Sin, p.1
Sin, page 1
EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2024 Beth D. Carter
ISBN: 978-0-3695-1023-5
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Editor: Lisa Petrocelli
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
For everyone who has enjoyed the Death Riders stories. This one may not have a paranormal twist, but I hope you like it anyway.
SIN
Death Riders MC, 6
Beth D. Carter
Copyright © 2024
Chapter One
Her father’s voice echoed through the church, reflecting his passion for the sermon. It was one of Adira’s favorite things—sitting in the pew and listening as he preached. His voice changed, growing deeper with a little more twang as he built up the passion. Her mother sat next to her on one side, and her fiancé, Abel, sat on the other. Once she walked down the aisle, her world would be complete.
They rose for the last hymn and she looked up at Abel with a smile. He winked. Once the service wrapped up, she stood next to her parents to greet the congregation. Finally, the last person left and her parents headed back inside the church.
“Are you going home?” she asked Abel.
“Yeah, thought I’d rest a little before coming over for dinner.”
“Okay,” she said. “I’ve got to run to the store.”
“All right.”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek before heading toward her car. Only when she got to the door did she realize she left her keys on her father’s desk where she had tossed them earlier. Adira returned to the church, entering through a side door, and walked soundlessly down the hall. She heard the low timbre of her father’s voice coming from his office. Just as she reached it, however, she heard her name and realized her fiancé, Abel, was in there with her dad.
“Your daughter is a cold fish,” Abel said.
The words halted her in her tracks. Surely, she heard wrong, or the words out of context. Yet, confusion filled her. Cold fish?
“What’d you expect? She was raised by my cold fish of a wife,” her father stated with a dark chuckle. His cruel words filled her with shock. “But that’s why you have a side piece. A wife to look good for the congregation and a woman to fuck on the side. That’s what I have, and no one is the wiser. Get Adira pregnant and she’ll be in her own little world.”
She didn’t know what was worse—her father admitting to cheating on her mom or the fact he was encouraging her soon-to-be husband to do the same. Her stomach churned and she backed up. When the two men started laughing, she’d heard enough. Fleeing, she didn’t know what to think. How did she handle this? Her father was the pastor, for crying out loud!
She had to tell her mother.
Her mom, Esther, was putting away the hymnal books from religion class. Adira closed the door behind her, giving them privacy. Something her father should’ve done. Her mother looked behind her and smiled.
“I thought you had already headed out,” her mother said.
“Mom.” Words failed her. How did she blurt out her husband’s infidelity?
Seeing how she struggled, Esther hurried over and took hold of her hands. “What is it?”
“Mom, I … I overheard Dad and Abel talking.”
Her gaze turned wary. “What were they talking about?”
“Dad … he, uh, oh my God, Mom! He said he cheats on you! And then he encouraged Abel to do the same!”
Esther’s chin went up and she smoothed a lock of Adira’s hair back. “It’ll be fine. Abel will give you children and a stable home.”
Her eyes widened. “What? You know?”
“Of course I do,” Esther said, sighing. “I was hoping you’d never find out.”
“How could you hope for something like that?” Adira demanded. “How can you be okay with Dad sleeping with other women?”
“Because he provides a nice home, a car. Money for clothes and shopping. He keeps food on the table and doesn’t mind when I find my own companionship.”
Bile crawled up Adira’s throat. “Wait,” she whispered. “You too?”
“Darling, a marriage is just a way for women like us to have the nicer things in life.”
“Women like us?” Adira shook her head. “ ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ It’s one of the Ten Commandments!”
“Don’t quote the Bible to me,” her mother snapped. “I get enough of that crap here.”
Adira had no idea what was happening. Her whole world was splintering apart. She backed up, needing to get away from her. From them. From this.
“I, ah, I’ve got to go,” she mumbled.
Esther nodded as if she understood. “I know this is shocking, but you’ll see. It’s for the best. A marriage is strictly a business transaction and once you have a child, you’ll be glad Abel goes to another woman for his manly rights.”
Manly rights? What the hell did that mean?
“Do you have your keys?” Adira asked. “I don’t want to go in there to grab mine.”
“Sure.” Esther walked over to her purse and grabbed them, holding them out for Adira to take. “Listen, sweetheart, just forget what you heard. It won’t do you any good to dwell on it.”
Adira nodded, her stomach clenching painfully. She needed to get away. Needed a moment to collect her thoughts. She hurried away, practically running to her parents’ SUV. When she slid behind the wheel, she sat there for a moment, trying hard not to cry. Abel called her a cold fish. Because she wouldn’t sleep with him before the wedding? That had nothing to do with being a prude, and everything to do with respect. But he didn’t respect her, did he?
Adira started the vehicle and drove home, not bothering to go to the store. Why? There was no way she could sit at the table and act like she was still ignorant. God, she felt like the world’s biggest fool. Abel had seemed so sweet. Completely in tune with her beliefs. Her father had always preached she needed to be a good girl. No drinking. No drugs. No sex. What a hypocrite!
She couldn’t see him. Or Abel. Or even her mother.
What was the point about being virtuous, when none of them were?
Pulling into the driveway at the home she shared with them, only one thought was clear. She had to get away. She had no idea where to go, but that hardly mattered. There was no way she could stay here with them. And the thought of Abel touching her now made her skin crawl.
She marched into the house and ran upstairs to her room to quickly pack some clothes, along with toiletries, her laptop, and any other thing she wanted to keep. She’d never return to this house. Then she headed back downstairs to head into her father’s office. Crossing to where a painting hung on the wall, she took it down to reveal the safe set into the wall. Her father had always told her if something bad happened, all the important papers were there, along with some money. She never looked, being the good girl she was. However, as far as she was concerned, she deserved this money for the lies he spewed. Just before she went to close the safe, she saw a folder with her name on it. Pulling it out, she realized it was some sort of spreadsheet. She couldn’t make out the numbers or the obvious code on the side. Making a snap decision, she took the folder and placed it in her backpack. Then she closed the safe and returned the painting to the wall.
As she pulled off her engagement ring, intending to lay it on his desk, she suddenly remembered her childhood friend, Livia. Every summer she went to this camp where things like fishing and identifying scat was taught. She’d met Livia the first year she attended and for the next five the two girls had been inseparable. As they got older and eventually stopped attending camp, they made sure to keep in touch. Livia lived in Missouri, in a small town named Cardinal. Her parents would never think about Livia giving her the perfect hiding spot.
She booked an Uber, and it arrived ten minutes later. The last thing she did was place her phone on the credenza in the foyer. Then she closed the door behind her and got into the car. As they traveled to the bus stop, it wasn’t sadness she felt. It was anger and disappointment with a touch of revulsion.
Adira had no idea what she was going to do because she’d had her whole life planned out—white picket fence, a large family, teaching Sunday school like her mother.
Fuck that, she thought. She was going to cuss when she wanted, drink what she wanted, and she was going to find a man to take her V-card. If her parents could sin, so could she.
Chapter Two
Adira stepped off the bus and looked around. The bus depot was located on the edge of the town, in a section that looked a little old and rundown. Red brick storefronts lined the road, looking like they hadn’t been renovated in decades. A few were empty with broken windows, and those that were actual stores seemed very stereotypical. A thrift shop, cleaner’s, a coffee shop that wasn’t Starbucks, some odd-looking arts-and-crafts store, and various others that could only afford the less desirable area. For a moment, she wondered if she made a stupid mistake. She hadn’t seen Livia in a couple of years. What if she’d forgotten her? Or she’d moved on?
Then again, what did she have to lose? She couldn’t have stayed i n that house of lies. Definitely couldn’t marry that weasel. No, staying would have been a mistake. Even this part of Cardinal was a thousand times better than her hometown right then. Lifting her chin, she decided she’d go store by store until she found someone who knew Livia.
And that’s exactly what she did. Unfortunately, she struck out with each one. When she got to the coffee shop, she decided to sit down and regroup. Inside, she parked her suitcase at a table before going to the counter to order an iced coffee. Then she sat down to look out the window and reevaluate everything.
“The job is still available.”
The words caught Adira’s attention.
“It’s a strip club,” said one of the women.
“So? It’s hella good money and the owner is drop-dead gorgeous. I wouldn’t mind climbing his tree.”
“You’re absolutely right. Maybe he’d want a threesome.” The women giggled that sounded like nails on a chalkboard. “Okay, when and where is the interview?”
“Thursday morning at The Pussy Willow. I’m going to make sure I’m dressed to slay.”
They rose and headed out of the coffee shop, leaving Adira to stare after them. A strip club was hiring. Dancers? Servers? Bartender? If there was ever a big “screw you” to her parents, it would be working in a strip club, but could she really work in such an environment? Despite the fact she was a virgin, she never thought of herself as a prude. How would she feel being where nudity and sex ran rampant? Then again, didn’t she vow to rid herself of the “good girl” shackle, to turn her virtuous thoughts into sinful memories? Might as well start with a job in a strip joint.
With renewed determination, she left the coffee shop. The plan now was to get the job and find a lover. Renewing her determination to figure out how to find Livia, noting it would’ve been easier if she’d kept her phone, she resumed her search.
Again and again, she struck out, leaving the area and walking further from the bus depot. The day started to fade, and she knew she had to find a hotel to crash in if she couldn’t find Livia. She needed rest and food. As she walked past a tattoo parlor, she heard her name called.
“Adira?”
She stopped and turned around. Livia stood in the doorway of the tattoo shop, an incredulous look on her face. Happiness engulfed Adira and she ran back to throw her arms around her childhood friend, who returned the embrace.
“I’m so glad I found you!” she cried, and then she burst into tears.
“Adira?” Livia asked, sounding a little scared. “What’s wrong? Why are you here?”
“I … I … discovered my parents are horrible people and my father encouraged my fiancé to be horrible, too. I just needed to get away and I couldn’t think of where to go, and then you popped into my head. So, I came here but I couldn’t find you and I’ve been going shop to shop hoping someone knew you. I know, that was a dumb plan, but—”
“Breathe,” Livia said with a smile. “I got most of that. I’m glad you thought of me when you needed help. Come on, I’m getting a tattoo and need to get back so Treat can finish.”
A little bell chimed when they stepped inside the shop. A man sat in a chair with his arm stretched out as another man inked a design into his skin. A woman walked from the back, arms covered in bright tattoos, with a ring piercing on her eyebrow and a stud in her nose. Her black hair was styled in a Mohawk.
“Treat, this is my good friend, Adira. Adira, this is Treat.”
Adira smiled at the woman, who gave a little wave of hello.
“You ready to finish, Liv?”
“Yep,” she said and turned to look at her. “Will you be okay for a bit?”
“Of course!”
“Talk to me while Treat works. Tell me everything.”
Livia sat in a chair in front of the window, and Adira realized this was probably how Livia saw her. She rolled her suitcase into a corner before sitting down.
“All right,” Livia said once Treat continued her design. “Spill.”
“I overheard my father talking to Abel, my now ex-fiancé, on how he cheated on my mom and encouraged Abel to do the same. That it was one thing to be married to a decent woman so the congregation is happy, but to have a side piece for sex.”
“What the fuck?” Livia said, sounding shocked.
“Wow,” Treat said. “I thought my family was fucked up.”
“And on top of that, my mother admitted she also cheats! Said all I have to do is pop out a baby and I’ll be fine. As if I’d be happy that my husband would leave me alone so he can sleep around. I always thought my parents were the most pious people on the planet. But everything my father preached was nothing but lies.”
“Aren’t religious people supposed to be all Ten Commandments and shit?” Treat asked.
“Yeah, you would think,” Adira muttered, shaking her head. “I had to get out of there, and you were the only person I could think of, Livia. I hope you don’t mind me crashing. Only until I find a place to live.”
“Of course, you can stay with me!” Livia exclaimed.
“I promise I won’t overstay. The good news is I have a lead on a job.”
“Already? Where?”
“The Pussy Willow.”
Treat removed her tattoo gun from Livia’s arm as she turned to look at her. “You realize that’s a strip club, right?”
“Yes.”
“It’s owned by the Death Riders.”
“I don’t know what that is.”
Treat and Livia shot a glance at one another.
“It’s a motorcycle club,” Livia finally replied.
“Oh. Like Hells Angels?”
“Not as bad,” Livia said. “Brim, the president, is a pretty decent guy. They don’t deal dope or guns or traffic women. They own The Pussy Willow and the whorehouse, Belladonna. Adira, are you sure you can work in a place like that?”
Doubt crept into her thoughts. “Do you think I shouldn’t?”
“It’s not about should you or shouldn’t you. It’s about what you feel comfortable with.”
She thought for a moment. If she was truthful to herself, the thought of working in a place like The Pussy Willow scared her. It took her a few minutes to figure out why. Going into a dark room filled with strange men who watched women dance naked on a stage seemed … creepy. Then she remembered the words her father said, and the shocking way he talked. It made her wonder if he’d ever been one of those men.
Her resolve returned.
“The interviews are Thursday,” she said. “I think it’ll be the perfect way to give my parents the finger.”
The women laughed.
“I can drop you off,” Livia told her.
She beamed at her friend. “Thank you.”
While Treat and Livia talked, Adira picked up a photo album full of drawings and sketches, admiring the skill. It made her wish she had artistic talent.
“See anything you’d like?”
Adira looked back at the album. “These are magnificent. How does a person choose just one?”
Treat smiled. “Most people catch the tattoo bug, meaning once they get one, they want more.”
“I see,” Adira said, glancing through the pages. “I suppose it hurts.”
“No more than PMS cramps.”
“Interesting.” She saw a simple heart with a letter built into the lines. “This is pretty.”
Treat walked over to her and glanced down. “It’s a nice design for a lover.”
“I see,” Adira said. “When I get a lover, I’ll come back and get this tattoo.”
“You got it,” Treat said, winking.
Ten minutes later, she took off her gloves to slather some ointment on Livia’s new tattoo and wrap it in cellophane. Her friend stood up and held her arm out.
“How’s it look?” she asked Adira.
It was a monarch butterfly, with bright orange offset by black lines. “It’s gorgeous. Treat, when it’s time for my tattoo, I’m coming to you.”
Treat laughed. “Anytime.”
Livia paid and Adira grabbed her suitcase, waving at Treat.
“This is my truck. Just throw your case in the back.” Moments later, Livia was driving through town. “Cardinal is a great place to live. I love it here. Do you know how long you’ll stay?”
“I don’t know,” she answered truthfully. “I don’t want to go back. Maybe if this job pans out, I can stay for a long time.”
