I am who I am, and I won’t apologize for it. I don’t know how to be...normal. I have my reasons. I've been through hell. I've touched the flames themselves, and I've danced with the devil. Intimately. Damnation torched my soul until it was black. I am who I am, and I won’t apologize for it. I don’t know how to be...normal. I have my reasons. I've been through hell. I've touched the flames themselves, and I've danced with the devil. Intimately. Damnation torched my soul until it was black.

I miss alcohol. The craving claws against my stomach every day. And being in this rehab center doesn’t help. No one understands how it feels to not be able to save someone you love. And a patient here, Sunnie, she tries to make me feel better. She reads a damn book to me every chance she gets, and it grinds my nerves. Who the hell is that happy? She makes me want to drink. Then, she shares her pain, and I realize her bright disposition is a mask. I find myself wanting to make her smile, to make her happiness permanent. 

I went from being an irresponsible kid who didn’t know any better to an irresponsible man who does. I make no apologies. Don’t take my carelessness for strength. My blood is as deadly as the bullet that killed my brother, and once I’m cut, there’s no stopping the river of rage. My past is dead. I’m not like my MC brothers. Nothing is going to come bite me in the ass. Or so I thought. Because life gave me Mary, the little hellraiser who tries to be reckless. She’s only looking to escape the nightmare of what happened to her in Atlantic City.

They think they are safe. Isn’t that sickening? They are decorating for Christmas. Twinkling lights. Wreaths. Mistletoe. Laughter. All that is missing is snow. They are the idea of a perfect family, aren’t they? I wonder how many of them are wishing for a Christmas miracle. How many of them only want peace? A night full of magic and wonder... Well. Not when I'm here. It’s a beautiful time to be the Groundskeeper. Turning miracles into nightmares. 

There are few things people know about me. I'm Scottish. I really hate pants. And Poodle is me best friend. But. There are always buts. There is one thing people don't know. Me love for fightin'. I come from a long line of fighters. I live it. I breathe it. Flesh. Blood. And brass knuckles. It's me way of life. So I fight, legally. No one knows.

My hand shakes when I read the note. Everyone is here. I think. There are so many people. So many painted faces. How am I supposed to know who is missing? I knew this party was a bad idea. Now, one of my own is in trouble and as the Prez of the MC, I should know not to play a game. But we are on a timer and someone is using us as pawns. It’s up to us to save one of our own.

I've never known the calm before the storm. The storm never leaves. Thunder raging. Lightning crashing. With me, right in the middle. The worst storm hit when I was 17. My girlfriend? Dead. My daughter? Missing without a trace. That broke me worse than thunder and lightning ever could. Then, the Ruthless Kings MC became my salvation. The brotherhood turned a boy into a man. Never knowing the beast within. Or the storms that followed me everywhere.

I wouldn't burden anyone with loving me. I'm a hard man to love. Until she walks through the garage doors, looking perfect in her little blue dress and high heels. She's neat and clean and too damn good for me, but I'm determined to get her filthy. Then Reaper reminds me of the debt I owe him, and the fine is costly — stay away from the woman whose voice is a song.

I deal with highs and lows, but somehow, I end up making the best of it. My family disowned me, but family is the reason why I’m in Vegas. Even with my inability to think straight, I end up being in charge of a bunch of runaway mental patients. Hence, The Asylum. A sanctuary for lost causes. Where crazy can roam free, and compulsions can be let loose. My nephew says as long as it stays at The Asylum, we won’t have problems. What fun would it be if problems didn’t exist? And my problem is in the shape of a dancer, twirling on the front lawn in the middle of the night.

Like currency, I’ve become part of a transaction. Blade took me to pay off a debt. I try to tell myself, Eve, you should hate him. He’s a bad guy. But then again, I’m not a good girl. Blade’s the president of the Disciples, the notorious motorcycle club. I should be frightened, yet somehow, he doesn’t scare me. If anything, I think I scare him. 

Kara Harbinger’s only crime is having a court judge for a father, one who just happens to be presiding over the criminal case of the president of the Devil Kings MC. The DKs are about to use the biggest Achilles’ heel he’s got to bend him to their will, to buy his decision, to buy his very soul.

Bitterness and anger cloud my judgment when it comes to the MC. What is so great about them that I can't have on the outside? What is so great about the patch? Death? Blood? Fear? That is all I've experienced with the club. I hated to leave my sister. She's the only reason I stayed as long as I did. But it's time for something new.

For the last two years, I've told myself she’s off limits. That a man like me, can't be with a woman her age. Then my little maniac turned 18...and I gave in to my temptation. I shouldn't have, but now it's too late. She's mine now, and I'll never let her go. Then one of the biggest sinners in Vegas thought he could just take her. He's forgetting; it's my job to protect her. Mine. Now, I'm going to burn this city to the ground. I'll reap havoc until my little maniac is back in my arms.

I don’t apologize or regret the destruction I’m about to cause. I’m at peace with what I must do...nothing can or will stand in my way. Not even the raven-haired beauty with golden eyes who haunts my dreams. No one is innocent in the story of my life. Fairy tales don’t exist! I. Make. No. Excuses. Everyone needs to atone, and I’m the man who is going to see to it.

Nothing can end before it begins. My beginning started with the death of my best friend. And the kid he left behind...I had no idea what to do. But I made a promise. Jenkins was my responsibility. But he wasn't the only one I had. Raising a kid while being the president of the Ruthless Kings MC? The club had as much influence over him as I did.