Awaken The Beast: Snakes Henchmen MC Read online

  I love to hear them play. I love it because it’s the only real time I feel normal. I can hear them playing because of how powerful the instruments are, and I know I helped them, making me emotional each time. Unlike when someone is talking to me, my hearing seems to be getting lower and lower as every day passes. I’m terrified that my hearing aids aren’t going to do the job for much longer. I’m scared that I will be completely deaf.

  It’s my biggest fear. After I lost my hearing and I couldn’t hear a thing for three weeks, I shot into the darkness. I don’t want to go there again, that’s why I need to save as much money as I can. I need to see my doctor; I need to know if new hearing aids will work or if I’m slowly going completely deaf. I don’t even know if I’ll sound the same should I lose my hearing completely, it’s hard for me to believe people when they tell me I don’t sound any different from a hearing person as it is. My mom has told me repeatedly that I sound exactly the same when I speak as I did before I lost my hearing. I have to take her word for it.

  However, I’m guessing there must be some truth it in because when people meet me for the first time, they never notice that I’m deaf.

  I hold Jessica’s hand in mine and smile. “You have nothing to be afraid of, Jessica. You are a wonderful pianist, a beautiful singer. You bring a whole room to life when you play and sing. When you play the piano, I get lost in the music, because I may not be able to hear it very well, but I feel it in every part of me.”

  She smiles so sweetly at me. She’s the image of her father, but with her mother’s dark hair. Both her parents are handsome, very much so. All three of their children inherited their beauty. “You really hear and feel the music when I play?”

  “Every time, Jessie. It’s hard when you’re deaf, not being able to hear what others hear. That’s why we feel it more. Feeling your music is like magic to me, Jessie. It’s amazing, so don’t doubt yourself, sweetie. Never, ever doubt yourself.”

  She hugs me and tells me, “Thank you, Miss Chloe. You make me feel so much better about things.”

  Pulling away from her, I help the girls pack away their instruments. They’re leaving a little early today. They’re attending a party. Ember was saying something about it earlier, but I couldn’t make out what it’s all about. It was one of those moments when my hearing totally failed me and had me panicking for a few seconds.

  Anyway, it doesn’t concern me, so I didn’t really need to hear it. However, I told them that they could leave early and to have lots of fun at their party.

  The trouble with leaving early is that it means I have lots of time on my hands to think about Vince and last night. I don’t want to think about him, I know I’m never going to see him again, but it doesn’t hurt to keep our night in my head and use it for fantasy purposes, right?

  God, he really was something else. It’s kind of a shame that I’ll never see that Godlike man again.

  Max: We’re going to a party.

  I won’t take no for an answer.

  It’s the least you could do after keeping me up all night.

  Charming!

  I’m not in the mood to party; I’m tired. I’d rather take a hot bath and sleep. However, Max is right; it’s the least I can do.

  Chapter Five

  VJ

  Snakes Henchmen MC Clubhouse. My home away from home. The place I haven’t seen in over eighteen months. I’m sitting outside on my motorcycle after riding the wind for three hours straight this morning. It was just what I needed to clear my head: all that open road, the wind against my face. Fuck, I’d missed it, almost as much as I’d missed fucking.

  The little girl from last night was gone when I woke up this morning. Usually, I’d be all for that, but I woke up with a raging boner and wanted nothing more than to sink my cock into that tight little pussy again before kicking her out. However, she was gone, mores the pity.

  There was something about that little girl that had me... feeling something. I’m VJ, Snakes Henchmen member; I don’t do feelings. I never have. Well, not the common ones every other person feels. I feel anger, possessiveness, pride, contempt, an immense sense of self-worth. What I don’t feel is love or anything associated with it. I don’t feel compassion, adoration, et cetera. I’ve never really cried, either. Dad told me the last time I cried; I was two. Two! Can you imagine that?

  I don’t feel anything is worth crying about at all. I don’t see what could ever draw that emotion out in a person. It’s wasteful and used far too often.

  My big sister was kidnapped and almost killed, and I didn’t cry. I didn’t cry when I saw her in that hospital bed; her slit throat wrapped to protect it from infection. My whole family cried, including my big brother. Me? I stood looking at her, fascinated by what she’d gone through. Fascinated how she’d survived.

  I think that’s the day my father finally realized something was very wrong with me. Big bad bikers like Hammer, my sister’s husband, even though he wasn’t her husband back then, my father, the Prez at the time, Jett, and Tank, my other sister’s husband, were all shedding tears over Willow. I was smiling, lost in a world where everything is dark.

  It wasn’t like I found what happened to my sister funny. I fucking didn’t. I was beyond angry I could have killed someone. I was twelve, and I literally wanted to kill someone.

  My father dragged me out of the room and yelled at me, called me all sorts of names. I laughed at him, and he hit me. My Dad had never hit me like that before, with his open hand across my face like I was a man twice my age. Just so happens, my mother walked out of Willow’s room to see his hand connect with my face.

  While Mom screamed at my Dad, I stood there with a smirk on my face while I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. Yeah, he hit me that hard. The man was huge, but he had never hit any of my siblings in their lives. I was the only one.

  Dad looked angry, but according to him, I looked psychotic. That’s the day he told my Mom that he’d be taking me to see a head doctor, that there was something missing inside of me that he knew would never be fixed.

  He was right.

  The doctors agreed with him, tried to force medication on me, my Mom refused it.

  Whatever.

  I didn’t care then, and I don’t care now. I am who I am, ain’t my fault I was born this way.

  Crazy, isn’t it?

  Yeah, I was brought up with the MC, but I also had a wonderful childhood -apart from being crazy – with amazing parents. I have great siblings and an extremely close bond with my younger brother. Which apparently is “obsession” not love. I’m incapable of that a doctor once told me.

  Even I don’t believe that bullshit. I might not understand it, but I feel it for those close to me. I think that’s what I feel, at least. I know that I’ll never let anything happen to them. I know I’d kill and die to protect them.

  Do I need them?

  No. I don’t need anybody but myself.

  The only thing I need is to be in control of things. I need to hurt people, kill them even. If I don’t, it’s like something nags at me, and it makes me physically sick. I guess the best way to explain it is, it feels like heroin to me. If I don’t take a hit, I get withdrawals: cold sweats and stomach cramps.

  It’s a sick fetish, but the more pain I can inflict, the more satisfied I am. I can breathe easier.

  However, don’t go thinking I hurt or kill the innocent. I don’t. My father taught me from an early age that killing the innocent is not the way to go. I end only those I believe deserve it. I’m not the kind of psychopath that goes around killing randomly. I like the leg work before the kill. I like making plans then executing them. It makes the game much more fun.

  That little girl, Chloe, she got a lucky escape. I wouldn’t have hurt her; she was innocent, a beautiful, sexy, fantastic fuck, kind of innocent. However, I don’t keep women; even women like her around for more than one fuck. Silly bitches get attached.

  There’s no point getting attached to a man like me. They’ll never be loved. They’ll never get the whole wedding, kids, and happy ever after bullshit from me. I wouldn’t even know how the hell to handle that.

  However, Chloe had me feeling something I have never felt before. I can’t explain it, but if she’d been there when I woke up this morning, I’m not sure I would have let her go. Even now, I’m thinking about her, obsessing over her, thinking of ways to make her mine.

  Why the fuck would I be thinking that?

  I don’t even know the girl, won’t ever see her again unless I find out where she lives. I could do it only too easily. I could make her mine, fuck her anytime I like. Wouldn’t be faithful, in any case. Couldn’t. I love pussy too much. Girls like Chloe, like all that faithful shit.

  Nope. Might as well forget all about her right now. She wouldn’t deserve the shit I’d bring to her life anyway.

  Climbing off my bike, I drop my cigarette to the floor and stomp it out with my boot. I yank on my cut, making sure it’s sitting proudly against my chest — time to go in and make my presence known.

  “Should have told us you were getting out yesterday, brother.”

  A slow smirk spreads across my face as I turn to face the man behind me. It’s been a good while since I saw him. “Bones,” I acknowledge.

  Bones got his name for his love of breaking them. He’s my age, tall as a giant and twice as wide. Son-of-a-bitch went to school with me, and he watched me cause havoc in that place. He soon joined in with me, and then joined me in the MC.

  “Got your old man in a right spin. Went to collect you this mornin’ only to find out you were already out.”

  Yeah, I may have fucked up there. I should feel a little guilty, but I don’t.

  “He’ll get over it.” I shrug.

  Bones laughs and
comes toward me with his arms open. “Motherfucker!” He hugs me; I hate being hugged! The asshole knows this. I won’t hug him back; it’s not my style. I only embrace my mother and sisters one-handed for fuck’s sake. “It’s good to have you back, man.”

  “It’s good to be back, brother,” I clasp his shoulder. He’s a good guy. “Time I went inside.”

  “Just so you know, because I know you hate surprises, your whole family is in there with the brothers, old ladies, kids.”

  “Great.” Just what I don’t need right now. At least it’ll get it out of the way, I suppose.

  Bone wasn’t wrong; the place is packed. A fucking massive welcome home banner over the bar, balloons everywhere, food on almost every table, all that bullshit people set out for a huge party. Everyone cheering the second I walk in the door, rushing me, fucking touching me!

  “My little boy!” Christ, my Mother!

  “Nice to see you too, Mom.” Gently, I push her away from me. Then I’m attacked by my three sisters, my nieces, nephews, friends. For fuck’s sake!

  My older brother, the new president of the club, Jett, grabs me and hugs me. I tap his back one-handed. I’m getting hot; I can’t stand all this touchy-feely crap!

  Soon as everyone’s done with the “Welcome back” bullshit, my father steps forward. He’s aged some since I’ve been gone. Sixty-four years old, and still looks much younger to most. However, I can see his age creeping up, on him — all the fucking worry over me, no doubt.

  I hold my hand out to him, “Dad.”

  He grabs my hand and pulls me into him. “It’s good to see you, my boy.”

  “You too, Dad. Where’s Max?” He isn’t here. If he were, he’d have been the first one rushing me when I walked through the door.

  We have a good relationship, Max and me. The man keeps me in check as much as he can. He’s stopped me doing some really crazy shit over the years. Wasn’t until he was attacked and left for dead did I feel anything of dread. I honestly thought he’d die.

  Didn’t take me long to find the fuckers who did that to Max, and I made them fucking pay. The trouble was, the second I got my hands on the leader and beat the ever-living fuck out of him, the fucking cops caught me. Figures.

  I’ve spent eighteen months obsessing over my brother, wondering if he’s really okay. The only time I allowed anyone to visit me in prison, it was with Draven Vidal. It was my doing that he was there. I called him and asked him to come. He did because, for all intents and purpose, we’re friends.

  Though I wanted him for one thing and one thing only, to make sure he looked out for Max while I was away. My brother isn’t like the rest of us. He isn’t a biker, never wanted to be one. He’s a race car driver, a damn good one.

  He isn’t weak either, physically, at least. However, he’s not the kind of man to go around fighting anyone for the hell of it.

  All I needed was for the Don to make sure my brother was well protected while I was gone. Yeah, he had the while MC taking care of him after what happened, but I wanted more. I needed Max trailed by someone reliable, powerful, a fucking assassin who would kill anyone who so much as looked at Max the wrong way.

  I told Vidal I wouldn’t be in contact with anyone from the outside after that day until my release. All I needed was his word that Max would be safe. He gave it to me and left. I spent the next eighteen months knowing my brother was safe. Once Vidal gives you his word, he keeps it.

  “Max will be along soon. Now, let’s get this party started! My boy is home!” I roll my eyes as they all cheer. Makes a man smile to himself to know he’s appreciated.

  My first drink inside my club in eighteen months, five fingers of Scotch, no ice. What the fuck is the point of ice in Scotch? Moreover, what’s the point of five fingers?

  Fuck that, I grab the bottle and chug it. This is what it’s all about!

  Chapter Six

  Chloe

  Is this really necessary, Max? You know I don’t like coming to this clubhouse.”

  “My brother is finally home, Chloe. I’d like you to meet him.”

  “Why?” He’s never wanted me to meet the infamous VJ before now. Not that I could, the man was in prison.

  However, Max once told me that he’d never, allow me to have anything to do with his brother because he’s dangerous. I don’t know much about VJ other than what Max has told me. Psychopath, he told me — not the serial killer kind, but a psychopath nonetheless.

  He also told me how much he loves VJ, his other best friend. That all he wants is the best for him. He wants VJ to meet someone who can melt his heart and show him that he is capable of love.

  I want to make my own mind up about what kind of man he is, but what do I know, he’s Max’s brother, not mine.

  Max turns to me, smiles, and takes my shoulders in hands. He’s so handsome; it’s a pity we never felt anything more than friendship for each other. Not that he’d feel that for me, he’s in love with Daisy, and I love her too, she’s amazing. However, she isn’t here right now; she’s only her way home from her trip to Europe. Max is missing her, and I need to be there for him right now. Be the friend he is to me.

  Max is dressed in his black jeans and a black button-down shirt, his brown hair slicked back, and he smells amazing.

  I’m dressed in a light blue dress that sits perfectly on my knees. It’s long-sleeved and covers everything I don’t want anyone to see. My heels are three-inch and blue silk. My hair is in a French twist, and my makeup is light. I didn’t want to dress like a whore. I do not want to have these bikers think that’s who I am. I’m not one, and I never will be one.

  “It’s not like you’re not going to meet VJ at some point, Chlo, he’s a massive part of my life. You’re my best friend; you know all of my family, all the important people in my life, but VJ is important to me too. He’s kinda my best friend, too.”

  I smile at him and the sweet look on his face. I’ll never know how Max came from a family of bikers. He’s nothing like them at all. He took a different path in life with his racing, but he doesn’t deny them either. Max loves his family, and he’s proud of them.

  “Just one word of warning before we go in,”

  “Okay?”

  “VJ isn’t like most people, Chloe, he’s dangerous, can’t control himself most of the time. He feels nothing,”

  “Nothing?”

  He shakes his head. “Nothing.” How can a person feel nothing at all? “Well, anger, obsession, all the negative, violent feelings most won’t experience in life.” Okay, he sounds crazy. “He’ll flirt with you,”

  “Why me?”

  “Because you’re beautiful, Chloe.” I smile, it’s nice to hear that sometimes, even if it is your best friend telling you such. “VJ will pick up on that instantly. He’ll try anything to get you into bed.” Won’t happen. “He’ll use you and toss you aside once he’s done with you because he doesn’t know how else to behave.”

  “Max, nothing is going to happen between your brother and me. I don’t sleep around, last night with that guy was just a stupid mistake. I’m not about to make it again. Anyway, I don’t find bikers attractive.”

  “That’s what they all say until they meet VJ.”

  I laugh and wrap my arm around his waist as he leads me inside. The place is all kitted out for a party, a massive banner hanging over the bar reading, Welcome Home VJ. Tables are littered with beer bottles, glasses, food. Kids are running around playing, laughing.

  Max told me once that there are usually club whores around the clubhouse, there are none here today. Max says that’s because the kids are here. No club whores are allowed around the children. Nova made it clear years ago that she wouldn’t put up with it. I can’t say as I blame her, children don’t need to see those things.

  There are a group of bikers to the right of the room, their women hanging off them, each tips their head at me, I smile in return.