Cameron Hart [Hart - Keeping Kennedy: A Chaos MC Novel (MC Chaos Book 4)

Keeping Kennedy

A Chaos MC Novel (Book 4)

By Cameron Hart

Chapter 1

Kennedy

I take one last deep breath before stepping out of my 1996 Pontiac Sunbird. My nervous hands busy themselves smoothing out the wrinkles in my slacks and shirt. I know I dont have to wear my full uniform when working cases like this, but I figure since Ill be spending a lot of time with a bunch of outlaw bikers, I might as well start off strong. Show them I dont mess around. Show them Im serious about helping them take down the Devils Knights and their various illegal prostitution ventures.

Or, at least thats the message Im hoping to send with the uniform, complete with my badge and my gun on display.

I make my way up to the front door of the Chaos clubhouse and step inside.

Something feels different in here. The air is thick. My skin ripples with goosebumps. My heart flutters, though not from nerves. What the hell is happening to me? I shake it off and make my way towards the group of large men in the corner of the bar, assuming one of them is the guy Ill be working with.

Twelve pairs of eyes stare me down.

I should feel intimidated. Every single one of these guys tower over me. However, I like the challenge, the chance to prove myself. I wont be overlooked. I wont be pushed over. I wont back down. I wont show fear.

Keeping my head high, I steel my gaze and walk right up to them.

Im Kennedy, I say confidently. Im here to take down the motherfucking Devils Knights.

This earns me some grins and a few chuckles from the guys. One of the guys slaps another one on the back, causing him to cough. I snap my head over in that direction and see six feet, two inches of pure, muscled, trouble.

I know right away that hes the reason my skin is on fire and I cant seem to take a full breath. I fucking felt him when I walked into the clubhouse.

The Greek god of a man stares at me with intense light blue eyes. He holds out his hand, which strikes me as odd. This doesnt seem like the kind of place for formal handshakes and introductions. I look from his large hand back to his captivating face. His eyes are too much for me. They make me feel naked and vulnerable. So I look back at his hand and grasp it in mine.

What was supposed to be a normal handshake, turns into the large man pulling me into his chest. I crane my neck to stare up at him in shock. He gives me a stupidly sexy smirk, one that Im ashamed to admit makes my clit throb and my panties wet. I dont understand my bodys reaction to this man.

Shoving those thoughts aside, I realize I need to get control of this situation. I cant let these guys think Ill let them push me around. So, I revert back to my old-school tactics of defending myself.

I slap the fuck out of his gorgeous face.

Keep it in your pants, asshole, I spit out at him before backing away.

This earns me more laughter from the guys, but the Adonis in front of me just grins. Im really trying not to let that get to me, but goddamnit, hes so infuriating. I feel my jaw tense and lock in place as I glare up at him.

Lets get started, shall we? A calming yet authoritative voice cuts through the tension. My eyes snap away from the asshole in front of me and land on River, the club president. Yeah, I did my research on these guys. I know they look clean-ish right now, but Im not an idiot. They definitely have a less than legal side business going on. But thats not the point of this meeting.

The guys and I shuffle into one of the side rooms. Once inside, everyone seems to have an assigned seat. I glance around, feeling more out of place than ever. Which is saying something.

I feel a warmth behind me and the hair at the back of my neck stands on end.

Looks like youll be sitting next to me, sweetheart. The low whisper rumbles throughout my body, scratching my insides in the most delightful and confusing way. I dont have to turn around to know who the voice belongs to.

My name is Kennedy, not sweetheart, I snap, turning my head to glare at him.

He just shrugs and steps around me, sitting down in one of two empty seats. I roll my eyes and sit down next to him, not sparing him another glance.

River gives some general introductory speech, nodding to a few of the guys and then introducing me a bit.

Thank you, again, for working with us, Kennedy. I think youll find that we have the same goal in mind; to end the Devils Knights once and for all.

I give him a curt nod.

Youll be working with Slash, our tech guy. Hes been running surveillance on the Devils Knights for a while now.

Which one of you is Slash? I ask, looking around the room.

River tries unsuccessfully to hold back a smile.

All eyes turn towards the jackass sitting next to me. Hes wearing that same smug grin that I apparently need to slap off of his face again. Or maybe I need to kiss it off of his face.

Damnit .

Perfect, I scoff under my breath, though apparently not quietly enough.

Yeah, I think so too, Slash says, quirking an eyebrow up in a way that makes me hate him and melt for him at the same time.

I glare at Slash and make a point to scoot my chair away from him and cross my arms over my chest. Mature, I know.

He just chuckles at me. I bite my tongue before I yell at him or say something that will totally ruin the tentative truce between the club and local law enforcement. I pride myself on my professionalism and keeping my cool even in the midst of crisis. Thats what got me so far in my career at such a young age.

We sit side by side for the remainder of the meeting. I stare straight ahead at River, though I catch Slash stealing glances at me from the corner of my eye. When were dismissed, I brace myself for whats next.

As much as I want to high tail it out of the clubhouse, I do actually need to do my job. Which means talking with Slash. And trying to ignore his mischievous blue eyes. And not thinking about his messy blonde hair that needs to be brushed out of his face.

I know Im gorgeous, but youre making me self-conscience here, sweetheart.

I blink my eyes and feel a rush of heat in my face. Since when do I blush? And since when do I openly ogle men? Shit. Ive just been staring at him. What the hell is wrong with me?

Its Kennedy. Not sweetheart.

Oh, baby girl, youre killing me here. Were partners, yeah? So we should have codenames, right?

Listen here, Slash . Im not your partner. Im not your sweetheart. And Im not your baby. In fact, Im nothing to you. Just like youre nothing to me.

You wound me! He says in a dramatic fashion, clasping his hands over his heart as if I struck him.

Can you be serious for one second? This is a huge case; does it mean anything to you at all?

To my surprise, Slash sobers up real quick.

Yeah. It means a fuck of a lot to me, Kennedy. His eyes are hard, his face completely drained of humor.

After a few years on the force, Ive learned a thing or two about reading people. Looking at Slash now, I dont doubt his sincerity. Everything about him in this moment conveys a seriousness, a dedication, a sadness. From the way his muscles tense in his legs to the way his fingers flex and then ball up into fists at his sides.

But that side of him is schooled over in an instant, replaced by the cocky bastard mask I have a feeling he wears most of the time.

But just because this is important, doesnt mean we cant have fun too. Right, partner ? He wags his eyebrows and then winks at me, earning him an exasperated sigh.

I came here to plan a takedown, not babysit an immature twelve-year-old.

Twelve? Id peg me for eighteen, at least. Good thing for you, sweetheart. Im totally legal, so you can do whatever you want with me.

Im about to give him a piece of my mind when River walks up and slaps Slash upside the head. I barely contain the giggle that rises up in my throat.