Bloody Black Skulls, page 1
Bloody Black Skulls
Dark MC Romance
Bloody Black Skulls MC
Book 3
T.O. Smith
Copyright ©December 2022 by T.O. Smith
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Formatting: Tiff Writes Romance
Cover Design: Tiff Writes Romance
Editing: Tiff Writes Romance
Proofreading: Kimberly Peterson
Created with Vellum
For Riley, my reason for everything that I do.
* * *
For every reader who wanted the Bloody Royals trilogy republished, here is the very final book.
Contents
Content Warning
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
Epilogue
Follow T.O. Smith
About the Author
Content Warning
This book contains multiple triggers.
Please refer to my website for a complete list of warnings.
https://tosmithbooks.com
1
I stormed into the clubhouse, flinging the doors open, sending them crashing against the wall. I was on a fucking rampage. I was so damn tired of all the screw-ups. I was working extremely hard to pull this ungrateful club out of the drugs, guns, and violence. Yet, every time I fucking turned around, someone had done something to send us a step back!
Jordan moved over to me, worry etched onto his features. It was rarely a good thing that I was this fucking pissed.
“What happened, sis?” Jordan asked, blocking my path to Tanner.
Jordan was my vice president and my younger brother by almost a year. I trusted him with my life. He always had my back and always supported my decisions. When I decided it was time to pull this club out of all the stupid shit our parents and grandparents had dragged it into, he had agreed with me without hesitation.
So, he understood my anger and frustration when someone did something stupid to slow the process.
“Where’s Tanner?” I was seething. I had half a fucking mind to shoot Tanner’s dumb ass. “I’m ready to break his fucking neck.”
Jordan placed his hands on my shoulders, halting me when I went to move around. I glared up at my younger brother, clenching my jaw. “Woah, there, Hayley. What happened?” he asked, not backing down from my glare.
“He fucking decided that a nice little fight with the kid of the DM’s president would be a good decision.” I brushed his hands off my shoulders, moving to step around him again. “Now I’ve got to deal with this shit, and I have to fucking play nice with the mother fucking DM.” I spotted Tanner from across the room and narrowed my eyes at him. I was so pissed, I was practically steaming.
Tanner halted in his tracks, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. Oh, he knew he had fucked up.
“Though, that doesn’t mean that I have to play nice with Tanner,” I growled.
I stormed around Jordan and over to Tanner. “I have half a fucking mind to shoot you, do you fucking know that?” I sneered when I approached him. He took a step back from me, swallowing hard and watching me with wary eyes.
Good; he needed to be fucking afraid.
“I’m so fucking sick and tired of everyone ruining everything I build up!” I finally yelled, throwing my arms up into the air in frustration. It fell silent in the clubhouse, everyone’s eyes now on me and Tanner.
He backed up a step. “He started on me—” he began, but I cut him off. I didn’t give a fucking shit if the fucking kid was going to cut his nuts off. Tanner should have fucking walked away. Careless moves like this could start a fucking war—a war that this damn club didn’t need.
“I wouldn’t give a damn if he chopped your fucking balls off, Tanner!” He winced. “I’m trying to get us out of all of this shit, and idiots like you,” I jabbed a finger into his chest, “are dragging us right back into it!”
He held his hands up in a surrendering gesture. “Look, Hayley, I’m sorry. I’ll straighten it out.”
“No,” I spat, jabbing my finger into his chest again. He winced. “You’re going to stay right here in this clubhouse. If you want to act like a child, I’m going to fucking treat you like one. Your punishment is that you will not go on a run for two fucking weeks, do you understand me? I’m locking your bike down, and if you even try to undo the chains I put on it, I will shoot a hole in each of your fucking hands, understand?” I was done being nice with these idiots. I was fucking serious about this.
He nodded, his eyes wide. Tanner knew not to take my threats lightly.
I spun on my heel and walked over to Jordan, Lena—my little sister—and Dominic—my other younger brother. “Let’s go.” I walked toward the clubhouse doors, pulling my keys out of my back pocket. “We’ve got shit to straighten out with the DM to prevent a fucking war.”
We walked out, and after I ordered one of the prospects to chain down Tanner’s bike, I rolled out of the lot, falling into my position as president at the head of the four of us. Jordan was to my left, a little back from me in the VP position, and Dom and Lena were behind him.
When we crossed into DM territory, I went straight for their clubhouse. Fooling around on another club’s territory would only get me shot.
As soon as we rode up, they slung the gate closed to prevent us from riding onto the lot. The president, VP, and a couple of other men stood outside of it, pointing guns at us. I unhooked my helmet and got off my bike. “I’m not coming to start shit. I’m coming to fix shit,” I told them, clenching my jaw. I hated having to be a nice person. “So, you can put the guns down. I don’t like feeling threatened.”
Hidden message: Put the guns down, or I’ll have everyone you love killed.
They put their guns away. “We don’t like feeling threatened either,” the president snapped back at me.
Message: You had no business riding onto our territory and up to our clubhouse.
I looked at the president. “Your son, Jacob, told me that he and Tanner had a bit of a brawl on the line between our territories. So, I’m dealing with the problem on my end. I don’t want a war, but I’m not making negotiations.” It was the bottom line. I was trying to get out of this fucked up world of guns and drugs. I didn’t need to be making negotiations with anyone that would result in us getting deeper into it.
He nodded. “I heard you’re getting out of the business.”
“Yes, I am. I’d like it if I could continue down that path.”
He sighed. “No negotiations,” he murmured, nodding to himself. Then, he looked back at me. “Alright. Keep to your territory and tell your people not to interfere in my shit.”
“The same goes for you.” I pointed my finger at him.
We shook hands on it, and my siblings and I rode out. We were on our way back to the clubhouse when I almost ran over a body that was left in the middle of the road. I stopped just in time and got off my bike, walking over to the body.
It was a guy. He was built, and judging by his length, he was probably tall. He wasn’t wearing anything to tell me he was from another club. Bruises covered his exposed skin, but he was still breathing.
Jordan, Lena, and Dominic walked up beside me. “This is lovely,” Lena sarcastically muttered. “What kind of message is this supposed to leave?”
“Beats the hell out of me,” Jordan said. His eyes locked with mine. “Your call.”
Today had been too long of a day.
I sighed, reaching up to rub my temples. “Call Dad. Have him come down here. I don’t recognize the guy at all.”
Jordan pulled his phone out, and I used my foot to roll the guy onto his back.
Well, fuck me with a brick.
He was a decent-looking guy. Blonde hair curled slightly at the ends, and even though his face was beaten pretty badly, I could tell that his skin was tan. He had high cheekbones, and a strong, angular jawline.
His shirt clung to his arms, chest, and stomach. He was built, alright. Good Lord, he looked like he lifted weights regularly. His chest was hard, and I could see the outline of his eight-pack against his tight t-shirt.
I leaned over to Lena. “I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him naked.”
She rolled her eyes at me, a grin stretching across her lips. “I don’t know about the naked part, but I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing him without that shirt.”
“Ladies,” Dom drawled, rolling his eyes at us with a grin, “control yourselves, please.”
I grinned at him. Dad pulled up with Mom a few minutes later in his truck, and they got out. “For fuck’s sake,” Mom said, looking down at the guy with her arms crossed over her chest. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen a man this badly beaten.” She looked up at me. “You didn’t do this, did you?”
I rolled my eyes at her. “Come on, Mom. Give me some credit. It’s been a few month
She arched an eyebrow at me while Dad chuckled. “I know. You’re overdue for another.”
I rolled my eyes again and ignored her. “Help me get him into the truck,” Dad ordered, speaking to Jordan and Dominic. “We’ll put him in a room at the clubhouse, and you guys can question him when he wakes up.”
“Don’t you miss this?” I asked Dad, grinning as he moved to grab the guy under his shoulders.
He shot me a look that told me how stupid I was. I grinned even wider. “No, I don’t. I enjoy being able to sit at home and eat burgers peacefully and watch TV. It’s easier being on the sidelines.” They hefted the guy into the truck, and he kissed the top of my head. “Besides, princess, you’re a better president than I could ever hope to be.”
I smiled up at him. “Thanks, Dad.”
Mom rolled her eyes at Dad. “Don’t boost her ego, Cole. It’s inflated enough.”
“You can never have too big of an ego,” Dad said to her with a smirk as they slid into the truck.
I straddled my bike and took off behind them, my brothers and sister falling in line behind me in their rightful places. When we got to the clubhouse, Jordan and Dominic helped Dad haul the guy into one of the rooms. I followed behind them and dragged a chair over beside the bed, plopping my butt into it.
Now, the waiting game.
I watched as the man I had brought to the clubhouse slowly blinked his eyes open. “Who the fuck turned on the light?” He looked over at me. “Who the fuck are you?” he snapped, moving to sit up.
I tsked at him and shook my finger in his face. “You’ve got a bit of a temper there, don’t you?” He glared at me, waiting for an answer. I sighed. “Hayley. My name is Hayley Louis.”
Jordan stepped into the room and tossed me a beer. “I’m Jordan Louis,” he told the guy. “Welcome to the Bloody Black Skulls MC.”
I looked back at the man. “Now, tell me your name and why the fuck I almost ran you over last night.” I cracked open the top of my beer.
He clenched his jaw, anger twisting his features. “My name is Lucifer Jones.” He shot me a look when I smirked. I liked his name. “If you fucking laugh or ask why, I might throw you through a fucking window.” I arched an eyebrow, the smirk on my face widening. He definitely had a temper.
He sat up and ran a hand through his hair. “As for why I was laying in the middle of the road, well, I’ve got enemies.”
I watched him carefully without saying a word. He stood up, stretching his muscles, wincing in pain. I didn’t know if he was wounded badly. Honestly, I didn’t give two shits if he was, so I didn’t bother asking. There wasn’t any blood, so nothing to worry about.
“If you can tell me where the door is, I’ll be on my merry fucking way.”
“Actually,” I said, standing up and setting my beer on the nightstand, “you’re not going anywhere. You’ve entered my territory.” He opened his mouth to speak, but I shook my head at him, already knowing where he was headed with his protest. “Yes, I brought you here into the clubhouse, but you were still in my territory when I found you lying in the middle of the road. Seeing as I’ve never seen you around, you’re not from here. No one does something like that unless they're trying to make a statement or send a message, so you’re stuck here until we figure out exactly what that statement was.”
“Like hell I am!” he roared.
He stepped towards me, and Jordan and I both pulled our guns out. Jordan’s murderous expression flashed onto his face. “Take another step towards my sister, and I’ll make sure you never take another step in your fucking pitiful like, understand me?”
Lucifer smirked, rocking back on his heels, and stuffing his hands into his pockets. I couldn’t help but notice just how fucking hot he was when he smirked like that.
“I think I’ve connected the dots here.” That smirk was still in place. “You’re part of the Louis siblings, aren’t you? Cole and Amelia’s kids?” He barked out a laugh. “I should have fucking known.”
I glared at him. “If you’ve got something to say, fuckard, then say it.”
“You and your siblings are making a grave mistake,” he said softly, his eyes boring into mine. “Once you hear what I know, trust me, you’ll realize the same thing.”
“And what grave mistake am I making?” I asked him, still keeping my gun trained on him, not letting my face give anything away.
He took another step toward me. I pressed my gun against his chest. I wasn’t playing fucking games here. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now.
“You shouldn’t pull the club out of the business. It’ll never work.”
I stepped back from him, rolling my eyes and putting my gun away. I leaned against the wall, propping my foot against it. “Let me guess, you’re someone that doesn’t want us out of the business?”
He shook his head. “No, but the dealer I work for thinks it’s a bad idea. He’s not very pleased.”
“Do you want to know what I think of your dealer’s opinion?” He arched a brow at me. I didn’t wait for an answer as I carried on. “I frankly don’t give a shit. If getting us out of this problem that our family has created means I have to kill someone, I will do it.”
He grinned. “So, the rumors are true.”
Jordan walked around so he could face Lucifer as well. “What rumors?” Jordan demanded harshly.
“I’ve heard about you, Hayley,” Lucifer said, keeping his eyes trained on me and ignoring my brother. “You’re a selfish, sociopathic bitch.”
I grinned and looked over at Jordan. “Well, he got one thing right,” I told Jordan, grinning at him.
Jordan chuckled a little and looked at Lucifer. “The rumors are definitely true. So, I’d watch what you say next.”
“Can I go now?” Lucifer asked me, still ignoring my brother.
I shook my head at him. “Do you know who beat you last night?”
He sighed, obviously tired and irritated. “No,” he snapped, getting angry again. “I don’t. I don’t remember shit. All I remember is giving someone pills. I’m getting fucking pissed, so it’s in your best interest to let me go.”
“I don’t like surprises, and you were a very big fucking surprise.” I barely kept my voice controlled. He wasn’t the only one getting fucking pissed, as he put it.
“I’ve got nothing to help you!” His whole body was tensed, like he was ready to throw me against a wall.
I sent a lamp crashing to the floor at his feet. My temper was through the roof. I pointed my gun at him, clicking the safety off. “Someone beat the fuck out of you and left you in my territory, specifically on the road to my clubhouse!” He backed up a step, eyeing my gun warily, but I stepped forward with him. “Someone you know or are connected to is trying to send me a goddamn message, and I want to know what the fuck it is!”
Jordan reached forward to take the gun out of my hand, knowing how I could be when I got in this kind of state, but I pulled another one out and pointed it at him. “I’ve had it with all of these fucking games! You better start fucking talking!”
The door to the room flew open, but I didn’t pay any attention to it. Jordan kept his mouth shut, obviously knowing I wasn’t afraid to pull the trigger on him. Sure, I would probably regret it afterward, but I was in a fucking state.
“Put the fucking guns down, and I’ll make some phone calls and see if I can find anything out!” Lucifer shouted at me. “Just put the fucking guns down!”
I put the guns down, and my dad pushed me against the wall. Dominic and Jordan disarmed me, and my dad kept me pinned to the wall while I calmed down. When I was calm, he released me. He turned on Jordan, his face twisted with rage.
“Jesus Christ!” he hollered at Jordan. “You know not to let her get like that!”
