Tease: A Kings of Korruption MC Novel Read online

  After that life-changing night, I thought for sure my mother would leave him. I waited. And then I waited some more. Without Buddy there, I was miserable, and my face took forever to heal. He never stopped cuffing me on the side of the head every time he walked by me, and that didn’t help me heal either. I needed to get away. I knew if I didn’t, I was going to die in that house.

  But she never left. She never even fucking acknowledged what had happened. If anything, she got worse. She started drinking more and sleeping all the time, leaving me alone with Rick. One night I was in bed sound asleep when Rick came into my room. He’d smelled strongly of booze and could hardly stand up. He’d walked to the side of my bed, undoing his belt as he moved.

  I bolted upright, knowing he was going to beat me with that belt, but he didn’t. He’d come to the edge of my bed directly in front of me and dropped his pants. “You’re fucking mother’s passed out and can’t suck my dick, so guess what, you little fuck … it’s your turn.” I’d stared at him in horror as he’d grabbed the back of my head and tried to press my face into his fully-erect and foul-smelling cock.

  That was when I lost it. Bringing up my fist, I punched that drunk fuck right in the nuts, and when his knees gave out from the pain, I ran. With nothing but the pajamas I was wearing, and the shoes I managed to grab on my way out, I ran like hell.

  I didn’t know what the fuck to do. I was only nine years old. For days, I lived on the streets, eating out of dumpsters and sneaking into the basement of the public library to sleep. It didn’t take long for me to get caught, but when my mother came into the station, she wouldn’t even look at me. I watched her through the window of the interrogation room as she cried and told the police she couldn’t handle me anymore; I was a trouble maker. I’d like to think this was her way of saving me – of giving me an out.

  So I went into foster care. Nobody wanted a nine-year-old delinquent in their home, so I ended up in a group home for boys. Most of the kids there were in their teens. It was like moving from one level of hell to another. Those boys took one look at my mangled face and my scrawny frame and decided that my life wasn’t shit enough — they needed to make it even shittier.

  Every day they teased me. They called me names, kicked me, punched me, and stole my food. I tried to tell the social workers, but they didn’t believe it was that bad, and besides, their hands were tied. Where else was I going to go?

  I took that shit until I was sixteen. By then I had grown a lot, and I was starting to fill out and gain more muscle. One of the kids that had been harassing me for years thought it would be funny to embarrass me in front of the hottest girl in school, and I lost it. Grabbing my pencil, I’d jammed it straight through his hand and beat the fuck out of the son-of-a-bitch until the police showed up to pull me off him.

  I spent the next two years in juvie. Juvenile detention centers are not a place for kids to sort their shit. It’s a lot like prison, but on a smaller scale. I never made any friends there. I kept to myself, and I fought when I had to. I quickly earned a reputation for being a guy you didn’t dare fuck with, and that worked for me, so I keep that reputation and wear it like a goddamned shield to this day.

  All those years and all those experiences should have taught me not to fall into the trap I fell into tonight. I don’t blame Laynie, I blame myself — I’d been charmed by her. She couldn’t see me to know who or what I was. I was the ass that kissed her as if I had some right to claim her. For the first time, I’d forgotten who I was … what I was. I won’t let that ever happen again.

  My face heats as I hear the door to the apartment close softly. He left. We were having an incredible time, and he left. I can’t believe I had gasped like that. It must have sounded pretty awful for him to leave without a word. I’m so angry at myself.

  Tears fill my eyes as I sit, waiting for him to come back. It’s not until I hear the roar of his motorcycle as he speeds away that they fall onto my cheeks. What have I done? I knew he was broken somehow, but I didn’t know how or why. I still don’t, really, but I know it has something to do with that long scar I felt on his cheek.

  God. What had happened to him to cause that? It wasn’t overly thick or rough feeling, but I could feel its length and that it was smooth with age. That was an old scar.

  I need to apologize. To let him know that I didn’t mean to gasp. I’d gasped because from that single touch of his face, I knew he’d lived a hard life – that he’d been through something tragic. Something that changed his life forever. Just like me.

  Picking up my phone, I direct it to call Travis. It rings seven times before I remember he’s driving. Pacing back and forth, I ignore the burn in my foot from where I’d stepped on the glass. My anxiety takes over, numbing any pain. I will never forgive myself if I can’t apologize to him.

  Unable to take it anymore, I try his number again. I wait ten full rings before I hang up. When he checks his phone next, he’s going to think I’m a stalker. I send him a text.

  Laynie: Travis, I need to talk to you. Please answer your phone.

  Thinking back to just a little while ago, I remember the feeling of Travis beneath me. Of his hard body firm under mine. Of his soft lips moving in rhythm with my own. Nobody had ever kissed me that way. Nobody had ever set me on fire like that. Nobody had ever even tried.

  Three more times I try Travis’s number, each time letting it ring a little longer and a little longer still, but he never answers. My head aches right along with my heart, and I decide it’s time for me to go to bed. I will get ahold of Travis first thing in the morning and apologize, making this all better. He’ll come back. He has to.

  I take Dex out for his nightly pee and ready myself for bed, trying Travis just one last time. Still no answer. Settling under the blankets, my heart sings when my phone rings, breaking the gloomy silence in the room. I scramble for the phone, pushing the button for the verbal caller ID. It’s my mother. Groaning, I bury my face in the pillow and try to get some sleep.

  NO MATTER HOW FAST or how far I rode last night, I couldn’t get the memory of her fucking gasp from my head. I can’t stop thinking about that kiss, still feeling the ghost of her lips on mine. I’ve reasoned with myself all day that it meant nothing — that she meant nothing — but I know I’m fucking lying.

  Sitting in the back corner of the clubhouse, I drain my fourth beer of the night. I’m determined to drink until the memory fades, giving my aching heart a fucking rest. The place is packed. Whores dance around the room, tits hanging out of their shirts. Old ladies sit together in the corner, drinking and laughing. The rest of the Kings are scattered throughout the crowd, partying it up and having a great time. I wish I knew what it was like to be like them. To let loose – have fun.

  A commotion by the front door drowns out the laughter around me. “Well hell-o, Barbie!” Fucking Jase. The guy is always the life of the party – never fucking serious, and tonight, I just don’t want to listen to it. “Come on in, sweetheart! We don’t bite!”

  “Speak for yourself,” someone calls out.

  “Well damn. I must be at the wrong party then because I was promised there’d be biting.” My whole body freezes. That voice. I’m out of my seat and at the front door before Jase even gets a chance to respond. He has that flirty grin of his on his face and is reaching for her hand when I push myself between them.

  Grabbing her arm, I pull her and her dog away from him and speak harshly into her ear. “How the hell did you get in here?”

  She flinches, a wounded look flashing on her face before she wipes it clear of emotion. “The guy outside let me in. I told him I was with you.”

  Fucking Mouse. “I’ll talk to him later. You need to fuckin’ leave.”

  Another flinch. “OK. I’ll leave. But first, I wanted to apologize. That kiss …” She smiles softly, and at the mention of our kiss, my heart beats a little faster. “Travis, that kiss was beautiful. I didn’t – “

  “Hi!” Fuck me. Both of our heads whip in the
direction of the high-pitched squeal. Charlotte stands beside us, grinning from ear to ear, her cheeks rosy and flushed. She’s fucking wasted. “I’m Charlotte! And you are?”

  “Laynie.” Laynie smiles, holding out her hand, which Charlotte captures in her own, pumping it up and down like she’s trying to get fucking water out of her, a big goofy grin on her face.

  “She was just leavin’.” I growl out the words causing both women to look toward me and frown.

  Laynie cocks a thumb in my direction. “He’s mad at me.”

  Charlotte smirks. “He’s mad at everyone.”

  “Yeah. Well, he’s really mad at me.”

  Charlotte frowns. “What did you do?”

  What the fuck? The two of them are standing there talking like they’re at a goddamned tea social, pretending I’m not even there. I lean forward, grabbing Laynie once again. “I said she was just fuckin’ leavin’.”

  Surprise registers on Charlotte’s face just as Ryker steps up to her. “Baby girl, it looks like these two were having a conversation. Come on.” Thank fuck for Ryker.

  Charlotte pouts and turns back to Laynie. “It was nice to meet you, Laynie.”

  She smiles back. “You too, Charlotte.”

  Ryker wraps his arm around his woman and practically drags her back to the far side of the room. She keeps turning and waving at Laynie, a huge smile on her face, not realizing she can’t see her. Looking away from her, I see almost everybody in the room is fucking watching us. My skin crawls and my gut churns when I realize that we’re the center of attention at this moment. I need to get her the fuck out of here. Now.

  Turning back to Laynie, I take one last look at the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen right before I tell her to get the fuck out. It’s all just too much damned drama, and I just want it to be over. “You’ve gotta go.”

  She sputters and protests as I pull her back over to the door. Jase sees us leaving and calls out to her. “Leavin’ so soon, sweetheart?”

  Her cheeks flame, but if her eyes could shoot sparks, they would. She’s pissed. “Apparently. Travis tells me I have to leave.”

  Jase laughs a deep belly laugh. “Travis does, does he? Well, you tell Travis you want to hang out with me, and he can’t make you leave.” He winks at her, another person oblivious to her blindness. Anger coils in my belly at his blatant flirting.

  I look at him and snarl, “Enough. Now move. She’s leaving.”

  Laynie growls in anger and spins around beside me. “You know what, Travis? You seem to be the only person that has a problem with me being here. I came here to fucking apologize, and you won’t even listen! I gasped, Travis. Big fucking deal. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings, but suddenly, I don’t even care if you forgive me. You really are a dick.”

  Spinning on her heel, she turns and storms out of the building, hot on Dex’s tail. Jase raises his eyebrows and lets out a low whistle. “Jesus Christ, Tease. That bitch was hot! How come everyone else around here is finding hot pussy? Not cool, brother. Not cool at all.” He walks away, shaking his head as if disappointed. Ass.

  My eyes drift back to the door Laynie just walked out of, doubt starting to flood my mind. She was right. She fucking came down here, late at night, with only her dog to guide her and walked into a den of fucking bikers to apologize to me – and I may as well of spit in her face. She obviously felt bad. The least I could have done was given her a chance to clear her conscience. Fuck. I am a dick.

  I storm out of the clubhouse, angrier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. It’s hard to storm anywhere when you’re blind and your dog walks like a wounded turtle, but I made it work. Reaching into my purse, I pull out my phone and call the taxi company to send me another ride. Unsure of my surroundings, I lean back against the brick wall and wait.

  “Uh oh.” My head whips up. It’s the guy who let me in. “Doesn’t look like that went so well.”

  I grit my teeth. “It didn’t. That man is impossible. He’s also an asshole.”

  The man laughs softly before placing a cold bottle in my hand. “Beer. It’s not opened yet. I wanted you to know it was safe.” I smile as I take it, tears threatening to fall. “He is impossible. And he is an asshole.” Damn right! “But he’s also a good guy.”

  I scowl at him, earning myself another laugh. The truth is, I know he’s a good guy. It was the good guy part of him that helped me when Dex got hurt and helped me again when I got drunk and cut my foot. It was the good guy part of him that slept on my couch and made me breakfast. But all those good guy actions don’t mean he’s a totally nice guy. “More like an asshole with good guy tendencies.”

  The man laughs long and hard, obviously enjoying my pain. “I like you. The name’s Mouse.” I wrinkle my nose at that, wondering why he has such a stupid name. I know his real name isn’t Mouse, but why would he introduce himself that way? Shaking my head, I accept that I’ll probably never figure it out.

  Sticking out my hand, I wait for him to take it. He grasps it gently, giving it a single pump before letting go. “Laynie.”

  “Laynie. Pretty name.” I just smile. “Like I was saying, Tease is a good guy. I should know. We’re buddies. He would never admit that, but we are. That guy has had my back every single fucking time I needed it and never once complained. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.” He chuckles softly. “I get myself in a lot of … situations.”

  I smile. I like this Mouse character. He seems so genuine and somewhat innocent compared to the other guys. I can tell he looks up to Travis. I just hope that Travis appreciates the friend he has in him.

  “Well, Mouse, he may be there for you, but he’s pretty much always a dick to me, and I’m not taking that shit from him. He’s acting like a child.”

  “I don’t blame you there.” He sighs, and I hear Dexter’s collar jingle as Mouse pets him. “Tease has had a shit life.” I freeze, waiting for him to continue. “I don’t know much about it … anything, really. But I do know it was shit. He don’t talk much, and he mostly keeps to himself. I think it’s hard for him to be around people. I also think you just need to be patient with him.”

  Deep down I know he’s right. I thought the same thing myself last night before everything went all to hell. At the same time, though, that’s a lot of effort to put into someone that can’t seem to stand to be around you.

  Just as I open my mouth to answer, the front door bangs open and then closed again, and I hear footsteps approaching us on the gravel parking lot.

  “Beat it, Mouse.” Travis.

  Mouse’s voice is amused when he replies, “See ya, Laynie.”

  Shaking my head at Travis’s rudeness, I lift my hand and wave. “See ya, Mouse. And thanks for the beer.”

  I hear him start to say something, but it’s cut off by a grunt from Travis, and then I hear his footsteps as he walks away.

  I glare in the direction I think he is. “Don’t worry. I’m just waiting for my taxi, and I’ll be gone.”

  He sighs. “Laynie – I … can we just talk for a minute?” He sounds defeated.

  Turning to face him, I just nod, waiting to see if the hope I am suddenly feeling is going to come back and bite me in the ass.

  I HAVE NO CLUE what to say to her. I asked her if we could talk and now she’s waiting for me to fucking say something – anything – and all I can do is stare at her sad green eyes, pissed that I was the one to make them sad in the first fucking place.

  Taking a deep breath, I go for it. “I’m sorry.” Her head tilts to the side, but she stays silent. She’s not going to make this easy on me. Blowing out a breath, I stab my fingers roughly through my hair.

  She continues to stand there, eyes pointed slightly to the left of me, face blank. I sigh heavily. “I was pissed. I’m a fuckin’ monster, Laynie, and when you touched my face, you knew. You fuckin’ knew.” I watch as her brow creases with confusion, but she still says nothing. “You and me, we don’t fit. You’re fuckin’ gorgeous, and I ….” Fuck.r />
  She stands up straighter. “You what?”

  Fuck. I hate this. I don’t talk about this shit. I don’t talk about anything. Anger and frustration pump through my veins, my fists clenching tightly. “That fucking scar you felt? It’s fucked up my whole face.” I’m yelling at her, but I can’t help it. I don’t want to tell her this, but she has to know. “It’s disgusting.”

  She nods. “I felt that.” I look away, suddenly ashamed and not sure if I want to hear what she says next. “And I don’t care if it’s ugly or not. I gasped because I was surprised. Not to mention, devastated for you.” I narrow my eyes and open my mouth to tell her to go fuck herself. That I don’t need her fucking pity, but she cuts me off. “That scar is old. It’s smooth and barely noticeable to the touch, but I can tell it’s an old scar. Which tells me you got it when you were young.”

  Surprised, I watch her face, looking for any sign of her emotions. Skeptical, I sneer at her. “You got all that from touching my fuckin’ face?”

  She smiles slightly and nods. “When you lose your sight, you become pretty accustomed to using your other senses.” She reaches out, hand searching for my face. I grab her wrist, holding it tightly between us, but she presses on. “How did you get that scar, Travis?”

  My anger starts to fade, and my heart pounds an unsteady rhythm in my chest. I can’t fucking tell her this. Can I? I’ve never told anyone about my fucked-up past. I stare into her eyes, seeing them filled with compassion and sincerity, and I start to crumble. Those eyes may not work the way they’re supposed to, but fuck me, I can see every one of her emotions when I look into them.

  Swallowing hard, I guide her hand slowly and gently place it against my stubbled cheek. Wariness causes my guts to roll. She smiles softly, and her thumb moves, gently running up and down the long scar that has ruined my life. Emotions wage war inside me. I want to recoil, rip her hand away from my face, and scream at her for making me feel these things. At the same time, the tenderness of her caress makes my defenses slowly dissolve.