighter. It’s obvious she’s falling for Cage.

I can see it in her eyes every time she speaks of him.

It was merely supposed to be a one-night stand, but that seems to be turning into more.

I’m just happy she’s moving past her ex.

The guy was such jerk. Even in high school I knew he was no good for her.

But he was her father’s pick, so she managed to convince herself that he was the one.

Turned out to be one cheating son of a bitch.

Finally, she’s letting her hair down and choosing who she wants to spend time with.

“Go on ahead, ladies. Party is already in full steam. And I’ll see you inside, doll.

” His eyes drift to the back seat again.

“We’ll see if I can’t change your mind.” Meg’s blush deepens even further, her cheeks looking the shade of burgundy right about now, and I’ll admit that I’m enjoying her discomfort way too much.

“You girls are not leaving my side,” she whispers as soon as I drive forward, heading down the gravel road toward the clubhouse. “That man is terrifying.”

I wouldn’t say terrifying. I’d say sexy as hell.

Tall, muscular, and all tatted up. And so not her type.

She goes for clean-cut and rigid, preferably with a major pole up his ass.

The current guy she’s seeing is an arrogant prick, which is exactly why I’d love nothing more than for her to meet someone at this party tonight.

Someone who can show her that she doesn’t need to be perfect for people to like her.

Otherwise, she’s going to wind up like Payton.

Married and miserable and waiting for her husband to get home from fucking some tramp so she can serve him dinner—with the perfectly folded napkin.

“If you don’t want him, I’ll take him.” I smile at her reflection. “He was hot.”

“What about Dusty?” she questions.

What about him? He’s probably out fucking some girl he pulled over for a speeding ticket. Women just love a man in uniform.

“We’re on a break,” I tell her. More like he told me he wanted to put things on hold for a minute so he could focus on work.

He didn’t want to feel guilty about disappointing me or always having to cancel on our dates while he’s on patrol.

But then ask me why my hairdresser saw him on a date last week with one of her clients.

I think it was merely his excuse for wanting to fuck around for a bit, see if there isn’t something better that he’s missing out on.

Ever since I heard that news, I’ve been missing him less and less.

And since he’s decided to explore his options, I think it’s only fair for me to explore mine.

“Maybe this time it will be a permanent break.” Payton gives me a look.

She’s been wanting me to end things with Dusty ever since he joined the police academy.

This new and unimproved version of him is a controlling jerk, and she’s not a fan.

He wasn’t always like that though. But that badge he now wears makes him feel like he’s on a power trip.

The sweet, humble kid I fell in love with in high school is now Officer Rockland.

“What are you talking about?” Meg balks at her sister. “Dusty is hot and sweet. Anyone would be lucky to date him. I know Kollette would.”

My fingers tighten around the steering wheel.

Meg’s best friend is a bitch. She had me fired from my waitressing position at the country club.

That job paid double wages in tips and was a dream.

But Kollette claimed I spit in her food, and so the manager let me go.

Dusty would never give the girl the time of day after what she did to me. He has an aversion to bitches.

“Kollette will have to dream on because Dusty would never go out with her.” He’d rather see that girl rot behind bars.

I take Meg’s silence as knowing I’m right.

I’d question why she’s even friends with Kollette, but we all know the answer: her dad.

One must always preside with the company of prestige.

It is those you surround yourself with who dictate your success and reputation.

I’ve heard Mr. Ellicort’s rants enough in my life.

He would be losing his shit if he knew we were headed to the Savage Knight Clubhouse about to be in the company of “criminals.” I think Meg’s about to lose her shit too.

Her eyes are as round as saucers as she takes in the scene before us.

I pull to a stop in front of the clubhouse, parking behind a row of heavy-duty motorcycles.

Right as I cut the engine, every head turns in our direction.

Men are everywhere. Tall, dangerous men lingering about.

All of them have stopped whatever it is they were doing, every conversation has ceased, and now they’re all staring at us.

I suddenly feel like a fish out of water, but I will never let Meg smell my nervousness.

Like a shark scenting blood, she’d never let me hear the end of it.

“It’s not too late to leave,” Meg whispers from the back. “Why are they all so big? They’re all giants.”

That they are. I scan the grounds, checking out every biker, wondering how this much testosterone and sexiness exists in one place. Cage is good looking, but his club brothers are even better.

“Come on, ladies! Time to have some fun.” One last check in the mirror and then I’m climbing out. “Oh my God. This place is—”

“Not safe.” Meg cuts me off, swallowing hard.

She’s too busy staring at their guns on their holsters, but my eyes are on their other guns.

Dusty’s strong, but if I were betting on who would make it out of a fight alive, it wouldn’t be him.

I’d put my money on any one of these Savage Knights. Some are more terrifying than others.