Dead souls mc complete s.., p.4
Dead Souls MC (Complete Series #1-5), page 4
5
Knox
The fucking orange jumpsuit they had me in was bullshit. It looked like shit, smelled like shit, and made me look like a dumbass. Whatever the hell kind of angle Diesel was working, I wanted to let him know it had landed me here. There was no fucking reason for me to be in any jail cell, much less in some maximum security state-run bullshit place like the one I was in. I didn’t kill that asshole, and I’d go to my fucking grave with that truth.
I didn’t kill Blaze.
I hadn’t talked with Diesel since I was in the damn holding cell, so I had to make sure I could be protected. They’d put those Black Saddle asshats in the same damn jail as me, and I knew why. They were hoping shit would work itself out. I’d either kill them or they’d kill me, then they could keep the offending party in jail for the rest of their lives. That was how shit worked in Redding. The guards were laughing at us in corners while we tried to fend for our lives.
But they had no idea what they were in for.
I knew Diesel would get me out of this somehow.
But until I fucking heard from someone, I had to work on my own protection. As long as I was outnumbered by Black Saddles, I wouldn't be safe. So, I was in the yard trying to scope out who the hell I could trust.
There were segmented groups all over the damn place, but most of them I recognized. The white supremacist shitheads with swastikas tattooed all over their bodies were in the corner in the shade. Probably plotting how to kill everyone in here who didn’t look like them. Then there were the street gangs. A gathering of the 409’s, a few Tango Blasts, and a couple of assholes that I knew worked for the mafia.
Then, there were the others. People in for petty theft, setting too much shit on fire, and other bullshit things that didn’t matter in the long run. They all stuck to the front doors, trying to avoid all the hardened criminals that had cut deals to run in a place like this in exchange for testimony or information.
I was surrounded by fucking rats.
But there was one person that caught my eye. Particularly, the group of people that did. They were sitting on some benches at the far end of the yard by the wall. Around Redding, they were known as the Latin Cobras.
But it was the head of their crew I was gunning for.
I remembered when Jesús had been arrested. Him and a bunch of his guys went down for shit they proclaimed for years they didn’t fucking do. His testimony and his pleas were all over the damn news when it happened. His great-grandfather was the one who started the Latin Cobras, and his fall from grace had tainted the group and put it in the hands of some asshole I knew he probably didn’t like. Rumor had it that the guy currently in charge of them was the one that betrayed Jesús.
The one that ratted him out.
I made my way over to them as people watched me walk. I could tell by the way they were looking at me that no one approached Jesús with permission. But I was about to break that trend. I was looking for protection and I was sure there was something I could offer in return.
Especially once I got out of this fucking hellhole.
“The hell you want?”
I watched one of his goonies jump off a bench and hold his hand out to my chest.
“Might not wanna touch me,” I said. “I’ve been known to kill men for less.”
“That what you in here for?”
My eyes whipped over to Jesús as he motioned for his man to stand down.
“Supposedly, yes,” I said.
“So, what? You didn’t kill no man?”
“Nope. Being set up.”
“So, you like everyone else in here, huh?”
“No,” I said. “Everyone in here’s probably guilty. Except you.”
I watched him cock his head as he sucked some air through his teeth.
“What makes you think that?” Jesús asked.
“Besides you screaming it all over the news? The man who now heads your gang looks like a fucking rat,” I said.
“He’s a dirty piece of shit, that one. So, what? You come over here wanting something from us?”
“Protection,” I said. “I’m in here with a couple of guys from the gang accusing me of killing one of their own.”
“So you wanna… line up with someone so you got numbers on ‘em,” Jesús said.
“That’s the theory, yep.”
“What makes you think I’d help someone like you?” he asked.
I grinned and shook my head as Jesús let out a raucous laughter.
“I’m just shitting with ya, Knox. Get the hell over here.”
Jesús stood up from the bench and clapped my hand before he pulled me into a hug.
“How the fuck you been?” Jesús asked. “I don’t think I’ve seen ya since high school.”
“Bullshit. We briefly crossed paths ‘bout four years ago. Remember that coffee shop shootout?”
“Fuck me, that was you guys?” he asked.
“Some punk ass gang trying to ride up on our turf. I don’t know why they think they can kill us off.”
“Even I know that shit. The Dead Souls ain’t nothin’ to mess around with.”
“You know this guy?”
I looked over at another one of Jesús’ goonies, confusion crumpling up their faces.
“Yes, I do. Him and I ran the same high school halls together. Show some fucking respect, ‘ey?” Jesús asked.
“I don’t know what I can give ya in return, but I didn’t kill that guy. I’ll be outta here in a few days, so if ya want something done on the outside, you can consider it done in exchange for protection,” I said.
“I like that offer. I don’t know if I can get all the Cobras behind you for protection, but I’ll do my best. You know, gang lines and all. Family’s family, and everyone else is an outsider.”
“I get it more than most,” I said. “I’m just trying to not die before Diesel gets me the fuck outta here.”
“He still runnin’ the streets?”
“He’ll die in the streets for all we know,” I said with a grin.
“I’ll have to get a call out to Diego,” Jesús said. “He’ll be the one to make the official call. He’s our O.G. on the outside.”
“When I get my damn call today, I’ll tell Diesel what’s going on. Maybe the two of them can meet up and… discuss terms,” I said.
“You do that. You do a favor for me, Diesel does a favor for him, we make sure you’re safe. It all works out,” he said.
“Consider it done,” I said as we clapped hands again.
I looked over at The Black Saddles her were eyeing me with grins on their faces. I didn’t like the way they were looking at me, but yard time was almost over. The guards were already hustling us back inside to get us into our rooms and whatnot. But one of the guards grabbed me by the arm a little too tight for my liking.
“What?” I asked.
“You got a visitor,” the guard said.
“The hell is it? I didn’t ask for a visitor,” I said.
But all he did was lug me down the damn hallway before tossing me into a room.
I slammed my fist against the door in anger before I heard a throat clear behind me. It was a delicate sound, but one that expected attention. I turned around and took in the sight of the woman in front of me, her briefcase clutched in the palms of her hands.
“Hello, Mr. Knox. My name’s Monroe Williams. I’m your lawyer for your case.”
I grinned as my raked my eyes up and down her form. This was a joke, right? This bitch wasn’t Lowen, though she was very hot. Her gray heels matched her pencil skirt and the suit jacket she had buttoned around her waist. The blouse underneath it was black, which made her strawberry blonde hair and green eyes pop. I felt my cock lurch to life as I took her in, the length of her legs calling to my hands.
They really expected me to pay attention with that beautiful piece of decadence sitting across from me?
“Take a seat, please,” Monroe said.
“With all due respect, you aren’t my lawyer,” I said.
“I work with Lowen and Scott, and I’ve been briefed on your case,” she said.
“Don’t mean you’re my lawyer.”
“Mr. Knox, I’m here to help you. You can accept my help or deny it, but if you deny it you will most certainly end up in jail for the murder of that man.”
“I didn’t kill anyone,” I said.
“Then sit down and tell me about it.”
I enjoyed a woman who knew how to take control. It meant she would taste even sweeter when she finally yielded to me. I looked behind me and found a guard staring in, waiting for this beautiful woman to give him the command that she wanted out. I watched her pull out a chair and sit down, popping open her briefcase and pulling out file after file with my name on it.
Then, she pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to me.
“Mrs. Lowen figured you might be hesitant to sit down with me, so this is from her. Signed and notarized,” Monroe said.
It was an official letter stating that this tantalizing piece of woman was going to be helping with my case. I recognized Rose’s handwriting and Bradley had even signed it at the bottom as well. Dated from today and the notarization was still a bit warm.
“Seems recent,” I said.
“An hour ago, actually. Now, will you sit? Or do you want to go this alone?” Monroe asked.
I looked up from the sheet of paper and grinned at her as I made my way to my seat.
“Yes ma’am,” I said with a grin. “Anything else you need?”
6
Monroe
It was incredibly unprofessional of me to think so, but Knox was extremely hot. His jumpsuit was rolled up at the arms, revealing tattoos that cascaded up his skin. Colorful tattoos with designs I could stare at for hours. And even underneath his baggy jumpsuit I could see the strength of his body. He was stacked with muscles for days and had dark brown eyes that sparkled with his menacing grin. His longer blonde hair was slicked back. All he needed was some sunglasses and a leather jacket and there was no denying his bad boy status.
And I found it hard to keep my eyes off him.
“I need plenty,” I said.
“Then I’m ready to provide,” Knox said with a grin.
“Walk me through that night. What happened?” I asked.
“Blaze started the fight and I ended it,” he said.
“That doesn’t help your ‘I didn’t murder anyone’ case.”
“It was self-defense. Blaze started-”
“You mean Andrew Shepard?” I asked.
“That man introduced himself as Blaze, so that’s what I know him as. Take it or leave it.”
“Your attitude leaves much to be desired. A jury will convict you in a heartbeat simply because they don’t like you.”
“Do you like me?” he asked with a grin.
I felt my heart leap up into my throat. This was not the time to be flirting with someone. His entire demeanor left a lot to be desired, despite the fact that he was hot as hell. But being hot didn’t make anyone a decent person and it sure as hell didn’t sway an entire jury of anyone’s peers into believing someone was innocent of murder.
“And anyway, I thought the point of having you guys on retainer was to avoid mix ups like this.”
“You haven’t convinced me that this is a mix up,” I said.
“So, you think I killed that boy,” he said.
“I don’t even know what happened that night.”
“I told you-”
“You told me the punch line. I want the details. Start from the beginning. How did you guys end up in the woods?” I asked.
“I ain’t a story teller,” I said.
“If you want to save your sorry ass, then you might want to become one.”
I watched his eyes harden onto me as he slammed back into his chair. He clenched his jaw and rolled his tongue around his teeth, and I caught myself watching the motion. The issue was, he had caught me as well. I watched the grin crawl across his cheeks as my skin heated. My mind started wandering to all the things he could do with that tongue.
What the hell was wrong with me?
“A story then. All right, Miss Williams. Diesel sent us out there to try and draw up some boundaries with them,” Knox said.
“The President of The Dead Souls,” I said.
“I see you’ve done your research,” he said with a wink. “Anyway, yes. The Black Saddles have been kicking up dust in Redding for the better part of a year now. Trying to lay claim to an area that isn’t theirs.”
“Are they trying to buy up stores you guys already own?” I asked.
“No. They just come in with guns blazing and think they can shoot their way into things. Diesel wanted to be diplomatic about everything-”
“A biker gang wanted to be diplomatic?” I asked.
Knox’s eyes twitched and I bit down on my tongue to keep my commentary to myself.
“Uh huh. We did. We heard of some bonfire they were having in the woods. About burned down the damn place with how high those flames were. We pulled into the gas station, got some beer as a peace offering, then went to go find them to talk boundaries.”
“On where the two gangs would rule, I assume,” I said.
“Yep. We got back there and they surrounded us. Rex, some hotshot, and Blaze-- their prospect-”
“So, Blaze wasn’t yet a full member of The Black Saddles.”
“Nope. Rex introduced him as their prospect. Then Blaze started showing himself. Made some colorful comments and gave me these fun little bruises you see.”
“Did a doctor get pictures of those?” I asked.
“Yep. Took all sorts of pictures when they brought me here.”
“Good, I’ll get those for evidence. It shows us that there was some sort of fight the two of you were in. Not just you beating up on someone. You said he made colorful comments. What did he say?”
“Can’t tell ya that,” Knox said.
“Too bad. You want my help, you fill me in on everything.”
“It’s need to know.”
“I’m more than willing to let you rot in here if you don’t want to cooperate.”
“So, I’m working with a biased lawyer. Great. Does Mrs. Lowen know your stance?” he asked.
“She’s aware of it, yes. What comments sparked your retaliation?”
“So, you believe I wasn’t the first to throw the punch?” he asked.
“If I have to dig anymore of this story out of you, I’m gone. End of story.”
“Good. Maybe then Rose’ll get her ass in here and make this right.”
“She’s busy with her schedule until the end of the month. Think you’ll last that long in here with your Saddle buddies watching you?” I asked.
I wasn’t going to let someone like him push me around. If he didn’t want to cooperate and give me the full story, I didn’t have to help him. My eyes connected with his, unwavering as he studied me. I knew he was trying to figure out if he could trust me with whatever information he had stored away in his mind. But he had told me little that convinced me of his innocence. The only thing I did believe was that he wasn’t the first to hit someone.
But he sure as hell struck me as a killer.
“The question you’re asking requires a bit of backstory,” Knox said.
“I’ve got all afternoon,” I said.
“For me? You’re so sweet, beautiful.”
“Call me that again and I’ll break your arm before I leave,” I said.
“You prefer ‘gorgeous’ or ‘sexy’, then?”
I felt my cheeks heating as his grin grew to a smile. I hated how much I enjoyed those words rolling off his tongue. I cleared my throat and tried to get myself under control until I felt a pressure at my ankle. It was warm and inviting. There was a strength behind it my body enjoyed.
It took me a little too long to pull my leg away from his.
“How do I know I can trust you?” Knox asked.
“I’m all you have,” I said. “You don’t have any other choice.”
“Don’t mean I can trust you.”
“I’m not asking you to trust me. I’m telling you that you need to let me help you. Otherwise you’ll rot in here until you’re convicted of murder.”
“But I didn’t do anything.”
“Then convince me that you didn’t,” I said. “What did Andrew Shepard say to you that pissed you off so much?”
“He made a lewd comment about my …sister.”
“Your sister,” I said. “What’s her name?”
“Canyon.”
“Does she live with you?” I asked.
“Nope. Lives with my mother out on the south side of Anderson.”
“Did Mr. Shepard-”
“Blaze,” he said.
“Fine. Did this Blaze guy know your sister?” I asked.
“No one knows about my sister.”
“Well someone does, because he apparently did.”
“That’s the point. I have five guys in my entire fuckin’ club that know about Canyon. No one in this damn town knows a damn thing about her. For many reasons. I pulled myself away from my family to keep them safe from all this shit. So how the hell did some punk ass kid in some bullshit biker gang figure out who the fuck my sister was?”
“Okay. So, he made a comment about your sister. What did he say?” I asked.
“He kicked the shit outta me and I hit my knees. Then he told me I looked good down there like my sister did.”
“I can… see how that would piss you off,” I said.
“Yeah. Especially since my sister’s ten.”
“She’s what?” I asked.
“Ten. My fuckin’ sister’s only ten years old.”
“Has anyone checked up on your mother and sister?” I asked.
“Diesel’s probably on it.”
“I’m going to make sure they get checked up on,” I said. “So that’s why you started beating on Blaze.”
“Yep. I stood up and broke his nose with my forehead. Punched him a couple times in his ribs. He buckled and I kicked him in the stomach a few times. Then Grave-”
