Horseman (Deathstalkers MC Book 3), page 1
HORSEMAN
DEATHSTALKERS MC
BOOK THREE
ELIZABETH KNOX
Horseman
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.
Horseman. Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Knox. 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. Knox.
Editing: Kim Lubbers, Knox Publishing
Proofreading: Beth Hale, Magnolia Author Services
Formatting: R. Epperson, Knox Publishing
Cover Designer: Clarise Tan, CT Cover Creations
Photographer: Wander Aguiar, Wander Aguiar Photography
Created with Vellum
CONTENTS
Trigger Warning
Deathstalkers 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
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Elizabeth Knox
TRIGGER WARNING
This book is intended for mature audiences only. If darker books are not for you, please do not move forward. After re-adjusting my trigger warning system, I will not be giving any spoilers. Please understand that this is not your run-of-the-mill romance and tough subjects will be discussed in this storyline. This story could include things like rape, kidnapping, abuse, domestic violence, drugs, alcohol abuse, and many other potential triggers.
DEATHSTALKERS MC MEMBERS:
Falcon — Prez
P: Hermoine
Hawk — VP
Kinetic — Enforcer
P: Charlee
C: Vivianna
Bones — Sgt. at Arms
Horseman — Road Captain
Moneybags — Treasurer
Bowser — Tech
Merlin — Full Patch
Vader — Full Patch
Rajah — Full Patch
Mace — Prospect
Snowden — Prospect
PROLOGUE
Two Weeks Ago . . .
Scarlett
For the middle of May, the weather has been insane. We usually have a lot of bad thunderstorms in the summer, but as of late, it’s been happening every single day. Every single day this week, actually. Today is no exception. Only there’s one huge difference today. I’m heading over to my house. I haven’t lived there in a few years and have been renting it out while I was at school out of State getting my master’s degree. I thought it was going to work out great.
I’d be able to make my mortgage payment without stressing too much. Being in college and living out of State is expensive as all hell. Renting out my childhood home was the best course of action. It gave me the ability to have a little bit of financial freedom for a couple of years while I was away, and since my brother and I own the home together, he agreed. He doesn’t really do much with the house because he doesn’t want it. He knew how much I wanted it, though, so when our mom passed away, he was able to get a loan for the rest of the mortgage and kept it for me. The house will be paid off in just a couple of more years, and I cannot wait until that day comes.
Renting it out was supposed to be easy, but it hasn’t been. It’s been quite the opposite.
Any time I’ve come back to Portland for breaks from school or even holidays, I’ve stayed with my best friend, Jessie, since it was only for a few days at a time.
Now I’ve graduated with my master’s in public administration and being back here hasn’t been as easy as I thought it was going to be.
I was supposed to be moving directly into the house after I graduated. However, my tenants have decided that even though I’ve given them written notice that they were being evicted, they didn’t need to vacate the premises.
The original agreement I created with the Randall family was for two years, and after the two years, it would be a month-to-month lease. They knew what I had planned that they’d rent out the property until we were nearing the end of my schooling, and at that point, we’d move over to the month-to-month agreement. They even signed documentation agreeing to all of the terms, which made me feel like everything was great. There was never a doubt in my mind that they’d become the big pain in the asses that they are today.
I fucked up, though. I didn’t run a background check on these people. I had made a post on Facebook about renting out my house while I went away to school, and a family friend knew of some people from their church who needed some help. Little did I know helping a needy family would get me into this mess.
They were supposed to leave the house five months ago. They haven’t paid rent in over eight months, were supposed to be gone by now, and I’m at my wit’s end. I don’t know what to do. I’m on my way to my childhood home in my brand-new Ford F-150. I used a good portion of my life savings to be able to afford this car. Luckily, I was able to get my payments under three-hundred dollars because my down payment was so massive. I custom-built this truck, and it was the one thing I really wanted to do for myself when I finished my master’s degree. It’s the gift I promised to myself, honestly. I got it in Carbonized Gray with a metallic finish on the inside. It’s everything I ever wanted, and even though the Randall family is putting me through hell right now, I wasn’t going to break this promise to myself.
I have a plan today. I’m going to pull up to the house, walk up to the door and try to get them to talk to me. I’ve been more than good to them, and I don’t know why they’re doing this to me. The family friend who gave me their name said that they were going to be homeless if they didn’t move into the house, so I saved them from that fate. Now they’re avoiding me, ignoring me, and acting like I’m the worst landlord on the face of the earth.
At this point, I’m not in school anymore. I have all of my stuff in the back of my F-150, thankfully with a waterproof cover keeping it all safe inside the bed of the truck. If they don’t agree to leave, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I have nowhere else to go, and the only thing I think I can do is stay with my best friend, Jessie. We’ve known each other since we were fourteen and have always been there for each other, no matter what’s happened.
I shake my head, pushing back my stress. I don’t know if they’re going to give me any problems. Who knows, I could roll right into the driveway, and maybe the house will be empty, and they’re gone. That would be the best option, so I’m praying for that.
I drive for a few more minutes, and the rain progressively gets worse. I pull back into our tucked-away neighborhood in Portland’s suburbia area. Sure enough, as I drive through the neighborhood, my stomach is being tied in knots. The closer I get to the house, the more I feel like this is going to continue to be a shitshow.
As I spot the house and see their cars in the driveway, I already know this isn’t going to be good. Wilhelmina and Jarod Randall seemed like the perfect tenants. People who would’ve gone above and beyond to keep the property and house in tip-top shape. They promised me they would, at least. They have four kids, all under eighteen, and the mother volunteers at the local soup kitchen with them and homeschools them. They seemed perfect, absolutely perfect . . . and I’ve been a damn fool. I should have asked more questions before I let them sign the lease and move in. I should have been smarter, and all I can do right now is learn from the mistake I made.
I pull my truck into the driveway and grab the umbrella I always leave tucked away in the space between the passenger seat and the center console. I open my door and open my umbrella outside of the truck, using it as a way to keep the rain from soaking me from head to toe.
My heart pounds in my chest as I walk up the driveway and make it up to the covered porch. I know they’re all home because both of their cars are here. Hopefully, they’ll speak to me.
I press my finger on the white doorbell, hearing the ringing through the house before I take my finger off it. I wait for a few minutes, and no one comes to the door, so I do it again. I’m not trying to be rude. All I’m trying to do is handle this without going through the court system. This is the last chance I’m giving them before I begin filing with the courts. I’ve been as nice as I possibly could. For fuck’s sake, they haven’t paid me in over eight months. Most landlords would have already taken them to court for pulling this shit.
Surprisingly, the front door is thrown open, and Jarod Randall is staring at me with a scowl all over his face. Immediately, I know this isn’t going to be a good experience. He’s ready to throw words around. “What do you want?” he grumbles, running his hands through his greasy dark hair.
“When you’ll be out of my house. I’ve given you more than enough time, Jarod. You haven’t paid in over eight months, and I’m trying to settle this out of court, but at this point, you’re forcing my hand.”
He scoffs and snickers, “We’re going through a rough time, all right? We can’t pay, and we can’t move.”
I glance over at his old ‘99 Chevy truck that somehow still runs. Jessie told me she’s driven by the house every day, and it’s always here. She said it hadn’t been moved in over a month. “It must be since you’re not working, right?”
Jarod rears his head back and licks his bottom lip. “You have someone watchin’ us or something?”
“I grew up here, Jarod. I don’t ask about anything, but everyone seems to tell me my tenants have been shooting off fireworks in the front lawn at all hours of the night, haven’t mowed the grass in weeks, are blaring music at all hours, and are generally a nuisance.”
“Fuckin’ rats. Look, I don’t know what you want us to do. I’m not leavin’. We don’t have nowhere to go, okay?”
“You know what I want you to do. I want you to get the fuck out of my house! I’ve been more than accommodating. I’ve been as helpful as I can be. I’ve been as kind as I can, but I’m not going to be nice anymore. Get out of my house, Jarod. Your time has been up for a while, and you keep staying here. Get the fuck out.”
Jarod snickers again and reaches around his back, pulling out a gun in record time. He pulls back the safety. “If you wanna keep talkin’ like that, you can deal with the consequences. No one talks to me like this in my own home.” Newsflash, it’s not his house . . . but there’s a gun being pointed at me right now, and I’m not going to be the fact-checking police.
“You’re making this uglier than it needs to be,” I point out.
“I’m not the one doing jack shit. You’re bein’ a stupid bitch who doesn’t know her place.”
“Fine.” I look right into his eyes that scream how much he doesn’t give a fuck. This is the kind of man who would literally shoot me, so I keep a strong face on and turn around, walk down the steps, over the sidewalk back to my truck, praying he won’t actually pull the trigger. Somehow, I managed to make it in the truck without being shot at and head straight for the courthouse.
This is the nail in the coffin.
I’m filing the paperwork to get these sleazy motherfuckers out of my house. They’re moochers. They’re users. They’re going to do whatever the hell they can to stay here for as long as possible, and I can’t wait until the police forcibly remove them from the property when an eviction is ordered.
While I’m on my way to the courthouse, I call Jessie through my Bluetooth system. “Hey. How did it go?”
I swallow hard, trying to force back the anger in my voice. “Not great. I’m heading to the courthouse right now.”
“Good. It’s about damn time! You’ve been too nice to them.”
“Yeah, and the husband just pointed a gun at me.”
“What?!” Jessie screams into the phone.
“Yep, so I’m heading to the courthouse, and then I’m coming over. I need a glass of wine and a hardcore venting session. I need something else too . . .”
“You need to be going to the police, too. At least get a restraining order or something.” She’s making a valid point . . . but I have an even better idea.
“No, I’m going to call my brother. I don’t know if the police can help me, Jessie. We’ve seen so much stuff like this happen, and they don’t do a damn thing until someone ends up getting hurt. I’m not going to be another statistic.”
“Okay, fair enough. What else did you need?” Jessie replies, just as the rain is finally letting up.
“To sleep on your couch for a little bit. I promise I won’t be too long. I just need some time to figure out where I’m going. I doubt I’ll be able to get these assholes out of my house quickly.”
“Of course. It’ll take a couple of months, but we’ll figure this out. Okay? Now, get on over here. I’ll have a bottle of wine waiting and a pizza on the way.”
This is the first moment I’ve felt a bit of relief since I left my house.
Everything is going to be okay.
There isn’t another option—well, there is, but I’m not going to let that be a possibility.
CHAPTER ONE
Present Day . . .
Horseman
“I need everyone in church as soon as possible,” Falcon’s voice booms through the main area, and everyone stops what they’re doing. Hawk and Vader were in an intense game of pool while Kinetic was playing a game on his phone. Snowden and Mace have been playing chess, which is surprising in itself, but neither of them will have to stop their game since they’re prospects. Bone’s been sitting back in an armchair on the back wall, catching a nap. Bowser’s in the kitchen whipping up something to eat, and Moneybags just walked in through the front door.
Anyone who’s supposed to, stops what they’re doing and follows Falcon into the room where we have church. We all find our seats, and after we’re all seated, the entire room goes quiet. Falcon clears his throat, takes the gavel in his hand, and then slams it on the table. “I received a call from Reed, the president for the Skulls Renegade MC, down in Gainesville, Tennessee.”
“What about?” Kinetic questions, just as curious as the rest of us. There could be many reasons why he has called.
Falcon swallows hard and looks at Kinetic, making sure to have some sort of eye contact with each one of us as he speaks. “Reed is asking a favor of us, and it’s a huge one at that. One I believe we should grant him.”
“We do favors for other clubs all the time. What’s the big deal about this one?” Vader questions. I personally don’t think it’s a big deal that we’re talking about doing a favor for another club. It only means they’ll owe us one in return, and we’ll cash in on it whenever we need to. Something about Falcon’s tone makes me think it’s a little different from us lending a helping hand to their club in a time of need. It seems a bit more serious.
“Well, Reed wants to know if he can send someone up here. Specifically, someone who needs our help as soon as possible.” Falcon leans back in his chair and narrows his brows. “Her name is Balsinde, and she’s a single mother who has a lot of demons in her past and one that’s currently tormenting her and her two young daughters. Reed needs to get her out of Gainesville and as far away from the Eastern states as possible. He’s afraid if he doesn’t get her out of there, she’ll end up dead.”
“Why does he think she’ll end up dead’?” I’m asking the question now. It feels like there must be some underlying risk with this situation.
“Reed didn’t go into grave detail with me. The phone call was a short one since I told him I’d need time to think it over. What I do know about her ex is that he’s a policeman, so he knows every legal loophole there is. I think that’s what makes him so dangerous to her. He knows exactly what to do and how he can do it without facing any real consequences.”
“So, he’s walking around the lines of stalking and harassment charges?” Hawk asks, and Falcon nods.
“He’s barely tiptoeing on the other side of the line, and he knows what he needs to do to avoid crossing it. He’s smart, and that’s why Reed believes Balsinde and her daughters need to get the fuck out of there. As I said, I don’t know too many details, but I know if Reed is telling me this woman needs to leave, it means she needs to leave. He told me Balsinde is afraid for her safety and her children’s.” Falcon continues on, again looking at each of us, “We need to call this to a vote. I know there has been a lot of crazy shit that’s happened lately, but if we can lend a helping hand, I think we should. My vote is yes.”
“Yes,” Kinetic adds.
“Why the hell not?” Bones questions.
“If the situation is as dangerous as Reed says, we’re not really being given a choice,” Hawk comments.
