Overlord: Born Villains MC, #2

By Bijou Hunter and Juliet Flynn

Claymore "Overlord" Marsden grew up in a great man's shadow. Taking over Papa Bear's spot as President of the Born Villains Motorcycle Club felt like his birthright. Yet, his inability to protect his daughters' mothers left him rattled and off his game. Now, an unknown enemy lurks at their territory's edges, their rivals have a new President, and a possible threat bunks in the Sanctuary.

Jules Gwynne grew up as the pawn of a paranoid man. Her father helped build two motorcycle clubs—one a beacon of hope, the other a menace to the weak. Kraken destroyed her childhood, took away her mother, and left her at the mercy of his men. With him sick and powerless, Jules sees a chance to start over. But old scars don't disappear with new beginnings.

Continue the journey with the Born Villains Motorcycle Club as Overlord and Jules—the children of two very different men—navigate their attraction and distrust.

The Born Villains MC series contains sexual content, harsh language, graphic violence, and drug use. This book is only suitable for readers 18+. Trigger warnings: childhood abuse, sexual abuse, and cheating (not H/h).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bijou Hunter
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9798224673773

Bijou Hunter

Romance Author of Contemporary, Suspense, and New Adult ~ Find me at www.bijouhunterbooks.com ~ Join my mailing list: www.bijouhunterbooks.com/mailing-list

Book preview

NOTE TO READERS

This series is different than my usual ones. Each book will include multiple POV chapters with side characters. Various storylines will span several books. Not all questions will be answered in Overlord. However, the main hero and heroine will get their happily ever after, including epilogues.

CHARACTER LIST

TO PREVENT SPOILERS, THIS LIST ONLY INCLUDES CHARACTERS MENTIONED IN THE SERIES SO FAR

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BORN VILLAINS MC FOUNDING MEMBERS

Brody Marsden/Papa Bear — Founder

Kraken — former Vice President; now rival club President

Ominous — original chick member

Jester — Road Captain; currently in prison

Buzzsaw — former Sergeant-at-Arms; runs Sanctuary’s construction

Flagg — Secretary; Kraken’s brother

Gravel — runs the Sanctuary’s ranch

Dropout — runs Sanctuary’s gym

Tank — runs Sanctuary’s landscaping

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BORN VILLAINS MC CURRENT LEADERSHIP

Claymore Marsden/Overlord — President; Papa Bear’s son

Grit — Vice President

Warwick Marsden/Bomber — Treasurer; Papa Bear’s son

Blunt — (Acting) Road Captain

Hawthorne Baxter/Thorn — Sergeant-at-Arms

Cyril Tayback/Apex — Enforcer

Jesse Zurika/Ghost — Enforcer

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MEMBERS

Talon Marsden/Sister Sass — Papa Bear’s daughter; chick member

Aqua — chick member

Stix — runs Sanctuary’s auto shop

Mulholland — 2nd in command at Sanctuary’s auto shop

Rave — chick member; kid: Michael

Riot — chick member; Rave’s sister; kid: Michael

Motley

Doughboy

Penthouse

Neon

Smoke

Puppet

Clutch

Vegas

Emo

Topeka

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PROSPECTS

Emma/Dire — daughter of Ominous

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ENEMIES

Kraken — President/Founder of Horned Angels MC; former VP of Born Villains MC

Dio — Vice President

Cypher — Sergeant-at-Arms

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OLD LADIES/GIRLFRIENDS

Lady Bug — Brody/Papa Bear’s second wife, kids: Nadia (estranged), Katana w/Papa Bear

Betty Boop — Brody/Papa Bear’s deceased first wife, kids: Claymore, Warwick, and Talon

Pumpkin — Warwick/Bomber’s wife, kids: Conner (deceased) and Collin

Twinkle Toes – Apex’s wife: kids: Amelia, Anna

Sugar Plum — Grit’s wife; kid: Vallie

Jelly Bean — Aqua’s wife

Sweet Buns — Tank’s wife

Bunny — Buzzsaw’s wife

Flame — Gravel’s wife; kid: Jay; runs the Sanctuary’s ranch

Cream Puff — Flagg’s wife; kids: Martin, Misty

Sweetie Pie — Mulholland’s wife/runs Sanctuary’s store

Queen Bee — Kraken’s old lady (deceased); kids: Jules and Scout

Mother Goose — Kraken’s old lady

Mabel Mabie Sandza — Blunt’s girlfriend; kid: Clark

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ALLIES

Graeme Hubbard — Metamora sheriff/Papa Bear’s former foster brother

Doctor Sal Foss — owner of Metamora Urgent Care/Papa Bear’s former foster brother

Davina — owner of Bacon Haven Diner

Risa — manager of Bettina House (Metamora shelter)

Eliza – castoff from Primrose

OVERLORD

Claymore Marsden/President

One of my earliest memories was my father riding away on his motorcycle with his wide back covered by the Born Villains Motorcycle Club vest. Though I hadn’t been able to read yet, I understood the words’ meaning—family, loyalty, community. The men and women who rode with Papa Bear were my uncles and aunts, blood be damned.

I grew up protected and loved at the Sanctuary—the club’s 80-acre compound surrounded by stone walls and metal gates.

However, most members came from abusive homes. Many grew up in foster care and group homes. More than a few spent time in juvie, and a few have been locked up in prison. Life wasn’t easy for them like it was for me.

Now I hold their future in my hands as the club President. Despite my best efforts, I’ve already suffered failures in my two years with the rank. My fourteen-year-old nephew, Conner, was gunned down in a drive-by shooting meant for the Born Villains. And eight months ago, my baby mamas—foster sisters Virginie and Caroline—were murdered by a woman I believed was sent by our enemies—the Horned Angels Motorcycle Club and their President, Kraken.

But I was wrong.

At least according to the rival club’s new President. At a meetup between the clubs, Cypher claims we share a hidden enemy. Meaning I’ve wasted months focused on the wrong threat. That was tonight’s first gut punch.

Next, Cypher brought out Kraken’s two daughters—twenty-five-year-old Jules and six-year-old Scout. Their father suffered a stroke recently, something his family hid from their club. Kraken knew he’d receive no sympathy.

In the last forty-eight hours, Cypher swooped in and claimed the President’s rank.

Now, he wants to get rid of Scout, Jules, and her nearly four-year-old son, Anthony.

Either we take the three of them, or they become homeless. That was gut-punch number two.

This wasn’t the outcome I expected when I arrived at the meeting. Actually, I assumed Cypher would pull some shit, and I’d end up dead. My daughters—four-year-old Zoey and Evie—would be raised by my younger brother and his old lady—Bomber and Pumpkin. The Born Villains Motorcycle Club’s current Vice President—Grit—could take my rank. The Sanctuary would remain protected, leaving my death as no more than a painful memory.

Rather than flip out in the way I expect, Cypher pushes me to take the one woman I’ve never been able to claim or forget.

Jules Gwynne’s beauty haunts my every fantasy. I often find myself thinking of her golden blonde hair and bright hazel eyes. She radiates the same beauty as her petite and curvy mom, Queen Bee.

Jules spent her first dozen years at the Sanctuary. When Kraken turned on my father and the Born Villains, he moved his family and those loyal to him to the nearby town of Cahuenga. The Horned Angels Motorcycle Club was born, making Jules my enemy.

Our spy claims Jules is Kraken’s closest confidant. Whatever the fuck that means.

Knowing the Horned Angels would never leave a feeble man in charge of their club, Jules hid his illness. Now, she’s paying the price of her loyalty.

Or maybe I’m the one in fucking trouble.

After all, the woman does something powerful to me. But I can’t trust Jules Gwynne. She might behave for now out of desperation. Yet, what if she remains loyal to Kraken? He might have twisted her mind to believe we’re the enemy and he’s the righteous one. She’ll bring her toxic thinking into the Sanctuary. Over time, our caution toward Jules will fade, leaving her able to create discord.

Maybe that’s Cypher’s plan. He can’t possibly know how much I crave Jules. No one does. But how much longer can I hide my weakness now that we’ll call the same compound home?

Of course, my club agrees to take in Jules, Scout, and Anthony. Kraken’s twin brother didn’t follow him when he bailed on the Born Villains. Flagg remains our club Secretary. Even if he didn’t, we’d never let children suffer for the mistakes of their parents.

Cypher—angry blue eyes, cropped brown hair, 6’2, lean build, a day past needing a shave and a fucking nap—claims he’ll hit us up with info on this mysterious threat when he learns anything. The asshole wants to play nice. I’d believe he was a better man than Kraken if he wasn’t so willing to ditch his favorite hookup and a child who looks too much like him to be a coincidence.

Soon, Cypher and the Horned Angels ride back to Cahuenga, leaving me stuck with a woman I wake up craving every damn day.

Numb while following the SUV carrying Jules and the kids to the Sanctuary, I replay what Cypher said about the unknown enemy. That should be my focus.

Instead, my mind shoves aside everything except thoughts of Jules. Her beauty blinds me. I’ve wanted her for too long not to feel under attack by having such temptation within reach.

Things move quickly once we arrive at the Sanctuary. Most of the people who joined us at the VFW Hall head to HQ or their homes. Papa Bear and I remain with the SUV.

Despite nearing sixty, my father remains an impressive man—wide shoulders, thick muscles, dark-as-night eyes, and hair gone fully white. He’s got a creased, angry face hiding a heart made of gold.

Papa Bear created the Sanctuary as a safe place for those kicked around by life. Hundreds have found a haven here, even if for only a short time.

The Sanctuary has a routine set in place for castoffs. New people bunk in a one-bedroom house called the Stockade. The rustic home locks down overnight and offers twenty-four-hour surveillance.

My father’s second wife—Lady Bug with her flowing auburn hair, dark brown eyes, athletic build—normally handles the welcome speech.

Tonight, she arrives at the Stockade looking flustered. I wonder if my girls gave her trouble while we were gone.

My younger sister—a wild brunette who wears the Villains’ patch—shows up to check Jules’s bags for weapons and drugs. Sister Sass also quietly installs a mirroring app on the new castoff’s phone. This way, we can monitor messages from Cypher and other possible enemies.

During our inspection, Jules stands silently in the Stockade. Earlier, she spoke with Papa Bear in the VFW’s parking lot. But once at the Stockade, she falls silent and remains overly still.

Her uncle Flagg doesn’t usually involve himself in the new castoff process. However, he shows up to awkwardly greet the niece he hasn’t seen in over a dozen years and the children he’s never met.

Leaner than in his youth, Flagg still fills a room like his brother. His gray hair hangs loose tonight while his gray eyes rarely reveal any emotion.

Through it all, I hang back, unsure if I can speak without giving away my feelings for Jules. I catch her glancing at me. Her golden gaze gives nothing away.

Don’t be afraid, Flagg tells them, wearing the same face as the man they likely fear. Things are safe here.

Clinging to Jules’s hip, Scout mumbles, Sutton.

What’s that, now, little one? Flagg asks.

Sutton’s face is gone, explains the blonde while sucking at her fingers.

Already rattled, Lady Bug tenses. She seems out of sorts tonight, and Scout’s comment worsens her mood.

Meanwhile, Jules shows no reaction to her sister’s words. Her cold exterior is what finally lights a fire under my ass.

Finding my voice, I demand, Tomorrow, you’ll detail everything, Jules.

Kraken’s oldest daughter glances at me, seeming startled as if she forgot I was in the room. Even after her golden gaze studies me, she doesn’t react to my words.

You’re tired, Lady Bug announces, collecting herself and taking control. We’ll leave you to rest. If you need anything, hit the button.

As Lady Bug explains the security control panel at the front door, I follow Papa Bear and Flagg out of the Stockade. I don’t dare look back at Jules. Her warm beauty is a distraction from the cold heart likely hiding underneath.

Where are my girls? I ask Lady Bug once Sister Sass locks down the Stockade.

Home with Katana. I’ll bring them around in the morning.

As I nod, Flagg walks off without saying another word. Sister Sass texts someone on her phone. Through it all, Papa Bear watches me.

No one’s going to be any good at planning tonight, he finally tells me. Sleep on what’s stirring inside you right now. Tomorrow, we’ll look at the situation with fresh eyes.

I want to tell him how Jules does something to me. But Papa Bear is more than my father. He’s the founder of the Born Villains Motorcycle Club and Kraken’s old friend. He made me President, even if stepping aside killed something inside him.

Though I never doubt Papa Bear respects me, a small part of him still wants me to fail. Just so he can prove to himself that the club will always need him.

Admitting my weakness for Jules would be reckless. That’s why I swallow the urge to fess up.

As Sister Sass rides her vivid black Softail Low Rider bike toward the Black Pine Road cottages, Papa Bear and Lady Bug walk to their house. My childhood home is near the Sanctuary’s Circle, along with HQ, the store, an auto shop, and other service-oriented parts of our community.

I stand in the warm evening, unsure what to do with myself. Normally, I’d go to our clubhouse—The Lockup—and get drunk enough to silence the troubles brewing in my head. But Metamora is closed for the evening.

We worried Cypher would launch an attack on the Sanctuary during the meeting. Instead, he handed us a ticking timebomb that we’ve willingly brought into our safe space.

Studying the Stockade, I imagine Jules inside. Her hazel eyes hold too many secrets. In my heart, I believe she’s dangerous.

But I still crave her. She’s why no other woman’s ever gotten under my skin. Even my two baby mamas, who I loved as friends but could never commit to on a deeper level. Now, they’re dead, and my little girls are motherless. Eight months ago, I allowed a threat into the Sanctuary. Tonight, I might have done it again.

I skip the celebrations at HQ, where Pumpkin and Bomber pretend their grief is lessened by knowing Kraken currently suffers. The asshole likely never felt guilt over ordering the drive-by that ended Conner’s life. I wonder if he was as blasé when we killed his second-born son, Rhodes, in retaliation.

Does Jules hold a grudge over the murder of her older brother? She didn’t react when Scout mentioned Sutton’s death.

However, earlier at the VFW’s parking lot, she cried once away from the Horned Angels. What did she tell Papa Bear? I want so desperately to trust her. If she isn’t the enemy, she can be mine.

Rather than go to HQ, I head home. I used to love my expansive, burnt-orange exterior southwest house. The place is gorgeous with high-ceilings, big windows, and generous square footage. I built it after Caroline and Virginie came up pregnant months apart, claiming I was the father. Since they were my preferred hookups and unskilled liars, I knew the babies were mine.

I designed the place for a family of five. Yet, I added a few extra rooms in case my baby mamas got any ideas about making more surprise kids.

Since Virginie and Caroline were murdered, the house is usually empty. I pawn my girls off to whoever will watch them. I’ve tried several au pairs, but none stuck.

Right now, I have one castoff—a sexy chick named Eliza with her hazy green eyes and quiet dignity—watch them in the afternoon. Another castoff—a tiny blonde named Giselle, who my club brother Apex immediately claimed—normally puts the girls to bed.

This routine won’t last forever. Neither chick really wants to watch Evie and Zoey. My babies are sweet, wild girls who’ve grown rowdy since their moms died. They crave stability, but our home feels empty and cold now.

After pouring myself a bourbon, I sit in the dark family room. My heavy boots tumble to the hardwood floors as I stretch out on my dark leather couch.

I picture my girls preparing for bed. I know they’d be happier at home. When I wake them in the morning, they’re so relieved to see me. I should provide them with a stable home, but I don’t know how to be a full-time dad.

My mind wanders to my mom, Betty Boop. I think of her wavy dark brown hair wrapped up on her head as she fussed around with one thing or another. My mom loved to keep busy. She would have doted on my girls, but she was long dead when they were born.

Before the booze drags me into a fitful sleep, I recall the time I saw Jules at the Gallup Hills Mall. At least five years back, before my girls or her son were conceived, she had been shopping with Scout. Their mother—Queen Bee—died not long after her second child’s birth. At nineteen, Jules found herself raising her baby sister.

That day, they hit up a few kid-themed stores. I swore I only followed them out of curiosity about my enemy’s family.

But I couldn’t take my eyes off Jules. She was so beautiful and bright. I knew I should walk away. Yet, I lurked nearby and admired her for over an hour.

Rather than behaving like a conniving biker princess, she acted like a young woman goofing around with her little girl. They look so much alike with their round faces, long blonde hair, and golden eyes. Every time I heard them laugh that day, I felt a smile on my face.

I only left once Jules caught sight of me. When our gazes first met, her emotions were so naked. She recognized me, of course. She’d been a teenager when Kraken took her away to live in Cahuenga. I was a grown man by then. Since she was only a child, I hadn’t felt anything like I did that day at the mall.

For a moment, Jules seemed so startled to see me. A smile warmed her face as if we were old friends. I even felt her admiring me in a way a teenage Jules never would.

I imagined joining her at the table with Scout. We could talk like normal people. If what I felt stuck, I’d claim her as mine and take her home. Kraken had no use for daughters and certainly treated them like shit.

With them happy at the Sanctuary, I’d be able to stare into Jules’s golden eyes every day. Just like that, I’d found my old lady.

But then, her gaze hardened, and the warmth faded from her expression. All her earlier joyful energy disappeared.

That’s when I felt Kraken looking back at me. I knew Jules and I could never forget who our fathers were. Mine needed proof I could lead our club, so returning home with Jules wouldn’t go over well. And why did I even believe she’d walk away from her father and the Horned Angels?

Though I left Jules behind, I never forgot how she made me feel. I even imagined tracking her down.

Later, as I built my house, I found myself wondering what she might think of my choices.

Eventually, my girls were born, her son came along, and Kraken killed Conner. No matter how drawn I was to Jules that day at the mall, too many barriers stood between us.

I stuffed my urge for Jules into a quiet, unexplored part inside me. Since becoming President, I rarely let myself really think of her. Jules Gwynne sparks a pathetic need inside me that I can’t afford to nurse.

The one woman who makes me crazy and weak is also the one I’m forbidden to trust. And tonight, she sleeps at the Sanctuary.

JULES GWYNNE

Kraken’s Daughter

Death would be a blessing. No more worries or pain. Just drift into a dark void without a history or future.

My life hasn’t belonged to me for a long time. Maybe no one owns themselves. Are we all simply pawns in someone else’s game?

After Cypher’s betrayal years ago and my father’s indifference, I wanted to end everything. Not just my life, but I dreamed of burning down the Horned Angels Motorcycle Club’s Cahuenga compound. Tear up their world as one last fuck-you to my tormentors.

Before I could light the match, Queen Bee died and left behind my newborn sister no one wanted. My mother suffered a terrible pregnancy, only to die alone after delivering another daughter. Her life meant nothing. She went out with a whimper.

Not me. I wanted to ruin someone’s life. My obvious targets were Cypher and my evil fucking father, Kraken. Someone needed to suffer besides me.

Except as I grieved my mother and plotted my revenge, I got stuck with my infant sister. Scout looked just like me. It was like I was born again as my own child.

I would sit in the nursery and stare at her for hours. What was the point of letting her grow up, only to end up like me? I planned to kill us both after I destroyed our enemies.

I believed my heart was too full of hate to love Scout. Day after day, I woke up with a plan to go out in a blaze of glory. Yet, each night, I was still alive and trapped.

No matter how angry I felt, I couldn’t steal Scout’s future. Even if her life turned out like absolute shit—which knowing the Horned Angels, it would—I had to give her a chance.

Scout’s never known any other mother. Raising her as my daughter, I did my best to protect her from the Cahuenga compound’s uglier aspects.

But each year gets harder. She’s six now and aware of the violence around us. The men of the Horned Angels don’t offer her any reprieve. She’s useless to them. I can pleasure them. Cook their dinners. Run their errands. Listen to them babble about their man issues. But what value does Scout have?

Despite how others view her, my baby is everything to me. Once my heart claimed Scout, I couldn’t let her go. The same thing happened with Anthony, the son I didn’t choose to create and never wanted. For nine months, he felt like an invader. I gave birth wishing he would die. I couldn’t deal with more responsibility.

I was alone in Cahuenga. My only ally was Scout. I had no one to talk to when I was confused or overwhelmed. Why would I want to bring another child into such a world?

But I couldn’t deny my son. He was as alone as me. Cypher’s likely Anthony’s father but many of the club guys could have been. Yet, none of them cared if he lived or died.

Kraken didn’t, either. My five brothers only had the mildest interest. With no other choice, I had to wrap Anthony in my heart and keep him safe as I did with Scout.

They are the only value in life. I’ve long stopped caring about myself. Every day, I dodged the Horned Angels’ sexual urges, praying none wanted to use my body for their pleasure. That’s my hell, but I still have Scout and Anthony. We’re okay as long as we stay together. No one else mattered.

Of course, we weren’t really okay. We relied on Kraken remaining in charge of the club. We lived in his big house. His money paid for our food, clothes, and medicine.

Once Kraken suffered his stroke, our survival got dicey.

For weeks, we kept him hidden in our large house at the center of the Cahuenga compound. My father’s first wife and the mother of his five sons insisted he would get better.

They won’t understand, Mother Goose said to my older brothers, Hollis and Finch. They’ll want to replace him. It’ll destroy the club.

A battle brewed during those next weeks as men came by to see Kraken. We claimed he was suffering from a nasty flu turned pneumonia.

Cypher tracked me down whenever I was away from the house. He claimed he wanted to fuck. But using my body wasn’t enough. He also hit me up for details about Kraken’s health. I lied as I was instructed by Mother Goose. But Cypher wasn’t fooled.

I don’t know if they finally got fed up with waiting or if someone ratted out Kraken. A part of me thinks my youngest brother snitched.

Cypher will understand, Sutton said on the morning he died.

The club’s Sergeant-at-Arms—and the man who loved and destroyed me—was like a god to my kid brother. Sutton followed the older man around, helping with his motorcycle and training together in the gym.

If my fifteen-year-old brother shared the truth with his mentor, he paid for that choice with his life.

The club members arrived in a fury of motorcycles and hollering at the door. As soon as Hollis answered, Cypher shot him. One less Kraken heir to worry about.

When Sutton ran into the foyer to make peace, Cypher rewarded his loyalty with a bullet to the face.

Cradling my babies, I waited for our turn to die. Over the next day, Cypher repeatedly threatened us. He claimed he had to destroy me to prove to the other men that he was strong enough to lead. Otherwise, they’d throw their weight behind the club’s Vice President, Dio.

Last night, as Mother Goose’s sobs echoed through the large house and my children slept in the guest room, I took Cypher into my body as I had once done so willingly.

Back then, I thought we were in love. He would be President, and I’d be his old lady. He’s craved my touch since I was too young to share it. I’m his greatest weakness, so he betrayed me to prove he wasn’t my bitch.

But last night, Cypher was overwhelmed by what he’d done and what he needed to do next. I felt him panicking over how he killed Sutton. He’d been startled by my brother rushing into the room. So desperate to prove himself ready to be President, Cypher didn’t think before firing the shot.

Fucking me in the dark room, he fought with his guilt and grief. To stay alive, I comforted him. Despite treating me like a club whore for years, Cypher viewed me as his safe space.

Assuming I would die soon—at his hands or my own—I whispered cruel truths in his ear. I told Cypher how Dio would use Sutton’s death to prove the younger man was too impulsive to run the club.

Why didn’t you come to Kraken in private? I whispered as I stroked his head and planted fears in him. "You two could have hatched