1. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Lacy

The sounds of a heavy metal band blasted through the speakers, which hung above me, drowning out the conversations taking place. Walking into the Twisted Kingdom Bar and Clubhouse always made me excited. I could feel the goosebumps rising on my arms, anticipation making me giddy, as I waited for what was in store for me.

There, behind the dark, cherry wood bar, stood the most magnificent looking man I had ever seen in my life. His dark, tousled hair hung just above his eyes. His biker vest was open, revealing his washboard like abs and colorful tattoos, that was just screaming for me to reach out and touch. Tattoos snaked down his arms and a fierce beard covered his strong face.

I swear, I was growing weak in the knees just standing there looking at him. With a slight nod of his head, Drake, my boyfriend, and proprietor of this establishment, gave me his sexy smile.

“Hey Lacy, get your fine ass over here,” he said.

Yes, that’s right. That steamy, tree of a man is all mine. And has been since the day over a year ago, that I drug my best friend, Ivy, into this very same bar. She had been hesitant at first, but after begging, pleading, and a little threatening on my part, she had caved. And, thankfully she did. Because now, we were both in love with two very sexy Raven brothers.

See, Drake is the oldest of four brothers. He owns this bar with his three younger brothers: Blaze, Axel, and Ryder. Blaze and Remy just got engaged, Axel and Ivy have been going on strong ever since they first met, and Ryder is still in love with his racing career. And, I had been madly in love with Drake since the first time I sauntered right up to that very bar he is currently standing behind. I knew I wanted him from the moment I saw him, and I knew I had to make him mine. I still remember that day like it was yesterday.

***

Lacy had finally made her way from the doorway down to the bar area. I had spotted Drake right away and had started a conversation with him. For the most part, Ivy had been quiet. Then, without thinking, she just blurted out, “Why the name, Twisted Kingdom Clubhouse?”

I wanted to smack her, but at the same time, I wanted to know the answer too.

Drake smiled as he began to talk. “My name is Drake Raven and my dad and grandfather owned this biker bar before… well before my brothers and I were born. It started out as a small clubhouse for the bikers in town, but after my dad and grandfather died, my brothers and I turned it into a bar,” he finished talking and glanced up at the photo again.

“So, you own this bar and you are a biker, that is so hot,” I asked, as I practically moaned.

***

That’s all it took for me to be hooked on that Raven Boy. In one short conversation, I had learned that this fierce-looking man was just a protector. Owning a family business, while helping to take care of his brothers and keep the family legacy going. If I wasn’t already attracted to his looks, just seeing how kind he was, would have done me in.

While most things around this clubhouse still feel so familiar, a lot has changed too. A few months ago, a guy named Chuck, from a rival biker bar tried to burn down the bar. Thankfully, Drake and his brothers stopped him, but not before the damage to the bar had been completed. But, with these boys, nothing is impossible. With the help of the rest of the bikers, and the local community, they were able to rebuild in no time.

I walked over to the bar and leaned in, allowing Drake to place his luscious lips on mine. Even after a year together, I still couldn't get enough of his kisses. Or his hands roaming my body, or his… well, you get the picture.

You see, when a couple has gone through as much as we have in our short, but definitely intense time together, you form an unbreakable bond. A timeless love that most only read about in fairytales. But, that illusion doesn’t follow our story. As many times as we’ve loved one another, found ecstasy together-- it didn't compare to the love that carried us forward in our relationship. After a rival motorcycle gang and their douchebag leader, Chuck, tried to destroy the Raven Brothers, Drake let down the wall he had formed and truly let me in. After Chuck was found guilty, with the help of his sister and Storm’s new girlfriend, Aspen, we made sure that Chuck could never hurt the Ravens Clubhouse ever again. Not to say the damage he caused didn’t run deep, but the Ravens bounced back.

“Hey, what time can you leave tonight?” I asked, moving back so I could catch my breath.

Seeing that he still had this effect on me, made Drake smile. “Axel and Ivy said they would come in and finish the last of the night shift,” Drake said. “Blaze and Remy are riding one of our security routes tonight, so they couldn’t make it, but I made sure to get coverage.”

Just as he mentioned his brother's name, Axel and Ivy came walking into the bar. Everyone inside began saying their names, raising hands to slap, and started making conversation. I swear, these guys were like rock stars or better yet, royalty. With all of the good, they do in the community and to help other bikers, it’s no wonder everyone loves them. Ivy and I were best friends and were together in the scheme that initially took Chuck down. We fell just as hard as everyone else did for these rough, but sexy guys. She tried to fight her feelings for Axel, but as I have learned myself-- it’s hard to say no to a Raven.

“Perfect,” I purred.

I waved to my best friend, Ivy, as she held tightly onto Axel’s hand. Following in behind them were Storm and Jagger. Those guys were best friends and brothers in the clubhouse.

“Why don’t you go upstairs to the apartment and wait for me,” Drake suggested.

Drake had built the apartment after he had turned eighteen and thankfully, it wasn’t damaged when the bar was burned. I thought about heading upstairs but decided against it. I had just moved in with Drake and still had boxes scattered everywhere. Besides, I wanted to catch up with Ivy.

“Nah, I will just wait down here. I like to check out the hot bartender,” I teased, wiggling my eyes at him.

Drake laughed a hearty laugh as he handed one of the waitresses a beer a customer had ordered. “I don’t blame you,” he teased back. “But, I really think you just want to gossip with your best friend,” he finished, with a knowing smile.

He knew me too well.

Ivy plopped down on a barstool next to me and we instantly started chatting away. Axel moved behind the bar, and began helping Drake fill orders as they came in. I loved watching them together. They were more than just brothers-- they were a team. An unstoppable duo, and it made my heart fill with joy to see them, all of the Raven Boys, together.

Just then, Storm sat down beside me. “What’s up, Lacy?” he asked.

He looked tired and I knew he must have put in another long day at his tattoo shop. He owned the place and had customers lining up to get his work done. Plus, he stayed busy with the guys who were all tatted up, too. That was one thing I loved about the clubhouse; the guys supported one another in their other careers, too. Everyone remained part of the club, but they branched out with their dream jobs, too.

“Hey, Storm. Where is Aspen?” I questioned, looking around him.

Aspen had been a girl he had known way back in high school. She had just come back into town, and Storm had been very secretive about the two of them together. I knew she had a shady past, so I didn’t want to pry too much. But, now that they were officially together, we had accepted her regardless of her past.

“Out with some friends,” he said, and then turned up the beer Drake had just handed him. I could tell he didn’t want to talk about it, so I turned back to Ivy.

Suddenly, I heard a loud engine roaring. The sounds were coming from the back alley behind the bar and clubhouse. I knew it had to be Ryder, the youngest Raven brother. He had a passion for fast cars and loved to do races in the alley.

Rolling our eyes, Ivy and I just giggled. Drake hated that Ryder held illegal races behind his bar, but he loved his brother too much to tell him to stop. Plus, Ryder had a huge fan following ever since he made it big in the racing world. Whenever he came into town, he would come hang out at the bar and continue his illegal racing just like he did when he was a kid. I think it’s his way of staying true to his roots, even though he’s busy making millions of dollars in the racing world.

I watched as Drake’s eyes grew wide and he bit his lip, trying to hold back his anger at hearing the engines rev. People inside the bar began making their way out the back door. It was time for a race, and none of them were going to miss that.

Drake threw down a rag he had been wiping the counter off with and huffed.

“Calm down, baby,” I said, patting his rough, large hand.

“I just wish he would move that shit somewhere else for a change,” he growled.

Even pissed off, Drake was hotter than ever. I felt myself growing hot in all of the right places as I watched him tense. I knew it was wrong. I knew it was crazy. But, I couldn't help it. I loved Drake Raven and everything about him turned me on.

“Come on, it’s just a little race. Let’s go watch,” I offered. “Plus, you know how much Ryder enjoys doing this when he is in town. It’s one way he can give back to his fans here in Hollow Cove who can’t make it to his big races,” I reminded him.

Drake gave me a stern look, but we both knew I was going to win this fight. Reluctantly, Drake followed me as I opened the back door. As we made our way outside and through the swarm of people already lined up to watch the races, I heard my phone chime from my pocket. Pulling it out, I spotted a text from Ivy.

Ivy: Drake looks mad!

I glanced away at my phone and noticed Drake standing, his massive arms folded across his chest with his typical scowl planted over his face. Damn, something about him looking that angry just made me warm all over. Laughing to myself, I replied back.

Me: What else is new! Are you all staying for all of the races?

Ivy: No, Axel has to work early in the morning. What about you all?

Me: Not sure, I doubt Drake will want to stay long.

Remy : I heard Ryder was in town. Is Drake mad?

I laughed as I saw Remy pop into our group chat we had for the three of us.

Me: He’s getting pissed. Hopefully, Ryder will only do one race.

Remy: Let’s hope so. Blaze is on his way to the bar.

Ivy: How about we plan lunch one day this week? Just us girls? Remy, we can start planning your bachelorette party!

Me: Sounds perfect! I will call you.

I spotted Ivy in the crowd and smiled as I put my phone away. I hated sometimes how we didn’t get to hang out as much time together as we used to. But, with work and spending time with our Raven Boys, we always found time to hang out.

Just as I found myself getting lost in my thoughts, the roar of an engine and screeching tires brought me back to reality. A gush of wind blew through my hair as two cars sped past me; both racers anxious to cross the finish line first. Everyone around us erupted in screams and hollers as they cheered on the race. Even though Drake hated the illegal aspects of the races, I still knew a part of him loved the thrill of watching two fast cars or bikes race down the back of his bar. It was exhilarating to watch and by the slight smirk crossing his lips, I knew that Drake was feeling the same hype as everyone else around him. I also knew he was proud of his brother and only allowed the races because of that.