My New Life

Chapter 1

We just moved into a house across the street from Wolf MC in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Not that I wanted to move, but no one asked me.

Easier to go along and make them think they are stupid.

My mom got a new boyfriend. He seems nice, but I don't interact much with them.

My dad died two months ago when a rival MC tried to kill the president of Spirit MC's wife. My dad and I were the ones next to her, and he shielded her with his body. He was hit in the back twice. I'm not mad.

She is my godmother, and I would be devastated without her.

I pull up on my bike outside the house. It is a three-story house with white peeling paint and blue trim.

Of course, my mom picks a home that needs work. I'm sure it will be a pretty house when it's done, but I'm not helping. I have things to do and only a few weeks to do them. There is an apartment in the basement, and it is mine. My three brothers are staying in the house with my mom. I have a 4th, but Dad sent him away when I was little.

We aren't as close as we were when Dad was alive.

I take a deep breath and see the MC across the street staring. They have a nice place that looks like it used to be a hotel that was converted into a clubhouse. It looks like a log cabin. At least they have a nice place. I still have my helmet on, so they can't see my face. It just says Ice on the side in a deep purple with silver in it.

I got the nickname because my hair has always been a white silver color, plus dealing with the 4 of them has made me cold and sarcastic. I hate most people; hell, you can't even trust your own mom.

I have blue jeans, a black tank top, my leather jacket, and boots. I have a 9mm holster in my jacket and knives in a few places.

Drunk bikers think they can touch who they want and get away with it, not with me.

My mother’s voice cut through the stillness. “Layla, your stuff is already in your apartment downstairs.”

“Ok, Mom, thanks,” I said, trying to keep my voice light, like I wasn’t noticing the distance in hers. I hesitated, then added, “Did you guys want help?”

“No, we got it settled,” she replied.

I knew she wouldn't. She doesn't like me much. I'm the oldest of the four of us, and she babysits the three younger ones. Travis and Thomas, the twins, are 16, and Sean is 15. They are spoiled rotten. Ghost is in the military. He is 10 years older than I am.

I take on my helmet as we are talking and I hear “what the fuck that’s a girl.”

Fucking idiots. I know I don’t have the figure of a boy, so yeah, of course, I am a girl.

Then I hear, “She is going to be in trouble; she better stay away.”

No one in my family defends me. Of course, I always have to defend myself since my dad died. You would think I was some distant cousin that no one liked.

I turned to look to see who said that, only to see that the president was the one talking to my mom's new boyfriend, and he did not even defend me. Only god knows what that woman has told him about me.

I will keep that in mind and strike one of you fools.

Then I turn and walk to the side of the house and go down to my apartment. This is a cheap door, I will have to put a better one on after I can access everything my dad left me.

The basement isn't like most. It has windows that are about three feet by five feet, so I can put my curtains up. I walk into the living room and start opening windows facing the road. Then I hear the president talking to my brothers. They are going to look for prospects for them. Good for them.

I know they can see me. I haven't found the curtains yet, and I have the kitchen and half my room done. I have four boxes left, one says living room, and the other bathroom, and the other three say art room. There they are as I open the living room box. I see the time is only 12. Well, I will be able to go buy food before long.

I decided to take a break and do just that. I walked out and got on my Harley. As I was driving through town, I thought I saw my uncle Rick's bodyguard with a box in his hand.

I'm seeing things.

I haven't seen them since I was 8 years old when Dad sent Ghost away. I got to Walmart’s parking lot when I saw my uncle Rick's truck parked there. Well, I guess I did see him.

“Uncle Rick, what are you doing here?” I called out and walked toward him. “I thought you didn’t want anything to do with us.”

“That’s not true, princess,” he said, holding the box out to me. “ I have a file for you to read. It is on this laptop; no one can get into it, ok, and here is a phone. Don't let your mother see it. She wasn't supposed to take you, and this laptop will explain why. I love you. Just know that, and we will text and call every day whenever you want. I want to check in once a day and send the code word unicorn if you are in trouble, and I will find you.”

I swallowed hard. “I love you, too, Uncle.”

He hugged me and then climbed into the truck. The engine roared to life, and they pulled out. I stood alone, clutching the laptop and phone, feeling like I’d just been handed a map to a world I didn’t yet understand.

After settling my things, I went to Walmart and grabbed everything I needed, and towels, because mine are missing, and if they are upstairs, I won't get them back. I pay and then leave. I went to the local dinner called Crescent Moon. It had a home feeling to it, most places are missing.

I walk in and sit down. Before I could overthink the menu, a blonde girl about 5ft and about my age walks up and says, “Hi, my name is Lisa, I will be your server today. Here is your menu. I would recommend the chicken parmesan. It is really good. What can I get you to drink? Well, you look through the menu?”