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  Shy’s Last Stand

  Phantom Bastards MC

  Book 4

  Erin Osborne

  Copyright 2019© Erin Osborne

  All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the author except for brief quotations used in book reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  Editors: Full Bloom Editing – Courtney Lynn Rose

  Proofreader: Kim Richards

  Shy’s Last Stand Blurb

  Cheyanne ‘Shy’ Carter

  I have loved one man my entire life, Slim. After him pushing me away, I thought we were on the right track. Getting passed the tragedies we’ve encountered and building a life together. Now, I’m not so sure. How can things go so wrong so quick? Am I destined for a life without Slim and the Phantom Bastards MC?

  Tony ‘Slim’ Busch

  I don’t know how I managed to get my club into this mess. I’m not sure if it’s something we’re going to make it out of in one piece. Once again I’m punishing the one person I shouldn’t. Well, two people actually. Shy and Kinsliegh. They keep me grounded and I’m avoiding them like the plague. Will I be able to get us out of this mess? Or will I lose everything I hold close to my heart?

  Dedication

  Shy’s Last Stand is dedicated to all of my readers. Without you, none of us would be able to do what we love to do. You have stood by my side when I’ve had personal issues going on, my family had things going on, and this year when I was so sick. Thank you will never be good enough to show my appreciation to you and your support.

  Character List

  Officers/Members:

  President: Tony ‘Slim’ Busch

  V. President: Griffin ‘Playboy’ Busch

  Secretary: Travis ‘Des’ King

  Treasurer: Paul ‘Grizzly’ Stone

  Enforcer: Tristan ‘Killer’ Long

  Sgt. At Arms: John ‘Stryker’ Gilbert

  Road Captain: Brantley ‘Wood’ Parker

  Tech: Gunner ‘Fox’ Stevens

  Thomas ‘Boy Scout’ Reed

  Christian ‘Hitter’ Matthews

  Elliott ‘Whino’ Kinsella

  Craig ‘Ghost’ Tucker

  Joel ‘Hound’ Carlson

  Prospects:

  Alex Stone

  Zach Stone

  Clayton Bradford

  Ian Brown

  Old Ladies:

  Wood/Boy Scout – Jennifer Hayes

  House Bunnies:

  Trinity

  Lips

  Cam

  Ginger

  Rachel

  Betsy

  Collette

  Businesses:

  Strip Club – Allure

  Nightclub – Phantom

  Bar – Bottoms Up

  Tattoo Parlor – Phantom Ink

  Diner – BF Diner

  Table of Contents

  Shy’s Last Stand

  Copyright 2019© Erin Osborne

  Shy’s Last Stand Blurb

  Dedication

  Character List

  Table of Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  Shy’s Last Stand Playlist

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Other Books

  Chapter One

  Slim

  WE’VE BEEN AT the land for almost a full week now. I haven’t let any business be conducted; this is our time to get away from all that shit. Today is a different story though. I’m going to talk to Renegade and Psycho about building up the land so next year we don’t have to worry about renting RVs and all that shit to camp out in.

  As soon as breakfast is over, we’re going to take a ride in one of the SUVs and discuss what I want and where. I’ll be giving them the ideas Shy had too. She’s a part of this and I want her to know her ideas and opinions matter to me.

  This week has been good for us. I’ve loosened up a bit as far as what she is, and isn’t, doing. We may have had words in the camper the first night and she put me in my place. I know she was waiting to do it when we were alone. Shy knows not to call me out on shit while we’re in front of everyone. She was pissed and let me know it though.

  “Shy girl, I’m headin’ out. We shouldn’t be gone that long. Call if you need me,” I tell her, walking into the back of the RV.

  “Okay. See you when you get back,” she answers sweetly.

  “What are you girls doin’ today?” I ask, leaning down to kiss Kinsliegh.

  “I don’t know. Probably just hangin’ out. We’ll have to start packing everything up today so we’re ready to leave in the morning.”

  “Okay. Stay close please,” I say.

  “We will. Have to start cleaning up at some point today.”

  I make my way out of the RV to find the guys waiting by the SUV for me. Hadliegh and a few other girls are already over this way too. I’m sure they’ll be up to no good as usual. Especially when Hadliegh’s involved.

  “Ready?” I ask, opening the driver’s door of the SUV.

  “Waitin’ on you, old man,” Playboy says as the rest of the guys laugh.

  For the next two hours we drive around the property as I show them where I want the things we’re talking about. On the backside of the property, Shy thought we could make a large pond for everyone to swim in when it gets too hot. We could stock it with fish so the men have something to do too. There’s going to be a gun range, cabins, a large hall for the kitchen and dining, and the rest of the land will be left alone. Well, other than random fire pits set up.

  “When do you want this done?” Renegade asks.

  “By next year if possible. The next time we all come out here, I don’t want to hassle with the RVs and shit. I want to make this a yearly event so we can all get away from shit. Oh, the last thing I want is a large fence surrounding the property. I don’t want anyone to think they’re goin’ to catch us off guard because we’re not takin’ every precaution.”

  “Seems like we can get it done. We’ll have a lot of crews out here to ensure it, but I don’t see it bein’ a problem. Anythin’ else you want done?” Psycho asks.

  “No. I think that’s about it. I’ll make sure Shy doesn’t have any more ideas to add. But I think we need to set up a spot for a playground. The kids will need somethin’ to do too,” I add.

  About the time we get out of the SUV and begin making our way toward the women, all hell breaks loose. Men start pouring out of the trees and begin to circle us. Some of the braver men get in between the women, effectively cutting us off from them. There’s no way we can protect them.

  “Thanks for invitin’ us to the party, fellas. Now, this is how it’s gonna go. We’re here to do a job and once that’s over with, we’ll leave you alone. No one is to follow us or try to stop us in any way,” the man in front of me says, looking at each of us as he speaks.

&n
bsp; “Who’s your boss?” I ask, wanting to know what club they’re here for.

  “Don’t worry about it. Just know we’re here to do a job and our lives will go back to normal in a little bit.”

  A loud scream pierces the afternoon air and I frantically look around to see where it’s coming from. The women in front of us are all sitting like statues and the kids are sitting still. They’re not making a noise as they feel the tension rise higher and higher among us.

  “You’ve done well for yourself, Slim. It’ll be a shame when we take it all from you. That’s for another day though. Same goes for you, Renegade,” the man says.

  His cut reads President and I know this is the man that’s been giving us all hell the last few months. Most of the men surrounding him don’t even have cuts on. They’re just lackeys here to help him out. We’ve been taking out their members as often as we can and now I guess he’s trying to rebuild the ranks. Good luck with that now that they’ve shown their faces and come at us like this.

  “You think we won’t take retribution for whatever you’re doin’ here today? For everythin’ you’ve been doin’?” Renegade asks, searching for the source of the scream and sounds of a struggle.

  The noises are coming from somewhere behind us, but not a single man is willing to take their eyes off the women in front of us. As far as I know, they’re all sitting together so I’m not sure who’s doing the screaming.

  Just as quickly as the men appeared, they disappear. We rush to our women to make sure they’re okay. Hawk and Chains are yelling for Cassidy, but there’s no answer in return. The women sitting before us begin to openly sob.

  “Where’s Cassidy?” Renegade asks Hadliegh and Callie.

  “She went to the RV to get something. I figured she’d be safe hiding in there or I’d have managed to let you know somehow,” Hadliegh answers.

  Hawk and Chains take off in the direction of the RV they’ve been staying in with the young woman. We hear an anguished bellow coming from the RV and know she’s not in there. Renegade and his crew take off toward the RV to be there for his men. I go to move that way as my phone begins ringing.

  “‘Lo?” I ask into the phone.

  “Slim, my boss has a proposition for you. I suggest you take him up on his offer,” an accented voice says from the other end of the line.

  “Who the fuck is this?” I ask, walking away from the women as Playboy and Killer follow me.

  “My name is Jorge. I work for the Santino Cartel. As I said, he wants your club to take over for Snakes Revenge. You’ve been taking them out left and right. There’s no longer enough men to do the job my boss wants done. It’s a long-term contract.”

  “And why the fuck do you think I’m goin’ to work for a fuckin’ Cartel? That’s not my style and it won’t be in the future either,” I tell him as I look at Killer and my son.

  “If you don’t, we have no problem givin’ you the motivation you need to do what we want. It already looks like you have a problem with one of the clubs with you. You have seventy-two hours to make your decision.”

  “And what motivation do you think you can give us to give in to you?” I ask, tempting fate as I know what these fuckers are willing to do.

  “Shy is looking really good. She’ll make a great addition to the stables. Along with the rest of the women you have there. The kids will be worked to death on the farms. Or they’ll grow up to be soldiers for my boss. That motivation enough?” he asks, laughter just below the surface of his voice.

  “You fuckin’…” I begin as he hangs up on me.

  “What’s goin’ on?” Killer asks, already on full alert and continuously searching the property.

  “Jorge from the Santino Cartel. Wants us to work for them. If we don’t, they’ll go after the women and kids. We got seventy-two hours to make a decision. For now, we need to help look for Cassidy. Where is everyone?” I ask, turning my head to see the guys are already spreading out and searching for her.

  “Go see where they haven’t gone yet, Killer, and that’s where we’ll head,” Playboy responds as I make my way over to Shy.

  The women and kids aren’t safe outside here anymore. I want them in the RVs and out of the way. Doors need to be locked and no one is to walk alone. They can all pile in one RV for all I care, but they won’t be put in further harm. Not with this fucker knowing what’s going on here already.

  “Shy, need you all in the RVs. I don’t care which ones you go to. All women and kids inside. Now,” I tell her, letting the urgency I feel fill my voice so she knows how serious I am.

  “Okay. I’ll get it done,” she responds, standing up and getting the women together.

  After making sure they’re all inside, we spend the next two hours searching everywhere for Cassidy. The only thing we’ve found is her cell phone. It was in the woods to the left of where we were all standing. Now we know we can’t track her. Hawk and Chains are going out of their minds and it’s taken most of the men here to get them locked down.

  Renegade is getting his guys ready. They’re going to search for her while the women stay here. Butcher and his club will make sure they get home in the morning when they head out. It’s out of his way, but Renegade wants to get on the road because we have no clue where they’re taking Cassidy.

  For now, I want to spend the last night here with Shy and Kinsliegh. No one will be able to pull my attention away from them tonight. Once we get home, the shit is going to hit the fan. We have to decide as a club if we’re going to work with the fucking Cartel. Right now, I want to get lost in my woman and forget the fucking bullshit going on around the club.

  Chapter Two

  Slim

  WE’VE BEEN HOME for a few hours and it’s time to hold church and let everyone in on the call I received from Jorge. Killer and Playboy are still the only ones that know and we need to make this decision as a club. At this point, I want to say no. But, I don’t want to put the women and kids in any danger. So, I can’t make this one myself. Everyone will have a chance to weigh in on the decision.

  Sending a group text out, I let everyone know we have church in ten. I have just enough time to say goodbye to my girls and get my ass to the clubhouse. Walking through the house, I find Shy in Kinsliegh’s room getting her ready for the day. It’s a sight I never want to miss seeing, my woman being a badass mother.

  “Gotta go to church,” I say, crouching down next to her and rubbing a hand over Kinsliegh’s head.

  “Okay. We’re having a girls’ day in. I need to unpack and clean before the day’s over with.”

  Leaning down, I kiss Shy goodbye and make my way out of the house after grabbing all my stuff. I’ve learned to put my keys, wallet, change, and anything else in my pockets up so it’s not in the way when Kinsliegh starts walking. I don’t want her to get into the shit I carry around in my pockets. And I learned with Playboy if you leave money around, they’ll take it as theirs quicker than you can blink. I lost hundreds to that boy.

  Straddling my bike, I make the short drive to the clubhouse and park in my spot right by the door. As I look at the row of bikes, I know everyone is inside waiting for me already. I’m the last one here it looks like. I guess it’s a good thing I’m the President because they can’t start without me and I can’t get in trouble.

  Walking to the doors leading into church, I give the Prospect my phone and gun. Everyone else has already done the same thing. I can’t have any of my guys pulling a gun when things get heated and we don’t need any other distractions with our phones while we’re trying to figure things out.

  I walk in and take my seat, looking around at the men sitting with me. These men are like my sons, they’re my brothers, I trust them with my life. That doesn’t mean this decision isn’t going to be a difficult one to make.

  “I’ve called church today to discuss a phone call I got yesterday. It was from a man named Jorge. They want us to start workin’ with the Cartel. If not, they’re goin’ to go after the women and kids. Th
ey knew where we were yesterday when he was talkin’ to me and mentioned Shy. Personally, I don’t want to work for the cocksuckers, but I don’t want the women and kids put in jeopardy either,” I say looking around the room.

  For a minute no one says a word. Each and every one of them have various looks of rage, tension, and other emotions fleeting through their eyes. Not a single man sitting at this table wants to work for the Cartel. However, none of us are willing to put the lives of innocents on the line either.

  “It doesn’t seem we have much of a choice but to work with them right now,” Killer says, looking at the rest of the men gathered around the table. “If we go to war, we have enough clubs to help us. But, then we’re puttin’ their families at risk too. The only thing I’m gonna say is it’s on our terms.”

  “What do you mean?” Playboy asks.

  “I mean, no women and kids. We’ll help them with anythin’ else but that,” he answers.

  I think about Killer’s idea and can agree to that. We’re not about helping anyone mistreat women or kids. If we didn’t give a shit about them, we wouldn’t care what happened to our women and kids. I take a minute to let that information sink into the guys heads before calling it to a vote.

  “Anyone else have anythin’ to say about this?” I ask, looking around the table once more.

  When the room stays quiet, I call for a vote. Everyone around the table agrees to the terms Killer laid out. We’ll help them because we have no choice it seems. However, we won’t do a fucking thing when it comes to women and kids. The Cartel can go fuck themselves if they think that’s going to happen. We’ll be more than happy to go to war with the fuckers.

  As soon as the votes over, before we can switch to another topic, there’s a knock on the chapel door. No one should be interrupting us right now. Everyone from the ol’ ladies and women with the club to the Prospects, and house bunnies know not to interrupt us while we’re in here. Fox stands up and opens the door.

  “I’m sorry to disturb you. Slim’s phone is goin’ off like crazy. With all the chaos goin’ on right now, I wasn’t sure what to do,” our newest Prospect Ajax says nervously.