Sydney's Battle (Reapers Rejects MC: Second Generation Book 1) Read online

  Sydney narrows her eyes and pulls her head back a tad, almost as if she’s offended. “But you’re not, not in the slightest.”

  I know I can’t be hearing her right. Why in the hell would she be coming to my defense? She doesn’t even know me. “Now, I appreciate you tryin’ to stick up for me, but you don’t know me. We’ve only had a couple of conversations,” I point out, hopin’ it’ll help her see reason. She can’t let anyone know she doesn’t view me as a threat. It’ll only make her life here at the club even harder, given the obvious. I’m a prisoner. I’m not someone the Reapers Rejects are going to be callin’ a friend.

  “The first time I met you, I knew you weren’t as bad as they told me. I’ve seen true evil, and I won’t apologize for saying this, but you’re not anything like them, and I’m glad you’re not.” Looking into her eyes, I give her a curt nod, appreciating her kind words. Surprisingly, she leans back against me, and I wrap my arms around her. I know I shouldn’t. I know I’m crossing a line I can’t come back from, but fuck, it feels nice to have contact with another person again.

  Chapter Nine

  Sydney

  Rolling over in bed, I grab my phone from my bedside table and tap on the screen. Great, it’s already after nine. Shit, I didn’t mean to sleep in. Whatever, it’s not like I have to open at Tart today. Leaning up, I stretch out my arms and plop off the side of the bed. I’m a bit of a neat freak, so I put my sheets and duvet back the way they were before grabbing my phone. Then I head toward my bedroom door and open it.

  I should go to the studio and get some work done, so I head into the kitchen and walk up to the coffee table. I grab the coffee pot, turn on the water and fill it up, then proceed to put water in the back. It takes me a couple minutes to figure out where the hell my mom and dad put the coffee filters and coffee grounds, but I end up finding them. After I have the filter and coffee grounds in, I turn it on.

  Still, I’m amazed at what they did for me. This place is gorgeous and it’s more than I deserve. They got my style down pat and it’s everything I could’ve ever wanted and more. The distinctive sound of water dripping causes me to look over my shoulder at the coffee pot. It’s almost done, so I continue going through the cabinets and finally find my protein powder. Dad got me into this habit last year. I’ve never been a fan of coffee creamer and he isn’t either, so he has a chocolate protein powder and throws a scoop or two in his coffee in the morning. Not only is it nutritious, but it’s delicious!

  A knock comes at the door leading down into the barn and my entire body stiffens. I swallow hard just as I start to speak up, saying I’ll open the door in a minute, but my mom comes waltzing in. “Morning, I thought we could—” she pauses out of nowhere and looks directly at me with wide eyes. “You have to be kidding me right now.”

  She has her hair pulled in a high ponytail and a box with Tart’s branding on the top is in her hands. I guess she thought we could have some treats and coffee together. She raises her brows and motions with her head toward my couch. I don’t bother looking at all. I know what she sees—a man lying there with a blanket over him.

  “Obviously, I’m not,” I say while shooting her a serious look.

  She shakes her head, “Get your butt downstairs so we can talk.” Her words come out more like a whisper-yell, but she has a box of treats, so I’ll gladly follow her.

  She leaves through the door first and I closely follow her. I shut the door quietly and we make our way down the stairs. Mom takes a seat on the bottom step, and I take a seat beside her, and she opens up the box of treats. Not only are there donuts there are also eclairs, fritters and bear claws. I pick up a bear claw and bite down, reveling in the sweetness overloading my tastebuds. She doesn’t eat, though, but I’m sure she’s worried.

  “I came here to talk to you about last night, given what your father told me . . . but we’ll get to that in a minute. What the hell do you think you’re doing, Syd? I understand you want to help him, but your dad will have his head on a spike.”

  After I got Gears upstairs , which was such an ordeal in itself, I helped him get settled in for the night. The man is stubborn as a bull. Never in my life did I think I’d have to convince a man who’s been sleeping against a wooden post to sleep on a couch. He wanted to stay downstairs so I wouldn’t get in trouble. Like I even care at this point.

  I’m not going to hold myself back now, not anymore. “What for? What has the man actually done to us?” I wait for the answer, knowing very well she won’t be able to give me one.

  “Have you forgotten what his club did to us?”

  I blink at her in confusion. “His club, not him. He’s not guilty of what his Prez started. Fuck, did Dad even bother to tell you what happened last night?”

  “He told me a little bit, yes.” Mom nods and lowers her voice, obviously not wanting to start this conversation.

  “His Prez almost shot him. You realize that, right? Like, he literally almost died on our floor. If it weren’t for the club returning fire at the Corrupt Kings, Gears wouldn’t even be breathing right now. Knowing this gives me a completely different opinion of him. He has nothing to lose by being here, especially when his Prez wanted him dead anyway.”

  “You know I grew up in a club too, right? Prisoners always lie. It’s a given fact.”

  While I understand that, it doesn’t mean I believe it. “You’re not the one looking him in the eyes and seeing the betrayal. Sure, it happened a while ago, but the wound is fresh for him. We’ve had our fair share of broken men here at the club, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “But nothing. I know the look. It’s the same way Fist seemed after my birth mom died. Like he lost something important to him. If anyone would know what it looks like, it’d be me.” I stand my ground and look into her eyes, then take another bite of my bear claw.

  “Sydney,” her tone shows me she’s about to back up my dad again, but I’m not backing down.

  “Don’t Sydney me. If he wasn’t lying, wouldn’t his Prez have come for him already? Have you even thought about that?” The pitch of my voice heightens a little bit and I stare right at her.

  She opens her mouth and sucks in a deep breath but doesn’t say anything. “Okay. It’s plausible. It’ll take your father some time to realize it, so . . . I’ll need to talk to him.”

  Finally, she’s taking me seriously. I feel justified. I feel like maybe I can help make Gears’ life here a bit easier. “Thank you.” I’m as sincere as I can be.

  “Don’t thank me yet. I haven’t done anything . . . but Syd, you need to be careful. He’s a dangerous man. All men like this are.” She’s trying to help and I know it, but I don’t think she realizes how hypocritical her words are.

  “You mean like Dad?” The moment I ask her this, our eyes lock, and she realizes she should’ve worded things a bit differently. I finish my bear claw and I’m sure mom is hoping the sweetness might help my mood.

  Mom shakes her head and grunts. “Jesus, I hope this baby isn’t a girl. I can’t handle the sass you shoot my way.” The second she finishes speaking, her entire face turns bright red.

  “Baby? What baby?!” I stand up, completely in shock.

  Mom cracks up laughing, “Guess I dropped a bomb there, huh?”

  “No shit, you did. I didn’t even know you guys were trying to have another baby!” I wrap my arms around her and hug her so tight. Figuring now is the perfect time to screw with her, I release her from our embrace and place my hands on her shoulders. I stare deeply into her eyes, “On a serious note, do you know who the father is?”

  She bursts into laughter and shrugs her shoulders. “No, but it doesn’t matter. Sure, Neo’s biologically Inc’s, and Knox is biologically Zane’s, but those boys are lucky to have two fathers. Blood doesn’t matter in our relationship, both of them will be this baby’s dad.”

  I smile and nod and she stands. “I want to go talk to your father, though, so I’ll talk to you later. I will tr
y to smooth things over a bit, though, alright?”

  “Okay.” I nod and head back upstairs.

  Chapter Ten

  Gears

  I stir awake and stretch out my arms. Pain radiates down my back, and I find it odd I’m in pain for laying on something so comfortable all night. It has to be better than leaning against a wooden post. Then again, I have no doubt my body’s become accustom to the way I was sitting. I lean my neck to the right and left, satisfied as I hear a pop with each movement.

  I sit up and toss the blanket Sydney gave me last night beside me. I’m sure her couch is dirty from the grime on my skin, but she was very adamant I sleep on somethin’ decent instead of the floor. I kept telling her how the carpet would suffice, but one look from the strong-willed woman and I knew not to fight with her about it anymore.

  The door to her apartment opens and I find myself watching the door, hopin’ it’s her and not someone else. Within a few second her frame fills the doorway, and she smiles brightly at me before closing the door behind her.

  I stand up and walk over to the doorway, figurin’ it’s time I get back downstairs before her father loses his shit, or one of the other mc members sees I’m gone. But Sydney, she walks in front of me and narrows her eyes. “What’re you doing?”

  “Goin’ back downstairs.” I’m straight up with her. She knows I can’t be up here, I mean, really. It’ll only make things worse for her and I don’t want the woman to get in trouble ‘cause of me.

  She releases a frustrated laugh. “No, you’re not going back down there. Gears, you don’t deserve to be treated like an animal. If you were one you would’ve hurt me by now. You haven’t even given me the slightest inclination like you want to harm me, so, no. You won’t be tied up like an animal.”

  She’s not stupid, but she knows she can’t be makin’ this decision. It’s not hers to make in the first place.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to be up here. You know why. If I get caught, you’ll get in loads of trouble, and I don’t want that for you.”

  Sydney purses her lips together and raises her brows slightly. “Let me enlighten you, Gears. I can handle myself. I don’t know what you think is going to happen, but I assure you, I’ll handle it.” Damn, I like the fight in her. It’s moments like these where my thoughts wander a bit and I forget who’s kid she is. If she wasn’t Zane’s daughter, hell, I might make a few moves on her.

  “I know when it’s time to stop arguin’ with a woman.” I chuckle and run a hand through my hair.

  “Good, now get back to the couch and get some rest. I doubt you’ve had an ounce of decent sleep in ages, and if you want go ahead and take a shower at some point today. Lord knows when you’ve had a good one. Now, I’ll already tell you my stuff is super girly and floral or mango scented, but it’s better than nothing. I have a nice eucalyptus exfoliating soap though that you might like.” Lord have mercy, the words comin’ outta her mouth make me wanna crack up, but I won’t. Instead I’ll be grateful for her lettin’ me use her shower.

  “Thank you, sweetheart, but you’ve been more than kind to me. I’m not tryin’ to put you out or nothin’.”

  Sydney sighs and shakes her head, obviously annoyed by my response. “You’re not ‘putting me out or whatever’. I’m only trying to extend more kindness your way since I’ve doubt you’ve had any in a long time, so, how about you tell me when the last time you had a shower was, or even bathed? From the look of your skin, I’d say it’s been a while.”

  Fuck, is this chick really insultin’ me now? Man, I shouldn’t like it, but I’d be lyin’ if I said I didn’t. “It’s been a while.” It’s all I can say to her, but I’d rather not tell Sydney the only bathin’ I’ve gotten done is when the prospects douse me with cold water.

  “Alright, then take a shower, ‘cause honestly you reek.” She grimaces a bit and the second she sees my offended expression she bursts out into laughter. “Okay, you don’t reek, but you do stink a little, so, please take a shower.”

  “You weren’t complainin’ about the way I smelled last night,” I quip and our eyes lock for a few seconds. I know the pull I have toward her, it’s damn obvious at this point, but from the looks of it there might be somethin’ on her end too.

  Sydney licks her bottom lip and clears her throat. “I have to go run and do some errands, but I’ll be back in about thirty or so. If you’re hungry, help yourself to whatever’s here. Okay?”

  “Sounds good,” I reply and she grabs the set of keys on her counter before headin’ back to the door, openin’ it and headin’ down the stairs.

  I don’t head for the shower straight away. I wait a few minutes and let it sink in. She didn’t make me go back downstairs. Instead, I’m in her apartment, and she’s offering me a place to shower, and even her food to eat. What have I done to deserve this kindness from her? I don’t understand it.

  I find her bathroom and walk inside, shutting the door behind me and shut it. She has an iron rack with black towels, so I grab a towel and a washcloth, then proceed to walk up to the shower. Placing my hand on the copper handle, I turn on the hot water until I see steam rising and then turn on the cool water a bit to offset the heat. I don’t want it to burn my skin, but I do want it to take off all the grit and grime that’s been building on my body for months now.

  I stick my hand under the water and while it’s not scorching hot, I think it’s safe, so I peel off my clothes, toss them on her tile floor and walk inside her shower. The water hits my skin and I put my hands on her tile wall, lean forward and let the water do its job. The crystal-clear water coming from the shower head is no longer clear and instead it’s a brownish color. Damn, I knew I was dirty, but I didn’t realize how bad my skin would be.

  On a ledge there’s a bar of soap, some shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Sydney was right though, mango and girly shit. I grab the soap ‘cause it looks like it has some hardened balls or somethin’ in it and I wanna get my body really clean. Holdin’ onto the soap I rub it against my skin and it begins to form a bubbly lather. I go from my shoulders to my arms, over my chest, down over my cock, and everywhere else in between. Within ten minutes my body doesn’t look too damn bad. I scrub my face last considerin’ I’m a little bit swollen from bein’ hit.

  Placing the bar back on the ledge, I grab the shampoo and squeeze a hefty bit onto my hands. Rubbing them together, I spread it out into my hair and scrub. I’m takin’ eons longer than I normally would in here, but I’m a mess and I wanna look decent by the time I get out.

  I rinse my hair and then lather up again, but this time I rub some shampoo into my grizzly beard too. It’s not as clean shaven as I’d like, so cleanin’ it up won’t hurt. I put my hands back on the tiled wall and shut my eyes, letting the water flow down my back. Only, the second my eyes close I see her face. Sydney with her dark eyes and light makeup. Her hair’s down and her bangs barely cover her eyebrows, but my view goes down and she’s in a deep burgundy bra.

  Fuck, I can’t see her like this. Blood pools to my cock and I have the need to stroke myself so much right now, but I can’t. I open my eyes and sure enough as I glance down, I visibly see my hardening cock.

  No, I can’t. I cannot think of her like this.

  I shake my head and turn around to face the door. I grab the soap again and rub it against my body again, shut my eyes and continue to let the water wash away the months of built-up filth. I don’t know when my next shower will be, so the last thing I want to do is waste this opportunity.

  After a few minutes of scrubbing again, I set the bar back down on the ledge and rinse myself off. I turn the water off, step out onto the black carpet and grab the towel. As I do, I notice a tote on the floor in the middle of the bathroom that wasn’t there when I came in. I continue to wipe myself off, the second I’m finished I walk over and see a pack of socks, boxers, t-shirts, and sweatpants.

  Damn it. Why is she doing this for me? I don’t want to like the woman, but everythin�
� she does makes my affections grow even more.

  Chapter Eleven

  Sydney

  Shit. That didn’t just happen. I did not just . . . fuck! I walked in the bathroom to Gears soaping up his body and his cock was hard. The only cocks I’ve ever seen have been in porn whenever I’m getting off. I didn’t see one in real life until . . . shit, how am I supposed to look him in the eyes right now? All I’m going to envision is his swollen head with eyes talking to me.

  Heat radiates across every part of my body and warmth pools in my nether regions. Goodness gracious, what am I doing? What can of worms have I opened? For fucks sake, I’m a virgin and I have a crush on my dad’s nemesis, prisoner, or whatever else I should be calling him. If anything, I guess I can say I know why I’m being so nice to the guy.

  I walk into the kitchen and go open my fridge, grab a bottle of water and chug it. Even now I’m still warm all over and so I shut my eyes and breathe. All I can see is him lathering the bar of soap over his body, his very chiseled and perfect body. Shaking my head, I push the thoughts back and open my eyes, but the second I do a thud of a door shutting tells me he’s left the bathroom. I turn and see him smiling in the new clothes I bought him.

  “You didn’t have to do this you know,” Gears speaks up, looking right into my eyes.

  “I-I know I didn’t, but I wanted to. But um, do you want me to help you with your hair? I could give you a haircut if you want.” It’s visibly matted, maybe even to the scalp. Sure he washed it, but now that he did I can see how bad it is. Ugh, the poor guy. I understand why my dad kept him downstairs to a point, but was it really hard to give the man a plastic brush so he could comb is hair once every couple days?