Heathen (Cerberus MC Las Vegas Chapter #1)

Chapter 1

Heathen

How is this my life?

Sitting here with the New Mexico branch of Cerberus members wasn't even something on my radar as little as five years ago.

I had no idea this specific group existed, although I'd heard rumors that there were multiple groups around the United States that had teams that specialized in rescuing people who had been trafficked, either into sexual slavery, debt bondage, or forced labor.

This team is much different from the one I'll be on in Vegas, but I, along with a few other men, have been training with them for the last several months.

This gathering is sort of like our going away party, although it doesn't take anything substantial for this crew to get together and have a good time. Their quickness to turn a regular Tuesday into a party makes me realize that I've finally found the type of people I can really set roots down with.

"That could be you," Rooster says, nodding toward Hound's wife. Hound is a team leader for Cerberus New Mexico. I lost count but I swear the man has half a dozen kids with the club president, Kincaid's, daughter Gigi.

"That," I say without pointing, because I'm not as awkward in social situations as our Vegas IT expert Rooster, "is not the way my life will ever go."

He huffs a laugh with a wide smile as if he can see the future and I have some eye-opening changes coming.

"I'm serious," I argue. "Married with a horde of kids? Never."

"You don't like kids?"

I shrug. "I'm indifferent to kids, but I don't see this job being very kid friendly."

"Did they not give you the same eye test I had?" he asks. "Look around, brother. Every man here is tied down. That happens first, and then the kids come along."

Instead of arguing with him, I look around the room and just observe the people milling about. This place isn't only for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to righting the wrongs of evil men. They've forged a family, finding love and happiness in the midst of wickedness.

But as happy as I am for them, it's not something I see happening for myself.

Watching my parents as parts of a political machine has tainted any expectations of long-term happiness as far as an emotional relationship with a woman is concerned.

They married at the perfect age and from the viewpoint of people on the outside looking in, they're happy and supportive of each other. Not much is different at home. They don't hate each other, and they do make a perfect team, but their own political aspirations are what drives them, not love and family. They had children because it was expected, not because they wanted to shower their undying love on their offspring.

Neither were displeased when I joined the military. Time in service to your country looks very good on a political resume, but their first disappointment was when I stayed in for eight years rather than only the required four. The second time my father frowned at me was when I chose to work for a company that specializes in teaching people self-defense and at-home safety rather than going to law school.

The communication with my family over the last three years has been sporadic at best, and I wouldn't be surprised if they hadn't given me a second thought since they've considered me no longer a part of the political legacy they have been building.

Safety First was where Kincaid found me and offered me a different kind of job. That first meeting blew me away. Considering the man knew more about me than I could recall of myself, I really thought I had been put in a bad spot where my own safety was concerned, but it all worked out. Here I am, one of the founding members of the Cerberus, Las Vegas Chapter.

"Team meeting in ten," Bandera says as he walks by.

I knew after my first five-minute conversation with Dustin "Bandera" Jennings that he already had it in his head that he would eventually become the Vegas chapter president. But even after several months of training, Kincaid still hasn't handed him that patch yet.

On the other hand, I just feel lucky as hell to be a part of something so incredible.

When Bandera begins to make his way toward the conference room, it activates us other four men who will be the initial team in Vegas.

By the time the doors of the massive room close, it's filled with the entire Vegas team as well as many of the New Mexico team, including every team leader and the remaining six original Cerberus members.

I look around the room, noting just how badass all of them are. Not for the first time since arriving here, I hope I can have just half of the success these men and women have had in aiding the rescue of so many trafficked and indentured people. They make a real difference in the world, and when I joined the military, it was all I ever wanted to do.

"This is going to sound a little juvenile," Kincaid begins from the front of the room. "But this is so very important. Not only will you be given specific jobs, but we need you to be on the lookout for possible other jobs while you're in Vegas. Let's go over signs of trafficking one more time before I cut you loose."

The massive screen behind him comes to life, showcasing a list of signs of trafficking including work conditions, personal traits, and how suspected trafficked persons act around people of authority in their lives.

"Vegas has always been a rich tapestry of cultures and ethnicities, and because of its diversity, I urge every one of you to keep any bias or stereotypes you may have about certain groups of people out of your work. Your opinions about how people should live can't come into play. You aren't going to Vegas to change the way people think but to help those who need help and aren't capable of getting out of certain situations themselves," Kincaid continues. "You'll have a week or so in Vegas to explore and get your bearings before one of the guys from Tennessee comes over to outline your first jobs. Shadow?"

The vice president of the New Mexico chapter steps forward. "I urge you to explore the town and listen to the whispers at the blackjack tables. People from out of town are in the know. They're aware of the best place to go for many less-than-legal things, and people love to talk. They love to share the secrets that were whispered to them by others."

"Keep in mind that we never do anything half-cocked," Kid, another original Cerberus member, says as he steps forward. "Intel is vital. Rooster was picked for this team because he's one of the best, so use him in every aspect of your cases."

"The jobs that you'll be working aren't going to be like the jobs you've helped with in South America," Dominic, Kincaid's brother, adds. "These jobs require a hell of a lot more finesse, and keep in mind that each case will require you to work with other agencies. There's a lot of red tape with these types of jobs, and there will come a time when you want to do more but bureaucracy prevents you from doing so. There will be some really bad shit that you will have to walk away from. Each of you were vetted and picked because of your ability to see past what's right in front of your eyes and consider all options. That's something we're counting on in order to make the Vegas chapter successful."

A quick and easy murmur of agreement comes from each of us. We know what the expectations are. We've been educated on the differences between what we've been doing with them to train and what is expected of us once we're working the domestic cases.

"I have a lot of confidence in you guys," Kincaid says, taking the floor once again. "But if there ever comes a time when you feel like you're drowning and need to take a step back, let me know. We can't help people if we aren't taking care of ourselves. Are there any questions?"

Several of us shift in our seats, but no one voices any concerns.

"Okay then," Kincaid says, turning his back to us so he can face the screen. "This property was bought by Cerberus, and it'swhere you will be living."

The screen shifts from the list of trafficking signs to the front gate of a massive villa. The landscaping alone in such a desert climate has to cost a massive amount of money just to maintain each month.

"Eleven rooms and eleven bathrooms," Kincaid explains as pictures of the interior begin to flash across the screen. "Two-lane bowling alley. Heated pool. Sauna. Hot tubs. This place has it all."

One of the guys whistles at the extravagance of the place, but I'm too in awe of the images in front of me to pull my attention away long enough to figure out who it was.

"It's a pretty extreme place, but we need you guys to have a place to go that gets you away from all the danger, so you don't have to be on all the damn time," Kincaid continues. "I will advise you that this isn't the place to bring your hookups and would advise against parties or large groups of people coming to the house. It complicates things. Any questions?"

I look over my shoulder at Rooster to find him with a smile on his face as big as the one tugging up the corners of my own mouth.

I can't wait to get to Vegas.