But don’t let his sun-kissed skin, long blond hair, and pretty face fool you. He’s one of the most dangerous men I know. He would do anything for the club, and that included killing his best friend without hesitation if it came to it. Because that is what they expected of you, and there’s no doubt I would do the same.

This club is like my family.

I am an only child and had no siblings to play with besides my cousin, Liv, who is like my best friend. She’s like the brother I never had, and she hates the fact the club only allows men to join.

She said she could hold her own, just like any other man here, and I believed her. I’ve seen her punch a guy because he tried to lift her skirt when she walked past him at school. I simply shook my head and smiled, knowing what was coming. Olivia, well, Liv is what I call her for short, didn’t take shit, and I loved her for that. She was who she was, and if you didn’t like it, that was your problem. She didn’t have to prove herself to anyone or anything. The only problem is she’s incredibly beautiful, and I’m not just saying that because she’s my cousin. The length of her black hair and the intensity of her black eyes make it feel like she can see into your soul when she stares at you.

She loved the gym, and we’d go there almost every day. Sometimes, men would try to pick her up, but she handled them. I’ve tried to help her in the past when someone got a bit too handsy, but she got pissed at me because she said she didn’t need my help. I’d have to agree, but I’m protective of her, and if I needed to kick someone else’s ass, I would.

I looked older than my sixteen years. My jet-black hair and blue eyes only added to my dark looks. I’m tanned, and I get that from my Portuguese mom. The good thing about going to the gym every day is I became fit and bulked up using the weights.

When I went to buy cigarettes with Liv at the corner store, I heard a beautiful voice behind me, and that’s when I saw Serena. She was an angel at the counter helping a customer. It was the first time I had ever seen her. Trust me, if I had, I’d never forget that gorgeous face. She had a genuine smile, her skin appeared smooth, and her lips were so irresistibly tempting and begged to be kissed.

I’ve slept with a lot of older women. What do you expect? The clubhouse was filled with ladies each night, and none of them were under eighteen.

Nelly was my first, and I know what you’re thinking. She’s a cradle snatcher, but in her defense, she was nineteen, and I’d lied to her that I was eighteen. I wanted to get laid, and Nelly was hot as hell and wasn’t claimed by a brother. She was a hang-around, someone who just wanted to party with us, and I wanted to party with her.

She still visits now and then, but I’ve told her I’m not interested in anything else but a fuck. She says she’s okay with that, but my dad always warned me about hang-arounds like Nelly. Never trust what they say, especially when it comes to sex. If they say they’re on the pill, don’t take their word for it, and wear a jimmy anyway, because if they get pregnant, then it’s your responsibility as the father to take care of the child and mother.Nevertrust a hang-around.

Then there was Uncle Tom, Liv’s dad, the sergeant at arms. He’s a great man and one I’m proud to call my uncle. His old lady is Sarah, and although she’s not Liv’s biological mother, she’s been more like a mother than her real mom ever was. Agnes left when Liv was nine years old. She couldn’t handle the club life and wanted to take Liv with her, but Uncle Tom wouldn’t allow it. He said it was her choice to leave, but she wasn’t taking his only daughter away too. If she wanted to leave him, then she had to leave Liv too. The choice was hers, and she left.

She kept in contact with Liv, and Liv would visit her now and then, but this is her home. The Sub Rosa MC is also her family, and she would not give that up to live with her mom in Washington.

Needing to speak to the girl behind the counter, I beelined for the sexy human being, and when I reached her, her smile faded away, replaced with an irritated one.

“Yes. What do you want?”

I rested my palms on the counter and gave her one of my smiles, the one I know has women dropping their panties. It’s got something to do with my left dimple that appears, so I’ve been told. But it doesn’t work on her. She simply crossed her arms and sighed in frustration.

She has long, wavy dark brown hair, and her eyes are a mix of yellow and green, ones that can make me get lost. She shifted her gaze from mine to behind me and grinned as she said, “Liv, how are you?”

I turned my head and spotted Liv standing behind me with a magazine, a smirk on her face, and a Red Bull in her grip, something she was addicted to. She had told me I need to stop smoking, but well, her addiction was that bloody energy drink.

“Hey, Serena, I didn’t know you worked here.”

Liv placed her items on the counter and nudged me to move aside. I didn’t, though, and stood my ground.

“Yeah, unfortunately, Nicky resigned yesterday, so my dad said I had to come in and help till he found another cashier. I should be home studying for my chemistry exam.”

“Oh shit, is that tomorrow?” Liv asked her, ignoring my presence. I would have had the chemistry exam too, if they hadn’t expelled me. Lucky for me, but yet I don’t remember Serena going to Hillsborough High.

“Are you a student at Hillsborough High?” I ask, interrupting their conversation. Serena’s golden eyes locked on mine, and I could see her irritation.

Liv struck my arm. “Is this a joke, or are you being serious? You’re looking at Serena Alejandro. She walked with me to the bus stop after school and lives down the road.”

I scowled, trying to comprehend why I didn’t recognize her beauty, and it hits me in the gut. Serena Ale-ugly, that’s what we used to call her. She had braces, thick glasses, and was skinny as hell, but that was at least a year ago. They expelled me from that school after I set the chemistry room on fire. It was a dare given to me by a kid from my class who said I didn’t have the balls to light the tripod and set the piece of paper on fire. If you ever dare me to do something, you’ll regret it, because I’ll do it. The Serena in front of me today, is completely different, in a good way.

I tilted my head and said, “Serena, Ale—”

“Don’t say it,” she cut in. “Utter those words, and I won’t ever sell those cigarettes you’re about to ask me for.”

She was sassy as hell, and I liked that about her.

I couldn’t help but notice her larger breasts before I was drawn to her mesmerizing eyes.

“No, babe, I won’t call you that again.” My voice came out in a raspy whisper.

When she blushed, I smiled even wider, knowing this was all new to her. In fact, I’d bet my life on it. I’m sure nobody had ever kissed this gorgeous girl the way she should be kissed.