The Outlaw's Prize: Skullbreakers MC, #3

By APRIL LUST

The Outlaw's Prize is book 3 and the finale of the Skullbreakers MC trilogy!

I'LL KEEP HER SAFE. I'LL KEEP HER CLOSE. AND I'LL KILL ANY OTHER MAN WHO TOUCHES HER.

She should have stayed in my past.
But now that she's back…
I'm going to make sure she never leaves again.

I might seem cruel.
Or overprotective.
But if there's one thing I've learned in this world, it's this:
You gotta find what you love and hold it close.

She got away once.
Never, ever again.

Because when I learn what she took with her, I explode.

No one – NO ONE – hides my son from me.

It seems I've got to teach pretty little Angel a lesson or two.
This won't be the sweet reunion she might've been expecting.
It's going to be dark, sweaty, and brutal.

Because I'm an outlaw.
And when you're my bride… you're playing by my rules.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sopris Page Press
• Release date: Nov 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386970934

Book preview

THE OUTLAW’S PRIZE: Skullbreakers MC (Book 3)

By April Lust

I’LL KEEP HER SAFE. I’LL KEEP HER CLOSE. AND I’LL KILL ANY OTHER MAN WHO TOUCHES HER.

SHE SHOULD HAVE STAYED in my past.

But now that she’s back...

I’m going to make sure she never leaves again.

I might seem cruel.

Or overprotective.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in this world, it’s this:

You gotta find what you love and hold it close.

She got away once.

Never, ever again.

Because when I learn what she took with her, I explode.

No one – NO ONE – hides my son from me.

It seems I’ve got to teach pretty little Angel a lesson or two.

This won’t be the sweet reunion she might’ve been expecting.

It’s going to be dark, sweaty, and brutal.

Because I’m an outlaw.

And when you’re my bride... you’re playing by my rules.

Chapter 1

Angel

Iwas in a daze as Trey stood in front of me, yelling until I’d fallen to the floor and covered my eyes with my hands. My whole body was shaking and I wished I could have melted and fallen into the floor. The more he yelled, the more upset I felt. It wasn’t fair, what he was saying! It wasn’t true!

I never thought you weren’t good enough for me, I said in a quavering voice. It was the first phrase I’d uttered in ten minutes.

Trey immediately stopped yelling and stared at me with wide blue eyes. I don’t believe you, he scoffed. Tell me the truth, Angel. Tell me the fucking truth, you got that?

That is the truth, I insisted. I always loved you, Trey.

That doesn’t mean shit, Trey snapped. If you really loved me, you wouldn’t have fucking left!

His words stung, even more than any of the previous accusations he’d lobbed at me. That isn’t true, I said, my voice stronger than before. Trey kept his eyes glued to me as I peeled myself off the floor and stood upright, albeit shakily. Suddenly, I was aware of the incredible sexual tension in the room between us. I could have sliced it clean through with a knife.

So? Trey glared at me. If that ain’t different, tell me otherwise. Tell me, Angel. I need to fucking know.

I shook my head. It wasn’t like that, Trey.

Trey blew a stream of air out between his lips. Enlighten me, then, he snapped. Tell me what the fucking truth really is, then, Angel.

I blushed. My parents hated you, I said softly. Even just the mention of Mom and Daddy made my heart racer even faster in my chest. They didn’t like you, and they didn’t want you around me.

Well that’s fucking obvious! Trey roared. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. What else, detective?

I bit my lip. I was getting sick of his shitty attitude, even though I probably deserved it. My father threatened to hurt you if I didn’t leave you alone, I said softly. It was the night of my eighteenth birthday. You know that, Trey. But what I don’t get is why didn’t you come back. Remembering this was the most painful thing of all. Daddy told me he was going to hurt you, but then you could have still called me! I was an adult! I could have run away with you! Bringing this up made all of the hurt from the past seem fresh and new and before long, a fresh wave of sobs had hit me. I sniffled and cried and stared at Trey’s unforgiving blue eyes.

I did, Trey said flatly. I showed up the next morning and there was some fucking muscle in the driveway who tried to threaten me and pay me off. Then your mother came out and told me to leave you alone. She said you didn’t want to see me, and she told me if I didn’t leave, she’d call the police.

Trey’s revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. All of these years, I had just supposed he’d stayed away because he’d wanted to stay away. I thought he never wanted to be around me again, and that was why he’d left and never come back. I’d always thought it was my fault for pissing him off that night, for not taking him seriously when he said he wanted to impress my parents. Now I realized just how very wrong I’d actually been.

And then what? Trey’s eyes bored holes into my body. Then what happened, Angel?

I blinked. I couldn’t get in touch with you, I said softly. And then Mom and Daddy threw me out. I was on my own with Chuckie for years and years, Trey. They never even called. The sting of being abandoned was coming back stronger than ever and I had to wipe away a few tears as I remembered just how painful it had felt to be pregnant and alone.

Why didn’t you tell me about Chuckie? Trey looked angry again. You didn’t think it was worth it to make sure he grew up with a father? You didn’t think that would be important to him, or to me?

I didn’t know, I said softly. The room went silent, dead. Trey blinked at me. It was obvious he’d never even considered that possibility. I didn’t know for about a month, I added. But when I knew, when I found out... I sighed heavily. I wanted to contact you. But Mom and Daddy forbade it. They wanted me to have an abortion. When I refused, that’s when they threw me out.

Trey swallowed loudly. He didn’t say anything. The reality, the pain of the situation was crashing down around my shoulders and I felt traumatized. But I was also feeling strangely calm and peaceful inside, like the country air right after a big thunderstorm. I was feeling more levelheaded and rational than I had in days, and it felt good, but kind of scary. It was like I was capable of anything, like I could walk away right then and there and be done with Trey forever. Sure, it would be a huge sacrifice. And I would be miserable. But then at least I wouldn’t have to live with the constant memory of my mistakes, my mistakes that were apparently too egregious for Trey to forgive me.

He didn’t say anything. I still felt empowered, bold. When I crossed my arms over my chest and drew myself up to my full height, he looked almost afraid. His blue eyes were full of regret.

I’m leaving, I said softly. If you don’t care about me and Chuckie, then there’s no way we could be liabilities for you. Thanks for your hospitality, Trey.

Inside, I was begging him to stop me. I wanted him to stop me right in my tracks and grab my arms and press his mouth to mine. I wanted Trey to stand in front of me, barring the way, until I was forced to surrender to my desire for him. Even now, in the aftermath of the most heated argument we’d ever experienced, I couldn’t deny I still wanted him more than ever.

But he didn’t stop me. I walked down the hallway on unsteady feet and made my way into the room Chuckie had chosen. Our clothes were scattered all over the floor and I had to suppress a wave of anxious nausea as I leaned down to grab the bags. Chuckie was almost out of school, and he’d be here soon. If I hurried, I could manage to pack before he got home.

Home. But this isn’t really home, is it? I looked around, suddenly feeling dazed. I perched on the edge of the bed and stared up at the ceiling. The big house was silent. A lump formed in my throat when I realized Trey must not have cared, because if he cared, he would be stopping me. Don’t sit here and cry like a pathetic fool, I thought. You know that isn’t going to change shit. Trey doesn’t love you, and he doesn’t want to be a father to Chuckie. You had your chance to find him and you blew it, Angel. Time to move on.

Except, deep down, I knew I’d never really be able to move on. I swallowed hard and wiped away some stray tears. Time to pack, Angel, I reminded myself after checking the clock. Chuckie’ll be home