Original Cin: A Raptors MC Novel Read online

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Interlude—1—Piper

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Interlude—2—Brennan

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Interlude—3—Byron

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Interlude—4—Brennan

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Acknowledgements

  Original Cin

  A Raptors MC Novel by

  Elle Rease

  Copyright 2017 © Elle Rease

  First Edition

  This is a work of fiction.

  Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product

  of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,

  business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved

  Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above,

  no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted,

  in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical,

  photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior

  written permission of the copyright owner of this book.

  Cover Design: Wendy Bow, Apple Pie Graphics

  ISBN 978-0-260-77145-0

  Dedicated to those who aren’t afraid to keep

  reaching for their highest and wildest dreams.

  Keep shining, you crazy diamonds!

  Table of Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Interlude—1—Piper

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Interlude—2—Brennan

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Interlude—3—Byron

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Interlude—4—Brennan

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Acknowledgements

  Prologue

  He slept close to the edge of the bed, sprawled on his stomach, so it was easy to silence his five o’clock alarm. He lay there for a while, the edges of his glorious dream slowly fading… Those emerald eyes haunted him.

  God, he missed her.

  It’s your own damn fault she isn’t here with you, a voice sneered in the corner of his mind.

  Maybe that was true. Then again, maybe it was her fault.

  He got out of bed and strode to the bathroom to begin his morning routine. He brushed his teeth and pulled his long hair into a ponytail, before going to the walk-in closet to put on sweatpants. Pausing at her clothes on the way out, he briefly touched one of her shirts.

  His plan had to work. He couldn’t take this separation anymore.

  Heading downstairs, he grabbed his backpack on the way to the kitchen and filled his water bottle. He double-checked that he had his phone, a towel, a clean shirt and a protein bar, and then exited his house. The sky was lightening, although the sun had yet to grace him with its presence.

  All set, he jogged to the gym, which was about a mile away. He was aware of the prospects trailing behind him in the van. It was a necessary precaution, one that he’d grown up with. He couldn’t picture a different life.

  Haye, his best friend, met him at the gym. They chatted about Haye’s pregnant wife while they stretched. Their conversation reduced to banter once they started lifting weights. He did his best to keep his mind clear of the dream he’d had.

  “How’s your plan going?” Haye asked him. “Are you almost ready to go get her?”

  “Aye,” he answered, “hopefully by this weekend.”

  “It’ll be good to have her back.”

  “Aye.”

  He didn’t hear his phone ringing at first. When he went to grab his bottle, his instincts urged him to check his mobile. The screen informed him that he had five missed calls. Just as he was about to open his call log, it vibrated in his hand.

  It was his mother. She normally didn’t call this early, knowing that he preferred not to be disturbed during his morning routine.

  “Ma?” he greeted.

  “Thank the gods,” she breathed. “Where have you been?”

  “I’m at gym,” he frowned. “What’s wrong?”

  She sighed. “It’s Jim.”

  His blood ran cold. It took him a while to string a question together, even if it only consisted of two words: “What happened?”

  “Loraine phoned to tell me he had a heart attack last night. They’ve been at the hospital since eleven.”

  That changed things. He glanced around the gym, his mind racing while he came to terms with what this meant. “I have to go to her.”

  “Bren, I really think it’s best if you wait until—”

  “She’ll need me,” he interrupted, already rolling up his towel. This got Haye’s attention. “Have they called her?”

  “It doesn’t sound that way, but Bren—”

  “Ma, I’m going,” he growled at her. He didn’t realize that his accent was slipping. Haye, loyal friend that he was, was getting his things together, too.

  “Bren, I’m asking you not to. Let her find out from her family!”

  “She’ll need me, and I want her here.” He rubbed his forehead, barely suppressing his emotions. “I can’t take it anymore.”

  “My boy, I saw—”

  “Ah’ve fuckin’ heard enough of wha’ ye saw, ma!” He was tired of being reminded of her gifts, and what it could possibly mean for him. None of that mattered to him, not if it meant that he’ll have her back. “It’s nae tae say it’s true!”

  “So far—”

  “Ma, dinnae complete tha’ sentence. Ah love her. Ah choose her. Either make peace with tha’ or prepare tae lose me forever.” He hung up and shifted his gaze to Haye. “Jim had a heart attack.”

  Haye’s face smoothed out. “Go.”

  Inclining his head, Brennan rushed out of the gym and towards the van. He motioned for the prospect behind the wheel to move to the back, opened the door and got onto the driver’s seat.

  “VP, what’s—”

  “Shut up,” he snarled. Tires screeching, he backed out of the parking spot and dodged cars on the way to the main road. He knew two things for sure: he had to get to her, and convince her to come home. Not only for her father’s sake, but for his.

  Due to most of their last encounters endin
g up in arguments, he had to handle this delicately. He’ll go alone and do his best to keep his temper in check. He’ll have the whole ride to figure out how to break the news.

  Although, knowing them, someone was bound to snap.

  Chapter One

  That rumble was the most ominous sound that she knew.

  She stood, holding her breath and trying not to make it obvious that she was close to having a panic attack. Yes, that’s all it is, she convinced herself. You’re scared shitless. It’s got nothing to do with the fact that your panties are getting wet...

  “Biker?”

  She glanced at the receptionist and nodded, her throat dry. “Sounds that way, doesn’t it?” she croaked. “Could you get that file?”

  Nancy gave a breathy laugh. “Sorry, I got a little distracted. It’s not every day I hear a Harley.”

  “I want it ASAP.” Before he gets here. “Thanks, Nancy.”

  The receptionist headed for the adjoining file room, leaving her loitering in the waiting area: fidgeting and waiting for the familiar boot-thumps to arrive, now that the motorcycle’s engine has been silenced. A sick, nostalgic part of her was excited, but she abused it into a silent corner of her mind. She couldn’t be weak, not now.

  Come on, Nancy, she chanted in her head, tapping her fingers on the mahogany counter. Come on, come on, come ON!

  She whimpered—like a kid caught with her hand in the damn cookie jar—once the automated doors behind her whooshed open. Her palms grew sweaty and her breathing hitched in her throat. She was too afraid to move, to draw attention to herself.

  Unfortunately, it would take a miracle for her to go unnoticed, hovering in the center of the room like she was.

  That thud-clink she knew so well beat down on the floor, getting louder with each step, and brought black boots with chains and spurs to mind. It stopped a few feet behind her. She could almost hear the knowing smirk that must be accompanying his facial expression.

  Just pull it together, she chided herself, shutting her eyes and saying a silent prayer. You can do this. You’ve done it before, remember? You always walk away unscathed.

  Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Every time, she had a bigger dent on her armor. One day, there will be nothing left to protect her from him, and then she’ll be a lost case.

  “You must’ve known I was coming, Cin.”

  Unbidden, a shiver went up and down her spine, causing every part of her skin to tighten in expectation. She wished she’d opted for a thicker bra that morning, since her silk shirt wouldn’t be able to hide her traitorous nipples. Why did she have to be so damn affected by him?

  Slowly turning on her heels, she pasted a fake smile on her face. It slipped a little as the full force of his rugged sex appeal hit her in the chest.

  God, he hasn’t changed one bit!

  She was tall—most of her friends called her an Amazonian warrior princess, especially when she wore heels—but he had a head on her length, making him stand well over six feet tall. He worked out often, so his shoulders were wide while his torso tapered down to narrow hips. He was wearing his leather and hadn’t bothered to zip up the vest, giving her an eyeful of his tattooed, muscular chest and stomach. His long legs looked amazing in skin-tight chaps and his boots rounded off the bad-boy image to perfection.

  His face, though... That was definitely his best feature. His square jaw looked like it was carved from stone; his plump lips softened his edges. His ice blue eyes glowed in the bright light of the room, emphasized by auburn hair, which was pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. He had about three days’ worth of stubble, though the piercings in the corners of his bottom lip were still showing.

  Stop right there, Cinnia Sloane!

  She cleared her throat noisily. “I didn’t, actually,” she informed him.

  “Sure, I’ll pretend I believe you.”

  Why did his voice have to be so sexy and low, on top of it all? Couldn’t he have one of those annoying, high-pitched ones instead? At least then she’ll have an excuse not to be so attracted to him.

  “I finally found—oh my goodness!” Something dropped to the floor, sounding suspiciously like the file Cinnia had requested Nancy to look for.

  She took a deep breath before she lost her cool. “Thanks, Nancy,” she muttered without turning around. “Just leave it over there and—”

  “It’s Nancy, right?” he asked the receptionist, turning on the charm. “Will you please bring two coffees to Cin’s office? We have some business to discuss.”

  Cinnia bristled, taking a step towards him. “Hey, you can’t just come in here and—”

  “You’re a doll,” he interrupted, his gaze still locked on the plump woman behind the counter. He reached out for Cinnia’s elbow and led her down the hallway. “Black, no sugar. Thanks.”

  Jerking her arm out of his hold, Cinnia glared at him. “How do you know where to go?”

  “I know everything that I need to know about you, Cin,” he murmured in reply. He waited for her to enter her office first, shutting the door once they were inside. “You look amazing, as always.”

  She blushed and avoided eye-contact.

  Back when she’d been a young, naïve girl, he had loved her skinny frame. So, once she’d decided that she didn’t want him in her life, she had made it her personal mission to gain a few pounds, hoping he would lose interest. It turned out that he loved curves even more.

  As her bad luck would have it, she had been unable to shake any of the extra weight since. Instead, she was taking various forms of dance lessons, as well as a self-defense class, to stay fit and toned. She secretly loved her bigger ass and cup-size.

  He did, too, though not as secretly.

  “What do you want, Brennan?”

  He leaned against the door, crossing his arms over his chest as his eyes trailed a hot path down her body. “I’m sure you can guess, Cin.”

  “I don’t have time to reject you, so please leave.” She walked around her desk, mostly to have a barrier between them. She ignored her trembling hands. “I have work to do.”

  “You should phone your parents. They miss you.”

  Her anger spiked and she struggled to remain in control. “Stop talking to them.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “How can I? They live close to me.”

  “They’re not your parents.”

  “They’re family.”

  That shut her up. She detested being reminded of her roots. There was a time when she had been proud to be a part of the Raptors MC, but that was before she was old enough to understand just what it meant to belong to a motorcycle club. In fact, the man standing in front of her was the main reason why she had shed her old life like a bad outfit and chosen to live within the strict confines of normality.

  Everything was a whole lot less complicated now, thank God.

  She shook herself, returning to the present. “Who’s in jail this time?”

  “Luckily, it hasn’t come to that.”

  “Then what do you want from me?”

  “Right now?” He gave her a haughty look. “I’d like for you to come over here and take my cock in your mouth.”

  Her face grew warm again. “And contract about five different STD’s in the process? No, thank you. I already have a dick to suck.”

  She quite enjoyed the way his eyes flashed, although she knew she shouldn’t take pleasure in his hatred of her current relationship status. It had nothing to do with him, after all. He was nothing to her: she had a smart, successful boyfriend. What more could she want?

  So much more, she thought wistfully, staring at him.

  “Oh yeah, how’re things going with that sad excuse for a man?”

  “I don’t know, how’re things going with your whore?”

  “I don’t have whores, you know that. I’ve never had to pay a woman to be with me.”

  Cinnia smiled bitterly. “Oh, I’m aware of that. You only have to flick your wrist and then all your promises are forgo
tten.”

  “I’ve never broken any promises I’ve made you, Cin.”

  “Sure you haven’t.”

  He left his post by the door and sauntered over to her. “You’re still mine, Cinnia Sloane,” he stated, dark intent in every word. “Regardless of what I’ve done, who I’ve done, you’re mine.”

  “I’m not your property.”

  He smirked. “I beg to differ.”

  There was a soft knock on the door, temporarily relieving the tension between them.

  “Come on in, Nancy,” Cinnia called. She suddenly had a massive headache.

  The receptionist pushed a trolley into the room and unpacked the drinks tray. Nancy also lay down a manila folder on the desk and gave her a knowing smile. “Let me know if you need anything else, Cinnia.”

  “Thanks, Nancy.” Cinnia had to watch, stomach roiling with a whole bunch of emotions she didn’t want to dissect, how the receptionist basically swooned over Brennan on her way out. She gulped down half of her coffee. “What do you want?”

  “You should really start asking questions you want me to answer your way, Cin.” He picked his cup up and looked around her office. “So, where’s a photo of the happy couple?”

  “I don’t advertise my relationship for the world to see.”

  “You will when it’s us.”

  “When? Really, Brennan?”

  “Yes, really,” he confirmed. “It’s only a matter of time now.”

  “Your arrogance will be the end of you.” She sighed deeply. “For the millionth time, Brennan: what do you want?”

  “It’s your father.”

  Those three words brought her world to a halt. She clutched the edge of the table to prevent herself from fainting. “What happened?” she whispered.

  “Heart attack.”

  “Why didn’t anyone phone me?”

  “Because you haven’t spoken to them in two years,” he reminded her.

  She flinched, wishing she could deny that. “Why didn’t you phone?”

  “This isn’t the type of thing one says over the phone.” He sipped on his coffee, cool as a damn cucumber, as he inspected her degree, which was framed and displayed on the wall behind her desk. “You know that family takes care of family.”