Redemption/Joker and Daisy

Book 4: Serpents MC Las Vegas

by Barbara Nolan

Genres: Erotic & Steamy Romance; Motorcycle Club Romance; Romantic Suspense

Synopsis

They had everything they always wanted. Until they didn’t…

Redemption was never an option for Joker until Daisy strutted into his life, but the love of a good woman won’t absolve him of his past. With the soul of an outlaw and the sense of a biker, he can’t shake his desire to ride, even if it means jeopardizing his marriage.

Reformed from her life of cons and crime, Daisy can’t forget what the biker life cost her. So Joker’s decision to join the Serpents MC as she prepared to give birth to their first child leaves her questioning his love for her and his devotion to their growing family.

In the hours after Joker accepts his VP patch, his life is turned upside down. Daisy and their unborn baby are now in peril, and everything he believes to be true is a lie. Turning to the Serpents for help is the only option he has left, but as Joker tries to save his wife and unborn child, it’s hard to know who to trust. Is the club the reason his life has imploded, or are his new brothers his true shot at redemption?

Redemption is a steamy bad boy biker romance. Although it is book four in the Serpents MC Las Vegas Series, it is the follow-up to Beyond Redemption and is intended to be read as the second part of Joker and Daisy’s story. Like the rest of the Serpents MC Las Vegas Series, it has lots of heat and a guaranteed HEA!

 

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Release date: December 7, 2020

Publisher: Barbara Nolan

Print pages: 218

Sample

The best thing about owning J & D Custom Cars and Motorcycles was coming in early in the morning and seeing Daisy’s fine ass bent over a box, taking inventory of a new delivery of motorcycle parts. 

A smile covered Joker’s face as he watched his wife with clipboard in hand, her earbuds firmly in place doing a little boogie while completely unaware that he’d entered the stockroom. Ten months of marriage, eight months pregnant with their first child, and Daisy still took Joker’s breath away. They said women glowed when pregnant, but Daisy fuckin’ shined.

When he slipped his arms around her full belly, she startled and removed her earbuds but kept her eyes on the clipboard. 

“How many times do I have to tell you not to do that, Gus. My husband will get jealous.” She waited, then smirked over her shoulder.

Joker hired Gus, the sixty-year-old mechanic with unbelievable knowledge of all things with a motor when he first opened the garage a year ago. He’d adopted the title of garage manager and father figure for both Daisy and Joker. A role they all embraced since the fathers Joker and Daisy each had were sperm donors at best.

“Always with the sass.” Joker brushed the hair away from her neck and nuzzled her collarbone. Pregnancy hadn’t changed her one bit; Daisy was still his wild hellcat. He loved having her there, loved the two of them working together for a common goal, and loved the way he could glance over at the office from the garage and see her intently staring at her computer screen. 

Their condo was littered with every magazine from Cycle World to American Iron, and her quick mind devoured the information. Plus, Daisy’s skills as a former con woman on the streets of Miami made her one hell of a salesperson, able to upsell most any customer who came into the shop.

What guy didn’t like talking bikes or cars with a beautiful woman? A winning combination for most men, and Daisy knew how to lightly flirt them into a sale. He loved watching his wife at work—she was a natural.

“I didn’t expect you in so early.” She laid the clipboard on the shelf and turned to face Joker, then wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Wanted to get a head start on some of these jobs, but then I got distracted.” He cocked an eyebrow, and she grinned.

One year and the garage hummed with work. Joker had five bays and six mechanics, but he didn’t like to think about his good fortune. Frankly, it scared the shit out of him. Back in the bad old days, he'd never believed that he’d have a second chance at life, in Vegas of all places, with his son and a good woman at his side. 

Joker walked Daisy backwards until her hips hit the low counter along the wall. He lifted her and set her on top—a perfect angle for what he had in mind. He pulled at the V-neck of the thin t-shirt, which molded over her curvy figure, and then nuzzled her breasts, causing her breath catch. Best thing ever.

“Shit, babe, these were fantastic before, but now ...” Aware of the growl in his voice, Joker reminded himself they were in the storeroom, not sprawled out in their bed.

“Enjoy it before you have to share them.”

“Geez, why’d you have to say that? Now I feel like a perv.” He planted a kiss on her belly. “Okay, in there, I’ll learn to share.”

He tangled his fingers in Daisy’s hair and tugged at the strands for better access to her slender neck. Her parted lips and hooded eyes told him he’d hit that sweet spot right below her ear. When she made that little purring sound in her throat, his dick twitched against the zipper of his jeans. Daisy amped him up just by breathing.

Anchoring both legs around his hips, she wiggled closer as her hand fumbled with his belt buckle. Peeking up at him through her lashes, he knew exactly what she wanted. Joker couldn’t get enough of his woman, and lately, she’d been even more needy than usual. Thank fuck for pregnancy hormones.

She squirmed in his arms, and he helped her with the button and zipper of his jeans, but when her hand slid in and wrapped around Joker’s girth, his eyes slid shut.

“I love that you go commando.” Daisy’s teasing grin didn’t stop her hand from working him. Joker wanted in, and he needed in now.

He jostled her, tugging down her maternity shorts, and smiled at her baby bump. A few more tugs and he had her right where he wanted her. 

She draped her arms over his shoulder and the fresh scent of her shampoo surrounded him. 

“Do it, baby, I need you,” she panted out.

The minute he lifted her hips, the little bell over the office door jingled.

“Shit, who the hell is here at eight in the morning?” Joker rested his head on her chest, trying to regain his strength while cursing at whoever the hell had the nerve to interrupt them.

“Hey, Joker?” Python’s voice boomed through the storage room door.

Joker’s shaky hands struggled to pull up his jeans and then fix his belt.

“Hey, fucker, you here?” The sound of Python’s heavy boots came closer.

“Help me,” Daisy pleaded, reaching out to him. 

He grinned at her, marooned on the counter, half-naked, then realized Python was only steps away from seeing his pregnant wife half-dressed.

“I may have to kill the big beast.” Joker hoisted Daisy to the floor, pulling her t-shirt over her bump while she yanked up her shorts.

He gave her a quick kiss, pushed down his raging hard-on, then slapped his palm against the door.

“What the fuck are you doin’ here so early?” Joker heard the gravel in his voice, but shit, he was looking forward to screwing his woman in the storeroom.

“Good morning to you too.” Python grinned and gave him a once over. “Where’s Daisy?”

“Taking inventory of the new parts that were delivered.” Joker hustled Python out of the hallway and into the office.

“Looks like you were taking inventory of her parts.” He waggled his eyebrows, grinning like a damn fool. 

“Keep your mind outta the gutter when it comes to my pregnant wife.” The Serpent’s sergeant-at-arms loved to yank his chain.

“Alright. Don’t get your balls any more twisted than they already are.” Python kept the grin on his face as he pulled a pack of cigs from his cut. “How’re you coming along on the tune-up?”

“Should be ready later today.”

The minute Daisy walked into the office, a huge smile cracked Python’s hard face. “There’s my favorite pregnant lady.” He slung his heavily muscled arm over her shoulder and pulled her in for a bear hug. 

“Geez, don’t break her.” Joker teased. “She’s got my baby boy in there.”

“Nah, I wouldn’t hurt this pretty lady.” Python released her and glanced at her belly. “Where’re you hiding it?”

Daisy smoothed her hand over her t-shirt. “He’s in there.”

“A future Serpent in the making.” Python threw his head back and barked out a laugh, then jerked his thumb toward Joker. “When you’re too old to ride anymore, he can take your place.”

Daisy shot a look to Joker. “I don’t think so.”

“Im’a have to step up as uncle.” Python puffed out his massive chest, missing the instant tension in the room. “We Serpents gotta stick together. One of the main reasons I stopped by today.”

“Let’s not bore Daisy with your bullshit.” Joker jerked his chin toward the door, then pushed Python in that direction.

Daisy’s wary eyes roamed over both of them as they left the office.

“Geez, why the hell you pushing me?” Python shook Joker off when they got outside. “Sorry, I interrupted your little fuck-fest, but I like talking to Daisy.”

“And I like my balls exactly where they are.” 

Python screwed up his face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Joker jerked his head toward the office. “She’s not up with me patching-in. As a matter of fact, she’d hate it.”

Python nodded like he’d just figured out a puzzle. “So, that’s why you’re dragging your feet.”

Joker scrubbed his hand over his jaw, vividly remembering the pain on Daisy’s face when she relayed the horror story of losing her first child because of a biker. “She’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her, and I wanna keep her that way.”

Python’s face grew serious. “The shit we were going through with the Desert Rats a few months ago has gotten hotter. We gotta shut ’em down.”

“So, what does that have to do with me?” Joker said.

“You gonna make me say it?” Python challenged.

“I already told Cobra, I’m not interested. Not my fault you lost your last VP when his old lady popped out her fifth kid and gave him an ultimatum.”

“And I don’t buy your reasons.” Python continued, “You’re one of the few who was actually brought up with the club mentality. Your daddy was a president. You got this shit in your blood. Can’t shake it off that easy.”

“Maybe that’s the same reason why I don’t want back in. I’ve seen what it does to families. The undercurrent, the secrets and lies … until they’re torn wide open.”

“Doesn’t have to be that way.” Python’s voice was firm, convincing.

“But that’s what I know.” 

The Serpents weren’t into dirty shit, and Cobra was a standup president, yet the conflict within Joker was real.

“I lost my first wife because of a club grudge. Not even anything important, just one motherfucker flexing and wanting to teach me a lesson went and took my son’s mother away from him.” Joker drew in a deep breath. “A power struggle in that same club got my son shot. I can’t take a chance with Daisy or put Derek through that again.” He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as a tremor skidded through him.

“In the next few weeks, the Rats are going down.” Python dragged in more smoke, then ground the butt under his boot. “We need a man who knows the life and has the balls to live in it.” Python paused, then added, “The Serpents had your back before we even knew you. We stood with you because you were a brother from our charter club back East, but now you can’t repay the favor?” 

Sure, guilting him was a dick move, but Joker understood the tactics of using anything that worked, so Python wasn’t above screwing with Joker’s head and piling it on if it got results. It was that commitment and loyalty to his club that made Python a valued sergeant-at-arms, but it wasn’t gonna work this time.

“Ahh, no, man. I came through for Cobra when he needed it. Or did you forget those bullets whizzing past our heads in the Valley View warehouse?”

A crazy fuckin’ time saving Cobra’s old lady, Sheena, in an underground poker game that went bad. The adrenaline, the rush—Joker couldn’t deny he missed it, but at what cost?

“That’s the problem. You’re too good to lose.”

Joker jerked his thumb toward the office. “You see how happy she is, I ain’t putting that in jeopardy.”

“And I ain’t asking you to, but the Serpents need a VP, and we want you.” Python nailed him with a look that sent most men running, but Joker met him glare for glare. 

“What do you need done?” Joker asked.

“Ahh, fuck, yeah. I knew you wanted it.” Python fist pumped. “We are gonna throw you the best fuckin’ party, VP.”

“Not what I said.” Joker narrowed his eyes. “I asked what you needed, but I don’t want any fuckin’ titles.”

“C’mon, you gonna tell me you’ll ride with us, but you won’t patch-in as VP?”

“I’m tellin’ you I have your back with the Rats. Whatever you need. One time, one deal, but no party, no title, and no VP.”

Now it was Python’s turn to be silent and take it all in. Joker watched the huge man’s brain spin around his proposal, weighing over what Cobra had sent Python to accomplish against what he had just offered. Joker heard all the rumblings of unrest with the Desert Rats, and he also knew the Rats were a rogue club with no sense of loyalty, even amongst themselves. They dealt in human trafficking of minors to support their prostitution ring. Taking down scum like that would be a pleasure. 

Negotiations over. Joker put his deal out there, and Python could either yay or nay it. 

Python blew out a heavy breath. “Alright. We’ll do it your way, but I guarantee when this job is over, you’re gonna catch the fever again and want back in.”

“Don’t count on it.” Strong words, but it scared him how right Python might be.

“Cobra will contact you when we’re ready to move. Gonna take a while to put it all in motion,” Python said. “Maybe by then, you can ease her into it.”

Fat chance. He knew Daisy’s response would be a hard no.

“My word is my word.” The two men fist bumped, and the deal was done.

* * *

“That Python’s a crazy fucker.” Joker plastered a smile on his face and entered the office to Daisy’s skeptical eyes.

“You’re not considering his offer, are you?”

“What?” He parted his lips and cocked his head. She was a sucker for his innocent expression.

“Cobra came to see you last week and now Python this early in the morning. The man runs a strip club, probably sleeps til noon, unless he’s got something important to do.”

Fuckin’ hard to fool this woman, and the longer they were together, the harder it got. 

“Then, the way you rushed him out of here? Not very subtle.”

Sure, he loved her savvy, street-tough side, but just once, he’d like to pull one over on her.

“You know I’d never tell you what to do.” She waved her hand around the office. “In less than a year, you’ve made this a huge success.”

“Yeah, and the Serpents have been a big part of that.”

“Oh no, this is called hard work and dedication. No wishing, no luck. You’ve been in here six, sometimes seven days a week since we’ve opened, busting your ass and doing incredible work.”

“You’re right, but do you know how many small businesses fail even though the owners and employees give it their all?”

“You don’t need to be involved with the Serpents, and you don’t need their help.”

“Too late, babe, they’re already involved. Who do you think got me the deal on this place, and yeah, I’ve put in the work, but they’ve also sent a shit-ton of business my way. Business that I might not have gotten being a new place.”

“Fine, but that doesn’t mean you have to patch-in.” She furrowed her brow. “Are they pressuring you?”

“Fuck, no. They know where I stand, and they know what that life has cost me.”

“And me,” Daisy added.

“Babe, your story is your story, and I would never tell anyone your business.”

“So, you considering this is your own decision?” Her low rasp mixed pain and anger.

“Have you ever known me to let other people make my mind up for me?”

“That makes it even worse.” Her back stiffened. “Have you forgotten it was because of that life you lost Desiree, and I lost Jessie?”

She pushed her chair away from the desk and stormed into the stockroom.

He mashed his lips together. Daisy bringing up his first wife and her baby girl stopped him cold. Some of what she said was right, but fuck, he missed the life—riding with the club, having brothers, and knowing they had your back no matter what.

Joker entered the small room and wrapped his arms around Daisy from behind, but her silence gnawed at him. 

She turned in his arms. “Promise me you won’t get involved in anything that can hurt us.” She cupped his face and covered her lips with his, and he deepened the kiss because there was nothing like kissing Daisy, and it kept him from answering.

She sucked in a shuddering breath, and he gathered her close. “I’m thinking we should finish what we started before Python interrupted us.”

He fumbled with his belt buckle, and she narrowed her eyes. “Don’t think for one minute this conversation is over.”

He pulled her t-shirt over her belly. “Kinda hard to sound bossy, babe, when you’re half-naked, and I’m about to give you my cock.”

No need to agree or disagree with her for now. If he decided to jump in with the Serpents, he’d get her to come around in his own time, his own way. Sure, he was a dog who sometimes used sex to divert and distract, but he believed in going with what worked.

The little bell over the door in the office signaled, and they froze.

“Who the hell is here now?” Joker fixed his belt, peered through the little window in the door, and groaned.

Daisy joined him. “Looks like your groupie is getting an early start on the day.”

He smirked, and even though he knew Daisy was teasing him, he heard the lilt in her voice. His woman was a mix of salt and sweet. She had a huge heart that welcomed his son Derek as her own and would be a loving mother to their newborn baby boy, but her bullshit meter was on high alert when it came to other women.

“I mean, really, who wears that much makeup at eight-thirty in the morning? And the stripper heels and crotch-clinging shorts have got to go.” Daisy turned to face him. “And no, I’m not jealous.”

Joker laughed. “If you were, I’d worry about your brain. Kristy’s as dumb as a rock, and I don’t think there’s a part on her that’s real.”

“Checking out her parts, huh?” Daisy waggled her eyebrows.

That’s what he loved about them; they could tease each other without being pissed off.

“She’s like that lowrider I overhauled last week. Put together with used parts and only good for short rides.” Joker leaned in and nipped his wife’s neck. “Now, let me go out there ’cause the sooner I see what she wants, the sooner she can get gone.”

“Ohhh, I know what she wants”—Daisy fisted the front of his t-shirt—“but she can’t have him.” 

Joker laughed at her antics, then opened the door and stepped out into his office.

“There you are.” Kristy’s squeak-toy voice made his ears bleed.

* * *

Daisy tried her hardest to suppress the eye roll, but Kristy was way too obvious. Apparently, she started hanging around the Serpents’ clubhouse a few months ago, and as soon as she’d found out that Joker owned a garage, she brought in her late model Honda for an overhaul, unconcerned that Joker didn’t have time to be her personal mechanic. When her payment was due, she always had some sob story, and half the time Daisy swore she broke things on the car herself so she’d have an excuse to come in and flirt with Joker.

Daisy trusted her husband, implicitly but the bitch was flat out annoying. She waited until they went into the garage to look at Kristy’s car before she entered the office. The last thing she needed was to have forced conversation with that airhead.

It wasn’t like Daisy to experience jealousy. Growing up in a tin-box-of-a-trailer with an abusive father, a worn-out shell-of-a-mother, and brothers who spent various years as guests of the state of West Virginia’s penitentiary system, Daisy learned early on that envy was useless and time-consuming. Back then, she’d dream up plans to escape her wretched life instead, which in fact, she did.

So, what was the explanation for this unfamiliar niggling, this sensation that poked at Daisy, which wasn’t exactly painful, but annoying just the same? She could blame it on the pregnancy hormones or carrying around an extra thirty pounds and all that, but no—it was something else.

It was—fear. Old fears. Viper, her abusive biker baby daddy from long ago, kept popping into her mind lately. She’d dispelled him from her life almost ten years ago and now only thought about him on Jessie’s birthday, but lately, his sneer and his narrow, stoned eyes plagued her nights with terrifying dreams. Haunted dreams that left her shaky way into the afternoon. 

Daisy hid her anguish from Joker, but she feared him joining the Serpents. Biker life wrecked both of them, individually, but with the same devastating results. She’d worked so hard to put all that pain behind her and hoped her ghoulish nightmares weren’t a premonition or a warning of what was to come.