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. 

She holds a special place in my heart. The darkest part of it. A part I never show anyone. From the moment we met, I wanted to show her all my scars, the need I hide inside. Joanna. The woman who wears long sleeve shirts on a hundred-degree day. She's been away at college and when she comes home, I plan on making her mine. One phone call. A broken voice. Time stands still. And everything changes. My plans goes up in smoke when I find her. My chance with her hangs in the hands of fate. I've turned a blind eye to the help she needs. What kind of doctor does that make me?

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 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.

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.

We’ve been traveling all over the country, recruiting new members for our club. Before we call it quits, we make a pitstop in Las Vegas. I’m owed a debt, and I’ve come to collect. It’s been awhile since I spoke to the president of the Ruthless Kings. And I’m calling in my marker. I figured I’d ask for cash, maybe a few new recruits, arms-dealer networks, but he said no. That’s fine. But then I set my sights on her. A blonde bombshell. Yeah, she’s mine. 

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.

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.

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. 

I’m the president of the Devil Kings Atlanta MC. With a fractious club to rebuild and a revolving door on my bedroom, the last thing I need is 5’4” of sex-on-a-stick trouble. When a mysterious beauty shows up with her playmate’s body, dark soulful eyes, and a bagful of cash, I’m willing to make an exception. I don’t fully trust her, but she needs my help. 

This is a new start. A clean slate for not just me or Scarlett, but for everyone else that’s trusted me to make their life better. Deciding to keep the Atlantic City chapter name was the right move. Not only is the weight of the members on my shoulders, but the immense responsibility of proving ourselves to the city. I need the community to accept us, to come to us when we need help, and most importantly, I don’t want them to fear us. But it isn’t going to be easy. 

One moment, my only priorities are my bike, my club, and my freedom. The next, my ex dumps a little girl off on my doorstep with a note saying she's mine. Then, everything goes to hell in the MC, when an unknown element blows up a rival club and starts coming for us. That's when fate plants a fiery, brown-eyed beauty smack in the middle of the whole mess.

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.

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.

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.