Badge (RUTHLESS KINGS MC™ LAS VEGAS CHAPTER (A RUTHLESS UNDERWORLD NOVEL) Book 16)

  COPYRIGHT© 2021 BADGE BY KL SAVAGE

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY U.S. COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1976, NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, OR STORED IN A DATABASE OR RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. THE SCANNING, UPLOADING, AND DISTRIBUTION OF THIS BOOK VIA THE INTERNET OR VIA OTHER MEANS WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS ILLEGAL AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW. PLEASE PURCHASE ONLY AUTHORIZED ELECTRONIC EDITIONS AND DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN OR ENCOURAGE ELECTRONIC PIRACY OF COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS. THIS BOOK IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, ESTABLISHMENTS, OR ORGANIZATIONS, AND INCIDENTS ARE EITHER PRODUCTS OF THE AUTHOR’S IMAGINATION OR ARE USED FICTITIOUSLY TO GIVE A SENSE OF AUTHENTICITY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, EVENTS, OR LOCALES IS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL. BADGE IS INTENDED FOR 18+ OLDER, AND FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY.

  PHOTOGRAPHY BY: WANDER AGUIAR

  COVER DESIGN: LORI JACKSON DESIGN

  EDITING: RUTHLESS ROMANCE EDITING

  COVER MODEL: TRAVIS SAAM

  FORMATTING BY: CHAMPAGNE BOOK DESIGN

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Reading Order—Ruthless World by K.L. Savage

  Dedication

  Playlist

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty−One

  Chapter Twenty−Two

  Chapter Twenty−Three

  Epilogue

  Also by K.L. Savage

  READING ORDER—RUTHLESS WORLD BY K.L. SAVAGE

  Reaper’s Rise (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #0.5)

  Reaper (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #1)

  Boomer (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #2)

  Tool (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #3)

  Poodle (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #4)

  Skirt (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #5)

  Pirate (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #6)

  A Ruthless Halloween (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #6.5)

  Doc (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #7)

  Tongue (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #8)

  A Ruthless Christmas (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #9)

  Knives (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #10)

  Lunatic (Ruthless Kings: Asylum Series, Bk #1)

  Boomer’s Rise (Ruthless Kings: Atlantic City Series, Bk #1)

  Tongue’s Target (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #11)

  Thrasher (Royal Bastards Series, Bk #1)

  Mateo (Moretti Syndicate Series, Bk #1)

  Kansas (Ruthless Kings: Atlantic City Series, Bk #2)

  Chaotic (Ruthless Kings: Asylum Series, Bk #2)

  Mercy (Ruthless Hellhounds Series, Bk #1)

  Bullseye (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #12)

  Orbiting Mars (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #13)

  Slingshot (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #14)

  Rainbow (Ruthless Kings: Baton Rouge Series, Bk #1)

  Whistler (Ruthless Hellhounds Series, Bk #2)

  Tongue’s Taste (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #15)

  Badge (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #16)

  One Eye (Ruthless Kings: Atlantic City Series, Bk #3)

  Savage (Ruthless Kings: La Grange Texas, Bk #2)

  Country (Ruthless Kings: La Grange Texas, Bk #3)

  Raven (Royal Bastards Series, Bk #2)

  Tank (Ruthless Kings: Las Vegas Series, Bk #17)

  To all the lovely babies out there driving their parents mad.

  Keep on keepin’ on.

  You’re loved anyway.

  I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU BY: THREE DAYS GRACE

  I HATE MYSELF FOR LOVING YOU BY: JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS

  I HATE U, I LOVE U BY: GNASH, OLIVIA O’BRIEN

  DIRTY LITTLE SECRET BY: ALL−AMERICAN REJECTS

  MY EX’S BEST FRIEND BY: OUR LAST NIGHT

  THE BLACK BY: ASKING ALEXANDRIA

  SEX AND CANDY BY: MARCY PLAYGROUND

  WASTELAND BY: TEN YEARS

  DIE TRYING BY: ART OF DYING

  TEAR DOWN THE WALL BY: ART OF DYING

  Eighteen years old

  I’m not like the other teenagers my age. I don’t spend my time partying or slacking off, hoping my parents will buy me a new car. When I do something, I take responsibility for it. I have pretty supportive parents and a healthy home, so that helps. I know the difference between right and wrong.

  So when my high school sweetheart Haley told me she was pregnant, I did the only thing a man could do. I got my G.E.D., and with our parents’ permission, we got married. It’s been a lot to take on, but it’s been worth it.

  Being a cop while having a newborn is hard. Haley has been a little resentful, but what does she expect? I have to be able to afford our home and bills. I’m doing the best I can with the time I have, and since I’m a rookie, I have to take the hard shifts, which are the nights. I have to prove myself. It’s the worst shift to have because I know Haley needs help at night. She needs rest and my mom comes over as much as she can.

  “You okay, Rookie?” my partner asks. His name is Emerson. He’s been on the force for nearly thirty years and because of his age, they stick him with the rookies to show them the ropes. He’s a good guy, if a little stereotypical. The cliché cop who loves donuts. He has a big round stomach and a thick silver mustache. He always has a bit of powdered sugar on his uniform, right in the middle where he sets the box on his stomach.

  I rub my eyes from the exhaustion. Night after night of only getting three hours of sleep is getting to me. When I get off shift, I like to hang out with my daughter Amber. She’s so small, so perfect, so damn beautiful. I try to spend as much time with her as I can, but it’s so hard. I want to do more as a dad and as a husband, but Haley doesn’t work because we can’t afford childcare, so she stays home to take care of Amber.

  It’s a lose-lose situation. I don’t know what I can do better.

  “Just tired.”

  “I remember when my girls were born. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.”

  “Any advice?” I question as I turn down a street known for drug deals.

  “Not really. You just have to get through it. It will test your relationship, but I’m telling you, all these tough times? You’ll look back on ‘em, Rookie. You’ll see.”

  “Tell Haley that,” I grumble, staring out the window as we roll by each rundown house.

  Emerson sighs. “Listen, Rookie. I’m not a therapist, but I’ve been married for forty years. I got married in high school just like you, got pregnant too young, like you, and we have been through the worst of shit. She’s new to this just like you. Give her a little slack.”

  She isn’t giving me any.

  Now I sound like a real asshole.

  “Yeah, you’re right. I know.” It doesn’t stop the inkling in the back of my m
ind. We’re so young. Part of me can’t help but wonder if we would have gotten married at all if she hadn’t gotten pregnant. I think we were together for so long because we were each other’s first everything—and then so much time passed, we didn’t know how to be without each other.

  Lately, she’s been so different, and I mean even before her pregnancy. She was distant, zoned-out, and her temper was getting out of control. And then after she had the baby, it’s become even worse.

  I read in one of the books about postpartum depression, but what the hell do I know? I try to do whatever I can, and I feel like it isn’t enough.

  I almost feel like she hates me and Amber, which hurts, but I hope Emerson is right. I hope this is all in my head and we can build our family together. We will be okay.

  “Shots fired at 765 Ruthless Drive,” dispatch announces over the radio.

  “Ah, shocker. It’s your first night going to the Ruthless Kings’ Clubhouse. You ready?” Emerson asks, flipping on the sirens and the lights.

  I’ve heard stories about these bikers. They are notorious criminals, but apparently, they have an in with the department. The captain likes to use them for frowned-upon things that wouldn’t look too great on the police department’s name.

  “Fucking sweet!” I cheer, sounding way too happy to report to a call where shots are fired.

  Emerson chuckles at me, but responding to a biker gang’s clubhouse is so much better than roaming the streets waiting for something to happen. I know, it’s bad to be excited for something to happen, but being a cop can be boring.

  “You say that now, but just wait. They aren’t the type of people you fuck around with.”

  I’d love to be that kind of guy one day—or that kind of cop. I want to be respected. Maybe a little bit feared. I want people to look at me like I'm a complete badass. But I have a lot to learn beforehand. Fuck, I haven’t ever shot my weapon outside of training. Granted, I’ve only been a cop for six months. I got in just before Haley had the baby, so we had health insurance.

  Whew. Who would have thought having a baby would be so expensive?

  “You can floor it, Rookie. It’s time for speed.” Emerson grins.

  “Holy shit. I get to go above the speed limit? Fucking sweet.” I slam on the gas and Emerson’s crackled laugh overpowers the sirens.

  Cars drift out of the way as we zoom through the highway, our lights and sirens blaring. I get a thrill from the engine roaring like a mighty beast.

  “Ah, fucking love Rookies. I don’t know why the other cops complain. You’re so damn eager.” He holds onto the gray plastic ‘oh-shit’ handle and with the other hand, presses the button on the radio. “Unit 247 responding,” he replies. “Alright kid, show me what you got.”

  I have to take a hard left at the next light, but I’m in the far right-hand lane. “Oh, you better get ready, old man,” I warn him and when the light turns red, I rip the emergency brake up, and the car fishtails and drifts. Rubber burns. Smoke fills all the mirrors, and the scent tickles my nose.

  “Fuck yeeeeeesss!” Emerson shouts. I swear the damn car begins to tilt, threatening to roll.

  But we don’t.

  The car slows from the brake, but we don’t stop. I gun it again, my vision tunneling from the speed and my heart racing from the adrenaline. My hands are sweating on the leather of the wheel as I follow the GPS to our destination.

  Cars continue to pull off the road to get out of our way and the clubhouse comes up on the right. I slow and pull into the parking lot, flipping the sirens off but keeping the lights on. I make sure to be extra careful around the bikes as I park, not wanting to hit any of them. I can’t imagine the fiasco that would cause.

  The front door bursts open just as Emerson and I undo our seatbelts and two men hit the ground in a scuffle. I’m up and out of the car quicker than Emerson is. I don’t place my hand on my weapon because it’s a fight.

  Fights happen, especially between hot-headed men.

  I grab the one on top and pull him off the other, lacing his arms behind his back. He isn’t much bigger than me, so he’s easy to subdue. The guy on the ground begins to get up but Emerson is there, cuffing his hands behind his back to stop him from attacking.

  Right. Cuffs. Duh. Jesus, I am a rookie. I slap the handcuffs on his wrists and listen to the guys arguing with each other.

  “You were supposed to have my back!” Emerson’s guy spits. He’s wearing no shirt or cut, but he has a few wounds bleeding from various parts of his torso.

  Are those… nail marks?

  “Have your back? Fuck you. You were fucking my ol’ lady!” my guy snaps, trying to rip himself out of my hold.

  “Really, fellas? A domestic dispute? You couldn’t give us something juicy? Like drugs?” Emerson sighs and a guy off to the side smoking a cigarette next to his bike chuckles.

  “Ah, come on, Emerson. You know better than that. We’re clean.”

  “As the bathroom stall at the station,” Emerson grumbles. “Which is not clean, to clarify.”

  I snicker and all heads turn towards me.

  I gulp.

  Oh, fuck me.

  “Who’s the badge, Emerson? New guy for us to play with?”

  “Be nice, Taz,” Emerson warns.

  “I didn’t know she was your ol’ lady, man. I didn’t know. Why aren’t you mad at her? She’s the whore.”

  “You don’t know when to shut up, do you?” my guy sneers at his friend.

  His ex-friend?

  “We got a report about gun shots?” I finally manage to speak up, keeping my hands locked around my perp’s wrists.

  “Cause he tried to shoot me.”

  “Oh, fuck you, Pudge. You were fucking my woman, of course I tried to shoot you.”

  “Come on, Fingers. It ain’t like that. I didn’t know you had made that decision.”

  “Do you want to file charges?” Emerson asks Pudge. His name makes no sense to me, because he isn’t fat at all. The guy looks like he can bench press eight of me.

  “No,” he scoffs. “Are you kidding? I really meant no harm. I wouldn’t ever do that on purpose.”

  “And will you play nice? Maybe you guys can learn to share,” I offer to them before I realize what I had just said. Everyone’s eyes fall on me, including the two we have in cuffs. “Uh, what I mean is… what I mean… I meant—”

  Everyone bursts out laughing, including Emerson. His big belly bounces and he presses a hand to his side.

  “Shit, Emerson. Where did you find him?” The one named Taz tosses his cigarette on the ground and strolls to me.

  I swallow when I see all of his tattoos and scars.

  He could kill me.

  “You don’t look like you’re old enough to drink,” he notices.

  “I’m eighteen.”

  “Fuck me. Can’t believe you can be a cop at eighteen yet can’t drink a beer. Tell you what, when you get off work, I’ll buy you one.”

  “I didn’t hear that, Taz. Come on. You can’t say shit like that around me,” Emerson gripes.

  “I was kidding,” he protests, adding a wink as he stares at me. “Tell me, Badge. What makes you think they would share? Some of us don’t like sharing.” He lifts a pierced brow at me and sweat begins to bead around my temples.

  It’s my first encounter with a known dangerous person. My heart is racing, but it’s different from when I was driving the car past the speed limit. I’m afraid if I say the wrong thing, he’ll kill me.

  “Relax, Badge. Relax. You won’t get hurt. We like the cops. You do things for us, we do things for you. It’s a good system.”

  “Right.” I let out a breath. “I just figured maybe she wanted both of these… gentlemen. Maybe it’s an option they can pursue if they want. I don’t know.”

  “You have an ol’ lady?” Taz’s eyes fall to my wedding ring.

  “Yes, sir. I have a daughter, too. She’s two months old,” I say proudly and without shame. I might be young, but I’m p
roud of my family.

  “Good for you,” he says. “When that fails, you come to me, okay? I’m always looking for prospects like you.”

  I keep my snort in check. It isn’t the first time someone openly has had no faith in my marriage, and it won’t be the last.

  “Thanks for the offer,” I tell him honestly because in the back of my mind, something tells me I’ll need to take him up on his offer.

  It’s okay to have a Plan B.

  “I’m okay with it,” the guy I’m holding, Fingers, mumbles under his breath.

  “Really? I don’t mind either,” Pudge agrees, and Emerson rolls his eyes and unlocks the cuffs from around the perp’s wrist.

  I follow his lead and do the same. The two guys hug it out, then run inside. A girl’s playful scream fills the air and then a door slams.

  “Glad we could be of service,” Emerson says before stomping over to the patrol car and slamming the door. He picks up the box of donuts we got earlier and bites into one.

  Taz slaps my shoulder before I can move. I know I’m a cop and he should be somewhat afraid of me, but I know it’s him that has the upper hand. “He’s just mad. Emerson is the kind of guy that loves a little action. He doesn’t get much of it these days. We try to humor him,” he explains.

  “Sure. Well, it was nice meeting you, Taz.”

  “I’m the President of the Ruthless Kings Oklahoma Chapter. I have a feeling you’ll be back. I’ll be seeing you around, Badge.” The orange flicker of the lighter ignites a faint glow on his face as he lights another cigarette. “Kiss your wife for me,” he adds with a smirk. Taz turns around to head inside and I’m stuck staring at the skull on the back of his cut.

  Feels a bit familiar. I don’t know why.

  “Come on now, Rookie. Our shift is over. I know you want to see that cute baby of yours,” Emerson hollers out of the car.