Prologue

Breaker – 24 Years Old

I smileas I watch my momma blush at something Doc"s dad, Crow, says. We"re at the clubhouse, which on the outside looks like a warehouse, but on the inside is rustic and fucking amazing. I love the place, as did my momma, until she didn"t. Most times, she doesn"t attend parties. Too many memories. But today, she decided to tag along with me, and fuck, am I glad.

I haven"t seen Momma smile like this since before my father was diagnosed with brain cancer. She struggled everyday watching the love of her life slowly fade away while trying to bring up a pissed-off teenager, not understanding why his father was dying.

My father lasted just over five and a half years before succumbing to the tumor four years ago. Momma became a shell and barely left the house. For the past few months, after having a lengthy conversation with me, Crow has been slowly worming himself into her heart, bringing her back to life. I"ll forever be grateful for it.

"So, how do we feel about this?" Doc asks as he nudges me, before leaning against the wooden bar.

I smile, keeping my eyes on my happy-looking mother, and rasp, "Absolutely nothing because, right now, brother, your father is bringing back that shine in my momma"s eyes."

He grins, his green eyes shining.

Crow is the best thing for her. He knows it, and so do I. If only Lola would stop sending death glares at them.

Doc shakes his head. "I don"t fucking get what her problem is. She"s my sister, and I fucking love her, but right now, she"s acting like a spoiled brat."

I nod and admit, "According to Kennedy, Lola has a thing for me." His head shoots my way in shock as I gaze at our parents. "And them becoming an item is her worst nightmare."

He looks at his sister again, his eyes sliding toward Ken, who is staring off into space like she normally does. The fucker loves her, but he doesn"t think she feels the same; none of the brothers do, yet I know differently.

"But you barely even fucking talk to her…" he says, disbelieving.

I snort, admitting, "When she turned twenty-one, I found her in my bed, naked. It was right after my dad"s first death anniversary, and she tried to take advantage, knowing I was drunk." I look at him, his green eyes hardening as I speak. "I kicked her out. Since then, she"s become persistent, but I keep turning her down, and I"m sorry, brother, but if she turns into a bitch toward my mother?—"

He cuts me off. "I"ll ensure she doesn"t fucking hurt Shelly; don"t you worry. And as for how she"s been toward you, I"ll be fucking having words."

I give him a grateful nod.

I love the girl like a sister. I"ve grown up with her, but this shit needs to stop. I"ve never indicated that I wanted her, but she seems to have it stuck in her head that we"re meant to be, that it"s because of Doc that I won"t go there, or at least, that"s what Ken said. She"s trying to save her friend from being hurt while looking out for me, but her friend is getting crazy.

"Brothers…." Snake booms, getting my attention, and everyone quiets, looking his way.

I take a deep breath as his glossy eyes come my way, and my mother rushes over to me with apprehension and concern. She knows my father would be proud of this, but I"m all she has left, so I know she"s scared.

In the past five years, she"s had to harden herself to stop hurting, but right now, she looks emotional, a side I haven"t seen for a while.

Crow comes over with her, his hand going to the small of her back in support as she hugs my arm to her. I give him a nod in appreciation as Snake continues.

"We all know why we"re here. Today our brother Breaker is finally—after finishing business school and passing with the highest mark in his fucking class—taking over his father"s role as our Sergeant-at-Arms."

Momma lets out a sob, wraps her hand around my arm, and I grip the top of her hand as Crow"s arm snakes around her waist.

Bull, Snakes" dad, and our old president, steps forward, rasping, "Your dad wasn"t just our brother and SaA; he was my best friend, and today, I get to stand here and watch his pride and joy take over the role he wished he could hand over himself."

He steps to me and holds up a cut, and I have to swallow in order to control my emotions. My mother plants her face into my arm.

Bull hands me the leather and states, "This, son, was your father"s cut…. It only seems right that his son gets to wear it with pride."

I nod as the women sob. Crow takes my momma into his arms, showing his feelings for her, as I remove my old cut. I hand it to Doc, who grins, before I replace it with my father"s, the leather hugging my shoulders.

Snake raises his glass and booms, "Here"sto our new Sergeant-at-Arms, Breaker…."

The club cheers as I look down at the cut, my emotions taking over.

Fuck, I wish my dad was here….

I"m sitting outside in the club"s garden on the wooden step an hour later. The brothers are still celebrating, but I need a minute to myself. I really fucking miss my dad, especially in moments like these.

"I thought I"d find you out here."

I turn my head and smile at Ken as she walks over and takes a seat next to me, placing her head on my shoulder.

"How you doing, Alex?" she asks, and I smile a little.

"I"m doing okay, little cuz," I reply.

She sighs, wraps her hand around my arm, and says, "You can"t call me that."

I snort. "Why not? It"s the truth. Dad fucking loved you to pieces, and he hates that his sister turned out the way she has."

She hums, looking up to the stars. "I know. He said as much growing up."

I nod. "Then why not tell the club who you are to me; to my mother?"

She turns her head, her dark green eyes piercing, and admits, "Because my mother doesn"t want me as part of the club, it"s why she ensured I never grew up around y'all. I guess she just didn"t count on Lola clinging onto me that first day of kindergarten."

I snort but nod.

Kennedy"s momma, my aunt Cora, isn"t the warmest of people. When my father joined the MC and married Momma, his parents disowned him, and so did his little sister. When he was diagnosed with cancer, Cora basically told him it was karma for being involved with our "type" of people. She grew up strict Catholic, her parents ensuring she stayed on the right path since losing my father to the MC–their words, not mine–but after meeting her husband, Ken"s father, Frank, at a party her friend had dragged her to, she turned bitter and more fucking bitchier. Things apparently seemed alright at the start. He said the right things to my grandparents, but as soon as they married and she fell pregnant with Ken, gone went the snobby bitch who thought she was better than everyone else, and in came a whore. She"s gone from a woman wanting to become a nurse to a stripper. She fucks whoever she can, hoping to make her husband, who lost his job for sexually assaulting another man and became a drunk when Ken was five, jealous. My beautiful cousin had to fucking live with it until she moved into a dorm at Huntersville College. My father paid for her room and board, while her scholarship paid her tuition.

Her parents can"t see past their own asses to see what they do to her day in and day out, but in a way, that"s not a bad thing, because it meant she got to grow up with me and got to know my father before he died. Fuck…Momma sees Ken as her own child. Ken's best friends with Lola and Sniper, while to me, she"s like my little sister rather than a cousin.

Harry and Leanne, our grandparents, now live in Europe. They didn"t come to my dad"s funeral; they knew they weren"t welcome. They contacted my mother and apologized for the hurt they caused their son, regretting their actions, especially after how Cora had turned out, and begged Momma to watch out for Ken, leaving a trust for myself and Ken in Momma"s hands. Ken has hers in an account, untouched, not wanting her mother to know about it, while mine sits untouched in a savings account. The money can"t change years of coldness, but I understand some people weren"t supposed to be parents.

"It"s just for the best right now, Alex…."

I sigh at her words, knowing she won"t budge, unwilling to deal with her momma"s antics.

The door opens again. Jingles, a clubwhore I normally fuck speaks, "Kennedy can I have a moment alone with Breaker?"

I turn my head and raise a brow as Ken goes to stand. I grip her arm, keeping her in place, already noticing the fucking stick in her hand.

I snap, "There"s no fucking way you're pregnant with my baby when I use my fucking condoms to fuck you, and never fucking come inside of you!"

Kennedy turns in shock while Jungles smirks, her light blue eyes practically shining with glee.

"Actually, about four weeks ago, I handed you a condom when you were drunk…. I believe it was your father"s birthday. The condom may or may not have had a hole in it."

The bitch trapped me, her words proving it.

Fuck….

Angry, I stand beside Kennedy, who points at her and sneers, "You selfish fucking bitch," causing me to look at her in shock, knowing she barely ever curses. "You took advantage of a brother in his time of need, showing your true fucking colors, purposely trapping him for his patch! Don"t think I don"t see your plan. You"ve been screwing Breaker for years yet now you're pregnant? The fucking day he"s patched over as an officer?" Ken takes a step forward and growls, "I"d put those money hungry eyes away if I were you, because like hell are you getting his patch!"

Jingles eyes darken in anger as I take a step forward and grind out, "Not only will I be requesting a DNA test, but when that baby is born, you"ll no longer be allowed to fuck the brothers; you will be signing a contract, and if you break it, you will be kicked out of the club without the baby!"

She smirks. "Of course, I won"t break it, baby, I"ll be your old lady…."

Kennedy snorts at the bitch"s stupidity while I narrow my eyes and state. "Actually, you won"t be! You"ll be a club mouse, cleaning up after everyone. Once a fucking bitch, always a bitch, and the only reason you"ll still be allowed on club property is because of the baby. But one negative reaction toward that baby, then you won't just be out, you'll be fucking dead!"

I grab Ken"s hand, who squeezes mine, and storm toward my mother"s house, where I know Crow has taken her, wondering how I"m going to fucking tell her about this. Tats was born because a clubwhore was trapping his dad, and now the same fucking thing has happened to me.

This is probably going to kill her.

* * *

Quinn – 20 Years Old

I pacein front of the boy"s dorm room, ignoring the looks a few people keep giving me. I"ve been seeing Kai for nearly two years since joining Huntersville College. We"re both looking to work in the same field, pursuing our bachelor"s degrees in education. He was sweet and kind but way out of my league.

Blond hair, bright blue eyes, with a swimmer"s body.

I should be in heaven right now, but I"m not—heck, I honestly don"t have any feelings for him whatsoever. At first, he made me feel special, and I wanted that, but something was always not quite right. I couldn"t put my finger on it until this morning, when Professor Shaun pulled me aside and demanded that I re-sit a test we had done a few days before, and one from last month. When I aced them, he admitted the lovely Kai has been flipping copying me, and has been for the past two fricking years!

How is that even possible?

How did he not get caught for so long?

Clearly, he was using me, and I fell for it like a jackass, wanting a little attention.

I should have seen the signs. Not only is he bad in bed, so bad he"s made my high school boyfriend, "Four-Second Stan", look good, but he never wanted to spend actual time with me unless it was to get his dick wet or when he needed my notes.

Maybe I"m just better off being single because this dating malarkey sucks.

Growing up, I thought my parents" love was my end goal. It was something I wanted and wished for until I was about seven, when my mother sent me up to his office to grab him, while she spoke to my Grams' doctor after she was admitted to the hospital.

For a seven-year-old, I was already scared, seeing my grandmother suffer from a heart attack, but walking into my father"s office on the cardiology floor with him being the senior doctor, and seeing what I saw…. I"m surprised I even let a boy near me.

I loved my father; I looked up to him and idolized him.

The way he loved on my mother and us kids…. I was a daddy"s little girl, until I saw him leaning over some blonde bimbo nurse as he thrust inside of her as she faked moaned.

I remember screaming, getting his attention before his face went white and he pulled out of her in horror. The nurse screamed for me to get out until my mother came up behind me, gasping in shock. My father begged her to listen to him while trying to pull up his pants.

Momma punched the nurse who pleaded for my mother not to report her, which Momma did, before demanding a divorce from my father.

Since then, I have barely spoken to my dad unless I have to, and it"s been thirteen years. But after that day, and trauma I was forced to go through afterward, speaking to him is never going to happen again.

Momma and he did work things out. Grams never made it out of the hospital, and Momma struggled losing her only parent, having lost my grandpa to a stroke a year prior.

The doctors stated that Grams died of a broken heart, missing Grandpa too much. Personally, I think her heart couldn't take all the chocolate she shoved into her mouth, but hey, potato, patahtoe!

Momma and Dad have done counseling and still see someone to this day. He became her crutch after losing Grams, while I distanced myself from them, not understanding how he could hurt Momma that way when she was everything to him, and not understanding how she could forgive the way she did after she moved us out of the family home.

Jack, my big brother, found out about the affair years later. He confronted my dad when he was fifteen. After punching our dad in Momma"s honor, he has been willing to give dad another chance.

Idiots!

The nurse lost her job, and Dad was put on probation. As far as I"m aware, he"s not looked at another woman since, and always leaves his office door open unless he"s with a patient, in which case he has a fellow male colleague with him.

I know he made a mistake, but it"s a mistake I won"t ever forgive. I idolized him and his love for my momma, only to prove that love doesn"t exist, and for my childhood to be ruined.

I sigh before heading toward the front of the male dorms. It"s time to end things with the prick before he loses his scholarship.

Maybe I can knee him in his little prick while I"m at it.

I head up the four flights of stairs before looking for his room, but pause when I stop outside of it. Hearing a loud moan from inside, I let out a deep chuckle.

Of course, not only a cheater in school but also in a relationship.

With a grunt, I open his door, which surprisingly was unlocked, then lean against the door frame, crossing my arms over my chest, and watching the disgusting show.

Kai is currently fucking some brunette who, I must admit, looks bored, while one of the science guys is fucking his ass.

Yuck.

I make eye contact with the brunette that's in my class, who rolls her eyes, recognizing me and mouths, "Lost a bet," making me smirk, which widens when she mouths, "Please do something."

I give her a nod as I clap my hands loudly, causing the two men to look my way. The science guy, not sure of his name, jumps back, his small dick pulling out of Kai"s ass quickly, making Kai wince before we make eye contact. His widens in shock as the brunette grabs her clothes, whispering, "Thanks, hon, you defo deserve better," while rushing past me and out of the room.

I tilt my head at Kai and comment, "So not only are you a cheater within the educational system and used me because you"re a dumb fucker, but you"re also a cheater within a relationship." I widen my eyes for dramatic effect, and gasp, "Wow, you"re a serial cheater who apparently likes it up the ass, too."

Scoffing, I shake my head as I push off the door frame and turn around, ready to get out of here. The audience has gathered to laugh at the idiot when his voice echoes, "Baby, please it-it isn"t what it looks like…."

I put my hand up and walk away, saying over my shoulder, "It"s exactly what it looks like, and not only are you thick as fuck, using me to try and pass your classes, which you"ve now been busted for, but you"re also the worst fuck I"ve ever had."

Granted, only one was before him, but he doesn"t need to know that.

The hall erupts in laughter, and people shout, "Burn…." as I leave, my phone ringing through the noise.

I answer it with a smile when I notice who it is. "Well if it isn"t my favorite big brother."

He chuckles. "I"m your only brother, squirt…." I smile as he continues, "I"m calling to make sure you ended things with that dick."

Knowing he never agreed with our relationship, I laugh and comment, "Actually, I didn"t need to. I caught him screwing some brunette who lost a bet, and some guy screwing his ass."

Jack starts to gag, which makes me laugh a bit. I love my big brother. He"s completing his four-year bachelor"s degree in auto service management. He"s amazing and my hero.

I never knew how he didn"t become jaded like I did; though, he doesn't know the whole story, so that may have something to do with it.

He clears his throat. "I really could have lived without that visual, sis. I am happy you"re through with him."

I smile as I walk out of the building, heading back to my own, ready to study, as Jack asks, "I"m uh, calling to see if you"re coming tonight."

Ah yes, my parents twenty-sixth wedding anniversary.

Don"t get me wrong—I love my momma, and Dad treats her right, but how can she be sure he hasn"t strayed again?

How does she know that the nurse was the only one?

He claimed they"ve only slept together that once, that he gave in to her advantages but didn't really want to do it. But how can she trust his word?

How can she believe he wouldn"t do it again?

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and sigh. "I"m sorry, but I"m behind on my algebra."

He hums, not believing me, his words proving it as he rasps, "You can"t keep pushing away him, sis. He made a mistake?—"

I cut him off. "A mistake I walked in on, a mistake that he only got forgiven for because Momma lost Grams. She was ready to leave him, and he used her mental state to worm his way back in. I"m sorry, but you and Momma may have forgiven him, but I haven"t, and you know what, Jack…. He made a mistake, right? Does that mean you"d make a "mistake" on a girl you claimed to love?"

He groans, and I can already picture him running his fingers through his black hair, the same shade as our father"s, in frustration.

I must admit, I"m so happy I take after Momma, with her dark blue eyes and blond hair. Though, mine is lighter than hers, like the sun—at least that's what my dad used to say.

"No, I would never do that…. Please, squirt, it"s their anniversary…."

I shake my head at his pleas, and snap, "I"m sorry, but I can"t. Send my love to Momma, and I"ll speak to you tomorrow, okay?"

With a disappointed sigh, he murmurs, "You"ll have to forgive sooner or later, sis. It"s been thirteen years. I think you"ve made him suffer enough with the number of milestones he"s missed in your life, fuck, you even made sure he didn't get a ticket to your high school graduation. It was only by chance he got in." He sighs. "I"ll give you a call around the same time tomorrow. Love you."

He hangs up, and I cringe.

I know he wants me to forgive so we can be a happy family again, but I just can"t.

I stopped believing in love when I was seven, and I stopped idolizing my father, which is why I never went into the medical field like I grew up promising to do.

Being alone and distant is just better.