Naturally Yours (Vicious Snakes MC Book 3) Read online

  Naturally Yours

  Vicious Snakes Series, Book 3

  Copyright

  Copyright by Mallory Funk 2019

  This book may not be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form (electronically, mechanically, by photocopying or recording), without written permission from the author.

  This book is fiction, and created using the ideas of the author. Any names or places that are used are from the author’s imagination. This book is for your enjoyment only.

  Edited by, Amber Gaida

  Cover by, Mallory & Tim Funk

  Dedication

  This book is for my readers. You guys have shown me so much love and support. If it wasn’t for your love of the Vicious Snakes, it would have never been a series. I can honestly say that I’m very thankful for each and every single one of you.

  Chapter One

  Sophie

  My hands won’t stop shaking. I spent the last thirty-six hours either driving or crashing in some rundown motel. I didn’t rest very well because I was certain that he was going to come after me. I just needed to sleep for an hour or two to give me enough energy to get to my destination. I didn’t stop until I was sure that I wasn’t being followed.

  I had just barely made it out. I waited for the perfect moment to escape. I had no idea how long he was going to be gone, but I had the plan in motion for a few weeks now.

  Here’s the thing about Vince. Being stuck with him for a couple years meant that I knew his schedule inside and out. He started changing when we got engaged. Part of me is glad that he didn’t wait to change until we were married, but I would like to hope that I still would have found a way out or the strength to leave. I can’t spend my time wondering what would have happened then; however, being on the road that long had given me time to think.

  A few nights ago, it was the worst it had gotten. His anger had gotten pretty bad. In addition to a hit to the face, I got a punch to the stomach. When I was bent over from the punch, he had pushed me down and kicked me again. I can’t be sure how many times he kicked me before he stopped. He left the house with me laying on the floor in pain. I had laid there for an hour, until I knew he was gone, before I moved. I had taken a few painkillers before I got moving and made sure to grab the bottle for the road. I knew that the pain would get worse before it got better.

  Usually I got a slap or a punch to the face when he was angry. When it first happened, I had tried to leave but he wasn’t letting that happen. He had come to find me at my mom’s and, other times, at different hotels. I didn’t want to be in that kind of relationship, so I kept thinking of a way out. Without a proper plan, he was always going to find me and bring me back.

  I tried not to make him angry. My mom loved him, so I couldn’t even go to her when he hurt me. She thought he was amazing and told me that I was so lucky to have found someone like him. She constantly gushed about him and it was disgusting.

  The first time I tried to tell her about him being controlling and telling me what to do or wear, or the first slap, she just told me to deal with it. According to her, I was lucky that someone like Vince would pay attention to me. She told me to toughen up because I could have an easy life with him. I don’t call being slapped around an easy life, but who knew what my mother was thinking when she said that.

  I felt disgusted that, in her eyes, because Vince had money and was handsome, he was allowed to treat me like shit. I did not agree. Money wasn’t worth this. I glance at my reflection in the rear-view mirror wincing at the bruising around my face. Yeah, money wasn’t worth this.

  At a time like this, I wish my dad was still alive. He was the only one I knew who wouldn’t tolerate someone hitting his baby girl. From what I could remember of him, he was very protective of me. My mom never let me talk about him and I was worried my memories would start to fade, so I had written down everything I knew so I that I would never forget.

  I knew my dad had family, but I had trouble remembering them most of the time. I knew that his brother was a few years older than him, and that they looked like they could be twins. When my mom had moved away with me, I never thought I would see them again. I didn’t understand why we had to leave at the time. To be honest, I still don’t. She never spoke of my dad’s side of the family and I knew nothing about them. Since I was only a little girl, I couldn’t remember a lot of facts about them. Every day I wish I could. I longed for the family I hadn’t seen in years.

  The one night I was looking through some old boxes of ours and found pictures of my dad and mom. He was wearing a biker’s cut. I had grabbed a magnifying glass to see who he belonged to. I hoped that I could have a clue at where to go, excitement running through me when I could read out the MC club name on his leather vest.

  Vicious Snakes MC. I was determined to find where they were and if they would help me. Maybe they would be better people like my dad was. I was always daddy’s girl; always. It didn’t matter how long he had been gone for; I would always think of myself as daddy’s girl.

  My dad had died when I was ten years old. I have memories of him and the people he used to hang out with, but names and places are all forgotten. I knew that my mom wanted it that way because anytime I had tried to ask her about dad and our past life, she refused to tell me. I hated the fact that she wanted me to forget. I could never figure out why she would want me to forget my own family.

  I needed more than her in my life, especially if she was going to allow some rich prick to hit me.

  I need to get out before it gets too bad. I was able to find where the main chapter of the Vicious Snakes MC was after a lot of research. I hoped that he was from that one but, if not, maybe someone knew him and could point me in the right direction. You would think that my mom would have gotten rid of everything, but I guess I lucked out that she didn’t.

  I had some of my own money saved. It was enough to get me to where I was going, but I would need to find a job and a place to stay once I got there. I will figure everything out once I get there. Anything would be better than here.

  I spend the last few dollars I have on gas and a small snack for the road. In only a couple hours, I will be pulling outside the clubhouse where I hope my uncle will be. I hope he is there, or even alive.

  I really hope my uncle was as nice as I remember him to be. I just hope that I recognize him but, since he looked like my dad, I think I will know him when I see him. I don’t think he will recognize me since it’s been fifteen years since he last saw me.

  It’s the only place left that I can go. I only have hope that he won’t turn me away.

  I hope that there was no bad blood between him and my dad.

  What do I have left to lose?

  Trigger ‘Colton James’

  I have been a part of this club and family for over three years now. I just left the hospital where Olivia had her and Steal’s baby girl, Star.

  I am very happy for my brother. He and Olivia are blessed to have a baby girl.

  It’s no secret around the club that I love kids. I spent a lot of time with D.J. until Hale came into the picture, and then I ended up spending lots of time with him.

  I could only hope to one day have a family of my own. When I find the right woman, maybe? You never know what will happen, especially after you see what happened with Damien and Steal. They never expected to be family men before they met their women. They’re proof that things can change in an instant.

  I couldn’t imagine how they felt, but then I guess you don’t know unless it happens to you.

  I make my way back to the clubhouse. I don’t have to work at the shop today, so I just pull up to the clubhouse. I kn
ow that most of the brothers are there celebrating the new arrival to the club. Any excuse to bring out the beer and hard liquor…

  I have my own room here that I stay in on the nights that I drink too much to drive, or when I’m too exhausted from working and spending time on watch. Other than that, I have a small apartment across town.

  When I pull up, there is a red car just outside on the street. I can see the driver glancing at the clubhouse, and her hands are on the steering wheel with what looks to be a tight grip. I’m not sure how I feel about the vibe I’m getting from her.

  I get off of my bike and walk up to her window. She must be lost in her own thoughts because she doesn’t see me coming or hear my approach.

  I can’t help but shake my head at her. She should be aware of her surroundings for her own safety.

  Now that the Vicious Snakes pretty much own this neighbourhood and this town, it’s safe; but this woman doesn’t know that. I haven’t seen her face around town before, from what I can tell through her sunglasses, so I figure that she isn’t from around here. She isn’t someone I recognize. Her hair is covering most of her face, so I can’t see much of her.

  Once you have lived in this town long enough, you pretty much know everyone. I wonder what she’s doing at a bikers’ clubhouse, looking lost but scared out of her mind. Does she belong to someone? I don’t rule anything out since Ella came here and turned out to be Prez’s long lost daughter.

  I tap my knuckles on her window.

  As I suspected, she jumps because she didn’t see me.

  “Are you lost, little one?” I ask. She looks fucking tiny sitting in her car.

  She shakes her head and then clears her throat a bunch of times. “N-no I’m not lost. At least I don’t think so. Is this the Vicious Snakes’ clubhouse?” she asks.

  I nod my head in suspicion. “Sure is, darling. Are you looking for someone?”

  I try to keep my face and tone neutral. Not only do I not want to scare her, but I’m really fucking hoping a sweet little thing like her isn’t here looking to be a club whore. That thought has me clenching my fists for whatever reason.

  “Y-yes, I think his club name is Bear,” she says, and I can’t help but look at her in confusion. She’s looking for Bear, but she’s not sure that’s his club name. Who is this chick?

  “He should be inside. What business ‘you got with him?” I ask in a don’t mess around with me tone. It usually works with people who aren’t part of the life. You can scare people pretty easily if you use the right tone - something I have learned since becoming a part of this world.

  “That’s private. Can I go and see him?” she asks quietly while fidgeting with her hands. She won’t look at me and I don’t like it one bit.

  “Sure, darling. I’ll walk you in so nobody messes with you,” I say moving so that I can open her car door open for her. I have no doubt that I will know soon enough what she’s here for. Nothing stays a secret for long around here.

  She gets out of the car and I can’t help but notice what she’s wearing. The sweatshirt and pants she has on look like they could fit at least another person in them. I have never seen someone wear something so baggy.

  I walk a little ahead of her, but not too far so that I can still hear her following me.

  When we walk into the clubhouse, everyone stops what they are doing and looks at me and the woman behind me.

  You would think that I had never brought a woman around with the way everyone’s jaws are dropping.

  “Yo Trigger! Found yourself a woman? About time!” I hear Steal yell.

  I shake my head. “Ah no, this little thing doesn’t belong to me,” I say and watch everyone’s expressions go from shock to confusion.

  I scan the room looking for Bear. I spot him by the bar with his Old Lady, Sasha, on his lap. When my eyes lock his, I give him a chin lift.

  He looks at me confused. I really don’t blame him because we only ever talk if it is club business. Nothing personal has ever been shared between us.

  He walks over to us and Sasha is right behind him.

  “Yeah, whatcha want, brother?” He looks at me and glances at the woman behind me.

  “She’s here to see you.” I move out of the way. I can tell from here that she’s shaking, but I don’t know what I can do for her. For all I know she’s shaking because she’s in a room full of bikers, but there isn’t anything I can do about that. She came to the wrong place if she’s afraid of bikers.

  Sophie

  The man in front of me looks just like my dad; there is no mistaking that this man is my family. I can’t help but tear up at the sight of him.

  I know that I’m shaking so badly that everyone can see it. I will probably be embarrassed about it later, but right now I’m trying to find the right words to say despite practising them the whole way here. I feel like suddenly I’m at a loss for words. As I suspected, he doesn’t recognize me; it has been fifteen years.

  “What can I do for you?” he asks in a deep voice, it’s almost like a growl. Wow, I can really see why they call him Bear. He’s huge and has a very frightening look on his face.

  I look around the room and notice everyone is watching us. Wow, talk about being put on the spot.

  “U-ummm… Hi uhh… Bear. I’m Nicolas Jones’ daughter,” I say with an awkward wave. Could I get any more awkward?

  I watch his eyes widen in shock. The woman beside him puts a hand over her mouth and is giving me the same shocked expression. She must know who I am too.

  “Sophie?” he asks in a whisper, tears welling up in his eyes.

  I nod my head slightly, but he caught it.

  He rushes over to me and wraps me in a hug. I try to breathe through the pain in my stomach from being kicked.

  He pulls back and I see that his eyes are full of unshed tears. I can tell that he didn’t notice me stiffen slightly from the pain.

  “What are you doing here?” he asks. The woman beside him gives me a hug and says that she’s my aunt Sasha. She hugs me as tightly as Bear did.

  “I need your help. I didn’t know where to look for you until I had found an old photo of my father and seen his patch on the picture,” I say, and he nods his head waiting for me to continue.

  “Okay, what can I do for you after fifteen years?” he asks in a suspicious voice, narrowing his eyes a little bit.

  This is it. I will just have to hope he can help me. I have never been more scared of an outcome than I am right now.

  I lower my head and take off my sunglasses. My hair is covering my face. I blow out a breath and lift my head up to look him in the eyes.

  I watch him go from happy, to confused, to downright angry when he sees my face. The sunglasses were big and hid most of my face from what is a terrible looking bruise.

  “Who the fuck did this to you?” he says in a growl and, wow, this time he really does sound like a bear. I can’t help but take a step back from the anger that’s radiating off of him right now. His eyes soften a bit when he sees me move, but I can still feel the anger radiating off him and other people in the room.

  “M-my f-fiance,” I say in a low voice. I lower my eyes because I’m hating that I got myself into this mess. I feel so ashamed and wished I could have seen the signs earlier, before it got to this.

  “What the fuck is his name? And where the fuck is your mother? She took you away when your dad died and said she didn’t need the club anymore. Can’t say I ever cared for the woman, and I hated that I had no right to keep her from taking you with her,” he says, and I can tell that he’s trying to keep his anger in check but I can see that he’s struggling.

  “His name is Vince Matthews, and my mom is probably kissing his ass right now,” I say and shake my head in disbelief and disgust at my own mother.

  “What do you mean kissing his ass?” he asks not looking too happy.

  “Well, I went to her the first time he hit me, and she told me to pretty much suck it up because he was good looking and had mon
ey. She said that I should be lucky that someone like him would want someone like me,” I state. I can’t help but let out a sob. I have held in these emotions for so long that I can’t keep them in anymore, maybe my body and mind know that I’m safe here. Whatever the reason, the emotions finally burst free.

  I cover my mouth and my uncle brings me into his arms and hugs me tightly. I breath through the pain because this is what I need right now. I can’t remember the last time someone hugged me, which means it was probably my dad. Vince was never one for emotions or anything to do with feelings. He claimed he had a problem with affection, but I honestly don’t know what to believe from him.

  He starts whispering things in my ear, telling me that I’m safe now and that I’m not going anywhere. Vince will never touch me again. I hold onto his promises like a lifeline.

  I can’t help but feel relieved and safe. The last time I felt safe was with my dad and I forgot how great it feels.

  I breathe in the scent of my uncle. He smells like tobacco and leather. It reminds me so much of my father that I can’t help but manage a small smile.

  I’m pulled over to the couch and someone hands me tissues. I probably look worse than I did when I came in but I can’t bring myself to care.

  I look at my uncle when he pulls back from our embrace and I give him a small smile.

  “Thank you, uncle Bear. I didn’t know where else to go,” I say with my voice shaking.

  “Sophie, you don’t have to thank me. We’re family. I called to check in on you many times, but your mother had always told me you were fine. It’s obvious that she lied to me because I called her just last week to ask about you,” he says with anger lacing his words.

  I’m shocked to hear that he checked in on me when I have never heard anything about him from my mother.

  “Yeah, she doesn’t seem to care what happens to me. She changed after my dad died, I guess, or maybe she was always this way because I don’t remember her being any different. I mean, she didn’t want me to go to school after high school because she had always planned for me to marry someone rich so that she would have it easy. Well, that didn’t stop her from trying to land her own rich guy. It wasn’t what I wanted. I never dated Vince for the money. I thought that he cared about me and honestly loved me,” I say as I break out in another sob.