Touching Diablo (Satan's Keepers MC Book 8), page 1
TOUCHING DIABLO
SATAN’S KEEPERS MC
BOOK 8
E.C. LAND
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Trigger Warning
Music Playlist
Satan’s Keepers MC Members
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Bonus Scene
Also by E.C. Land
Author’s Note
Tucker’s Strike
Battling Aries
Jingle Belle’s Biker
Social Media
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
So many people to acknowledge, but first and foremost, my family. They always have my back and support me. My husband and kids are my biggest cheering team, and I couldn’t ask for better.
Next, I’d have to shout out to all my readers for sticking with me and enjoying the world I’ve created.
Then there’s my team, everyone who works alongside me to ensure that each book I release is ready to go when the time comes. I couldn’t ask for better.
TRIGGER WARNING
This content is intended for mature audiences only. It contains material that may be viewed as offensive to some readers, including graphic language, dangerous and sexual situations, murder, rape, and extreme violence.
Proceed with caution. This book does entail several scenes that may very well be a trigger to some.
Also, tissues are a must with other scenes.
Not for the faint at heart.
If you don’t like violence and cannot handle certain subjects, then this is not a book you’ll want to read.
Touching Diablo
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Touching Diablo. Copyright © 2024 by E.C. Land. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in articles or reviews. For information, contact E.C. Land.
Cover Design by CT Creations, Clarise Tan
Editing by Jackie Ziegler
Formatting by E.C. Land
Proofreading by Rebecca Vazquez
Take a look at the playlist for Touching Diablo!
Slow – LECADE
Pray All The Way Home – Austin Snell
The Devil in Me – Anthony Mossburg
Leave Me Alone – Tyler Braden
Shadows – Ryan Jesse
Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma – Luke Combs
Can’t Walk on the Water – Blake Tyler
I’ll Be Damned – Sean Stemaly
Darlin’ – Chase Matthew
Can’t Right Now – Austin Williams
Take the Lonely – Hayden Coffman
This Heart – Corey Kent
Kill Me – Kolby Cooper
Wildfire – Austin Snell
Heartbreaker – Warren Zeiders
Just Like Johnny – Redferrin
We All Grow Up – Chase Matthew
Sin So Sweet – Warren Zeiders
Down Here – Jay Webb
Mug Shot – Colt Grave
SATAN’S KEEPERS MC MEMBERS
Satan’s Keepers MC Members
O – Ol’ Lady & C – Child
Reaper - Prez — Ivy – O
Paxton & Sage – C
Angel - VP — Stella – O
Ryland – C
Hellhound - Sergeant At Arms — Isabelle – O
Lucas – C
Daemon - Road Captain — Everleigh
Hendrik – C (Daemon’s Son) & Everett – C (Everleigh’s Son adopted out)
Hudson – C
Scythe – Tech — Josephine – O
August – C
Tombstone - Enforcer — Sutton – O
Bethany – C (Tombstone’s Daughter) & Sebastian – C
Harvester - Treasurer
Thanatos - Chaplain
Styxx - Secretary
Beast – Member – Bristol – O
Ghost – Member
Diablo – Member – London – O
Azrael – Member
Cerberus – Member
Serpent – Member
Gizmo – Prospect
Minion – Prospect
PROLOGUE
DIABLO
Age 16
“She shouldn’t be out here on the streets,” I mutter, watching the little girl from the shadows next to Jarrett.
“Yeah, she can’t be more than twelve or thirteen tops,” Jarrett agrees. “Makes you wonder what had her decide the streets were better than home.”
I nod, thinking the same thing as my friend. Jarrett hadn’t been on the streets long. I’d met him about seven months ago. The two of us clicked, and we’ve had each other’s backs ever since. No one messes with either of us without the other stepping in. I don’t know his full story, yet, just what he’s told me so far. It’s the same with what little I’ve shared with him about mine.
I don’t talk about my past. It’s not something I like to think about. I prefer being on the streets than being in a place that is worse than hell itself. My folks, they’re some of the worst pieces of shit in the world.
I wouldn’t even call them a mom and dad. To me, they’re just Wayne and Teresa. They’re both alcoholics. Wayne spends his days, or well, he did, on the couch watching TV while Teresa found some way to make some cash. Mostly, they relied on that monthly government check that they used to buy the booze. Teresa also spent her time being knocked around when she didn’t get or do what Wayne needed or wanted.
I spent the first ten years of my life being subjected to that life. At ten, I finally learned it best to avoid home the best I could. That didn’t mean I didn’t get my ass handed to me when I was there. They made sure to beat me. I’ve got the scars on my back to prove they didn’t give a damn about me.
When I hit fourteen, I had enough and figured I’d take my chances on the streets. It was better there than at home.
“Let’s see what her deal is,” I suggest, shoving the thoughts to the back of my head. Thinking of the past isn’t something I need to ponder about. The thoughts aren’t worth my time.
“You sure we won’t scare her off?” Jarrett asks, watching the girl scavenger. “This is the decent area. We scare her off, she could end up in worse areas.”
He’s right, of course, but the girl needs to know people. She needs to have people that will have her back.
“We gotta look out for her,” I say, nodding in her direction. “She probably doesn’t have anywhere to sleep at night. We can at least offer her some suggestions of where to go.”
“True,” Jarrett mutters. “Alright, let’s do it.”
Moving out of the shadows together, we’re cautious not to alarm the girl. The last thing she needs is to be freaked out.
“What’s your name, kid?” I ask when we’re close enough not to have to shout but keep enough distance between her and us.
She watches us closely and tightly holds the strap of her bookbag while wrapping another arm around it, holding it to her chest. “What do you want?” she asks, her voice trembling and soft.
“We’re not gonna harm you,” Jarrett tells her. “We just wanna make sure you’re okay out here.”
“How long have you been on the streets?” It can’t be long. She’s still got that look about her. That she’s fresh meat. Easy prey for those who want to fuck with her. Out here could be dangerous for her if she doesn’t know how to look out for herself. With one look at those doe eyes of hers, she definitely needs someone to look after her.
“Um, my name’s London.”
London. Who names their kid London?
“I’m Damari,” I tell her and jerk my thumb in Jarrett’s direction. “This is Jarrett.”
“Ugh, okay. Hi.”
“If you’re living on the streets, you need to have a system and somewhere to go. You got a place you can do that?” I watch her closely. Her tangled mess of hair is everywhere, but I’m willing to bet that even brushed, it’s still a mess with the wild ringlets.
“I haven’t, ugh . . .” She licks bottom lip nervously. “Should I be talking to you?”
“London, it’s better you talk to us, than some others on the streets. At least we will watch out for you,” Jarrett remarks and leans against the side of the building.
“Like Jarrett said,” I mutter. “You gotta be able to protect yourself out here. You don’t have to trust us, but it’s better to have someone than no one.”
“Oh okay, yeah, that sounds like a good idea,” London agrees. “I haven’t found anywhere to stay yet. I’ve just been sleeping where I can.”
“Dangerous,” Jarrett
“How about you stay with us?” I offer and look to Jarrett. “We found an extra tent that wasn’t broken.”
London stares at me for a moment, looking like she is trying to determine what the best course of action is. Finally, she nods and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “Okay,” she agrees and then narrows her eyes. “But if you think to do something, I’ll knee you in the nuts.”
At her little threat, I can’t help but grin. “Yeah, Chiquita, you don’t have to worry about that.”
“Good, then you have a deal,” London murmurs, sticking her much smaller hand out.
I take it in mine. “Deal.”
CHAPTER 1
LONDON
Ten Years Later . . .
“All right, everyone, make sure to have a good weekend, but don’t forget those projects are due next week,” I say, though I’m sure it’s not meeting any of my students’ ears. They’re more worried about packing up and getting out to the buses so they can head home.
With the end of the year coming, all these kids are thinking about is summer vacation and what they’re going to do during that time. I’m right there with them. I’m looking forward to not having a bunch of hormonal teens driving me crazy. I love teaching, but sometimes these kids can make a girl wanna square up.
My plans for the summer are mostly filled with sleeping and going to the lake as much as possible. I love being outdoors and being at the lake even more. The peace I feel when I’m just floating around is wonderful. It’s my haven.
Where some women go out and do other things on the lake, like jet ski, or water ski, I’m not the type to do it. I prefer floating and relaxing. Sometimes, I enjoy simply reading while sunning next to the water in my chair. Maybe even sitting with my chair in the water close to shore.
I guess you can say my summers are pretty boring to others, and that’s okay. It’s just the way it has to be for me.
Packing the papers I need to grade in my bag, I allow my thoughts to shift to another time and place. Back when I’d just turned thirteen, and my mom had gotten married to my stepfather. I couldn’t stand him. I couldn’t get a hold of my dad. He’d been deployed at the time. Mom refused me access to the computer to talk to him. I couldn’t even get to the library to use the computers there. She monitored everything I did.
I couldn’t understand why she did this. It wasn’t like she actually cared about me. She was all about her and her wants.
Mom wouldn’t listen to me when I told her I wasn’t comfortable around her husband. She’d said it was all in my head. But I knew better. I’d learned about it at school during the times when they discussed stranger-danger and what’s okay and what’s not. Her new husband was creeping me out with the looks he’d give me.
The one time he came into my room and started petting me, talking about how pretty I was, it scared me. Mom wasn’t going to believe me. She’d made it blatantly clear. I needed my dad, but with him gone, I had only one choice. To get out of Dodge and take my chances as a runaway.
For six months, I lived on the streets. I wouldn’t have been able to survive it if not for two sixteen-year boys who’d taken me under their wing. The only reason I had gotten caught was because I’d decided to go to the library and sign into my email to check it for anything from my dad. I missed him and wanted to be with him.
Evidently, my dad had taken notice of my disappearance and went to his commanders. He managed to get sent home and went straight to the cops after finding out my mom never reported me missing. We’d been living just outside Dallas while my dad was stationed two hours away at Fort Hood.
When I’d gone to the library, I hadn’t thought anything of it, but then the cops found me. I put up a fight, thinking they were going to take me back to my mom. I didn’t know it was my dad looking for me.
At first, I hated leaving Damari and Jarrett. I hadn’t even told them bye. I didn’t have time. Dad ended up getting full custody of me, and I spent the next five years living with him. He decided against re-upping, and started up a security business alongside some of his buddies. This meant he could be home with me every night. I loved he did this.
After graduating high school, I went to college locally, but when I started looking for places to work, I found a job in Palestine. Dad hadn’t been thrilled I decided to take it, he wanted me close to home still.
I promised him I’d be okay and if I wasn’t, if something happened, I’d tell him immediately.
This was my first-year teaching, and I’ve loved it. During college, I worked as a teacher’s aide to get some experience. Also, I wanted to make sure this was exactly what I wanted to do. The pay sucked, but I loved teaching kids—even the rowdy teenagers who wanted to be on their phones more than taking in the lessons.
I shake off the thoughts and finish gathering the rest of my stuff together. It’s a long weekend, and I, for one, intend to enjoy it. Well, I’ll enjoy it between grading papers and prepping the rest of next week’s lesson plans. School lets out in just a few more weeks so it’s mainly about review and testing.
I make my way out of my classroom and down the hall toward the office, my mind going over what to do first.
“Hey, London.”
I twist in the direction of my name being called and smile at my friend, Tamara. “Hey, you heading to your boyfriend’s for the weekend?” I ask, though I already know the answer. Every weekend, she goes to his place. Why he doesn’t come to her, I’ll never understand, but to each their own.
“No, he’s actually coming here.” Tamara grins. “I finally put my foot down and told him I was tired of always being the one going to him.”
“Good for you.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know you keep telling me.”
“Well, you know I’m right.” I shrug and reach up to brush a few strands of hair that had come loose out of my face.
I swear if I don’t keep the unruly locks in check, they’d be all over the place. Dad always tells me I remind him of the girl from the Disney movie Brave. I guess I made him watch it with me one too many times while living with him. I love watching all the Disney movies. I don’t care if they’re for kids.
“You are,” Tamara says as the two of us keep walking. “It’s why we want you to come out with us tonight.”
“Where?”
I’m not big on going out. I’m more of a homebody. Granted, I do like to go to the movies every once in a while. Other times, I’ll go to the mall in Tyler. But if I go anywhere, it’s usually trips down to Killeen where I hang with my dad.
“Keeper’s Pub.”
“Isn’t that a biker bar?”
“It is, but everyone goes there. I went all the time before Paul and I hooked up. Just come. Meet us there at eight,” Tamara says, stepping out of the building and heading for her car, not giving me the chance to decline.
Dang-it. If I don’t show, it’ll be rude.
Sighing, I shake my head and head to my Jeep. I toss everything in the back seat and climb in behind the wheel. Turning the key in the ignition, I shift the gear into reverse, back up, and shift into drive, heading toward home.
My apartment building is only a ten-minute drive from the school, but with afternoon traffic, it feels longer. Mostly because I was allowing myself to become nervous about going out tonight.
If I don’t, Tamara might get mad at me. The bigger question is, can I go and not look for faces I want to see? I want to see them, but how do I face them and not think of the past? Or the crush I had on a boy who I saw as my protector for those months he watched out for me.
It’s an idiotic thought. I’m sure both Damari and Jarrett have moved on, found lives for themselves and forgotten all about the girl who up and vanished.
CHAPTER 2
DIABLO
“You’re never gonna guess what I just found out.”
I look over at Tombstone as he takes a seat at the table my brothers and I are all sitting around.
“What?” Reaper asks, cocking a brow and tilting his beer to his mouth.
It’s not often he joins us anymore. Most of the time, if he’s out, Ivy’s with him, which means he must have done something to piss her off because he didn’t look pissed. It’s more like amused.
