SAVAGE: SAVAGE FALLS SINNERS MC #1 Read online

  SAVAGE

  SAVAGE FALLS SINNERS MC #1

  Caitlyn Dare

  Copyright © 2021 by Caitlyn Dare

  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.

  Edited by Pinpoint Editing

  Proofread by Proofreading by Sisters Get Lit(erary) Author Services

  Photography by Michelle Lancaster

  Model Adrian Cogliandro

  Contents

  1. Sadie

  2. Rhett

  3. Sadie

  4. Dane

  5. Sadie

  6. Dane

  7. Sadie

  8. Wes

  9. Sadie

  10. Rhett

  11. Sadie

  12. Rhett

  13. Sadie

  14. Dane

  15. Sadie

  16. Dane

  17. Sadie

  18. Rhett

  19. Sadie

  20. Dane

  21. Sadie

  22. Dane

  23. Sadie

  24. Rhett

  25. Sadie

  26. Wes

  27. Sadie

  28. Wes

  29. Sadie

  30. Rhett

  31. Sadie

  32. Dane

  33. Sadie

  34. Rhett

  35. Sadie

  About the Author

  Also by Caitlyn Dare

  Taunt Her

  1

  Sadie

  “Sadie Ray, get your ass down here.” My dad’s gruff voice makes me bristle.

  “I’m busy,” I yell back, pulling a pillow from behind me and plastering it against my face.

  “Don’t make me come up there.” A growl this time.

  A growl that would have most people trembling with fear. But there isn’t much about Raymond Dalton, prez of the Savage Falls Sinners MC, that scares me anymore. I’ve seen my dad broken and bloody, I’ve seen him almost choke a guy to death for looking at me wrong, and I’ve seen him shed tears for one of his lost brothers. He might be a giant of a man, all mean-looking tattoos, long dark hair, and menacing eyes, but nobody loves harder than Ray ‘Razor’ Dalton, despite what his club name might suggest.

  The first thud of his boot against the stairs has me smirking.

  The second has me shooting off the bed and darting for my small bathroom.

  But before I can make the distance, he barrels into my room like a monster, heaving a deep breath.

  “Seriously, Sadie,” he grumbles, running a hand over his beard. “I asked you not to pull this shit.” Something akin to pain flashes in his eyes, and my bravado slips for a second.

  I’m being a brat, I know that, but he deserves it after what he’s done—what he’s about to do.

  “What did you expect, Daddy?” I scowl, folding my arms over my chest for effect.

  “Look, sweetheart, I know this isn’t easy—”

  “Easy? Easy?” I balk. “You’re moving them in here and expect me to what? Play happy family? I didn’t ask for this.” I didn’t ask for any of it.

  He lets out a heavy sigh, tipping his face to the ceiling as if he’s silently asking the universe to give him strength. I’ve seen him do that a lot in my life, as if he doesn’t know what to do with me.

  I guess sometimes he doesn’t.

  “I didn’t ask for it either, Sadie, girl.” He pins me with a pleading look. “But I made a promise to JD.”

  Guilt snakes through me. Thick and sludgy, it fills me with shame… but then I remember what he did.

  What he kept from me for all these years.

  Before I can stop myself, I say, “Did JD also ask you to fuck his—”

  “Don’t,” he seethes. “Don’t talk about things you don’t understand.”

  “Whatever, Dad.” I barge around him and storm out of my room, flying down the stairs just as there’s a knock.

  My blood turns to ice as I glance back at my dad and force the most saccharine smile I can.

  “Looks like my new brother and sister are here.”

  * * *

  Dad moves around me, and it isn’t lost on me that he’s practically shielding me from them. But as he opens the door, it occurs to me that maybe he’s shielding them from me.

  My heart cinches as I drop down on the bottom step, waiting.

  I’ve known for a while that Rhett and River Savage are moving in. They’re my dad’s best friend’s kids. JD Savage. He died way back. Made my dad promise he’d always look out for them and their mom, but I guess that was one promise he couldn’t keep.

  Julia died a couple of weeks ago after OD’ing.

  The whole MC attended her funeral, throwing a huge party after at the compound. If there’s anything I’ve learned growing up as the club’s princess, it’s that bikers talk when they’re drunk. But finding out that my dad planned to move Rhett and River into our house wasn’t the only thing I overheard that day.

  He’d loved her.

  My old man had loved Julia Savage, his dead best friend’s wife.

  I’ve always known they were close, but I thought he was upholding a promise to a friend. I didn’t think he was over in Colton, basically creating himself a new family.

  I guess it explains a lot. Like why he’s so close to Rhett.

  Rhett Savage.

  God, I hate that blue-eyed, tatted, cocky motherfucker. He’s sin wrapped up in muscle and a dirty mouth… and now he’s my what? Stepbrother?

  The sting of betrayal sits heavy in my chest as I watch Dad welcome River into the house. She’s everything I’m not. Slim and petite, with a waterfall of golden hair that falls over her shoulders. I’m all ass and boobs, and I take after my dad with my dark-as-night hair and dark green eyes.

  River looks like Princess Barbie, standing there in her floral sundress and jeweled sandals.

  “River, meet my daughter, Sadie Ray.”

  “Hey,” she beams, and I flick my hand at her in a lackluster wave.

  “Where’s Rhett?” Dad cranes his neck to look around her.

  “He’s getting my things.”

  “Your things?” His eyes flash with irritation. “I’ll go help him. You two girls play nice.” He pins me with a warning look, and I narrow my eyes right back.

  He ambushed me.

  That bastard ambushed me, and I want to hate him for it… I do. But he’s my dad. The one guy who’s always been there for me, no matter what.

  It’s not that I resent him finding someone. I don’t.

  What I resent is him feeling the need to keep it from me.

  “I love your hair.” River moves closer.

  My fingers drift to my wild curls, the flashes of bright pink highlighting them. “Thanks,” I mumble.

  “I’d never be brave enough to dye mine like that.”

  “So, you’re River. I’m sorry about your mom.” I didn’t get to say that to her at the funeral, because I didn’t realize her mom and my dad had been banging for years.

  My chest tightens again.

  “I’ve always wanted a sister.” Something etches into her expression, but I’m too busy bristling at the word ‘sister’ to try to figure out what it is.

  “That’s… nice.” I leap up and shove past her, heading down the hall to the kitchen.

  I guess it’s our kitchen now.

  “Come on,” I call over my shoulder. “I’ll give you the tour.”

  River follows, gasping when she takes in our big, open-plan kitchen. It’s by far the best room in the house. There’s a huge oak table, big enough to seat ten burly bikers. It’s the heart of the house, and my cousin Quinn and I have spent many a Sunday afternoon with my dad and aunt and our family—the Sinners MC—here. But that’s not what catches River’s eye. It’s the wall of glass that overlooks the small lake.

  “Wow,” she moves closer, “it’s so beautiful.” Her eyes widen as she gazes outside, but the sadness never leaves them.

  “Right?” I rest my elbows on the counter and watch her. She’s not like I imagined, given that her big brother is Rhett Savage.

  He’s so… bad. And she’s so… innocent. They couldn’t be more different if they tried.

  I don’t know what to make of it.

  He isn’t exactly a talker, and he’s always made it pretty clear he doesn’t like me. Which is fine by me; the feeling is entirely mutual. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that my dad treats him like the son he always wanted and never had.

  Heavy footsteps in the hall draw both our attention, and Dad reappears. He eyes me warily, and I notice he’s pulled his long hair into a ponytail. “We put your bags upstairs in your room.”

  “Thanks, Ray.” River smiles, and it’s so genuine, so full of gratitude, I want to wipe it right of her pretty little face.

  Dammit.

  She’s like sunshine on a rainy day… and I feel like the thunderstorm circling overhead, about to erupt.

  “Where’s Rhett?” she asks.

  “He’s just getting the last of it. I’m surprised you talked him into borrowing a truck. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that kid off his Street Bob.”

  “He doesn’t let me ride his bike.”

  Of course he doesn’t.

  I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

  “What
do you think of the place?” Dad asks, and I swear he looks… nervous.

  Razor Dalton doesn’t get nervous. Ever.

  This is fucked up.

  “I love it. This kitchen is amazing. I—”

  “I need to…” I thumb to the hall and inch back away from them both. This is too much too soon.

  She’s staring at Dad—my dad—likes he’s her real-life hero, and he’s acting weird.

  I don’t like it.

  “Sadie Ray, wait—”

  But I’m already out of the kitchen, darting down the hall. Anger burns through me as I grab the stair bannister and swing myself around… slamming straight into a wall of sheer muscle.

  “Watch it, princess.”

  “Get out of my way,” I grit out, lifting my chin at Rhett.

  A slow smirk spreads over his face. “You ran into me.”

  “Whatever.” I try to barge around him, but he plants his feet wider, crossing his ridiculously big arms over his chest. Even underneath his leather cut, I can see the way his white t-shirt molds to the hard lines of his chest.

  “See something you like?”

  “Please. I don’t date bikers.” My brow lifts in annoyance, but he only smirks harder.

  “Who said anything about dating?”

  Typical Rhett. He thinks he’s God's gift to women. He might only be a year older than me, but he acts like he’s something. Someone.

  “Just stay out of my way,” I hiss, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

  Amusement flashes in his eyes as he lets them drop lazily down my body, lingering on the low V-neck in my t-shirt.

  “Gross. We’re practically siblings, and you’re looking at me like—”

  “Rhett, that you?” Dad calls, his voice like a bucket of ice water over me.

  I need to go. Now.

  Using Rhett’s momentary distraction to my advantage, I shove him—hard—and slip up the stairs, his deep rumble of laughter making my stomach knot.

  Without looking back, I turn down the hall but pause when I hear Dad’s voice.

  “There’s a room here for you, you know?”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “Stay. See how things go…”

  “Nah. I like my space, and I have a room at the club.”

  “Yeah, but come on, son—”

  Son. He called him son.

  It shouldn’t matter… and yet, I feel like I can’t breathe.

  “I appreciate it, Ray. We both do. But I’m not cut out for family life. Look after River. I’ll stop by.”

  “Damn right you will. Go on,” Dad says, “get out of here. I’ll see you at the club later.”

  “Sure thing, old man.”

  Their laughter drifts up to me, making the knot in my stomach tighten. Rhett loves my dad, I know he does. It’s in the way they talk: easy and fluid. It’s the respect that shines in Rhett’s eyes whenever my dad is around.

  They’re close.

  Real close.

  Which is why I’ve never understood why Rhett Savage acts like he hates me.

  2

  Rhett

  My grip on my handlebars becomes painful as I wait for the heavy metal gates to the compound to slide open. My teeth grind in frustration despite the fact I should be happy that River finally has a proper home. But it's not our home.

  Not my home.

  Pain shoots from my tight chest as I think of all the ways she's been let down in her life. I didn't want her here. I didn't want her around all of this. I was more than happy for her to be over the border in Colton, living a life of innocence away from the club.

  But now?

  Now she's moved right into the heart of it with our prez. The only thing worse would be if she had a room here.

  I rev the engine and take off the second the gate parts enough for me to pass, shooting gravel out behind me. Pulling to a stop in my usual spot, I nod to the guys, who are loitering around outside of Dalton’s Auto as I rip my helmet from my head and place it on my seat.

  No one tries to talk to me. I understand why; I wouldn't want to talk to myself right now either. I'm hardly approachable on my best days, but right now any one of these guys could end up missing a body part or two if they were to say the wrong thing to me.

  My surname mixed with the fact that I've grown up under Ray's protective wing offers me a certain level of respect around the compound, one that ensures no one speaks out of turn and they mostly tread on eggshells around me.

  This place has been my home for long enough for them to know that Savage isn't just my name.

  It's my nature, too.

  I blow through the main doors and head straight for the clubhouse. My eyes linger over my great-grandfather's cut that's hanging behind the protection of polished glass. The exact reminder I need right now for why I'm doing all this.

  It would be so easy to pack up all mine and River's shit and leave. But that's not who we are, and as much as I'd like to keep her away from this life, from the men here, it's our legacy. It's my birthright to be here.

  My stomach twists with the knowledge of my impending decision. This life… this club. It's who I am. I'm not sure there really should be a choice, but I can't help feeling like it's not time.

  Not yet, at least.

  A few sets of eyes turn to me as I join the others, but most of the guys’ attention is on one of our prospects who's on his hands and knees, cleaning something up while he gets mocked for whatever happened.

  Jax Pitman isn't an obvious addition to our MC, but his dedication seems to be unwavering, and we’ve yet to break him, so maybe there's more to him than meets the eye.

  Our other prospect, on the other hand, is Dane, my best friend, partner in crime and all that shit. The one who's currently walking my way with two bottles of beer in hand and the only one who's brave enough to utter a word to me.

  "What the fuck happened?" he asks, passing one of the bottles over.

  "You done?" I ask, tipping my chin to the room, knowing that he was working in here this afternoon.

  "Yup. Pussy boy has taken over," he says, looking over his shoulder to where Pitbull is still on his hands and knees.

  "Let's go."

  He's still looking at the show on the other side of the clubhouse when I storm past him, toward the back of the building where the rooms are.

  I've had a place here for years, but I only stayed once or twice a week until Mom decided this life, her kids, weren't enough for her and shot too much shit into her veins.

  My door slams back against the wall when I enter, but it doesn't immediately swing shut. I knew Dane would follow.

  "So?" he asks after closing the door and leaning back against it while I drop down onto my bed, my back against the wall, and tip my bottle to my lips.

  I swallow down half the bottle, allowing the cool liquid to douse the fire raging inside me from having to walk away from my little sister. From dropping her in the middle of this life.

  You could have stayed, a little voice pipes up in my head.

  “There’s a room here for you, you know?” I hear Ray's deep, rumbling voice as if he's standing beside me.

  Yeah, I could have stayed. I could have taken up one of the many guest rooms he has in that colossal house. But I won't. He might have played the part of my father since my own died years ago. He might have provided both myself and River with everything we've needed over the years. But I'm not a part of his family, and I'm not living under the same roof as… as her.

  Dane's eyes burn into me as I mull everything over.

  "So, I left River there to find her feet."

  "It's the best place for her. You know that, bro."

  I mutter some kind of agreement. While I might agree, I still don't like it.

  But living under our prez's roof means she’s safe. Hell, she's safer there than she ever was with me or our pitiful excuse for a mother.