Knights Rising: Rumblin' Knights, #1

By Bella Jewel

Some things are best left alone. 
I know this. I should stand by it. 
That would be the safest option for me. 
But, well, I just can't do that. 
Because the thing I should leave alone…is everything.
It is the reason I breathe. 
It is the reason I keep putting one foot in front of the other. 
I need help. I know it, but nobody wants to step up and give that to me. 
The case is too hard. 
There is nothing they can do. 
And then I meet them. Bikers. The Knight Brothers. 
They can give me the help I need. They have the resources. 
But there is one problem that lies amongst all of this. 
Lincoln Knight. 
I can't stand him. 
I loathe him. 
I despise him. 
And yet, he's determined to help me. 
He won't take no for an answer. 
And if I'm being honest…I need him.
But working with him, spending time with him, it's the last thing I want to do. 
But…I have no choice. 
And I know it. 
This most definitely won't end well. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bella Jewel
• Release date: Nov 25, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386179955

Book preview

PROLOGUE

SHANIA – ONE MONTH EARLIER

Oh. My. Lord.

This hell hound of pure masculine goodness standing at my counter right now is making me weak at the knees. I swear to all things holy I’ve never seen anything like him. Sure, I have seen close, but this one, he takes the cake ... and the icing, and the plate. He’s all of it and more. Dark eyes stare into mine, unwavering. He’s terrifying in his appearance. Huge, and I mean huge, all muscle and covered in tattoos. Hell, I’m sure outside of his face there isn’t a single piece of skin where there isn’t ink. His dark hair is cropped short, and he looks ... mean.

A bad boy.

Through and through.

Can I help you? I ask, keeping my voice calm, and steady.

Yeah, he murmurs, voice deep and masculine. Oh, lord. You helped my friend Ellie out a few days ago. Wonderin’ if you had any footage of the man that was in here?

Ellie! I cry, pressing my hands over to my mouth.

That poor girl. I’ve never seen someone so scared in my life. I mean, sure, we’ve all been in dark places but that poor girl was just...broken. I don’t know her story, but I do know that she was running from a man, and she came into my café for some help. He came in here after her, and I didn’t know at the time. I helped her, but I didn’t hear anything after she left with some of her friends. I hope she’s okay now. Poor thing. Is she okay?

Yeah, she’s fine. Footage?

Rude.

I didn’t catch him, I’ve already looked. Sorry.

The man growls and exhales. Anythin’ else that might help me out?

An attitude adjustment?

His eyes swing to mine, and he stares at me long and hard. What did you just say?

Think you heard me. I smile sweetly. Can I get you anything else?

His eyes make a slow path down my body, dipping down over my face and past my shirt and right down as far as he can see before moving back up to my eyes. I’ll take you.

Oh, my lord.

No, thank you.

His mouth twitches, and he stares down at my name badge. Shania.

Yes. That’s my name. Well done.

I’m being smart, I know I’m being smart, but he’s too hard not to stir up.

See you around.

He turns and walks out, and damned if I don’t want him to waltz right back in here so I can take him up on his offer. I mean, look at him. God damn, he’d make a night I’d never forget, of that I’m sure.

I wonder what his name is?

~*~*~*~

I’ll take a Jack and cola, I say to the bartender, staring down at my phone.

No calls.

There are never any calls. At least, never any from the person I need them to be from. I exhale and put my phone down. The dull ache in my chest expands, stretching, and I wonder what he’s doing right now.

Alcohol after work; didn’t pick you as the type.

I swing my head around and see the mysterious man from the café earlier staring at me, those penetrating brown eyes locked onto mine.

Are you following me? I’m sure there is a word for that. What is it again ...? Oh, right, stalker ...

I come here every day. Work just up the road.

I narrow my eyes. Where?

Rumblin’ Knights.

My eyes widen. The big fancy garage?

He nods.

Wow, that place is nice.

Shit, now I’m being too nice.

Lincoln. The bartender nods, stopping and passing me my drink. What can I get you?

Lincoln. That’s a freaking gorgeous name. And it’s a perfect match for him.

Same as always, Buck.

I stare at the bartender, and he winks at me then I look back to Lincoln who is studying me. Well, more to the point, my breasts. Which, to be fair, are probably hanging out a little much, but this work shirt is the only one I have left until the new ones come in. And, well, I ate a bit too much cake so it’s a little tight. Whatever. Don’t judge. A girl is absolutely allowed to eat her feelings.

You know, I say, my voice laced with sarcasm. I have eyes. Right here, on my face. I know, surprising, isn’t it? I wish I had known earlier, also.

Lincoln’s eyes move to mine and hold them. That expression still intense and still incredibly sexy.

Don’t wear a shirt like that, and I won’t look.

Or, I point out, you could be a gentleman and not look anyway.

Do I look like a gentleman, sweetheart?

Oh, boy.

My panties just got a little less dry.

Now you mention it, that would be a no ...

His mouth twitches again. Back to why you’re here, drinkin’ after work.

Isn’t a girl allowed to enjoy an alcoholic beverage every now and then?

Never seen you in here before.

Well, I say with a shrug, today I needed it. Any other questions?

Yeah, he murmurs. Why?

Why what?

Why do you need it?

I narrow my eyes and cross my arms. "Why do you need it?"

He takes a sip of whatever the hell he’s drinking on the rocks, and murmurs, Got a lot of shit goin’ on. Need to unwind.

Same.

What?

What what? I say, pursing my lips.

What shit do you have going on?

I raise my brows. And I’d tell you because ....

Because I’m askin’.

I snort. Okay, well, in that case. What shit have you got going on that you’re drinking for?

That mouth twitches again. Well played. You first.

I make a frustrated sound and sip my drink. No, thanks. I don’t feel like talking to some random stranger who I don’t know.

You do know me. I’m Ellie’s friend.

I roll my eyes. Are you always this annoying? Or am I just the lucky one who gets to witness such a wonderful side to you?

He says nothing, just sips his drink, staring at me. Always staring at me.

You know it’s rude to stare, right?

He shrugs and keeps sipping that drink.

Overbearing, overpowering jerk.

Sexy ass jerk.

Dammit.

If you don’t want to tell me about that, tell me something else, he murmurs, finishing the drink and ordering another.

I do the same.

Oh, boy, that went down way too fast, but I hold my own, even though my eyes water a little.

My name is Shania.

He snorts. You always such a pain in the ass?

You wanted to talk to me. I shrug.

Fine, Shania, what else?

Well, I like long walks on the beach, and pina coladas ...

He exhales. Right then. Well, drink up; the quicker we get to the end of tonight the better.

And what’s at the end of tonight? I ask.

My cock in your pussy, and you moanin’ my name.

My mouth drops open.

What ...

Didn’t stutter, sweetheart. Drink up.

I’m not sleeping with you! I protest.

He grins, baring those delicious white teeth at me. We’ll see about that.

Oh, my god.

I’m not sleeping with him.

I’m not!

I’m not!

~1~

SHANIA – ONE MONTH EARLIER

I slept with him.

I, Shania the weak, slept with him.

And my god, it was the best night of my life. That man was wild. He was wild, and hot, and so damned incredible in bed it makes my knees weak just thinking of it. From the way he devoured my pussy, to the way his hands roughly handled me, and then his cock pounded into me—I will never forget it.

But then the stupid jackass completely screwed me over.

Granted, we’d only just met, and it was just sex, but my God, some common decency?

Not only did he put his number in my phone wrong, but he disappeared in the early hours of the morning and stole my damned panties! What sort of sick little monkey does that? Does he have a collection of panties? Is he a panty hoarder? What? What in the ever loving hell is wrong with him? I mean, honestly, who does that?

Lincoln. Lincoln Knight does that.

And I want to be disgusted, and angry, and horrified, but the only thing I can think of is the way he made my body feel. The way his hands roamed over my flesh, kneading and clawing, making me arch in ecstasy. The way his tongue slid through my pussy, flicking my clit, making me come alive like I’ve not come alive in forever. The way his cock filled me, stretching me, as he held onto me and rocked me back and forth, my breasts in his hands, making me ride him until we both came with a ragged grunt.

He owned me.

For a small moment in time. He owned me.

But it wasn’t just that. We did talk. The more alcohol we put into our bodies last night, the more he opened up. We talked about his family. My family. Ellie. And so much more. So for him to do a complete runner and put the wrong number in my phone makes me angry. It makes me so angry I want to scream. Because he put me into a catergory. And that catergory is a woman that is going to cling onto him because we slept together.

He could have, at the very least, given me a chance.

Maybe tried to be my friend?

I don’t know.

Either way, I slept with him, and damned if I don’t regret it.

It was the best night of my life.

But I shouldn’t have done it.

Because now I can’t get Lincoln Knight out of my head.

Damn him.

~2~

NOW – SHANIA

The little bell above the door rings, and I look up to see Lincoln walking into the café. I haven’t seen him for a few days. It was when I asked Ellie for help, because I know she has connections to the Iron Fury MC. Lincoln got wind of it, and wanted to be that person to help, and so I changed my mind. I like Ellie a great deal—she’s definitely going to become a friend, I can feel it—but I don’t need Lincoln getting involved with my business.

I wanted the bikers to help.

I didn’t think he was part of that.

He decided he was going to help anyway, but I refused to tell him what I needed, so he vowed he was going to find out even if I wouldn’t tell him, and come back. And here he is. But as far as I’m concerned, he can kiss my ass if he thinks I’m going to turn to him for help after what he did. He used me and tossed me aside like some cheap rag. I won’t be treated like that, and I certainly won’t be asking for anything from him. Not when it comes to this. Definitely not when it comes to this.

This is mine.

And it is something I don’t want him involved in.

I’m not entirely sure what part about none of your business you’re not getting, I mutter as soon as he reaches the counter.

Good mornin’ to you too, Shania.

Why are you here, Lincoln?

You know why I’m here. You asked for help, and I want to know why.

"Firstly, I didn’t ask for your help, I asked for the help of the club."

Same difference, he says, pressing those huge hands onto the counter.

I remember those hands.

And how they felt on my body.

Snap out of it, Shania. We hate him, remember?

It is not the same difference. If I wanted your help I would have asked. Oh, wait, no I wouldn’t have, because you put a fake number in my phone.

His eyes lock onto mine, and his mouth twitches. Still sore about that?

No, Lincoln, I’m not sore about anything. I couldn’t care less what you do, honestly. But I did not ask for your help. And I do not want your help. End of story. I really don’t care if I see you again.

Yeah, he murmurs. Still sore.

Argh, I cry out, frustrated. What makes you think you’re so damned spectacular that I’d care what you did?

Because you’re actin’ like a brat.

My mouth drops open, and I gape at him. A brat? Are you serious right now? I don’t like you. I want you to leave me alone. That’s not being bratty, that’s being truthful.

And I saw somethin’ in your eyes when you asked Ellie for help, somethin’ that truly bothered you. I want to know what that is.

Why? I snap, frustrated. Why do you need to be involved in this so badly?

Because I don’t like fuckin’ monsters. Make it my damned mission to rid the world of them. And whatever had that look in your eye wasn’t good. You asked for help. You wouldn’t have done that if you didn’t need it.

My chest clenches, but I say nothing. I don’t need help from you, Lincoln Knight. I’ve got Ellie asking the club. They’ll help me.

Club and I are close—we work together. They help you, I help you.

Why are you doing this? I whisper, my jaw tense.

Already answered that.

I shake my head. I have work to do.

Come to the garage after work, tell me what you need. I’ll help you.

My chest clenches. Because my pride, damn my pride, is screaming at me saying, hell no, you will not do that, you will not accept his help. But my heart, and everything inside me, knows I don’t have a choice. If I say no out of pride, I’ll never live with myself. I need help. Help the police aren’t giving me. And I know Lincoln has the resources. I believe him when he says that. And I know he isn’t going to stop, for whatever reason, until he gets what he wants.

I exhale. "I’ll come talk to you but know this, Lincoln Knight, I do not like you. Not one little bit. And if this wasn’t so important to me, I promise you I would not be allowing you to help me."

He studies me. Not sure why you don’t like me, done nothin’ to you.

I raise my brows, and my lips part a little, which catches his attention. You’re not sure?

Yeah, I’m not sure.

Firstly, you screwed me and then put the wrong number into my phone. As if I’m going to cling onto you. Which by the way, I am not. I have some self-respect and I can’t stand you. And secondly, you stole my damned panties. Like some sort of creeper. Also, you’re bossy. And mean. And grumpy. And I don’t like you.

His mouth twitches. You and I both know that wasn’t how you felt last time we were together.

Argh.

Frustrating. Pain in my ass.

Goodbye, Lincoln.

I turn and walk out back.

See you this afternoon, angel.

Fuck him.

Jerk bag.

~*~*~*~

THEN – SHANIA

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

I never thought I’d be the girl, standing here, doing what I’m about to do. I never thought I would have let my life go so far off the rails I became this desperate. I never thought it would be me. Never. Not for a single second.

But here I am, standing out the front of a strip club.

I can pin point the exact moment everything went wrong for me. It was when my father passed away and my selfish, self-centered mother got everything. She took it all and left me and my sister, Lucy, with absolutely nothing. She never wanted us. She told us that our entire lives. She only ever had us because he wanted us. And if it wasn’t for him, she never would have had children. We were nothing but thorns in her side. She made sure we knew our entire lives that we made her existence that much worse.

So when he passed, before his will was finalized, she got it all. And Lucy and I no longer had a home. We can fight it, sure, but with what? Neither of us had any money. I had just started working at the young age of eighteen, and Lucy, seventeen, was still finishing school. Mom kicked us out, without a second thought, and I had to move into a tiny one-bedroom apartment and get two jobs to try and support Lucy and myself.

Lucy was going to quit school and work too, but I wasn’t going to let that happen.

I was going to step up.

But stepping up ... That was proving to be harder than I could possibly imagine. Paying rent, and food, and utilities—it was eating away every cent I was earning and more. Now I’m behind, in so many things, and this is my only option. I have a friend, Pamela, and she told me she does this on the weekends. And that she has paid all her bills and saved money to go to college. She swears it is a good life, you get treated well ... All you have to do is take your clothes off and dance.

Doesn’t seem like the worst thing in the world for her.

But for me, that is the worst thing I could possibly think of doing.

My daddy raised me right with respect and morals. He made sure Lucy and I were ladies and nothing less. If he was looking down on me right now, he’d be ashamed.

And that makes my heart ache with disappointment.

In myself, mostly.

But I hope he would understand that I have no other choice. If I don’t go in here and I don’t do this then Lucy and I won’t have a home, she won’t be able to finish school, and everything will be turned upside down. I can’t let that happen.

So, here I am.

I stare up at the flashing sign with a girl hanging upside down off a pole. Everyone knows this club, Tainted Night, and everyone knows it is a popular, well-to-do place. Pammy told me they were looking for a new dancer to work three nights a week and that she put my name in. I’m about to step into the large, red-brick building with a flashing pink sign and give my life away. My dreams. My hopes. My aspirations.

If I walk in here, I have to put it all behind me.

Because there will be no getting it back.

Taking a deep breath, I think about Lucy and our future, and I open the front door and step into a large hall where two bouncers are checking identification. I line up and make my way closer, feeling my chest clench, my stomach turn, and my breathing become labored. I’m scared. I’m so afraid. But I can’t turn back.

I.D., the bouncer orders, palm out.