Thunder

By Harley Wylde

Amity -- I knew people could be cruel. I never thought the entire school and town would turn against me. And why? Because I trusted the wrong person. I thought Evan loved me. How could I have been so wrong? He used me. Humiliated me. Then my parents threw me out. I’d hit rock bottom when Thunder found me. He didn’t just get me off the bridge that night. He saved me in every way that counted. He’s my rock. My hero. My everything. I only hope one day he’ll come to love me as much as I love him.

Thunder -- My club is my life. My family. And I’ll do anything for them. But I’ve kept a secret. Something from my past. Before I became a Dixie Reaper.
When Portia asks for help, I can’t deny her. So I go out into the storm. I didn’t realize the impact it would have on me. Seeing Amity on the bridge, ready to jump, brought it all back. Now I’ll save her because I have no other choice. I failed in the past. I won’t this time. One look in her eyes, and I know she’s meant to be mine. I will lay her demons to rest. Get revenge for her and our baby. Every man who’s touched her, hurt her, will answer to me. And I’m sending them all straight to hell.

WARNING: Thunder is part of the Dixie Reapers MC series and contains adult content some readers may find difficult to read. Bad language, adult situations, bullying, teen suicide, attempted suicide, and other dark content. Please proceed with caution.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Jun 10, 2022

Book preview

Prologue

Amity

Mr. Parsons droned on about Hamlet, while most of the class ignored him. English Lit happened to be my favorite class, so I took notes and listened to his lecture. He was mid-sentence when half the phones in the classroom went off. Then a few more.

Oh, my God! Is that… No!

Someone laughed.

What a slut!

More laughter. My phone went off, and I opened the message. I felt the blood drain from my face as I saw the video clip. It felt like someone had sucked all the air from the room, and everything started to spin. I stared, willing the video to disappear, but it didn’t.

Class! Pay attention or you’ll all get detention. Mr. Parsons banged his fist on his desk.

How could he have done this to me? I glanced at those closest to me and they stared, either outright leering or casting me looks of disgust. The video kept playing on a loop. Evan fucking me from behind. My breasts bounced with every thrust, and he had a handful of my hair, calling me filthy names. I’d thought he cared about me! I’d given my virginity to him, thinking we’d be together the rest of the year and into college.

I grabbed my stuff and ran from the room.

If my parents saw that video, my life would be over. They’d never understand. It wouldn’t matter that he’d said he loved me. They wouldn’t care that he’d been my first and only.

I didn’t make it far before I slammed into someone. I looked up to offer an apology, but it died on my lips. Evan sneered at me.

Why? Why did you do it? I asked. You asked me to be your girlfriend. I thought you liked me.

Why the hell would I want someone like you? Don’t you get it, Amity? It was a joke. The entire thing. I just wanted to see if you’d spread your legs.

I felt sick to my stomach and pressed a hand to my mouth so I wouldn’t throw up all over his feet. I’d given him my trust. My heart and my body too. And it had all been a game to him? Shoving past Evan, I ran from the building, not bothering to sign out at the office.

I made it down the steps and halfway across the parking lot when the campus officer gripped my arm tight. Where are you going? he demanded.

I couldn’t face him, or anyone else. I cried harder, no longer able to hold in my pain. As I sobbed, his hold on me loosened.

Miss Whitman?

I nodded. Please. I need to go.

What’s going on? he asked. It’s not like you to try and ditch school.

I dropped my things, including my phone. He bent to pick them up and froze when he saw the screen. His gaze lifted to mine, and I saw both understanding and sorrow in his eyes. Do you know who took this? he asked.

It was only me and Evan there, I said, my voice nearly a whisper.

You need to come with me to the office. I’m going to call your parents… He hadn’t finished his sentence before I was shaking my head. If he called them, I could only imagine the awful things they’d say. He sighed. Miss Whitman, I don’t have a choice. Did this video go to anyone else?

I think the entire senior class received it.

He cursed and took my arm again, leading me back into the building. We went into the front office, and he didn’t stop until we were in the principal’s office. He explained the situation as I sat, wondering what would happen to me now.

By the time my parents arrived, I felt numb. My mother’s jaw was set in a hard line and my father… he wouldn’t even look at me. My mother watched the video and gasped. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, wishing they hadn’t asked her to see it. I barely listened to them. I heard something about a police report, the FBI, and Evan’s name.

We’re not pressing charges, my mother said. Amity has made her bed and now she can lie in it.

The principal, Mr. Henry, sputtered a moment. Mrs. Whitman, I don’t think you understand. This isn’t a case of whether you want to press charges. Your daughter is only seventeen, which makes her a minor. The boy in the video is eighteen. When he recorded your daughter, then sent the video to the senior class, he distributed child pornography.

I blinked and stared at Mr. Henry. What? Am I in trouble too? I didn’t know he was recording us!

The campus officer kneeled by my chair. Miss Whitman, I’ve already made notes of what happened, but the officers coming to arrest your boyfriend may wish to speak with you. Just be honest with them. They may ask you to testify in court if this goes to trial.

Trial. Court. That meant the entire town would know. People would stare and whisper everywhere I went. I wouldn’t feel safe. They’d call me names, look at me differently. Panic welled inside me, and I tried to shove it down. If I lost it right now, my parents wouldn’t be sympathetic. If anything, it would only infuriate them more. When we got home, I could only imagine what they’d say and do.

We’ll discuss this at home, my mother said. Can we go now?

Not yet, Mr. Henry said. As Officer Charles stated, the police may need to speak with your daughter when they arrive.

My mother huffed. This is disrupting our day. We had a schedule and now it’s been tossed out the window. I hope you’re happy with yourself, Amity.

Officer Charles narrowed his gaze at my mother before focusing on me again. It’s not your fault, Miss Whitman. The boy took advantage of you, recorded you without your knowledge. Be brave a little while longer.

I nodded and tried to block out the sound of my parents’ voices.

By tomorrow, no one would be laughing at me. They’d hate me instead. I’d be known as the girl who sent Evan Miller to prison. I might be an unknown at our school, but he wasn’t. It wouldn’t matter that he was at fault. No one would care. As far as the students were concerned, Evan was a god who could do no wrong.

I wasn’t sure how I’d survive the rest of senior year, but I’d need to figure it out. Otherwise, they’d eat me alive.

* * *

Two Months Later

My throat felt tight and my eyes burned as I held back my tears. I felt stupid. Why had I ever believed someone like Evan would like me? It had all been lies. And why? Because he wanted to win a stupid bet. I’d fallen for it. All of it.

When the video had gone out to the senior class, I hadn’t understood why. It wasn’t until the officers arrested him that I found out he’d been trying to win a bet. A group of boys had a list of girls, each worth a certain number of points. I apparently rated the highest because I’d been a virgin.

I felt awful. He’d used me. Treated me like a whore, all to win some money? I should have never gone out with him. When he’d asked, I’d known it was too good to be true. I could still hear the names they’d shouted as I’d walked by. Whore. Slut.

Not once had a boy tempted me to do more than kiss. Until Evan. Now I’d be paying the price until graduation. It didn’t matter if I only had one month left of school. My classmates had done their best to make sure my life had been pure hell since Evan had been arrested.

One of the bitchier girls in the senior class stepped in front of me, smirking as she placed her hand on her hip. Did you really think Evan wanted a pathetic loser like you? Why don’t you do the world a favor and go kill yourself?

I ground my teeth together so I wouldn’t lose it in front of Nicole. I tried to go past her, but she sidestepped, blocking my way again. I wanted to ask why she felt the need to torment me. Evan had already embarrassed me in front of the entire school. No, not just the school. The whole town knew what happened to me.

What more did she want? But a part of me worried I wouldn’t like her answer.

Leave her alone, Nicole, said a girl from somewhere behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Portia. We hadn’t spoken much, even though we’d attended the same high school for four years. I knew her dad was part of the biker group on the outskirts of town. The Dixie Reapers MC. People sometimes whispered about her, but never to her face. I didn’t know why she’d come to my defense, but I was grateful.

Butt out, bitch, Nicole said.

"Really? You want to call me a bitch? Have you looked in the mirror, Nicole? Or were you too afraid all the ugliness inside you would make it crack? Portia came to stand next to me. You’re a bully. An ugly, egotistical whore."

I held back my gasp. I couldn’t remember anyone ever speaking to Nicole like that. At least, not when I’d been around. The way her face turned red, then nearly purple, didn’t bode well.

Do you know why you belittle everyone, Nicole? Portia asked. Because deep down you know you’re nothing. Less than nothing. You’ve spread your legs and hit your knees for nearly every boy in the senior and junior classes. No one takes you seriously. And one day, that clear skin and those blue eyes aren’t going to be so pretty. What then, Nicole?

You’ll pay for that, Nicole said, glaring at Portia.

Go ahead. Portia smirked. You know who my daddy is. Do your worst. All I have to do is head home, tell him everything, and your life will be over. My Uncle Wire can wipe out your entire family without having to leave his damn chair. So I dare you, Nicole. Come at me. See what happens.

I swallowed the knot of fear in my throat. How the hell was Portia so brave? I’d heard the rumors and had seen her out around town with her family. Her dad looked a lot older than her mom, but he’d always had a smile for his family. He’d seemed nice, and like he actually cared about them. It was more than I could say for my parents.

Fine. Take the little slut with you, Nicole said, flipping her hair over her shoulder. But you won’t be around to protect her all the time, Portia. Sooner or later, she’ll get what’s coming to her. And so will you.

Portia grinned. Looking forward to it. I especially can’t wait to see what my family does to yours afterward.

Nicole paled a bit, then stuck her nose in the air and walked off. Portia took my arm and led me outside. On the steps, I stopped and wondered where I should go. Not home. As bad as my day had been, I couldn’t handle my parents right now. Neither of them liked me. I knew a lot of kids felt their parents disliked them, or even hated them, but in my case, I knew mine truly did.

You going to be okay? Portia asked.

I shrugged, not wanting to lie. A noncommittal answer was the best I could do. Why did you help me?

Because I hate bullies. Portia smiled. My dad and his club have taken out a lot of bad people over the years. If Nicole stays on her current path, she might be one of them someday.

I wasn’t certain how to take her words. Did she mean her dad had killed people? Or had he helped send them to prison? I started to ask and decided I didn’t want to know.

The roar of a motorcycle snagged my attention. A guy pulled into the school lot and stopped at the curb near the stairs. Portia smiled, and I noticed her cheeks flushed a little. The man wore one of those leather vests like her dad, and it said Dixie Reapers MC on the back. The way he smirked at her only had Portia blushing harder. Did he know she liked him? It was clear for me to see, but I’d heard men could be a bit dense at times.

Portia waved to him, then flashed a smile my way. Looks like my ride is here. You sure you’re all right?

Go, before he decides to leave without you, I said.

No way Merlin would leave me here. My dad would pound him into the ground. Then again, if he had any idea how much I liked riding on the back of Merlin’s bike, he might lock me away forever. So let’s keep it between us?

I stared at her. Um, Portia, when will I ever talk to your dad?

She snorted. Good point. Be safe heading home.

I watched her race down the stairs and get on the back of the bike. The way she put her arms around him made me feel envious. Not because of the man himself. It had more to do with the fact she liked a guy who would never hurt her the way Evan had done to me.

I gripped the strap of my backpack and decided to walk for a bit. I went down the stairs and walked across the school lot. A few boys let out whistles and made lewd comments, but I ignored them. Something told me I’d be facing more than that in the days to come. I didn’t think for one moment my torture would end anytime soon. No, they’d drag it out as long as they could. Or until they found someone else to torment. Portia might have saved me today, but what about tomorrow?

My stomach churned as I thought about the remaining month in the school year. I had a bad feeling about what was to come.

Chapter One

Thunder

Three Months Later

I leaned against the porch post in front of my house and watched the storm. Lightning streaked the sky as the rain poured down. I’d always loved weather like this, which was only a small part of how I’d gotten my name. Torch had once commented that when I lost my temper, it was like the thunder booming. Needless to say, when

Reviews for Thunder

[karma Chansy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think it's good to write about the darkness in the world, thank you for this book