Mace's Wraith: Enemy Territory

By L.A. Day

AN ENEMIES TO LOVERS STORY FROM EXCITING ROMANCE AUTHOR L.A. DAY

An Enemy Territory story

He would protect her even if it killed them both. Their second chance was paid for in blood.

Mace, the President of Wraith's Blood MC is out for vengeance. Juice, his best friend, and Sergeant at Arms was just gunned down. Juice's last request was that he protect his sister, Scarlett. Nothing or nobody would stop him from keeping his promise to Juice, not even Scarlett herself.

There was bad blood between him and Scarlett but that didn't matter right now. Her safety, the safety of his club was all that mattered. Keeping Scarlett safe would prove tricky since he couldn't trust anyone else to protect her and she didn't want to be near him.

A few years back, she wanted much more than friendship and he'd been tempted. But Scarlett was a promising artist not meant for club life and that was all he knew. So, he slapped her down hard and she hated him ever since.

She'd graduated from a prestigious art school but instead of moving to New York and pursuing her dream, she'd stayed here opened a tattoo shop and made a name for herself. Scarlett hadn't come to a club function in years but everyone knew she was Juice's sister and that put her in danger.

Juice had discovered some shady dealings involving some of their brothers and it cost him his life. Now, Mace must figure out who he can trust while keeping Scarlett safe. Mace will risk his life to save her and his club. But Scarlett won't sit idly by while Mace is in danger even if she's breaking the rules.

Mace has no intention of letting Scarlett go again but she will have to learn that disobeying him will earn a punishment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Apr 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781839435904

Book preview

Enemy Territory

MACE’S WRAITH

L.A. DAY

Mace’s Wraith

ISBN # 978-1-83943-590-4

©Copyright L.A. Day 2022

Cover Art by Claire Siemaszkiewicz ©Copyright April 2022

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

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Published in 2022 by Totally Bound Publishing, United Kingdom.

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Enemy Territory

He would protect her even if it killed them both. Their second chance was paid for in blood.

Mace, the President of Wraith’s Blood MC, is out for vengeance. Juice, his best friend and Sergeant at Arms, was just gunned down. Juice’s last request was that Mace protect his sister, Scarlett. Nothing or nobody would stop him from keeping his promise to Juice, not even Scarlett herself.

A few years back, she wanted much more than friendship and he’d been tempted. But Scarlett was a promising artist not meant for club life and that was all he knew. So, he slapped her down hard and she’s hated him ever since.

Now, she’s back in town and surrounded by danger. He’ll protect her and claim her as he should have done years ago.

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Harley: H-D U.S.A., LLC

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi Alliance

Wedding March: Felix Mendelssohn

Chapter One

Sirens screamed in the night air as Mace stared down at the pool of blood. Juice, his Sergeant at Arms, had just been hauled off in the back of an ambulance. His death hadn’t been called—yet—but Mace knew he was gone. He’d only had a couple of minutes with Juice before the cops had arrived. It had been long enough to find out who was responsible and to make a promise that would upend his world.

Cowboy, Mace called, and his lanky VP stepped forward until he could see the toes of his scuffed cowboy boots. Find Scar.

Okay, Boss. Cowboy shuffled his feet. Did Juice give ya a name?

"Yeah, but first we secure Scar. Let me know when you have eyes on her. Don’t involve the rest of the crew. I’ll handle it from there."

Will do, Pres.

Mace stood tall as his VP walked away and started his bike. The engine growled to life as Cowboy took off on his mission. Times like this reminded him why he had to make changes to the club.

Mace. Sheriff Brown addressed him.

He looked toward the cop, who had accepted more than a little money from the club over the years.

It just came through. Brown tapped his mic. Juice didn’t make it.

Mace nodded. That just confirmed what he’d already known.

If you have information, you need to share it. We don’t want a turf war, Brown said.

The sheriff flinched under his penetrating stare.

Since when do you tell me how to handle my business?

Just trying to protect the club, like always.

Hmph. Mace snorted as a light drizzle began to fall. As usual, the crime lab analysts were late to the scene. Any evidence would quickly wash away, not that he needed it. Is that what you do? Help us?

I know you’re upset—

Upset? Juice just got gunned down for no fuckin’ reason. He has a little sister who’ll be all alone now. Mace exhaled a harsh breath. I don’t need your help with this. The gloves are off. He turned toward his Harley with the weight of Juice’s death on his shoulders. I got arrangements to make. Let me know when we can collect Juice.

The darkening clouds matched his mood as he pulled away from the curb. Two blocks down the road, he whipped into a gas station to check his texts. Scar was at the tattoo shop. The door was locked but Cowboy had seen her inside cleaning up.

On my way, Mace responded.

Everyone knew there was history between Mace and Juice’s sister, Scarlett, and Cowboy wouldn’t want to get in the middle of it. Minutes later, Mace eased his bike up next to his VP and killed the engine.

Ya doing this alone? Cowboy asked.

Yeah. I’m going to tell her then take her into hiding.

Cowboy straightened in his seat. What the fuck? Why?

Mace’s mind rolled back to his last words with Juice. Juice said she was in danger. He made me promise to protect her and I will.

Who did it? I need to let the crew know. We gotta strike back hard and fast, Cowboy growled.

Mace shook his head. No! Not yet. Tell the crew the only thing Juice said was to protect Scar and that’s what I’m doing. Mace stared hard at his VP. And watch your back.

A cloud crossed Cowboy’s face. What’s up, Pres?

We have traitors in the club. I got to figure out exactly who’s involved. Mace whispered the words even though there was no one around to hear.

Cowboy flinched as though he’d been slapped. One of our own killed Juice?

Mace sighed. Yeah, but there are more, I’m sure. The only one I trust now is you.

Fuck! Cowboy’s fist hit his handlebar. I got your back, Boss.

I know that. Once I get Scar safely tucked away, I have research to do.

Whatever ya need, Boss. If one of our crew is after Scar, ya can’t use our safe house.

I got someplace else in mind. He was way ahead on that. He had a place no one knew about. As President of Wraith’s Blood, he needed a hidey-hole.

I don’t wanna know where.

Mace nodded. Safer that way.

But if ya think ya’re compromised, I’m a call away.

I know, brother. You’re going to have to make arrangements for Juice. He wanted to be cremated. We’ll have a service when it’s safe.

I got it, Pres.

You still have the burner I gave you? Mace asked.

Yep. It’s in my saddlebag. Cowboy patted the bag on the side of his Harley.

Get it. I’ll be disablin’ my cell. My only contact will be the number programmed into your burner.

Cowboy shook his head. I can’t believe this shit is going down. Our brothers? Traitors? Fuck me sideways!

I feel you. Shouldn’t be like this but you know there are a couple of officers who didn’t want me as their president. Mace scratched his head.

Fuck that. They had their say and it went to vote. You’re our Pres fair and square. If they weren’t happy, they coulda walked.

Mace cocked his head to one side, popping his neck. They’ll pay for killin’ Juice.

I guaran-fuckin-tee it, Cowboy agreed.

Mace scoured the street, looking for anyone or anything out of place. Stay sharp until I get Scar away from here.

Gotcha, Pres.

And don’t act twitchy around the club. As far as the crew goes, I’m protecting Scar because Juice thought she was in danger. Tell them I think Juice was killed because of his sister. Then make yourself scarce until you hear from me.

Got it. Can ya tell me who the trigger man was?

Mace hesitated. He didn’t want to jeopardize Cowboy but his VP needed to know they couldn’t trust the club’s enforcer. Ghost, but he didn’t act alone. If I understood Juice correctly, the plan was to take Juice, you and me out one at a time but not too close together. I think you’ll be safe for a few days, but don’t take chances.

I never liked that fucker. He has shifty eyes, Cowboy said as he stroked the blade strapped to his leg. Don’t worry about me.

Don’t do anything or trust anyone until I have a chance to investigate. Mace started his bike and rolled across the street, stopping near the door of Scarlett’s SINsations. He stared at the door before throwing his leg over his bike. She’d done well for herself, but it wasn’t the future he’d thought she would have. She had talent, so much so that she’d gotten a scholarship to a prestigious art school. He’d expected her to move to New York and become famous. Instead, she’d come home and, as Juice would say, become a dope tattoo artist. Fuck, he muttered. He was gonna miss his brother.

The door was locked and Mace reached into his pocket for the keys Juice had pressed into his hands. He glanced down and realized his pants were stained with blood. He should have cleaned up before coming here but he couldn’t have taken the time. Unlocking the door, he stepped into her shop for the first time. The smell of jasmine hit him in the face and he inhaled deeply. It was a scent he’d always associated with Scar. Sweat beaded at his hairline. He was more nervous about facing her than he would have been staring down a gun barrel.

He took a hesitant step forward, assuming she was in the back room. This would be the first time in four years that they’d come face to face. He was a nightmare from her past coming to blow up her world. She didn’t deserve this. She hadn’t deserved what he’d done to her a few years back, but at the time, he’d thought it was the right thing to do.

A shadow entered his line of vision as he