Jake’s Silence Read online

  Jake’s Silence

  Hell’s Riders book one

  Joy Blood

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Proofread: Word Nerd Editing

  www.wordnerdediting.com

  Cover design by Francessca Webster

  Copyright © 2017 Joy Blood

  All rights reserved.

  Contents

  Warning

  Foreword

  Prologue

  1. Kimi

  2. Kimi

  3. Jake

  4. Kimi

  5. Jake

  6. Kimi

  7. Jake

  8. Kimi

  9. Kimi

  10. Jake

  11. Kimi

  12. Jake

  13. Kimi

  14. Jake

  15. Jake

  16. Kimi

  17. Jake

  18. Kimi

  19. Jake

  20. Kimi

  21. Jake

  22. Kimi

  23. Jake

  24. Jake

  25. Kimi

  26. Jake

  27. Kimi

  28. Jake

  29. Jake

  30. Kimi

  31. Jake

  32. Kimi

  33. Jake

  34. Kimi

  35. Kimi

  36. Jake

  37. Kimi

  38. Jake

  39. Kimi

  40. Jake

  41. Kimi

  42. Jake

  43. Jake

  44. Jake

  45. Kimi

  46. Jake

  47. Jake

  Epilogue

  Thank you!

  Keep in touch

  Warning

  Some parts of this story may cause triggers.

  Reader discretion is advised.

  Foreword

  To those who haven’t read the Reckoning series, this MC series is a spin off. Reckoning is five stories, each containing approximately 30,000 words. They tell the story of Ellie and Vin, who will be in the Hell’s Riders series, but also sets the backstory for the characters in this series.

  To best understand that backstory, reading the Reckoning series is recommended. With that being said, Reckoning is an extremely dark and twisted story. It may be disturbing to some readers. So, for those of you who haven’t read, or rather, not read the darker side of things, I have a quick explanation so you aren’t reading through the Hell’s Rider series wondering what the hell these people are talking about! Enjoy, guys!

  Two years ago, a man named Avil convinced the Chicago Chapter of the Hell’s Riders MC to turn on their own brothers. While the Cental Chapter was defenseless, they came in and took out all the members except one, leaving him half alive.

  Avil has since been killed, but the remaining members who turned coat have slipped by, putting targets on their backs. It is only a matter of time before they are tracked down and brought to justice.

  Prologue

  Jake

  Two years ago

  I stand in the doorway watching as Ellie wraps her arms around Kimi. She has been through so damn much, I'm glad she found a family who will love her like she deserves, and having Ellie for a mother truly couldn't be any better. For her.

  For me, not so much. Being with Ellie and Vin’s daughter isn't something they will allow—not right now. Especially since I wanted it to happen yesterday. It fucking can't.

  Setting my bag down, I head out the door to the trailer and roll my bike down the ramp. My neck still hurts like a motherfucker and my throat feels like it’s on fire whenever I try to talk.

  Reaching into my saddlebag, I pull out my helmet and cut, throwing it on over my sweater. Before I can strap on my helmet, I hear her voice.

  “You're just going to leave without a goodbye? Again?” Without even turning around, I can tell she’s crying. Because of me.

  I turn, facing her, then start to answer, and in my stupidity, I try speaking. Instead of making words it comes out a garbled mess then I'm coughing clutching at my damaged throat.

  “Oh, shoot. No, don’t try to talk. I'm sorry.”

  Don’t you be sorry for me, baby. I just shake my head, trying to communicate to her. “You’re leaving?” she asks, and I nod. “Will you come back?” Her voice is hopeful, but I can't let it be, so I lie and shake my head no. Those damn tears spring up in her eyes again, and I want to die right there. All I do is hurt this girl, and I just can't anymore.

  I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close. For a hug only, I tell myself. But when she pulls away and looks up at me with hurt in her eyes, I bring her face to mine and seal my mouth over hers, kissing her soft, tear-soaked lips.

  I get lost in the moment, fooling myself for just a second that we’re together—just a normal couple with normal problems. But when I pull back, I know it can't be. She’s seventeen. She has her whole life ahead of her. The last thing she needs is some biker holding her back. She deserves better.

  Letting her go, I hop onto my bike, needing to get away before I change my mind. Roaring the bike to life, I catch her silent goodbye in my rearview mirror as I ride away.

  One

  Kimi

  Present day

  Taking a deep breath, I look around through the tinted windows of my car once again. I'm reluctant to open the door and get out. Sure, I went to high school, but Ellie or Vin normally dropped me off. Now…now I'm starting college, and damn it, there are so many people out there. One more deep breath. One more.

  One.

  More.

  Gripping my bag tighter, I push the door open, hit the locks, then shut it behind me. You can do this, Kimi. It’s just school. Just…school. I pull my bag strap over my head, letting it fall to my side right over my hip. Clasping the strap for support, I put one foot in front of the other, heading toward the building in front of me.

  Breathe.

  I have no freaking clue where I’m going, but the line of students stretched out before a sign-up table in front of the doors is probably my best bet. There are other tables set up all over. Different clubs to sign up for and what not, but I pay them no mind. I'm not really a club kind of girl. If I'm being honest, I'm not really a people kind of girl. If Ellie hadn’t talked me into it, I wouldn’t be here at all. But she told me it would be good for me to get out and experience the world instead of taking online courses. In a way, I suppose she’s right. I’ve lived quite the sheltered life, although I wouldn't call it shelter—more like a closed off hell.

  “Hi. Welcome to SDU. Are you a freshman?” a perky voice owned by someone with bright blonde hair asks from my left.

  “Uh…yeah,” I say, turning to meet her face. Her hair is in an impossibly high ponytail, and her bright pink lipstick outlines a wide, genuine smile. This girl is a happy one.

  “I'm Sadie,” she informs me, thrusting her hand toward me, her pink-tipped nails shining in the light. Hesitantly, I take it.

  “Kimi,” I tell her, trying to keep my native accent less pronounced. People always seem to find it funny whenever I speak. Even though Ellie said it’s just who I am and I shouldn't be ashamed of it, I still try to dial it back. Her smile falters into concentration.

  “Like, Kimmie?” I shake my head, taking my hand back. People always try to pronounce it like that.

  “No. Key-me,” I correct her, and her smile is once again back when she repeats me, getting it right this time.

  “That’s cool. I like it. So, what are you here for? I haven't declared my major yet, just trying to get a feel for what I want to
do. Drives my parents crazy.” Her voice is so bubbly, it’s almost deafening.

  “Something in the medical field,” I tell her, moving forward as the line gets shorter.

  “Not much of a talker, are you? Well, I’ll fix that,” she declares, bumping her shoulder against mine.

  “You can count on that,” a deep baritone says, breaking into our one-sided conversation. “Already out befriending, Sadie?” The voice comes closer, sidling up to the blonde.

  “Stop it, Craig. I'm just being friendly.” She fake pouts at the tall man as she playfully slaps his broad chest. Her perfectly manicured hands come back into view, and I clutch my fingers into my palms, now self-conscious of my bitten nails—a nervous habit I can’t seem to keep under control.

  In fact, I'm surprised I don’t have a finger in my mouth right now. Men tend to make me nervous, Vin, and…well, Jake being the only exceptions. My brows furrow. I promised myself his memory wouldn't intrude on my thoughts today, like it has every day since he drove away. Guess that promise is broken now.

  “This is Kimi,” Sadie informs Craig as he wraps an arm around her.

  “Hey, good to meet you. Hope Pinky over here isn't too much. She can be a little over excited at times,” he tells me, earning another playful smack from Sadie.

  “Pinky?” I ask, even though I assume the nickname is due to the color she seems to be drenched in.

  “Pinky Pie,” Craig states, smiling at my questioning look.

  “What is that?”

  “My Little Pony. The pink one always bouncing off the walls, excited about everything,” he explains.

  “Oh, yeah,” I chuckle, though I have no idea what he’s talking about. Falling silent, I move forward with the line as it gets closer to the table, listening to Craig and Sadie talk back and forth. They include me every now and then, asking questions, like where I’m from and what dorm I'm in. I answer politely, and when I get my packet containing my map and schedule, I decide it’s time to leave the happy couple and go off on my own.

  Telling them goodbye, I continue on my way, exploring the campus and getting familiar with where all my classes are located. My first one, biochemistry, starts in about fifteen minutes and it’s the one I have the hardest time finding. Go figure.

  “This is crazy. You should just get back in your car and go home.” I mumble to myself as I'm walking, looking over the map. “Where the hell am I?” I'm lost and I have no clue where to go when smack! I go down hard on the floor.

  “Oh shit! I'm so sorry,” a panting voice tells me as I try to right myself on the cold concrete.

  “Zeke, what the fuck, man?” a second voice yells out as their footsteps get closer.

  “I'm so sorry. I was trying to catch the ball and didn't see you there. Did you hit your head? Are you okay?” A hand juts out in front of me, and I look up into bright green eyes. His brows dip in concern and I shake my head, then take his hand. He pulls me to my feet, and I realize my packet is no longer in my hands. Looking down, I see my papers scattered about the cement walkway, but before I can grab them, the second guy is there, bending down to do just that.

  “I'm sorry. I threw the ball a little hard. I'm Sam. Here.” He thrusts the papers toward me, and my eyes dart up, connecting with his. Taking the papers from his large hand, I avert my gaze from the even larger man.

  “That’s why you aren't QB,” the one who knocked me over states, handing me another stack of papers. How much was in that packet?

  “We can’t all be dainty like you, Zeke,” Sam laughs out. “Sorry about crashing into you. This is Zeke, by the way. Where you headed? You look to be a little lost.” His soft eyes make me smile, causing him to break out into his own smile, his bright blue eyes lighting up. He’s handsome in a subtle sort of way.

  “Thank you. I'm…uh, looking for bio-chem?”

  Zeke chuckles lightly. “Yeah, that one is hidden. I'm headed there too. I’ll walk you. Check you later, Sam,” Zeke says over his shoulder with a nod.

  “That would be great. Thank you so much,” I confess, thankful for the help, even though I did feel more comfortable around Sam, if I’m being honest. There’s something about the way Blake’s eyes linger just a bit too long, but I brush it off. A history with unsavory people has probably just made me paranoid.

  “Hey, what’s your name, darlin’?” Sam asks as Zeke and I turn to walk to class.

  “Oh, yeah. I'm Kimi,” I say, regarding them both.

  “Cool name. See you around.” Sam nods in parting as he turns and walks the opposite way.

  “All right. This way,” Zeke says as we start our trek back the way I came, then take a turn I thought was an exit. Walking outside to a small courtyard, we round the corner and come to a door clearly labeled “Biochemistry.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know why the hell this door is out here and not in the hall where the others are, but here it is,” he says, pulling the door open for me to enter. “Ladies first,” he chimes as I walk by.

  The noise of cluttered chatter fills my ears as the door shuts behind us. “Seven, there you are.” Another larger than life guy walks toward is wearing what looks to be a sports uniform. The school colors, maroon and gray, with the number 20 in white on the front.

  “Hey, Blake. This is Kimi. Freshmen,” Zeke says as Blake thrusts his hand forward for me to shake. I clasp it for a second and quickly release when the professor comes walking from his office instructing us all to find a seat. I take the opportunity to break away from the guys and find a spot.

  “Open your books to page seven,” the gray-haired professor instructs as he starts writing on the white board in black marker.

  * * *

  Day one down, and I'm heading back to my car. The bright day it started out to be has now hazed over in a mist that’s beginning to soak the ground, not to mention my clothes. Getting to my car, I grab the handle and pull, only to realize I locked it. Oh, craptastic, I locked it. At home, I never locked my car. We don’t live in town, so it wasn’t a thing, but here…here it’s a thing. I peer through the window, finding my keys hanging out right there in the ignition. Ugh. Just my luck.

  “Hey, Kimi,” someone greets from behind me, and I look up to see Sam coming my way. “Why are you standing out here in the rain?” he asks as he gets closer, flipping the hood of his sweatshirt over his head. The shirt is the same color most of the students wear around campus, the same “SDU” written on the front—South Dakota University.

  “I…uh, locked my keys in my car,” I confess, bowing my head as the rain starts to pick up, the drops getting bigger by the second.

  “Shit, that sucks. My truck is right here,” he says, gesturing to a truck in the row behind. “You can sit and wait until it stops raining, then I’ll see if I can get it open for you. Sound good?” he offers. Getting into a truck with a man five times my size? Probably not the best idea, but I am getting soaked, and he seems to be genuinely nice. Not all people are bad, I remind myself. “I won’t try to kidnap you or anything. Promise,” he says, giving me that smile that lights up his face. I nod slightly, and he walks by me toward his truck, opening his passenger door for me to climb in. And by climb, I mean climb.

  Reaching up, I grip the handle handing from the roof of the cab and pull myself inside the monster of a truck. A truck this big makes sense for a guy his size, but when he rounds the truck and gets in, he still seems to dwarf it.

  “That’s better. Our practice isn't ‘til later, so I’ve got time to wait this out, and if I can’t get it open, I know a guy we can call. This happens more than you think around here.” Putting his key in the ignition, he starts the truck, and the vibration fills my seat as it roars to life. A loud banging of drums and guitar riffs blares from the speakers, and Sam quickly reaches forward and turns the stereo down. “Shit. Sorry. Like my music loud.”

  “It’s fine. Thank you for doing this,” I say, bringing my hand to my mouth and chewing the battered nail on my middle finger.

  “No proble
m. So, where you from, Kimi?” Turning toward him, I pull my hand from my mouth and stuff them under my legs, squeezing them in between the seat and the denim of my damp jeans.

  “Um, Cental.”

  “Yeah? You ever see that biker gang they have there?” The question makes me freeze.

  “No,” I blurt out, earning a strange look from him. Nice one, Kimi. “You said practice wasn’t until later?” I ask, trying to cover up my awkwardness.

  “Yeah. Football practice. You ever been to a game?”

  “A football game? No.” Gin and Vin watched football every now and then, yelling at the TV when their team was doing poorly. Other than that, football wasn't really something I paid attention to. Actually, I don’t watch much of anything. Reading is more my speed.

  “You should come this Saturday. It’s definitely something you need to experience at least once while in college,” he tells me.

  “Maybe.” I shrug.

  “Zeke is the QB. He and I are both starters. Not bad for sophomores. We kick ass,” he tells me with a smile, then furrows his brows, catching my questioning look. “QB means quarterback. He’s the one who throws the ball. I'm a tight end. I cover his ass and make sure the guys on the other team don’t knock him out,” he explains.