Tinker's Dilemma

By Samantha McCoy

Tinker is MC royalty, the son of an Enforcer. Keily Hopper is just an innocent bystander caught in the sights of a sadistic psychopath.

Jameson “Tinker” Evans is good at what he does. But after finishing his latest assignment for the club, he finds himself in a bad headspace. Something just isn’t sitting right with him, and when a certain brunette crosses his path, it only gets worse.

Keily Hopper is just trying to make a new life for herself. When her latest relationship ended badly, she was left with nowhere else to go – but home. Not the type to wallow in self-pity, Keily is determined to make the best of a bad situation and create the life she always wanted for herself, and her daughter.

However, someone seems to have other plans for her.

When the Devil’s Henchmen MC receives word that Keily is in danger, they work hard to protect her – and she doesn’t even know it. At least, not until she comes face to face with a man who intends on ripping her world apart and burning it to ash.
Tinker will have to lay everything on the line as he fights to keep Keily safe. But as the days pass, the line between protector and protected seems to blur. Will Tinker be able to keep the attraction at bay, or will one passionate decision cost them both – dearly?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Samantha McCoy
• Release date: Jun 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463361573

Samantha McCoy

*International Bestselling Author*Samantha McCoy is from Texas but currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. She writes contemporary romance - MC and Erotica books with a little bit of something extra. Samantha has also dabbled a bit in Paranormal Romance.She is a lover of coffee, Dr. Pepper, and wine; and a Lemonhead fanatic.If you would like to learn more about her and her upcoming events and releases, check out her page on Facebook: Samantha McCoy, AuthorHer Private Facebook Reader Group: Sam's Books & Sultry BitsorInstagram: @samiek81Twitter: @samiek81

Book preview

Prologue

Walking into the clubhouse, Tinker tossed his bag on the floor, grateful to finally be home. He was mentally and physically exhausted. His last assignment left a bad feeling in his gut, and even a week later, Tinker still couldn’t figure out why.

Boy! His eyes widened at the tone in his mother’s voice. If you don’t pick up that damn bag and put it where it goes…

Hello to you, too, Mom, Tinker said, shooting her his best smile.

Do you think I’m kidding? his mom asked. I am not your damn housekeeper.

Amber. Tinker’s eyes shot to his father as he walked toward them. Leave the boy alone. He just walked in the fucking door, woman.

Oh, hell no! his mom said, her hand resting on her hips. I am done with you boys thinking the girls and I have nothing better to do than pick up after your messy asses! She turned back to Tinker, Pick that bag up and take it to your room. Now.

Yes, ma’am. Tinker nodded, picking up his bag. He shot a questioning look to his father.

Reaper shrugged.

Even as the Enforcer for the Devil’s Henchmen MC, it seemed his dad was smart enough to know not to cross his mom, at the moment; and Tinker couldn’t blame him. He had no idea what was going on, but he knew it was a shit storm that he didn’t want to step into. His mother was a force to be reckoned with, even on her best days. And the fact that she looked pissed and ready to commit a felony, Tinker wasn’t going to push his luck.

He leaned in, kissed her on the cheek, and headed to his room – taking his bag with him. Leaving his dad alone to deal with whatever was wrong with his mom, Tinker couldn’t help the grin that took over his face as he listened to his dad try to calm her. Tinker found it hilarious that the big, bad Reaper Evans was almost groveling at his mother’s feet.

Hey, dude!

Tinker nodded at Ink, who was lounged in a recliner, flipping through channels on the TV. How’d things going?

Fine, he answered. He didn’t want to get into the details of everything. There were still so many stones that Tinker felt were still unturned. And it didn’t sit well with him.

What’s up with my mom? he asked, changing the subject.

It’s not just yours, Sparo said, sitting on the floor with his long legs stretched out in front of him. It’s all of our mothers. I think they’ve lost their minds.

Probably that bad wine they had from the restaurant yesterday, Ink chuckled.

Tinker shook his head, nodded a ‘see you later’, and continued to his room. Neither of them was going to be helpful.

Both Sparo and Ink were the sons of the club President, Sledge, and his wife Beth. Back in the day, Beth had broken up with Sledge only to find out she was pregnant. Sledge hadn’t even known he’d had a kid until Beth showed up at the club with him – when she was running for her life from her crazy ass dad, who was trying to kill her because she knew too much. The Devil’s Henchmen MC took them both in and protected them – something they continued to do to this day.

While many MC’s were neck-deep in the dirty underground of illegal activities, the Devil’s Henchmen were not. At least not in the sense that most people would think. When the club was founded, it was by brothers in arms. All ex-military. And they used those skills to save the world, or at least that’s how Tinker chose to look at it. The Devil’s Henchmen went into the ugliest, darkest, deadliest areas of the world and helped those who needed it. If the government was too worried about the possible repercussions of getting involved in an issue, they called the DH. Kind of like black ops, but without the rules. Tinker and his cousins have rescued politicians and royalty, fought the fight against human trafficking around the world, and even been sent on a mission or two to recover top secret information from hostile territories. For them, the work is never done.

Getting to his room, Tinker unlocked the door and turned the knob only to have the door fall off the hinges and land on the floor with a big crash.

Shocked, he stood there, staring at it.

Behind him, the sounds of laughter echoed down the hall. He turned to see Stephanie and Ava standing at the end of the hallway, bent over in a fit of hilarity. Looking at them, you’d never know that they were sisters. Stephanie had the white skin and long, black curly hair that her father, Diesel, had. But Ava, like her twin brother, Joker, had caramel-colored skin and while their hair was the same tone as Stephanie’s, the twins’ hair was straight as a board. Ava and Joker were two kids that the DH had rescued several years ago, back when Tinker was only a kid himself and were later adopted by Diesel and Rachel after they were unable to locate their biological parents.

What in the hell happened? Sledge asked, walking out of his room.

Ask them. Tinker pointed down the hall.

Sledge looked between the girls and then back to Tinker’s bedroom door. Tinker could see the club President fighting to keep the smile from taking over his face.

Did y’all do this? Sledge asked the girls.

They laughed harder.

Tinker sighed. All he wanted was to relax, and it seemed that wouldn’t be an option today. Stepping over the door, he entered his room and tossed his bag on his bed. Turning around, he lifted the door from the floor and pushed it back into the frame, only to have it tip back toward him.

Where are the damn pins? he shouted, poking his head around the door.

The laughter grew louder.

On your bed, Ava said between fits.

Tinker looked, and sure enough, the pins to hold the door in place were sitting on his pillow. With a heavy sigh, he propped up the door and walked over to grab them before returning to the door and fixing it.

Y’all are assholes, he said to the two of them.

Sledge chuckled.

Happy April Fool’s Day! Stephanie shouted.

All expression vanished from Tinker’s face as he stared at them. April Fool’s Day? Really?

Oh! His RAF is on point today! Ava giggled.

RAF? Tinker asked.

Resting asshole face, both women said in unison, still giggling.

You two need help, he replied. Turning to Sledge, he said, Find them a shrink. Seriously.

Closing the door, he could still hear them outside in the hall, but Tinker just shook his head as a small smile formed on his face. He might be exhausted, but this was exactly what he needed. This was the chaos that he needed after the week he’d had.

Flopping on his bed, he half expected it to crash to the floor. When it didn’t, he pulled off his boots and laid back against his pillow, closing his eyes. It had been a rough week for him. One of the roughest he’d had in a long time. And even though his family could test the nerves of a saint, he was happy and blessed to have the distraction.

Tinker had spent the last six months in El Paso, Texas helping in the investigation of one of the deadliest drug dealers in the country. The more Tinker dug, the deeper the trail seemed to go until one day, he’d found himself knee-deep in Juarez City, Mexico. The drug mecca of the Americas. Digging up information on both sides of the border had proved to be more difficult than he’d originally thought. His investigation had taken so many turns that Tinker had begun to get lost in it all. Little did he know that it had only just started. About two months into the investigation, Tinker had uncovered information that had sent the city of El Paso, and the Feds, into a tailspin. He had discovered a dirty cop. Actually, several dirty cops. It seemed the El Paso drug trade had a bit of help staying ahead – by local law enforcement. One of which, it was revealed, was also a hired gun for the cartel.

And things from there just seemed to get worse.

But, after months of hard work, it was finally over. At least that’s what the Feds thought. Tinker, on the other hand, wasn’t so sure. Yesterday, they had made over ten arrests, including a drug dealer, the hired gun, and over a dozen police officers. Trials for them all would all begin soon, and while he was happy to be done with it, Tinker was still worried about the aftermath that was left behind. Specifically, a city that had lost all faith in the men and women who were sworn to protect it. Unfortunately, that was how these things seemed to go. He wasn’t surprised anymore when he unearthed the ugliness of the world. It always seemed to live right below the surface.

It made life difficult, especially for men like him who didn’t trust easily. After everything Tinker had seen in the world, he’d lost his faith in humanity. He’d be the first person to admit it. Which was probably why he was single and lived at the clubhouse – Tinker Parks didn’t have a woman of his own. And he didn’t want one either because, in his experience, women were some of the most conniving people on the planet.

Chapter One

Keily

Three months later…

She sat in the back of the courtroom.

Camera crews and news media were all over the place, but somehow, she’s managed to sneak in under their radar. She had no idea why she’d decided to come today, other than, she wanted to see firsthand what would happen to Patrick.

She still couldn’t believe what he’d done.

Patrick had been a dedicated officer, a detective in the Narcotics Division. Or at least he had been when they were together.

A while back, Patrick started acting weird. Coming home late. Sneaking around. Always looking over his shoulder. He’d become abusive, mentally and verbally. And Keily had had enough. Kicking him out, she ended the relationship, and with the help of a neighbor, she’d changed the locks.

It wasn’t until Federal agents came knocking on her door in the middle of the night, that she knew something was wrong. Tossing a warrant in her face, they took over her home. Keily had demanded answers, but none of them were inclined to answer them.

For hours, they tossed questions at her, one after another, treating her as if she were a criminal. They tore her home apart, leaving almost every room in shambles. Keily had spent the rest of the night crying and cleaning what was left of her once peaceful home. The next day, as she poured herself a cup of coffee, Keily had turned on the television to see Patrick’s face, along with many of his colleagues, plastered on the morning news.

‘Narc Detective and Others Arrested in Connection to Drug Cartel’ – she’d never forget the headline. Keily had been shocked and dismayed. She may have thought many things about Patrick, but being a dirty cop was never one of them.

They had already broken up and gone their separate ways, so Keily stayed clear of anything to do with him. She didn’t want any part of the trouble he was into. So, when Patrick had tried to contact her, Keily ignored all his calls and returned all letters, unopened. Like others in the city, she had followed the case via the media, keeping up to date on the evidence and trials.

Today was the first time she had shown up in court. Patrick, and several of the others involved in the case, had already been found guilty. A decision that Keily agreed with based on all the evidence they had against them.

Patrick Dean was a dirty cop. Plain and simple.

He was a murderer.

But Keily couldn’t help but feel sorry – not for him, but for the families that he and the others had torn apart. Women no longer had their husbands. Children no longer had their fathers, just like their unborn child would no longer have him... A child who Patrick had no idea existed. And Keily planned to keep it that way.

All rise, the bailiff called.

Everyone in the room stood and then sat back down as the judge took the bench. Keily sat, motionless waiting for the judge to deliver Patrick’s sentence.

Mr. Dean, the Judge started.

Keily watched as Patrick and his lawyer stood, ready to hear what the judge had to say. She held her breath, praying that he would get what he deserved.

Listening intently as the judge read out his charges, she glanced around the room. In the first few pews, the Police Chief, a few other cops and detectives from Pat’s precinct, along with several Federal Agents – the FBI and ATF, sat motionless behind the prosecution. Keily had a moment of wonder… wondering if they were involved in the same horrible mess that Pat was in. But as soon as the thought entered her mind, she pushed it away. She wouldn’t allow Patrick to taint her belief in human dignity. Patrick’s crimes had caught the attention of everyone. Local and Federal. It wasn’t every day that a Narcotics Detective was found guilty of multiple counts of murder and working as a hitman for one of the biggest drug organizations in the world.

As the judge ended his speech, Keily sat on the edge of her seat, her hand protectively over her growing baby bump. She silently sent up a prayer that her unborn child would never know the truth about his or her father. Keily feared what that would mean for her child. With as deep as Patrick had been in the organization, all she wanted was to close this chapter of her life and never look back.

And maybe that was why she was there today.

Seeing Patrick get what he deserved was a way for her to say goodbye to the past and move on toward the future she knew she deserved.

Therefore, the Judge said. Mr. Dean, you are hereby sentenced to four life-terms, without the possibility for parole. This sentence will begin immediately. Mr. Dean, you are remanded into the custody of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. They will see to your transports to your new home – USP Beaumont. Enjoy your stay, sir.

The judge slapped the gavel and the room erupted in cheers.

Keily jumped in her seat, startled by the loud display.

Grabbing her purse, she hurried out of the courtroom and made her way down the long, stone hallway and out of the old, ominous building. As she ran down the stairs, tears sprang to her eyes. She didn’t know why she was crying, but when she made it to her car and unlocked the door, Keily flopped down in the seat. And as she closed the car door, the dam broke on her emotions and all her pent-up feelings from the last year of her life seemed to just flow out of her.

Nobody would ever understand the level of anxiety and fear she had felt every day for the last few months. And now, it was finally over. She could breathe. No more worrying if Patrick would show up at her door. No more fearing that he’d one day take it too far.

She was finally free. It was over.

Wiping the tears from her face, she took a deep cleansing breath. Then Keily slipped her key into the ignition and started her car before pulling away from the curb and driving away from the courthouse, without looking back.

Patrick Dean had forever changed her life. Because of him, she no longer trusted herself. Her instincts were flawed. Because of him, she’d lost everything – her job, her home, her friends. And that was something she would never forgive him for. After Pat’s arrest, everyone seemed to look at Keily differently. Like somehow, she’d been involved. As if she’d known. But she hadn’t. Like everyone else, Keily had been fooled. But nobody seemed to believe that…

But all of that was now in the past. It was over. Today, Keily would begin her new life. A life that led to peace and happiness for her and her child. A life untainted by Patrick Dean. For the first time, in a long time – she looked forward to the bright future ahead of her. While she wasn’t thrilled about having to return to her hometown, Keily knew she needed it to ensure that whatever future she had it would be a meaningful one.

So, as she maneuvered her car onto the interstate, Keily quietly said goodbye to her home of ten years. And as another single tear, slid down her cheek, she made a promise to herself – never again would she allow a man to control her, to step on her.

Even with everything Patrick had done to her, mentally, emotionally, and physically, Keily couldn’t look at her pregnancy as anything other than a blessing. This baby was the only good thing that had come from that relationship, and even though the baby wasn’t there yet, Keily cherished it more than anything.

So, with a final look in her rearview mirror, she tilted it down toward the backseat, and never once tried to look back as she continued driving toward the life she had spent the last few months planning.

Chapter Two

Tinker

It had been over three months since he’d come home from his last assignment, and Tinker was going stir crazy. And his cousins weren’t helping.

You need to get laid, Joker called across the shop. Maybe that would get you out of whatever funk you’re in. Hell, I know it works for me.

Tinker ignored him.

Joker was a man-whore. If it was breathing and willing – he would gladly leap into that shit. But Tinker wasn’t like that. Women were a complication he didn’t want or need. He’d already been burned once and that was enough for him.

"He doesn’t need to get laid, his sister Kailyn replied. What he needs is to get his head out of El Paso and back in the club."

My head is in the club, Tinker argued.

Is it? she asked.

Yes.

Funny. She tapped her chin. I don’t remember seeing you at the last three weekly dinners.

I had shit to do, Tinker defended.

Even though he knew that was a lie. Every Saturday, The Devil’s Henchmen MC got together for family dinner. The entire club showed up and it was just a big party. Food, drinks, and laughter were always on the menu, but for some reason, Tinker just didn’t feel like joining in the fun.

Maybe Kailyn was right. Hell, he didn’t know.

Over the past few months, he’d watched as one person after another went to trial. Tinker had followed the cases closely. They were personal to him. So many innocent people had died either from the drugs that crossed the border or by the hand of someone involved. Granted, not all of them were innocent, but still. Those people deserved their day in court, too.

Well, make sure your calendar is clear for this Saturday, Kailyn warned, interrupting his thoughts. Because if not, Mom is going to hunt you down and drag your ass there. I can promise you that.

Tinker sighed. He did not doubt that his mother would do just that. Amber Parks-Evans was not a patient person, contrary to popular belief.

Anyone know when Ink and Sparo will be back? Joker asked, changing the subject.

And Tinker was grateful.

It wasn’t unusual for him to get wrapped up in his cases, but this level of immersion was something new. It seemed to consume him. And he didn’t know why… except, something was still bothering him about the entire thing, but no matter how deep he dug through his notes, he couldn’t figure out what exactly it was.

No, he heard Kailyn answer.

Trying to push everything out of his head, Tinker concentrated on his bike. He’d already changed the oil and plugs, given it a tune-up, and washed and polished it. The chrome gleamed beautifully, and Tinker took great pride in her. Maybe he just needed to take her for a spin. Feel the wind blow across his face and the freedom of being on the open road. It had been a long time since he cast away all his worries and just rode.

Standing, he popped the bike into neutral and pushed it out of the garage.

Where are you going? Joker hollered.

For a ride, he called as he straddled the black and chrome beast.

Hell yeah. Joker jumped up from where he’d been sitting on a stack of tires. Wait for me, he called.

Y’all aren’t going without me! Kailyn chimed in.

Tinker smiled.

They all looked for any and every excuse to ride.

He waited a moment while the others pushed their bikes out and climbed on the backs. Together, they each fired them up, strapped on their helmets, and popped their bikes into gear. Pulling out of the lot, with Kailyn in the lead, Tinker finally cracked a smile.

He heaved a huge sigh as Kailyn dropped the throttle and shot off like a rocket. They sped down the county road. Following the turns, they each leaned into them one way and then the other. The leaves tumbled behind them as they flew down the road. The sun flickered between the trees. The feel of his bike rumbling between his legs and the cool breeze blowing over his skin seemed to calm Tinker’s soul.

He’d been right. A bike ride had been exactly what he needed. As they rode toward town, Tinker seemed to find a level of peace he hadn’t known since his return. It was comforting. And for the first time in months, he felt like himself, again.

Or, at least that was the case…

It all happened so fast.

As Tinker leaned into the next curve, taking it on the high side, a shiny silver car came around the curve toward him. Surprised, they both swerved to miss each other. Tinker overcorrected and felt his stomach fall to his feet as he lost control of his bike. Laying it over, he and the bike slid across the asphalt road. He slammed into the bank of the roadside ditch and felt a pain shoot through his ribs, and the ripping of the flesh from his arm. He groaned out in agony and tried to sit up, but his entire body protested. His stomach rolled and he thought he was going to be sick. The last thing he remembered before everything went black, was hearing his sister scream his name.

What the hell do you mean, we can’t see him? Tinker could hear his mother’s voice from down the hall.

He blinked several times, looking around the room. For a moment, he couldn’t figure out why he was in the hospital. However, as he tried to move his arm, he felt a sharp pain, and it all came back to him.

Tinker groaned. Fuckin’ hell…, he grumbled.

If you don’t get out of my way… Tinker heard his mom say. He could tell by her tone that she was about to flip her lid.

Feeling around him, he located the nurse call button with his good hand and pressed it. The sooner they knew he was awake, the sooner his mother would calm down – and the less likely it would be that she’d murder someone and end up in prison.

Mr. Parks, the nurse said as she walked in. You’re awake.

Yeah. Tinker coughed. His throat felt so dry.

Let me call the doctor and let him know. She smiled.

Will you tell my mother that I’m fine, please, he told her. Before she brings the hospital walls down.

Yes, sir. She laughed as she walked out of the door.

Moments later, an older man in a white coat walked in, smiling brightly. Mr. Parks. I’m Doctor Swartz. Do you remember what happened?

Yeah. He nodded. "I