Club Scars by Mara McBain Read Free Book Online Page A

very violent man.”
    “Are you guys all right?” At their nods the deputy continued pointedly, “I think what we have here is an overprotective husband and father that was confronted in the middle of the night and acted to protect his own. You look no worse for the wear, and I’m not wasting the resources. I’m asking you to leave, and not come back unless you’re invited.”
    “Do you have any idea who my family is?”
    “I know who your daughter is and I know that your son-in-law is not a patient man. That is what we’re dealing with right now,” the officer said patiently, “Now, if you’re about to threaten me, I’d stop and think about where you want to spend tonight until the courts open, and reconsider.”   
    Looking past the officer in annoyance, John’s glare bore into Crux.
    “I won’t let you take my grandson from me the way you did Katrina. You took something precious and despoiled it.”
    “Let’s get a couple of things straight, old man. You and your perverted brother hurt Kat. I’ve never treated her with anything but love and respect. She’s my wife now and if you do anything to hurt her or my son, I will gut you.”   
    The menace in Crux’s voice made even the officer shift uncomfortably, his hand moving to rest on his side arm.
    “I don’t know what my slut of a daughter sees in a lowlife, sideshow freak like you.”
    Crux smiled and took a step closer to Merrick. “You don’t need to worry about Kat. You just remember what I said. You fuck with me and my pretty face will be the last damn thing you ever see.”

Four

    John Merrick pinched the bridge of his nose, willing the pounding in his skull to cease. His other hand shook as he tried to pour a glass of bourbon, making him slosh the expensive liquor. The drive home had done nothing to cool his temper. Grinding his teeth he stared into the mirror above the bar. Fury made the vein in his forehead throb grotesquely. He closed his eyes to the outward sign of his slipping control. A feral growl of frustration sounded in his throat.  
    Downing his drink, he luxuriated in the burn. A humorless chuckle escaped his lips and he shook his head. In the elation of finding out Katrina had delivered a healthy Merrick boy , he had forgotten about Croston. The filthy lowlife still posed a problem. He’d underestimated the hold the biker had on Katrina. As disgusted as he’d been fifteen years ago to find her shacked up with the hoodlum, he’d figured it was just a matter of time before his little girl came crawling home. That hadn’t happened. Now he would have to take care of the problem.
    Pouring another drink, John settled into his leather office chair. He’d hardly blinked six months ago when a Cleveland Internal Affairs officer had come around asking questions about his son-in-law. He grimaced at the term. It had only been a matter of time before someone connected the dots. On the other hand, the news that Katrina was pregnant had been a surprise. Once he’d shared a little family history with the officer, he’d been more than willing to share what information the police had on Katrina, Croston, and the Lords of Mayhem Motorcycle Club. It seemed Croston and his friends had made some enemies over the years.
    After the officer had left, he’d put his own guy to work looking into things. Pouring over the pictures and reports the investigator had provided him, John had been sickened by what his daughter had become. He’d always made sure she’d had the finest of everything. Now Katrina had submersed herself in her husband’s biker subculture. With a wardrobe of ratty denim and leather she looked hard, little better than a street walker. At least tonight, in the innocence of sleep, she’d been his beautiful little girl again.
    Seeing her like that had brought the past flooding back. His head lolled against the top of the chair as images flashed behind closed lids. Grown now, the similarities between mother and daughter were