Extreme Measures Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER ONE

  EXTREME MEASURES

  Executioners MC Series, Book 3

  By: Kimmie Easley

  COPYRIGHT © 2018

  Extreme Measures

  Executioners MC Series, Book 3

  Kimmie Easley

  Published by: Wine Worthy Romance

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  This book contains material protected under the International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means either electronic or mechanical. Including but not limited to, photocopying, recording, or by an information and retrieval system without express written permission from the Author/Publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  If you received this book from any vendor other than Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, or Createspace, please go to one of the vendors listed and purchase the book legally.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Major credit and kudos to the team who made this book happen!

  COVER MODEL: Alfie Gordillo

  PHOTOGRAPHER: Reggie Deanching

  COVER DESIGNER: Cassy Roop

  DEDICATION

  To the original Winos.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Jolene

  The booth seat is covered in the same plastic from fifteen years ago, only now it’s pieced together with silver duct tape. My knee bounces hard, and I try to control the restlessness.

  “Ready to order yet, doll?” Wendy, D&K Diner’s best server stares down at me as she pops her mouth full of chewing gum.

  “Just more coffee, please. She should be here soon.”

  “Sure thing, doll,” she says, topping off my coffee cup.

  I sip from the mug and check the entrance every time the door chimes. Finally, I spot her fuzzy, blonde locks. She scans the room before settling her gaze on me. A slight grin is nestled in the corners of her wide mouth.

  She slides into the booth across from me, the same spot where Ronin has sat a hundred times before.

  Our booth.

  It’s been our special booth since high school.

  “How you doing, Val?”

  She nods, and I notice a hint of yellow under her left eye. I don’t bother asking what happened, because I already know.

  “I’m doing ok. How ‘bout you? You had a lot of shit going on. I hope everyone’s whole.”

  “Yeah, we’re good. Suffered a few losses, but the club will bounce back. We always end up landing on our feet.” I take a drink of room temperature coffee. “I have to say, I thought our first meeting would be our last.”

  “I know you weren’t expecting me to call. Thanks for showing up.”

  “Well, you did say it was important.” I open my hands, hoping she’ll continue.

  “Ok, I guess I’d better get down to it, huh?” She smirks through a giggle.

  The woman is rough from years of drug abuse. “I’d appreciate that.”

  I don’t know what I expected, but I know I’m not ready when she drops the hammer.

  Not ready at all.

  *

  The Clubhouse is busting at the seams. Filled with 1%ers and their old ladies. Jessa’s done a great job at picking up business since inheriting Ruth’s half of the bar. Ronin’s her partner, but once she proved to be fully committed – and sober – he’s kept his beautiful, crooked nose out of it, leaving the headache to my older sister.

  “Bear, we need a restock on the kegs.” She shouts from behind the bar, and Bear jumps into action, but not before giving Jessa a quick peck on the cheek.

  My heart swells when I notice his affection, as well as his new, Prospect cut. He wears it with pride. For being such a big, burly man, he wears his massive heart on his sleeve.

  “Hey, Jo. Where you been all afternoon? We’re slammed here.” She tosses me an apron.

  “Fine, but only until the guys get back.”

  “Turd,” she teases.

  I roll my eyes. God, she annoys me.

  “Hey, why don’t you bring that sweet ass over here and suck my beer bottle.”

  I spin, finding myself facing a crowd of five douchebags gathered around one pool table. The man with the death wish is as bald as the cue ball speeding across the green felt.

  “You kiss your sister with that mouth?”

  His disgusting grin fades. “Better watch yourself, bitch.” He rests his pool stick on the table. “I might have to teach you a good, firm lesson.” He grabs himself, shaking his crotch at me.

  “Impressive.” I pop off a sarcastic smirk.

  Baldy doesn’t appreciate my tone. Not that I care. Cue ball steps toward me, and I move out of his reach.

  “You fucking whore.” He clenches his fists up.

  “Don’t do it, man.” One of his buddies steps up from behind, clasping him on the shoulder.

  He shakes the hand away and lurches for me.

  Before I have a chance to respond, I’m surrounded. My heart beats extra quick, but I don’t need to worry. I’m beginning to feel like I never need to worry again.

  This time it’s Bear.

  He’s positioned between me and the asshole. “Back. The. Fuck. Up.”

  I get a good side glance. I may be surrounded by the five men, but they’re surrounded by half the bar. After an intense stare-down, the bald man finally relents.

  He takes a step backwards, but just one. “You’re gonna regret this bullshit.”

  “Yeah, until that day, get the fuck out of this bar.”

  The men fume, eventually following their leader out the door.

  “You ok,” Jessa asks, gawking at me.

  “Yeah, I’m good.” It’s not a lie. I’m almost too good. Adrenaline surges through my veins, itching for a brawl.

  A damn missed opportunity if you ask me.

  *

  I press my head to the center of Ronin’s chiseled chest, tracing the ink layered directly over his heart.

  A block-lettered X.

  For my boy.

  Our baby boy. Gone before he ever had a chance to live.

  I carry the same tattoo on my lower tummy, matching broken hearts.

  Ronin stretches, arching his strong back. “Hey, sugar. You been asleep at all?”

  I shake my head, refusing to abandon my most favorite spot in the whole world.

  “What’re you thinking about?”

  I pull in a full inhale and release it. I can’t tell him about my meeting with Val. I mean, I know I have to at some point, but this is not that time.

  “It’s just my mind working overtime.
Did you sleep good?”

  “Hell, yes.” He slips his arms under my nearly naked body, and he positions me over his bare waist, straddling him. “Wanna replay it in real life?”

  “Babe, are you dreaming about me again?”

  “Every damn night,” he says as he dives in to nuzzle my neck. His furry lips draw a giggle from deep inside me, and I puddle in his hands.

  He grips my backside, and I know what he wants. I begin to rock my hips, meeting him. All of him. He slips my shirt up over my head, devouring my full breast with his warm mouth.

  I have a new plan.

  Get my man off, and then I’ll give him the news when he’s good and satisfied.

  Of course, it’s a win/win for me.

  *

  “Let’s get some grub. I worked up an appetite.” His lips slip into a devilish grin when he smacks me on the ass. “Smells like the bitches got biscuits and bacon started.”

  “Yeah, um, I thought we could go out to breakfast.”

  “Ok, but we gotta make it quick. I have a run later with Clint.”

  We ditch the kitchen, slipping out the front door. I watch my man throw one, long leg over his bike. Once he steadies his ride, I take my seat behind him.

  The smell of his scented soap tickles my senses, and I coil my arms around his broad chest, cradling my frame to his back. He turns out of the gravel drive and onto the asphalt, brushing my flush skin with the early morning breeze.

  I breathe in a huge lungful of air through my nostrils in attempt to steady my nerves.

  Ronin pulls into the diner’s parking lot and places his hand on my hips, helping me up from the bike. He holds the door open, and I head straight to our booth.

  “Wendy, two coffees and two Hungry Man breakfast platters.” He waits for me to sit before he follows, sliding in across from me. “I’m fucking starving. Hope you are too. That second plate’s got your name written all over it.”

  “Actually, I am. Must be due to this morning’s rigorous work out session.” I love the way he smiles at me, all big and lopsided. He flashes his dimples, and I have to adjust myself in my seat.

  I work on settling my nerves as Wendy plants down two, ceramic mugs, filling them with strong, black coffee. “How’s my favorite couple doing today?”

  “Couldn’t be a damn bit better,” Ronin says. “How ‘bout you, hun?”

  I don’t take offense when Wendy snickers. Everyone has a school girl response with his panty-dropping smile.

  “I’m doing well. Thanks for asking. We’ll have that food out real soon. Over easy eggs, right?”

  He pats his hard six-pack. “Yep, and throw an extra one on mine, please ma’am.”

  “Will do.” To her credit, she peels her gaze away from my man long enough to address me. “Anything for you, love?”

  “No thanks, I’m good.” My insides flutter when I notice that Ronin is completely oblivious when it comes to flirting.

  He glances up at me, and his long lashes make the hair on my arms stand on end.

  “This was a good idea, having breakfast alone. It’s gonna be a late night. Glad to have you all to myself.”

  “You might not feel that way when I tell you why I brought you here.”

  “Dammit, woman. I knew it.” He sips his coffee and wipes his mustache with a napkin. “Spill, what’s up?”

  I weave my fingers together, resting them in front of me. “Ok, this ain’t gonna be easy.”

  His entire demeanor changes, and he snaps his back straight, tightening the muscles through his thick neck. “Now.”

  Now…

  CHAPTER TWO

  Ronin

  I sit, dumbfounded. Random words from Jolene’s admission rattle through my skull. My foggy, confused skull. “You can’t be serious. Is this some kind of joke?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “Well, I guess that’s something. Because that would be a really shitty joke.” My skin grows hot, tingly, and I notice the way her bright blue eyes widen. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Me either, babe. It all came out of nowhere. Maybe she just felt I would be able to break the news easier than you seeing her face to face.”

  “It’s a fucking coward move. An excuse. And a bullshit one at that.”

  “That’s not really the main focus here, right?”

  “I don’t know. What am I supposed to do with this information? What the hell am I supposed to do with it? Really? Give her a fucking cigar?” I try to control my temper, pouring my focus into Jo and her good intention. “Sugar, I know this puts you in a bad spot, which really pisses me off. I’m not mad at you.” I reach for her hand and find a pit in my stomach when she trembles with nerves. I hate that woman even more for taking advantage of Jo’s good nature.

  She gives me an uncomfortable shrug. “I don’t know if she expects you to do anything. It’s probably more of an FYI.”

  “An FYI that I have a fourteen-year-old brother?”

  *

  I stalk up the stairs above The Clubhouse, overwhelmed and pissed off. It was a tense ride back from the diner. Jolene thinks I’m upset with her, but that’s not the case at all. I feel like she’s being used, a pawn in Val’s fucking head games.

  Val.

  My mother, in name only. Ruth was the only mother I’ll ever acknowledge.

  Now, I have to face my fellow patches. My family.

  “Hey, Prez. Where’d you run off to this morning?” Stoner leans his lanky frame back in his chair as Tammy and Bonnie work to clear the breakfast dishes.

  “Just went to the diner with Jolene.”

  “You love birds are so damn cute.” Clint teases me until he sees me clench my jaw, signaling that I’m not in the mood. Not one, goddamn ounce.

  “Alright, you ready to ride?” He asks, probably trying to break up the tension.

  “Hell, yes.” I cut my gaze over at Stoner, my new Sargent at Arms. “You and Billy handle that shit with Cesar. I’m done with late payments. Get it done.”

  Billy jumps to his feet, offering a solid salute. “On it.”

  Stoner snuffs out what’s left of his wake-n-bake, stretching his lanky body. “Consider it done.”

  “Let’s ride, VP.” I turn and walk out without checking to see if Clint follows. He does. Of course, he does. He’s loyal, and my best friend.

  I ignore everyone as I swerve through the bar, itching to jump on my sled and ride straight out to Val’s.

  I point two fingers in the air and signal a turn, giving Clint a head’s up. I don’t know that she still lives in the same spot, but it’s the only place I know to start. I steer through the rundown neighborhood. Yards are littered with trash, and streets are lined with broken down vehicles.

  I notice Clint’s questioning stare, but he wouldn’t dare ask. No, he follows along just like he’s supposed to. I couldn’t have asked for a better VP. He’s really stepped into the Vice President’s role, having my back and picking up my slack.

  Like today, he has no idea where I’m headed or what I’m up to, doesn’t matter. He’s right here at my side. It helps to have a VP who’s also been my best bud since childhood.

  I take the final left and recognize the house immediately. I spent years trying to escape the hell within those walls. A hell no human, much less a child, should have to endure. Ruth saved me.

  Ruth and Jolene.

  By this time, Clint figures out my plan. He parks and meets me at my bike before I take off my brain bucket.

  “This is a really, really bad idea.”

  I stare my brother down, using the extra two inches and the patch on my chest to drill my point across. “You need to move. This has nothing to do with you.”

  “Like hell it doesn’t. I’m not gonna just sit back and watch you spiral. This shit hole is nothing but toxic. You shouldn’t be here.”

  “I have business.”

  “Business here?” Clint pivots to scan the dilapidated house behind him. “What the fuck could you have to do
here? At this house? With her?”

  I pause, arching one brow. “Get outta my way.”

  Clint takes a single step to the left, motioning his arm through the air. “After you, Prez.”

  My chest heaves with each step. I move, almost like I’m on autopilot, and prepare to knock when the front door flies open.

  A man standing no more than five-foot-eight twists his scrawny neck, glowering up at me. “What the fuck do you want?”

  “Where’s Val?”

  “Who the hell are you?”

  I pull air in through my flared nostrils, trying to control my temper. “Tell her it’s Ronin.”

  “I don’t give two shits…”

  “Who is it, Barry?” A woman’s voice echoes from inside the house.

  I step in closer. “Tell her, BAR-RY.”

  I know he gets the message when he cowers, stumbling backwards. “Yeah, uh, babe, I think it’s for you,” he yells, disappearing down the hall.

  “Who is it?” She asks, rounding the corner, drying her hands on an old dish towel before glancing up. “Shit.”

  “Yeah, that sounds about right.”

  “Well, how you doing, son?”

  My stomach pitches. “Don’t call me that.”

  “Ok, so you’re pissed. That sounds about right.” She reaches up and pulls her bushy ponytail tight. “I guess that Ms. Thing of yours told you about our little lunch date, huh?”

  “She did. And I don’t know what you’re up to, but you are not going to drag Jolene through your crazy ass bullshit. You understand me?” I feel the weight of Clint’s presence radiating from behind me.

  “So, do you even wanna know if it’s true?”

  “You know, I realize that I don’t care. I have no doubt the kid’s tainted from years of living with you and whoever that new cocksucker is you have back there. He’s a real winner, that one.”

  “Yeah, well, that’s a long story. One I know you don’t care to hear.”

  “You got that shit right.”

  “So, why are you here, son?”

  “Like I said, to tell you to stay away from Jolene. Stay away from her family, and my club.”