Shadow Obsession

By Beth D. Carter

Vivi Wence perceives the world differently. Her ability to see auras helps her calm people’s inner demons. Her guileless nature draws people in and disarms them with an abundance of charm. The first time she sees Lincoln Rollison, she knew he was meant for her. After rescuing Vivi from being held captive, he sweeps her away on the back of his bike.

As treasurer of the Death Riders MC, and unbeknownst to everyone, Lincoln harbors his own superpower. Vivi is unlike anything he’s ever known. She makes him laugh. Makes him feel. He didn’t know how it happened, but she quickly becomes the most important person in his life.

A new threat to the Death Riders hovers on the horizon, one that sends a wave of sadness and anger to the club. Soon, they’ll have to face what’s coming for them all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight
• Release date: Oct 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9780369509130

Beth D. Carter

I like writing about the very ordinary girl thrust into extrordinary circumstances, so my heroines will probably never be lawyers, doctors or corporate highrollers. I try to write characters who aren't cookie cutters and push myself to write complicated situations that I have no idea how to resolve, forcing me to think outside the box. I love to hear from readers so I’ve made it really easy to find me on Facebook or Twitter. To subscribe to my newsletter, please visit my website: www.writtenbutterfly.com

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Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2023 Beth D. Carter

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0913-0

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Lisa Petrocelli

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

Thanks to Lark for being my cheerleader.

SHADOW OBSESSION

Death Riders MC, 4

Beth D. Carter

Copyright © 2023

Prologue

Vivi chewed on her short thumbnail as she stared at her sister, Zaylah, and paced angrily in their living room. Their brother, Brady, had gone missing two days ago and so far they’d hit brick wall after brick wall.

You think he’s back at O’Shannon’s? she asked.

I don’t know, Zaylah muttered. I’ve warned him not to play with fire, and Patrick O’Shannon is nothing but a snake.

You have to go.

Zaylah shook her head. I don’t want to leave you alone.

Vivi rolled her eyes. I may be short but I’m an adult, Zay. Don’t let the height fool you.

Smart-ass.

Better than being a dumb-ass. Which would be our brother.

Ug! I can’t believe him! I’m going to kick his behind next time I see him.

I’ll help you.

Zaylah gave her a strained smile. You’d have to get a ladder to reach it.

Vivi flipped her off. Go. If he’s gambling with money he doesn’t have, he’s going to be in debt to the Irish mob. And then he’s really fucked.

Yeah. You’re right. Okay, I’ll be back.

Just then her cell rang, and Zaylah almost tripped over her own feet rushing to answer. She picked it up off the coffee table and clicked accept.

Hello? Brady? Hello?

Zaylah’s body snapped straight. She turned toward her, eyes wide with horror, and fear sliced through Vivi. She knew, with absolute certainty, that she didn’t want to know what the conversation was about. It wasn’t going to be good. Whatever was being said to her sister would change them forever.

All right, Zaylah mumbled in a cracked voice. I’m on my way.

She hung up, and Vivi shook her head. She wanted to be an ostrich, just bury her head in the ground and escape whatever bad news was coming her way. By the shattered look on Zaylah’s face, it was about Brady, and no way did she want to know that something happened to her brother. He was the middle child, and she wasn’t ready to be without him. Wasn’t ready to miss him.

That… Zaylah cleared her throat. That was the morgue—

"No!" Vivi cried. She shook her head, wanting her sister to deny it, but the tears coursing down Zaylah’s face told the truth. Grief consumed her, causing her heart to stutter painfully.

I have to go. Zaylah turned but she stumbled around, clearly not knowing what to do. They want me to … to … ah, identify his body.

She faltered, and then the dam broke. Sobs tore through her, and Vivi hugged her tightly. Together, they tried comforting each other as they mourned for Brady. Long minutes later, Zaylah patted her on the back and the tears slowed.

Stay here, she whispered. I’ll be back as soon as I can.

Don’t you need me to go with you?

No. Only one of us needs to remember the horror of seeing him lifeless.

Vivi nodded. Truth be known, she hadn’t wanted to see Brady like that. She didn’t want that nightmare in her head. Zaylah slipped on her coat, grabbed her purse, gave her one last haunted look, and walked out the door.

What were they going to do now? Images of her brother played over in her mind, bringing forth a new batch of tears. How could he be dead? How could they ever be all right again?

Suddenly, a bang hit the front door and she jumped to her feet. One more loud hit and the wood cracked. The next moment, a hulking brute of a man entered, followed by several regular-sized men. They rushed in and she gave a startled scream as one grabbed her. She fought, panic settling in for a moment. His gloved hands prevented her from touching him, and instead he jerked her arms behind her where they were tied.

Let me go! she yelled.

The behemoth chuckled, at least she thought it was a chuckle. He made this odd, grunting noise and his mouth curled up, so it was either that or he just shat himself. He took hold of her upper arm and pulled her up to dangle off his shoulder.

Ug! she cried, upside down. You’ll make me sick. Don’t be pissed when I puke down your back!

Mammoth Man either didn’t care or he didn’t believe her. Her last glimpse of home was a picture of her, Brady, and Zaylah, hanging on the wall.

Chapter One

Lincoln leaned against the wall as he waited for his brother to come off the elevator. Men and women eyed him as they walked by, quickly shifting their gaze when he looked pointedly at them. He was used to the stares since he was a six-foot-three, heavily muscled biker with tattoos. People had this preconceived notion that bikers were an uneducated bunch of hoodlums, thanks to Hollywood. That all they did were drugs, drinking, and fucking. And yeah, there was a lot of that in the clubhouse, but every person staring at him probably would be surprised he had a college degree. Not only that, he also had his CPA license. Numbers had always been his specialty.

Someone bumped his arm and he spun around, seeing an older, regal African-American woman. A turban covered her hair and big hoop earrings dangled from her ears.

I’m sorry, she said.

It’s all right.

She patted his arm. It will be.

Then she bustled away just as the elevators dinged. He glanced at them before looking back, but the woman was gone. The next instant, the doors opened and his brother, Parker, stepped out. He no longer wore his scrubs, instead having changed into jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers. With his dark blond hair matted down, he didn’t look like a surgeon. Then again, he looked exactly like Lincoln. Identical twins on the outside, yet completely different on the inside.

Parker, he said. His brother looked up from his phone, his expression immediately segued into wariness.

What’re you doing here, Linc?

I came to say thank you. My VP is all right now. You saved his life.

Parker looked around and grabbed Lincoln’s arm to lead him out of the hospital. It would be best if we kept this all under wraps.

Still ashamed of me?

Parker shook his head as if tired of the question. I’m not ashamed of you, Linc. I am, however, disappointed at some of your life choices. You’re a smart man. You could live above the law.

Lincoln gently extracted his arm from his brother’s grip. Still judgmental, I see. I like my life, Parker.

Do you really? Look at you. He grabbed Lincoln’s hand to study the new tattoos. Is this who you want to be?

Lincoln pulled his hand away. Brain injury, remember?

Parker shook his head. Don’t bullshit a doctor. A traumatic brain injury is quite different from what you’re exhibiting. This is more like you playing grown-up with a bunch of … hooligans.

Hooligans? Lincoln chuckled. Really?

His brother sighed. I just want what’s best for you.

"The Death Riders are what’s best for me."

But—

Stop, Lincoln said, holding his hand up. Let’s not fight again. I just came here to say thank you.

His VP, Thorn, had discovered a room painted red with blood. Thinking it was the blood of the woman he loved, he had grabbed his gun like he was going to use it on himself. Lincoln had knocked him unconscious, and Parker had come to administer a tranquilizer.

So, he’s no longer suicidal?

No. His woman is safe.

Good.

You saved his life, you know, Lincoln said again. You gave us enough time to figure everything out.

Please, I don’t want to know. If the police ever come around asking questions, I can honestly say I know nothing.

Lincoln rubbed the back of his neck. I don’t like this, Parker. I don’t like this distance you’ve put us in.

"You put us here, Parker emphasized, looking around. You’re a criminal. I don’t understand why you chose that path, and I can’t condone it. I mean, look at your knuckles!"

Lincoln glanced at his hands. On each knuckle a letter was tattooed spelling out PAIN on his right hand and FREE on the left.

You’re my brother and I love you, Parker continued. "Lately, though, I haven’t liked you."

All right, Lincoln said calmly, although it made his heart ache. That’s fair. Like I said, I just stopped by to say thanks. If you ever bothered to return my texts, I wouldn’t have to stop by and embarrass you.

Stop putting a different meaning into my words. That’s not it, and you know it.

You just think I should be more like you.

And why not? Hm? You’re the smartest man I know. Even smarter than me, and you waste your talent on a motorcycle club. Why? Why them? Why did you replace me?

The last question brought Lincoln up short. Is that what you think?

It’s what I know.

Lincoln placed his hands on his hips and glanced away. The truth sat on his tongue like an anvil. Even if he was inclined to tell Parker everything, he had no idea where to start.

I didn’t, he said softly. You’re my blood. My brother.

They’re also your brothers, Parker whispered, so softly Lincoln almost didn’t hear him. You chose them over me.

It’s not the same and you know it.

Parker shook his head. No, actually, I don’t. What I know is that for some unknown reason you walked out of your life and into a world of crime. Until you’re ready to tell me why, we don’t really have anything more to say.

His words sliced through Lincoln painfully. Maybe one day, Parker, when I’m ready to talk about it, we’ll sit down with a beer.

I’ll be waiting. Until then, however, I think it’s best you don’t call me again.

Lincoln took a deep breath. Very well. If that’s what you want.

He turned and walked away, even though all he wanted to do was shake his brother until the gap between them disappeared. They were twins. They shared a womb and a bond not many could understand. Parker had just broken his heart.

Although, he might have broken Parker’s as well.

Chapter Two

Vivi looked around at the fierce-looking bikers. All of them were big men. Giants really. Then again, almost everyone were behemoths compared to her petite size. Take for instance, the massive man standing in front of her with the word President stitched on his leather cut. Put one of those ghillie suits on him and he would rival Bigfoot.

Maybe he was Bigfoot.

She took a quick peek at his booted feet.

Meh.

Hi, she said. She looked around as many pairs of eyes stared back. Some were curious. Some were lecherous. She glanced up at the big, scary man in charge. Not knowing