Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Striker

Present Day . . .

"Lila, you're not going to some party, and that's final," I snap, glaring at my little sister.

"But Striker," she whines, stomping her foot and crossing her arms. "It's not fair. You don't let me do anything fun."

"That's not true, and you know it. You're just not going to some party that I don't know the players," I tell her, not letting her tantrum bother me. I've been raising her since she was ten and moved her in with me. I know what she's like. Also, I know she's a beautiful girl, and I don't want anything to happen to her.

In the past years, hell, in the past few months, I've seen a hell of a lot of shit happen to women I know. There's no way I want something to happen to my little sister.

"It's not like I'd be going alone. Marcie and Valerie would be going with me," Lila states like that means anything to me.

"Not happenin', Lila. Give it up. You and your friends want to do something, fine, do it here at the house where I know you're safe," I suggest and pull my cut on. "I've got to get to Devil's Nirvana."

"Fine, whatever," Lila snaps, throwing her hands in the air. "I'll tell them to come over here, and we'll just watch movies and order pizza."

"Good." I nod, shoving my wallet and keys in my pocket. "Don't think to get any wild ideas, thinking you can run off after I leave. Prospect will be watching, and Athena's gonna come by. Think Jessie wanted to hang out with you."

Athena's son had a bit of a crush on Lila and loved hanging out with her. Mostly because she always gave him her attention no matter what was going on around them.

Lila's eyes narrow to slits as she glares at me. "You set me up," she accuses.

Smirking, I shrug. "What can I say? I know how to make sure my little sister keeps her ass safe."

I don't give Lila a chance to come up with a retort. I'm already running late as it is. Brass had plans with Athena, and I needed to get there so he could do whatever he's got planned.

Striding out to the garage, I open the door and head to one of the two bikes I bought after the wreck that fucked up my leg. I hadn't been able to ride for months.

Between the physical therapy and getting my head around the accident where that stupid bitch Selina had nearly killed me, I haven't been myself. My brothers knew. My sister knew it. Everyone knew it.

I went from being laid back around everyone to pretty much being a dick to anyone not family. I knew this, and I didn't give a fuck. The way I see it, you come around, you gotta earn my respect.

Leaving the house, I hit the throttle and give a chin lift to the prospect as he pulls up in front of my house. At least I know Lila's protected here at the house while I'm busy.

I don't like leaving her alone, but she just turned seventeen. Her independence strike spiked even higher than it ever has. She's bound and determined she's going to live her life, party, and do whatever she wants. I don't have a problem with her doing her thing to an extent. I'll always do what it takes to protect her, even when she doesn't like it.

Lila's in her last year of high school and graduating in just a couple more months. The girl already has offers from three different colleges. I'm sure there's more to come. Lila applied to about six or seven different schools. A few in Virginia. One in North Carolina. She even applied to one all the way out in Colorado, that one I hope she doesn't get into. But I know she will. She's smart and has a bright future ahead of her. My little sister's even looking at being the valedictorian for her senior class.

With her having so much ahead of her, I don't want to see anything happen that will cause her to lose her chances at a beautiful life. One she deserves. She has plenty of time to make mistakes after she turns eighteen and away at college. Even then, I'll probably set up some sort of something for wherever she goes. Otherwise, I'll worry about her.

The ride to Devil's Nirvana is quick, definitely not long enough. I would have preferred to have ridden for a while and feel my bike beneath me. The fresh air surrounding me as I can only feel when riding. Unfortunately, I've got work to get to.

I pull into the front of the club and look up at the sign, and a sense of pride washes over me, just as it does any other time I pull up in front of this place.

Devil's Nirvana is the club's newest venture, run by Brass and myself. We handle everything here. With it being a strip club, we keep a tight rein on things. If we didn't, then anything could happen. That's something neither Brass nor I could allow. If someone fucks with the girls who work here, they get a beat down they'll remember for the rest of their lives. We don't take any shit around here.

Making my way into the club, music is pulsing through the speakers. One of the girls was up on stage, and the tables were slammed with customers. I walk through, greeting the bartender, a sweet little piece I wouldn't mind sinking my dick into, but we've got a rule. Don't fuck with the employees.

Brass might have done it, but Athena doesn't work here anymore. She decided to work at this café in town that is owned by Autumn, one of her friends. Her's and every other ol' lady that's with a member of the club.

Several weeks ago, she'd been kidnapped right outside the place, and Athena wanted to make sure she was good. I'd seen her around and had her cooking whenever she catered an event.

I heard Athena mention to Brass about how she moved into the apartment building after selling her house she'd been living in for a while. She told him how she couldn't stand to live in the house anymore after her sister was killed. I didn't know she had a sister until then or that they were twins.

It would suck to lose a sibling, but I'm sure it was harder for her to lose her twin.

Spotting Brass coming out of the office, I shove thoughts of the woman away.

"Yo," I call out, greeting Brass.

Brass jerks his chin up and heads in my direction. "Athena just called and said she was on her way to your place."

"Good. Means Lila has less of a chance to use that mastermind of hers and come up with a way to get around the prospect and not be there when Athena gets there," I grunt.

"That's what Athena said." Brass chuckles, shaking his head. "She said she was hoping to talk Lila into helping at Autumn's café some after school a few days a week."

"I thought Athena said everything was good there?" Since Athena started working there, she's talked about Autumn. Always looking at me like I've got some answer about it. Hell, I don't even know the woman other than in passing.

She might be beautiful. For that matter, she's very beautiful.

"It is, but Athena thinks something's up with her. She's working constantly. Rarely home long enough to sleep more than a couple hours at most. Honestly, need you to look into this shit, ‘cause I'm tired of hearing about it. It's worrying Athena, and I don't need that shit."

Blinking at my brother and best friend, I brace my hands on either side of my hips and stare at him, surprised yet not shocked by what he's asking. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Nope," Brass answers, drawing out the P at the end. "I need you to do this for me, brother. Athena's driving me nuts, worrying about her friend."

When it comes to Athena, no matter how badass the woman is, she's still his woman and has been through enough in her life. He's not about to let anything else happen to her.

"And you need me to do it, why?" I demand, becoming annoyed. "I don't even know the woman."

"Come on, Striker, you'd be doing me a solid." Brass grins and reaches out to slap me on the shoulder. "I'd appreciate it."

"Fine," I grumble, definitely not pleased with doing him this favor.

"Thanks, brother. I better get going."

"Yeah, whatever. See ya later." I give him a two-finger salute and make my way into the office, putting thoughts of what he's asking to the back of my mind for the time being .

Right now, I've got other things that need to be seen to. Like ensuring everything tonight runs as smoothly as it does every night. The last thing I need to be worrying about is a dark blonde beauty who, if you look close enough, has haunted eyes.