“Yeah well. You can go home and rest easy. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

  “I always took care of you. When you’re released let me take you home. Let me be there for you.”

  “Wylla Mae and East have me covered. We settled our differences you could say. It’s fitting that he’ll give her what I was too damn stupid to appreciate. East is an amazing man. Something you know nothing about.”

  “Pretty girl.” I cup her face and she turns away from me when I try to kiss her. “I deserve that. I’m gonna let you get your rest, but this isn’t over, Lex.”

  “You never could see me. You still don’t. Just you doing what you want. Taking and taking.”

  “I see you, Lex.”

  Her olive-green eyes cut to mine in narrowed slits, and I brush my lips against hers soft and slow, tasting the bitterness of her sadness.

  “You need to leave.”

  “I love you, Lex.”

  “Fuck.” Her tears flow sporadically staining her hospital gown with her heartbreak. “You don’t know how to love anyone but yourself. You don’t love me. You never loved me or our child. You used me but that’s okay because I was using you too.”

  “That’s fair, but you’re wrong. I’ve always loved you.”

  “Right. I’m so sure. I’m tired, James.”

  “Sleep tight. I’ll be back tomorrow.” I move off and leave her alone for now. Alexa can say she’s done with me till she turns blue in the face, but we both know she still loves me.

  I take the elevator to the maternity ward where Lynn is. The nurse on duty is the Old Lady of Pipe. “Hey.” She buzzes me on in.

  “Everything good?”

  “Yup. Officer Castille should be knocked out for the next three or four hours at least.”

  “Sweetness, you need anything you let me know and it’ll be yours.”

  “Anything for the club. Cameras are down too. Take care of business.”

  “Appreciate it.” I move down the hall taking light steps until I find room two hundred. Officer Castille is leaned back in his chair, head resting against the wall snoring. I enter the room careful not to draw attention to myself. Unlike Alexa, Lynn is awake and watching Tv. Bitch is handcuffed to the bed.

  “What do you want?” She hisses like the snake she is.

  “Got some papers for you to sign.” I pull the documents out of my back pocket, smoothing my fingers over the folds.

  “Why would I do that? What papers?” Her eyes narrow on me.

  “I’ll make it worth your while. Five-hundred grand and get you out of that bed and someplace where nobody knows you. New identity. The works.”

  “What do you want?”

  “First tell me why you had Nickel killed.”

  “He knew too much. Knew the name of my baby’s father and was gonna tell East. I had to shut him up.”

  “Ruthie help you set that up? The guy who ran was her nephew. She hook you up with that methhead?”

  “Ask her. She wanted Alexa gone. Knows all about your lovechild.”

  I nod. I knew it. Fucking hell. I’ll deal with her when I get home.

  “Anything else? You’re blocking my view of the world news.”

  “Want you to sign these adoption papers.”

  “Why would I agree to that?”

  “Because orange wouldn’t suit you.”

  “And what happens to my kid?”

  “Pam and Link will take him. I got it all right here. All you gotta do is sign.” I pull out my burner phone and open up the banking application. “See the balance.” I wave it in front of her face. Dollar signs dance in her eyes.

  “Fine. Whatever. The kid is no use to me anyway. You have a pen?”

  “Yup.” I grab the one next to her bedside. “Sign here, here, and here.” I point to each page with the tip of the ink pen and show her where to sign her rights away at. “You can’t ever come back or try to contact Pam or Link to ask about the kid.”

  “I said okay.” She scribbles her name in cursive scroll.

  “Thanks.”

  “So, when am I getting out of here?”

  “Now.” I smirk and pull the syringe out of the inner pocket of my black leather cut.

  “What are you doing?” Panic moves over her features but before she can scream, I put a hand to her mouth and pin her down.

  “No one can hear you and if they did you think anyone would care? You went after my world and now I’m going to end yours.” I inject the drug known on the streets as Cloud Nine into her neck. Just enough will give the illusion you’re floating, but too much will stop the heart. Her fingernails cut into my arm and her legs thrash wildly.

  I press harder on her mouth, covering her nostrils, cutting off her air.

  Lynn stops struggling.

  “See you in Hell, you stupid cunt.” I cap the needle and stick it my back pocket and pick up the papers. Judge Crane owes me favor. I leave the room and go to the stairwell where Pipe’s Old Lady is waiting with the newborn baby boy. Wrapped in a white blanket with pink and blue stripes, he has a powder blue cap on his head, and a binky plugged in his mouth.

  **

  I shut off Link’s cage and look in the review mirror at the baby sleeping in the black and grey car seat. Kid has no idea how lucky he is. Pam and Link are damn fine people. Going to take good care of him and raise him right.

  They never wanted kids. Least that’s what Pam always claimed but truth is Link shoots blanks and her eggs weren’t viable. Hell, he even let Nickel fuck her to see if he could knock her up. Word got out and Pam held her head high. Let people believe the worst of her. Link allowed people think him a fool for staying with her, but it’s their private business.

  I get out and grab the car seat by the handle after releasing the carrier from the base. The porch light flicks on and Link opens the front door. I told him before what was up. Pam doesn’t have a damn clue. Woman is gonna lose her shit. She puts on a tough act but deep down woman is a fuckin’ marshmallow. “Special delivery,” I tell him.

  “Fuck, man.” He cups his jaw and I’ve never seen Link show much emotion but even in the dark I don’t miss the tears.

  Even the baddest of motherfuckers can cry.

  “Come on in,” his voice cracks, and I pat him on the shoulder with my free hand.

  “Where’s Pam?”

  “I gotta go get her up.”

  “Well, shit, brother, hop to it. Want to see her face.”

  “Okay, Prez.” He goes down the hall, and I sink down on the couch after placing the baby carrier on the oak coffee table.

  Pam comes strolling through the house with her hair in a knot on her head, rubbing her eyes. Her robe is open showing off her long legs tatted with roses and ivy. When she sees me, she pulls the robe together. “Hey, Murder. What are you—” Her gaze catches on the baby.

  “Brought someone I’d like you to meet. It’s all legal. Made sure of it. Meet your son.”

  “My what?” She cries, dropping to her knees and shaking her head.

  “This is Connor.”

  Pam wipes a finger under her eyes. “How?”

  “Lynn can’t raise him where she’s going. And I thought who better to than you.”

  “Is this for real?”

  “Yeah, babe.” Link wraps an arm around her, lifting her from the floor.

  “I have his bag and formula to get you started out in the cage. In a day or two all the Old Ladies will be around to spoil you and him rotten with whatever you need.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t say anything. Get over here and hold your boy so I can get going.”

  “Okay.” She sniffs. Leaning over the carrier her face lights up like pure magic. “Hey, baby boy.” Pam undoes the latches and buckles and takes him in her arms. I watch her visibly melt as he wraps his hand around her finger.

  I nod to Link and drop his keys on the table.

  Epilogue 2

  “Come on, you gotta play.” Pam pouts at my mother as she holds the penis cut out for her game. Pin the penis on the biker.

  Mom shakes her head. “This is supposed to be a baby shower.”

  “And how is it you think babies are made? You had one. You need a penis in the process or the sperm so. Your turn.” She shoves the paper penis into her hand.

  Mom rolls her eyes but closes them as Jules slides the black mask over her eyes. “This is so dumb.”

  I shove more cake in my mouth and smile. East chuckles from behind me, pulling out the chair next to me. “You having a good time?”

  I glance around the room seeing everyone I love here. My mom, Jules, Pam, Andi, the guys from the club, and my father. My relationship with him is a work in progress. “Yeah. Today is perfect.”

  Pam and Jules told the guys this was girls only but when they found out Pam was making the cake they said no way was they not invited and shoved their way in. Roane said if East could be here so could he. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  East places a palm to my belly. “How’s my baby girl today. She been kicking a lot?” In response what feels like an elbow or knee jabs making a knot poke out on my stomach. “I take that as a yes.” My man rubs my baby bump tenderly. “Gonna be a damn sassy brat like you,” he teases.

  “I’m not a brat.”

  “Yeah, baby, you are. But you’re my brat.” He comes in for a kiss, but I dodge him and smear frosting on his nose. “So, it’s like that.”

  “Mhmm.” I move in and lick the tip of his nose.

  “Damn, do that again.”

  I laugh. “Maybe later if you behave and if there’s any cake left, I’ll make myself a cake pop out of your dick.”

  East suddenly jumps up and goes to the counter where the cake is and folds his arms over his chest. I follow after him. “What are you doing, honey?”

  “Making sure no one eats this cake.” He grins.

  “You’re crazy.”

  “Only about you.”

  I wrap my arms around him, and he kisses me long, hard, and deep.

  God, I love this man.

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed Lady & The Biker. I fell in love with Wylla Mae and East and their story. I know it’s not the usual dark and gritty biker story you are used to getting from me. These characters had a story to tell and they wouldn’t let me tell it any other way. I tried and things were cut because for them they only wanted to be together and I had to give them that. I do have plans for future books in this series. I’m not going to announce what my plans are yet but if you follow me through social media, I will make announcement when I feel comfortable doing so. Murder and Viking are on my list though. If you enjoyed the book, I hope you consider leaving a review and keep reading for more information about the Royal Bastards MC and my other titles.

  Glenna

  Acknowledgments

  First, I gotta say thank you to Crimson and Nikki for bringing me into this amazing project. Without them this book would not have happened. They created this collaboration and I am honored to be a member of Royal Bastards MC. Thank you both.

  To my fellow Royal Bastards MC family, it takes a village and thank you for letting me be a part of yours.

  Chelle C. Craze thank you for working with me on the Cleveland characters in The Biker’s Kiss.

  Nikki Landis, thanks for letting me drop Xenon in for a hot minute.

  Alice La Roux, my sprinting partner in crime. You kept me accountable. I wouldn’t have finished on time without you getting me to the finish line with our sprints.

  My Dawn bitch, my ride or die who always pushes me and reminds me that I do belong, and I can do this, I love you to the moon.

  Morgan, you always encourage me and know when I need to drown out the negativity. You motivate me daily.

  Tempi, thank you for the support and friendship and for giving it to me straight in a world of people who suck.

  Jordan, I want to squeeze you for always being there no matter what it is and making me smile. You are so good to me.

  My betas Michelle, Tina, and Andi, thank you for reading my baby and giving your honest opinions. I don’t always listen, but I do appreciate you. Tina thank you for staying on my ass and forcing me to keep going even when I thought I should just burn the whole thing.

  My readers, your support is everything.

  My reader group, you keep me going on days I want to give up. On days I feel like a failure you are always there to remind me that someone out there enjoys what I do.

  To Brett, you have always been by my side and been proud of me no matter what. You never give up on me and you always believe in me. I hope that never changes.

  Jay Aheer, thank you so much for a beautiful cover and for bringing these characters to life for me. It was a dream come true to work with you.

  Tempting The Biker Glenna Maynard © 2020 all rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously and any resemblance to actual people, alive or dead, business, establishments, locals or events is entirely coincidental. Any reference to real events, business, organizations or locals is intended only to give the fiction a sense of realism and authenticity. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the author.

  The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the word marks mentioned in this work of fiction.

  Dedication

  To second chances and a love that never dies.

  ROYAL BASTARDS CODE

  PROTECT: The club and your brothers come before anything else and must be protected at all costs. CLUB is FAMILY.

  RESPECT: Earn it & Give it. Respect club law. Respect the patch. Respect your brothers. Disrespect a member and there will be hell to pay.

  HONOR: Being patched in is an honor, not a right. Your colors are sacred, not to be left alone, and NEVER let them touch the ground.

  OL’ LADIES: Never disrespect a member’s or brother’s Ol’Lady. PERIOD.

  CHURCH is MANDATORY.

  LOYALTY: Takes precedence over all, including well-being.

  HONESTY: Never LIE, CHEAT, or STEAL from another member or the club.

  TERRITORY: You are to respect your brother’s property and follow their Chapter’s club rules.

  TRUST: Years to earn it...seconds to lose it.

  NEVER RIDE OFF: Brothers do not abandon their family.

  Tempting The Biker

  He's married and twice my age, but I can't walk away.

  Murder-

  We were never supposed to happen. Alexa’s my daughter’s best friend. I’m a married man. I’m too old for her, but stolen glances turn into more than either of us are prepared for. I’ve made promises I can’t keep. I’m the Prez of Royal Bastards MC. I’m not supposed to be tempted by her innocence. My head swears that I don’t love her, but my heart won’t let go.

  Alexa-

  Murder’s married. Off Limits. But I want him. He’s a powerful man. Untouchable and unbreakable. I’ll be his dirty little secret. No one has to know. We’re playing a dangerous game. A deadly one that will leave me with a broken heart or worse, but I’ll do anything to prove to him that what we share is a ride or die love. And for Murder, I’m willing to risk it all.

  Tempting The Biker is part of the Royal Bastards MC world.

  Recommended reading order for best enjoyment within the Charleston, WV Chapter:

  The Biker’s Kiss

  Lady & The Biker

  Tempting The Biker

  Dear Reader,

  For best reading enjoyment it is recommended that you read Lady & The Biker prior to starting Tempting The Biker.

  Enjoy the ride.

  Glenna

  Part One

  Chapter One

  The Past

  “I knew it. I knew you were cheating on me,” Ruthie screeches at me for the millionth time.

  I toss my hands up. “I’m done fuckin’ arguin’ with you. I’ve never stepped out on you but right now you make me wish I’d fucked every whore from West Virginia to California I’ve ever come into contact with. God damn.”

  “I want you out of my house. Just pack your shit and go.” Her hand flies toward my face, but I grab her wrist before she makes contact. Ruthie draws her arm back, glaring at me. “I hate you.”

  I snort and stroke my beard. “You get the fuck gone if you don’t want to be around me. This is my house. I pay the bills.” I take another hard pull of my bottle of Budweiser and drop onto the couch. I’m sick and tired of her shit. All the damn time she’s flapping her jaws to bitch at me. I’m over it. I don’t need it.

  Her hand moves to her hip. “Why, so you can bring your whores here and fuck them in my bed too? You’d like that.”

  “You fucking caught me.”

  “I’ll leave, James, and I’ll never come back.”

  I shake my head. “Then what the fuck you still standing here for?”

  “I hate you. I wish you’d die.” her chest heaves as she stomps down the hall toward the master bedroom.

  “Join the damn club. No one fuckin’ likes me,” I call out as the bedroom door slams shut. Closing my eyes, I scrub a palm over my face. Fuck me. If I’d known now what I knew when I was just a damn kid, I’d never stuck my dick in Ruthie Gibson. Was fifteen years old when I knocked the cunt up. When I drop my hand, Rochelle is standing in front of me with a hand on her hip mimicking her mother. “What?” I bark, and she flinches staring back at me with her big brown eyes, bottom lip jutting out trembling on the verge of tears.

  “Mom said for me to pack a bag. That we’re going to Nan’s for the weekend.”