Torn: A Bad Boy Romance

By Liz Levoy

 

Torn

 A Bad Boy Romance, Complete Series

 

“Why did you choose this life, Johnnie? What is so special about it?”

My motorcycle club. My family. Or, is it? It sure is the closest thing I have to a family. We are like brothers; we love each other a lot and would do anything to protect each other and what we have. That’s why me and Sean joined the “Brothers of Fire” in the first place. We saw something we liked; something that neither of us had: A close bond.

Life as a member is great. We party all the time, we get lots of women and we answer to no one. Cops? We don’t worry about them; they’re on our payroll.

One night, Sean gets hurt. His life hangs by a thread; I have to find help, ASAP. I stop at the first house that I come across. Susan lets us both in. I’ve never opened up to anyone before. Should I do the same with her?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: DAO Press
• Release date: Dec 16, 2016

Book preview

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Chapter One

Guarding our warehouse in the middle of nowhere. Just another day at work… Frustration was lingering in Sean’s voice. He and his best friend Johnnie were on a gravelly road, a few miles west of Cornwall, New York on that freezing, early December night. Marco Rivera’s recent threats of taking control of their arm trafficking business could not be taken lightly. The president of Los Lobos, a rival motorcycle club had never challenged the power of Brothers of Fire, Johnnie and Sean’s own motorcycle club. However, Los Lobos had grown in numbers lately and seemed confident enough to risk open war with them. Their president, Brad Warrick was left with no choice but to try and protect their lucrative business and protecting that warehouse was the first thing that he ordered them to do.

Stop complaining, brother. Johnnie grumbled. I’m not crazy about this, either. But, we got to do what we got to do.

"I wish I could be normal, just for one night. Sean sighed. You know, with a real job, having dinner with friends, a girlfriend maybe."

We get girlfriends almost every night. Johnnie teased him.

You know what I’m talking about, man. Sean put a little force in his voice. A normal life, where I wouldn’t have to worry about getting shot at every day. I’m tired of looking over my shoulder, Johnnie.

You want out? Johnnie squinted at him.

What if I do? Sean wondered. Look at us, man. It’s almost midnight, we’re in a van in the middle of nowhere, staring at a freaking warehouse. And for what? Two grand a month? What a joke…

How long have you been thinking about this? Johnnie wondered.

A couple of weeks. Sean replied. Today, it’s ‘Los Lobos’. Let’s say we survive this crap. What’s next? The Russians? The Chinese? They all want a piece of this.

Trust me; things are going to get better. Johnnie assured, patting his friend on the shoulder."

We’ve been in this MC for six years, brother. Sean’s nasal voice became flat, riddled with disappointment. We all say that it’s going to get better, but it never really does, does it? We’re risking our lives for peanuts.

It’s more than just the money, Sean. Johnnie spoke in a firm tone.

Don’t tell me we’re in this for the comradery. Sean shook his head sideways. "It’s never been about comradery. It’s always been about the money. Money and power. Brad’s money and power."

Can’t argue with you there. Johnnie murmured. What are you going to do if you leave?

Not ‘if’, Johnnie. ‘When’. Sean corrected him. I don’t know. I like this town, but I want to live in the city for a ch... He didn’t have time to finish his sentence. A loud, blast explosion lit up the night, throwing both friends back in their seats. Thousands upon thousands of splinters of wood, along with small shards of glass from the windows of the warehouse were ejected. The blast wave shattered the windscreen and every window in Johnnie’s van. Two, small pieces of glass were lodged in Sean’s throat, while one grazed Johnnie’s right cheek. Sean instantly grabbed his neck with both hands. His wounds began to bleed, quickly soaking his fingers. Unable to breathe, Sean gagged, as his eyes got as big as baseballs. Johnnie flicked a glance right, as his ears buzzed. His friend was gasping for breath. Having no time to waste, he started the engine of his van and put his foot hard down on the gas. The powerful engine roared and the tires picked up gravel from the ground as he drove off. Dozens of rounds of live ammunition exploded, as he left the burnt-out warehouse behind. Apparently, their rivals had found a way to hurt them, but now, all that he could think of was how to save Sean’s life. And that was no easy task, as St. Luke’s hospital lay in the town of Cornwall, more than six miles east of their location. His heart raced, as tension tightened the back of his neck.

Hang in there, buddy. He said, his voice riddled with fear. By now, he was going by more than seventy miles an hour. Johnnie tried to avoid casting another glance at his dying friend. Sean was a nerve-wracking sight and he had to keep his eye on the road ahead. Within seconds, he was back at the town limits. He caught a glimpse of a farmhouse, on the right side of the road. The lights were on. Johnnie did not think twice. He swerved right, destroying the wooden fence. His truck slid to a stop in the thick snow. He opened his door and jumped outside. Finding himself knee-deep in the snow, he turned around and ran towards the passenger door. By the time that he saw Sean again, he was lying on his back, across both seats, with his hands still on his throat. Just when he was about to put his own hands on his friend’s ankles, a female voice drew his attention.

Hey! The unknown woman hollered, standing at her door. You’ve just ruined my fence!

I need help! He cried, looking up at her over his right shoulder. Johnnie then did exactly what he had in mind. Pulling Sean’s body closer to him, he removed his hands from his friend’s ankles and put them on either side of his midsection, bending his knees. He pushed Sean’s body violently upward. With his friend draped all over him, Johnnie flipped around, panting for breath as well, as Sean breathed in even harder gasps. Much to his surprise, the young woman had rushed outside and was blocking his way.

Holy God! She exclaimed, noticing his mangled truck. What happened to you two?

We got involved in an accident. Johnnie gasped. Can you do First Aid?

I’m a doctor. She said with a nod. Get him inside.

A long sigh of relief left his lips. She turned around and started towards her front door. He followed her, feeling a small drop of blood flowing down his face. The doctor bypassed her living room and opened the first door to the left. It was her bedroom. Johnnie eased his Sean onto the bed, as she pulled a brown bag out of a large cabinet in the upper right corner.

You need to wait outside. She spoke in a calm tone.

That’s not going to happen, doc. He said, a note of panic in his voice.

"Do you want me to save him or not?" The doctor went on, keeping her cool. Johnnie could not utter a word. He continued to stare down into her light-green eyes, as if he was attempting to intimidate her with his sheer size. But the doctor would not even blink. She maintained eye contact with him.

Ok. He nodded. Take good care of him.

Chapter Two

Johnnie waited patiently in the doctor’s living room, pacing up and down, worried about his friend’s life. Under any other circumstances, he would have called Brad or any other club member and let them know of what had transpired. However, he was so tense that he would not even consider pulling his phone out of his pocket. He and Sean had been best friends for well over two decades. They had grown up together in Queens and had even joined the motorcycle club together. It was at that point that he realized that perhaps Sean was right to want to leave the club. He had not taken him seriously earlier, believing that he was merely complaining about staying up late. All the same, as his friend’s life hung in the balance, he was compelled to consider leaving. Yes, being a club member had its perks. The Brothers of Fire were respected in Cornwall, as they protected the citizens of the small town from virtually everything and everyone. Brad’s massive workshop, where they used to repair cars and motorcycles alike was the best and the cheapest in town. But, things became much more interesting whenever the club decided to visit nearby towns. Most of the members were very popular to women; their lifestyle attracted them like metal is drawn to a magnet. Every biker wearing the black leather jacket with the large logo of a man on fire was treated like royalty. Getting one night stands was easy. That fact alone was one of the main reasons why everyone joined.

Still, along with the perks came the hardships of the life of an outlaw. Nobody was safe; not even Brad Warrick himself. There had been attempts on his life in the past; he had already cheated death twice. In both cases, he was shot in close proximity. Moreover, even though they had come to an understanding with the local police, the same could not be said about the FBI or any other federal law enforcement agencies. The Brothers had been under the bureau’s microscope two years earlier, but, despite their thorough investigation, the FBI had not come up with enough evidence to prosecute them. Sean had brought up leaving the motorcycle club back then as well, but Johnnie and Brad had talked him out of his decision to leave.

And, as one would expect, the two friends had been in danger quite a few times in the past. They had been shot at twice, but they had escaped with minor injuries. This time though, things were very different. Sean was fighting with his life. Not as a result of a shootout, but as a result of the explosion of their own warehouse. Up until that night, Johnnie had been feeling relatively safe. Nevertheless, seeing his friend choking to death gave him cause to revise his opinion.

I wish you make it out of this alive, brother. He thought to himself. Then, you and I can discuss things. Leaving the life is not easy. I’ve seen others leave and most of them came crawling back. I don’t want to do that. If we walk out the clubhouse door, it’s forever. There’s no turning back.

Upon hearing the sound of the bedroom door open, Johnnie stopped and waited for news about Sean with bated breath.

Your friend got really lucky. The doctor sighed. I’m Susan, by the way. Susan Carter.

Thank you so much, Susan. Relief flashed in his eyes, as a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. My name’s Johnnie Granger. Great to meet you.

Likewise. She said, offering her hand for a handshake, as a polite smile spread across her face. Johnnie shook her soft, warm hand. Anxious about Sean, he had not noticed her fantastic looks, up until then. Indeed, Susan was a beautiful brunette. Her smile made his heart flutter. The feel of her hand into his palm gave him the chills.

Now… She started. Would you mind telling me where your car got… She faltered. Blown up like that?

Is he awake? Johnnie inquired, attempting to avoid the awkward conversation.

You’re smart. Susan remarked. He’s sleeping. I’m going to need an answer to that.

You don’t want to know, doctor. He claimed, pulling his gaze away from her face.

I’m guessing it’s got something to do with that thing you’re wearing. Susan pointed at his black, leather jacket. Brothers of Fire. It’s catchy. I wonder what else it is.

I’ve not seen you around. You’re new here, aren’t you? Johnnie asked, as his gaze returned to her.

I’ll be working at St. Luke’s hospital. Her response was sharp. This place belonged to my grandfather. He died last year.

You’re local?! Johnnie opened his eyes wide in surprise.

That’s right, Mr. Granger. She spoke in an emphatic tone. Is that too hard for you to believe?

For the first time in a while, he was having to deal with a seemingly very different kind of woman. The women that he had been socializing with would not address him like that. As a matter of fact, most of them feared him and his fellow bikers. However, such was not the case with Susan. She was oozing with confidence, maintaining eye contact with him the entire time and she did not seem intimidated at all