Page 1 of Bound by Vengeance
P R O L O G U E
The gun is steady in my hand, the weight of it not giving me a bit of comfort. The cold of the metal, the unforgiveness of its mold, it matches the way I feel inside. Hardened steel, molded and made by the hands of men, the firearm gives me no fear. It only feeds the burning need for retribution in my soul.
Aiming it at him, thoughts of how I got to this place rush through me. The choices that were stripped, the consequences of actions and life that were altered and changed forever. All of it weighs heavily on me, but my strong shoulders bear it.
Being a warrior is in my blood, carried through me from my parents. Eye for an eye is our motto. They would expect nothing less from me.
The blood pumping through my veins was once a life source. Now, my sole focus and the fury that courses through me is fueled by vengeance with every beat of my heart.
He looks up at me, eyes blank.
“Bye, Ryker.”
Without a second thought or a moment of hesitation, I pull the trigger.
C H A P T E R O N E
“Oh, Austyn.” Lexa, my former and hopefully current boss, tightly wraps her arms around me, tipping my body from left to right in excitement. Her short, spiked hair pokes me as she leans in.
She’s always stylish, staying with the latest trends and colors. Currently, the tips are a vibrant pink, but will surely change next week.
“Hi, Lexa.”
It’s been three and a half months since I stepped foot into Do or Dye Salon. Truthfully, I didn’t know how Lexa would react to me coming in without any notice. When I left, it was by phone, not wanting to be out in the world, unable to handle people.
She was worried, and I knew she cared because she showed it every day I worked here for the past year and a half. Life was hard, and it took me away for a while.
This salon is my third home, right after my parents’ house and the Ravage MC clubhouse. They always say that home is where you hang your hat, but for me, it’s where I have people around me that I care about.
Lexa pulls away, yet still holding on to me as she looks me up and down. Shying away isn’t an option. There are no physical markings anyone can see. It’s what’s on the inside that can be scary. Good thing that is well-hidden.
It’s my secret, my scars. No one can bear the burden but me.
There is a piece of me that started small and dark, but now it has grown to cover every inch of my soul. Seeking equality and vengeance, the woman at the core of who I am is marked, stained, covered in red.
Once life was my oyster, or whatever the fuck the saying is. Once I was carefree. Once I was open to life, love, and anything that came my way. Now I have a fortress around myself. It’s a good thing no one can penetrate those walls. I’ll make damn sure that doesn’t happen.
“Tell me you’re coming back. We’ve had requests for you up and down, and I need you!”
This is music to my ears. Not only do I need to work, I need a paycheck. Life continues, even when you don’t want it to. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way, and money is survival at its finest.
“If you’ll have me.”
Her smile lifts so high I swear her ears move with a wiggle. “Yes! Can you start now? I didn’t put anyone in your chair and haven’t touched a thing.”
This surprises me. Do or Dye Salon is small with only five chairs that are normally filled all the time. It’s only open for a specific few hours, and by appointment only. We take walk-ins, but they understand they could possibly be waiting all day before a spot opens. The place is constantly packed with people wanting a fresh look or a root touch-up. The fact that Lexa kept my spot after the phone call and over the months shows her loyalty and makes me love her even more.
I scrunch my face up. “Maybe I should clean my station first?”
She waves her hand in front of her like she’s shooing away a fly. “Nonsense. I’ve kept it clean. And no one has cut hair there. Once word gets out that you’re back, the place will be hopping!”
“It’s not already?” When I came in, three of the five chairs were filled.
“Not nearly enough since you left. Now that you’re back, it’ll be rocking!” She steps away and goes to her computer, typing in some keys. “There, you’re all ready to start. You can do walk-ins until people know you’re back, but let me tell you, it won’t take but a day for the news to get out and the phone to light up. I’m going to have to warn Kari so she can expect the phone and the desk to be backed up.”
This is exactly what I needed.
“I’m sure Emery will come in. She’s been buggin’ the hell out of me to do her hair. I told her I’d do it at my mom’s, but she says it isn’t the same.”
