Mars: A Bones MC Romance

By Marteeka Karland

Scarlet -- I left Florida and Grim Road, my father’s club, with Hammer, believing he loved me. But Hammer turned out to be a monster, brutalizing me at every turn. He’s using my sisters as leverage to control me. I’ve got to find a way out, even if that means sacrificing myself to save them. Though I’m eighteen, and still in high school, there’s no one I can tell. Except my friend Lemon, whose dad is in the Iron Tzars MC. When the club comes to rescue me, it’s almost too late. But then there’s Mars, holding me tight and keeping my nightmares away. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. He makes me feel safe. But he has his own demons… and I’m not sure which of us needs saving most.

Mars -- l have demons from my past I can’t overcome. Mostly I’m reasonably sane, but if I have a flashback, the likelihood of someone getting hurt is more than I can stomach. But when I see Hammer terrorizing the young woman he claims is his, I know I can’t stand by and watch. I’m not what she needs, but when her daddy’s club comes in hell bent on taking her home, I realize just how much she means to me, and I will never let her go. She’s mine to protect. Mine to hold. And maybe, just maybe, she’s the one to save me from myself.

WARNING: Mars includes scenes of graphic violence and adult situations including suicide and graphic description of torture that may be triggers for some readers. There’s also a protective hero, a determined heroine, and eventual happy ending. No cheating, as always.

Copyright Notification: All Changeling Press LLC publications and cover art are copyright and may not be used in any AI generated work. No AI content is included or allowed in any Changeling Press LLC publication or artwork.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Changeling Press
• Release date: Jan 5, 2024

Marteeka Karland

Erotic romance author by night, emergency room tech/clerk by day, Marteeka Karland works really hard to drive everyone in her life completely and totally nuts. She has been creating stories from her warped imagination since she was in the third grade. Her love of writing blossomed throughout her teenage years until it developed into the totally unorthodox and irreverent style her English teachers tried so hard to rid her of. Want to see what's up with Marteeka? Website www.marteekakarland.com Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/735869533214213/ Facebook Page: facebook.com/experiencethemagicmk/ E-mail at [e-mail] Blog: marteekasdreams.com BookBub: bookbub.com/profile/marteeka-karland Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marteeka-Karland/e/B004FZT1IS

Book preview

Chapter One

Scarlet

We can show you around school if you like. The girl from my home room, Apple, was quite possibly the sweetest person I’d ever met. Her sister, Lemon, on the other hand… Yeah. Tart didn’t even begin to cover it. But I really liked both of them.

Thanks. I smiled at both girls. I appreciate it.

Seems like a strange move, Lemon commented, looking at me funny. Both twins were wicked smart, but Lemon really knew how to keep someone off balance. Like now.

Strange move? I smiled, probably looking like an idiot because I had no idea what she was talking about. What was strange?

You know. The move. From Riviera Beach, Florida to Evansville, Indiana. Since you have no family here or anything. Seems like a strange move.

I shrugged. My… uh… boyfriend. He wanted to move away until we got married. I gave them my brightest smile. We have to wait until after I graduate, but he thought it would be best if we got away from my dad’s, err… well, my family.

Lemon frowned. I see.

Apple just shrugged it off. I’ve got a boyfriend, too. We’re waiting until I turn eighteen to actually date, but I’m betting my mom and dad will want me to wait until I graduate. Her smile was nearly as bright as mine but genuine. His name’s Deacon. He’s --

Apple. Lemon nudged her sister. They gave each other a look. Apple ducked her head and her cheeks flushed.

Sorry. It’s kind of a long story.

It’s OK. My story is probably just as long. Or longer. I felt my smile slip but tried to keep from looking at the door. School had let out ten minutes before. Everyone was leaving either on the buses, with their parents, or in their cars. I could drive, but Hammer made a point to always pick me up from school. In the beginning, it had been sweet, if unnecessary. Now… things had changed. He’d sold my car so I had nothing to drive. And I was more than a little frightened of Hammer. It wasn’t anything overt, but I could sense something had changed. The feeling had been building since we’d moved to Evansville.

We better go. Lemon took her sister by the upper arm. See you tomorrow, Scarlet.

Bye. Apple waved, still giving me that cheery smile of hers.

Take care, guys. I waved as I hurried out to the parking lot where Hammer was waiting on his big Harley.

Hammer revved the engine as he saw me approaching. My heart rate increased, but not for the reasons it should. The sound the Harley made when he used it to get my attention never failed to make me nervous because that meant Hammer was getting impatient. I plastered a smile on my face and climbed onto the back of the bike, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist. He smelled of cigarette smoke and whiskey, a combination that made me faintly nauseated.

Everything OK? I asked hesitantly.

His eyes flicked toward me before quickly averting away. Yeah, ‘course. Should somethin’ be wrong? You done somethin’ you know’s gonna piss me off?

I swallowed hard, trying to push down the fear that was suddenly threatening to consume me. No, of course not.

Good. He let out a heavy breath like he was supremely disappointed in me, then peeled out of the parking lot. The wind whipping against my face prevented any further conversation, thank God.

As we made our way home, I knew I trembled against him. I also knew he loved to keep me on edge. The more frightened of him I was, the better he seemed to like it.

Hammer pulled the bike into our driveway and turned the engine off. I dismounted, stumbling to regain my balance. He watched me, a sneer flickering across his face before disappearing just as quickly.

Go inside, he ordered, jerking his head toward the front door. I’ll be in in a bit. Got shit to do. He pointed a finger at me. You better fuckin’ be here when I get back.

I nodded numbly, feeling like a puppet whose strings were being pulled by a cruel master. Since my dad had decided I was going to be Hammer’s woman, Hammer had been very possessive, but once we moved to Evansville he had become even more controlling. I didn’t think my dad would approve of the way he treated me, but when Hammer requested to move us to Evansville until I’d graduated, my dad hadn’t told him no.

Now, every day was a nightmare for me. The only solace I got was when I went to school and even that was a trial. Hammer had uprooted me in the middle of the school year, telling my dad I needed time away from the club so we could get to know each other better. Dad hadn’t really seemed to like it, but when I hadn’t protested he’d let us go. Probably because I was already old enough to be Hammer’s old lady, but I’d wanted to finish high school before settling into that role.

As I made my way inside the house, I knew that things were about to get even worse. Hammer had been getting more and more violent lately, lashing out at me for the smallest things. The bruises on my arms and legs were proof of that. But I didn’t dare tell my dad. He was too caught up in something Grim Road was working on and, given the secrecy with which the club operated, it was doubtful I could even reach him. I think it was the main reason my father agreed to Hammer taking me away from the club. So I’d be away from them if shit went sideways.

Unfortunately, he didn’t take into account how sideways things could go for me once I was away from his protection. I was also hesitant to say anything to Apple and Lemon because, if Dad had sent us to Evansville intentionally, then their club, Iron Tzars MC, knew we were here. I knew nothing about them but the possibility they’d take my side over one of Grim Road’s members was slim.

I went to my room, taking a deep breath as I closed the door behind me. The white of the walls was stark against the gloom the shadows cast from the sun through the only window, creating an eerie effect to add to my disquiet.

My hands shook as I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind racing with what Hammer could be doing out there. I didn’t know what shit he had to take care of, but I knew it wouldn’t be good.

I tried to stay away from him as much as I could. So far, he’d left me alone except when I didn’t do exactly as he told me. Then I’d get a beating. Several times I thought about telling my dad, but what good would it do? He’d let Hammer bring me here.

We were a good fifteen hours from anyone in Grim Road. If I told Dad and Hammer found out, there was no way I’d survive. Not only that, but Hammer had assured me he had men in the compound he could count on to take care of my sisters if I contacted my dad without permission. I was under no illusion that take care of meant anything other than they’d be killed. The reason I didn’t defy Hammer and call someone I trusted, or leave and run back home as fast as I could, was because of my sisters. Hammer might be bluffing when he said they’d be taken care of, but I didn’t think so. Besides, I wasn’t willing to risk my sisters to save my own hide.

I sat there, trying to drown out the fear and anxiety that clawed its way up my throat. The sounds of the house were still eerie and unfamiliar. The tick of the old grandfather clock in the hallway seemed to mock me, making me wonder how much time I had left until Hammer returned.

With a shudder, I stood and went to my desk. I had homework. That’s what I needed to concentrate on. Homework I could do something about. Hammer, I couldn’t.

It was hours later, after I’d showered and gone to bed, before Hammer returned. I could hear him thumping through the house. He swore viciously, smashing something against a wall.

I had to bite back a whimper, trying to keep quiet and off Hammer’s radar. He often came home drunk. When he did, any little noise could set him off.

Then the door to my room burst open and I gasped, clutching the covers tightly to me.

Fuckin’ bitch. Hammer stood in the doorway, a bottle of liquor grasped by the neck in one meaty fist. You’re only good for one thing. Too fuckin’ skinny to make a good fuck. Too fuckin’ stupid to help me. He brought the bottle to his mouth and took a hefty pull. Since you ain’t good for shit, I’m just gonna have to take out my frustrations on you. His laugh was sinister, meant to terrify me. Even knowing he wanted a response from me, I couldn’t hold back my whimper of fear. He just laughed. That’s right, bitch. It’s time to play.

Then the beating began, and I no longer had to worry about holding on to my small whimpers of fear. I fucking screamed.

* * *

Scarlet

Three weeks later…

That’s it, Scarlet. You’re coming with us. Lemon, God bless her whole entire soul, took one look at me the second I walked into the high school building and lost her ever-loving shit. I knew what I looked like, though I’d tried to hide the damage with makeup. One side of my face was swollen where I’d landed against the nightstand, which was bad enough, but I was also pretty sure my right shoulder was dislocated. I’m surprised the son of a bitch let you come to school today. Lemon wasn’t quiet about her accusations either. Several of the kids walking past did a double take, their eyes widening before they averted their gazes and walked on past. Just like everyone else. Even my teachers. To be fair, I used every trick I could think of to fly under the radar. The last thing I wanted was for someone to try to get involved.

He was afraid the school would send the truant officer to the house. I had no idea how Lemon and Apple had garnered my trust -- I grew up in an MC where you kept things close to the vest -- but they knew more than was safe for them. It was probably the fact that their adopted dad, Wylde, was in an MC. I’d actually heard my dad mention the Iron Tzars on occasion. He always spoke of them with respect. Whether it was because they were good men or because they represented a significant threat I had no idea, and no way of asking. Hammer had taken my phone three weeks earlier.