Zorro (Reapers MC Book 16) Read online

  Zorro

  Reapers MC Book Sixteen

  Elizabeth Knox

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Gone But Never Forgotten:

  Billings, Montana Charter

  Las Vegas, Nevada Charter

  Chihuahua, Mexico Charter

  Prologue

  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

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Zorro

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  Zorro. Copyright © 2020 by Elizabeth Knox. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations used in articles or reviews. For information contact E. Knox.

  Cover Design: Clarise Tan, CT Cover Creations

  Editing: Kim Lubbers, Knox Publishing

  Proofreading: Jackie Ziegler, Knox Publishing

  Formatting: E.C. Land, Knox Publishing

  Photographer: Wander Aguiar, Wander Aguiar Photography

  Models: Chris Fleming & Joli

  Created with Vellum

  Available Now From

  Elizabeth Knox

  Series: Skulls Renegade

  Reign

  Redemption

  Revenge

  Relentless

  Reckoning

  Reclaimed

  Reckless

  Regret

  Reclusive

  Retribution

  First Generation: A Skulls Renegade MC Boxset

  Series: Steele Bros.

  Tough as Steele

  Stripping a Steele

  Protecting a Steele

  Steele her Heart

  Stolen Hearts: The Complete Steele Bros Boxset

  Series: Reapers MC

  Scarred

  Blackjack

  Here Kitty, Kitty

  Booger

  Widow

  Kade

  Hawk

  Bull

  Cobra

  Mouser

  Dixon

  Zane

  Amara

  Grim

  Chaz

  Frost

  Zorro

  Series: Iron Vex MC

  Enraged

  Bossed Up

  Series: Royal bastards Mc: Baltimore/Knights of retribution mc

  Bet on Me

  Rely on Me

  Series: The Clans with Iris Sweetwater

  Promised

  The Trade

  Cherished

  Deceit

  Love is War

  Defiant

  Shattered

  Ruthless

  Covert

  Heretic

  Venomous

  Flawed

  Demise

  Series: The Mackenzie & Volkolv Duet

  Deceptive Love

  Series: The Mackenzies

  Forbidden Love

  Corrupted Love

  Sin City Fets with Linny Lawless & Aubree Valentine

  Switched

  Surrender

  Full Throttle with Erin Trejo

  Against All Odds

  Coming in 2020 From

  Elizabeth Knox

  Consumed

  (An F/F Driven Novel)

  Hate on Me

  (Knights of Retribution MC #1)

  Vex’s Temptation

  (Iron Vex MC #3)

  Inc’s Regret

  (Satan’s Raiders MC #1)

  Coming in 2021 From

  Elizabeth Knox

  Filthy Valentine

  (A Dungeon Demons MC Prequel)

  Ransom

  (Love Hack #1)

  Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology

  (Second Edition)

  The Elites: A Dark Secret Society Collection

  Do you like Paranormal Romance?

  Check out Elizabeth’s Alternate Pen Name, Liz Knox.

  Available Now From

  Liz Knox

  Series: Bloodlines Trilogy

  Fated by Blood (Free Prequel)

  Series: Nightshade

  Blood Oath (A Prequel)

  Series: Lone Wolf MC

  Origins (Free Prequel)

  Series: Hells Gateway MC

  Caym’s Fated Mate

  Series: Bloodborn Academy

  Bitten Magic

  Anthologies

  Romanticizing the Gods

  Coming in 2020 From

  Liz Knox

  The Elementals

  Playlist

  Til It Happens To You — Lady Gaga

  Still Have Me — Demi Lovato

  Teardrops — Bring Me The Horizon

  Skeletons — New Years Day

  i never wanna die — Bea Miller

  Dangerous — Tayler Buono

  Hush Hush — Avril Lavigne

  Hate The Way — G-Eazy, ft. blackbear

  Edge of Midnight — Miley Cyrus & Stevie Nicks

  Love Of Your Life — RAYE

  Vale Na — Kat Dahlia

  Acknowledgments

  My Alpha Team: Courtnay, Michele, Janet, Taneesha, Kim, Isabelle, Heidi, Cynthia, Jojo, and Vikki—As always, thank you for giving me feedback as soon as you possibly can, even if some of you are practically on your deathbed with sickness. I appreciate everything you always do for me!

  My Beta Team: Heidi, Rebecca, Danaca, Christy, Heather, Kristine, Stephanie, and Emma—You ladies are the best. I appreciate some of you even taking the book before I was finished writing it to give me feedback on the first chunk I’d written. The feedback you provided me was invaluable and I thank you all so much for it.

  My Editor, Kim and Proofreader, Jackie—You ladies continue to put up with my crazy schedule and not quit on me, so thank you for not leaving me yet, haha!

  April Canavan—Thank you for letting me borrow Ian for the prologue of this book. I can’t wait to read his story in The Elites!

  Patches, Sabbath, Wrangler, Popper, and Savage—Thanks for creating our sprinting chat where we log in and video chat every day. It’s like working in an office and it keeps me super accountable. Some of you I’ve known for years, while a couple of you I’ve just been introduced to and I love y’all. You’re good for my soul!

  To the survivors:

  Take it one day at a time, one breath at a time.

  Don’t rush yourselves.

  Trigger Warning

  This book is intended for mature audiences only. If darker books are not for you, please do not move forward. After re-adjusting my trigger warning system, I will not be giving any spoilers. Please understand that this is not your run of the mill romance and tough subjects will be spoken about in this storyline. This story could include things like: rape, kidnapping, abuse, domestic violence, drugs, alcohol abuse, and many other potential triggers.

  Gone But Never Forgotten:

  Fist — Former Prez (Deceased)

  Cracker – Former VP (Deceased)

  Saffron – Fi
st’s woman, Sakura’s sister, Sydney’s mom. (Deceased)

  Billings, Montana Charter

  Zane – Prez – Ol’ Lady – Octavia

  Children: Sydney (adopted), Neo

  Blackjack – VP – Ol’ Lady – Ashley

  Children: Dex (Blackjack’s previous relationship), Noelle & Fist

  Bull – Enforcer – Ol’ Lady – Alexa

  Grim – Sgt. at Arms – Ol’ Lady – Natalie

  Children: Aggie, Davina, Sorcha (Nat’s Kids)

  Tex – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Roxy

  Children: Kat

  Dracus – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Roxy

  Children: Nova

  Bolt – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Roxy

  Children: Jordyn

  Zorro – Full Patch

  Axel – Full Patch

  Hammer – Full Patch

  Frost – Prospect — Ol’ Lady — Cheyenne

  Turmoil – Prospect

  Bama – Prospect

  Stiletto – Prospect

  Siren – Prospect

  Doom – Prospect

  Las Vegas, Nevada Charter

  Damon — Prez —Ol’ Lady — Kat

  Children: Luna

  Dixon – VP – Ol’ Lady – Indra

  Children: Jalen (Indra’s previous relationship) & Khloe

  Booger – Enforcer – Ol’ Lady – Camila

  Children: Ransom

  Widow – Sgt. at Arms – Ol’ Lady – Tania (A Jackal)

  Children: Zoe (Widow’s previous relationship) & Talon

  Chaz – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Crina

  Cobra – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Izzy

  Hawk – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Raven

  Kade – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Ivy

  Children: Orion & Fate

  Mouser – Full Patch – Ol’ Lady – Sakura

  Ripper – Prospect

  Jolt – Prospect

  Spark – Prospect

  Poison – Prospect

  Brick – Prospect

  Doc – Prospect

  Boulder – Prospect

  Rooster – Prospect

  Chihuahua, Mexico Charter

  Amara – Prez – Ol’ Man – Dante

  Prologue

  Never be ashamed about being broken, because strength is nothing but pain that’s been repaired.

  ~ Trent Shelton

  Ruby

  Halloween Night

  “Are you ready to get plastered tonight?” my best friend and roommate, asks from beside me. Her eyes glint with mischief as she stares up at the frat house before us. I’ve never gone to a party here before, but then again, I’m not one who really enjoys partying in the first place. I’d rather just focus on my classes and lay low. But, my friend here wouldn’t let me stay nestled up under my blanket watching old episodes of The Office. Instead, she had to drag my ass out here, after we dressed up as a nurse and devil of course.

  “We have class tomorrow, Portia. I can’t get drunk off my ass like you can.”

  Portia cocks a brow and chuckles lowly, “My classes don’t start until three, sugar. I’m gonna have a great time tonight and you should too. When’s the last time you missed a class since you’ve been here, hmm?”

  I haven’t. I’d never miss class. Not when I got into school here for free. I was one of fifty students three years ago to get a hefty scholarship to Stonewall University and I won’t take it for granted. It wasn’t a full ride, but it was damn close. Thankfully, my brothers have been lending me a helping hand with covering the leftover tuition expenses. Portia wouldn’t understand. Her father is heavily into politics and I’m certain she got in here just because he bribed the right person. I mean, that’s the way the world works, right? Corruption everywhere you turn, even here.

  Hell, when it comes down to it, I’m corrupt.

  A year ago, I was initiated into a secret society here on campus. To be exact, the Scorpio Society. Their overall goal is corruption, taking the best of the best and ensuring they have someone in their pocket. They made it very clear to me the reason I got the scholarship was because of them, and if I didn’t comply with their demands, they’d revoke it and I would’ve wasted two years here for nothing.

  I couldn’t allow that to happen. Not when no one in my family has accomplished anything. Not when my brothers were helping me make this dream of mine a reality. Without the two of them helping me pay for school, I wouldn’t have ever been able to step foot here. I’d be the first person in my family to graduate from college. I’ve had my eyes set on that since I was a little girl, and hell, I wasn’t going to let anything step in my way. Not even a threat by an organization I couldn’t possibly understand, so, naturally I agreed to their terms. They haven’t asked much of me yet, but I have a feeling they will soon. The only thing they have asked is for me to head back to Montana and start being one of those Instagram influencers, to take photos of myself, the area, myself with products they’ll send me, so on and so forth. Nothing too crazy. Is it wrong that I don’t care I’m part of a secret society, as long as it means I get my degree?

  “Earth to Ruby.” Portia widens her eyes and waves her hand in front of my face back and forth.

  “Sorry, I totally zoned,” I mutter, while a rush of warmth floods to my cheeks.

  “Yeah, that’s for sure. What’s with you? Aren’t you happy to be getting out of there? I mean, you were dating that guy Zack for what, two weeks and he just dumped you out of the blue. I couldn’t let you sulk.”

  I hold a hand up, “Whoa. I wasn’t sulking. I was relaxing, Portia. You should try it sometime.”

  She rolls her eyes and grabs my arm, tugging me along with her to the frat house. “I know how to relax, which is exactly why we’re here. Now come on.”

  Portia continues to pull me along with her as we go up a few short stairs and walk in through the foyer of the frat house. It’s prettier than I’ve ever seen before, with crown molding, wainscotting, and the most beautiful dark oak floors. Now this is old money.

  “Ruby, Portia, what’re you two doing here?” a familiar voice calls from the next room over. I can barely make it out from the music pumping through the house. Considering Portia still has her hand on mine, I tug her along with me toward him.

  “I didn’t know you were coming.” His eyes light up the same way Portia’s did a few minutes ago, but this is while he looks at me. It almost makes me think he has some sort of thing for me, but I’d know better. If he did, he would’ve surely made a move by now . . . but still, it doesn’t calm the worry soaring through my chest.

  I . . . I have no business getting into anything with anyone here. Not when I’m fond of someone who’s living about two-thousand miles away. But that’s another story. He’s a load of trouble, and someone I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off of.

  “Yeah, well, I had to pull her ass out of the dorm!” Portia chuckles, pushing her way in front of me a bit, making herself the center of attention as always. I don’t mind it. In the beginning I did, but now I’m used to her quirks.

  “Did she now?” He cocks a brow, trying to hide a smug smirk.

  “Ian, she’s being dramatic per usual.” I roll my eyes at Portia’s statement.

  “Yeah and you weren’t back there sulking over Zack, huh?” Portia gets in my face, places a hand on a hip and stares me down. I swear, every time she does something like this, I imagine those little four-year-old girls who get totally glammed up and compete in pageants. There’s no way I can take her seriously.

  Ian slings an arm over my shoulder and his fingers dangle against my skin innocently. “He didn’t deserve you and we both know it.” I look away and catch Portia smirking at what he’s said.

  “Exactly, which is why I brought her out for a night of drinking. Fuck Zack! I’ll be back, but first I’ll grab us some refreshments.” Portia moseys her way out of sight in search of the nearest serving station.

  Ian leans up against the wall an
d gives me a stern look. “You aren’t seriously upset about that dude, right?”

  “Do you really have to ask? He isn’t my type. Plus, he was way too . . . sporty for me.”

  Ian cackles, “Yeah, I seem to think you’re a woman into the dark and broody men.”

  “I am,” I answer him while staring directly into his piercing eyes. Clearing my throat, I continue. “It’s a good thing the relationship ended before it really began. I wasn’t really into him and . . . I have my eyes set on someone else.”

  “Oh, you do?” Ian asks curiously.

  I nod and move so his arm naturally falls from around my shoulder. “I have feelings for this guy. He’s one of my brothers’ friends . . . and, no matter what I do I can’t seem to shake them.”

  Ian smiles widely and then it slowly fades away. “Ruby, why in the fuck do you need to shake them? If the guy makes your face light up like a damn Christmas tree, I’m all for it. Don’t fight whatever makes you happy. The only thing you should be doing is fighting for it.”