In the heart of a city ruled by chaos, Armando Romos stands as the ruthless leader of the Demented Devils MC. Known for his fierce loyalty and unyielding power, he thrives in a world where weakness is a sin. But everything changes when a sudden ambush leaves him bleeding in a park, a bullet wound signaling an unexpected turn in his tumultuous life. Maya Connor, a compassionate nurse seeking a moment of peace, stumbles upon Armando's crumpled form. Initially, Armando's pride and fierce independence resist her offer of help; he's a man used to being in control, not relying on anyone. Yet as the blood pools around him, desperation forces him to confront his mortality and the bitter betrayal that led him here. With no choice but to surrender to Maya's care, he discovers that she sees beyond the ink and anger etched on his skin. As she tends to his wounds, a spark ignites between them, bridging the divide between their worlds-a world of violence and a realm of healing. Caught between the violent loyalty of the Demented Devils and a burgeoning passion for the woman who saved him, Armando must face his past and make a choice: embrace the chance for redemption with Maya or be dragged back into the darkness that claims so many.
Lihat lebih banyakThe wind howled, cold and furious, as it whipped across my cheeks with a relentless speed. I flung my purse onto the seat of my old, beat-up 2005 Camry and shoved the keys into the ignition with such force that I feared they might snap off in the keyhole. Anger boiled inside me at the thought of Barbra getting the promotion instead of me. I had worked my ass off for months, sacrificing my free time and dedicating myself to the patients who came in every night just to prove to Marco that I was ready. And yet, here I was, watching someone else take the opportunity I deserved.
Screw this... I cranked the engine, and it barely started, the battery in desperate need of replacement—something I couldn't afford. As usual, I could barely scrape together enough for gas for this piece of junk, and now I was facing the prospect of a new battery too. Interning never pays well, but what was I expecting? A job? I rolled my eyes as I clicked on the left turn signal, steering toward my rundown apartment downtown. Most likely, the water would be turned off again, and I'd be without cable. I briefly considered splurging on a hotel where at least the water would be included in the stay, but that would require money I simply didn't have. Instead, I clicked on the right blinker and headed to Otto's—a tiny one-window shop known for making the best hamburgers in the city. At least, that's my personal opinion. Sure, the amount of oil he uses on the patties might raise some eyebrows, but the flavor is undeniably worth the trip. I parked my Camry next to Otto's blue pickup truck, an older model that he had fixed up himself, and rounded the corner to find the trailer empty. At this time of night, it was always quiet, except for Otto and his wife, Jackie. Jackie, always wearing a hairnet, had a white work uniform that was mostly covered in grease. Her bronze skin glistened from the condensation that lingered in the trailer. "There's my favorite customer of the night," Otto said, leaning over the small window. His burly arms were covered in hair, and he wore a Dodger hat turned backward, paired with the same uniform as Jackie. "I'm right on time," I replied, adding a hint of sarcasm as I leaned up to check the menu, even though I already knew what I wanted: fries and a classic hamburger—no tomatoes. "Just in time! I saved you the last burger." Otto pulled out a greasy white bag with my name scrawled on the front. "You didn't have to do that. What if I hadn't shown up?" I replied, reaching into my purse and gripping the only bill I had left—my last resort before begging my mother for more money. She always advised me to find a job that pays better, but nursing would pay off someday... "If you're hungry, you show up. And lately, you've been showing up like a rat looking for leftovers," Otto said with a small chuckle as he handed me the bag. "This is on me tonight; keep the money for something you need." I sighed and shook my head. "No, please..." But Otto was insistent, closing the window on purpose. "Keep it, Maya!" he yelled from behind the closed glass. I hugged the bag close as I retreated to my car, letting the warm, greasy aroma swirl around me like a sweet perfume. With the bag settled on the passenger seat, I turned the engine over and pulled out of the parking lot, the steering wheel guiding me effortlessly. I knew exactly where I wanted to go—somewhere I loved that I was sure would be deserted tonight. Going back to my apartment wasn't an option, especially since the water was still out. I cruised down the main highway, letting Pink take over the radio. The night air was pleasantly breezy, but my thoughts were consumed by Barbra. I couldn't shake the image of how she had weaseled her way into Marco's office, offering herself up on a platter. It was no secret that something was brewing between her and the manager; she always dressed in a way that invited his gaze, buttoned-down shirts that often revealed too much. I'd seen him adjust himself whenever she pranced into the office, looking like a misguided love child in leggings and librarian glasses, her dark wavy hair styled in a thick braid reminiscent of a Britney Spears music video. It sickened me to think that society seemed to value looks over qualifications when it came to jobs. Here I was in my scrubs, my blond hair pulled into a tight ponytail, with no cleavage to show. I knew that being just an intern, fresh out of graduate school, wouldn't be easy. But Barbra had graduated from the same school; the only difference was that her curves had opened doors for her that were still closed to me. As I hit the exit on the freeway, I slowed to a stop at the buzzing red light. I reached into the bag of food and pulled out a few fries, savoring the greasy satisfaction they provided. It had been since breakfast since I'd eaten anything, and my hand instinctively dove back into the bag as I waited for the light to change. When it finally did, I turned left, heading towards the park that felt like my safe haven. I tied the bag closed, anticipating more bites. At the rate I was going, I was down to less than half a bag of fries. Upon reaching the park entrance, I noticed the gate faintly illuminated. The trees loomed in the distance, their leaves shimmering under my headlights. I slowed the car and quickly turned onto a dark gravel road that ran alongside the river. The crunch of gravel under my tires accompanied the soft glow of my lights as they drifted towards a large oak tree in the distance. Once I spotted it, I knew I had arrived at my spot by the river. It was beautiful during the day—the river flowed gracefully, and the trees exuded a sense of tranquility. But tonight, everything felt different, even a little frightening. Usually, when I visit at night, it's quiet, occasionally interrupted by the sounds of wildlife. Yet tonight, as I rolled down my window and listened to the wild night, all I could hear was the gentle flow of the water and the cool night air whispering into the car. My hand wrapped around the bag holding my burger, fingers gripping the meaty delight as I brought it to my mouth, savoring the greasy juiciness that dribbled down my chin. My stomach grumbled in anticipation, welcoming the indulgence that slid down my throat. I chewed absentmindedly, only lifting my gaze to glance at the river when I noticed a single headlight lingering across the water. As I continued eating, another pair of lights appeared behind the first, which had now shut off, illuminated by the moonlight cascading over a pair of legs planted firmly on a motorcycle. Instinctively, I ducked down in my seat, setting the burger on its wrapper and gently wiping my mouth. Juicy gossip had been scarce for too long. Could it be lovers sneaking away to the park? I squirmed in my seat as I watched a group of people approach the motorcyclist. They scanned the area, their eyes casually passing over my car, parked discreetly under the trees. I let out a sigh of relief and refocused on them while I nibbled on a fry. As I sat frozen in my car, the moon cast long shadows across the park. My heart raced as I watched one of the men in the group pull out a metallic object that glinted ominously in the fading light. It took a moment for my brain to register it—a gun. My breath hitched in my throat, panic clawing at my chest. He leveled the weapon at the man on the motorcycle, who stood there with his hands raised, terror etched across his face. Time seemed to stretch, every second stretching into eternity as silence enveloped the park, a thick blanket of dread. My fingers trembled against the steering wheel, each pulse echoing in my ears. Then, without warning—BANG! The shot thundered, shattering the eerie quiet. The biker collapsed, crumpling to the ground like a broken marionette, the sound of his body hitting the earth swallowed by the chaos unfurling around us. I gasped, my fry bag slipping from my grip and tumbling to the floor like my resolve. A whirlwind of movement erupted as the men swarmed the fallen biker. They kicked his lifeless form, snarling insults as they tossed his motorcycle into the river, splashes sending ripples across the surface. One of them spat on him, the act carrying a sickening finality. Before I could process what was happening, they jumped into their car, tires screeching as they peeled away, leaving only echoes of violence behind. My heart raced, panic flooding my senses. Calling the cops would be the logical choice, but what if I didn't? What if he lay there dying? Caught between a visceral instinct to flee and the oath I took as a nurse—to help the helpless—I felt the recklessness surge within me. I shifted the gear into drive, the engine roaring to life beneath me. Every part of me screamed it was a terrible idea, but I couldn't turn away. He needed me, and my heart wouldn't let me abandon him.A wave of unease twisted my stomach as I yanked my sweater over my scrubs. My head spun slightly, the lingering effects of whatever had wrecked me, but at least I could keep water down—that was a victory, right? Grabbing my keys, I glanced at the clock, the numbers blurring momentarily before snapping into focus. My car, returned just yesterday, sat waiting outside. A junker, sure, but it was mine—battered, beaten, and paid for.“Mom, I’m leaving!” My voice echoed through the house, cutting through the sound of the upstairs shower sputtering to life.My father was already gone, retreating to his other life—his apartment, his other daughter, his mother… my grandmother. The thought burned like acid in my chest, but I swallowed it down and forced myself to move.The drive to the hospital passed in a haze, the rattling hum of my Camry doing little to drown out the storm inside my head. I parked under a tree, its leaves clinging stubbornly to the branches like my grip on sanity. Grabbin
There’s a truth I’ve buried deep within me, a dark secret that claws at my insides, screaming to be set free. But courage has never been my strong suit—especially when it comes to Maya. The weight of what I should reveal crushes me, yet I know I’ll never find the strength to share it. The summons from the elders isn’t just an ordinary call; it’s a summons steeped in dread. When the elders reach out, everything else falls away—you drop everything and go, no questions asked, no rescheduling. I know exactly why they’ve summoned me: Armando. His time is up, a fact as inevitable as night falling after day. In our world, we’re led to believe we control our fates, but the truth is darker. The elders allow us to thrive, to live our lives, but make no mistake—they pull the strings. We live under their shadow, bound by a blood oath that promises loyalty until death—or, as they like to put it, execution.Armando has crossed too many lines, triggering their wrath. I brace myself, knowing I’ve be
“Where the hell did Armando go?” I demanded, shoving my coffee mug into the dishwasher with a force that echoed my agitation. Demetri paced like a caged animal in the kitchen, his tension palpable, until my mother stormed in, her face a canvas painted with fury.“What’s wrong?” I asked, stepping away from the dishwasher as she claimed a seat at the counter. Demetri slipped out of the room, leaving the air thick with unspoken words. I could sense it; something was festering inside him, and today—after Armando’s abrupt departure—he might finally reveal it.“Your father is what’s wrong with me! That son of a bitch is back, and my rage is boiling!” Her hands trembled as I instinctively rubbed her back, dread tightening my chest when I noticed the absence of her engagement ring—the massive diamond surrounded by tiny stones that had always gleamed on her finger. Gone. Silence weighed heavily as my mother broke down, her tear-streaked face igniting a primal urge within me to hunt down my
I had been drowning in a storm of secrets from Armando for days, a suffocating weight that pressed down on my chest. The moment I threw up that morning—a violent expulsion that felt like the world crashing down around me—I knew: I was pregnant. Everything about me was shifting; an insatiable hunger clawed at my insides, and my clothes began to tighten like a noose, suffocating any sense of normalcy. At first, I fed myself lies, blaming it all on gluttony and neglecting the gym—self-delusion wrapped in denial. But that day with Brenda shattered my facade. I found myself standing in Bonners Market in Phoenix, heart racing as I clutched a pregnancy test like it was a ticking bomb. Brenda’s laughter echoed cruelly in my ears, her judgment sharp enough to cut through my fragile resolve. But I had to know the truth; ignorance was a poison I could no longer swallow.Two agonizing weeks had passed, my period a ghost taunting me from the shadows. It hung in the air, a grim reminder of my unrav
Demetri sat across from me, fingers entwined tightly as I leaned back, tension crackling in the air. “You wanted to talk? Then speak up,” I bit out, my jaw clenched, trying to mask the storm brewing inside me.“I know where to find Reaper,” he said, his voice steady but laced with a hint of hesitation. “I’ve heard he likes to take the underground sewers to avoid detection.” He turned to face me, but his eyes darted away before they could lock onto mine. I knew why. The guilt and discomfort hung thick between us like smoke; he was tangled up with Maya, my girl—the one I had let myself fall for, body and soul. A knot of rage twisted in my gut at the thought of him taking what was mine, using her like some disposable toy.“I honestly don’t care where to find Reaper anymore,” I shot back, my voice low and dangerous as I pushed myself up from the table. “I’m done with this whole search for him.” I moved toward the coat rack, the weight of my jacket feeling like a shroud as I fought against
As I stood there by the kitchen sink, a mug of steaming coffee trembling in my hands, the truth crashed over me like a tidal wave: Armando was a player. I should have anticipated it the moment his childhood girlfriend sauntered in, flaunting her skimpy outfit while I was right there beside him. A lump lodged in my throat, and the storm of anxiety mixed with fury surged within me, only intensifying when Armando’s eyes finally locked onto mine.The raw anger that flickered in his gaze sent a jolt through me; I could feel his rage boiling beneath the surface. The happiness Demetri had ignited in me was like a fire consuming him from the inside out.“I can’t believe this,” he spat, his voice laced with pain and disbelief. “How long?” “Few weeks,” I mumbled, lifting the mug to my lips, the scalding liquid searing my throat as it went down. The muffled voices of my mother and father fluttered in from the dining room, their casual banter a cruel contrast to the storm raging inside me. I s
I loathed the man behind me—the coward who abandoned Maya and her mother, choosing to play the part of a doting father to Reaper and that girl who looked so much like her. He was a fraud, a spineless traitor, and I was determined to expose him for what he truly was.Maya had no idea her father was still alive, lurking in the shadows like the coward he was. It broke my heart to think about shattering her world with the truth, but she needed to open her eyes and see him for who he really was. I knew she would despise me for it, but I’d rather her spit venom at me than remain blissfully ignorant while that bastard hid behind a facade.“Take a left here!” the old man yelled, his voice barely cutting through the roar of the engine that vibrated beneath us.I obeyed, yanking the handlebars to the left with a reckless thrill, the bike nearly tipping over as I fought for balance. Every inch of me was on fire, ignited by the adrenaline and fueled by the rage simmering just below the surface. Th
I knew it was a colossal mistake to bring Maya’s father here. Armando just had to assert his dominance, dragging the old man into this mess without a second thought for Maya or her mother. As always, he operated by his own rules, a tyrant within his crew, and I was merely a pawn in his game. But when it came to Maya, I couldn’t stand by and let things spiral out of control. I prepared myself for chaos the moment we arrived.I watched as Armando shoved Maya’s father onto his bike, settling in beside him with a practiced ease. The old man seemed oddly at home on the machine, as if he’d spent a lifetime riding—like he had never known a day without it. I could be imagining things, but there was a calm confidence about him that gnawed at my gut. “I’ll follow you,” I shouted over the roar of the engine as Armando revved it and tore out of the alley. As I climbed onto my own bike, I exchanged a knowing glance with Jake. His eyebrows were raised, mischief playing at the corners of his mouth.
I zip up my bag and set it next to the door, the tension thickening in my chest as I move toward the kitchen. I settle into a bar stool, the cold steel biting against my skin, and wait for Demetri. The hallway thrums with distant sounds, a symphony of life that feels worlds away from me.Adriana glides into view, draped in a light pink robe that sways gently around her form. Her hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail, strands cascading softly around her shoulders. My heart races, not from desire, but from the dread pooling in my gut.She greets me with a smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes, leaning in to plant a kiss on my lips—soft, familiar. But it feels hollow, a gesture stripped of warmth. “Good morning,” she whispers, her breath brushing against my skin as she wraps her arms around my neck, the intimacy of the moment stinging. As her hand travels down my abdomen, nudging at my groin, my body betrays me, stirring in response despite my mind's frantic warnings. I can feel i
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