Reaper: The Devil's Riders, #1

By Parker Daniels

I can't marry my stepfather. I won't do it! The man already has more wives than he can take care of. But a simple rejection won't stop Alfie Barlow from pursuing me. Not even my own mother, his fifth wife, can make him back off. That's why I must do the unthinkable. I'm going to escape our remote compound in New Mexico. And there's only one person brave enough to help me do it. Reaper Jameson. The handsome President of the Devil's Riders MC. The man I'm praying will be my salvation.

Reaper sells my people guns for what my stepfather calls the "End Times". I see how the heavily tattooed biker looks at me. The way he undresses me with his steely blue gaze whenever we cross paths. I don't know much about the world, but I know what he wants. I'm about to make the devil a deal he can't refuse. My body for his help.

When he agrees, I'm more excited about surrendering myself to him than I am about escaping the cult I've been raised in for half my life. The only thing that frightens me now is not knowing what comes next. Because the truth is, I might be running from the demons of my past, straight into the arms of the Devil in my future!

This is book one in The Devil's Riders series and can be enjoyed independently.

Publisher's Note: This MC romance is intended for adults and contains elements of danger, mystery, action, adventure, sensual scenes, power exchange and a happily ever after. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blushing Books
• Release date: Dec 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781639544936

Book preview

Chapter 1

Corpus Rock, New Mexico

Lynnie

My heart skipped a beat. The Devil was at my front door. And not a minute too soon.

Once upon a time, I’d thought there was nothing more terrifying than my mother’s new husband. But I’d been wrong, Alfie wasn’t shit compared to him. Reaper. The leader of the Devil’s Riders. The most dangerous man who ever wore leather and rode a motorcycle.

The man I was gambling my entire future on.

The sound of screeching tailpipes alerted me to their arrival. Drying my hands on the towel hanging through the door handle of the fridge, I hightailed it to the kitchen window. Peeking out the pale, faded curtain, I watched the men in black leather cuts, bank their bikes along the length of our dirt driveway. A plume of dust swirled around their powerful bodies as they dismounted their tricked-out Harleys.

The men spoke in deep baritones as they unfastened their helmets and slung them around the handles of their beloved metal beasts. Raising my hand, I sheltered my eyes from their twinkling brightness and continued to watch for him. My would-be savior.

Pain greeted me as my fingers grazed my swollen brow. I’d momentarily forgotten about my black eye. It wasn’t hard to do. I was sporting bruises more often than not these days. Bruises that came courtesy of my stepfather, Alfie. Rare was the occasion that the man’s children, or his wives, weren’t some shade of black or blue. After all, Alfie didn’t ask for what he wanted. He showed you. With his fists. And he wasn’t stingy with the lessons.

I, more than any of the other women, irritated the sullen man. As the daughter of a worldly woman, Alfie believed me to be inherently sinful. Wicked. Prideful. Probably because I was. Not in the eyes of the secular world, mind you. To them, I would have been considered a saint. But in the eyes of my mother’s pompous, righteous, zealot of a husband, I was nothing short of Jezebel herself.

My mother was Alfie’s fifth wife. That’s right. Lucky number five. A fact that is exactly as exciting and honorable as it sounds. I was the twenty-ninth child of a fifth wife. Strike that. The twenty-ninth child of a fifth wife who wasn’t even biologically his. Yup. I was pretty much as useful to the man as tits on a bull and he never let me forget it.

But that all changed the year I turned fifteen. Two things happened to alter my world forever that year. Alfie’s first wife passed away and I started to develop breasts. Suddenly, I had my stepfather’s attention. And that had never been a goal of mine.

The pig got it into his head that I needed to be his sixth wife. The replacement for the woman who’d born him twelve children, taking what would have been his thirtieth child with her to the grave.

The advancements started small. Standing too close. A hand grazing my lower back. His eyes slowly trailing across my burgeoning figure. I’d thought I was crazy at first. The man who’d raised me since I was ten, couldn’t be doing what I thought he was doing. Even in our circle of people it would’ve been considered taboo.

But Alfie was a crafty man and the head of our congregation. It didn’t take much convincing to get our people to believe his lies. One Sunday service, he’d declared he’d had a dream. His dead wife Aziel had come to him and spoken of a girl. A young girl. She was not born of him, but was his, and would go on to be his. One with dark hair, honey-colored eyes, and worldly ways.

I’d nearly choked when I’d heard of Aziel’s spectral visit and what it all meant. Alfie was laying the groundwork to become my husband. A real shock to the man’s eldest son, Benton, whom I’d been betrothed to the year I’d turned fourteen.

To her credit, my mother had been just as horrified by the news as me. Never one to show a spine, she’d surprisingly grown one and denied her husband her only child. In response, Alfie had beaten her.

After a month’s long fast and just as many days spent on her knees in our church in prayer, Alfie had broken her spirit and will to fight the union. It was decided. My stepfather and I would be married shortly after I turned eighteen.

But no amount of numerology, beatings, fasting, or prayer, was going to make me agree to such an ungodly union. True, I hated the man’s son, my first intended. But the father, him, I despised! I’d sooner slit my own wrists and risk eternal damnation than marry the likes of Alfie Barlow!

That was where the bikers came in. The Devil’s Riders had been doing business with Alfie for three years now. The kind that happened at night, tucked away in old barns where no one could see them. My congregation, God’s Settlers, was buying the MC’s guns. We were stockpiling for Armageddon. Apparently, we were going to fight the devil with multiple crates full of semi-automatics and a mountain of man-made bullets.

I’d stumbled upon one of their secret meetings a few months back when I’d accidentally left behind a lit lantern after milking the cows before bed. There was no electricity in our barn, and we used kerosene lamps to light our way after dark. If left unattended, those lamps could be dangerous. Some had even burned down several of our outbuildings a few years back.

That was the night when I first met him. The giant of a man was talking with Alfie. Bent over an open wooden crate, he was holding a large black gun and showing my stepfather how to properly load it.

Reaper Jameson. I’d heard Alfie mention his name to Benton when he’d thought I wasn’t listening. But women were always listening. Especially when a man like Reaper was mentioned. Impossibly tall. Built as strong as our stallion. With eyes so blue and hard they looked like they could have been fashioned from the very steel he’d rode in on.

As soon as our gazes met, I’d recognized that flame of need in his. I might be sheltered from the outside world, but I’d seen that look before. It was in the eyes of the men within our community whenever a pretty, young girl came of age. Sometimes before.

And while it turned my stomach when my fellow male congregants looked at me like that, Reaper, well, he was different. With him, I liked it. Craved it even.

A gush of wetness coated my panties when Reaper looked at me. His nostrils flared and he’d taken an unconscious step in my direction. I swear he could scent my arousal. Just like our stallion did the mares when they were in heat. And I could feel his. Even from across the poorly lit room.

The spell we’d both been under had broken when Alfie had bellowed for me to get out of the barn. But all it had taken was one look and I’d known that Reaper was my salvation. And to earn it, I was willing to do anything. Give anything. So that was exactly my plan. Offer the leader of the Devil’s Riders MC everything I had—my innocence. And in return, all I wanted was freedom. For my mother, and for myself.

The hardened group of men glanced around the vacant yard now. It was quiet. Too quiet. Only a few hens and a beaten old rooster were visible, hunting around the burnt-out lot for fat bugs and scraps of the remaining feed from breakfast.

Alfie was buying some livestock down at the Tanner farm across town. My mother had gone with him so she could help make lunches with the other women. No one else was on the homestead but me.

Alfie’s other wives lived in the center of the compound about a mile down the road. Our farmhouse was isolated and much farther out than the rest of the congregants. It had been purchased when Alfie had married my mother and didn’t have the room to house her with the rest of his harem. That’s why my stepfather did his business with the MC here. It was so secluded and far removed from the rest of the compound that he could keep his dirty little dealings secret. That seclusion meant that I was alone with the bikers. Alone with Reaper.

Knowing time was of the essence, I straightened my plain, worn, blue dress and headed to the door to greet him. At the last moment, I decided to pull my hair out of the severe bun I was wearing. The dark, thick strands fell around my face in a glossy curtain that I knew would be much more flattering than the old-fashioned styles we were forced to wear.

Taking a deep breath, I heard the confident knock and paused to make it appear as though I wasn’t waiting directly behind the door. Steeling my spine, I released the pent-up air from my lungs and reached shakily for the handle.

Chapter 2

Reaper

The door swung open and behind it stood the brunette I’d seen that day in the barn. Lynnie, her dad had called her. The one whose face I couldn’t forget and now imagined whenever I was plowing one of the Club girls.

Using the door as a prop, her honey-toned eyes searched my face, hands shaking as she nervously clutched the frame. Shyly hiding her face behind the beaten partition, Lynnie took in my great size with nervous awe.

Hello, she answered quietly, her beautiful eyes sinking to my combat boots when she lost the nerve to hold my gaze.

Hey, I ground out, my mouth suddenly dry and my cock rising to attention.

I hadn’t expected her to be the one to greet me at the front door. But hell, if I wasn’t happy about it when she did. I couldn’t stop thinking about this bitch from the first moment I’d seen her. She was a tiny little thing. But her curves, and those eyes, delivered a big punch to my gut every time I caught a glimpse of them.

Christ, something about her just did it for me! I’d never experienced anything like it before. It was powerful. On another level. And I had no intention of passing up the opportunity to explore that need with my cock the first chance I got. Hell, right now felt as good a time as any to test those tempting waters.

Three of my brothers came to join me on the porch as I looked the girl up and down. Stepping closer, I leaned in. Shutting the other men out of her view, I forced my little angel to focus on me.

Dropping my voice, I said, Is your daddy home, baby?

The men behind me sniggered and Lynnie’s cheeks heated with a pretty blush. Shaking her head, she bit her bottom lip, and my dick did more than just sit up at attention. This time, it damn near punched through the zipper of my jeans. I’d imagined that mouth sucking me off countless times before. Now, seeing it up close like this, I realized just how perfect those lips were. So red and puffy. I liked to imagine the tight seal they’d form around the base of my cock when I taught her just how I liked it licked and teased.

Nobody’s here right now, Lynnie answered, running a nervous hand through her long, dark hair. Just me.

I was going to use that thick, dark mass as reins the first chance I got. That thought had me shifting my johnson to the left to alleviate some of the pressure. Shame about that. I guess you’ll just have to help me with what I need.

Again, the men behind me chuckled. But to my surprise, the girl nodded emphatically. Alfie’s been at a meeting all afternoon. I don’t know when he’ll be back. It would probably be best if I helped you.

My eyes narrowed at her eager expression and the use of Barlow’s first name. Fuck! Was she one of the asshole’s wives? I’d assumed because of her age that she was his daughter, but I must have been wrong. These pricks were a sick lot. I hated their fire and brimstone shit, but I wasn’t fucking them. Just taking their money. And it spent just as easy as from those I liked, so it wasn’t a problem for me. Until now.

Are you dropping off a crate today? Lynnie asked eagerly, her eyes darting around me to see what my guys and I had brought with us. Do you want me to take it in the barn?

I’d love for her to take it in the barn. I’d give it to her any way she wanted it. Yeah, let’s go inside and check it out. See what I can fit in there, I replied with a wide grin.

Okay, she said demurely, glancing back down at her feet as she traced the carpet pattern with the toe of her scuffed shoe.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think this girl was trying to get me alone. I certainly didn’t mind if she did. But she was acting so damned innocent that I couldn’t help but wonder if her motivation was different than mine.

Shaking off that nagging feeling, I decided to let her show me what she wanted. Hell, maybe she was just nervous because she liked to bang bikers when her old-as-fuck husband was away and was afraid of getting caught. Wouldn’t be the first, or the last, frustrated housewife to cheat on her man. Not caring what her game was as long as I got a piece of that prime pussy, I smiled and slapped my Brother Ox on the back.

Wait out here, I told the giant who was our Club’s Enforcer. Let me know if anyone returns.

The last thing I needed was Barlow coming home and finding me balls-deep in his pretty, young wife. That might not go over so well. Especially after all the guns I’d sold the prick.

Prez, Ox said, speaking quietly so only I could hear him. You sure this is a good idea?

My dick sure did. Just let me know if Barlow pulls up. In that case, I’d be pulling out of his jailbait bride real quick.

I gave Lynnie a chin nod and said, Let’s go. She stepped outside, pulling the door to the house closed behind her. Head lowered and hands wringing, her tiny frame moved cautiously through the gauntlet of enormous men as she strode toward the barn.

I followed in her footsteps, my eyes on her gently swaying ass. She was a tiny thing, but round in all the places that counted. Even in that ugly cotton dress, I could see that she had a set of curves I was going to enjoy riding even more than my custom-built Harley.

Lynnie struggled with the latch on the barn door that had a tendency to stick in the heat. Stepping up behind her, I enveloped her smaller frame with mine. This close, I could smell her hair. Inhaling, I detected orchard peaches and summer rain. Fuck me! Where did that thought come from? I didn’t know, but my dick certainly liked it. It strained against my fly, desperate to be free. I gave it an experimental rub against her ass to see if she was as into this as I was.

Lynnie went still at the contact, but she didn’t fight it. Yeah, she wanted me. But it was probably her first time stepping out on Alfie. I’d have to take it a bit slower than I would one of the Club girls who were always ready to go. Warm her up a bit before sealing the deal.

I was a big guy, and I was guessing that Alfie wasn’t. I smirked when I realized I was about to get one over on that rat-bastard. He had it coming. And if he couldn’t please his woman, I was more than willing to do it for him.

I swiveled my hips back and forth across her ripe ass and heard the sharp intake of her breath. Maybe she wouldn’t take that long to warm up after all. I bet if I reached between those soft thighs of hers, her pussy would be all nice and creamy for me already. My cock bucked at the thought and my fingers twitched.

Knocking the latch with my fist, I loosened the metal enough to unstick it. Flipping it open, I growled low into her ear, Get inside.

Lynnie immediately did as she was told, and my hard-on began to throb painfully. I was a guy who knew what I liked. And I liked a girl who knew how to take orders.

Alfie’s young wife scurried inside the dark space, and I entered behind her. The sound of the barn doors shutting caused the girl to jump with a start. When she turned in my direction, I saw it. The fading bruise ringing her left eye. I hadn’t noticed it before because she’d been sheltered behind her front door when she’d answered it.

Rushing over to inspect the bruise, I gently traced the bluish perimeter with my thumb. Anger erupted in me as strongly as my lust had only moments before.

Who did this to you? I raged, ready to rip anyone to bits who fucking dared put their hands on my woman!

Wait. What? My woman? Was I going fucking insane? I didn’t even know this girl. But my racing pulse, thumping heart, and stiff cock, all told me that I liked the idea of getting to know her. Of claiming her as my own. Ignoring that impulse, I stared at her hard, silently waiting for an answer.

Lynnie’s eyes dropped again, and I immediately felt the loss of her warm, brown gaze. Hand moving to her face, she fingered the slightly swollen skin there. I, it was an accident, she replied reflexively.

Taking her chin between my forefinger and thumb, I spat, Don’t lie to me! Who fucking did this to you?

Swallowing visibly, Lynnie barely whispered the name I’d already guessed, Alfie.

I was going to shoot the man in his tiny dick the second he got home. What happened, baby? I soothed, stroking her cheek, holding back the urge to suck on those luscious red lips.

Lynnie tried to break away from me, but I held her in place. I made him mad, she divulged, sounding as though she was excusing his disgusting behavior by blaming herself.

Who the fuck hit a woman and blamed her for it? A piece-of-shit cult leader, that’s who! I wish I could say I was surprised, but I wasn’t. These holy-rollers were all the same. Rules for thee but not for me. I guess Alfie-boy only believed in turning the other cheek when the person with that cheek was bigger and stronger than him. Typical coward. I might not be a good man, but I never hurt the innocent. Just those who played the game. And I was about to hurt Barlow something fierce for what he’d done to my angel.

Tell me something, babe, I said, stroking my thumb along her puffy, bottom lip. Who is Alfie to you? I needed to know.

He’s my stepfather, Lynnie explained in a small, scared voice.

But I could tell she wasn’t done. What she said next made me want to cut the man’s balls off and shove them down his throat.

And… my future husband.

Red. All I could see was red. Blood coursed through my veins, hot and savage at her words. Is that what you want? Do you want to marry Alfie? I held my breath, hanging on for her response for what felt like an eternity.

Lynnie shook her head, her eyes brimming with moisture. No! I hate him! He’s a disgusting pig of a man and I want to get as far away from him as possible!

That was all I needed to hear. Alfie was a dead man. He just didn’t know it yet.

I— Laughter sounded from my brothers outside and Lynnie’s eyes anxiously trailed the sound. She was struggling to say something, and I encouraged her by rubbing slow circles along the small of her back.

I want your help, she finally said with as much conviction as she could muster.

My brow hiked. I wasn’t sure what I could do for this little angel, but I was intrigued enough to listen to whatever she had in mind.

I was hoping, she began less confidently, licking her lips and drawing my attention back to her ripe mouth, if you would, I mean, she spoke, faltering like a drowning man who was too tired to stay afloat.

Say what you came here to say, I coached, my hands dropping away from her body.

When I was touching her, I couldn’t think. I could tell it was affecting her too. Through the faded cotton of her dress, I could see her puckered nipples. I had to use every ounce of strength I had not to reach out and stroke them through the teasingly thin fabric.

Nodding, Lynnie forged ahead. I need your help, Reaper, she repeated, and I nearly jizzed my pants just hearing her say my name.

I’d had handjobs that were less intimate than the way she’d spoken it. It was like we’d known each other for years, and in every possible way, when her tongue carefully stroked the syllables. I was so distracted by her use of my name, I had to lean in even closer and concentrate to absorb the rest of her statement.

I need you to help me and my mother escape the compound, Lynnie finished, her body vibrating like a four-cylinder that was starting to overheat. I wouldn’t ask, but we don’t know anyone on the outside and we can’t afford to get caught. Alfie will kill us if he finds out!

That wasn’t going to happen. I’d never let that scumbag touch one single hair on Lynnie’s perfect head. I was thinking over what the hell I could even do for this girl when she blew me away with a solution all her own.

If you’d be willing to help me, she continued while reaching to clumsily undo the buttons of her collar, then the buttons running down the length of her chest, I’d give you anything you want. Anything at all.

Like a horny teen, I stared transfixed as she worked her way down to the last one. My nostrils flared when