Claiming Menace (Ruthless Sinners MC #5) - L. Wilder Page 0,3
“I’m giving you a chance to be a part of something bigger than yourself. A chance to know what it means to be a brother and have a brother stand by you.”
“But why? You don’t know anything about me.”
“You’re wrong there, son. I know everything about you.” The intensity in his eyes grew even more fierce as he crossed his arms and gave a complete rundown of my history. “You grew up here in Nolensville. It’s just you and your father. Your mom had a heart defect and died when you were fifteen, and that’s when your ol’ man started drinking and ran off your sister. You graduated from high school, but you did it without any real effort. You got a few friends here and there, but none that would stand by you when things get tough... really tough.”
“Damn.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “You really did your research.”
“Damn straight I did. It’s my job to know everything I can about the men I bring into the fold.”
“But why me?”
He never took his eyes off me as he continued, “When I got wind of what you’d done for Axel’s niece, I started looking into you. Discovered you have a certain skill set that would be beneficial to the club.”
I couldn’t believe my ears. The guy was completely serious about all this, and I couldn’t deny how intrigued I was by his offer. I’d never had a real sense of purpose, and this Viper guy and his brothers were giving me a chance to change that. I was scared to accept, but even more scared to turn him down. I wasn’t sure what to do, but there was something about this man who stood in front of me that exuded confidence—the kind of confidence that set my mind at ease. My racing pulse started to slow, and the haze of panic and fear lifted, making it possible to think for the first time since they’d arrived at my doorstep. I looked up at Viper. “But you guys are bikers. I don’t know anything about motorcycles. I’ve never even ridden before.”
“You’ll learn.”
“And what about things here?”
“I don’t know. That’s up to you, but it doesn’t look like you’ll be leaving much behind.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a card, and offered it to me. “Think about it. If you’re interested, and I can tell you are, come by the clubhouse and meet the other guys. If all goes like I think it will, you’ll start the prospecting process.”
“Prospecting?”
“Just get to the clubhouse. The sooner the better.”
With that, the four men got on their motorcycles, roared out of my driveway, and disappeared into the horizon. Once I was certain they were gone, I glanced back at my so-called home and listened to my father and Eugene carry on about the game on the TV. I didn’t have a bad life. I had a roof over my head, and my father wasn’t the greatest, but he was mine. It was enough, but I wanted more. I had my chance for more, and I damn well was gonna take it.
Menace
“What the hell happened?”
“It’s nothing.”
“The fuck it is.” I sat there looking at the bruises and cuts on my brother’s knuckles and the gash on his cheek, and it was all I could do to keep myself from completely losing it. I knew Jagger could hold his own. Anyone could see that. At six-five and two-hundred and seventy pounds of pure muscle, the guy was a fucking beast. His dark, shaggy hair had grown long, making him look even more vicious, and with his Ruthless Sinners’ tattoo sprawled across his massive bicep, it was hard to believe anyone would dare to fuck with him. Enraged by the whole damn thing, I slammed my hand down on the table and growled, “This kind of shit isn’t supposed to happen. You’re under club protection!”
“And that protection comes at a cost.” Jagger remained perfectly calm. “Deluca has put his neck out for me more times than I can count. Last night, it was time for me to return the favor.”
“What the fuck happened?”
“I handled it.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means, I’m handling things, so stop worrying about it and let it fucking go.” His coal-black eyes grew fierce as he leaned over the table and barked, “And while you’re at it, stop with all the