Read X Marks the Spot (Executioners MC Book 1) for Free Online Page A

‘bitches’ placed in front of him. “How long you in town for baby girl?”
    I shrugged. “No plans, but I was thinking about heading back tonight.”
    “Bullshit.”
    Butterflies leapt around in my chest at the thought that my dad might actually want me around.
    He clasped me on the shoulder. “It’s getting late. You’ll stay the night and let Ruth make you a proper breakfast before you get back on the road.”
    The swelling in my chest gave way to an empty pit in my stomach. “Sure, Pop.”
    He nodded. “Good. Don’t know if I’ll be around. Got some shit to take care of with the boys. You know how it goes.”
    “Yeah, some things never change, I guess.” My blue eyes locked onto Ronin’s deep, intense stare. The way everyone hushed all at once didn’t go unnoticed. Others glanced at him, but only for a second, as if they were scared to get caught looking his way. The only person not looking at him was the redhead sitting at his side. She was too busy shooting death rays at me with her blazing, green eyes.
    The expressions around the room were a combination of fear and pity. Whatever Ronin had gotten himself into must be some pretty fucked up shit.
    Not my problem .
    “Yeah, that’s okay, Pop. Maybe I’ll come back more often. I’m sure Jessa would be thrilled,” I said with a sarcastic smirk.
    Pop kissed the top of my head. The simple gesture caused hot tears to pool in the corners of my blurry eyes. “We’ll worry about poking that bear when the time comes.”
    A hard knock on the door made everyone sit up a little straighter. Anyone associated with the Executioners knew to walk right in and announce yourself. A knock usually wasn’t a welcomed sign.
    Jesse’s gaze darted to Ruth. Her natural warm smile faded and a seriousness fell across her face.
    “I got it,” she said.
    Jesse responded with a curt nod.
    Most of the group sat in silence. Jesse uncrossed his legs, pushed his seat back, and planted both feet firmly on the floor. He clenched his jaw and waited. Ronin, Jimmy X, and Clint did the same.
    Herc stood to the left of the dining room door. The way his eyes glazed over indicated that his ‘enforcer’ switch had just been flipped.
    “Well, lookie here. It’s the boys in blue coming by to say hello. What can I do for ya, Gale?”
    Her loud declaration sent the boys into a huddle. Everyone unloaded their weapons, with the exception of Hercules. Jessa had slipped back in and was now helping to round up all of the guns and contraband, loading them into a laundry basket and slipping back down the hall through a side door off the kitchen.
    I heard the voices coming from the front door, but could only make out Ruth’s.
    “Sure, come on in. Grab a plate.”
    I noticed the way Pop’s eyes changed from blue to slate gray and were now narrowed at Ronin. I surveyed the man I used to know better than I knew myself. The rapid rise and fall of his chest was visible through his tight t-shirt. He balled his fists up at his sides.
    The redhead moved closer to him, rubbing her slutty hand up and down his bicep. Shocked by the pang of jealousy invading my gut, I turned my head to look away. It was his fucking life. If he wanted his dick to rot off, that was fine by me.
    The voices drew closer.
    “Ruth, you know we’re not here for a social call.”
    With a loud, mocking gasp, Ruth’s warm eyes grew cold as she came around the corner, followed by two uniformed officers.
    “Just two of ya? Thinking mighty high of yourself today, Gale.”
    “That’s Lt. Davis, Jesse. And Officer Roberts and I have plenty of backup outside just in case you boys decide to cut loose.”
    The snickering and chuckles coming from around the table caused my tummy to tighten. Every possible scenario was fighting to scramble through my already jumbled brain. I did not come back home, after all this time, to end up in a biker brawl with the damn cops. I had seen it all play out before, remembering the pain of being dragged