Pandemonium
Bella Jewel
Published by Bella Jewel, 2016.
~*Pandemonium*~
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Pandemonium
Copyright © 2016 Bella Jewel
Pandemonium is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and events portrayed in this book either are from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, establishments, events, or location is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This novel can be read as a standalone, however, if you’re unfamiliar with the MC Sinners and are intrigued after reading this, you can buy all the books. The titles are as follows. | Hell’s Knights – Book 1 (Cade and Addison’s Story) | Heaven’s Sinners – Book 2 (Spike and Ciara’s Story) | Knights’ Sinner – Book 3 (Jackson and Serenity’s Story) | Enjoy x
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER 1 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 2 | PAST – LUCAS
CHAPTER 3 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 4 | NOW - AVA
CHAPTER 5 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 6 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 7 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 8 | LUCAS – THEN
CHAPTER 9 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 10 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 11 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 12 | NOW - AVA | One week later
CHAPTER 13 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 14 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 15 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 16 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 17 | NOW - AVA
CHAPTER 18 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 19 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 20 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 21 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 22 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 23 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 24 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 25 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 26 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 27 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 28 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 29 | THEN – LUCAS
CHAPTER 30 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 31 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 32 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 33 | NOW- AVA
CHAPTER 34 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 35 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 36 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 37 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 38 | NOW – AVA
CHAPTER 39 | NOW – LUCAS
CHAPTER 40 | NOW- AVA
CHAPTER 41 | NOW – AVA
EPILOGUE
If you’re unfamiliar with the MC Sinners and are intrigued after reading this, you can buy all the books. The titles are as follows. | Hell’s Knights – Book 1 (Cade and Addison’s Story) | Heaven’s Sinners – Book 2 (Spike and Ciara’s Story) | Knights’ Sinner – Book 3 (Jackson and Serenity’s Story) | Enjoy x
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, my heartfelt thanks to every single blogger, reader and author that has supported my journey. From reading my books, to sharing them, to raving about them, to being there for me. Thank you. My career would be nothing without any of you.
A huge thanks to Kylie from Give Me Books for organizing my reveals and blitzes. You do such an amazing job. No matter how many times I use you, I am always blown away by how efficient you are. Nothing is ever a drama. Thank you for giving me so much support.
A massive thanks to Louisa from LM Creations for this STUNNING cover. I love how effortlessly we work together, and somehow always come up with something this incredible.
To Lauren, my epic editor. You are the best thing since sliced bread, no lie. You seriously are the best person EVER to work with. You are quick and your notes always make me laugh. No one else could ever keep up with my writing pace, but you always nail it.
A big, heartfelt thanks to Rose from Read By Rose for this amazing proofread. You came in at the last moment and helped me in incredible ways, you’re truly epic and I can’t wait to work with you again.
And of course, to my admin, MJ, for ALWAYS keeping my page running beautifully. I couldn’t do it without you, girly. I love your teasers and your passion, thank you for taking the time out of your life to help this poor girl keep everything running.
And, last but certainly not least, to my loyal readers. To each and every one of you that picks up my books and give me a chance. To the reviews you write, good or bad. To the time you take to make me a better person. You make this real for me; never stop giving such love and passion. You make our journey so amazing.
This novel can be read as a standalone, however, if you’re unfamiliar with the MC Sinners and are intrigued after reading this, you can buy all the books. The titles are as follows.
Hell’s Knights – Book 1 (Cade and Addison’s Story)
Heaven’s Sinners – Book 2 (Spike and Ciara’s Story)
Knights’ Sinner – Book 3 (Jackson and Serenity’s Story)
Enjoy x
PROLOGUE
Once upon a time . . .
If only all stories began with such a joyful motto. If only dreams really did come true, as the books that brought that sentence to existence said they would. The stories that begin with ‘once upon a time’ are sure to make you happy, to promise that you’ll find your Prince Charming, to ensure that you’ll sail off into the sunset. Reality is different; the stories that come from real life, they don’t begin like that. No, they begin a little something like this . . .
***
Tears dry on my face and the harsh scratching of my jeans against my cheek reminds me that I’m still on the ground, my head on my knees and my hair tumbling around me, soaking wet. My fingers are trembling, and it doesn’t matter how many times I sit on them, they won’t stop. My mother’s agonized cries echo through the bitter halls, and my father’s pained voice keeps ringing in my ears.
A painful reminder of what I’ve become.
“Not Ava. Not our Ava. She would have told me. She would have opened up to me. Not my baby. She’s been drowning, and I didn’t fuckin’ see.”
His baby.
I was that once. I’m not anymore.
They stopped knowing what kind of girl I was when that night changed everything. They stopped knowing but they didn’t stop believing. And there is a difference, you see. They didn’t see. And now they regret it.
That isn’t what I wanted for them, but I can’t stop the inevitable. I lost the power to stop that when my life was put into the hands of another person, and that person twisted it until it was ugly and broken.
But they still didn’t notice.
Now they’re crying and I can’t bear it. I can’t bear to hear them cry.
Because it means I failed.
As a daughter.
As a person.
As me.
CHAPTER 1
NOW – AVA
There is a comfort that one hundred rumbling Harley-Davidsons brings to your chest when the sound fills your ears. For me, it’s protection, it’s family, and it??
?s home. I grew up in the loving and fierce arms of bikers. They were the air I lived and breathed. I was never scared, never alone, and never without someone to cover my back. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My dad, Jackson, president of the Hell’s Knights Motorcycle Club, is my best friend, and the most amazing man I know. He created a world for me that I’d not change for a thing.
I lift my head, covering my eyes with my hand to shield them from the sun as the bikes near closer and closer. My smile grows the one I recognize so well comes to a stop in front of me.
My dad has been away for a month and now he’s home.
My smile stretches so big my lips burn as I run towards him. He opens his arms, big and strong, and catches me when I launch myself into them. My dad smells like the road; it’s a smell that’s hard to explain. It’s the leather jacket; it’s the fresh air; it’s the smoke and beer. It’s my dad.
“How you doin’ there, baby girl?” he asks into my hair.
“I’m good now. Missed you, old man.”
He chuckles and pulls back¸ staring down at me. I look more like my dad than I do my mom. I’m grateful for that. My dad, even now he’s getting older, is handsome as a devil. He’s got long, dark hair that’s tied in a braid down his back. That hair is now partially grey, but it doesn’t take away from his striking good looks. He’s got blue eyes and olive skin, and keeps himself in top shape.
He has to, I suppose.
“See you haven’t lost your sass since I’ve been away.” He grins. “Where’s your momma?”
“She’s waiting for you at home.”
His eyes flash.
My mom and dad have the kind of love people would search the entire world for. It’s beautiful and intense, and all my life I’ve wished for something the same. Dad is older than Mom, and has a daughter, Addison, from a previous relationship—but it all works for them, and us. Addi is married to Dad’s vice president, Cade, and they’re equally as adorable together.
“Best be on my way then. Thanks for waitin’ for me; I’ve missed you a fuckin’ ton.”
He leans down and brushes his lips over my forehead, then he waves the guys on before climbing onto his bike. I happily raise my hand in greeting as they go past, feeling my chest swell with pride and happiness as they grin, wave or yell out at me.
Yep. Perfect.
~*~*~*~
“Ava, baby, I’m so glad you’re doing well!”
I look up into the eyes of my mother. Beautiful. She’ll always be beautiful. Age does not seem to affect her—if anything it makes her more stunning. She might be tiny, but my mother has the dark-haired kind of beauty that stops men in their tracks. Mostly my father. Always my father.
“It’s hard living on my own.” I laugh softly, tucking a strand of dark hair behind my ear. “But I’m managing.”
“You don’t come and visit us enough. Your sister said just the other day that she hasn’t been able to get hold of you in a week.”
Addison can be a pain in the ass. A pain in the ass I adore.
“I’ve been working,” I say, walking into the kitchen and taking a soda from the fridge. “I’ll call her.”
“How is work?” Mom asks, sliding her backside onto a stool and smiling over at me.
I shrug. “Work is work.”
“You sound like your father.”
I grin. “Speaking of, where is he? I haven’t seen him since he got back yesterday.”
She frowns. “He’s at the clubhouse. You know how things have been lately.”
I nod. “Yeah, I know something is going down, but as always, Dad keeps us out of it.”
Mom sighs, but there is a flicker of worry behind her pretty eyes. There haven’t been many times in my life where the club has lived with looming danger. Most of it has been small and hasn’t touched anyone personally. Dad has always kept out of the shit. But recently, something has started, and things have become a little more frantic. Dad has upped security and is checking in a lot more than he used to.
“He does that to keep you safe.” She smiles.
“I know.” I beam, not wanting her to feel any more stress than she’s clearly already feeling.
“You should go visit him. Cade and Spike are visiting today; you know they’d love to see you. Besides, Danny called last night and asked after you.”
Danny is my best friend and the son of another club member, Spike. There are a few of us in the club that grew up together, and to this day they’re all my best friends and my confidants, but if I have to pick a bestie, it would be Danny. He’s cocky and charming, which he gets from his father, and he’d have my back in any situation.
“I’ll do that,” I say, popping the top on my soda. “I miss them all. Work has been crazy.”
“They always ask after you. We’re having a cookout on Saturday—make sure you come. All the kids will be there.”
“Mom,” I say, lifting a biscuit off her freshly baked tray. “We’re not kids. I’m twenty-three.”
She smiles, and little lines crinkle at her eyes. They only make her more beautiful. “You’ll always be my baby, Avie.”
I groan and stand. “I have to go to work, but I’m going to the compound first.”
I hug her and kiss her cheek before leaving their house, the one I grew up in.
Dad’s club is only just up the road, and when I was a child, I used to walk to it during the day just to see him. Mom hated it, but I loved being there. When I was that age, his protection and fierce loyalty was warm and comforting; when I got older, it became frustrating. Now, it’s somewhere in between. He’s always been wildly protective. He can’t help it. Being the president of an MC would make anyone turn out like that.
When I arrive at the club, I pull out my key and unlock the padlock securing the barbed-wire fencing that surrounds the lot. I shove it open and step inside. Dad’s dogs, Boof and Crack, come running over. He got them when I was thirteen for protection. I squat down and open my arms to them, accepting their slobbery kisses. The guys tell me often that I’m far too affectionate with them, and that they’ll forget they’re guard dogs.
“Hello babies,” I croon. “I missed you.”
“What about me? Did you miss me?”
I lift my head to see Danny walking towards me. I grin and stand, lifting my fist and clocking him in the shoulder as soon as he stops. “I always miss you, D. What’re you doing here?”
“Club meeting.”
“You mean clubs.” I laugh.
Danny’s dad Spike used to be president of a different club, the Heaven’s Sinners, but over the years the two clubs basically combined, even though Spike still protests that no one stripped him of his title and therefore he refuses to completely let go. It’s very rare and unusual for two clubs to combine the way they did, but considering they all got along so well and were like brothers, it seemed like the smart thing to do.
“When I’m president and Jack steps down, I’m taking over these clubs and making them one—end this squabble.”
I snort. “What will you call it then? The Heaven’s Knights?”
Danny grunts. “Or the Hell’s Sinners.”
“Or that.”
He grins. I study him. Danny is absolutely breathtaking. He’s a perfect mix of his dad and mom. His dad, Spike, is ruggedly handsome, and Danny got his messy blond hair and stocky, muscled build. But he has his mom, Ciara’s, yellow eyes. They’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and are so piercing it’s hard to stare at him and not get lost.
“You’re being a creeper, Ant.”
I jerk and stop staring at him, then I cross my arms. Danny has called me Ant since I was little. He says it’s because I’m no bigger than an ant, which is probably true. I’ve got my mom’s pixie build—probably the only thing I got from her. My dark hair, olive skin and blue eyes all come from Dad.
“I’m not being a creeper; I’m checking you out.”
Danny grins, showing me his flawless dimples. “Oh yeah?”
br /> “Don’t flatter yourself, D. You’re like my brother.”
His grin gets bigger. “Doesn’t mean I don’t like being told I’m good looking.”
I roll my eyes. “Dude, you know you’re good looking. Now, where’s my dad?”
“Shed. You coming to the cookout? We don’t see you these days.”
I shrug. “I’m a free woman now; I’m enjoying discovering who I am and what I want.”
Danny’s eyes darken. “That doesn’t include a man, does it?”
I huff. “Danny, you’re not my father, and yes, it does include a man . . . when I find one.”
“Not your father,” he says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “But I am your best friend. He has to come through me first, and let me assure you, Ant, it won’t be pretty.”
“Maybe you should focus your attention on Skye and we can all move on.”
Danny’s eyes flash, and he scowls at me. “Not sure what you’re talking about.”
But he knows. He knows he’s been into Skye, Cade and Addison’s daughter, since she turned eighteen. But there is one problem—that wouldn’t go down well with their fathers. Cade and Addison never had any other children, so Skye is all they have, and Cade is ridiculously protective of his little girl. Even though he loves Danny like a son, he doesn’t want this life for Skye and will do anything to keep her away from it.
Skye is my niece, which is a somewhat difficult situation to explain when people see us together and assume we’re best friends. She’s only a couple of years younger than me. My dad was with Addison’s mom when he was a lot younger, and therefore he had Addison early in life. Twenty years later, he met my mom and they had me. There’s quite an age gap between Addison and I, but it’s never bothered us.
I glance back at Danny and see he’s staring at me, slight longing in his eyes even though he’s trying hard to hide it.
“Oh, you know what I’m talking about.” I laugh, turning and walking off.
“Always good to chat, brat,” he calls after me.