Page 1 of Broken

Prologue

KING

“I thinkthat’s the last of it,” I say as I put the last box down on the concrete pad.

I’m with Dragon today at the Savage Brothers MC, Tennessee chapter. He and Nicole came down to visit with Crusher and Dani. Dragon asked if I could meet him out here and help move some shit with the rest of the club. Tennessee was bombarded with storms and the clubhouse had been flooded. Today they are going through everything and we’re packing up things so the Service Pro people can work their magic. Diesel—the president of this chapter—is discussing things with Dragon. They’re kicking around rebuilding the clubhouse and raising the new structure up slightly to prevent future flooding. The place apparently hadn’t been in danger before, but the weather has been crazy for the last couple of years.

“Thanks for your help, King,” Diesel says, as we walk over to the picnic table he’s sitting on top of. He hands me a beer off the cooler that is on the bench by his feet. I grab it, taking a long swig, enjoying it.

“No worries, I have some time on my hands,” I say with a shrug.

“Dragon mentioned confidentially that you might be looking for a new place to lay your head and a new club.”

I look back at the man who is my father by blood, a man I hated most of my life, and have lately called friend. Our relationship is odd, to say the least. He gives me a look with a shrug. “I know you’re not comfortable joining my club. Won’t keep me from trying to make sure you’re happy, son. Sue me.”

I shake my head, fighting a smile. If someone had told me that I would actually like this man a year ago, I’d have called them a liar, kicked them in the balls, and spit on them. Then again, a year ago, I thought I found a woman I could settle down with, a woman I could have kids with, and build the life I had never had—but always wanted. Turns out she wanted that too, but not with what she called a biker who would rather break the law than live a decent life. I push the thoughts away. I don’t need to sink into that headspace right now. It’s bad enough when I’m alone.

“I don’t need a club to make a position for me—no offense.”

“That’s good. I’m not making you one,” Diesel replies at once.

I look at Dragon and the bastard laughs. “I know you better than you think, son. I knew you wouldn’t want shit handed to you. They’re just asking you to join the club. They’ll patch you in on recommendation from Ford, by the way, not me.”

“You’re still an asshole,” I mutter, and son of a bitch, if men could cackle, he’d be guilty of it right now.

“All bullshit aside, we heard why you’re not happy at the Saints. I completely understand it. That’s not the kind of club we are. You won’t have to deal with that bullshit. We don’t use women for revenge. If it helps, I even spoke with Blade. He’s not listening. Losing his brother, and the way it happened, changed him.”

“You know about their plans?” I ask, not liking the thought of Dragon telling them something I told him in confidence.

“Probably before you did. I spoke to him before Dragon mentioned you were looking for a club. That’s also how I knew the reason you weren’t happy with the Saint’s Outlaws, if you’re wondering. No one told me shit.”

I nod, but Dragon shakes his head. I can tell he didn’t like that I thought he betrayed me. I shrug. I like the man and I’m slowly learning to trust him. Still, years of distrust are hard to overcome. “Sorry, old man.”

“You’ll learn,” he says, and I guess he’s right.

“I’d need to talk to Ford. He’s still on his honeymoon. He wants me to come back, but I’d rather have a clean start somewhere.”

“You can just tell me when. We’ve moved the headquarters to an old hotel about a mile from here. I’m not sure how long it will take us to get moved back in here but shouldn’t be long. Even if we rebuild to raise the structure up, we’re thinking of a whole new structure at this point. Our place needed some updating, anyway.”

“Sounds good. Ford comes back next week. I’ll talk things over with him and let you know.”

“That works. Now, how about we put your old man’s grill work to the test? I’m getting hungry.”

“Fuck you,” Dragon laughs. “I’m taking a break. Isn’t Crusher supposed to be back today? Let that bastard cook.”

“He is, but usually after he’s been gone a couple of days, he and Dani disappear for twenty-four hours, if not longer.”

“Gabby!” My head jerks as I hear Nicole call out. When I look, I see the woman I’ve thought about the last few months. I’ve wondered how she’s been. What I didn’t expect was to see her here today.

“Hey, Nicole,” she says softly, walking over to her. She hugs her. I look back at Dragon. “What’s she doing here?”

“It’s her story to tell. Things haven’t been so great for her. Dani and Nicole have been helping her. No one outside of this club and us know she’s here, so don’t let it out. I haven’t even told my boys. They have issues with Gabby. It’s understandable. I did too, but time changes things and everyone deserves a second chance if they earn it.”

I frown. He doesn’t have to defend Gabby to me. The last time we spoke, I wanted to deck Dom and T for the way they were with her. I know they had reason, but the woman has been through hell and had just lost her brother. There’s a time for that shit and that wasn’t it.

I stand up and walk over to Gabby. I want to check on her. She was way too fragile and not taking care of herself the last time I saw her. I see the surprise on her face the minute she sees me. Then, it almost changes to complete fear. It’s a strange reaction considering we are friends—at least I thought we were. I think Shelby is proof that I don’t have the best judgment about what women feel or think.

“Gabby?”

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