A Very MC Picnic_Sam Crescent MC Special Read online

  Lash raised a brow.

  “We don’t do drugs, nor do we attempt to move weapons. We have men working in law enforcement who are more than happy with what we do. I’m sure we’ve even got a body count that would impress you, Lash. You are safe here. As is your family and every single person here. I don’t want a war.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Peace, and a chance to help those less fortunate than all of us. That’s all you’re getting right now.” Russ slapped his arm and walked away.

  Lash watched him go.

  Chapter Four

  Duke watched his wife as she talked with Mary and a few of the other women. His men were all on guard, and he stood on the outside of the proceedings, watching everything that was going on around them all. He didn’t trust anyone and wouldn’t have come if he’d not been curious about all of this.

  The last thing he cared about was the Billionaires’ wealth. He didn’t need big mansions or lots of cars. His life, for the most part, was indeed perfect. He wouldn’t change a thing.

  “I heard about what happened to your father-in-law,” Devil said. “I’ll speak my condolences now.”

  “Why does it not surprise me that you’re the one that came to stand with me?” Duke asked, watching the man that was older than he was by at least a decade or two. The thing about Devil, there were times Duke wondered if it was true that he was a direct descendant from hell itself, or was in fact the Creator sent to earth to find the people for his place. The fucker didn’t look a day older than forty.

  Great.

  This … gathering was fucking with his head.

  Next, he’d be running around naked convinced he was born from a god or something.

  “Why not? You’ve got the sense not to trust everything you’ve seen or heard. Besides, what is there to actually fight about, huh? We’re all here for reasons none of us really know. Forced to be on the same turf for longer than,” Devil paused and looked at his watch. “Wow, even I’m surprised.”

  “At what?”

  “We’ve been here for well over an hour.”

  “That is a huge surprise,” Duke said. It had only been an hour?

  This entire day was going to be fucking torture.

  Holly seemed to be enjoying herself, and their kids. She’d wanted to bring them along, seeing as family was invited, and he told her what happened the last time. No family turned up. Men from each club had arrived looking ready to do battle.

  “What do you want? I saw you put Saint in his place. You’re doing the same with me?”

  “I wasn’t putting Saint in his place. He reminds me a lot of his father. I made a few things clear to him.”

  “You’ve been on this earth for a long time. You’re going to tell me all my faults now?” Duke asked.

  “Nope. Just thought I’d come and talk to you. Like I said, I heard about what happened to your father- and mother-in-law. That’s pretty tough.”

  “You know about what that feels like?”

  “Nope. Lexie doesn’t have any extra family, so I don’t have to worry about pandering to the needs of others.”

  “It was a tough time.”

  “I can imagine. In case you didn’t know, my club knows a great deal about dealing with tough times.”

  “Yeah? From what I heard, you and The Skulls sold out. Got a little too scared for you. Can’t handle the drugs or the guns anymore.”

  Duke didn’t know what he expected as a reaction, but it certainly wasn’t Devil laughing.

  He waited for the man to finish with his humor.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I knew our decision would create this. I was expecting some kind of war over our turf.”

  Duke rolled his eyes. “Ain’t no chance of that happening.”

  “Why?”

  Devil was asking questions, but Duke knew that the son of a bitch already knew all the answers. He knew when he was being played.

  “Why don’t we cut the shit, Devil? What is it you want?”

  “I want to know why you’re here.”

  “I got the same exact pretty invitation that you got.”

  “What do you know about the Billionaire Bikers?” Devil asked.

  Duke sighed. “The same as you.”

  Devil stared at him, and neither of them said anything more.

  “Am I interrupting something?” Holly asked, drawing Duke’s attention.

  “Of course not. I’m trying to learn to play nice, but your husband likes to be difficult. I hope it’s not unkind for me to say, but I am sorry for your loss.”

  “You knew my parents?”

  “Many years ago, I had a run-in with Russ and Sheila. They were an interesting pair.” Devil held out his hand, and Duke gritted his teeth as she shook it.

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll leave you to him.” Devil walked away, and Duke pulled his wife into his arms.

  “You look like the brooding protector standing here,” she said. Her hand pressed against his chest. “He knew my parents.”

  “Devil has been around longer than anything else on this planet. I’m sure he knows everyone and everything.”

  “You’re still not happy, are you?” Holly asked.

  “I can’t relax during this. Not with the clubs here. There’s too much of a threat.”

  “But look at all the kids.” She pointed to the small group ranging in ages from one through to his own son in his early twenties. “This may not be all about business.”

  “It is. I just don’t know what kind of business it is yet.”

  She sighed. “Will you at least dance with me?”

  He was about to say no when he saw her face, and any chance he had of denying her left him. He didn’t want to upset his woman. She’d been through a great deal in the past few years, and Devil had brought it up again.

  Duke had seen the quick jolt of pain at the mention of her parents.

  “Yes, I’ll dance with you.”

  Leading her toward other dancing couples, he’d already noticed that several of the Billionaires were there, dancing with women. They were easy to spot. Not one of them was wearing a leather cut but a business suit. The sooner this was over, and they were back in Vale Valley, the happier Duke would be.

  ****

  It didn’t surprise James when Devil made his way toward him. In fact, he’d already said to his brother Pixie that Devil would find a reason to come and stand with him, and he wasn’t wrong.

  Cora, his wife, was sitting with several of the women. Their child was in her arms, and she looked as beautiful as the first day he met her. Having a child hadn’t taken away from her sexuality as far as he was concerned. She’d been worried that he wouldn’t find her attractive after giving birth. This only happened when she read some kind of article online, which as far as he was concerned, stressed about new mothers.

  “I am surprised,” James said. “I take it you don’t see me as much of a threat?” He smiled at Devil.

  “And why would you think that?”

  “Save the best for last?”

  “I still have to speak with Russ.”

  James chuckled. “I’m the bottom of the food chain.”

  “You and I both know that you’re the furthest thing from the bottom of anything, James. I have no doubt in your capabilities, and this is not a pissing contest. You once worked for Ned Walker. You were all fighters in your own way, and I respect that. I know you’re not here to do me or anyone else here harm.”

  James smirked. “What makes you think that?”

  “You’re a tough group, but you’re not about the drug runs, or the guns, or the pussy. You’re a tight group. Bound together by your unity forged in years of fighting. You love the open road, but in recent years, you’ve settled in a nice little place. It happens to the best of us.”

  “It took you a lot of years to settle down,” James said.

  “It certainly did. We all know our paths change course when we find a love of a
good, decent woman.”

  James couldn’t help but look toward Dane. It had been a risk bringing him here, but Lucy, Dane’s ex-wife, had needed the break from him.

  Everyone had expected Dane to cut and run, like he always did. The relationship Dane had with his eldest son was tenuous at best. With Lucy now moved on and about to marry another man, James expected to wake up to find Dane gone. That’s what he liked to do. When things got a little tough, he got the hell out of there. At least, he used to, but something changed in him, and now they all had to deal with him back home—knowing that he’d cheated on Lucy with one of their own, Teri.

  Dane was now standing on his own, watching everything. The club didn’t know what to do with him.

  “Yes, it does take a decent woman to settle us all down,” James said in agreement.

  Devil stood beside him, and they looked out over the grounds.

  “Do you have any idea why we’re all here?” Devil asked.

  James chuckled. “I have someone skilled with a computer, Devil. I’m sure you know everything there is to know about everyone here.”

  “You don’t know?”

  “I know enough, which is why I’m here. Cora was intrigued as well. She wanted to get away for a day or two. She also wanted to meet a few other bikers, and I figured this would be the safest way for her to see it.” He hoped that being around other women who’d been pregnant would help his wife finally see that it was natural to feel different after a baby. That didn’t mean he loved her any less, or that he wanted her any less.

  “I hope we’re not boring her with all of our standoffish ways,” Devil said.

  James burst out laughing. “We’re probably turning her on more.”

  This surprised Devil, and James felt proud that he could do that.

  “You’re happy with your woman getting turned on by other men?”

  “I know where my wife’s pussy will be tonight, Devil. I’ve got no problem her getting turned on by anything that surrounds her. Even if people were to strip naked and start fucking, as soon as the kids are in bed, of course. So long as it’s my dick she’s riding, I don’t have any problem with how she gets wet.” He slapped Devil on the back. “Surprised you?”

  “Nope.” His gaze was on Lexie. “My wife’s arousal is all mine, and I have no interest in sharing any of that with any of the other men. Her pleasure is mine, her smile is mine. I own every single inch of her and will kill any motherfucker that thinks he can touch what is mine.”

  “Possessive much?”

  “All the way. It’s the only thing I know how to be, and I won’t be changing it for the world.”

  He watched as Devil nodded at him and walked away.

  “You okay, brother?” Pixie asked.

  “I’m fine. Just waiting to hear what all this bullshit is about.” James watched as Devil made his way toward Russ, one of the main reasons why they were all there.

  “What do you think this is all about?”

  “We know the Billionaires are on a mission to stop the trafficking of women. I think it’s a good place to assume that they want our help with that?”

  “They don’t traffic women?” Pixie asked.

  “Did you pay even the smallest attention at church prior to coming here?”

  “No. I’m not even going to pretend that I did.”

  James shook his head. They were not a fighting club, not anymore. They had settled down, created a nice little safe haven for themselves, but had no interest in becoming immersed in any other lifestyle than the one they lived in now. James knew that once they crossed any of the lines between drugs and guns, that was it. Their peaceful life would cease.

  This wasn’t about Cora or their child. This was about something a lot more. After years of fighting his battles within the ring for vultures screaming at him to kill, he’d wanted no more than that.

  Like every single man within the Dirty Fuckers MC, they had a number after their name. That number was how many men they’d been forced to kill in the name of sport.

  To a lot of people, Ned Walker was a strong old man with a group of fighters. He conducted legal fights, the kind that people bet on, and was more of a sport. Then there was the fighting that took place in a quiet location, away from all the sparkling lights of Vegas, and that required people to pay a certain fee to see. Those were the games that required blood and death to end.

  He didn’t want to go back to that life, and he’d do everything to make sure he didn’t.

  ****

  “I’m starting to think nothing is here,” Daisy said.

  Anthony agreed, but he wasn’t about to give up yet.

  “Have you called Simon or Tabitha? They may have something?” he asked.

  He watched as she grabbed her cell phone, which required her to lift her shirt, revealing her jeans. He didn’t know why he was so fascinated with her body or her change of style. It wasn’t like he was a fashion expert, far from it.

  Jeans and a shirt were what he normally wore, and he had no interest in changing for anyone.

  “No, they haven’t found anything, but apparently the bedrooms look like the old movie kind. Four posters, drapes, and she said there’s a lot of dust. Why buy a house and not clean it?”

  “Either they’ve bought this place and yet to clean it, or they’re renting it out. Makes sense. What’s the point in buying a place that could end up being a death trap?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The Billionaires piss off enough of the clubs here today, we all know where they live. My money is on it being a rented property. It’s probably why everyone is so happy to be here.”

  Daisy chuckled. She stood near the window. “I do not call that happy.”

  He moved toward the window, standing behind her. Whenever he was near Daisy he couldn’t help but for a few seconds to close his eyes. The scent of vanilla clung to her skin, and he found it often helped to calm him down.

  Opening his eyes, he stared out over the garden. No one would be able to see them from where they were. The clubs were still divided, with only one or two exceptions. Devil was moving around, as was Anthony’s own dad. His mother was being her charming self.

  “At least they’re not killing each other.”

  “I didn’t want to come today.”

  “Why did you?” Anthony asked. If she’d stayed back home in Fort Wills, he’d have come up with some excuse to do the same.

  “Mom and Dad wanted me to go. They don’t like me being alone since Sally moved out.”

  Sally was Daisy’s adopted sister. Lacey and Whizz couldn’t have kids, so they’d adopted a teenage Sally, and a young Daisy.

  “I miss her so much,” Daisy said. “She was always easy to talk to.”

  “And she’s always there. All you got to do is call her.”

  Daisy sighed. She took his hand. “Come on. We don’t have much time before they start to suspect we’re gone.”

  “They have got a lot of other things to worry about.”

  They left the room and walked along the large corridor. Opening the final door on the ground floor, they saw it was a huge dance hall.

  Daisy pulled out of his arms and gave a twirl. “Can you see all the ladies in big, massive dresses?” she asked.

  “No.”

  “You have no imagination, Anthony.” She grabbed his hands and made him spin around. “See, like this. It would have been proper for a lady to keep to herself.”

  He knew she loved those old movies that talked about England pre-telephone and entertainment. He’d tried to sit through them, but they bored him to death.

  “We’re supposed to be hunting clues,” he said.

  Her smile fell, and he felt like an utter loser.

  “You’re right.”

  Anthony watched as she started to walk the length of the grand room, heading toward the other door, and he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t bring himself to not let her experience something like this.

  He recalled her te
lling Tabitha after one of their movie fests that she would love to dance in some grand hall, and because his mother was Angel, he also knew how to dance.

  Stepping up to Daisy, he grabbed her hand, and pulled her close. Placing a hand at her waist, he took hold of her other one.

  “What are you going?”

  “You never know when you’ll be able to dance in a room as grand as this, my lady.”

  Her eyes grew wide, and she giggled. “You’re going to be my lord?”

  “I’ve already asked your pa for permission. May I have this dance?” He was confused but hoped that he’d gotten the words right.

  “You don’t have to do this, Anthony.”

  “It’s my lord to you, miss.”

  She chuckled.

  The only person he’d danced with was his mother, and now as he led Daisy into a dance, he was thankful that he’d paid attention to the small details. “I had no idea you could dance.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Daisy.” She was aware of his fighting.

  “Have you told your dad yet what you do?” she asked.

  “Let’s not talk about that.”

  “That’s a no.”

  “Why are you so against it?”

  “You’re young, and you’re part of The Skulls. You don’t think there will be consequences?” she asked.

  “We’re tough.”

  “Yes, but there comes a point when you have to be more than tough. I worry about you, Anthony. Fighting is … it’s not an easy sport, and you can end up killed. I don’t know what demons you’re fighting or why, but I don’t want to see you hurt.”

  “You don’t?”

  “No, you’re one of my best friends and I care about you. You shouldn’t be fighting.”

  He didn’t know what else to say, so he kept his mouth shut.

  Life at The Skulls hadn’t been easy. He’d grown up being forced into lockdown, seeing Tabitha being hurt and put into the hospital, his mother being shot, people dead. For years death had surrounded him, and since then he found it hard to deal at certain times. He found a rage building inside him. A need to hunt, to hurt, and he couldn’t always control it. Fighting helped him to focus.