Wicked Secrets: A Dark Mafia Romance (Ashby Crime Family Book 5), page 1
WICKED SECRETS
A DARK MAFIA ROMANCE
ASHBY CRIME FAMILY
BOOK 5
KB WINTERS
Copyright © 2023 by KB Winters and BookBoyfriends Publishing Inc
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
CONTENTS
Authors Note
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Sneak Peek of Wicked Desires
Chapter One
Thank You So Much!
Also by KB Winters
About The Author
ABOUT WICKED SECRETS
Charlie Ellison found me broken, beaten and bruised.
Another biker in a long line of bikers in my life.
Except he's not like the others,
And he has me questioning everything.
He's tough, strong and hotter than hell.
Could he be my knight on a chrome stallion?
Or the devil in a leather kutte?
All I know is that he’s different.
He makes me feel things I never thought possible.
But Charlie doesn’t want me,
He wants what I know.
And what I know could get me killed.
I’m no snitch, but I may not have a choice.
I'll have to make a decision soon. My life depends on it.
Because at the end of the day, he's still a criminal. And I’m his prisoner.
Warning: This book touches on the world of addiction and abuse.
Love a little spice with your crime? Wicked Secrets delivers.
This is the fifth book in the Ashby Crime Family Series!
Previously released as Family Ties. Newly updated and re-edited, it's the same story you know and love, only better!
AUTHORS NOTE
Get ready to dive into a world of darkness, passion, and danger, inspired by the legendary Tommy Shelby himself. This heart-racing series will take you on a wild ride through the seedy underbelly of society, where nothing is off-limits and everything is at stake.
Buckle up, because this is not a story for the faint of heart. It’s raw, gritty, and as intense as they come. From pulse-pounding action to steamy scenes that will leave you breathless, this is a journey you won’t forget.
But beware - this isn’t a lighthearted read. The pages are filled with graphic and vivid depictions of the criminal underworld. So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, join me on this thrilling adventure. Just be prepared for the ride of your life.
Warning: This book touches on addiction and abuse. It contains strong language and graphic violence.
CHAPTER ONE
Charlie
“It’s no secret that I’m getting too old for this shit.”
Did I just hear Superman say he was retiring? Superheroes didn’t retire. They went out with guns blazing. Right?
Church broke into rolls of laughter like Cross was the star act at a comedy club.
Cross had been the head of the Reckless Bastards MC for longer than I’d been alive. Hell, he’d always been like a superhero to me, as much as my own dad.
We waited for one of Stitch’s funny one-liners. We could always count on him to break up the tension. “Time to roll out the silver carpet!” he howled and we all joined in. No moment in my life had ever been more tense than this one.
Cross flipped him off and held up his black mug of beer with a big grin on the grizzled face I loved like he was blood. “Like I said, I’m gettin’ too old for this shit. It’s time to pass the torch and give this kid time to learn how to take the Reckless Bastards to the next level.”
Dozens of hands pounded on the impressively carved Mayhem table that sat as the main centerpiece inside the club’s inner sanctum. Finally, they raised their glasses to me. The kid Cross had just mentioned.
“We got new threats coming in every fucking day.” Stitch again, as if anyone needed a reminder.
“Fuck those fuckin’ Jacks!” My Uncle Tate made no secret of his hate for the newest gang of punks who thought they could come into town and take what our MC had spent decades building. Shit was bad lately, plenty of sabotage and kidnappings, public shootouts and even a few deaths, all because of the fucking BJ’s.
The dark look Cross wore brightened as he turned his attention back to the reason we were all gathered here today. “We will fuck them, long and hard ‘cause we’re the biggest dicks around!”
Max, my dad and the MC treasurer shouted, “Being led by the biggest cock of them all!” He glowed with a proud smile because this time, right now, inside these walls, was where we could be more than badass bikers, more than tough sons of bitches who fought to the death. Here, we could also be family.
“Damn straight,” Cross agreed. “And that’s why it is my absolute fucking pleasure to hand this patch over to the new Prez of the finest MC God and man has ever conspired to create. Charlie, get your ass up here.”
I stood on shaky legs, knowing this moment was bigger than just me, but still feeling strangely sure it was entirely about me at the same time. Somehow, I stuffed my nerves down deep and made my way to the head of the table. My spot at the table. As of to-fucking-day.
My brothers' roar to welcome me to my new post was deafening. I couldn’t help but smile at the happiness, the pride that wove through us all. This wasn’t just about me, but for our club. It was a thread that would never be broken. Ever.
Savior’s big blue eyes were wide, bright and proud when he calmed everyone down. “Let the new Prez speak!” he shouted. As the sergeant at arms, he had taught me everything I needed to know about guns and ammo.
Savior was an old-timer, but the man knew his shit. His blue eyes looked even bluer with a head and beard full of gray against his skin, tanned as fuck from too much time spent in the desert.
A chorus of, “We’re listening,” answered his call.
I heard “Speak!” come from the middle of the crowd. That was easier said than done. I wasn’t a talkative guy like Cross or my brother, Jameson, but I was their leader now. The lives of these men, every last one of them, were now my responsibility. My duty.
They needed to hear that I was prepared to carry the same weight Cross had as we moved forward and fought bigger, badder, and much bolder enemies.
I cleared my throat and looked out at these men. My brothers. My soldiers.
“Shit,” I said. The honor Cross just handed me hit me like a wrecking ball, and I was overcome with humility. “This is much harder than I thought it would be.”
I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “I know I have big shoes to fill,” I said. “But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to protect this club and our way of life.”
There was a murmur of agreement from the group.
“I know times are changing and we’re up against some pretty powerful enemies. But I also know that we’re the Reckless Bastards, and we don’t back down from a fight. We never have, and we never will.”
I paused, letting my words sink in.
“I’ve been around this MC since I was a baby. Watching the men at this table taught me what it means to be a man. Taught me to shave, to fight, and to honor. The rest of you, we became men together. We’ve gone from boys who didn’t know a damn thing to men who know what it means to fight for something bigger than us. To protect what the previous generation worked hard to build up.”
“Too fucking right, Prez!” Jag let out a loud whistle and clapped until the whole damn room thundered with applause. “Give it up, guys.”
I gave Jag a grateful look and raised my beer in the air. “To the Reckless Bastards, Mayhem. Being the best. Fighting the rest. Protecting what’s ours. To Mayhem!”
“Mayhem,” they all roared in unison. Even the Reckless Bastards from Texas had shown up for the changing of the guard. Most of them were in town to see Maisie get married next week, but when they found out about the vote for a new president, they all flew up early.
“Now let’s fucking party!” someone said.
Other than fighting and fucking, it was what we did best. The old ladies and the Reckless Bitches had cooked up a gang of food, and there would be dozens of beers and other booze chilled and waiting for us.
I said to anyone listening, “I need a real fucking drink.”
I’d be lying if I said the weight of my new respon
Cross clapped me on the back as the last of the Reckless Bastards went in search of booze, bitches, and barbecue. “How does it feel?”
I sighed and looked up at my mentor. “Surreal. Like a fucking dream come true. Heavy.”
Cross let out a loud, booming laugh and took a step forward as he finished off his beer. “Good. That’s exactly how it should feel.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded. “Yep. It’s a heavy responsibility, but you know how to wear that kind of weight, man. You grew up around this shit.”
“I did.” Every burned out vehicle, every girl who was here one day and gone the next, it hadn’t made sense for a long time. And then one day, it all just clicked. “I’m ready.”
“No doubt, brother. No fucking doubt. Now let’s get going before your dad and uncle drink all the damn whiskey.”
“They can try, but I got a case of the good shit from Ashby to congratulate me on becoming Prez.”
“Hmmm.” Cross nodded, and I knew he had something on his mind. “What do you think of this connection with the Ashby clan?”
“Don’t know,” I answered honestly. “So far they’ve been a good ally. Now that the Black Jacks are working with The Crusaders, I think we have a good reason to work together when necessary. What’s got you worried?”
He pulled his mouth into a grim line and shook his head. “Sadie has a way of making enemies. And you know I never back down from a fight, but I don’t go out of my way to make enemies either. Being tied too closely to them could spell trouble for the MC. That’s why we haven’t done business with them lately. We did back in the day. Some gun running for the old man.”
I nodded. It was one of the thoughts that weighed heaviest on my mind. “I’m cautious, and it’s not like I can pull back now, with Maisie’s wedding only a week away.”
Cross shook his head in disbelief as we made our way to the back of the clubhouse, where everyone who mattered had gathered to celebrate my new role. “Can’t believe Gunnar’s got a kid getting married. That shit is fucking surreal.”
“You’ve got a kid working for the damn NSA. Old man.”
Cross frowned and then laughed. “Hey Gunnar, this little shit just called us old. Can you believe that?”
Gunnar scowled, still an intimidating looking man after all these years. “Not too old to kick your ass, little man.”
We entered the large clubhouse that the women had turned into party central with streamers and balloons and long tables covered with all the food they knew we loved. Barbecue, barbecue, and then some more barbecue.
The bar ran the length of one wall with tubs of ice chilled beer and rows of bottles of our favorite brands of hard liquor. Music started up as soon as we entered.
I held my hands up with a laugh as Mom handed me a shot of whiskey. “It’s a good thing I only fight old men to protect the MC.”
Gunnar barked out a laugh. “Congrats, Charlie. Or should I say Baby Face?” He laughed again when I groaned at the much-hated nickname. “One of these days you’ll get some hair on your chin. And your balls, kid.”
I grabbed my junk and laughed. “I haven’t received any complaints.”
In fact, most women appreciated my youthful look, especially women of a certain age, and I was happy to make them feel young again.
“I wouldn’t complain at all.” Sherri was one of the oldest Reckless Bitches around and was hella thirsty to become someone’s old lady. “I like a smooth surface to lick up and down. To feel against my body.”
Sherri’s age wasn’t the problem. She was an angry drunk, a loudmouth, and tossed the MC name around like she’d done something to earn it other than lay on her back.
“Yeah, thanks Sherri.” I freed myself from her grasp and joined Jameson beside the grill. “Sup?”
Jameson grinned and leaned in for a hug. “Congrats, bro. How does it feel to be king?”
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown and all that shit. But it feels good.”
“You worked hard and proved yourself. No one deserves it more.” There was genuine pride in my brother’s voice. It was written all over his face. “Now try not to get yourself killed.”
I laughed. “Been doing that all my life.”
“Don’t get killed and please, for the fucking love of God, don’t make Sherri your old lady.” We both turned to the woman in a skintight black dress and a face full of makeup and laughed.
“No chance of that happening. Worst fuck ever.”
“Right,” Jameson agreed with a gleam in his eyes. “That’s why you fucked the shit out of her all last summer. You need to find yourself an old lady like Mom and you’ll be Prez until you’re ready to step down like Cross.”
“Shit, man, I just got the job and now you’re trying to marry me off and fill my house with kids. What the fuck?” I was too young for that kind of responsibility. I had too much on my plate to worry about a chick beyond a few nights between the sheets. “The MC is my wife until further notice.”
“Famous last words,” Gunnar said and gave my back a hard smack. “Thought the same thing when I got to Texas, determined to take care of Maisie and set up my vision for Reckless Bastards, Opey. Then Peaches showed up and turned my plans on their big fat ass.”
“Not you too,” I groaned.
“I’m just saying, this kind of shit happens when you least expect it. Hell, when you’re not at all prepared to deal with the mess of fallin’ for a woman. Damned inconvenient, that’s what love is.”
His gaze found Peaches in the crowd, laughing with Aunt Vivi, and his body relaxed with the kind of peace I’d seen between Cross and Moon, and even my folks.
“But so fuckin’ worth it. Might even make you a better Prez.”
“Yeah, why is that?”
“One more thing to fight for. To protect.” He laughed and took a long, thoughtful pull of his beer. “People will tell you that women and family make you weak. Hell, time was, I would’ve been the first to tell you that, just ask Cross. But the truth is, it’ll help make you better and smarter, more cunning. More willing to do what it takes to protect what’s yours before it’s too late.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I told him and went in search of more booze. Women and love were the last thing on my mind, but being a good leader meant I needed to hear all of the advice offered and figure out which path worked best for me.
I was no longer Charlie Ellison, son of Max and Jana, a patched member of the Reckless Bastards. I was now Charlie Ellison, President of the Reckless Bastards MC. It was a whole new world. A whole new set of responsibilities.
And a whole new meaning to my life.
CHAPTER TWO
Savannah
Peace. There were very few moments of peace in my life. I always tried to savor them because they never lasted long. Ever.
For just one rare minute there was absolute silence. No sounds of people fucking or getting beat from the skanky motel rooms on either side of mine. No sirens or fights. No gunfire either.
Nothing, just the sweet sound of nothing.
The dirty, itchy bedspread was a far cry from the thousand count Egyptian cotton sheets I had slept on just a mere six months ago. Then again, everything about this life was different.
Instead of making important decisions for the family business, I was just a fucking whore. A commodity. A piece of property for a bunch of idiotic drug-addicted assholes to sell and resell dozens of times a day. Every fucking day.
