Vice: Knights of Hellfire MC, #1

Synopsis

As the VP of the Knights of Hellfire MC, Oswald Oz Black is duty bound to hate the Iron Scorpions MC.  Seven years ago, the rivalry between the clubs led to bloodshed. To put an end to the violence between the two factions, Oz was forced to give up the only woman he has ever loved, the stepdaughter of the Iron Scorpions' President.  After seven years, Oz has transformed himself from lowly prospect, to the hard riding, hard drinking VP of the most ruthless MC in the criminal underworld. But Jodi is still untouchable, off limits.  Except, he can't stay away anymore. 

When Jodi Cunningham-Reed was banished from town, she had to leave Oz behind forever.  Her stepfather is President of the Iron Scorpions, so she's loyal to her stepfather and his club. For seven long years she has stayed away from the ruthless biker she left behind, knowing that if they're found together, her stepfather won't hesitate to kill Oz.  But one night, Jodi can't resist the pull of the outlaw biker she used to love. She finds herself giving in to desire one last time.  Or so she thinks. When Jodi realizes she's pregnant with Oz's baby, her forbidden affair can no longer stay secret.

Vowing to save Oz from the wrath of two MCs, Jodi is ready to run away and leave him behind all over again.  Too bad Oz isn't letting her go this time. He will claim her and his child, even if it costs him his life.

Prologue

Jodi

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A heavy hand shakes me awake. Bleary-eyed, I blink in the semi-darkness, trying to bring my surroundings into focus. I look down at the hand on my shoulder. It’s covered in blood.

Panic jolts me fully awake. My eyes connect with my stepfather’s. There’s blood smeared across his face. An agonized terror, cold as a razor, needles its way through my heart. "Daddy?"

Get up, he growls roughly.

You’re bleeding, I cry out, tears pricking the back of my eyes. Oh my God, what happened?

You have to get the hell out of here. He’s stumbling to the other side of the living room, tracking blood across the hardwood floor. That’s when I notice the blood splattered across his boots.

No. Oh God, no. He can’t be dying. Frantic thoughts crash through my mind. My biological father died when I was a baby. I have no memories of him. My stepfather is the only father I’ve ever known. Losing him will tear my entire world apart, but I’m too hysterical to think straight.

You’re hurt. My voice is shrill, a distorted cry. 

I push myself off the couch, the TV still blaring in the background. My boyfriend Oz is still asleep on the couch, oblivious to the horror unfolding. We must have fallen asleep while we were watching a movie together. 

I rush over to my stepfather. I’m calling 911 right now.

My stepdad grabs my arm and gives me a hard stare. The haunted look in his eyes unnerves me so much that I have to take a step back from him. However, he’s still clutching my arm. I can’t shake him loose.

Listen to me, he commands harshly. Most of this blood isn’t even mine. I’m not that badly hurt. Yet.

I should be relieved, but I’m not. The glassy, haunted look in his eye fills me with a dark dread that I instinctively know I’ll never shake. My stepdad is the Vice President of an outlaw biker gang. He doesn’t scare easily. I’ve never seen him look like this... spooked. Not ever. Are the cops after you?

He laughs humorlessly, the sardonic sound echoing eerily. I wish. I fucking wish.

Daddy...what’s happened? A cold sweat slithers across my skin. Is Mom okay?

Your mother’s fine, he mutters. One of the club prospects is driving her home as we speak.

Talk to me, I plead. I know better than to get all up in club business, but with my stepfather being the VP of the Knights of Hellfire, and my boyfriend still prospecting, I have a sinking feeling that I’m going to need to get caught up to speed fast if I have a hope in hell of surviving.

I fucked up, Jodi, my father admits. I fucked up.

He sounds delirious. Crazy. Jesus, he’s losing it, and right now, I’m all he’s got. No. Oz is still here. I rush back to the couch to wake Oz up.

His blue eyes flicker open and when they land on me, he smiles. One smile and I already feel safe like always. Safe and reassured. As long as Oz is here, I know I’ll be able to help my dad. Oz might be just a prospect, but he understands club stuff. He’ll know what to do.

What’s wrong, Jodi? His smile vanishes and he’s already getting to his feet. You okay?

I shake my head. I think my dad is in trouble. I jerk my head toward my father, now swaying on his feet, his huge frame in danger of toppling over.

Oh shit. Oz rushes over to my stepfather. Fucking hell, Reed, you okay?

I’m fine, my stepfather barks. His voice is too loud. Like he’s trying to use the force alone to stop Oz in his tracks.

But Oz is Oz. Which means nothing will ever stop him. I’ve loved him since we were kids, and I know him inside out. The same way he knows me inside out. Not even college got between us even though it’s been taking up so much of my time lately.

Oz grips my stepfather’s shoulders. What the hell happened?

Daddy pauses. Averts his gaze. There’s a war coming. Hell, it’s already started.

Dread seeps into my heart. It’s like a poison rushing through my veins. I know what he means. I know it, but I can’t accept it. What are you talking about?

My stepfather swallows hard. Regret hardens the lines of his bloody face. I made a play for President tonight. Tried to take over leadership from Hyde.

"What? What the fuck? Why the fuck would you do that?" Oz is shouting now.

I’m too scared to raise my voice. I know what happens to anyone who betrays the club. They will kill my stepfather. First, they’ll torture him; then they’ll put a bullet in his head. When they’re done, they’ll dump him in the swamp on the outskirts of town. They’ve done it before. Besides, it doesn’t matter if my father is the Vice President. If anything, his being the VP will force the club’s hand. They’ll have to kill him to make an example of him.

They’ll come after us. I tremble. Oz, they’ll come here and hurt all of us.

Oz turns to me, shaking his head. You’re a girl Jodi, they’d never hurt you.

The club doesn’t have to hurt me physically to hurt me. If they kill my father or Oz, I might as well be dead. My heart squeezes so tightly in my chest that it hurts to breathe. They might hurt you, Oz. If they think you’re on Daddy’s side, they’ll punish you.

The club could do permanent damage to Oz if the members are angry enough. They might break his legs. Take a finger. My stomach roils as I recall rumors of what they’ve done to traitors.

They don’t think Oz is on my side, my father says. At least, not yet. If they find Oz here with me, his only chance is to throw me under the bus, hand me over to them.

Oz would never do that, I say.

The fuck I wouldn’t, Oz snarls.

I look into the blue flames of his eyes, and instead of being reminded of how beautiful he usually is, all I see is hatred that’s burning his eyes down to embers.

No. You don’t know what you’re saying. My mouth goes dry. You wouldn’t turn Daddy over.

He just tried to overthrow his best friend. Jodi, Oz reminds me. How the fuck could he do that to a man he called his brother? If he’s so ready to knife Hyde in the back, what do you think your old man would do to us? 

Daddy wouldn’t hurt us. I press my palms against my throbbing temples. Stop. Just stop. Both of you. The world starts to spin, and I feel sick.

I had to try to overthrow Hyde, my stepfather explains, his face reddening with rage. His leadership was going to get us all killed. Including you, Jodi. The KOH might not hurt you, but do you know how many people in this town Hyde has pissed off?  All it takes is one of them to come after you, and I couldn’t risk it. But I failed. Hyde wasn’t going down quietly.

So, this is my fault then? A lump forms in my throat, and I reach for Oz’s hand.

He squeezes my hand in response, his face somber. Don’t cry, Jodi. I’m here. I’ll fix this, baby. Oz pulls me close and wraps his strong arms around me.

If I give in to the comfort his arms, I’ll get hysterical and I need to keep a level head if I have any hope of saving my father from his own stupid choices. The blood, I start, pulling away from Oz. Daddy, whose blood is that?

My stepfather doesn’t meet my eyes. Gator’s.

"Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. Hyde’s son? Are you insane?" Oz takes a step toward my father, his hands balled up into fists.

Calm down, he’s not dead. He got hit in the leg, and I tried to help him. I swear to God I wasn’t aiming for him. Gator was trying to keep the peace and got hit in the crossfire. Clipping him was an accident.

Hyde is going to fucking end us. Oz is shaking with unbridled fury. You’ve just killed us, Reed. You’ve just killed us all.

I’ve got enough club members on my side to try to weather this, Daddy insists. But I can only get you two through this alive if you both do exactly as I say.

What the fuck do you expect us to do? Oz demands.

Oz, you can turn me in, my father replies. The KOH will reward you for handing me over.

They’ll kill you. My voice is almost a shriek.

Listen to me, Jodi, Daddy says sharply. You and your mother have to get out of town. We’ve got friends in Riverview, so you can go there.

Without you? Hot tears roll down my cheeks.

He nods. Without me. And without Oz.

What do you mean without Oz? I demand.

I mean this is it, my father says. This is the last night you’ll see either of us. The club will probably kill me, and you can’t ever come back to town. Oz can’t go with you.

No. Why are you doing this? A sob rises in my chest.

This is the only way I can keep you and your mother safe, Daddy says. I’m a traitor. If Oz is seen anywhere with a traitor’s daughter, they’ll kill him too. You know that.

I’m not letting her go. Oz’s voice is dangerous.

I’ve loved Oz since I was thirteen years old, from the moment I first saw him leaning against his father’s beat-up old pickup truck, asking me if I wanted to go fishing at the swamp with him and his friends. We’ve been inseparable ever since. I don’t think I’ve ever gone more than three days without seeing him in the six years I’ve loved him.

Instinctively I reach for his hand. I must have held his hand a thousand times, but I won’t forget this time. Won’t forget this last time.

Oz stares down to where our hands are joined. Relief seems to wash over him, the expression on his face relaxing.

He thinks I’m going to give in to him. Give in and stay behind while the KOH circles around us, waiting for the right moment to take us out, one at a time.

Oz, promise me you’ll do what you can to save my dad, I plead.

Jodi—

Help him, I demand. If I start crying again, I’ll never be able to leave. Never be able to save Oz. Because my stepfather is right. If Oz and I stay together, the KOH will make him pay for it. They’ll kill him if it comes to that. Not only will they kill him, but they’ll use me against my father if I stay in Cypress City.

The thought of leaving my home is tearing me apart inside. Every single part of me is screaming in protest, screaming and begging me not to turn my back on the only place I’ve ever lived.

I was born here, went to high school here. Every friend I’ve ever had is in Cypress.

But I have to leave it all behind. Have to leave it if I’m going to save Oz. I might be sick and cold with fear right now, but I have to hold on to the iron will my stepfather handed down to me. I have to show my resolve. Can’t waver. Not now that I can see a way to protect the people I love.

The rumble of a car engine outside makes us all turn to look at the front door.

That’s got to be Van with your mother, my stepfather says. Time to go, Jodi.

I yank my hand out of Oz’s hold and when I do it, it’s as if my heart is being ripped out of my chest at the same time.

No. Jodi, what the fuck are you doing? Oz takes a step toward me, but my stepfather is already hustling me to the front door.

My heart is pounding, smashing against my ribcage with each shaky step I take. Just as I reach the door, I feel Oz grip my shoulder.

Don’t you do this. Don’t you dare fucking do this. His voice is a harsh plea.

I shrug out of his grasp.

Goodbye. Goodbye. Goodbye. Each heartbeat screams the word that I know I don’t have the guts to say out loud.

My heart; the heart that belongs to him squeezes so tightly that it breaks into a million fragments then turns to dust. Nothing is going to put it back together. Protect my father, I say in a hollow voice, too distraught to turn around and look Oz in the eye.

"I love you. Do you hear me, Jodi? I said I love you."

With the remaining strength I have, I throw the front door open and run out into the night.

As I race toward the car, the bright headlights almost blind me.

Oz is shouting after me, and I hear the sound of his heavy boots on the ground. He’s rushing out of the house after me. Stopping in my tracks, I whirl around to face him and suddenly he’s holding me in his arms, begging me to stay.

Don’t leave me, he begs. I’ll protect you. Never let them hurt you. I swear it, Jodi.

"I’m trying to protect you," I