Rose Titus is here to tell us about After Dark, The Vampire Next Door #2, a paranormal romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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After Dark
Rose Titus
(The Vampire Next Door, #2)
Publication date: February 23rd 2018
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
In Night Home: The Vampire Next Door Volume I, the fact that vampires truly exist was almost accidentally made public when a story presented as fiction seemed all too real to an amateur vampire hunter, who at the end, was made to remain silent about the secrets he discovered
But it doesn’t end there: the tale circulates as far as the west coast, where a small community of vampires have been quietly hiding; and to them, also, this story is too close to reality to be just a fantasy. But while they take the time to decide whether to attempt contact with their own kind so far away, they have their own local problems to deal with.
A savage and barbaric serial killer, suspected of being a vampire, lurks in their own city, stalking the innocent at night. Will the vampires be able to stop the killer before they are blamed for his acts of extreme horror?
And that’s not all. A beautiful yet tragic and suicidal young woman wanders like a lost angel from out of the darkness and into their midst, hoping a vampire will make her end swift and easy.
Alex drifted slowly through the back door to step down into the darkened entrance to the well-kept old building’s lower levels. On the upper floors there was an exclusive restaurant that catered to the wealthy and sophisticated; below, on the ground level there was a dance club, which attracted a completely different crowd of people—many with spiked purple hair. But under the dance floor, underground, there was served another kind of people. This dining area was not well known to many above ground.
He surveyed the area. A few tables were empty, but most tables had one or two people sitting and talking. And there she was, in the corner, alone, waiting for him. His sister Alexandra looked up and nodded to acknowledge him. He went to her table and sat down. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” she put her fine crystal glass down. “Jim Ellison left a message on my answering machine. I was surprised to hear from him after so long a time. He said, ‘I know you’re asleep but I’ve got some shocking news.’“
“What is it?” he knew that Jim called everything shocking, incredible, amazing, mind-boggling. That was his profession. He wrote for the tabloids, the ones that reported on flying saucers and Bigfoot.
“So, I kept calling, and finally got him,” she sighed. Alex noticed that she sighed a lot lately. “Says he’s got something he wants us to see. Well, you know, the business he’s in, he’s always looking for unusual things, searching the web for news of the odd.”
“Has he finally captured the Sasquatch?” he smirked. He did like Jim, but also enjoyed having a laugh at his line of work. That was how they met. Jim had been allowed to do “an article” for his so-called newspaper, the kind of tabloid newspaper people picked up in the supermarket checkout line and took home to read just for fun. The article was titled “Civilized Vampires Come Out After Dark.” It was agreed by the community to allow him to publish it because no one believed anything in that sort of newspaper anyway.
“No, he hasn’t captured the Sasquatch, and he hasn’t had a ride in a flying saucer either. He thinks he may have found more people like us.”
“Really? How? Someone write the editor of that cheap paper?”
“No. It’s… well, you know how some colleges have magazines that students write for? I guess nowadays they’re all online. Jim searches the internet for anything he could use, and he found this article by a college student on the East Coast. It’s a story about vampires, but not the movie kind. The characters in her story, they are very much like us, Alex. Living, breathing… and all the rest, stop aging after thirty, and then gradually lose tolerance for the sun, live to be about three hundred. He told me over the phone about it. I haven’t seen it. I asked him to send it, but he said he might be travelling through, so he might come by and drop it off. “
“Oh, well, we’ll wait until he shows up, then.”
She lowered her voice. “But that’s not the only reason I asked you to come by.”
“What?” He hoped it wasn’t bad news; her tone seemed serious.
“Someone seems to be watching us, Alex.”
Author Bio:
Rose Titus resides somewhere in cold, dreary New England with two manipulative cats and a very out of date computer with which she creates horror and fantasy fiction. She also has a restored classic Buick to ride around in while in search of adventure.
For travel she has stayed the night in an allegedly haunted castle, has taken a boat ride on Loch Ness, and has visited the Bermuda Triangle -- without getting lost.
Her work has previously appeared in Lost Worlds, Lynx Eye, Bog Gob, Mausoleum, Weird Terrain, Descend, The Dead River Review, and other literary magazines. She also writes regularly for Blood Moon Rising Magazine.
When she's not working or writing or messing with her old car, she waits by the mailbox for her Fortean Times to arrive.
Gracie James is here to tell us about You Had Me at Meow, a romantic comedy.
There's also a great giveaway.
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You Had Me at Meow
Gracie James
Publication date: July 7th 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance
Some girls get fairy godmothers. Abby Thompson gets a talking cat with a British accent and absolutely zero chill.
After her latest blind date—arranged by her loving (but relentless) mother—ends in a concussion, a wine-soaked dress, and enough humiliation to power Manhattan, Abby decides she’s done with dating. Forever.
Too bad her cat, Mr. Whiskers, has other ideas. And he’s suddenly sharing them. Out loud.
“Honestly, Abby, your taste in men is almost as concerning as your taste in sweaters.”
His mission? Fix her train-wreck love life and help her land her dream job. His qualifications? None. He’s a cat. His methods? Questionable at best.
But somewhere between the disastrous first dates, ruthless office politics, and the unexpectedly charming veterinarian who might actually be worth shaving her legs for, Abby starts to wonder…
Is Mr. Whiskers a miracle? Or a catastrophe with whiskers?
Either way, her opinionated feline isn’t backing down. And if Abby wants her dream life, she might have to trust the one life coach she never asked for. Her cat.
You Had Me at Meow is a sweet, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about finding your voice, risking your heart, and one very determined cat who refuses to let his human settle for anything less than purr-fection.
Before I even reach the fridge, Mr. Whiskers has settled into his favorite spot on the couch while I gather the essentials of a proper pity party: a pint of mint chocolate chip, my largest spoon, and one of Dottie’s cosmic brownies. Ahhh, perfect.
Curling up next to my furry little roommate, I pull our softest blanket over my legs and queue up one of our favorite movies. Maybe watching someone else’s embarrassing moments will make me feel better about my own.
As the opening credits roll, I crumble Dottie’s brownie over my ice cream, letting out a contented sigh. At least dessert never disappoints.
“Why can’t I find love like in the movies, huh, buddy?” I ask, running my fingers through his soft fur. “You know, the kind where tripping in front of your dream guy leads to true love instead of a concussion.”
Mr. Whiskers blinks up at me, his eyes reflecting the TV’s flickering light.
“I mean, look at tonight,” I continue, digging into my brownie-ice-cream creation and regretting nothing. Well… except maybe going out in the first place. “Mom sets me up with someone who’s supposedly perfect for me, and he turns out to be a complete jerk. And then when I finally meet a genuinely nice guy, he’s my cat’s veterinarian and he’s already taken.”
I scratch under Mr. Whiskers’ chin, earning a faint purr.
“Maybe I should just give up on dating altogether,” I muse. “I mean, who needs romance when I have you, anyway? We could be two crazy cat ladies together. Well, one crazy cat lady and one crazy cat, but you know what I mean. No more terrible blind dates, no more falling head over heels, literally, for the wrong guys. Just us, some yummy snacks, and the sweet escape of a good movie night. What do you think, huh, buddy? Sound good?”
“Darling, that sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all night.”
Author Bio:
Gracie James lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their sweet rescue cat, Pinky, and absolutely loves the rain. When she’s not writing swoony, laugh-out-loud rom-coms sprinkled with a touch of magic, she’s usually hiking up a mountain or eating chocolate like it’s a personality trait. Her creative peak occurs somewhere between “I should go to bed” and “well, it’s basically morning now,” and she considers sunrise more of a suggestion than a deadline.
Jules Lowry’s life is flawless on the surface—A-list actress, Hollywood royalty, and a wedding built for headlines. But behind the glamour, her engagement is nothing more than a calculated shield against an unstable stalker.
When the ceremony implodes in scandal, a fake relationship with her brooding bodyguard becomes the perfect PR fix.
Rhys Callaghan, former FBI turned elite protector, is the only man who’s ever made her feel safe...and the one she can’t risk loving. But what starts as a carefully controlled publicity stunt turns dangerously real.
And when her stalker changes the rules, the only thing more lethal than the threat closing in... is trusting the man willing to die for her.
New York Times bestselling author Cristin Harber packs her military romance, romantic suspense, and new adult romance novels with steam, sizzle, and action of all types. Whether you want fireworks in the bedroom or a hunky ex-military team that saves the day, her bestselling romance novels will make you swoon and smile.
Beth D. Carter is here to tell us about His Sacrifice, Secret Society Romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Secret Society Romance
Date Published: 01-22-2026
Publisher:
Evernight Publishing
In a city ruled by a secretive Coalition, the gap between rich and poor is
evident. When the leader dies, a fierce competition arises. James Roarke
believes he’s destined to lead. To secure his place, he chooses Kleya
Dane as his wife, drawn to her kindness for all, regardless of wealth.
Together,
they form an unbreakable bond, but power comes at a price. As the competition
intensifies, James learns that to claim leadership, he must make an
unimaginable sacrifice: Kleya's life. Can love survive when ambition demands
the ultimate cost?
About the Author
I’m passionate about weaving tales of romance and connection, inviting
readers into worlds where love conquers all. Crafting heartfelt stories and
steamy scenes that make the pulse race, as well as taking readers on
swoon-worthy adventures. I try to weave emotions into my stories that punch
you in the gut because I love stories that break your heart before putting it
back together. I try to write characters who aren't cookie cutters and push
myself to write complicated situations that I have no idea how to resolve,
forcing me to think outside the box. I strive to create characters who are
complex and full of flaws. Deep passion romance between heroes and heroines
who find redemption through love.
Cherish Wright is here to tell us about Burn Her They Said, The Anomalies of Ampara Deicra #1, fantasy-romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Burn Her They Said
Cherish Wright
(The Anomalies of Ampara Deicra, #1)
Publication date: June 26th 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
In a land where Dragons are revered like Gods, a witch and her guards must risk it all.
Witches in Ampara Deicra are required to use their powers of emotional influence to benefit sorcerers. None so much as Tasch—a witch born during the Anomaly, when environmental changes caused her magic to develop unmatched abilities.
Taken by the Emperor to manage his mood, she has served by his side since early childhood. Granted the title of Imperial Grand Witch, she is protected by the strongest sorcerers in each form of magic—all Anomalies, like her—with powers beyond any before or after them.
Until a sorcerer named Varic develops abilities surpassing Tasch’s Lead Guard. A fact which the Emperor denies by hiding Varic within the Imperial Army.
Where Varic is made to grow his strength past the point he can contain it, and requires Tasch’s magic to overcome the grief of his magic causing the worst known catastrophe. They fall in love in their time together—and forge a connection which is highly forbidden.
Over time Tasch’s powers fade, rather than strengthen, while the Emperor’s greed escalates the need for resources among bordering lands, who increase their attacks on the Imperial Palace. Fearing the worst, Emperor Aldritch assigns Varic to oversee Tasch’s detail, placing the two beings who must hide their feelings mere inches from each other.
With the highest stakes they’ve ever encountered, can Tasch’s Guards save her and the citizens, with the help of their bonded Dragons?
For fans of Anathema, Dragonfall, and A Discovery of Witches comes the tale of a burnt-out witch in her thirties who is trying to survive long enough to save the citizens from their power-hungry Emperor, with the help of her Guards and the Dragons they share a bond.
Ashlynn Monroe is here to tell us about Willing Captive, an LGBTQ+ SciFi romance with BDSM.
Read on for details...
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An LGBTQ+ BDSM Sci-Fi Romance
Date Published: June 19, 2026
Publisher: Changeling Press
"Humans are a legend. They don't exist."
When Lord Xev and his lover, Ra, leave their home in search of a woman to bond
with them, they know exactly where to go. Risen Outpost is the most lawless
place in the galaxy, and Pale Moon Auction House offers the finest sex slaves
on the market. What the Zaronians don't expect is to find one of the legendary
humans for sale to the highest bidder.
Kirin Ellison doesn't know what's happened to her. The shock of discovering
aliens exist is bad enough, but realizing they plan to sell her as a sex slave
is far worse. Kirin watches the other women preening and displaying their
attributes, begging to belong to someone, with growing alarm. She wants her
freedom. At least she thinks she does --- until one touch from Xev and Ra
enslaves her in a far more binding way than a simple exchange of a currency
could ever manage. She longs to feel everything the strange beings have to
offer, but unless Xev is willing to make a sacrifice of his own, she dare not
let him capture her heart.
Music reverberated through Kirin Ellison's Mazda as she drove down the lonely
two lane country road. Humming along to the radio, she glanced up at the sky.
The black velvet above was dotted with stars. In the city, she never really
had the chance to see the night sky -- the view here was breathtaking.
No one was expecting her back in Chicago until tomorrow. She didn't need to
rush. Her camera lay on the passenger seat beside her. Pulling over onto the
gravel shoulder, she parked next to a fenced pasture.
The warning bell dinged as she carefully pulled out her beloved equipment.
Wedding and graduation photography paid the bills, but she couldn't escape her
true calling -- she felt drawn to beautiful panoramic landscapes.
Kirin looked up at the silky night sky and began to visualize the shots she
would take. The rural beauty was exactly what she wanted. These prints would
sell fast in the city.
Chuckling to herself, she shook off the feeling that she was being watched.
"I've been in the city way too long," she muttered as she made sure the tripod
was stable.
A sudden flash to her left made her straighten and turn. She gasped as three
bluish-green lights hovered in the air.
"Oh my God!" Kirin's hands shook as she began frantically snapping pictures.
Kirin focused intensely on the lights. She wished her camera had video
capability. She expected the hovering lights to fly away, but they didn't.
These prints were definitely going to be a moneymaker.
The lights suddenly catapulted forward and to her horror, they now hovered
directly over her car. Her courage held her for only three more shots before
her shaking hands managed to free the camera from the tripod. Snatching up her
equipment, she rushed back to the car, but froze when a bright light
illuminated the area around her. Her eyes widened as the car levitated off the
ground. The pulsating yellow light was actually pulling the Mazda skyward.
Kirin bit her lip and stumbled backwards. She had no interest in finding out
where her car was going. Her foot slipped on the dew-damp grass and she
tumbled backward into the darkness. Pain radiated through her head and her
teeth clicked as her jaws snapped together. She blinked up and the darkness
vanished. She lay bathed in bright yellow light. Something trickled down her
neck and she realized she was bleeding, but that was the least of her worries
right now.
Blinking rapidly, Kirin tried to clear her vision, but the lights went in and
out of focus. She felt her body lifting. "No," she moaned.
Unconsciousness claimed her.
When Kirin next opened her eyes, she blinked up at a bright light. She tried
to swallow but something was down her throat. Soft plastic cradled her nose
and mouth. She looked down her nose at the strange mask. The effort gave her
an intense headache and she tried to groan, but the tube down her throat
didn't allow the sound to come out. She lay in a warm cocoon, perfectly
cradled in softness. To her horror, she realized she was naked. She tried to
move, but she couldn't. The paralysis was surreal. Her vision was blurry and
she blinked rapidly, but it didn't seem to help. She felt as if she were
floating.
Vaguely, she wondered if she'd been drugged.
A dark shadow blocked the light to the left and she tried to focus on what --
or who -- it was. Her eyes widened and she tried to scream. Being immobile
added a sharp bite to her terror. The creature was tall and blue. It had
tentacles jutting out of its rather large head, and it didn't look happy.
Coming closer, it made some sort of gibberish noise and ran its hand down her
arm, then her hip and leg. She shuddered. Something moved in a blur to her
left and she felt a quick stab of pain before her eyes fluttered closed and
darkness dragged her back into oblivion.
* * *
"This trip has been long overdue, my friend.. The burden of politics wearies
me," Lord Xev muttered. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
The male between his legs took his cock into his mouth and bobbed his head
passionately up and down on Xev's shaft. Xev watched Ra's devotion through his
long lashes. Long, soft blond hair brushed Xev's thighs. Eyes half closed, he
stretched his arms across the back of the divan.
The crowd bustling about the tavern and the buzz of voices only made Ra's
fellatio more erotic. His companion made a loud popping noise as he pulled his
mouth away from Xev's erection. Ra's big blue eyes gazed up at him adoringly.
Xev could tell he wanted to say something.
"You may speak," he graciously offered.
"You are right, my lord. I have felt the burden of hiding my affection for
you. I lust for you, my lord. Every time I am in the room with you, my cock
aches for your touch."
Xev smiled down at his lover. He cared deeply for Ra. Their friendship, and
Ra's servitude, had grown into a comfortable pattern, but something was
missing. They both agreed on that point. "I understand, my friend. The Order
would never accept our bond. Here we are free, but you know I can never leave
the Order, even to delight in the debauchery of the fringes. This is just a
short trip. We will return."
The glimmer of hope died in Ra's beautiful eyes and he quickly lowered his
head and kissed Xev's balls. When Ra glanced up, tears shimmered in his eyes.
"I know your place, my lord, even as I know mine, but one can dream."
About the Author
Ashlynn Monroe is a busy working mom. She loves her kids and family. Her
greatest joy is creating stories to entertain others, and she hopes they bring
a little more romance into the world. She's been writing since her teens for
her own enjoyment but decided in her thirties to share her imagination with
readers. Ashlynn enjoys biking, camping, reading, video games, and filling her
home and life with love. If she's not working or chasing children, you can
find her daydreaming up her next tale of romance.
He's a ruthless predator. She's his prey. Together, it's about to get wild.
COBALT
President of the Kings of Anarchy MC Chapter in Tranquility, Indiana, Brett "Cobalt" Waters feels nothing close to tranquil. Taking over his father's vile and ruthless business keeps him high strung and on edge. After all, he has lives to save and lives to end if he wants to expand the business successfully and lucratively without getting picked up by the law. But when his new business venture brings him face to face with a vulnerable and battered woman, his protective instincts go into overdrive.
JULIE
Accountant Julie Drake knows fraud when she sees it. Questioning the numbers on a new account proves perilous when she pries too deep. Now, there's a bounty on her head. There's only one man who's willing to believe her and protect her. Unfortunately, Julie doesn't realize that Cobalt is the same criminal who’s been hired to eliminate her.
As Julie and Cobalt grow closer, Cobalt's loyalties are tested. How can he destroy the one thing he's been looking for his entire life?Welcome to the Kings of Anarchy MC, where the Kings rule in chaos, and the open road is our Kingdom. With 42 of your favorite authors penning their own chapters in this outlaw empire, you'll dive into a world where rules are a thing of the past. Here, nobody messes with the Kings or lays a hand on their property—because these badass bikers claim their lovers with pride. Enter a universe where loyalty is everything, legends are born, and every ride is unforgettable.
Are you ready to ride with the Kings of Anarchy MC?
Chapter 1COBALT“What the fuck is taking so long to get that pain in my ass in the goddamn metal box and in the crisper? For Christ’s sake, there have been nights where we ran an assembly line with bodies, but tonight you can’t get one in there together. You two idiots have been messing with that asshole for the last twenty minutes. Move, you stupid bastards, I should’ve done it myself. If you want shit done right, do it your motherfuckin’ yourself. Get out of my way, ya two useless pieces of shit.”Listening to my enforcer, Incubus, ripping our newer prospects a new asshole almost brings a smirk to my face, though I’m gonna have to rein him in before he scares these newbies out of our Indiana chapter of the Kings of Anarchy. Son of a bitch, I think to myself as I make my way to the incinerator, I never thought, when I finally took over for my cantankerous ol’ man and became president of the Indiana chapter, I’d be working harder than when I was just a member and brother. Especially doing this pain in the ass kind of work with the patch I’m currently wearing on my kutte. Now that my head is out of my own ass and I’m head of our chapter, I know there isn’t a job within our club or out there in our world—where I walk through on both sides of the law—that if needed, I’d have to get my hands dirty no matter who the fuck I am. When I give it any thought, these scarred paws of mine haven’t been clean in so many goddamn years.The fucker is squealing like a pig off to the slaughterhouse, so I move quickly to the far table to grab some duct tape to shut this motherfucker up before my head blows. I move back to where my brothers are working and rip off a large piece. I push one of the prospects out of the damn way and put the tape over the asshole’s mouth, bringing instant quiet to the area and my ears stop ringing. My eyes catch both of the prospects looking at me like I hung the fucking moon, for Christ’s sake. Incubus is working on removing all the dude’s clothing and jewelry. Even though this bastard thinks he’s getting fried, the original request came in to remove all personal items off of him and hand them off to one of the client’s employees. For the money we are making to shake and bake one dude, I personally don’t care what they want. If they had asked for a hand or eyeball, would have given them someone’s, no questions asked. I smell it before I shift my eyes to see the guy has not only pissed but also shit himself. For a brief second I do feel bad for him. Been thinking lately that maybe I’m getting soft, or maybe it’s just my ol’ man’s voice in my head. Then it hits me that, in all good conscience, I can’t go through with this shit as both Incubus and I are in the know and the prospects ain’t. I turn and hit one of the drawers, pulling out a syringe, and walk back to where everyone is standing. Incubus just finished cutting off all the dude’s clothes and is now ripping any and all jewelry off of him. I can see the absolute terror in his eyes, watching me, though it’s Incubus who moans when he sees what’s in my hand.“Shit, Prez, really? I was looking forward to hearing this jagoff begging then howling as the heat took over right before the sizzle, as he starts to cook like bacon in a frying pan. Now I won’t hear a goddamn thing. When did our club of degenerates start going soft just like this dude’s dick right now?”I stare hard at Incubus until he starts to twitch, which says a lot for this bastard. We served and were in a prisoner of war camp for months together, and I never saw him squirm or give any indication of fear or pain, no matter what was done to him. Underneath all his gruff and posing, he’s a damn good friend and excellent member of this club. I just can’t let this go on the way he’s been playing with me lately, being vocal in front of others. Maybe he’s right and I’m getting soft and, personally, I don’t give a fuck if I am. Gotta have a little humanity some days. I look down to the dude in the box, lying in his own piss and shit, right before I rip the tape off his face, which has him screaming, crying, and begging. Gotta shut him up so I wave the syringe in front of his face, which has him instantly going quiet with just a few sniffles.“This is more than you deserve, but I’m feeling generous tonight. You had a contract with our client that you broke, and you know the rules, asshole. Then when you didn’t hold up your end they warned you numerous times, which you ignored. That’s when they came to us. Their request is that we end your miserable life and since we were well paid, that is exactly what we are gonna do. Once I put this needle in your arm, within a few minutes you’ll fall into a deep fucking sleep and, if you’re lucky, won’t feel a goddamn thing. No, don’t want to hear you beg me or lie to my face, telling me you’re not guilty. None of that is my problem. We were paid to do a job and that’s what we’re doing.”
When I go to pull the cover off the needle, he softly starts to talk after clearing his throat.
“Hang on one minute, please. I’m not going to fight or cause you any trouble. Just need a favor, which I have no right to ask, but I have to. You’re right, I should have held up my end of the deal, but there were extreme circumstances that prevented me from doing just that. Not going to go into it but those assholes knew, and when I begged for mercy and a bit more time they laughed and beat the fuck out of me. I paid partial payments to show good faith and when they told me those payments weren’t gonna go toward my loan because it wasn’t a full payment, knew I was screwed. When I asked for my money back they beat the fuck out of me again. So yeah, you’re right, mister, I should have held up my end but those mafia guys are total assholes, and worse, liars. I’d do it again if it gave me the time with my mom I had. She died of stage four cervical cancer a week ago and, thank Christ, you didn’t pick me up before her funeral. If I wasn’t there my sister would have had a heart attack. Thank you for your kindness, guess I’m as ready as I’m ever going to be. Oh shit, if a woman named Julie somehow starts askin’ questions, please don’t tell her anything and get her the hell outta this town. If those mafia guys find out she’s my sister, oh fuck, can’t think of what they’d do to her for their own fun and games.”
My brain is flying through all of what he just said as I hear a very gruff “son of a bitch,” which comes from Incubus. Guess he’s feeling the same way I am, which is the mafia is using us to end this guy, apparently, without telling us the damn truth. Now what do I do? If we don’t finish this and our asshole contact, Anthony, finds out; it’s war with the mafia, which is something I don’t fucking need. But can we honestly end this guy’s life for falling on hard times? I mean, if what he is telling us is the truth, he tried to pay his debt off, even if it was partially. I can bet my ass the money he borrowed was for something to do with his ma’s cancer and treatment. Just that thought brings up my own mom, who also was taken by that god-awful disease. Shit, knowing we are bringing hell down on our club, I silently scream in my head when I hear Incubus telling the prospects to run to the other side of our building and find a John Doe who’s about the same size as the guy in the box. With puzzled looks on their faces, but smart enough not to ask any questions, they both turn and make their way out of the crematory, and I’m guessing they are going back to the cemetery side.
“All right, Cobalt, what’s your plan? I know you can’t go through with this bullshit, and I don’t question you ever, but we better have a way for this to work for our club. Help me get him out. Asshole, what’s your name?”
With wide eyes that are following every move Incubus makes, he once again clears his throat.
“I go by Stash, though my name is James but most call me Jimmy.”
We both reach for an arm and pull Stash up to a sitting position. Something clicks so I start firing off questions, asking what he did for a living, where he lived, did he have family besides his sister? Without hesitation he answers each and every one of my questions. A thought crosses my mind when he tells me he works in technology, mainly programming and coding. I glance at Incubus, who’s got a shit-eating grin on his face, which tells me once again we’re on the same page. Stash tells us he was living in one of those apartments you rent by the month and he thinks the Mob took all of his shit when they grabbed him the last time. Hesitantly, I bring up his sister, which he tells me is living in a B&B on the outskirts of town and has her own life. Stash continues telling us he tries to keep her away from any shit he’s involved in. The hair on the back of my neck is standing up when I realize what he just told us about his sister. I like all of his answers as we pull him outta the box, telling him to hang on, just as the prospects come back in dragging a body. I hear the pull in of breath but Stash doesn’t say a word. I noticed one prospect has some scrubs under his arm with those flip-flops you get when you are entered into prison. I watch Nickel walk toward Stash, handing him the clothes, along with a container of wipes to clean off with. Dreamer drags the corpse to where Incubus is watching and waiting. Together they lift him into the metal box, then Incubus proceeds to remove the clothes, tossing them into the incinerator behind him. The smell is nauseating but it is what it is, we all have gotten used to it. Obviously Stash can’t stand the smell as he starts to gag. Nickel kicks the garbage can his way just in time.
I walk toward the door, reaching for my cell. Finding the number I want, I hit it and hear it ringing.
“Yeah, Cobalt, what’s up? Did y’all finish the cookout?”
Everything we talk about on our phones is generally in some kind of code, never know if someone is listening.
“Psycho, meet me back at the house, will ya, brother? We need to talk.”
I can hear him moving around and when he tells someone to “shut the fuck up, get dressed, and get the hell out of here” I kind of feel bad interrupting, but hey, he signed up to be my vice president.
“Yeah, Prez, be there in under thirty minutes. Need me to pick anything up?”
I rack my brain for a second then give him a short list of shit before hanging up.
Turning, I’m just in time to see the metal box moving toward the inside of the contraption that is probably hotter than hell. Stash is looking between all of us but isn’t saying a word. This poor motherfucker has been through the wringer. Walking up to him I see his body tense but he holds his ground. Nice is my thought when I stop in front of him.
“Stash, today is your lucky day. We are gonna take you back to our clubhouse and make you an offer you won’t be able to say no to. Well, that’s if you have any brain cells left in your head, motherfucker. One last question, which B&B is your sister Julie staying at? We need to bring her in also, don’t argue, you bastard. Only way she’s gonna stay breathing. Now on that offer, ya don’t have to take it, we will still help ya out but the one thing you won’t get is our protection. Choice is yours. For now, gonna have to ride bitch with one of the prospects. Not a far ride, but it’s kinda cold out. Let me grab ya one of my lined hoodies. Here, fucker, suck on this mint, you smell like vomit. Let’s ride.”
I can see both Dreamer and Nickel bickering about who is going to have Stash riding bitch. I look to Incubus, who shrugs his shoulders. My eyes pin onto Dreamer, who drops his head before he looks back up and nods. All it takes most times is a look with all of our prospects. I’m known to be fair and demanding. Not a bad thing is my thought as I make my way to my bike to pull a hoodie out of one of my bags. I walk back to Stash and hand it to him and hear his soft thanks before going back to my bike, switching it on. As the prospects head back to the clubhouse, Incubus and I make our way to the B&B to pick up Stash’s sister, Julie, before the pain in my ass Mob finds her out there all by herself with no protection. I know one thing we don’t need is another babysitting job. Thinking to myself that this day can’t get any worse, then I remind myself of the club superstitions. If you say or think it then your worst thoughts might come true. The damn shit these brothers put into my head is starting to weigh me down.
D.M. Earl is a U.S.A. Today Bestselling Author who spins stories about real life situations with characters that are authentic, genuine, and sincere. Each of her stories allow the characters to come to life with each turn of the page while they try to find their HEA through much drama and angst. D.M. finds ideas for her next story from within those around her and what she experiences in daily life. Each book has a part of her left behind in it. She lives in Northwest Indiana married to her best friend who was instrumental in the start of her writing career in 2014. When not writing D.M. loves to read, play with her seven fur-babies (yeah crazy) and ride her Harley Dyna Lowrider.
“Enjoy this Ride we call Life.” Remember we only get one chance.
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